Big Finish have had great success with their Dalek Empire spin-off series, and are hopeful of duplicating that success in 2005 with a Cybermen spin-off series (though it will not be called “Cybermen Empire”).  I would like the speculate as to what other group of monsters/aliens/enemies from the original series would also be ideal for another spin-off series, following in the Dalek Empire vein. Here are my choices, in order of suitability for audio.

1. Zarbi Empire As the Zarbi can only make annoying, loud beeping noises they are well suited to an avant-garde, expressionist audio series. I would suggest a 6 part series, with the following titles: Resurrection of the Zarbi, Zarbi War, Death to the Zarbi!, Zarbilee, The Genocidal Zarbi, and finally, Time of the Zarbi.

2. The Functionaries Empire.  Again, as they can not talk, one would think that a story about their uprising against President Zarb would make an ideal audio series.  One could bring in David Warner and Derek Jacobi in to do one’s best grunting.

3. Peladonian Champion Empire.  As every champion of the Ruler of Peladon is apparently unable to speak, an audio series about them is crying out to be made.  We could hear them play bubble hockey using the adapted remains of Arcturus’ life support machine in order to determine who is the true champion. Mark Gatiss and Simon Pegg could play the mute grunters who are vying for the top.

4. Sensorite Empire  It’s down on the list since they can actually speak, making them less suitable for audio.  A two story series would do, the first entitled Return of the City Administrator and the second, featuring a guest appearance of Carole Ann Ford as Susan, called Flip Flap.

5. Rezzie Empire Once again, they can actually talk so they are well-down on the list.  Little did the Doctor know that when he left Paradise Towers that the Rezzies would take control and become the real Power in the Tower (the name of the first release in the series).