The Sixth Inspector | |
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Vital statistics | |
Planet of Origin: | Kayaclasch |
Species | Infinity Knight |
Gender: | Male |
First Appearance: | The Triplicate Catastrophe |
Last Appearance: | The Worst Ally |
Portrayed By: | Graham Chapman |
Talk Page |
"In all my days of tripping about time and space, I have fought against the darkness, against the horrid shades of death and destruction. I should have never left this place. The most ancient people: selfish, self-agrandizing, and ruinous to the end. Humans, Blorgons, Rostraans, Circuit-Chaps—they're still in kindergarten compared to us! Six trillion days of autocratic rule. This is the true cause of corruption"—The Sixth Inspector, "The Lady-Bits People"
The Sixth Inspector, played by English actor and comedian Graham Chapman, began his travels at the end of season 21 in "The Triplicate Catastrophe".
In a departure from the Fifth Inspector, the Sixth was known for his dark, brooding nature. His character flaws, coupled with his vengeful nature, often placed him at odds with the naive, bumbling Jeffrey.
Appearance[]
The Sixth Inspector sported a more monochromatic wardrobe during his tenure. He wore a light grey polo neck jumper with a black greatcoat and usually carried a pipe (which he smoked constantly on screen). On occasion, he wore a shoulder holster in which he carried his trademark Webley Revolver. Note: The Sixth Inspector was the last Inspector to carry and use a firearm. This was due to BTV's restriction on gun violence during family television hours. However, we did see a return of laser pistols during the Eleventh Inspector's tenure.
Quotes[]
"You have another person in mind?" - His first words after regenerating from the Fifth Inspector at the end of "The Hills of Androgyny"
"Planets pass through our solar system and then vanish. Stars fade away. Matter dissolves, merges, and shapes itself into new patterns and new planets. Nothing can last forever." - "The Obvious World"
Trivia[]
- Chapman, as a prominent member of the Dangerous Sports Club, incorporated unusual stunt-work into his portrayal of the Inspector. In the most notable example, he convinced the director of "Spacewhip" to include a chase sequence involving the Inspector, Pippi, and Bertie "zorbing"—downhill-racing in 3m-diameter lightweight plastic spheres-within-spheres.
- Philip Glenister has said in interviews that he based his portrayal of the character Gene Hunt (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes) on the Sixth Inspector.
- Due to ratings shortfalls, the Sixth Inspector's adventures often involved sublicensed crossovers with other televisions shows of the era. In one notable episode, "Brouhaha on Beeb", the Sixth Inspector meets the cast of Emu's All Live Pink Windmill Show and has a tense face-off with their antagonist, the witch Grotbags.
- Chapman's real-life health problems prompted his premature departure from the role.