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ABOUT FANZ
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Conceived in 1999 and made for audio, this amateur sitcom series is set in a science
fiction fan group called CUTS. The group meet on a Friday of each week where they discuss the latest in the sci-fi world and
hatch half baked plans to earn themselves success and kudos among their peers...and maybe get a life along the way.
The
members of the group, if not the group itself, should be recognisable to most science fiction fans. Although similar in tone
to the BBC's The Mighty Boosh, the comedy range of this series is quite broad, comprising elements of Coupling, Spaced, Green
Wing, with some bit part characters that would not look out of place in Little Britain. . .at least, that's what we were aiming
for. . .
There are currently seven individual episodes of FANZ, featuring guest appearences from
JASON HAIGH-ELLERY (mastermind behind Big Finish, producers of licensed Dr Who audio stories), ROB SHEARMAN (author
of BBC Doctor Who Series One episode Dalek, Big Finish's Chimes of Midnight, The Holy Terror, Jubilee and
Maltese Penguin, plus innumerable stage plays), RUPERT BOOTH (Writer/Performer, Protoverse, plus notable
Dr Who fan vids), PAUL EBBS (Author BBC Dr Who novel Book of the Still), and MARK DONOVAN (actor, Shaun of the
Dead, In Bruges and TV's Black Books).
Have a listen to some of the trailers (below) or see bottom of page for details
on how to access our free audio downloads. Enjoy!
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TOM
Safe, weedy and boring, winner of Chipping Sodbury's
Cardigan Wearer of the Year competition - Tom is almost the mirror opposite of Graham; steady job, mortgage, the sexual magnetism
of a bubo. Although he is the comparative sage of the group, Tom is uncertain in a Roy Mallard sort of way (People Like Us)
and always tries to avoid conflict and see both sides of an argument. Tom comes to the group from a failed marriage and falls
instantly in love with . . .
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CINDY
Attractive,
late twenty something. She has very little actual interest in Sci-Fi and often confuses her shows / trivia, lending her a
Mrs Malaprop quality. Difficult to see why she hangs out with CUTS, except perhaps her attraction to Graham, which she never
overtly admits. She has an aversion to long term relationships which leads her, subconsciously, to seek out the worst possible
partners or pursue those with whom she has absolutely no chance, such as . . .
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GRAHAM
Attractive, late
twenty something. Graham is, to coin a phrase, a colossal pervert. He will do anything, to anything, with anything. Think
along the lines of the Jarvis character (Newman and Baddiel). To him, the idea of a stable, long term relationship is anathema.
Double entendre, perverse suggestive imagery and the occasional outrageous comment are his main comedy element. But with style,
always with style. He has a wicked sense of humour, which he shares in common with . . .
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GARY
A total curmudgeon. One wonders why he is a fan because
he is never positive about anything to do with sci-fi. Negative and self-loathing, Gary is buff and arrogant in general. His
main comedy element is sarcasm, irony and occasionally very blunt outbursts, born of frustration, which he usually unleashes
on . . .
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JOHNATHAN
Johnathan is the naïve fool of the group. Irritatingly
enthusiastic, young (early twenties) and a total fanboy, he makes Tony Blair look tough and hard. Those foolish enough to
ask him to explain his opinions receive over complicated explanations that leave them confused and irritated - they know he
is enthusiastic about something, they just don't know what! Shades of Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes Minister/Prime Minister,
except without the Machiavellian streak. Johnathan is trying to fit in, to belong, and responds to feelings of inadequacy
by being even more enthusiastic. His main comedy element is his unrestrained youthful enthusiasm - about anything.
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KATE
Kate doesn't suffer fools gladly. And by fools, she means
men. And by men she means men and women. And animals. And inanimate objects. The only person on the face of the planet
she can't quite work out is. .
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JEFF
Who is weird...just...really weird...
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“Fanz
is different…Fanz is very funny, well acted and has a plot. Not only that but it parodies Doctor very,
very well, with some nice set pieces such as the opening spoof of the intro to the McGann TVM.”
“Anyone who has ever been to a meeting of 'Who' fans will
find all the usual suspects here. The fan for which the programme ended when Tom left, the obsessive collector, the pedant
and so on. Its so true to life I could swear that I recognise people I know!”
Darren Allen, Celestial Toyroom
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“..."Fanz" has found itself a niche market that needed filling, and fills it quite well...moving further away
from being a straight sitcom into its own little genre, mixing sci-fi elements, post-modernism, and just general comedy.”
“I just enjoy being with these people. CUTS is the sort of place where we all belong,
and really, if only all fan groups were like this. Well, if there were more fans would be in prison, but that's another story
entirely...”
Matthew Kopelke
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"Tegan H. Jovanka these are funny! I've
been lax in downloading until now. "Five Directors of Doom" is my favorite so far, but I'm only mid-way through "Anti-Climax"
(not fond of vomit humor, personally, but the rest is spot-on) with the new story still to go. Outstanding work!"
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"Hello. I normally find fan audios complete bobbins, but
these are great. I've listened to the first two and I love it, The sofa in the second episodes got me some particularly strange
looks from commuters."
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"Dancing Queens - there's some very,
very funny stuff in this. The Mighty Quim! and the bonus track at the end. Let me tell you a story. In my single days, I used
to drive home to see my family. It is a 550 km trip, which I used to do Friday night's after work. I listened to Dancing Queens
on my car's Cd player. I had that bonus track on prepeat for half an hour, the window down, the night sky abalze with stars,
roaring the tune out. Classic!
Enemy Within - a great start. Some of the more 'drama' based stuff
left me a bit cold, but there's a lot of good stuff in here, especially the villain.
5Directors -
must've got this when I got married 4 years ago, so remember listening to it while unpacking wedding gifts and trying to merge
my stuff with my wife's. Again, lots of funny stuff going on, and the 'Tom Baker', 'Paul Darrow' impersonations are hilarious.
Not too mention, The McGann!
Maltese Video - not how I would've done a missing episode satire...but
a very good story nonetheless.
Overall, I've regarded all the FANZ releases with great
fondness, and news of the latest release has brightened an otherwise wintry Melbourne afternoon. It's this series, and the
Paul Ebbs' Doctor Who adventures on audio that really made me a fan of the medium. I look forward to listening to this new
story, and am very interested to see what eventuates next year. Thanks!"
Robert Mammone (exerpt from Outpost Gallifrey forum (Fan Video
and Audio)
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Sign up to our mailing list today to get these great benefits (btw we fecking
HATE spam so we will never publish email addresses to third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time);
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- Access to all free FANZ downloads
- Stop me from going mental when I have to try to update everyone when I update
the site
- Be notified by email when new items are added
- Be able to wear hats at a jaunty angle and look cool (well,
OK, that's not true but I ran out of things to list)
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