The 5-minute Interview: Gerry Anderson, TV programme producer
'I never wanted to work with puppets – I tried to get out of it'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Responsible for the creation of the hit series 'Thunderbirds', Gerry Anderson, 78, has been in the broadcasting business since the mid-1950s. His company Century 21 Productions, originally known as A P Films, is most famous for making children's television shows using puppets and stop-motion animation. Other projects include 'Captain Scarlet', 'Stingray' and 'Joe 90'. A DVD version of 'Dick Spanner' is out this week
If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...
Working on the resurrection of Dick Spanner. It was originally shot for Janet Street-Porter's television show and it was about a New York private detective. It's been gathering dust in the vault and it's time for it to come out.
A phrase I use far too often...
Terrific! Sorry that's not very original is it?
The most surprising thing that happened to me was...
When I heard Dick Spanner was going to return. It amazes me that a show made in the 1980s can be relevant to a world with such different technology.
A common misperception of me is...
That I liked making puppet films. I never wanted to work with puppets and in effort to get out of it I tried to make them better and better so that the directors would say: "Why is this man wasting his talent with puppets? We should give him some live action to do." But what they actually said was "Isn't he good at these puppet shows?" So I ended up doing more.
I am not a politician but...
I reckon I could put the world right.
I'm good at...
Making family-type entertainment.
I'm very bad at...
Coping with disappointments in my work.
In moments of weakness I...
Got married for the first time.
You know me as a TV producer but in another life I'd have been...
An airline pilot.
The best age to be is...
30. One is young enough to be successful in whatever one does. One has one's health, generally, and one does not encounter ageism.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:
Good always prevails over evil.
Jane Crowley
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments