The Doctor Who Podcast

The DWP goes scholarly this week with Leeson, Tom and Ian sitting back discussing the literary influences of Doctor Who. What classic works has Doctor Who drawn its inspiration from, just what influences our favourite program? A fascinating discussion from the boys from which we want your feedback!

In this episode of the Doctor Who Podcast Trevor was lucky enough to sit down and have a chat with writer Gareth Roberts. Now if we had to link in the show notes to all the things Gareth has done in Doctor Who and Doctor Who related media the internet would likely melt down due to overload.  Suffice to say Gareth has written for Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Big Finish.  He has written short stories and full length novels featuring Doctors new and old. The latest work from Gareth is a novelisation of the “lost” story of Doctor Who, Shada.  This story has never enjoyed an official release in book form until now.  Trevor talks to Gareth about the challenges of bringing this story to life in the printed form. We also announce the winner of the Robert Shearman competition from Episode #130.

Tom, Leeson and James discuss the news surrounding the new series of Doctor Who which is currently filming. Please note – this episode contains spoilers for information that has been officially released by the BBC and production team members such as Steven Moffat.  A clear, and unmissable warning is given in the episode for when spoilers are afoot.

After a long and not necessarily planned hiatus, the DWP ventures into another quiz. Leeson is quiz master this time around and pits the questions against an expectant Trevor, Tom and James. Who will be the victor?  Who will be left crying into their drinks? Have a listen and find out!

James, Leeson and Ian were lucky enough to attend the Official Doctor Who convention in Cardiff recently and recorded a podcast while they were there. James and Leeson chat about their experiences at the convention, whilst Ian was lucky enough to secure one of the passes to go and visit the TARDIS set.  Ian recalls this once in a lifetime experience.

A very exciting day at the DWP Campervan as we announce another to our stunning line up of presenters.  I hope you will make him very welcome! We also delve into the mail bag and read feedback about the current Doctor, Mr Matt Smith.

Whilst Michele was at Gallifrey 23 in February waving the flag for the Doctor Who Podcast she was lucky enough to be able to sit down and interview actor Richard Franklin, who played Captain Mike Yates during the classic Doctor Who period from 1971 to 1974. Michele talked with Richard about his time on the show, his forays into Big Finish and Michele’s own previous involvement with Richard in a production.

We had so much more feedback come in thatJames and Trevor decided to release this special episode to cover some of it. We also manage to fit in a bit of a geek out about a few things too. So, not sure if that makes this episode a FeedOut or a GeekBag.  You decide.

Plenty packed into this weeks episode for you to enjoy. First up are two interviews, both recorded during Trevor’s trip to Toowoomba last month. The first is with David Riley, organiser for the Toowoomba Local Group of the Doctor Who Club of Australia.  Trevor talks with David about how he set up the club and the wonderful community of fans that exists in this regional area. Next up Trevor spoke to Geoff Campbell, who has produced a replica TARDIS which sits pride of place in his front yard. Trevor talks to Geoff about the background of the project, and the challenges he faced building this replica, as well as the worldwide community of TARDIS builders that exists. Ian and Michele review a Big Finish Companion Chronicle – Solitaire. Trevor and James review the DVD release of the classic Doctor Who story, The Sensorites.

An extra special feature length episode of the Doctor Who Podcast this week in whichJames talks to Rob Shearman, who amongst his many achievements, brought the Daleks back to the new series in 2005. He has also contributed serveral stories to the Big Finish range of audios, written books such as Tiny Deaths, Love Songs for the Shy and Cynical and Wanting to Believe, a look at the series XFiles and its spinoffs. As if his day is not busy enough already, he hatched a plan with Toby Hadoke to sit down and not only watch every episode of Doctor Who, but write down his thoughts and put them in book form.  The result, the book Running Through Corridors, has already seen its first volume released. James sat down and talked to Rob about all things Doctor Who, twitter, his childhood memories of the show and much more.

