Episodes

  • A Conversation with Andrew Mackintosh
    Sep 17 2024

    It's a great thrill and privilege this episode to welcome multi-talented actor, writer and music artist, Andrew Mackintosh, who carved his own special niche in British television history as Detective Sergeant Alistair Greig, a key character in over 300 episodes of one of the most successful and influential television dramas of all time, The Bill.


    But as we discover, there's so much more to his varied career, encompassing acting, music and writing. We learn about Andrew's current project, the hit fiction podcast, Letter From Helvetica, talk about his early life and how his professional journey in music and acting began, and he shares with us some of his creative influences.


    We explore his continuing musical collaboration with Joe Dooley, and get to grips with some general acting and career matters, including authenticity in casting, accents, received pronunciation and the art of speech, and the mixed blessing of being in a long-running series. We also discuss opportunities for mature actors and, inspired by an unstoppable generation of rock and roll performers, if perceptions of age are evolving in a positive way within the arts and beyond.


    Our companion webpage for this episode has some additional career details, images, links and recommendations for further reading, viewing and listening:

    https://dec4podcast.com/2024/09/17/a-conversation-with-andrew-mackintosh/



    Selected content guide for fans of The Bill:

    (24:07) Casting – (29:39) DS Greig’s accent – (34:02) Main segment: Remembering Kevin Lloyd, script quality, cast and character dynamic, notable guest artists and production anecdotes – (57:30) Social and political awareness and activity – (1:21:18) Effect on career



    Special thanks to Andrew, and to Oliver Crocker for making this episode possible.


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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Gary Wells (Clip): The Memphis Experience - Graceland and the Meditation Garden
    Aug 30 2024

    In this clip from our 2022 episode, From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour, our leading contributor, Gary Wells (https://soulrideblog.com), talks about the serenity of an early morning visit to Graceland's Meditation Garden. He also takes us inside the mansion itself and to other significant areas including the racquetball court.


    Find the full episode here (website embed with images, links, background and additional local information);

    https://dec4podcast.com/2023/02/26/gary-wells-from-memphis-to-vegas-a-vintage-leisure-tour/

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    9 mins
  • Oliver Crocker (Clip): Encounters with Dad's Army Legends
    Aug 16 2024

    Oliver Crocker is a filmmaker, podcaster, publisher, and leading writer and historian on classic British television. In this clip from a two-part podcast recorded in 2021, prior to the passing of Frank Williams (Vicar Timothy Farthing), Oliver shares some personal encounters with Dad's Army legends.


    Find the complete episode with some additional background, images and links, here:

    https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/in-conversation-with-author-filmmaker-and-podcaster-oliver-crocker-a-two-part-podcast/

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    8 mins
  • Gary Wells - The Memphis Experience - The Stax Museum, and Al Green
    Aug 5 2024

    In this clip from our 2022 episode, From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour, our leading contributor, Gary Wells (soulrideblog.com), recounts his joyous experiences at the Stax museum, and a memorable visit to Al Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle Church.


    Find the full episode here (website embed with images, links, background and additional local information);

    https://dec4podcast.com/2023/02/26/gary-wells-from-memphis-to-vegas-a-vintage-leisure-tour/



    (Information and commentary about destinations and city conditions generally are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of the original episode's publication. We understand that personal experiences will vary, and everyone should consider information from a wide variety of credible sources before making a decision on personal safety when travelling).

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    6 mins
  • Oliver Crocker (Clip): Ian Cullen - Police Drama From Z-Cars to The Bill
    Jul 26 2024

    Oliver Crocker ‪is a filmmaker, podcaster, publisher, and leading writer and historian on classic British television. In this clip from a two-part podcast recorded in 2021, we discuss Oliver's friend, Z-Cars legend Ian Cullen (1939-2019), and the evolution of police drama from Z-Cars to The Bill.


    Find the complete episodes, with links to suggestions for further viewing, reading and listening, at our podcast website;

    https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/in-conversation-with-author-filmmaker-and-podcaster-oliver-crocker-a-two-part-podcast/

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    5 mins
  • Gary Wells (Clip): Elvis in 1972 - Representation of the Fans in Concert Movies - Meeting the Mayor
    Jul 18 2024

    In this clip from our podcast series taking a deep dive into Elvis' 1973 satellite concert broadcast, Aloha From Hawaii, our leading contributor, Gary Wells (soulrideblog.com), joins us to discuss some highlights from 1972.


    We consider Colonel Parker's hesitancy to play New York, and compare how the fans were showcased in two documentary movies, Elvis That's The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis on Tour (1972). We also take a lighthearted look at Elvis' memorable encounter with the Mayor of Roanoke, VA, Roy Webber.


    There doesn’t seem to be a huge amount of available information on Roy Webber himself – it appears that he had two stints as Mayor of Roanoke (1949-1954 and 1968-1975). He also owned a florist, which traded until 2008, and which, unsurprisingly, provided the floral guitar presented to Elvis upon his arrival in Roanoke. Roy Webber passed away in 1975, aged 70.


    Find the complete episodes on all the usual podcast places or at our podcast website;

    https://dec4podcast.com/

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    10 mins
  • Oliver Crocker: Evolution of The Bill - Authenticity
    Jul 10 2024

    Oliver Crocker ‪is a filmmaker, podcaster, publisher, and leading writer and historian on classic British television. In this clip from a two-part podcast recorded in 2021, we discuss how The Bill evolved throughout the course of its run, and how the skills of the writers and actors created some of the most admired and fondly remembered characters in British television.


    The Bill was an iconic ITV police series which ran for nearly 2500 episodes, from 1983 to 2010. Oliver's series of interviews with cast and crew is in the top 1.5% of podcasts globally.


    Find the complete episodes, along with additional background and links, at our podcast website;

    https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/in-conversation-with-author-filmmaker-and-podcaster-oliver-crocker-a-two-part-podcast/


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    7 mins
  • Gary Wells: Visiting 1034 Audubon Drive and Sun Records, Memphis
    Jul 4 2024

    In this clip, we revisit our earlier podcast episode, From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour, in which our leading contributor, Gary Wells (soulrideblog.com), takes us on an audio journey to some of the important cultural sites in Memphis and Las Vegas. Here we recall Gary's visit to 1034 Audubon Drive (the Presley family's first home in Memphis), and to Sun Records.


    In the complete episode, available on our podcast website and the major platforms, we also visit the Stax Museum, Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, Beale Street, and we explore Elvis Presley’s Graceland in detail, of which Gary says, “It’s a hundred percent worth it, and what you get is the feeling, the experience. Elvis worked, lived, operated here. This is his home. It really does add an intangible and a strong dimension to your pursuit of the man and his world.”


    Find the complete episode, with additional local information, background, images and links, at the dedicated page at our podcast website;

    https://dec4podcast.com/2023/02/26/gary-wells-from-memphis-to-vegas-a-vintage-leisure-tour/


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    9 mins