In his commentary for “The Armageddon Factor,” the sixth and
final story of the sixteenth season of Doctor Who (as well as the final story
in “The Key to Time” story arc), director Michael Hayes recalled his meeting
with screenwriters Bob Baker and Dave Martin.
While he couldn’t recall what was said, he remembered that the meeting
seemed to go on forever. Eventually, he
decided to end it by telling Baker and Martin, “Excuse me, chaps, but I think
I’ll head off to the bar now.”
Apparently Michael got quite a reputation for doing this
sort of thing. Douglas Adams, who wrote “The Pirate Planet,” the second story in “The Key to Time”
arc, was certainly aware of it. Hayes
enjoyed reading Science Fiction occasionally, and his
favorite all-time SF authors were Alfred Bester and Issac Asimov. When The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was
published, Hayes bought a copy, and asked Adams to autograph it for him.
Afterward, Hayes looked in the novel, and realized that, in
addition to signing his name, Douglas Adams had written a brief note. “To Michael Hayes,” it read. “The man who can always find his way to the
bar.”
Wherever you are, Douglas, hurry back. We miss you!
Dragon Dave
Related Internet Links
If you're interested in Douglas Adams’ work for Doctor Who, check out
the interview at Doctor Who Archives, in which he discusses his time on
the show, displays his characteristic wit, and mentions his own affection
for bars.
For more on Douglas
Adams’ life, and how he created "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy," follow the link at the
bottom of the Doctor Who Archives interview, or get there from the link below. (In true Douglas Adams' style, it
comes in four parts, not the promised three).
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