The Doctor Who Podcast

Join Michele, Tom and Stephen as they talk about the role of the all-powerful Showrunner – and toss some names of potential candidates in the air in terms of whom might succeed Steven Moffat when the time comes. Ian and Michele continue their voyage through season two of the Eight Doctor and Charley Big Finish plays and take a look at Seasons of Fear and Embrace the Darkness. We’ll be back next week with Episode 250!  And we’ve a little surprise for you in store…. Enjoy the show.

Join James and a special guest (a very, very special guest)  as they talk their way through six – yes, SIX Big Finish Main Range plays.  Sit back and hear them talk about Eldrad Must Die, The Lady of Mercia, Prisoners of Fate, Persuasion, Starlight Robbery and Daleks Among Us. We’ll be back next week when we turn our attention to just who might follow Steven Moffat as Showrunner of Doctor Who. Enjoy the show.

Join Stephen and Leeson as they geek out over this year’s Gallifrey One convention.  Stephen (who attended) describes his experiences to Leeson (who stayed at home). Hear Leeson’s frustration gradually increase as Stephen reveals what it’s like when 3,300 Doctor Who fans from around the globe converge in a hotel, pretty much at the end of one of the runways at Los Angeles Airport. Ian and Michele continue their trek through the early Eighth Doctor and Charley stories as they review Big Finish‘s Invaders from Mars and The Chimes of Midnight. There  was a recording issue this episode that has resulted in Stephen’s voice sounding like a partially converted Cyberman.  Apologies for this and hopefully it won’t interfere with your listening pleasure too much!

Michele is joined by a certain UNIT Captain in the last of our updates from this year’s Gallifrey One.

Michele is back with yet more DWP listeners covering day three of  Gallifrey One 25 in Los Angeles.

Michele is back with some more wonderful DWP listeners, reporting on the first full day of Gallifrey One 25 from Los Angeles.

Join Michele, live from Los Angeles at Gallifrey One 25 as she’s joined by three real life, bona fide, DWP listeners!

With just two days to go before the largest Doctor Who Convention kicks off in Los Angeles, Stephen and Michele are joined by Chip Sudderth, also known as The Two Minute Time Lord to preview Gallifrey One 25. Join the US occupation of the Campervan to hear about experiences of Gallifreys past and the preview of the programme for this year’s event.  Stephen, Michele and Chip will all be there at the LAX Marriott for the con, so if you’re going, make you track them down and say ‘hi’. Enjoy the show.

A real mixed bag this time! James and Michele discuss the thirteenth Doctor’s sense of fashion.  Stephen drops in a more thoughtful (and detailed) opinion too. Ian is then joined by Nicholas Briggs and discusses the Eighth incarnation of our favourite Gallifreyan and possible directions his iteration can now head post-Night of the Doctor. In addition, a review of the final story in Big Finish‘s first Eighth Doctor and Charlie season, Minuet in Hell and the last part of our Re-Trial of a Time Lord mini-series where Trial of The Valeyard gets put under the DWP microscope! Phew! Enjoy the show.

As one Doctor prepares to begin his reign, Michele, James and Stephen take a look back at the beginning of another.  We set the dial for 1970 and review Jon Pertwee’s debut story, Spearhead From Space. Stephen Elsden pops back for Part Two of Re-Trial of a Time Lord and reports back after his very first viewing of Terror of the Vervoids and The Ultimate Foe. Still not enough?! Well then, Ian and Michele continue their trek through the first season of Eight Doctor and Charley Big Finish stories and review The Stones of Venice. Enjoy the show.

Join Stephen, Michele and James as they geek out over the latest Doctor Who news.  And George Formby. We also welcome Stephen Elsden back to the campervan for Part 1 of Re-Trial of a Time Lord – a new mini-series where Stephen talks about his reaction to watching Series 23 for the very first time, some thirty years after it first aired on BBC1. As if that wasn’t enough, then Michele and Ian continue their trek through the Eighth Doctor Big Finish plays and turn their attention to Sword of Orion! Enjoy the show.

And welcome to the first regular Doctor Who Podcast of 2014!  In time honoured fashion, it’s our predictions episode! James, Stephen, Michele and Leeson take a look back at the predictions we made at the beginning of last year (in Episode 183) and then foolishly go on to make brand new ones for 2014.