A packed episode for you this week withJames, Leeson and Tom reviewing two recent DVD releases from 2entertain, collectively entitled ‘The UNIT Files’ Box Set. Two stories make up this release, the Pertwee story Invasion of the Dinosaurs and the Tom Baker story The Android Invasion. Michele also returns to the Campervan annex and talks about her time at the Gallifrey 23 convention.

With Trevor away in Sydney for a weekend of fun and frivolity Leeson, James and Tom tear open the mailbag and delve into the emails and mp3s you have sent in to us. Of particular focus this episode is your thoughts on what you would like to see for the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

This is the concluding episode of the DWPs look at the longest serving Doctor Who producer, John Nathan-Turner. Trevor and James take up where Tom and Leeson left off last week and talk about the work of JNT during the eras of the 6th and 7th Doctors. Michele and Ian also provide the second half of their review of the John Nathan-Turner memoirs.

As everyone comes down off their post-Gallifrey 23 buzz, the team at The Doctor Who Podcast embarks on a mini project – over the next two episodes we will be looking at the era of John Nathan-Turner, the longest serving producer of Doctor Who, and a figure that has been the subject of equal parts derision and praise ever since he took on the role in the early 1980s. In this episode Leeson and Tom look at how John Nathan-Turner came to take on the role of Producer, and his time on the show up to the end of the Peter Davison era. Ian and Michele also review the first half of the JNT Memoirs, a release from Big Finish (sadly no longer available) where John Nathan-Turner shares his candid memories of his time on the show.

This episode brings us to the conclusion of our week long preview and review of the behemoth that is the Gallifrey convention. In this episode Trevor shares his memories of attending Gallifrey 22. To those going to Gallifrey 23, enjoy, have a great time and don’t forget to let The Doctor Who Podcast [email protected]“>know about your experiences.

Continuing our short series of podcasts on our memories of Gallifrey 22, Michele steps up to the microphone this episode and talks about her experiences at the 2011 convention.    

If yesterday’s episode wasn’t enough to whet your appetite for the upcoming Gallifrey 23 convention, starting today for the next three days Michele, Trevor and James share their personal memories of attending Gallifrey 21 in 2010 and Gallifrey 22 in 2011. Not so much reviews, more a trip down memory lane as they try and capture in audio their feelings and experiences attending the convention. First up is James, who talks about his time at Gallifrey 21 and 22. Self indulgent?  Yes.  Personal?  Yes again.  Guilty as charged. Enjoy.

Trevor is joined by Michele and special guest Chip from the 2 Minute Timelord Podcast to preview the goings on at the biggest Doctor Who convention in the world, Gallifrey 23. With over 1800 attendees already confirmed for this event, it promises to be an exciting weekend for Doctor Who fans. The team go over the schedule and pick out their highlights.

Trevor, James and Tom congregate in the DWP campervan and discuss the vexing question of – Is Moffat delivering? Two years of Doctor Who under the reign of Steven Moffat has brought us some of the most interesting stories in modern Doctor Who. With that under his belt and the 50th anniversary season looming, the boys take a look at his time to answer this ultimate question.

Very exciting week here at the DWP Campervan as Trevor, Leeson and Ian kick back and review the new releases from the Big Finish range, Doctor Who audios featuring he of the long scarf and bags of confectionary, the fourth Doctor Tom Baker. We have waited a very long time for Mr Baker to appear in a Big Finish audio.  Just how did he fare? The lost stories Foe from the Future and Valley of Death are reviewed, along with the first story from the regular season of new fourth Doctor adventures, Destination Nerva.

