Tom Baker Interview | Afternoon Plus | Interview | 1981

Mavis Nicholson chats to veteran actor Tom Baker. Baker, who is probably most remembered for playing the eccentric time traveller in the classic TV series 'Dr Who'
Tom chats about his career, life love and money. First Televised on the 08/12/1981
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[@MGB_2024]

Plot Twist: The Doctor is an actor playing Tom Baker.

[@colinmcphan]

I knew there was something different about Tom....I mean the 4th Doctor. lol.

[@nachtwaya8721]

Further Twist.... all the actors who have played The Doctor are actually his Regenerations...

[@booth2710]

much more believable that way round .. lol ..

[@CrazyHorseTheSiouxW4rrior]

Matthew Bradley Obviously 🙄

[@CrazyHorseTheSiouxW4rrior]

Thom Clark well technically they are his personality’s

[@anaccount8474]

"I'm an enthusiastic drinker" - best answer ever.

[@vinobody]

he was arrested in 1969 along with Jim Morrison for making a fuss on board of some airplane , both wasted

[@briane5706]

Even though David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capladi have been brilliant in their own way as The Doctor, Tom Baker will always be THE Doctor. His amazing voice and facial expressions are just brilliant!

[@jasonlefler3456]

Brian Edward Yes...the definitive article...

[@francismcmenamin982]

Tennant, Smith and Capaldi are reboot doctors, not the definite article!

[@thisisgeorge2117]

Always how I feel. Tom IS the doctor because he was just HIM… so the doctor IS Tom.

[@bearflipstable8365]

what about christoper eccleston.

[@Omnicient.]

Tom has said he didn't play the Doctor but himself so he wasn't the Doctor as such! My fav was of course Jon Pertwee.

[@interstellar1962]

RIP Mavis Nicholson. What a marvellous interview this was.

[@logicalnetwork1611]

I heard Marvis Nicholson passed away:(:( A brilliant broadcaster

[@digitalmediafan]

Yes just asked alexa. A long life though at 91

[@logicalnetwork1611]

@@digitalmediafan what did u ask Alexa?

[@digitalmediafan]

@@logicalnetwork1611 When she died

[@rajnirvan3336]

I only found out this week

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

One of the best interviews I've ever seen. Tom Baker is an under-rated intellectual powerhouse, one of the most interesting men of our era

[@johnellizz]

Tom Baker is ALSO the BEST shapeshifting lizard! Watch "The Brain Of Morbius" and you can see him display his glistening, green lizard eye.

[@colinmcphan]

Tom Baker is truly "The most interesting man in the world".

[@ngNudraconis]

becoz not many people get his wits & sarcasm. people don't like to think ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ̀ˋ

[@colinmcphan]

+ngNudraconis I agree. If people would actually sit and listen to what Tom is saying and how he is saying it they would know that he is not always be serious or is trying to make a point by using intellect, wit and humor. I don't always agree with every little thing Tom says but at least he makes me think and makes me look at my own beliefs and values. Hopefully the people watching and listening to this will realize where Tom was coming from and what he was trying to say. Great interview involving two very intelligent people.

[@ngNudraconis]

yeah right. his realistic viewpoint about life may piss some ppl off. but when one is ready to face the truth, its easy to understand where he is coming from..."I believe in the absolute path of love. Even though I know love is not enduring,... just like ambitions never be realized, that life is disappointing & sometimes humiliating, but one has to be optimistic and believe". How true is that? And his face, lol, i cannot sleep if he keeps staring at me like that... :D :D :D

[@theRealPlaidRabbit]

3:16 "One of the things that strikes me as a bit odd about journalists is that they quite often seem to believe what they read in the papers". I am keeping this quote forever.

[@benbunyip]

A pearler. Yes, keep this one. Never more appropriate for the times.

[@JudgeBane]

Only a Doctor Who actor could cosplay as a version of the character from 24 years in the future.

[@robmarrin6720]

😂😂😂❤️👍Fantastic... That's an epic comment.

