Bang-Bang-a-Boom! (audio story): Difference between revisions

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{{title dab away}}
{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image          = Bang-Bang-A-Boom cover.jpg  
|image          = Bang-Bang-A-Boom cover.jpg  
|range          = Main Range
|range          = Main Range
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|enemy          = [[Loozly]]
|enemy          = [[Loozly]]
|setting        = [[Dark Space 8]]
|setting        = [[Dark Space 8]]
|writer          = [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]] and [[Clayton Hickman]]
|writer          = Gareth Roberts, Clayton Hickman
|director        = [[Nicholas Pegg]]  
|director        = [[Nicholas Pegg]]  
|producer        = [[Gary Russell]] and [[Jason Haigh-Ellery]]
|producer        = [[Gary Russell]] and [[Jason Haigh-Ellery]]
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|sound          = [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]]
|sound          = [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]]
|cover          = [[Clayton Hickman]]
|cover          = [[Clayton Hickman]]
|publisher      = Big Finish Productions  
|publisher      = Big Finish Productions
|release date    = [[19 December (releases)|19 December]] [[2002 (releases)|2002]]
|release date    = 19 December 2002
|format          = 2 CDs<br/>Download  
|format          = 2 CDs<br/>Download  
|production code = [[List of production codes|7E/A]]  
|production code = [[List of production codes|7E/A]]  
|isbn            = ISBN 978-1-90365-477-4 (physical); 978-1-84435-750-5 (digital)  
|isbn            = ISBN 978-1-90365-477-4 (physical)<br/>ISBN 978-1-84435-750-5 (digital)  
|prev            = The Church and the Crown (audio story)  
|prev            = The Church and the Crown (audio story)  
|next            = Jubilee (audio story)
|next            = Jubilee (audio story)
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Before the 309th [[Intergalactic Song Contest]], the [[Angvian]]s and the [[Gholos]] were attempting to make peace. Angvian [[terrorist]]s posed a threat to any peaceful activities. In order to cope, two peace [[conference]]s were set up. One, on [[Achilles 4]], was the obvious target for terrorists. The second was the Intergalactic Song Contest, where the Golos and Angvian competitors would [[Telepathy|telepathically]] communicate with each other without their knowledge. Despite the attempts of a [[Loozly|Golos-sympathising terrorist]], the peace conference succeeded.
Before the 309th [[Intergalactic Song Contest]], the [[Angvian]]s and the [[Gholos]] were attempting to make peace. Angvian [[terrorist]]s posed a threat to any peaceful activities. In order to cope, two peace [[conference]]s were set up. One, on [[Achilles 4]], was the obvious target for terrorists. The second was the Intergalactic Song Contest, where the Golos and Angvian competitors would [[Telepathy|telepathically]] communicate with each other without their knowledge. Despite the attempts of a [[Loozly|Golos-sympathising terrorist]], the peace conference succeeded.


The contest itself is hosted by [[Logan (Bang-Bang-A-Boom!)|Logan]], until he is killed by Loozly, at which point it was hosted by Lieutenant [[Strindberg]]. It was watched by over a quinquillion people across the [[universe]].
The contest itself is hosted by [[Logan (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Logan]], until he is killed by Loozly, at which point it was hosted by Lieutenant [[Strindberg]]. It was watched by over a quinquillion people across the [[universe]].


The competitors are a competitor from [[Algol 7]], [[Angvia (individual)|Angvia]] of [[Angvia (planet)|Angvia]], the [[Breeble]]s, a [[Cephalopod]], [[Cyrene (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Cyrene]], a [[Drahvin]] from [[Drahva]], [[Gholos]] of [[Golos]], and [[Nicky Newman]] of [[Earth]], who is later replaced by the [[Seventh Doctor]].
The competitors are a competitor from [[Algol 7]], [[Angvia (individual)|Angvia]] of [[Angvia (planet)|Angvia]], the [[Breeble]]s, a [[Cephalopod]], [[Cyrene (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Cyrene]], a [[Drahvin]] from [[Drahva]], [[Gholos]] of [[Golos]], and [[Nicky Newman]] of [[Earth]], who is later replaced by the [[Seventh Doctor]].
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* [[Nicky Newman]] - [[Anthony Spargo]]
* [[Nicky Newman]] - [[Anthony Spargo]]
* [[Geri]] / [[Cyrene (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Cyrene]] - [[Jane Goddard]]
* [[Geri]] / [[Cyrene (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Cyrene]] - [[Jane Goddard]]
* [[Logan (Bang-Bang-A-Boom!)|Logan]] - [[David Tughan]]
* [[Logan (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Logan]] - [[David Tughan]]
* [[News anchorman (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|News anchorman]] - [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]]
* [[News anchorman (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|News anchorman]] - [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]]
* [[Robot waiter (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Robot waiter]] / [[Tannoy voice]] - [[Barnaby Edwards]]
* [[Robot waiter (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Robot waiter]] / [[Tannoy voice (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Tannoy]] voice - [[Barnaby Edwards]]
* [[Ice Warrior]] juror / [[Announcer (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Announcer]] - [[Nicholas Pegg]]
* [[Ice Warrior]] juror / [[Announcer (Bang-Bang-a-Boom!)|Announcer]] - [[Nicholas Pegg]]
* The [[Breeble]]s - [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]]
* The [[Breeble]]s - [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]]
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* [[Continuity announcer]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* [[Continuity announcer]] - [[Nicholas Briggs]]