James and Ian were lucky enough to spend the day at the Big Blue Box Convention, and were lucky enough to secure some excellent coverage of the event. One of the events at the convention was a screening of Cleaning Up, written by Simon Guerrier, who is heavily involved with the Big Finish range, and directed by Thomas Guerrier. James caught up with Simon and chatted with him about this new short film. Also in this episode are interviews with Tom Spilsbury, current editor of Doctor Who Magazine and Stephen Elsden, organiser of the Big Blue Box Convention. At the end of a hectic day, James and Ian had the opportunity to chat to none other than Louise Jameson, best known as playing Leela from 70s Doctor Who alongside Tom Baker.  She stars in Cleaning Up, and chatted to James about the film and her time on Doctor Who. A big thanks to the Guerrier Brothers and Stephen Elsden for making The Doctor Who Podcast so welcome on the day and for the opportunity to secure these fantastic interviews.

Big Finish is again the subject of another exciting podcast from the DWP Towers this week as we delve into the latest McCoy threesome of releases from this most magnificent company. Robophobia, The Doomsday Quatrain and House of Blue Fire has been obtained, listened to and disected.  Just what will Trev, Leeson and James make of them?

You are most welcome to the latest episode of the Doctor Who Podcast. Within this jam-packed podcast you will find an interview with writer Nev Fountain, he of Big Finish, Dead Ringers and Mervyn Stone Mysteries fame.  Trevor had a chat with him about all things comedy, Doctor Who and sofas. Michele and Ian review the Big Finish Companion Chronicle, Peri and the Piscon Paradox. We read through your feedback for the 2011 Christmas special. All this, and a major announcement that will shake the DWP to its very foundations.  A little.

A new year dawns (Happy New Year to all our listeners!), so it must be time for the DWP to dust off their crystal balls again and make some grandiose and probably totally incorrect predictions for what will be happening in the world of Doctor Who in 2012. We also rather foolishly review the predictions we made in Episode #59 about what was going to happen in 2011.  Hear where we went dramatically wrong!

The DWP Team review the Doctor Who special for Christmas 2011 – The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe.

As the first part of the world enters Xmas 2011 (that would be Kiritimati, fact fans), the DWP releases its Christmas episode for 2011. So many people to thank for their contributions to this years Christmas celebration. Leeson and Harry from the Radio Rassilon podcast for their song and contribution to the skit. Comedian and downright musical genius Ashley Frieze for his downright genius musical interlude. And of course Ian, Michele, Harry, Steven, John, Tin Dog and Leeson for their Christmas wishes. Enjoy this little slice of Christmas, DWP-style as you tuck into your turkey or pull your cracker. Merry Christmas from the extended DWP family.

With the season of gift giving upon us, the DWP Campervan turns its thoughts towards Christmas, and how Doctor Who has celebrated the season across its entire run. The DWP Team of Trevor, James and Tom welcome special guest Leeson from the Radio Rassilon podcast in discussing Doctor Who and its references to Christmas. From breaking the fourth wall in the Hartnell era to flying sharks in the Matt Smith era, its all there. Ian and Michelle also drop by with reviews on the Big Finish entries into the yuletide spirit.

This week on the podcast we review two of the lost Sylvester McCoy stories released from Big Finish – Animal and Earth Aid. We also have an interview with one of the stars from Earth Aid – Paterson Joseph – the Doctor who almost was.

A special episode from the Doctor Who Podcast this week to share the fantastic news that has just broken. Two episodes from classic Doctor Who have been discovered and returned by the BBC Archives. Galaxy Four, episode 3, part of William Hartnell’s third season, has been returned along with the second episode of a Patrick Troughton story, The Underwater Menace. Trevor and James talk about these discoveries and the background to how they were returned.

The Cybermen, classic monsters who terrorised the Doctor during the run of the original series, returned for the new series rejuvenated, revitalised and reinvented for a modern audience. The DWP Campervan plays host to the metal meanies this episode with Trevor, Tom and James discussing the rebirth of the Cybermen in the new series of Doctor Who. Ian and Michelle also review a Cybermen story from the Big Finish range.