Happy New Year everyone! And what better way is there to start the New Year off than looking back at one of 2013’s most popular and successful series of Doctor Who events?! Lat year, the British Film Institute organised the wonderful Doctor Who at 50  – eleven monthly events, each of which celebrated a different era of the show.  At least one full story was screened at each event and then a panel was held with Doctor Who alumni from each era.  The events attracted Doctor Who stars from across the ages – from Tom Baker to David Tennant to Donald Tosh, the BFI was the place to celebrate Who in 2013. In this episode, James talks to Justin Johnson and Dick Fiddy from the BFI – the co-curators and organisers of the Doctor Who at 50 events and discuss nearly getting Christopher Eccleston, the ticketing decisions and basically how much they love Doctor Who! Tune in for Episode 242 in a couple of weeks’ time – be warned: it’s our predictions show!

Another era of our favourite show comes to an end – Matt Smith takes his final bow and morphs into the erratic kidney loving Peter Capaldi. Time of the Doctor gives us our final glimpse of Matt Smith as the Doctor, and it is down to Stephen and Trevor to provide their thoughts on the story – but James manages to get his thoughts in too! Get your feedback in on this story and indeed on the whole of the Matt Smith era to [email protected].

Not so long ago in a galaxy far, far away, there lived a Doctor Who fan.  A grumpy Doctor Who fan.  This is the story of what happened to him.   Merry Christmas to all our poor, poor listeners.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Doctor Who Podcast is proud to present – this year’s Christmas Quiz!! Yes, it’s that time of year when we all torment each other and find out just how little we actually know about Doctor Who. So sit back, have a cup of tea and enjoy hearing Stephen, Tom and Leeson squirm under the barrage of brain-teasers James thoroughly enjoys throwing at them!

Join James, Stephen and Ian as they get together to talk about….well, it’s a geek-out so anything’s on the cards.  It’s only natural however that the conversation heads in the direction of reviewing the 50th Anniversary year.  All three attended the Celebration at the Excel so that gets a review along with a chat about all the other celebratory events that have taken place .   In all the excitement, a lone voice dares to say; yes Doctor Who has taken over television – but has there been enough of the actual flagship show itself?  Would we have traded the Afterparty and The Science of Doctor Who for another episode of the show itself?  Hmmm. Next week – it’s BACK!  Yes, it’s our Christmas Quiz!!

With Day of the Doctor having aired over a week ago, it’s time to find out what our listeners thought of the Anniversary episode.  Join James, Stephen, Michele and Tony as they read, listen and argue about the points of view you’ve send in!  

Hot on the heels of last episode’s instant review of the Day of the Doctor, the DWP presenters retreat to the relative safety of the DWP Campervan to have a more measured, thoughtful, insightful discussion on the 50th Anniversary story. Join the hosts of your favourite Doctor Who podcast as they discuss in more detail their reactions to The Day of the Doctor!

How about that then?! THE DAY HAS BEEN SAVED! James, Michele, Tony and Laura were at the British Film Institute this evening to see Day of the Doctor along with fellow fans as it aired around the globe. This is their instant reaction, recorded not more than ten minutes after the final credits had rolled.  Tune in to find out what they thought about it! NOW!!! Join us later in the week for Part 2 of our review when Tom and Leeson share what they thought too. We’d also love to hear what you thought – send in your feedback to us as [email protected]. Audio feedback under two minutes stands a better chance of making onto a future DWP. Enjoy the show!

Well, it’s now aired in the UK!!  Join James, Ian, Tony and Laura as they review the rather wonderful ninety minute drama about the origins of Doctor Who, An Adventure in Time and Space.  Be careful, this is a FULL review, spoilers an’ all, so if you live in a part of the world that hasn’t aired the programme yet, don’t listen to this episode until you’ve seen it! Join us at the weekend for review of the 50th Anniversary Special, The Day of the Doctor.  It’s getting very close now!!

