Michael Seely
@mpseely.bsky.social
michaelseely.substack.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk Author, Biographer of Kit Pedler, Douglas Camfield and Doomwatch!
New: A Message from the Stars - The A for Andromeda Story
New: A Message from the Stars - The A for Andromeda Story
Reposted by Michael Seely
And here’s another bump for the podcast.
The video version of this episode is now on YouTube but could be taken down any moment (it's currently in a copyright dispute), so get it while it's hot! youtu.be/FFxzLa67PC0
World of Telly Episode 13: A Very Peculiar Practice
YouTube video by World of Telly
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
And here’s another bump for the podcast.
Reposted by Michael Seely
MUST READ! In the latest CST blog about the damaging changes going on at the BBC Written Archives Centre, @marklewisohn.bsky.social delivers his cri de cœur squarely at those who came up with or are signing-off on this policy shift. Please read and share widely.
cstonline.net/defending-th...
cstonline.net/defending-th...
DEFENDING THE WAC: MARK LEWISOHN LOOKS AT WHY RENEWED APPRECIATION IS URGENTLY REQUIRED
I was asked to write an op-ed piece saying why I think the BBC’s Written Archives Centre (WAC) is a unique and brilliant resource, which I can do because it’s both – and why, therefore…
cstonline.net
October 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM
MUST READ! In the latest CST blog about the damaging changes going on at the BBC Written Archives Centre, @marklewisohn.bsky.social delivers his cri de cœur squarely at those who came up with or are signing-off on this policy shift. Please read and share widely.
cstonline.net/defending-th...
cstonline.net/defending-th...
Reposted by Michael Seely
"The BBC has clanged their doors shut on those histories, those stories, those lives and ways of working that are revealed through the joint industry of the historian and the archivist." @helenwheatley.bsky.social on the devastating decision to limit access to BBC archives. tinyurl.com/y4tnyw9a
Defending the WAC: All the things I haven’t (yet) written by Helen Wheatley
People following the last few weeks of the Critical Studies in Television blog will have seen my brilliant colleagues discussing the essential work that they have been able to do thanks to the…
cstonline.net
October 19, 2025 at 6:06 AM
"The BBC has clanged their doors shut on those histories, those stories, those lives and ways of working that are revealed through the joint industry of the historian and the archivist." @helenwheatley.bsky.social on the devastating decision to limit access to BBC archives. tinyurl.com/y4tnyw9a
'Have a pork scratcing says the Lord.' RIP John Woodvine.
October 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
'Have a pork scratcing says the Lord.' RIP John Woodvine.
Reposted by Michael Seely
On the biography of Barry Cryer by his son @bobbicee.bsky.social, and the radio show Baz worked on with Terrance Dicks between the latter’s stints on Doctor Who: 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/10/barr...
Barry Cryer Same Time Tomorrow, by Bob Cryer
0tralala.blogspot.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:10 AM
On the biography of Barry Cryer by his son @bobbicee.bsky.social, and the radio show Baz worked on with Terrance Dicks between the latter’s stints on Doctor Who: 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/10/barr...
Blatant promotion. Hear me talk about 'Callan', a series I am very fond of on Vision on Sound, a very good broadcast/podcast on classic TV and nostalgia you can catch up on here:
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
VISION ON SOUND • A podcast on Spotify for Creators
ADVENTURES IN TWENTIETH CENTURY TELEVISION... AND BEYOND...!Where the television of the past… …becomes the conversation of the present.Join us as we take a nostalgic journey through the television vau...
creators.spotify.com
September 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Blatant promotion. Hear me talk about 'Callan', a series I am very fond of on Vision on Sound, a very good broadcast/podcast on classic TV and nostalgia you can catch up on here:
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Reposted by Michael Seely
Part Two of when BBC1 wanted to see if there could be a future for Ulster in 1972... michaelseely.substack.com/p/this-is-bb...
This is BBC1 - 'Plumbing further depths of absurdity'
It is Wednesday 5 January 1972 - and BBC1 is about to host a live enquiry on the future of Northern Ireland despite outrage from the press and pressure from two governments not to go ahead. PART 2
michaelseely.substack.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Part Two of when BBC1 wanted to see if there could be a future for Ulster in 1972... michaelseely.substack.com/p/this-is-bb...
Part Two of when BBC1 wanted to see if there could be a future for Ulster in 1972... michaelseely.substack.com/p/this-is-bb...
This is BBC1 - 'Plumbing further depths of absurdity'
It is Wednesday 5 January 1972 - and BBC1 is about to host a live enquiry on the future of Northern Ireland despite outrage from the press and pressure from two governments not to go ahead. PART 2
michaelseely.substack.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Part Two of when BBC1 wanted to see if there could be a future for Ulster in 1972... michaelseely.substack.com/p/this-is-bb...
Tomorrow's SMP post is part two of this examination of a piece of TV history when BBC1 cleared the schedules for a controversial and headline grabbing enquiry into the future of Ulster. At this early point in 1972, no one foresaw what event was around the corner.
open.substack.com/pub/michaels...
open.substack.com/pub/michaels...