[@Jo_Wardy]

Damn you beat me to it. 🙁

[@nigelcarren]

A most astute observation Dr Watson! 🏆🇬🇧

[@SStupendous]

Badaboomba

[@ptolemeeselenion1542]

Lmao.

[@hippocritic]

Tom Baker has the most mischievous smile ever.

[@RaginRonic]

Just shows that Tom's always cooking something up....if the smile favors you, you're gonna have one hell of a good day ahead. =B

[@garyturner3865]

1981 was when he finally left the show after 7 years in it.

[@AuntyM66]

I could listen to Tom Baker all day

[@richardsharpe2966]

Tom Baker has a great talking voice

[@MALONEYCAMFIELD]

They don't make actors with voices like that anymore. Tom Baker must be one of the last actors who made it before acting became "naturalistic" and everyone spoke like they were going for a part in Eastenders.

[@theholmes8308]

Matt Maloney I'm an actor and I most certainly do not talk like an Eastenders character, my voice is regarded as an excellent eccentric heightened RP

[@formerlybernard6460]

AGREED

[@jaggass]

Jon Culshaw sounds like an 80's Tom Baker

[@recyclerking1]

kind of sounds like hitchens.

[@Bananadiva1]

What a brilliant interview. The good old days when excellent presenters asked intelligent questions of equally brilliant guests.

[@Tom_Van_Zandt]

Yeah...intelligent questions such as "Are you a big drinker?" and "What do you think about money?"

[@actually_im_worse_yall]

@@Tom_Van_Zandt and "are you going to be nice to your parrot ?"

[@Tom_Van_Zandt]

@@actually_im_worse_yall lol yes, quite riveting stuff.

[@jasonlefler3456]

I'm an American yet that Thames intro music to this clip always takes me back... and then Tom Baker talking about anything is always a treat.

[@johnlewis9158]

If only their were more like him about. In years past their was a core of interesting people. I will not use the word celebrities who were regulars on talk shows. People like Peter Ustinov and sadly only occasionally Orson Welles to name just two. We sadly have no one of their calibre with us today

[@upnrocks6124]

that Thames music theme was used before every American Benny Hill episode broadcast in the U.S. which explains the nostalgia

[@jasonlefler3456]

Not on PBS.

[@upnrocks6124]

ALWAYS on PBS - especially on WTTW in Chicago

[@jasonlefler3456]

UPN ROCKS Then I got hosed.

[@danpettinger1353]

Fascinating to see Tom in a pinstripe suit and sneakers, and then see David Tennant wearing the same ensemble during his time as Dr Who

[@AnnabellaRedwood]

I thought the same myself.😊

[@donrevie721]

Trainers

[@philipcurnow7990]

"Driving a car is a tedious thing". A visionary .. but then again he was Dr. Who.

[@barry1369]

He didn’t need a car he had the tardis 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JudyGarlandRulez152]

I have seen this interview so many times, because this is how an interview should be. No talking over each other, just an uber amount of respect.

[@Omnicient.]

The British have manners and rarely talk over each other in interviews but American interviews on KZbin too often keep talking over each other such as Bette Davis and Kate Hepburn interviews with Dick Cavett which I otherwise highly recommend having a listen to!

[@Ampex196]

Tom is one of the most genuine people you could ever wish to meet. How true re. his comment (5.45>)? Perfectly decent ordinary men now avoid engaging with children fearing that they might be accused of impropriety. What a sad World we now live in! I worked at a venue where Tom was signing autograph in the stalls. A disabled boy who could only watch from the (wheelchair accessible) circle just looked on. Tom went up to the circle specially to see the wheelchair bound little boy, and spent some 10-15 mins. talking to him. A truly splendid chap.!

[@michaelmcclellan6944]

The honesty of Tom Baker is refreshing

[@bigboxbobby2]

What a wonderful voice.

[@colinmcphan]

AGREED! Also mesmerizing and sexy at the same time.

[@Aspergianfirestarter]

Tom's all right too.

[@colinmcphan]

+Stuart Stuartson I agree.😆. I love Tom's voice but the rest of him is pretty awesome as well.

[@tabithacooper6758]

I always loved his deep, warm voice. Most interesting person I've ever looked up to.