== References ==
== Crew ==
 
* Cover Art - [[Clayton Hickman]]
* Director - [[Nicholas Pegg]]
* Executive Producer - [[Jacqueline Rayner]]
* Music - [[Gareth Jenkins (sound designer)|Gareth Jenkins]] and [[Andy Hardwick]]
* Producers - [[Gary Russell]] and [[Jason Haigh-Ellery]]
* Sound Design - Gareth Jenkins
* Writers - [[Gareth Roberts]] and [[Clayton Hickman]]
 
== Worldbuilding ==
=== The Doctor ===
=== The Doctor ===
* The Doctor previously placed a [[whistle]] in Mel's pocket.
* The Doctor previously placed a [[whistle]] in Mel's pocket.
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* The Doctor recalls the delights of the pastry chefs on [[Barastabon]].
* The Doctor recalls the delights of the pastry chefs on [[Barastabon]].


==Gallery==
== Gallery ==
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="250">
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="250">
Bang-Bang-A-Boom cover.jpg|Original CD cover
Bang-Bang-A-Boom cover.jpg|Original CD cover
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== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* The Intergalactic Song Contest and its commentator Logan spoofs the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] and its long-serving [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] commentator [[Terry Wogan]].
* The Intergalactic Song Contest and its commentator Logan spoofs the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] and its long-serving [[BBC]] commentator [[Terry Wogan]].
* Dr Harcourt's line about the contest being "the last, best hope for peace" between Angvia and Golos is a direct quote from the opening monologue of {{iw|babylon5|Babylon 5: Season One|Season 1 of ''Babylon 5''}}. However, the way it is spoken, as well as the character's voice itself is reminiscent of the Dr Helena Russell character from ''[[Space: 1999]]''. During that show's second season, her character often gave a medical status report featured in many episodes. Her character was also romantically attached to the base's commander - John Koenig. Professor Ivor Fassbinder was an affectionate nod to the first season ''Space: 1999'' character Victor Bergman.
* Dr Harcourt's line about the contest being "the last, best hope for peace" between Angvia and Golos is a direct quote from the opening monologue of {{iw|babylon5|Babylon 5: Season One|Season 1 of ''Babylon 5''}}. However, the way it is spoken, as well as the character's voice itself is reminiscent of the Dr Helena Russell character from ''[[Space: 1999]]''. During that show's second season, her character often gave a medical status report featured in many episodes. Her character was also romantically attached to the base's commander - John Koenig. Professor Ivor Fassbinder was an affectionate nod to the first season ''Space: 1999'' character Victor Bergman.
* At one point, a character mentions the Zordon Nebula, a reference to the character of Zordon from {{wi|Power Rangers}}. This returns the favour to franchise instalment "Power Rangers Lost Galaxy", which mentioned the [[Kasterborous]] constellation and the [[galactic coordinates]] of [[Gallifrey]] in the episode "Green Courage", which was partially set in a meteoroid field at that location.
* At one point, a character mentions the Zordon Nebula, a reference to the character of Zordon from {{wi|Power Rangers}}. This returns the favour to franchise instalment "Power Rangers Lost Galaxy", which mentioned the [[Kasterborous]] constellation and the [[galactic coordinates]] of [[Gallifrey]] in the episode "Green Courage", which was partially set in a meteoroid field at that location.
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* This is the second Christmas comedy release, the first being [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The One Doctor (audio story)|The One Doctor]]''.
* This is the second Christmas comedy release, the first being [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The One Doctor (audio story)|The One Doctor]]''.
* There is a false ending during Part 4 where the theme music starts and then cuts out as Mel points out that the supposed resolution was "too easy."
* There is a false ending during Part 4 where the theme music starts and then cuts out as Mel points out that the supposed resolution was "too easy."
* The title is a reworking of Lulu's winning 1969 Eurovision entry ''Boom-Bang-A-Bang''.
* The title is a reworking of Lulu's winning 1969 Eurovision entry ''Boom Bang-A-Bang''.
* This was the first audio production to feature the period appropriate arrangement of the ''Doctor Who'' theme, in this case, that arranged by Keff McCulloch.
* This was the first audio production to feature the period appropriate arrangement of the ''Doctor Who'' theme, in this case, that arranged by Keff McCulloch.
* The cover colour scheme echoes the poster for ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture''.
* The cover colour scheme echoes the poster for ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture''.
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* The {{iw|memoryalpha|United Federation of Planets}}-style command structure and {{iw|memoryalpha|Starfleet|clearly-defined crew}}.
* The {{iw|memoryalpha|United Federation of Planets}}-style command structure and {{iw|memoryalpha|Starfleet|clearly-defined crew}}.
* The repeated catchphrases of the crewmembers.
* The repeated catchphrases of the crewmembers.
* Over the course of the previous seven years, the crew had dealt with a {{iw|memoryalpha|salt vampire|sweat vampire}}, an alien claiming to be {{iw|memoryalpha|God (Sha Ka Ree)|God}}, {{iw|memoryalpha|Polywater intoxication|a plague which stripped them of their inhibitions}} and a {{iw|memoryalpha|Borg|silicon-based lifeform which threatened to enslave all other lifeforms}}. Furthermore, Dr. Harcourt's reference to the space station's senior officers being sent back in time to medieval [[Wales]] would appear to be a reference to the {{iw|memoryalpha|Time travel episodes|numerous time travel episodes}} of ''Star Trek but is more likely a direct allusion to the space:1999 season 2 story, Journey to Where in which alpha members are transported to medieval Scotland''
* Over the course of the previous seven years, the crew had dealt with a {{iw|memoryalpha|salt vampire|sweat vampire}}, an alien claiming to be {{iw|memoryalpha|God (Sha Ka Ree)|God}}, {{iw|memoryalpha|Polywater intoxication|a plague which stripped them of their inhibitions}} and a {{iw|memoryalpha|Borg|silicon-based lifeform which threatened to enslave all other lifeforms}}. Furthermore, Dr. Harcourt's reference to the space station's senior officers being sent back in time to medieval [[Wales]] would appear to be a reference to the {{iw|memoryalpha|Time travel episodes|numerous time travel episodes}} of ''Star Trek'' but is more likely a direct allusion to the ''space:1999'' season 2 story, ''Journey to Where'' in which alpha members are transported to medieval Scotland
* Fassbinder's made-up technobabble echoes ''Star Trek''{{'}}s style. The name "Fassbinder" may be deliberately similar to the term "Feinberger" in ''Star Trek'', which was the behind-the-scenes term to refer to {{iw|memory-alpha|Leonard McCoy|Dr. McCoy}}'s diagnostic instruments and other such props (after property master Irving Feinberg). However it may just be an allusion to the Bergman character in Space:1999 since Fassbinder and Bergman are both film directors.
* Fassbinder's made-up technobabble echoes ''Star Trek''{{'}}s style. The name "Fassbinder" may be deliberately similar to the term "Feinberger" in ''Star Trek'', which was the behind-the-scenes term to refer to {{iw|memory-alpha|Leonard McCoy|Dr. McCoy}}'s diagnostic instruments and other such props (after property master Irving Feinberg). However it may just be an allusion to the Bergman character in Space:1999 since Fassbinder and Bergman are both film directors.
* Several of the musical cues deliberately echo elements from ''{{iw|memory-alpha|Star Trek: The Original Series}}''.
* Several of the musical cues deliberately echo elements from ''{{iw|memory-alpha|Star Trek: The Original Series}}''.

Latest revision as of 17:58, 26 August 2024

RealWorld.png

audio stub

Bang-Bang-a-Boom! was the thirty-ninth story in Big Finish's monthly range. It was written by Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman and featured Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush.

As with the prior Mel story, The One Doctor, it was in many ways a parody — though this time of Star Trek, the Eurovision Song Contest and the Gerry Anderson 1970s show Space: 1999. Indeed, the title itself is a pun on "Boom Bang-a-Bang", the 1969 song by Lulu that gave a Eurovision win to the United Kingdom.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

Dark Space 8 — an advanced monitoring station floating serenely among the stars. Its crew — a dedicated and highly-skilled group of professionals, calmly going about their vital work. Its mission — to boldly host the Intergalactic Song Contest.

