New BBC 'imagine...' documentary on Pet Shop Boys confirmed for Spring 2024

[TallThinMan]

I don't think anyone has outed Chris. People have been writing for decades that he is gay, which he has never specifically commented on. To my recollection the closest he has come to talking about his own sex life was years ago on Channel Four's 'The Word' when he said that as far as he was concerned there was just one sexuality and that the actual configuration was unimportant.

[Disco.]

He said something similar in the About cd interview.

[leesmapman]

I read about the Shampoo story around 1987-1988 when Neil was interviews for Dutch magazine for girls-that-love-horses Tina. There, the story was a bit different: the friends used to have a pet shop, but later started a barbershop for animals. The interviewer translated it to Dutch and wrote "We could have been called 'shampoo'", completely ignoring the pun. Lost in translation. Later in the interview Neil talks about his toothbrushing habits.

[bongsteve]

Finally got to see it. Couple observations.

Olly says they are both gay. Surprised that made it in. Chris has said his sexuality is no ones business. I agree. He must have said OK to that comment being in there.

He doesn't explicitly say that Chris is gay, but "they were gay" in referring to the band. He could absolutely be spilling the beans (would any of us be surprised?) or could be referring to them as a "gay band" because of Neil. If the former, agree that it would be a bit surprising that PSB allowed it to go through as I'm not sure this is the way Chris would want people to know or have the belief confirmed.

I didn't really hear/noticed it when watching so I'm not sure "the general public" would have taken much notice either way?

I didn't notice it either. Had to go back and find exactly when and what he said.

[panda magic]

I don't think anyone has outed Chris.

Derek Jarman did, in one of his published diaries from the late 80s or early 90s. Mentioned Chris bringing a boyfriend to Prospect Cottage. I remember reading it on a plane back in the mid-90s and thinking "well that settles that then."

[glennjridge]

if Chris were to say he was straight I would be like, thats interesting. if Neil said he was straight I would think he was kidding.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Finally got to see it. Couple observations.

Olly says they are both gay. Surprised that made it in. Chris has said his sexuality is no ones business. I agree. He must have said OK to that comment being in there.

He doesn't explicitly say that Chris is gay, but "they were gay" in referring to the band. He could absolutely be spilling the beans (would any of us be surprised?) or could be referring to them as a "gay band" because of Neil. If the former, agree that it would be a bit surprising that PSB allowed it to go through as I'm not sure this is the way Chris would want people to know or have the belief confirmed.

Another consideration is that you'd likely call Erasure a "gay band" even though Vince isn't. It would really depend on the wording used. I haven't seen the doco because of the geoblocking.

Retro.

[petshopgrrl]

I"m so bummed... I'm stuck out here on the US west coast and have not been able to find a way to watch this yet.

If anyone has any tips that can help a gal out, I'd really appreciate it!

[stopthecar]

Still haven't seen it. I was able to watch the teaser tracks. Then last night when I decided I could not Longer see it. I use the same VPN as before...

Strange.

Is it on YouTube yet ?

[oakey]

(Don't read if you don't want any spoilers)

Finally watched the Imagine documentary thanks to the forum here.

Here are my thoughts. I really appreciated it, but in the end I did not find it that revealing, compared to e.g. A Life In Pop at the time, which had a chronological build-up.
The parts with the demo cassettes were lovely, but they only played ultrashort snippets mostly and some of these demos (eg Badubdadubadum) were already available, albeit formally unreleased. For the rest it was an okay chat, but I heard little new ( a bit disappointed in Yentob, had expected a more in-depth interview). The behind the scene clips of Dreamworld were nice though.

All their albums were at least mentioned or its sleeve was shown, apart from Elysium: that one was completely ignored. But most of the 90 mins were spent on the time from 1982 to 1988, ie the formative and imperial phase, and nothing really new. Their work in the other 3.5 decades were only briefly addressed. Nice to see the Most Beautiful Thing footage; have seen it in London but did not know it was televised at the time.

Closer to Heaven the musical was also ignored despite its recent runs.

The other celebs were nice, but they were so positive about the boys it almost seemed an authorized documentary, not really much new there (mostly a fan perspective and only recent collaborators as well, apart from Brandon Flowers).

I did play the Stuart Price trilogy albums today though

[drunk14]

I also think this document was, as usual, too much focused on 82-88 period. Some people say it's for general audiance and it has to be that way. Some other might claim it was a chance to show their music from a different angle instead of talking endlessly about West End girls.

They could at least make an clear annoucement that the new albums is out on 26/04, display its cover, play "loneliness" etc.

The production was great, but the script is the reason why I give it 4/5.

[jamie1978]

if Chris were to say he was straight I would be like, thats interesting. if Neil said he was straight I would think he was kidding.

A friend of mine holidayed with Chris in Ibiza in the late 90's. He (Chris) is not straight.

[le petit corbusier]

Yes, for us it's s bit boring hearing someone oh those stories again. What I liked was watching them being themselves.

[le petit corbusier]

if Chris were to say he was straight I would be like, thats interesting. if Neil said he was straight I would think he was kidding.

A friend of mine holidayed with Chris in Ibiza in the late 90's. He (Chris) is not straight.

I mean, has anyone watched the Paninaro 95 video?

[leesmapman]

What I liked was watching them being themselves.

There lies the strength of this documentary.