FTA-TV The "Prisoner" Appreciation Thread *Post 557 - No spoilers*

[brucetiki]

Cheers bruce
Some shows you can easily write out a character for a few months [i.e they've gone interstate to visit a sick relative,often to never return] but a show like Prisoner you couldn't it these days.I thought maybe Chrissie and Margo might in a different part of the prison.

It looked like it was just as easy to write characters in and out of Prisoner through release, transfers, hookers needing a rest (Helen Smart) etc. There were several characters that come in and out if the show, especially in the Bea Smith era.

 

[HoldenMagroin]

In a couple of interviews about her time on the show (and on some of the commentaries on the DVD's), Amanda Muggleton (who played Chrissie) has mentioned she'd do Prisoner for a few months, then go do a stage show for a few months, then back to Prisoner for a few months and so on, and the writers would subsequently write Chrissie in and out of the show accordingly.

Interestingly Chrissie was only meant to be in the show for a few eps (the time she killed Bill Jackson), but people kept writing in wanting Chrissie back so back she came.

The stellar stage career has been her lifelong calling. On recent TV and ABC radio interviews, she said she's been doing shows non-stop, meaning she's missed many a reunion - including the recent one in St Kilda. Would love to finally see her in person.

Well the end of tonight's episode was a real fizzer hey. Did anyone else say to themselves: "What, that was it?"

 

[brucetiki]

The stellar stage career has been her lifelong calling. On recent TV and ABC radio interviews, she said she's been doing shows non-stop, meaning she's missed many a reunion - including the recent one in St Kilda. Would love to finally see her in person.

Absolutely - though she was involved in some interviews in relation to the party last week and does try to get to as many prisoner parties as she can (even a few in the UK, where the bulk of the get-togethers occur).

She did attend the 30th anniversary party at the Global TV studios in Nunnawadding (where the show was shot), where I had the privilege of meeting her. She is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet - she really took the time to meet and chat with people at the party, was more than happy to pose for photos (actually offered to take a photo, and happy for a couple of shots so you got a great pic with her). She was an absolute highlight of the day.

I also won a 20 minute telephone conversation with her a couple of years ago through one of the Prisoner fan forums, and she was just as brilliant during that phone call - felt like I was talking to a mate, and the call went closer to 30 minutes as she was happy just to chat for as long as she possibly could.

 

[West_Coast_Eagles]

can someone please tell me about the final season of prisioner?
as in why it was not shown in australia?
and why is continued even though it was a channel 10 show
was it a good series? and will we get to see it watching episodes on 111 hits in about 18 months?

 

[CF]

Jane Clifton (aka Margo) a stripper...I hope she remembers the paper bag

 

[brucetiki]

can someone please tell me about the final season of prisioner?
as in why it was not shown in australia?
and why is continued even though it was a channel 10 show
was it a good series? and will we get to see it watching episodes on 111 hits in about 18 months?

It was shown in Australia - originally on 10 in 1986 and again on UKTV in 2003/2004, and I suspect 111 Hits will show the series in it's entirety.

I won't ruin the story lines but the producers had ALOT of work to do in 1986 to try and restorer Prisoner after the debacle that was the 1985 series. While 1986 had a different feel to it, there were some great story lines, but the ratings never recovered after 1985 and thus the show was not renewed for a 1987 series.

You might be getting confused with the UK run of the show, which did not start until after the series ended in Australia.

 

[gytre]

The Bea Smith character has been in fantastic form recently, really showing that she plays a more than useful role policing her fellow inmates regardless of the screws. Actually I think Erica Davidson has always understood this and that's why she's never transferred Smith, despite the trouble Smith herself has often caused. It reminds me a bit of some tin-pot dictatorships. Sometimes you need a tyrant to stop the place becoming chaos.

Smith taking troubled young Georgie Baxter under her wing is really showing her caring side, and it's touching.

I also loved Bea's reply to Judy's serious question, "would you like your daughter being with someone like me?" Smith's reply that she'd rather see her daughter married to a man and living a "normal life" was so early 1980s. It just wouldn't be done on TV today. There's no way a TV character of Smith's influence and enormous popularity would be allowed to have anything but a completely favourable attitude to homosexuality.

 

[CF]

we saw a sneak peak of Margo (Jane Clifton) stripping. The ugliest and most ungainly stripper ever. Classic! Up there with Judy Bryant the prostitute! What's next, Bea a swim suit model LOL!

 

[JUBJUB]

we saw a sneak peak of Margo (Jane Clifton) stripping. The ugliest and most ungainly stripper ever. Classic! Up there with Judy Bryant the prostitute! What's next, Bea a swim suit model LOL!

Could see have had anymore make-up on ?

Poor old Meg again in the wars - now she getting hit with plates or bowls in the top dog fight.
BTW,whatever happened to Meg's teenage son from the early episodes ?
It doesn't seem he lives with her and her new hubby.

 

[West_Coast_Eagles]

Could see have had anymore make-up on ?

Poor old Meg again in the wars - now she getting hit with plates or bowls in the top dog fight.
BTW,whatever happened to Meg's teenage son from the early episodes ?
It doesn't seem he lives with her and her new hubby.

from what i read "Marty" was like mum and chrissie and a few other who were only contracted for the 16 shows.

from memory marty was 17 and married some bird and moved away.

 

[CF]

Marty left home and was never heard of again. He didn't even attend her wedding although some references are made to him occasionally. Usually in the context of Meg saying 'she is a mother too and so she understands' type of thing.