September 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Tomorrow's SMP post is part two of this examination of a piece of TV history when BBC1 cleared the schedules for a controversial and headline grabbing enquiry into the future of Ulster. At this early point in 1972, no one foresaw what event was around the corner.
open.substack.com/pub/michaels...
open.substack.com/pub/michaels...
Reposted by Michael Seely
And here's another bump for the video podcast, which the BBC has kindly left up.
This video could be taken down at any moment because it's in an ongoing copyright dispute, so get it while you can! youtu.be/UF2_4lp61C4 If it is removed, an uncut and slightly more polished version is available on our new Patreon, which is completely free to join: www.patreon.com/WorldofTelly
World of Telly Episode 11: The Mad Death
YouTube video by World of Telly
youtu.be
September 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
And here's another bump for the video podcast, which the BBC has kindly left up.
Reposted by Michael Seely
My latest Substack takes a look at my favourite Doctor Who William Hartnell guest starring in 'Softly Softly' who makes a surprising confession. With thanks to Z Cars historian David Brunt.
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
September 14, 2025 at 7:24 AM
My latest Substack takes a look at my favourite Doctor Who William Hartnell guest starring in 'Softly Softly' who makes a surprising confession. With thanks to Z Cars historian David Brunt.
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
Reposted by Michael Seely
tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com/product/abov...
"An immaculately researched tribute" - SFX Magazine
"Above The Law is superb - the work put into it is phenomenal and it`s also very well written" - Trevor Cooper
Now reprinted and a perfect companion to what is coming next!!!
"An immaculately researched tribute" - SFX Magazine
"Above The Law is superb - the work put into it is phenomenal and it`s also very well written" - Trevor Cooper
Now reprinted and a perfect companion to what is coming next!!!
Above the Law: The Unofficial Guide to Star Cops
REPRINTING: NEW COPIES ARRIVING SEPTEMBER 29 Star Cops was a BBC detective drama series set in space. Creator and writer Chris Boucher had honed...
tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:05 AM
tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com/product/abov...
"An immaculately researched tribute" - SFX Magazine
"Above The Law is superb - the work put into it is phenomenal and it`s also very well written" - Trevor Cooper
Now reprinted and a perfect companion to what is coming next!!!
"An immaculately researched tribute" - SFX Magazine
"Above The Law is superb - the work put into it is phenomenal and it`s also very well written" - Trevor Cooper
Now reprinted and a perfect companion to what is coming next!!!
My latest Substack takes a look at my favourite Doctor Who William Hartnell guest starring in 'Softly Softly' who makes a surprising confession. With thanks to Z Cars historian David Brunt.
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
September 14, 2025 at 7:24 AM
My latest Substack takes a look at my favourite Doctor Who William Hartnell guest starring in 'Softly Softly' who makes a surprising confession. With thanks to Z Cars historian David Brunt.
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/guest-star...
Features the episodes of Doomwatch and Survivors when they dealt with rabies before the extraordinary drama The Mad Death.
This video could be taken down at any moment because it's in an ongoing copyright dispute, so get it while you can! youtu.be/UF2_4lp61C4 If it is removed, an uncut and slightly more polished version is available on our new Patreon, which is completely free to join: www.patreon.com/WorldofTelly
World of Telly Episode 11: The Mad Death
YouTube video by World of Telly
youtu.be
September 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Features the episodes of Doomwatch and Survivors when they dealt with rabies before the extraordinary drama The Mad Death.
Last weekend, my Substack reached the finale of The Big Pull, a lost 1962 Saturday night sci-fi thriller. For six weeks or so I've been retelling the story of Quatermass meets A for Andromeda meets The Day The Earth Caught Fire. Subscribe for more larks in the future!
A day late but never mind, read the conclusion of The Big Pull, a lost BBC science fiction serial from 1962. I winder if they really filmed at Jodrell Bank. And if they did, whatever did they think of the script!
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
The Big Pull Part Six
Saturday is late this week. And time is running out for the future of mankind in the final instalment of this lost BBC serial.
michaelseely.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Last weekend, my Substack reached the finale of The Big Pull, a lost 1962 Saturday night sci-fi thriller. For six weeks or so I've been retelling the story of Quatermass meets A for Andromeda meets The Day The Earth Caught Fire. Subscribe for more larks in the future!
Reposted by Michael Seely
A day late but never mind, read the conclusion of The Big Pull, a lost BBC science fiction serial from 1962. I winder if they really filmed at Jodrell Bank. And if they did, whatever did they think of the script!
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
The Big Pull Part Six
Saturday is late this week. And time is running out for the future of mankind in the final instalment of this lost BBC serial.
michaelseely.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 8:27 AM
A day late but never mind, read the conclusion of The Big Pull, a lost BBC science fiction serial from 1962. I winder if they really filmed at Jodrell Bank. And if they did, whatever did they think of the script!
