MY TV LIFE
Linwood Barclay
American-born Canadian Linwood, 65, is a bestselling crime and thriller author with more than 20 novels to his name
What was your first TV memory?
Probably one of Gerry Anderson’s shows, either Supercar or Fireball XL5 when I was five or six, and then Stingray. They were the things that mesmerized me as a kid. I loved them. I still have reproductions of the models. I never grew up.
Who was your first TV crush?
Yvonne Craig as Batgirl in the Adam West Batman series, and Julie Newmar who was the sexiest Catwoman. She could light up the imagination of a young boy. Also Abby Dalton in The Joey Bishop Show, a sitcom I watched when I was eight – I thought she was beautiful – and any of the Bond villainesses.
What was your first TV appearance?
Not until I was writing books. I did a couple of humour books in 1996 and was interviewed on CBC here in Canada.
What is your favourite current show?
There is so much that is fantastic. I love Peaky Blinders, all of it except for the last series which veered off. I had to watch it with subtitles, I’m not used to the accents. We’re re-watching Lost at the moment, still loving it.
Which TV show would you take to a desert island?
Something funny. Probably Cheers, Seinfeld or Friends to keep my spirits up. If I could, I’d take all three of them. I really hope the Frasier reboot works. I’ll give it one episode... creating a hit sitcom is like catching lightning in a bottle.
What TV show would you like to put out of its misery?
Reality TV. I’d have them sent to another planet. The genre is so misnamed. They’re all stage-managed bullshine.
To me reality TV is a documentary. I’d rather watch a drama where you know it’s made-up.
Guiltiest TV pleasure?
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. I have all of the episodes on DVD and I love them!
What are you up to at the moment?
My new novel is out and I’ve just delivered my book for 2022. So now I’m watching them repair the water main on our street and making a model railway.
● Find You First by Linwood Barclay is out now