In the Public Interest (Professionals newsletter)
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | In the Public Interest |
| Publisher: | "The Professionals Appreciation Society" |
| Editor(s): | Eamon Rooney and Graham Peacock |
| Type: | newsletter |
| Date(s): | 1996-1999 |
| Frequency: | |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Professionals |
| External Links: | cited here |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
In the Public Interest is a Professionals gen newsletter. It was published by two fans under the umbrella organization called The Professionals Appreciation Society.
The zine had fifteen issues and was published in England. It contains news, photos, clippings, fan-written articles, ep guides, letters from fans and reviews. There was a smattering of fanart.
The last issue contains fiction: "The Christmas Killer" by Dennis Spooner ("originally printed in the Daily Mirror, December 24 1981 used with permission of Brian Clemens.")
The content was cheeky, irreverent at times, punky, and reminiscent of the Star Wars zine, Blue Harvest. MUCH OF IT WAS ALSO WRITTEN ALL IN CAPS.
This zine series was the "only fan based media produced with the permission of, and is recognized by, Granada Television/London Weekend Television/Mark One Productions."
Description
In the early 1990s fans Eamon Rooney and Graham Peacock formed The Professionals Appreciation Society and published an accompanying light-hearted fanzine entitled In the Public Interest. Running to twelve editions, its general format comprised of a focussed review of a particular episode, fanmail, latest news and rare photographs from the show, all wrapped up with Bodie-and-Doyle-style wisecracks and banter. The latter editions also covered CI5 The New Professionals.
The final edition was published in 1999 - a shame as the fanzine was frequently an entertaining and informative read. [1]
The Professionals Appreciation Society
The "fan club" that produced this zine series was mostly in name only.
As explained in the zine's last issue:
THE END IS NIGH....
A quick word of explanation to all those that have bunged me a line to ask... 'if the fanzine is ending is that the end of the appreciation Society?'
When it all first began, I used the word fan club which then changed to appreciation society. However as time moved on we sort of developed into a fan based fanzine. I knew of some shady characters on the internet that were calling themselves fans, who people wrote to me saying they had been ripped off by (please be careful they're still out there!). I decided to hold onto the name, which was a good idea as one slimy individual wrote to me for info about us with what I believe now was the intention of running a fan club producing his suspect merchandise.
We never had any real intention of running sad coach trips to see gasometers in Peckham or get Geoff Pucwood the extra who can be seen selling burgers in the episode 'Back Track' to be a guest speaker.We leave that to those who wish to sink that low, we felt we had more class. We didn't charge an extra £5 to join some saddo club where you got a tacky badge, a membership card and a severe feeling of being ripped off.
Therefore the answer is no, the appreciation society will not go on. However if you wish to start your own fanzine begin from scratch, please do not use our title 'In the Public Interest,' or we shall consult our legal advisor Mr Singh at the Post Office.
You have been warned.
The End of the Line
The editors' disillusionment with Collins and Shaw and what they perceived to be disrespect to fans, specifically themselves, began to become quite vocal:
In issue #11, the editors, Graham Peacock, wrote: File on Martin Shaw... Closed.
In issue #13, the editors stated they were pulling the plug on their zine, three of the reasons were boredom, lack of submissions from other fans, and disrespect from Shaw and Collins: "Our enthusiasm is waning, which is due in art to the disgraceful treatment of fans by the two so-called stars of the show."
From the Last Issue
Well my friends the end of the fanzine is nigh, Thus the last editorial feature to go in the last two Issues has to be written. We've tried to cram as much as we could into these final two installments before Neil and I move on to pastures new. I won't say that writing for these final issues was easy, it was incredibly hard to be enthusiastic about something I've become more increasingly hateful of. As if to rub salt into the proverbial wounds, some fruit bat has left a message on my answer phone about some banality that begs me to ask my self have these people not got anything else in their lives?
