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Tom Baker at 80
In January 2014, Tom Baker celebrated his 80th birthday.
On March 19th, Tom sat down with Nicholas Briggs to look back over his 80 amazing years - his youth, his early acting career, his great success with Doctor Who and beyond… and his return to his most famous role with Big Finish.
This candid and intimate interview forms two fascinating hours of engaging entertainment in the unique company of Mr Baker.
On March 19th, Tom sat down with Nicholas Briggs to look back over his 80 amazing years - his youth, his early acting career, his great success with Doctor Who and beyond… and his return to his most famous role with Big Finish.
This candid and intimate interview forms two fascinating hours of engaging entertainment in the unique company of Mr Baker.
Audio CD
First published September 3, 2014
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About the author
Tom Baker
214 books133 followersThomas Stewart "Tom" Baker is an English actor and comedian. He is best known for playing the fourth incarnation of the Doctor from 1974 to 1981 in Doctor Who, and for narrating Little Britain. He was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for his role as Rasputin in the 1971 film Nicholas and Alexandra.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2019
As a fan of Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor, this was totally awesome to listen to!
That said, maybe they could have had a better interviewer than Nicolas Briggs... He's nice and all, but I'm here to listen to Tom Baker talk, and he is definitely a rambler, and Briggs wasn't all that great at steering him in interesting directions, and sometimes when he did manage it, he would interject something that broke Baker's train of thought. Well, I would say he was mostly okay. He was clearly a bit starstruck, and who as a Doctor Who fan can blame him?
Tom Baker is definitely showing his... oldness? The extent to which he's out of touch with the present social mores? The extent to which he thinks he's still a bit of a lady's man? There are a few bits where he's like 'Oh, yeah, I was among the last crew to do Black Face in this particular theatre in the 50's or 60's or whatever'. I wish he'd have followed that up with something like 'But we know better now', or 'and that's a sad chapter in my life' or something, but he appears to just take it as the price of doing business. Near the end, he brings up something like 'Oh, I was charming the ladies ringing up my groceries'. Cringy, but not as bad as Morgan Freeman.
It was definitely interesting listening to his times as a nurse in the British army, and later he had a lot of interesting stories of hanging out with Laurence Olivier, which he is very proud of.
Sadly, the times corresponding to his tenure as the Doctor were mostly glossed over in comparison. That's more Briggs' fault though, because they breezed through that and up to the present, then started talking about their more recent 'Big Finish' audio plays. I definitely wanted to hear more gossipy details about his marriage and divorce to Lala Ward, the second Romana, but the entirety of her mention was that he relayed something he had heard years ago: That Lala Ward was at a convention and was asked what the worst monster was from Doctor Who, and she replied "Tom Baker". Harsh! But that makes me want to know more!
So yeah, I'll have to see if there are any more Tom Baker audio memoirs. He's super fun to listen to, and he's led an interesting life!
Oh, also... if he at all remembers a person, and especially if he likes him, man, Tom Baker will talk you up as he remembers you fondly! Neat!
That said, maybe they could have had a better interviewer than Nicolas Briggs... He's nice and all, but I'm here to listen to Tom Baker talk, and he is definitely a rambler, and Briggs wasn't all that great at steering him in interesting directions, and sometimes when he did manage it, he would interject something that broke Baker's train of thought. Well, I would say he was mostly okay. He was clearly a bit starstruck, and who as a Doctor Who fan can blame him?
Tom Baker is definitely showing his... oldness? The extent to which he's out of touch with the present social mores? The extent to which he thinks he's still a bit of a lady's man? There are a few bits where he's like 'Oh, yeah, I was among the last crew to do Black Face in this particular theatre in the 50's or 60's or whatever'. I wish he'd have followed that up with something like 'But we know better now', or 'and that's a sad chapter in my life' or something, but he appears to just take it as the price of doing business. Near the end, he brings up something like 'Oh, I was charming the ladies ringing up my groceries'. Cringy, but not as bad as Morgan Freeman.
It was definitely interesting listening to his times as a nurse in the British army, and later he had a lot of interesting stories of hanging out with Laurence Olivier, which he is very proud of.
Sadly, the times corresponding to his tenure as the Doctor were mostly glossed over in comparison. That's more Briggs' fault though, because they breezed through that and up to the present, then started talking about their more recent 'Big Finish' audio plays. I definitely wanted to hear more gossipy details about his marriage and divorce to Lala Ward, the second Romana, but the entirety of her mention was that he relayed something he had heard years ago: That Lala Ward was at a convention and was asked what the worst monster was from Doctor Who, and she replied "Tom Baker". Harsh! But that makes me want to know more!
So yeah, I'll have to see if there are any more Tom Baker audio memoirs. He's super fun to listen to, and he's led an interesting life!
Oh, also... if he at all remembers a person, and especially if he likes him, man, Tom Baker will talk you up as he remembers you fondly! Neat!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
I listened to this via Scribd on Tom Baker’s 88th birthday as a sort of celebration of the day! It was fun and really interesting to learn about the great man. He was charming, but also a lot of fun when answering questions and reminiscing about his life as an actor. It’s definitely worth a listen if you’re a fan and have got a Scribd subscription.
September 20, 2018
This was highly entertaining to listen to. I do wish they'd covered a bit more of Tom's life (especially his brief marriage to Llala Ward). Instead, it's mostly a rambling conversation between Tom and Nicholas Briggs and it's very fun though not very thorough. It's a bit scattered all over but has lots of references to Doctor Who, of course, and a few nifty (and even raunchy) anecdotes interspoersed with Tom's views on life, his career, and the world as he putters through it at the age of 80+. Worth the listen if you're a fan of any of his work, really.
June 22, 2015
Wonderful, rambling, insightful and very relaxed interviews with Nick Briggs (voice of the Daleks and Producer/Director of assorted whovian audiobooks). Tom Baker's reveals a life full of random choices, a joy in haphazard experiences, and a present full of determination to focus on happiness in his later years vs anger, regret and negativity.
October 9, 2014
Just a great old chinwag with our favorite doctor. Even though they go way off topic many times, it feels like a nice comfortable chat by the fire, hearing about some old and some new tales (for me anyway) from Tom Bakers life. Highly recommended for any fan.
February 21, 2017
I listened to the audio version thru Hoopla. I can't imagine reading this and not hearing that voice, since he was "my" Doctor. The audio version is just a couple of hours, and you'll inhale it. It's a very broad overview of his career.
January 21, 2019
This was a very thorough and candid interview that helped me learn a bit more about Tom Baker. As a Catholic, I was a bit sad to hear about how harsh some people were whenever people like Tom questioned certain traditions and just wanted an answer. I do think that the tracks are sometimes split up in the oddest places, so it doesn't feel like as smooth of a listen of one is clicking from track to track rather than listening to the CD.
December 6, 2021
In January 2014, the legendary Tom Baker turned 80. To mark this milestone, Nick Briggs of Big Finish sat down with Tom and the two had a conversion about Tom's life and thoughts on turning 80. It's a great conversation that's extremely fascinating and a breeze to listen to. It's also short (only two discs). If you're interested in Tom Baker the man but don't have a lot of time, then this is for you.
March 29, 2019
When the book ended, I couldn't believe it. Only 34 chapters. I could have listened to at least another hour or two. This was a lovely book. Tom is amazing. I like how he wants to be kinder to others more as his time grows shorter on Earth. Great words to live by.
December 17, 2024
I could listen to Tom Baker reading the phone book all day, but him being interviewed about his life is even better. Could have been twice as long as far as I’m concerned, especially when they started to talk about his work at Big Finish. That needed more time.
September 4, 2025
Listened to the audiobook. I hope i am enjoying life as much as Tom does if i make it to 80. He is a charming older man who loves to tell stories and make you smile. The 4th doctor is legendary, but go in knowing doctor who is but a foot note in his career.
October 5, 2018
Just pure lovely.
Love listening to dear Tom Baker talk.
And learned a few new things.
Nice interview Nicholas Briggs
Love listening to dear Tom Baker talk.
And learned a few new things.
Nice interview Nicholas Briggs
November 28, 2018
A four hour or so interview with Tom Baker.
Not as good as the autobiography but even at 80 he's still a hoot.
Not as good as the autobiography but even at 80 he's still a hoot.
September 6, 2020
A fun interview with Tom Baker.
September 19, 2020
I had thought it was an actual book before I listened to it. However it was an interesting interview.
October 16, 2020
5
Tom Baker is always a delight to listen to. A comforting and entertaining 2 hours
Tom Baker is always a delight to listen to. A comforting and entertaining 2 hours
February 19, 2022
In 2014 Tom Baker celebrated his 80th birthday with a Candid interview about his Career. This two hour conversation is interesting and diverting.
November 10, 2025
I really enjoyed listening to this and what a fantastic opportunity to spend some time with Tom Baker. His voice and laugh are beautiful things, to be really savoured. But more incredibly it’s the musings that stay with me - the desire to do things that make him and others happy, the gratitude to the fans who have made his career, the wonder that he is a hero still to so many. The actorly anecdotes are wonderful, such as the diplomat with the sugar cubes, being Rocinante whenever in the company of Joan Plowright, his tapas with Sam Spiegel. His life is more than Doctor Who but he remains proud of his connection and at 80 can look at how he has changed over the years. Tom was and still is my Doctor, the hero I adored at 10 years of age and beyond. This is the second time I have listened to this and I got even more from it now. Thank-you Tom, for everything! Xxx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2015
Highly entertaining interview with everyone's favorite Doctor! A 2 CD set. Charming, funny and touching. A must for every 4th Doctor fan.
November 6, 2016
Nick Briggs interviews the incomparable Tom Baker on a wide range of topics in honor of his eightieth birthday.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews