About Us: Mark Greig

Here is the next installment of our About Us Interview series. Mark Greig reviews Community, Merlin, and retro Doctor Who; he has reviewed The Fades and The Killing, as well, but he doesn’t like to talk about that last bit.

What area of the world do you live in, and what do you do? (Because we all know you don't make any money doing this.)

I live in England, in the North, home of a direwolves, weirwoods and a giant wall of ice we built to keep out the wildlings (hey, the Scots wanted their independence, they've got it). Right now my employment status is in flux (I am working but I am not technically getting paid), but in the past I've been a teaching assistant, an administrator, a call centre agent (don't hate me) and a shop supervisor.

If we just handed you a million dollars (you never know), what would you spend it on?

A doomsday machine. Or a pony. Maybe two ponies.

What random skill would our readers be surprised to know you have?

I have an excellent sense of direction. I have never got lost once in my life.

Are you a dog person or a cat person, or is there another animal involved?

Neither. I'm just not an animal person at all. Please don't hate me.

What show would recommend everyone finally get around to watching this summer?

Nikita. I just finished watching the second season and it was brilliant. And, with season three about to start soon, I recommend everyone catch up with the BBC's Wallander series starring Kenneth Branagh.

Of all the shows we don't cover, list your: (1) guilty pleasure, (2) favorite reality show, and (3) favorite from childhood.

Guilty pleasure would be Legend of the Seeker. It was the kind of by-the-numbers fantasy I usually despise, but I found it entertaining when it was around. I have no favourite reality shows. They are a plague upon mankind, our punishment from the almighty for not appreciating Time Trax when we had the chance. And a childhood favourite would have to be Batman: The Animated Series. Only cartoon I watched as a kid that I still watch now.

Fill in the blanks: If ___ weren't already reviewing ___, I'd want to do it.

Probably Once Upon a Time or Sherlock. But I doubt I could do as good a job as Panda or Paul (well, maybe Paul).

Which character do you identify with the most?

Giles. I often feel like I'm surrounded by youngsters who don't understand anything I say or appreciate my taste in music.

What's your favorite television show of all time? (Okay, top five will do if you can't narrow it down to one.)

Doctor Who. My favourite show as a kid and is now my favourite show as an adult. Buffy comes a very close second along with DS9, The Wire and Battlestar Galactica.

You are hosting a dinner party for eight TV characters and/or actors. Who would you invite?

Regina Mills to help out in the kitchen. Say what you want about the Evil Queen, the woman can cook. Walter Bishop for the same reason (also the drugs). The Doctor because he's always the life of the party (even when he's grumpy William Hartnell). Chloe Sullivan because why wouldn't I invite Chloe? Katherine from Vampire Diaries. Yeah, she is awful, but I like her. Rick Castle because I need to invite someone played by Nathan Fillion and would probably be a more fun guest than Mal. Morgana Pendragon because I need someone to hopelessly flirt with. And Eric Northman because I need someone else to hopelessly flirt with.