Wow.  Who saw THAT coming?! Paul McGann BACK as The Doctor on our telly boxes!  But what did the DWP team make of it?! Join James, Tom and Stephen as they attempt to regulate their breathing so they can articulate their reactions to seven minutes of television no-one thought would ever exist…. Inevitably, discussion turns to Day of the Doctor – but don’t worry, it’s all spoiler-free. Mainly because we don’t know anything about the story! Also, Ian and his son Alex pop into the Campervan to talk about Professor Brian Cox‘s  latest project, The Science of Doctor Who that screened on BBC2 the same day that Night of the Doctor was released.  What a week! Join us Thursday – yes, Thursday – at 10.30pm GMT when Episode 236 will be online – a review Mark Gatiss’ An Adventure in Space and Time.  

In this week’s episode of The Doctor Who Podcast, Stephen and James review Big Finish’s hugely anticipated anniversary story, The Light at the End.  The play features the first eight Doctors!  There will be arguments….. Ian and Michele drop by to review another multi-Doctor Big Finish story, The Four Doctors. Join us next week for our geek-out about the events taking place in the run-up to the 50th Anniversary.  And if that isn’t enough for you, then we’ll chuck in a review of The Science of Doctor Who from Ian as well!

In the second of our Writers Specials, we speak to Tommy Donbavand and Simon Guerrier about writing for Doctor Who.  Tommy talks about his recent Eleventh Doctor and Clara novel, Shroud of Sorrow and Simon about giving words to the Second Doctor and Jamie in is his Destiny of the Doctors audio, Shadow of Death. Join Stephen, Tony and Laura as they guide you through the interviews – oh, and there’s a cameo from a truly ghostly voice from the DWP’s murky past…… Join us for Episode 234 next week for our review of Big Finish’s Light at the End.

Tom and Michele return to the Campervan and waste no time at all in dissecting the trailer for the 50th Anniversary episode, The Day of the Doctor that was released last week. They then talk about the recent Big Finish sixth Doctor and Mel trilogy, The Wrong Doctors, Spaceport Fear and The Seeds of War.  Whilst the DWP team are geeking out about this sometime controversial TARDIS team, Ian pops in to chat about the Mechanoids sole Big Finish outing, The Juggernauts. Tune in next week to hear the verdict on what has been arguably Big Finish’s most anticipated release EVER – the 50th anniversary special featuring Doctors 1 to 8 – The Light at the End!  

In this edition of The Doctor Who Podcast, Stephen, Leeson and James take a look back at the soon-ending Matt Smith era of the show and choose two episodes each of what they consider to be must-see eleventh Doctor stories to talk about.  But will they agree on the definition of ‘must-see’?! Do space-pigs fly? For sane listeners, Ian and Michele take a look at Big Finish’s first multi-doctor story, The Sirens of Time. So put the kettle on, pull up a chair and treat yourself to a jammy dodger and listen to the DWP team wax lyrical about Matt Smith and Doctor Who screened since 2010. Enjoy the show.

As every fan will know by now, it was recently announced that nine previously missing episodes of classic Doctor Who had been found and returned to the BBC Archive.  Hooray!  The find means we can watch The Enemy of the World in its entirety and five complete episodes of The Web of Fear. In this episode, James, Stephen and Ian discuss how the story unfolded and speculate about whether the story has now run its course or if we can allow ourselves to believe more episodes are on their way….  

In a bonus edition of The Doctor Who Podcast, we bring you the first in a mini-series of interviews with writers who have become synonymous with Doctor Who fiction, either through writing books, Big Finish audios or extensive articles for Doctor Who Magazine – or in many cases, all three! First up, it’s Jonathon Morris who takes time out from his appearance at Big Finish Day 3 to speak to us. Jonny’s back catalogue of Doctor Who output is vast – and is still growing.  He’s the author of over 40 Big Finish audio plays and four original Doctor Who novels for the BBC. Check out his blog – it makes facinating reading. In this interview he talks to Tony and Laura, our intrepid roving reporters at about writing, missing episodes and how it feels to put words into the mouths of actors we became familiar with by watching them on the telly all those years ago. Many thanks to both Big Finish Productions and to 10th Planet Events for allowing us to cover the event. Enjoy the show!

It a Sergeant Benton special!! Yes, Stephen and Leeson team up once again and review the rather superb documentary included on the Special Edition of The Claws of Axos DVD, Living With Levene.  It’s a unique feature in which Toby Hadoke spends a weekend with John Levene in an attempt to get to know the real person responsible for the character Doctor Who fans know as Sergeant Benton.  Does he succeed?! Tune in to find out. Ian and Michele also bring you a review of John Levene’s first Big Finish Companion Chronicle, Council of War. Tune in again this coming weekend for a bonus edition of The Doctor Who Podcast as we bring you the first in a mini-series of interviews with Doctor Who writers of various media.  First up is Jonathan Morris.

