The Official Website of the Wizard of Weird
A review of some of Mike Hallowell’s media
appearances over the years...
Mike in the Media 1
At the end of 1984, Mike took up his wife’s suggestion to write a book.
He began work on Herbal Healing - A Practical Introduction to Medicinal
Herbs and submitted it for publication. The first publisher rejected it,
but the second, The Ashgrove Press, accepted it immediately. It was
published in 1985 and is still available today.
Mike later went on a publicity tour of the UK to promote the book, taking
part in radio and TV shows as well as engaging in numerous newspaper
interviews.
One memorable incident was when BBC presenter Simon Willis interviewed
Mike for Look North. The pair traipsed around the herb garden at Jarrow
Hall - Now Bede’s World - during ferocious winds, but eventually managed
to complete the shoot.
Simon later went on to present for BBC Scotland, and is an accomplished
journalist. Mike describes Simon as,“one of the nicest people in
broadcasting I’ve ever met”.
He began work on Herbal Healing - A Practical Introduction to Medicinal
Herbs and submitted it for publication. The first publisher rejected it,
but the second, The Ashgrove Press, accepted it immediately. It was
published in 1985 and is still available today.
Mike later went on a publicity tour of the UK to promote the book, taking
part in radio and TV shows as well as engaging in numerous newspaper
interviews.
One memorable incident was when BBC presenter Simon Willis interviewed
Mike for Look North. The pair traipsed around the herb garden at Jarrow
Hall - Now Bede’s World - during ferocious winds, but eventually managed
to complete the shoot.
Simon later went on to present for BBC Scotland, and is an accomplished
journalist. Mike describes Simon as,“one of the nicest people in
broadcasting I’ve ever met”.
1984: Herbal Healing
1989: Violent Crime
In 1989 Mike helped the Northumbria Police Video Unit script the film
Violent Crime - Let’s Draw the Line.
The movie was part of the launch of a campaign to reduce violent crime
throughout the region. The official launch took place at the historic St.
Hilda’s church in South Shields.
Violent Crime - Let’s Draw the Line.
The movie was part of the launch of a campaign to reduce violent crime
throughout the region. The official launch took place at the historic St.
Hilda’s church in South Shields.
St. Hilda’s Church, South Shields
1990: Nexus
By the 1990s Mike was becoming fairly well known as an authority on the
history of obscure religious movements and cults, and had penned a
number of newspaper and magazine articles on the subject.
In 1990 he was asked to take part in a debate on the religious magazine
show NEXUS with a number of other guests, including Russell Miller, the
author of Bare-Faced Messiah.
history of obscure religious movements and cults, and had penned a
number of newspaper and magazine articles on the subject.
In 1990 he was asked to take part in a debate on the religious magazine
show NEXUS with a number of other guests, including Russell Miller, the
author of Bare-Faced Messiah.
1990: Living in Fear
In 1989 Mike joined Northumbria Police as a Liaison Officer in the
Crime Prevention Department,and the following year appeared
in the BBC Close Up North documentary Living in Fear.
The programme highlighted the effects of burglary and other
crimes on innocent victims, and allowed Mike to offer constructive
advice as to how property could be made more secure.
Crime Prevention Department,and the following year appeared
in the BBC Close Up North documentary Living in Fear.
The programme highlighted the effects of burglary and other
crimes on innocent victims, and allowed Mike to offer constructive
advice as to how property could be made more secure.
1994: Volunteering
By 1994 Mike was heavily involved with local volunteering
issues and worked alongside local film director Gary
Wilkinson when he made the documentary CVS.
Gary and Mike would later come to work on a number of other
projects together in the 00’s.
issues and worked alongside local film director Gary
Wilkinson when he made the documentary CVS.
Gary and Mike would later come to work on a number of other
projects together in the 00’s.
1995: Esther Stevenson Show
In 1995 South Tyneside’s own radio station, 7FM, was
launched. Mike appeared on a number of programmes
including the Esther Stevenson Show..
launched. Mike appeared on a number of programmes
including the Esther Stevenson Show..
1995: The O. J. Simpson Trial
In 1995 the world was gripped with “O J fever” as the trial for
murder of one of America’s most famous sports stars took
place.
Mike was on Sky News with Professor Bob Pugsley from
the USA to debate the outcome. Mike confidently predicted that
“The Juice” would be found guilty. In fact, there was “absolutely
no way” that a not-guilty verdict could be reached by the jury,
he pontificated. Oh well, some you win, some you lose...
murder of one of America’s most famous sports stars took
place.
Mike was on Sky News with Professor Bob Pugsley from
the USA to debate the outcome. Mike confidently predicted that
“The Juice” would be found guilty. In fact, there was “absolutely
no way” that a not-guilty verdict could be reached by the jury,
he pontificated. Oh well, some you win, some you lose...
1996: Domestic Violence
In 1996, Northumbria Police held a seminar on the problem of
domestic violence. Mike took part, and the event was given
wide media coverage on TV.
domestic violence. Mike took part, and the event was given
wide media coverage on TV.
1998: The Adam Boulton show
In 1998 Mike spoke on Sky TV’s Adam Boulton Show
to debate controversial new Adoption laws.
to debate controversial new Adoption laws.
1999: Lock, Stock & Barrel!
In 1999 Mike was commissioned by the South Tyneside Crime
Prevention Panel to write the script for a video documentary
called Crime Prevention in South Tyneside.
In addition he scripted a spoof TV game show called Lock, Stock
& Barrel! which was part of the same package.
Lock, Stock & Barrel! featured a sleazy host who made Del Boy
look like the Archbishop of Canterbury...
Prevention Panel to write the script for a video documentary
called Crime Prevention in South Tyneside.
In addition he scripted a spoof TV game show called Lock, Stock
& Barrel! which was part of the same package.
Lock, Stock & Barrel! featured a sleazy host who made Del Boy
look like the Archbishop of Canterbury...
2001: Psychic Livetime
In 2001, Mike was asked to guest on the Granada Breeze
channel’s hit daily show Psychic Livetime alongside Derek
Acorah and the show’s two presenters, Becky Want and Carl
Wilde.
Sadly, Granada Breeze folded and, along with it, Psychic
Livetime.
channel’s hit daily show Psychic Livetime alongside Derek
Acorah and the show’s two presenters, Becky Want and Carl
Wilde.
Sadly, Granada Breeze folded and, along with it, Psychic
Livetime.
2001: Anatomy of a Haunting
In 2001 Mike collaborated with filmmaker Gary Wilkinson
to produce Marsden Grotto - Anatomy of a Haunting, the
true story behind Britain’s most haunted public house.
Mike scripted the film, which was narrated by journalist
Helen Charlton.
to produce Marsden Grotto - Anatomy of a Haunting, the
true story behind Britain’s most haunted public house.
Mike scripted the film, which was narrated by journalist
Helen Charlton.
