The Game is On [this has turned out to be a huge post]
So. On Sunday, Dave and I went to The Game is On: An Afternoon with Mark Gatiss and Friends.
*internal fangirling*
It was raising money for the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard and Ian Hallard told us a bit about the charity, then Mark Gatiss came on stage and hosted the afternoon. First he introduced Sue Vertue and Steven Moffat, then I think the order was was Louise Brealey, Rupert Graves and Martin Freeman.
I had SO much fun! It was hilarious. Amanda Abbington was in the audience which I had no idea about and I'm gutted that I didn't have my photo taken with her.
There's too much stuff that happened to recount what went on really, but series three is being written as we speak and one of Mark's favourite scenes is in there. Mark also acted out Sherlock's roof scene in Reichenbach and then drank a can of Red Bull to say that Sherlock survived because he grew wings.
MARTIN FREEMAN KNOWS ABOUT RED PANTS MONDAY.
This is some other stuff that happened, some of it lifted from tumblr and some which I wrote the other day.
My view of the stage
I would have got more photos but they were banned and the ushers were really on the look out :(
My signed poster! Unfortunately we didn't get to meet anyone in person afterwards, they were pre signed.
I had no idea Amanda Abbington was in the audience of the game is on, so when Martin Freeman couldn’t remember what book he was currently reading and someone shouted out what it was I was a bit unnerved at the really, really intense fan.
When asked if the cast used any lines from Sherlock in real life Rupert said that he tried the “Meretricious” “and a happy new year” joke and nobody laughed!
And Mark said that he kept trying to say “Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound” at random points but they were never successful.
Mark, Steven and Sue confirmed though that they want to do Sherlock for as long as it’s well received, and that it’d be great to carry on until Sherlock and John are in their fifties and beyond.
Rupert Graves got a job as an apprentice clown through the job centre when he was 16.
Mark: Did you run away to the circus?
Rupert: No!… I got the bus.
I am still laughing at this.
A member of the audience mentioned that some fans ship Mycroft and Lestrade and Rupert gave Mark such a suggestive look!
They stressed that the clues to how Sherlock survived Reichenbach are all there in series two.
Martin Freeman really does have a filthy mouth and it’s hilarious. There was some talk about milking people with tongues…
This is from another tumblr "First of all, Ian Hallard, Gatiss’ partner (and husband) introduced the cause to us. It was a great cause and I’m really happy our ticket money mostly went to fund it. If anyone wants to check out a great organization go to the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard. They’re a hotline that’s there to help queers with serious issues like coming out and such, but they also give advice on clubs and groups and social things to do as a queer person. They’re a small organization and mostly volunteer based and they deserve all the help they can get. Also, Ian is so adorable. I’m so glad he was there.
On to describing what happened as best as I can remember.
I don’t remember exactly what I said to mystradedoodles but it was the most accurate description of what happened. Basically, Mark Gatiss read through ALL THE E-MAIL QUESTIONS and decided on which ones he wanted to ask his “friends”. Most of them were specifically hand chosen by him for maximum embarrassment of his comrades. Loo Brealey was a frequent victim of this trolling, receiving questions such as “What is it like being in the same room as amazing, talented, handsome, wonderful men like Ben, Martin, and Andrew?”, “What is it like to be a role model?”, and such.
He specifically chose one such question for Rupert Graves when he sat down. He turned to Rupert, who was wearing an adorable scarf, his usual foxy silver hair, and that adorable little Rupert grin, and read the question: “Are you aware that despite never being seen on screen together” (cue the ENTIRE audience dying of laughter because we ALL KNEW WHAT HE WAS GOING TO ASK) “fans seem to fancy Mycroft and Lestrade together [as a couple]”. Rupert’s facial expressions were fantastic. First his eyes widened like his mind was blown. Then he started laughing along with the audience. I think Mark read more of the question at this point but I couldn’t hear, but from how Rupert responded next I can only assume it was something like “What do you think of this?” because he grinned his Rupert grin and just totally went “I AGREE!” without taking the piss at all. It was pretty much great.
The other fandom riot worthy question asked was “Will John wear red pants?” to which the entire cast was completely baffled but like “Ummm maybe?” But then Martin Freeman just sort of crossed his legs, sat back, shook his head and went “No, I know what they’re talking about” completely seriously. Mark then asked, eyebrow raised, “Do you, now?” to which Martin replied “Yes, I do. I really do.” And then proceeded to call the fans “fucking” something (dirty or shocking, I couldn’t quite hear and from the responses I’m seeing from everyone there isn’t quite an agreed on take).
There was a lot of wonderful talk about the writing process for Moffat and Gatiss and there were some really great questions about queers in the media and how it affects them. Loo went on this huge spiel about older women and the media’s image of heroines and such and it was just wonderful. I love hearing her get on her soap box because she’s so passionate and adorable and just a really wonderful woman. I wish I could remember everything she said about it but I really can’t. Sue joined in on the conversation and it was just really lovely.
Rupert also told us that he was an apprentice clown for a circus once.
Martin Freeman seemed a bit weirded out about his experience at Comic-Con. He kept, with a bit of sarcasm in his voice, calling the fans there “very enthusiastic” and that he was glad he was only there for a short while. When Martin said he really didn’t know what he’d do at a con, Gatiss then told him he really should be ruthlessly exploiting his time there.
Andrew Scott and Una Stubbs couldn’t make it, which was really quite sad, but Andrew was nice enough to answer some of the questions for Gatiss to read to us.
Which Gatiss did.
He went back stage and found a dummy.
Then he told us to pretend it was Andrew Scott.
He sat the dummy down on his knee and then proceeded to read the questions to us. And then he made the dummy talk in Andrew Scott’s voice with the answers Andrew had sent.
It was pretty much perfection.
On other notes, Loo Brealey seems to think Rupert Graves is very fine.
Rupert Graves is extremely clueless as to what happens in the fandom. Many things had to be explained to him.
Gatiss was asked at one point if he could give us any hints on how Sebastian Moran will be portrayed since he hasn’t been in the series yet, to which he replied with his evil little smirk, “Hasn’t he?”
Gatiss read a question that talked about how he is accused of writing in all the homoerotic content while Moffat is accused of taking it away, to which Moffat clarified it’s the exact opposite, and that he wrote the “date” scene at Angelo’s in the first episode to fill in more time and Gatiss read it and said “This will be all anyone will ever talk about!” Well predicted, Gatiss.
Gatiss also was also told that he was probably Jack the Ripper in his former life, which he agreed with.
Martin Freeman is sick of everyone laughing when he’s barely even opened his mouth.
None of them (meaning Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, Sue Vertue, Steven Moffat, Rupert Graves, or Loo Brealey) have seen Elementary and prefer to keep it that way and not comment on it. However, Gatiss called the Russian Holmes series “brilliant.” Unsure if that was sarcasm or not. Hard to tell when people are cheering and laughing?
Rupert Graves said if he was Prime Minister he’d be terrible and he’d just have way too much fun.
He also said that Lestrade wishes he had Sherlock’s mind.
Gatiss stroked Martin’s cheek.
Gatiss had Andrew-dummy touch his thigh and crotch.
Moffat said we’ll be seeing the interracial alien girlfriends from space again very soon on Doctor Who and also brought them up when the group was talking about how the media’s starting to create queer characters that are incidentally queer and not make a huge deal out of it. He also mentioned the long tongue, of course.
The group was asked if they could take any other iconic British things (such as Arthurian cycles or Robin Hood) and modernize them/bring them back, would they and what would they be. Rupert Graves was completely against doing Robin Hood but when someone suggested King Arthur his face lit up like a boy’s face on Christmas morning when he’d unwrapped the very thing he asked Santa for and breathed, “Yeahhh! King Arthur!”
That’s all I can think of at the moment. I hope that’s good enough for now."
sporklocked:
*internal fangirling*
It was raising money for the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard and Ian Hallard told us a bit about the charity, then Mark Gatiss came on stage and hosted the afternoon. First he introduced Sue Vertue and Steven Moffat, then I think the order was was Louise Brealey, Rupert Graves and Martin Freeman.
I had SO much fun! It was hilarious. Amanda Abbington was in the audience which I had no idea about and I'm gutted that I didn't have my photo taken with her.
There's too much stuff that happened to recount what went on really, but series three is being written as we speak and one of Mark's favourite scenes is in there. Mark also acted out Sherlock's roof scene in Reichenbach and then drank a can of Red Bull to say that Sherlock survived because he grew wings.
MARTIN FREEMAN KNOWS ABOUT RED PANTS MONDAY.
This is some other stuff that happened, some of it lifted from tumblr and some which I wrote the other day.
My view of the stage
I would have got more photos but they were banned and the ushers were really on the look out :(
My signed poster! Unfortunately we didn't get to meet anyone in person afterwards, they were pre signed.
I had no idea Amanda Abbington was in the audience of the game is on, so when Martin Freeman couldn’t remember what book he was currently reading and someone shouted out what it was I was a bit unnerved at the really, really intense fan.
When asked if the cast used any lines from Sherlock in real life Rupert said that he tried the “Meretricious” “and a happy new year” joke and nobody laughed!
And Mark said that he kept trying to say “Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound” at random points but they were never successful.
Mark, Steven and Sue confirmed though that they want to do Sherlock for as long as it’s well received, and that it’d be great to carry on until Sherlock and John are in their fifties and beyond.
Rupert Graves got a job as an apprentice clown through the job centre when he was 16.
Mark: Did you run away to the circus?
Rupert: No!… I got the bus.
I am still laughing at this.
A member of the audience mentioned that some fans ship Mycroft and Lestrade and Rupert gave Mark such a suggestive look!
They stressed that the clues to how Sherlock survived Reichenbach are all there in series two.
Martin Freeman really does have a filthy mouth and it’s hilarious. There was some talk about milking people with tongues…
This is from another tumblr "First of all, Ian Hallard, Gatiss’ partner (and husband) introduced the cause to us. It was a great cause and I’m really happy our ticket money mostly went to fund it. If anyone wants to check out a great organization go to the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard. They’re a hotline that’s there to help queers with serious issues like coming out and such, but they also give advice on clubs and groups and social things to do as a queer person. They’re a small organization and mostly volunteer based and they deserve all the help they can get. Also, Ian is so adorable. I’m so glad he was there.
On to describing what happened as best as I can remember.
I don’t remember exactly what I said to mystradedoodles but it was the most accurate description of what happened. Basically, Mark Gatiss read through ALL THE E-MAIL QUESTIONS and decided on which ones he wanted to ask his “friends”. Most of them were specifically hand chosen by him for maximum embarrassment of his comrades. Loo Brealey was a frequent victim of this trolling, receiving questions such as “What is it like being in the same room as amazing, talented, handsome, wonderful men like Ben, Martin, and Andrew?”, “What is it like to be a role model?”, and such.
He specifically chose one such question for Rupert Graves when he sat down. He turned to Rupert, who was wearing an adorable scarf, his usual foxy silver hair, and that adorable little Rupert grin, and read the question: “Are you aware that despite never being seen on screen together” (cue the ENTIRE audience dying of laughter because we ALL KNEW WHAT HE WAS GOING TO ASK) “fans seem to fancy Mycroft and Lestrade together [as a couple]”. Rupert’s facial expressions were fantastic. First his eyes widened like his mind was blown. Then he started laughing along with the audience. I think Mark read more of the question at this point but I couldn’t hear, but from how Rupert responded next I can only assume it was something like “What do you think of this?” because he grinned his Rupert grin and just totally went “I AGREE!” without taking the piss at all. It was pretty much great.
The other fandom riot worthy question asked was “Will John wear red pants?” to which the entire cast was completely baffled but like “Ummm maybe?” But then Martin Freeman just sort of crossed his legs, sat back, shook his head and went “No, I know what they’re talking about” completely seriously. Mark then asked, eyebrow raised, “Do you, now?” to which Martin replied “Yes, I do. I really do.” And then proceeded to call the fans “fucking” something (dirty or shocking, I couldn’t quite hear and from the responses I’m seeing from everyone there isn’t quite an agreed on take).
There was a lot of wonderful talk about the writing process for Moffat and Gatiss and there were some really great questions about queers in the media and how it affects them. Loo went on this huge spiel about older women and the media’s image of heroines and such and it was just wonderful. I love hearing her get on her soap box because she’s so passionate and adorable and just a really wonderful woman. I wish I could remember everything she said about it but I really can’t. Sue joined in on the conversation and it was just really lovely.
Rupert also told us that he was an apprentice clown for a circus once.
Martin Freeman seemed a bit weirded out about his experience at Comic-Con. He kept, with a bit of sarcasm in his voice, calling the fans there “very enthusiastic” and that he was glad he was only there for a short while. When Martin said he really didn’t know what he’d do at a con, Gatiss then told him he really should be ruthlessly exploiting his time there.
Andrew Scott and Una Stubbs couldn’t make it, which was really quite sad, but Andrew was nice enough to answer some of the questions for Gatiss to read to us.
Which Gatiss did.
He went back stage and found a dummy.
Then he told us to pretend it was Andrew Scott.
He sat the dummy down on his knee and then proceeded to read the questions to us. And then he made the dummy talk in Andrew Scott’s voice with the answers Andrew had sent.
It was pretty much perfection.
On other notes, Loo Brealey seems to think Rupert Graves is very fine.
Rupert Graves is extremely clueless as to what happens in the fandom. Many things had to be explained to him.
Gatiss was asked at one point if he could give us any hints on how Sebastian Moran will be portrayed since he hasn’t been in the series yet, to which he replied with his evil little smirk, “Hasn’t he?”
Gatiss read a question that talked about how he is accused of writing in all the homoerotic content while Moffat is accused of taking it away, to which Moffat clarified it’s the exact opposite, and that he wrote the “date” scene at Angelo’s in the first episode to fill in more time and Gatiss read it and said “This will be all anyone will ever talk about!” Well predicted, Gatiss.
Gatiss also was also told that he was probably Jack the Ripper in his former life, which he agreed with.
Martin Freeman is sick of everyone laughing when he’s barely even opened his mouth.
None of them (meaning Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, Sue Vertue, Steven Moffat, Rupert Graves, or Loo Brealey) have seen Elementary and prefer to keep it that way and not comment on it. However, Gatiss called the Russian Holmes series “brilliant.” Unsure if that was sarcasm or not. Hard to tell when people are cheering and laughing?
Rupert Graves said if he was Prime Minister he’d be terrible and he’d just have way too much fun.
He also said that Lestrade wishes he had Sherlock’s mind.
Gatiss stroked Martin’s cheek.
Gatiss had Andrew-dummy touch his thigh and crotch.
Moffat said we’ll be seeing the interracial alien girlfriends from space again very soon on Doctor Who and also brought them up when the group was talking about how the media’s starting to create queer characters that are incidentally queer and not make a huge deal out of it. He also mentioned the long tongue, of course.
The group was asked if they could take any other iconic British things (such as Arthurian cycles or Robin Hood) and modernize them/bring them back, would they and what would they be. Rupert Graves was completely against doing Robin Hood but when someone suggested King Arthur his face lit up like a boy’s face on Christmas morning when he’d unwrapped the very thing he asked Santa for and breathed, “Yeahhh! King Arthur!”
That’s all I can think of at the moment. I hope that’s good enough for now."
sporklocked:
- Mark Gatiss, announcing that Una Stubbs couldn’t be there last minute: “Just to reassure you, I will be playing Una Stubbs in the second half.”
- Steven Moffat, on Sherlock’s success: “We did think it would be well received, maybe get an award at some obscure film festival in Poland.”
- Mark Gatiss: “This question is from Tamith - that’s no help, she could be a pagan deity for all I know.”
- Mark Gatiss (reading a question): ” ‘It was literally painful’ - it was not literallypainful - ‘it was figuratively painful…’ “
- Steven Moffat (on John and Sherlock’s relationship, love story, etc.): “Fancying someone is about how you spend your night. Loving someone is about how you spend your life.”
- Steven Moffat: “Having a relationship with Sherlock would be awful, because at the point where you were expecting some fun, he’d just look blank and wander off.”
- One of the questions asked about reincarnation, and suggested that Gatiss had been Jack the Ripper in his past life.
- Louise Brealey: “I’m the go-to woman for pubic hair.”
- Rupert Graves knows how to wrangle Shetland ponies (no, seriously). He also pantomimes a lot when he’s speaking which was pretty amusing. And every time he was asked a question, he looked surprised (and often was in the middle of drinking water).
- Rupert Graves, when asked in what ways he resembles Lestrade: “Well, we look a lot alike.”
- Martin Freeman fidgets with his left ear a LOT.
- One question was, “Do you think Benedict Cumberbatch looks like the creepy pale guy in Pan’s Labyrinth?” (which Gatiss then pantomimed.)
- A question came up about red pants, and Gatiss and Moffat were fairly confused, then Martin Freeman said, “I know what that question is all about, and you’re all fucking shocking.”
- Mark Gatiss, describing having been asked what he thought Moriarty was feeling at the end of season 2: “Nothing, he’s dead.”