In this episode, Stephen, Tom and James discuss the announcement made last week that The Day of The Doctor will be simulcast in over 75 countries around the globe.  Now just why didn’t that happen with The Five Doctors?! They also bring you the final part in the latest mini-series of Burning Issues – to what extent does the lead actor actually need to act in order to successfully portray the Doctor?! Michele and Ian are also back discussing the final two parts of the second run of Big Finish’s spin-off series from Remembrance of the Daleks, Counter Measures.

The reptiles theme continues this week as James, Stephen and a special guest talk about the much-maligned Warriors of the Deep.  What will the Campervan occupants make of the re-imagined Silurians and Sea Devils and of course, everyone’s favourite pet marine monster, the Myrka? Stephen also has the privilege of talking to the wonderful Tara Ward who played Preston in Warriors about her memories of being cast, filming and what things were like on Sea Base 4. Enjoy the show.

This week the Campervan time travels back to 1967 to take a look at the classic story, The Ice Warriors. The story has recently been released on two brand new shiny DVDs and the two missing episodes have been animated, allowing fans to experience the story in a way that simply hasn’t been possible until now. So Join Tom, James, Stephen and Leeson as they sit round the Campervan’s small tellybox and take it in turns to do Ice Warrior impressions. For the more discerning listener, Ian and Michele talk about reptiles of a different kind as they review an early Big Finish play featuring Silurians – Bloodtide.

Discussing rumours of newly discovered missing episodes is a prerequisite of being a Doctor Who fan.  Where would be all be if we didn’t allow ourselves the secret hope that one day, someone will find the 106 episodes missing from the BBC archives in a box in someone’s loft or in the bowels of an overseas Broadcaster’s Headquarters?! Well, as pretty much every fan knows, the latest sets of rumours gained some serious traction and have been bouncing around fandom for the last 18 months or so.  What does the DWP team make of them?  Yes, join Stephen, James and Leeson as they discuss what they’ve heard and allow themselves to dream……    

Stephen and Michele share similar cultural and Doctor Who histories. They’ll agree on everything, right? Judge for yourself as they discuss a recent Big Finish main range trilogy – The Burning Prince, The Acheron Pulse and The Shadow Heart. But it isn’t until they turn their thoughts to the casting of Peter Capaldi that things get really … uh … “hot.” We also offer a calmer, more refined Big Finish review from Ian and Michele. This week they conclude their look at the second series of Fourth Doctor and first Romana stories with a review of the two-part finale,  The Dalek Contract and The Final Phase.

Join Stephen, Leeson and James in the second of our newest series of Burning Issues episodes.  The Sonic Screwdriver.  Love it or hate it, it’s become a fundamental part of the show in much the same way as the TARDIS is.   But has it’s continual presence in the series since 2005 done the show any favours? Do writers rely on it too much now as a magic wand that can resolve plot points?  Join us in the campervan to find out what we think. Michele and Ian also pop in and post a review of parts one and two of the second series of Counter Measures – the Big Finish spin-off series from Remembrance of the Daleks.

And welcome to a landmark episode of The Doctor Who Podcast – for the first time, all six hosts appear on this one! But not at the same time….. it’s timey wimey. Stephen, Tom and James zip all the way back to 1965 and talk about the first story in the third series of Doctor Who, Galaxy Four.  A reconstruction of the story (including the recently recovered complete third episode) was released on the Special Edition of The Aztecs DVD, and it’s this version of the story the team take a look at.  Not being one to be left out of a good ol’ natter about missing episodes, Leeson jumps in with his opinion too. Still locked in the Campervan Annex, Michele and Ian and  have been passing the time by looking at another story that until recently, consisted of just one surviving episode.  Join them as they take a look at The Underwater Menace. We’ll be back next week with the second in our newest series of Burning Issues podcasts. This time we put the sonic screwdriver under the spotlight and ask if it’s time for it to go…..Terileptil style.

Stephen continues his mission to record with the entire DWP Campervan crew in the space of just one month.  Not afraid of controversy, Stephen opts to discuss another thorny issue – can Doctor Who really be considered as a British show any longer? Who better to fly the flag for Britiain, but the softest, fluffiest and sweetest member of the DWP, Mr Leeson Fischer.  Abandon hope all ye who download. For the sane listeners, Michele and Ian bring you a review of the next Big Finish’s fourth Doctor and Romana play, Phantoms of the Deep. For listeners that survive this episode, we’ll be back next week to to look at two early stories that have both had episodes returned to the BBC archives recently, Galaxy Four and the Underwater Menace.

Ian and Stephen are in the Campervan this week talking about the idea of an older actor playing the Doctor.  After having several beautiful young men in the prime of their life play the part, we are now presented with a more mature option, Peter Capaldi. Ian and Stephen talk about their reaction to the casting decision and indeed, what an older lead actor means for show. The boys even dare to discuss the thorny subject of “Just how old is the Doctor?”. Wow.  it’ll be UNIT dating next. If that wasn’t enough, Michele joins Ian for a chat about another fourth Doctor and Romana Big Finish audio, The Justice of Jalxar. Hold on to your hats for next week – it’s the one we’ve ALL been waiting for.  When Stephen met Leeson.  You have been warned.

Following on from our mini-season of Burning Issues podcasts earlier in the year Stephen Tom and James are back with the first in a new series. It’s often been said that Doctor Who takes its lead from other television shows and films, and certainly, there are times when a new story’s inspiration is apparent. But its also widely accepted that Doctor Who is unique and despite many attempts, not one show has been able to emulate the precise je ne said quoi our beloved show so clearly has. So what is it? A Trend Setter or Follower? Tune in to hear our take on the matter. Also, this episode sees the last of our popular Seventh Heaven instalments. Stephen (no,not that one, the other one) has finally finished his quest to watch all of the Sylvester McCoy stories for the very first time. Tune in to hear what he thinks about The Curse of Fenric and Survival. Join us next week for a leisurely discussion (yes, we do those sometimes.  What?!) about just what an older actor playing the Doctor will mean for the show.

The speculation, guesswork, teeth grinding and sleepless nights are over.  We now know who will step into Matt Smith’s shoes at the end of the year. Peter Capaldi, best known from the BBC comedy series The Thick of It, director of a Academy Awards nominated short film, winner of a BAFTA and two British comedy awards, has been announced as the 12th Doctor. Join James, Tom and Stephen as they discuss the reaction to the announcement broadcast on BBC television (and indeed worldwide!).

Join James and Tom for the start of a new era of The Doctor Who Podcast!  In this episode, they unwrap and welcome a brand new, shiny, polished, optimistic new DWP host. But who is it?! Well, tune in to find out as we examine his Doctor Who fan credentials. Or check out the Hosts page if you are ultra-impatient!   The chaps also talk about the recent controversy created by a certain trailer being shown for the first – and perhaps the only time – at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. All this and part five of Seventh Heaven, AND a review from Ian and Michele of The Sands of Life and War Against the Laan – two recent Fourth Doctor and Romana plays from Big Finish Productions.  Phew! Join us next week as we kick off with part 1 of our second Burning Issues mini-series.

There will be tears, there will be laughter, there will be gnashing of teeth and cries of desperation.  All in all, a pretty standard day in the DWP Campervan when we get Leeson to attempt the washing up. While he clatters away chipping crockery and breaking glasses we attempted to record an episode of the DWP – the results of which you can enjoy here today.  Or tomorrow, if you are busy today.  By this weekend at the very latest, ok?

Returning to the fertile sanctuary of Big Finish this episode,  Trevor, Leeson and Michele review the Paul McGann boxset series of audio dramas, Dark Eyes. Heralding a darker, edgier Eighth Doctor, Dark Eyes takes the Doctor that once deliriously marvelled at how well a pair of borrowed shoes fitted, into a new and very exciting direction. Join the Three Who Were Never Meant to Rule, Ever, as they feast upon the smorgasbord of story that Dark Eyes presents for us. We also feature the epic continuation of our Seventh Heaven series, where Stephen Elsden is watching, for the first time, ALL the stories from the Seventh Doctor era!