With representatives from myriad worlds competing, the eyes of the universe are on the station. But dark deeds are afoot aboard Dark Space 8... and people are starting to die.

The haughty Queen Angvia; the gaseous gestalt Gholos; disposable pop idol Nicky Newman; erratic Professor Fassbinder; and the icily-efficient Dr Eleanor Harcourt — all are suspects. Could old political rivalries be manifesting themselves among the contestants? Is this the work of a breakaway terrorist faction? Or has someone just got it in for singer-songwriters?

With peace in the galaxy hanging by a thread, it's vital that the mystery is solved — and fast! Can Dark Space 8's unconventional new commander, with the help of his personal pilot, Mel, find the murderer in time to prevent a major intergalactic war?

Or will it be nul points for the entire universe...?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Before the 309th Intergalactic Song Contest, the Angvians and the Gholos were attempting to make peace. Angvian terrorists posed a threat to any peaceful activities. In order to cope, two peace conferences were set up. One, on Achilles 4, was the obvious target for terrorists. The second was the Intergalactic Song Contest, where the Golos and Angvian competitors would telepathically communicate with each other without their knowledge. Despite the attempts of a Golos-sympathising terrorist, the peace conference succeeded.

The contest itself is hosted by Logan, until he is killed by Loozly, at which point it was hosted by Lieutenant Strindberg. It was watched by over a quinquillion people across the universe.

The competitors are a competitor from Algol 7, Angvia of Angvia, the Breebles, a Cephalopod, Cyrene, a Drahvin from Drahva, Gholos of Golos, and Nicky Newman of Earth, who is later replaced by the Seventh Doctor.

The final winner of the Song Contest is the Seventh Doctor.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor previously placed a whistle in Mel's pocket.
  • Mel jokingly suggests that the Doctor may be having "a mid-regeneration crisis."

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

The TARDIS[[edit] | [edit source]]

Space stations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Intergalactic Song Contest[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

Conflicts[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • During their conflict, Golos broke the Tenebros IV peace treaty and the Fringe Worlds of the Zordon Nebula were settled by Angvia in violation of this treaty. However, Queen Angvia claims that they were invited in by the natives.

Foods and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor recalls the delights of the pastry chefs on Barastabon.

Gallery[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Intergalactic Song Contest and its commentator Logan spoofs the Eurovision Song Contest and its long-serving BBC commentator Terry Wogan.
  • Dr Harcourt's line about the contest being "the last, best hope for peace" between Angvia and Golos is a direct quote from the opening monologue of Season 1 of Babylon 5. However, the way it is spoken, as well as the character's voice itself is reminiscent of the Dr Helena Russell character from Space: 1999. During that show's second season, her character often gave a medical status report featured in many episodes. Her character was also romantically attached to the base's commander - John Koenig. Professor Ivor Fassbinder was an affectionate nod to the first season Space: 1999 character Victor Bergman.
  • At one point, a character mentions the Zordon Nebula, a reference to the character of Zordon from Power Rangers. This returns the favour to franchise instalment "Power Rangers Lost Galaxy", which mentioned the Kasterborous constellation and the galactic coordinates of Gallifrey in the episode "Green Courage", which was partially set in a meteoroid field at that location.
  • Angvia (the name of Patricia Quinn's character) is a deliberate anagram of "vagina".
  • This is the second Christmas comedy release, the first being AUDIO: The One Doctor.
  • There is a false ending during Part 4 where the theme music starts and then cuts out as Mel points out that the supposed resolution was "too easy."
  • The title is a reworking of Lulu's winning 1969 Eurovision entry Boom Bang-A-Bang.
  • This was the first audio production to feature the period appropriate arrangement of the Doctor Who theme, in this case, that arranged by Keff McCulloch.
  • The cover colour scheme echoes the poster for Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
  • This audio drama was recorded on 1 and 2 October 2002 at the Moat Studios.
  • aHistory arbitrarily dates this story to 3950, as it seems to take place during the Federation period.
  • Russell Stone's score to the story, alongside the scores to Dust Breeding and The Rapture was released on the CD Music from the Seventh Doctor Audio Adventures.
  • The Ninth Doctor would face the Breebles (mentioned for the first time in this story) in the 2005 puzzle game/short story Robot Rose, featured in the Doctor Who Annual 2006.
  • This story is set between Paradise Towers and Delta and the Bannermen.

Star Trek parodies[[edit] | [edit source]]

However This story generally spoofs the Star Trek franchise and its storytelling styles. The more direct examples of this include:

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]