Wednesday Trivia Question

Who played Mr. Conductor in the 2000 feature film THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD?

Okay, let’s start with the truth that this was NOT a PBS production. It was a box office bomb that can easily be dismissed in the legacy of the PBS Kids classic series SHINING TIME STATION. But it’s all attached in some way and that’s what makes for good trivia.

SHINING TIME STATION debuted on PBS in 1989. Although it featured Didi Conn in the role of station manager Stacy Jones and Brian O’Connor as comic relief Schemer, it was ex-Beatle Ringo Starr in the role of the diminutive Mr. Conductor that brought the magic. Ultimately, SHINING TIME was a way to re-package the British kids series THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS for a US audience.

Ringo played the role for the first season of the show and comedian George Carlin replaced him for seasons two and three (technically, the original Mr. Conductor’s cousin). Mr. Conductor (not to be confused with DINOSAUR TRAIN’s Mr. Conductor, who is a Troodon) is an 18-inch tall man who lives in a signal house inside the train station’s mural and tells the stories taken from THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS to the kids. He appears ever cheerful and has at his disposal some magic gold dust and a wishing star, which would seem pretty handy tools in any occupation.

Since the PBS series was a hit, it makes sense that a big screen movie would be in the works. Discussions began in the mid-90s, stumbled and eventually came to fruition around the turn of the century. THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD premiered in July 2000 and featured Peter Fonda and Mara Wilson, among others (Didi Conn did appear as Stacy Jones). The role of Mr. Conductor was played by an actor who was well known then and now. He was nominated for an Academy Award for a 2003 film and has at times been plagued by what we’ll call some scandal. I will note that if you asked me to compile a short list of actors who might be suitable for the role of Mr. Conductor in the late ’90s, this actor would not have even entered my mind. Meaning while his career had at that point included some comedies and rom coms, he was best known for more dramatic roles.

So who was it? What actor played Mr. Conductor in the 2000 feature film THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD?

Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

Discover the history of the oldest HBCU in the South and its integral place throughout American history. Tune in for SHAW RISING – Tuesday night at 10 on the North Carolina Channel.

Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect) and Claire Foy (Wolf Hall) discuss playing the late Queen Elizabeth II on screen.

Meet four women who prove it is never too late to reinvent yourself. Don’t miss SHOW MUST GO ON! – Thursday at 10pm on PBS NC.

Where Do I Know That Actor?

MIDSOMER MURDERS continues its latest series of eccentric killings in the idyllic English countryside. This week, things got small with “The Miniature Murders” in which a real estate agent is shot in front of a crowd at the unveiling of a new dollhouse collection at the Midsomer Museum of the Family. But have no fear as DCI Barnaby is on the case (thank goodness for small mercies, eh?).

There were also a trio of guest stars worth mentioning. Let’s see who’s who, shall we?

To start, Clare Holman played Fiona Beauvoisin, estranged wife of the deceased. She will be best known for her role of Dr. Laura Hobson on Inspector Morse and Inspector Lewis. She also appeared as Elizabeth Lukic in Prime Suspect 6 and Felicity Dorr in Island At War. By the way, this is her third MM guest spot, so kudos!

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

What’s this? I’m honestly not sure. Spied it on an office wall that was being cleared out for some reason. It seems to be related to one of our on-air fundraisers and appears to be a list of ticket giveaways in relation to program premiums. You know, when you make a donation and, as a reward, you get tickets to a local concert event. Most likely, this whiteboard was used to keep track of these premium offerings so that staff had all their ducks in a row when we went on the air during our fundraiser.

As you can see by the dates, this was early 2020. That means it’s extremely likely most (if not all) of these performances were postponed or cancelled due to a certain emerging pandemic. Since the station staff has been working from home since that time (with a few exceptions) the white board remains untouched.

Where Do I Know That Actor? (Yesterday Edition)

Every now and again I like to venture away from the programs UNC-TV offers and look outward to pop culture. Since the actors who perform on MASTERPIECE and your favorite Britcoms have careers beyond public broadcasting, it’s fun to seek them out and see what they are up to on the big screen, whether it’s the latest summer blockbuster or indie smash.

This week, I shine the spotlight on director Danny Boyle’s latest film, YESTERDAY. Unfortunately, the movie (which is #3 at the domestic box office) has gotten mixed reviews but I love the premise: after an accident, a musician realizes he is the only one who remembers the Beatles. The screenplay is by Richard Curtis, a man known for his successful rom coms. However, Curtis has written for a few shows we’ve aired in the past like Not The Nine O’Clock News, Mr. Bean and The Vicar Of Dibley.

Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

Meet the Ohio sharpshooter who won fame and fortune in a man’s world for never missing a shot. Tune in as AMERICAN EXPERIENCE profiles ANNIE OAKLEY – Tuesday night at 9 on UNC-TV.

What great news! Pennsylvania plans a day of kindness to honor the late Fred Rogers. May 23 will be 1-4-3 Day, named in honor of Mr. Rogers’ favorite number.