Ever sat back and marvelled at Steven Moffat‘s ability to weave multi-threaded plotlines?  What a fantastic mystery Clara was, set up almost 12 months before the resolution was presented on our telly screens.  Oh, and don’t forget the ‘Who precisely IS River Song’ arc that kicked off all the way back in 2008. But sometimes, Mr Moffat asks wonderfully intriguing questions – and then seems to forget about them. Or does he?!  Join James and Stephen from A Madman With a Box Podcast as they shine the DWP spotlight on these seemingly unanswered questions and chat about a couple of Kooky theries you wonderful listeners have sent in. If that wasn’t enough, Stephen Elsden returns in part 3 of our increasingly popular Seventh Heaven mini-series to talk about Rememberance of the Daleks and the Happiness Patrol. Does carnage ensue? Tune in to find out! Share you thoughts with us about your take on Moffat’s loose ends – record your thoughts in under 120 seconds  or less and email them to us at [email protected]. Join Leeson, Trevor and Michele in the Campervan this coming weekend in an extra edition of the Doctor Who Podcast as they give Big Finish‘s Dark Eyes the DWP Review treatment.

They’ve finally managed to do it. After years of trying,  Ian and Michele have finally broken out of  the Campervan annex and have ‘peacefully occupied’ the Executive Recording Lounge! The reason for this incursion however is valid as they’ve found a Dalek to interview. And this is no ordinary Dalek either – it’s none other than Barnaby Edwards who has been operating various Skarosians for nigh-on twenty years.  And if that wasn’t enough, Ian and Michele review The Spectre of Lanyon Moor, an early Big Finish play starring Barnaby and written by fellow Dalek operator, Nicholas Pegg. The interview was recorded at Big Finish Day 3 – thanks again to Big Finish and 10th Planet Events and of course to both Tony Whitmore and Laura Cowen. Join James and Trev next week as they discuss….well, that would be telling wouldn’t it?!  

This week a veritable feast of DVD reviewing as Trevor, James and Tom chow down on two classic era DVD releases.  The First Doctor story Planet of Giants and the Third Doctor story The Ambassadors of Death fall under the microscope of the DWP campervan team. Also included this week is a review of one of the more recent Tom Baker Big Finish audios, The Auntie Matter.

It’s another interview special!  This time, we are immensely proud to present an interview with the definitive tin dog himself, Mr John Leeson.  And if that wasn’t enough, we talk to the legend that is Chase Masterson about playing opposite both Tom Baker and Sylvester McCoy in recent Big Finish plays and how her portrayal landed her with her own spin-off series, Vienna. These are just two of the interviews we recorded at Big Finish Day 3, more are on their way very soon. Our thanks go to 10th Planet Events and Big Finish Productions allowing us to cover the event. Next week: they’re BACK! Trev, Tom and James put some classic DVDs under the microscope and Ian and Michele return with a review of one of the latest Fourth Doctor and Romana Big Finish plays.  Don’t miss it!    

Join Leeson and James as they present the final piece of our coverage from Big Blue Box 2, a Doctor Who Convention held in Tunbridge Wells earlier this year. James hosts the writer’s panel in front of a theatre full of Doctor Who fans and talks to writers Andrew Smith, Simon Guerrier and Nigel Fairs.  How does it feel to have written the first words for a character that was killed off two years later?   How does it feel to resurrect a sixties companion forty five years after her on-screen death?! And what is it like to kill off a well-loved companion from the seventies on audio – and then be commissioned to write a sequel?! All these things and more are discussed on this episode of the Doctor Who Podcast! Big Blue Box was run in aid of Compaid – a charity that helps disabled people in the south east of England and Kent.  Find out more by visiting their website at www.compaid.org.uk.  Thanks again to Stephen Elsden for being an all-round jolly decent chap and allowing the DWP to cover the convention.  

Leeson is back from warmer climes and is in the campervan alongside a decidely pale James to talk about Doctor Who. Being a geek out, there is no script, no plan, and no idea.  The only clue we can give you about what they cover is that it has something to do with Doctor Who. We’ve said too much – just dive in and enjoy.

It is always a fun episode when we delve into the DWP mailbag, and this time is no different. In this episode Michele and Trevor listen to and read out feedback from all over our great planet regarding your thoughts on Series 7B.