 

[brucetiki]

Marty makes a couple of guest appearances around the late 300's/early 400's, and then returns during the 600's as a regular cast member.

It's a different actor that plays Marty in the early eps, the 300's/400's eps and the 600's eps though.

Without spoiling too much of the story, when he leaves early on, he goes and joins the navy. When Meg marries Bob, he does write to tell Meg he can't make it (a disappointed Meg mentions it in the lead-up to the wedding). The appearances during the 300's/400's are when Marty's on shore leave, and he's left the navy when he returns permanently in the 600's.

 

[HoldenMagroin]

She did attend the 30th anniversary party at the Global TV studios in Nunnawadding (where the show was shot), where I had the privilege of meeting her.

I also won a 20 minute telephone conversation with her a couple of years ago through one of the Prisoner fan forums, and she was just as brilliant during that phone call - felt like I was talking to a mate, and the call went closer to 30 minutes as she was happy just to chat for as long as she possibly could.

Those events would've certainly been on my bucket list. Great that you've treasured those moments.

Another great fun-filled action/drama heist scene tonight, complete with bumbling robbers, cap guns, SWAT theme, and a P.O.S. getaway veehickle... and Wayne almost channelling his inner Mad Max Nightrider at the end. Prisoner needs more of these.

 

[Exhale You]

What happened to Lizzie's friend, Sid?

Last i saw she visited him in hospital after his stroke but since then i've not even heard Lizzie mention him.
Has there been a resolution to the story that i missed or is Sid just another of the suddenly forgotten characters?

 

[brucetiki]

What happened to Lizzie's friend, Sid?

Last i saw she visited him in hospital after his stroke but since then i've not even heard Lizzie mention him.
Has there been a resolution to the story that i missed or is Sid just another of the suddenly forgotten characters?

Nah he'll be back shortly

 

[Exhale You]

Thanks, Bruce.
Your enthusiasm for all things Prisoner really is outstanding.

I hope you're still around the thread when we first timers (well, i'd seen episodes 30 to about 150 in the 90's on Channel 10) eventually get to the end of the run on 111 Hits because your insights are invaluable.

 

[brucetiki]

Thanks, Bruce.
Your enthusiasm for all things Prisoner really is outstanding.

I hope you're still around the thread when we first timers (well, i'd seen episodes 30 to about 150 in the 90's on Channel 10) eventually get to the end of the run on 111 Hits because your insights are invaluable.

Yeah I'll still be around for awhile - seem to prefer this part of BigFooty than the actual football threads these days

Hopefully 111Hits shows the series in it's entirety. Even though I'm on my own DVD run of the series (I'm well into the final season with the DVD's), I've actually started watching it on 111Hits semi-regularly these days.

Tonight we see the introduction of trainee officer Sally Dean, played by Debra Lawrence (aka the second Pippa in Home and Away)

 

[JUBJUB]

Loved the "old bag" who seemed to enjoy being a hostage.
I found it odd the TV van drove straight in front of the cops with their guns aimed at the shop ? Surely the street would've been closed.Then the camera crew stood in the middle of the road

 

[BigKahunaBlue]

haha dam i have so much catching up to do! I was bored on sunday and came across this thread and have always wanted to watch prisoner from the start as it was ending when i was growing up. Went to blockbuster and they had most of the seasons..except the last few.

Now i am on eps 1-35..shivers i have 600 odd epsidoes to go!

Getting to know all the early characters and watching viera from massive bitch to loner made me lol..especially when she was all dolled up. She looked like a 70s cross dresser.

And i am in love with both peta topano and the chick who plays mandy..wow.

Sorry for being a n00b guys.

 

[CF]

Loved the "old bag" who seemed to enjoy being a hostage.
I found it odd the TV van drove straight in front of the cops with their guns aimed at the shop ? Surely the street would've been closed.Then the camera crew stood in the middle of the road

When Meg brought the old lady out they were standing on the road between the cops & the gunman filming it.

 

[JUBJUB]

When Meg brought the old lady out they were standing on the road between the cops & the gunman filming it.

Also the cop that jumped the side gate - why did he jump it before seeing if it was actually unlocked ?

 

[gytre]

I'm enjoying the young Debra Lawrence. And Vera trying to take her under her wing. Another LOL heist scene and storyline. Margot Gaffney back in the slammer. I thought Vera was going to kill her with that shot. Mrs Davidson in good form with her lectures. But as usual, she's as soft as butter. It's all good fun.

 

[Exhale You]

The 'fight' scene during the Margo/Wayne robbery was hilarious.

The woman from the 'factory' started laying into Wayne's friend, basically dominating him with kicks, knees, and punches however each and every one of them was so very obviously pulled well before making any impact whatsoever.

It got even funnier when they decided, in their wisdom, that they'd take the guy with them to literally save two seconds rather than simply cutting the handcuffs and getting away with the money.

The best moment though was the old dear/hostage who, despite being confronted by angry and irrational men carrying guns, felt confident enough to basically them they were dumb because they didn't realise the takings from the factory would be down.

Absolute brilliance.

 

[JUBJUB]

It got even funnier when they decided, in their wisdom, that they'd take the guy with them to literally save two seconds rather than simply cutting the handcuffs and getting away with the money.

they lost the bolt cutters in the fight,which is why they took him

 

[West_Coast_Eagles]

i have never laughed so hard as i did in last night episode.

margo getting shot by vera - acting was shocking

lizzie showing a bit of leg to the man

r.i.p wayne - the knightrider