[@collettewoodbourne667]

Clever man. Very articulate. Interesting interview.....

[@ShamrockParticle]

What a refreshing change, they're focusing on the interviewer and interviewee faces but not switching camera angles every 2 seconds for the sake of "dramatic action action action!", rather than focusing on the content. Very solid interview. Thanks!

[@colinmcphan]

I totally second the person who said Tom is very captivating. He simply is "the most interesting man in the world"! Plus his voice is orgasmic. Tennant has said that Tom is a big influence for him in DR. Who. Now I know why.

[@stephenholmes1036]

Mavis was a superb interviewer

[@pantera89]

An Icon and a Legend...Tom Baker will ALWAYS be the Doctor to me...............

[@colinmcphan]

Totally 100% second that! Tom is so awesome and his Doctor is such a brilliant portrayal and creation. The most believable and natural in the role ever.

[@rozalinenelhams2105]

I love how honest Tom Baker is.

[@honestiago1000]

...and you are adored Mr Tom Baker! ...and you always will be!!!!!

[@colinmcphan]

So true! So true. Big hug to Tom.

[@DaveCorbey]

Best voice in the business....I used to be a regular in the Man in The Moon pub on Kings road back in the early 80s and so was Tom. Someone asked him once why he never sat down...Tom just looked at him and said, "I have learned that if I don't sit down, I know when it's time to leave". He enjoyed a drink, but didn't want to ever not be able to get up and go home. I think the sight of Reggie outside the pub sometimes, reinforced that view in Tom, Tom liked a drink, but I never saw him drunk. He was always incredibly polite as well, and was never rude to fans.

[@lornaneillcowper6496]

I live very near that old pub happy memories of having drinks there in the 1980s and 90s.London has changed so much since then.

[@gizemdvora]

He is so cute. He wanted to be adored, I am still adored him💓

[@mdtauk]

Not many interviews are as intelligent as this. A lost art...

[@stronzo5000]

I currently have the flu and now I have a voice like Tom Bakers

[@colinmcphan]

You sir now have the most epic voice in the world!

[@fucheduck]

too bad those things go away. :(

[@dr.davidwho4053]

😁

[@donrevie721]

Baker's.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

His statement about life being about disappointment, love not enduring, and growing old being humiliating- that’s pretty deep stuff!

[@spacingguild]

Holy crap! The 10th doctor dresses just like Tom Baker.

[@houseofno]

I respectfully disagree. Tennant is missing the scarf, the long coat and the hat.

[@wibblywobblytimeywimey4669]

@@houseofno They’re comparing Tennant to what Tom’s wearing in this interview.

[@PaulRoneClarke]

Amazing to think he is almost 50 here. (Just turned 48 I think) and he wrote a best selling novel last year. Almost 40 years later. He's happy to give full and interesting answers. Makes Mavis's job quite easy. She posits an idea, and Tom runs with it for a good minute or so.

[@wrmty56413]

Tom's smile could light up the cosmos

[@AtticusStount]

I wonder how many people realise how Tennant observed Tom Baker's performance's, his way of staring wide eyed into infinity. Now, it seems, his costume was also inspired.

[@colinmcphan]

Thank God I am not the only one who noticed that!

[@Spacejockey426]

I noticed that he adopted his mannerism of saying "wellll" . . . . I picked up on it the first time he did it, I knew he was channeling his 4th self . . .

[@ptolemeeselenion1542]

@@Spacejockey426 Indeed.

[@ShamrockParticle]

Yup. I never saw this video until now, but 9:40 addresses it all and how modern incarnations are seemingly trying to be too much to be a certain version of a certain age rather than bring more of their own in the way anyone could do it. Anyone can play it, assuming "it" is only a certain type?

[@frankshailes3205]

Tom seemed to wear that suit for most of the 1980s. And 90s. He only seemed to have one coat as well!

[@robmarrin6720]

Fast forward nearly 30 years and you became a national international treasure,, worth my time in watching you for year's, worth more than money,, memories,, you created many fantastic memories Tom❤️👍

[@stclairstclair]

Tom Baker is to Sci-Fi as Vincent Price was to Horror...Timeless!