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
A day late but never mind, read the conclusion of The Big Pull, a lost BBC science fiction serial from 1962. I winder if they really filmed at Jodrell Bank. And if they did, whatever did they think of the script!
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
The Big Pull Part Six
Saturday is late this week. And time is running out for the future of mankind in the final instalment of this lost BBC serial.
michaelseely.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 8:27 AM
A day late but never mind, read the conclusion of The Big Pull, a lost BBC science fiction serial from 1962. I winder if they really filmed at Jodrell Bank. And if they did, whatever did they think of the script!
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
Reposted by Michael Seely
We had a great day celebrating the publication of Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene. Thanks to everyone who came along and made it such a memorable event and to the Barbican Cinema for hosting us. "Cherish the flame…" 🔥
The Barbican Centre has never to my knowledge hosted a screening of Penda's Fen, but that changes today. It's sold out, I'm happy to say, but I expect there will be a small number of tix at the box office if you want to queue early. And do say hello! (Find me in the Two Brewers after, probably.)
September 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
We had a great day celebrating the publication of Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene. Thanks to everyone who came along and made it such a memorable event and to the Barbican Cinema for hosting us. "Cherish the flame…" 🔥
Reposted by Michael Seely
Another extended wanging-on about old Doctor Who books, this time Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons by Terrance Dicks, featuring flowing honey, chameleons and repair shops. 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/09/doct...
Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons by Terrance Dicks
0tralala.blogspot.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Another extended wanging-on about old Doctor Who books, this time Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons by Terrance Dicks, featuring flowing honey, chameleons and repair shops. 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/09/doct...
Reposted by Michael Seely
OTD in early British television
On the morning of Friday 1 September 1939, AP broadcast an edition of Come and Be Televised from Radiolympia. Among Elizabeth Cowell’s guests were Mr J. McIntyre giving ‘impressions of English life as a West Indian’...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
On the morning of Friday 1 September 1939, AP broadcast an edition of Come and Be Televised from Radiolympia. Among Elizabeth Cowell’s guests were Mr J. McIntyre giving ‘impressions of English life as a West Indian’...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television: 1 September 1939 - Illuminations
John Wyver writes (just after midday): On the morning of Friday 1 September 1939, AP broadcast an edition of Come and Be Televised from Radiolympia. Among Elizabeth Cowell’s guests were Mr J. McIntyre...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 11:03 AM
OTD in early British television
On the morning of Friday 1 September 1939, AP broadcast an edition of Come and Be Televised from Radiolympia. Among Elizabeth Cowell’s guests were Mr J. McIntyre giving ‘impressions of English life as a West Indian’...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
On the morning of Friday 1 September 1939, AP broadcast an edition of Come and Be Televised from Radiolympia. Among Elizabeth Cowell’s guests were Mr J. McIntyre giving ‘impressions of English life as a West Indian’...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
Reposted by Michael Seely
Part Five of The Big Pull is now up on michaelseely.substack.com The final part of this lost BBC science fiction serial will be published next Saturday.
August 31, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Part Five of The Big Pull is now up on michaelseely.substack.com The final part of this lost BBC science fiction serial will be published next Saturday.
Reposted by Michael Seely
Absolutely delighted that Dan Briggs, son of the BBC's first official historian Asa Briggs, has written to The Observer supporting the need for on-request vetting to re-instated at the BBC Written Archives Centre (p.29; not I think online).
Letter's wording is in the .alt element.
#waccampaign
Letter's wording is in the .alt element.
#waccampaign
August 31, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Absolutely delighted that Dan Briggs, son of the BBC's first official historian Asa Briggs, has written to The Observer supporting the need for on-request vetting to re-instated at the BBC Written Archives Centre (p.29; not I think online).
Letter's wording is in the .alt element.
#waccampaign
Letter's wording is in the .alt element.
#waccampaign
Part Five of The Big Pull is now up on michaelseely.substack.com The final part of this lost BBC science fiction serial will be published next Saturday.
August 31, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Part Five of The Big Pull is now up on michaelseely.substack.com The final part of this lost BBC science fiction serial will be published next Saturday.
Reposted by Michael Seely
And for your holiday reading - unless you work on a bank holiday of course - here is The Big Pull Part Four. Discover the purpose of Jotus and Nebla! How many more technicians die this week? michaelseely.substack.com
August 25, 2025 at 8:56 AM
And for your holiday reading - unless you work on a bank holiday of course - here is The Big Pull Part Four. Discover the purpose of Jotus and Nebla! How many more technicians die this week? michaelseely.substack.com
Reposted by Michael Seely
Thank you to @theobserveruk.bsky.social for giving attention today to the campaign for independent access to the BBC Written Archives. The Corporation is still yet to engage with our argument and properly defend the policy shift. That is because it is indefensible. observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Thank you to @theobserveruk.bsky.social for giving attention today to the campaign for independent access to the BBC Written Archives. The Corporation is still yet to engage with our argument and properly defend the policy shift. That is because it is indefensible. observer.co.uk/news/nationa...