I suppose to those people that haven't, our absence will be deeply felt. I was moved by the genuine and kind thanks Neil and I have received with the many heartfelt messages of best wishes will genuinely miss your warmth. We will take away the lovely memories and try to forget the trash that unfortunately came with it. The people who took the time to write and thank us, wishing us al the best are exceptional, to those who just couldn't be bothered I say this. If you cannot find kindness in your heart to wish us al the best and praise our efforts then obviously you must not be able to give yourself or others around you kind words or praise. It takes a 'good' person to say something nice to others. We wish you all, the very best anyway. Very big thanks and loud rounds of applause to al those who have had comments published in this double issue. We will be forever indebted to the kindness of all those who contributed to the fanzine over the past few years. Ironically we have a lot of new sub scribers to the 'zine since Neil and I took the decision to call it a day, but we had to stand by our decision despite touching pleas to reconsider.
[...]
A bouquet of sewage to the following toilet brushes; Martin and Lewis may your years be filed with fulfilling roles in Puss In Boots under the glittering words, "Starring Ex-Professinals star". Gasometer chaser Dave, may your many hours searching for those elusive sites be full of excitement and derangement. To the many herberts who invaded my privacy, sent me racist, homophobic material for publication, the senders of dud cheques, the guy who rang right to reply, Worzel Gummidge Bob from Norfolk who took my £20 and never sent those videos, Red from the NorthEast who stalked me, a fool from Huddersfield who liked to think he was funny, you never made me laugh.
Finally Neil and Eamon would like to wish you all the very best in the future. Thanks for the memory. Have a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
The last issue also contains an essay by one of the editors, Eamon Rooney, called A personal account of the laughter, tears, and fears of producing a fanzine.
From the Last Issue: Fan Comments
Several fans commented in the last issue.
A fond farewell... I'm sorry that you have decided to finish the fanzine 'In the Public Interest.' but I can understand your frustration with the two principal actors reluctance to participate.
Just a quick scribble to say thank you for issue 13, as always an enjoyable read.The tribute to Gordon Jackson was an interesting read,he sounded like such a lovely bloke and very approachable to his fans (unlike Shaw and Collins) [...] BIG THANK YOU for all the hard work and enthusiasm with putting the fanzine together I do appreciate the hard work and time it must have taken up. It's been fun and should the need to restart the fanzine in the future ever come about with the enthusiasm of Shaw and Collins (not!)
It's a shame the shows other two 'stars' didn't show any interest in the making of the fanzine. It really sticks two fingers up to the fans.
Dear Eamon and Neil, It is sad to hear your fanzine is finishing. No longer will I have to put up with the postie sniggering at me as he hands me a mag in a plain brown wrapper. No longer will the wife have to put up with missing "Jerry Springer" because the fanzine arrives to put me in the mood to dust off & watch a few classic episodes.No longer will the kids cringe in embarrassment as Dad dives through the door the door yelling 'Cover me!' and then needs helping to his feet 'cos he's put his back out!
Seriously though you and everyone have done a brilliant Job on the fanzine.You really managed to catch the spirit of the TV series.Of all the clubs I've belonged to yours is by far the friendliest I've ever been in and is great value for money.
As for what the series meant to me, I thought it had a great buddy-buddy theme, great action and really was for the most part an all round great series. It is a shame Lewis and Martin weren't as enthusiastic as the people behind the fanzine,you are the 'true Professionals.' I wish you all the very best, you really deserve it. All the best mates.
'In the Public Interest', full of great articles and information. It's so good to know there are so many of us out there that still appreciate cult TV. I for one will sadly miss the fanzine,it's been fun,and an enjoyable read.
So let's raise that glass of fine malt and make a special toast to 37 & 45 for all their hard work and enthusiasm, without them this fanzine wouldn't have been possible.So it's a fond farewell to the fanzine Auf Wiedersehen & good luck.
Roger over and out!