[@1ATV]

Nice bloke , great interview , he is such an interesting person

[@andynixon2820]

Mavis is an excellent interviewer . And tom is an excellent interviewee .

[@davros123ify]

He taught me a lot about life when I was watching his doctor who shows

[@MrPantss]

Love Tom Baker, so eloquent and a masterful command of the English language…..

[@Retrostar619]

Excellent interviewer. When was the last time you heard such intelligent questions posed to a guest? Perfect mix of Formal/informal hosting.

[@martinkelly6709]

And this was on an ITV daytime show. When ITV was a decent network with great programming and not the cheap, downmarket, lowest common denominator home of reality television that it has sadly become.

[@ptolemeeselenion1542]

Indeed.

[@cindytartt4048]

2 days ago on national television in Australia. ❤❤

[@evonne_]

This interview is great to watch. Tom Baker is STILL famous in 2015 😁😁😁😁👍👍👍

[@evonne_okafor]

Evonne Okafor And also in 2017

[@naparry4772]

2018 as well.

[@Jhonxay]

2019 too

[@francismcmenamin982]

He travels in time don't you know?

[@ronaldcustard4636]

Jhonxay Playz 2020

[@MrHairyNeck]

Mavis always used to be on TV in the afternoons in the 1970s-1980-1980s. Loved watching her chat shows at the time. She interviewed a lot of famous people and celebs. This Tom Baker interview is classic Mavis. Thanks.

[@lookout6176]

He's totally brilliant and very interesting intelligent gent.

[@danielernest973]

He's wearing a pinstriped suit with trainers... was this the inspiration years later for David Tennant?

[@kgbromero]

Well, David Tennant did say that Tom Baker was his starting doctor/the incarnation he first watched :)

[@colinmcphan]

Tom's so incredibly AWESOME!!!!!

[@1000guy1]

but peter davison was his favourite doctor

[@ericisprobablyfullofshit7797]

Keanu Dave - Even if Tom were his favorite he'd still say it was Peter because he's his father-in-law. The lady who played the Doctor's daughter actually is the Doctor's daughter, but she's also the Doctor's wife, and now they have a girl child. So that little girl is the Doctor's granddaughter, and the Doctor's daughter, and the Doctor's daughter's daughter. 😂

[@dr.davidwho4053]

@@ericisprobablyfullofshit7797 that confused me!😁😆

[@robertbebbington3065]

Man, talk about charisma! The phrase 'magnetic personality' must have been coined for Tom Baker. And what planet does this woman come from? "Most people will be on television at sometime" How absurd. But i could listen to him forever. Thanks for posting

[@MALONEYCAMFIELD]

She was ahead of her time, considering how long this was before Big Brother, X Factor and the modern obsession with reality TV.

[@robertbebbington3065]

Matt, I take your point, but look at the population figures of this ball of dirt. I for one, won't be anyones next top model, how about you?

[@dolphin069]

Matt Maloney also social media - who needs t.v. to be on t.v. ?

[@danmcdaid8608]

Robert Bebbington Wales

[@454aubrey]

I know this is an older comment, but I feel like responding. She was responds to what Tom had just said. Claiming that everyone should receive acknowledgement for their achievements. If we were to be on TV then we would likely receive recognition for it. We should be recognized for our talents and achievements though. It raises our awareness of who we are and what we are good at. That’s what I wish to say.

[@communityrags6048]

I love the story of how when he got older and his hair went white and was seen out and about, people would say "Oooo look, there's Jon Pertwee!" and he would reply something like "No I'm not! I regenerated. Now I'm Tom Baker. Don't you remember? Later I'm going to be Peter Davison."

[@dalebaker6256]

Tom, was a great doctor. In the 7 years his was dr who, his hair turned from, brown to white. A great actor, who deserved better parts, then he got for the most part.

[@colinmcphan]

Agreed! Tom has had some great parts and received recognition and accolades but he deserved even more great roles. Fine actor and wonderfully real and refreshingly honest. God bless.