In April this year a great loss occurred in the Doctor Who community with the death of Elisabeth Sladen, perhaps better known as Sarah Jane Smith, companion to the Third and Fourth Doctors. It was a loss so sudden, so unexpected, and revealed what a private person Elisabeth was. It is only now courtesy of her autobiography we are finding out more about this extraordinary woman. The DWP Team pay tribute to Lis by talking about her time on Doctor Who, her work in the Sarah Jane Adventures, her foray into the world of Big Finish and other spin off media. Spend some time with Sarah Jane this week.

What self respecting podcast doesn’t release an episode on November 23rd? Certainly not The Doctor Who Podcast! In this episode we have a chat about the rumours surrounding the Doctor Who movie. The Doctor Who convention in March 2012 comes under our piercing DWP gaze. We draw the Simon Guerrier competition which we started in episode #108. The Ark has recently been released on DVD, and Trevor and James take a look at what it has to offer.

This week was to have been our episode on the delightful Elisabeth Sladen, but unfortunately real life got in the way and James could not join us. We really wanted to do Lis justice and have all three of us in the campervan so we will postpone that episode for a very short while. So, in the meantime, with a lack of anything to say about one of Doctor Who’s favourite companions, Trev and Tom settle back and have a geek out. A what a wide ranging discussion it is – Voyage of the Damned, stunt casting, numeracy, Australian accents, accountancy and a whole lot of laughter. Also the announcement of our competition just in time for Christmas.

During the London Riots earlier in the year, our very ownJames tried to find a quiet table and sit down with Simon Guerrier, a name that you might not all be familiar with but one that has been cropping up in the world of Doctor Who for many years now. Simon has written for Big Finish for the Fifth and Seventh Doctors. Contributed stories to the Short Trips range. He has written original novels for the First and Tenth Doctors. Written comic strips. Made Bernice Summerfield come to life in the printed word. And produced some of the most fondly remembered documentaries which have featured on the 2Entertain range of classic series DVD releases. In fact pretty much the only thing he HASN’T done is written for the new series. Though that can’t be far away. James had a fascinating chat with Simon, a man who has had such a submliminal effect on our enjoyment of Doctor Who. You might not know who he is, but after this interview, you will.

Time to delve into the wonderful universe of Big Finish at the Doctor Who Podcast. The latest fifth Doctor trilogy of Heroes of Sontar, Kiss of Death and Rat Trap make their way across the DWP Campervan kitchen bench for us to slice, dice and boil down to its constituent parts. We also announce another competition in which you can win some major prizes. We meant to announce this competition last week, but um, forgot. Sorry about that.

This episode is all about the reviews, as the DWP Campervan rips off the shrinkwrap from a couple of Doctor Who DVDs and Big Finish audios. On the DVD front, Day of the Daleks and Paradise Towers are reviewed by Trevor, Tom and James. And making their first appearance inside the DWP Campervan, DWP forum moderators Ian and Michelle review the Big Finish audio Find and Replace.

It has been a while since we have done one of these things, but The Doctor Who Podcast quiz is back! Tom is quizmaster to a nervous Trevor and James, who are being assaulted under the barrage of ten exquisitely chosen questions courtesy, in part, from our wonderful listeners.

The DWP like nothing better than a good ‘ole geek out – a chance to let our hair down, sit back with a warm, or indeed cold beverage, and talk about whatever pops into our heads. And that is exactly what we do in this episode. Unburdened by the shackles of BBC programming, Trevor and Tom geek out about a whole manner of things, far too lengthy to list here. We also play an interview that ourJames had with writer Tom McRae, writer of the two part Cybermen story Rise of the Cybermen and Age of Steel. He also wrote The Girl Who Waited from this current season. A truly bursting at the seams episode for your enjoyment!

Season 6 is over, the Doctor lives and Amy and Rory are reunited with their daughter and live happily ever after.  What now? We have received a lot of feedback for the last few stories of Series 6 which we just haven’t had the chance to play on the show. In this episode we attempt to rectify that. We present to you a double length episode with feedback, spirited discussions, arguments, outlandish theories, explanations and a whole lot of laughter. The Doctor Who Podcast – the podcast with the best set of teeth

They say good things come to those who wait, and we thank you for waiting patiently for this latest episode of what is simply the finest Doctor Who podcast in existence. In this episode all three hosts review the season finale – The Wedding of River Song. We also have a bit of a chat about the recent axing of Doctor Who Confidential. Get your feedback about Series 6 in now, we want to know what you thought of it!

Closing Time brings us to the penultimate episode for Seres 6 of Doctor Who, and it falls to Trevor and Tom to discuss and share their thoughts on this story. Not content with talking about the episode, they ended up talking about all manner of things other than the story itself! Rest assured there are no spoilers for non-screened episodes, so please enjoy!

WithJames and Tom abandoning Trevor this week some extra special help was called upon to review The God Complex. Chip from the Two Minute Timelord podcast answered the call to action and joins Trevor in the campervan for the review. We also play your feedback from the last couple of stories.

With a title like The Girl Who Waited, it wasn’t hard to figure out who this episode would focus on. Doctor Who presents us with another standalone episode, which Trevor, James and Tom share their thoughts on this week. We also announce details of an exciting competition!

Whooverville 3 recently took place on Saturday 3rd September 2011 and The Doctor Who Podcast was there! As where a lot of other podcasts, as part of the Doctor Who Podcast Alliance representation at the event. OurJames, along with Michael from the Tin Dog Podcast and Luke from the Minute Doctor Who Podcast were lucky enough to interview 80s Who Girl herself, Nicola Bryant. Enjoy this very interesting interview with the Doctor Who companion who travelled alongside not one, but two Doctors.  

After checking the front door to make it was locked, leaving a light on and having the phone handy we settled down to watch Night Terrors, a creepy entry into the Season 6 lineup. All three DWP hosts are in the campervan this week – Trevor, James and Tom.  Hear what they have to say about this story.

Possibly the most misleading title in the history of Doctor Who (right up there with The Doctor’s Daughter, The Doctor’s Wife and The Happiness Patrol) Let’s Kill Hitler marks the return of Doctor Who to our screens for the second time in 2011. James and Tom review this most interesting episode. We also draw the winner of our competition from Episode 95. Your feedback, as always, is welcome.  Send it through to [email protected]“>[email protected].

Trevor and James are in prediction mode this episode and we take a look at the rumour, speculation and tasty titbits about the return of Doctor Who this coming weekend. Warning to all listeners – we discuss what we have learnt about Series 6B, some is fact, some is rumour.  But if you don’t want to be spoiled then we suggest you join us next week. Torchwood episode 5 and 6 are reviewed. We also draw the winner of our recent Paradise Towers DVD competition.

A quick glance at the Wikipedia entry for Joe Lidster will show that he knows his Doctor Who and related spinoffs. He has written for Big Finish, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures, as well as the Bernice Summerfield ranges. When he isn’t writing for them he is producing short stories on, you guessed it, Doctor Who. This incredibly talented and busy man sat down with ourJames recently to talk all things Doctor Who. I am sure you will find this a fascinating interview.

Our second episode for this week concludes the DWPs look at our favourite Doctor Who stories from each era of the show. This episode starts with the umbrella carrying, question mark wearing 7th Doctor Sylvester McCoy, and finishes of course with the stetson sporting, custard loving 11th Doctor, Matt Smith. We also review the latest episode of new Torchwood, episode 4.

In response to requests from many of our listeners the DWP presents the first part of our two-part nostalgia trip through the DWP hosts favourite Doctor Who stories. Trevor, Tom and James will sort through each era of Doctor Who and pick out some of their personal favourites. This episode we cover the first six Doctors. Watch out later in the week for the conclusion to our stroll down memory lane. We also review the next episode of Torchwood, episode 3 of the current season. Featured in this episode is a great song called “The Mind of Evil” from Billy Davies aka The White Robot, an awesome DWP listener in New York.