A big thanks from an appreciative reader who found ITPI a light in the wilderness. I often sneaked a copy into the class room to read underneath the desk. As a teacher, you're expected to be serious and intellectual. ITPI enabled me to relive some of my misspent youth.
Dear 37 & 45,
Thanks for producing a great fanzine, however, I think your irreverence towards Martin and Lewis goes a bit far at times! I appreciated you feel miffed at their lack of interest. I suppose in a way you are like a young love stuck girlie who has been given the boot by a lover. You feel so hurt, so you jibe back at them all the time.
At times this has ruined my enjoyment of the fanzine with constant reference to their lack of success in film and television projects. At times I've thought, are these guys for real? Do you really like this tv series or are they undercover Shaw and Collins haters?
Whatever your motivations for writing ITPI, I have enjoyed it. However, I think you could have made it much better by focusing on things like location features that I researched in my spare time. You never featured, for instance, my before and after photos and article on the GASOMETER from 'Fall Girl’, or the JUNCTION from ‘The Female Factor." I’m sure all your readers would have been pleased to read about these. You failed to back my campaign to have the Cowley figure reinstated to his rightful place in the Corgi Capri set. You, in your childish wisdom saw fit to ridicule my efforts by saying that I should enlist the help of the chat show host Barbie and the Mayor of Trumpton.
I feel that in some ways you have sold yourself short. I recommended organised bus trips to various location sites in the London area, but you both felt the need to make derisory remarks about ‘my getting a life’ or ‘getting out more’. [2] I feel you will lack the bravery to publish this letter and print only all the ego boosting comments from the more docile readers who accept anything you both print.
However, I am man enough to stand up and say you have at times, produced a fairly good fanzine which I have enjoyed.
Keep laughing boys, you'll need it.
The editors signed off with a final letter:
Once again, thanks to you for your touching letters, phone calls and best wishes we have received, which kind of makes it all worthwhile. We appreciate the time and effort you have gone to express your personal appreciation. Thank you all once again.
A big boo boo to all of you who just couldn't be arsed to write a few lines about the series or the fanzine. If you just can't be bothered to contribute something, a squeak would have done.
It appears once again, that the cream has floated to the top and the dross disappears!
The Issues: When and How Big?
- Issue 1 was published in 1996.
- Issue 2 was published in 1996.
- Issue 3 was published in 1996.
- Issue 4 was published in February 1997 and contains 18 pages.
- Issue 5 was published in 1997 and contains 22 pages.
- Issue 6 contains was published in September 1997 and contains 22 pages.
- Issue 7 contains was published in February 1998 and contains 21 pages.
- Issue 8 was published in 1998 and contains 30 pages.
- Issue 9 was published in 1998 and contains 12 pages.
- Issue 10 was published in 1998 and contains 30 pages.
- Issue 11 was published in April 1999 and contains 30 pages.
- Issue 12 was published in 1999.
- Issue 13 was published in October 1999 and contains 34 pages.
- Issue 14/15 was published in December 1999 and contains 50 pages.
- Special Issue was published in ? and contains 15 pages: "Welcome to this special archive file produced by "In the Public Interest", in the following collection of articles taken from various magazines no longer in circulation therefore making them even more rare. Copies of these magazines rarefy turn up and therefore this is why we decided to produce an archive file after various requests by many of you members who wanted to see these cuttings and wanted copies."
Cover Gallery
cover of issue #4
cover of issue #5
cover of issue #6
cover of issue #7
cover of issue #8
cover of issue #9
cover of issue #10
cover of issue #11
cover of issue #13
cover of issue #14/15
cover the special issue
Sample Interiors
from issue #4
from issue #4
from issue #5
from issue #6
from issue #6
from issue #7
from issue #8
from issue #8
from issue #14/15
from issue #14/15
References
- ^ Dave Matthews site
- ^ This reference to bus trips and "the GASOMETER" is a reference to the editors comments, see In the Public Interest (Professionals newsletter)#The Professionals Appreciation Society.