[@colinmcphan]

+petalouda I know. I felt so bad for him. Tom's Thyroid condition on top of stress over the quality of the scripts and Lalla (the women he loved) being forced to leave made Tom drink more which didn't help his health. It was like a vicious circle.

[@colinmcphan]

+petalouda Tom did look happy and healthy here. He loved the character of the Doctor so much and I would have loved to have seen Tom in some of the good story's that rarely came out of the 80's. But I wouldn't have wanted Tom to go thru any more hell.

[@andrewmorgan3246]

Linda Taylor

[@colinmcphan]

+Andrew Morgan Yes? Hello☺

[@mediacityavid]

How nice it is to hear an interview where the guest is just allowed to talk. Tom is clearly happy to talk all day.

[@justice_productions_]

I could listen to this guys voice for ever

[@caneimcdonald9226]

Wise man!! He was one of my favorite Doctors for a reason!!.

[@DrumsTheWord]

Great conversation from both. Very natural and not a sense of saying something just for the camera or people at home. It felt intimate...as most interviews from this period were. Tom is marvellous of course.

[@kungfuclassics1770]

He has an incredible insightful into human life. Very philosophical. Exceptionally inspirational.

[@barriematt]

He was my Doctor. Mavis Nicholson is a good interviewer. She was a founding member of daytime TV in Britain. She should still be on TV

[@marklife.ox4]

Could listen to him for hours!

[@PC-lu3zf]

My mother was a stage manager on his doctor who’s. She knew him well. His voice is powerful he played Rasputin in a wonderful performance.

[@lesliestevenson5261]

Big shout out for Mavis Nicholson. Terrific interviewer….and a sublime interviewee of course.

[@ulrickennedy5155]

I love how he's wearing Tennant's costume...years in advance

[@marcelinoortiz9551]

.... Well, he is a Time Lord after all ......

[@PlebeianGoth]

This goes straight to my ASMR playlist. Love Tom Baker's voice!!!

[@gommechops]

What a superb interview from both of these, oh for the days like these, with genuinely interesting people.

[@mcw8900]

Absolutely love Tom Baker, what a cool random recommend!

[@nigellangridge1975]

MY Doctor. An honour to have met him… Twice. Witty, erudite, lucid, frivolous, deep, frothy, legendary… a national treasure.

[@somebloke4027]

Bloody hell, it’s easy to forget how good straightforward intelligent conversation with interesting people on TV used to be. People laud Parky for some reason that eludes me but this is far better. Mavis is really interested in Tom. Thanks for posting - what a pleasure.

[@lukepate8749]

Love Dr Who and Tom Baker!!! God bless from Texas,U.S.A!!!😀❤🍻

[@Conslaught]

My favourite interview ever. Two people talking to each other as people. No 'plugging', no over the top gimmicks, just a conversation about the self

[@dmrogers7713]

Being from The States I never got to see much of British actors as themselves in interviews until the internet. Because of this I was never able to decide if Tom was just trolling the world or if he really was as wonderfully enigmatic as he comes across.

[@logicalnetwork1611]

Tom Baker is one of the greatest British actors of all time. Its heartening to hear an American ( im assuming you are for are an American) appreciate this find underrated. For such a talented actor he appeared in relatively few films,He was actually born and raised in Liverpool and doesnt even have a typical Scouser accent. Baker was the best Dr Who. Baker does the narration for Lttle Britian and Little Britian comedy shows.Bakers most famous film role was as a Rasputin in Nicholas and Alexandra. He also had a memorable role as Moore in The Vault of Horror. He appeared as Koura in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad.I remember as kid watching The Book Tower which he presented. I just discovered he also appeared in an episode of Remington Steel titled "Hounded Steele" .

[@princessbella3592]

@@logicalnetwork1611 Baker also played the crazy legless captain in an episode of Black Adder.

[@logicalnetwork1611]

@@princessbella3592 Thanks Princess.I saw that episode. Baker is one the best actors of all time and yet in so few films

[@petebest22]

What a lovely genuine Down to earth man Tom is 😊👏😊👏

[@DayanaRockStar122]

I love Tom baker.

[@colinmcphan]

I love Tom too!!!!

[@barry1369]

Who doesn’t

[@SuperJayski1]

He has such a distinctive,wonderful voice :-)

[@moodydude6790]

"I'm a great book collector but I don't always read them, I read reviews alot..." Thats exatcly how I feel about myself.

[@lowdon7]

What a legend.

[@evonne_]

Damm right 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@zoot69uk2001]

What a wonderful interview. Tom Baker a true English eccentric, they don't make em like this anymore. I'm amazed he didn't make it bigger in the states, like a more interesting Elliiot Gould. The Long Goodbye with Tom Baker would have been fun. A brilliant actor and one of our legends.

[@garyfenlon5769]

Tom Baker and Leonard Rossiter both such lovely eloquent speakers and both from Liverpool.

[@seanfarrell3024]

His pure genius is from the heart! I would love to hear more about his early life, and spiritual travels to becoming a monk!

[@tonydecker9206]

He was aslo the. Best doctor who ever. I wach him all time when i was a kid

[@aisey100]

This is just brilliant. So open and honest and just wonderful.

[@fiveredpears]

Fascinating man.

[@xboxgamer2274]

I love that tom never changed

[@davebuts1921]

What a very interesting person, I love his outlook and the way he sees life, a very interesting person.

[@gallorumrex]

I wonder if he still finds growing old humiliating. He will always be "my Doctor", but it was nice to see this interview and hear his thoughts, getting to know the man behind "my Doctor" a wee bit.

[@icksanoid]

So wonderfully weird and eccentric in real life, its like the Dr Who role was purposefully created just for him

[@lakecountynaturalist7617]

Meet him in person, he gives off a wonderful, warm vibe. He’s a 6’ 4” teddy bear.

[@raksh9]

THANK YOU for uploading something we would never have seen in Australia. Finally getting to watch a classic Tom Baker interview decades after it was made.

[@johnf.sowards8707]

The art of conversation. Mavis is the interview G.O.A.T. Absolutely love her.

[@davideddy2672]

How great to see an honest and sincere interview!

[@davedogge2280]

the man is a legend.

[@JonTheComputerDoctor]

He is and always will be a treasure, and you do need to spread money around, that is a simple fact.

[@stevedickson5853]

He was brilliant and funny as the voice over in Little Britain , had me in stitches

[@mgthestrange9098]

Such an in depth interview especially for an afternoon programme. These days guests are lucky to get 5 minutes and usually cut off to fit in blabber about X factor or some shit. Tom is as brilliant as ever here

[@ciarahogg6838]

why do I love his voice so much

[@colinmcphan]

Because it's sexy, cool, mesmerizing and totally unforgettable. Kind of like Tom himself!

[@bsteven885]

Interesting how Tom Baker's voice can be cool & sexy, while warm & inviting at the same time -- of course, his charisma sends him over the top! 😍

[@yvonnescholey8972]

My 2nd favourite Doctor, what a great interview very eclectic and Tom was actually allowed to speak without being interrupted all credit to the interviewer. I think she gave him food for thought on occasion. 👏🥰👏🥰

[@dynamitedave1438]

Who was your favorite Dr who ? If you don't mine me asking :-) My number 1 Dr who was Jon Pertwee

[@Christian-qu9ml]

Tom is fantastic. Best Dr Who ever.

[@hopebgood]

What a great interview. Tom Baker really is a one-off.

[@ManCave1972]

Every moment is beautiful. Imagine spending an afternoon with Tom back then, in the pub, listening to that wonderful tone in anecdote after anecdote, rambling nonsense but wonderful with it.

[@fucheduck]

I remember some Social Studies teacher spelling it "TIMS" misinforming children, I learned to spell it "Thames" watching Benny Hill, not a small town school in US Oklahoma during the Regan era.

[@bunnystuart3808]

The best Dr of them all

[@leeosborne3793]

Fantastic guy! So interesting.

[@inspectortrout99]

This is such a great interview!

[@davidrussell8689]

What a fascinating person . Puts you a little on edge even when he’s smiling. Very interesting.

[@carls7860]

Wonderful interview...