The Doctor Who Show

Join Dave from the Doctor Who Show, Mark from 42 to Doomsday, and Richard from Spacefall: A Blakes 7 Podcast, after knocking back a few gin and tonics at Dave’s place and watching Carnival of Monsters. What do they think of it in 2024? Tune in, find out. Contact the podcast anytime: [email protected]

We threw a vote on X for which season would like us to discuss on the next episode, from a list of four options. The results were: Season 18 - 11% Season 19 - 17.9% Season 3 - 34.5% Season 12 - 36.6% So here we are, tonight, to discuss Season 12, comprising: Robot The Ark in Space The Sontaran Experiment Genesis of the Daleks Revenge of the Cybermen Before then, of course, we also talk some recent Doctor Who news, including the upcoming release of Season 25 on Blu-ray; Will Disney renew its contract with the BBC?; The War Between Land and Sea creeps closer; and Jodie Whittaker comes to Big Finish... in 12 month's time. Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

In today’s episode we dive into season openers from the classic era of Doctor Who. Which ones are best? And do we have different criteria for what makes them 'the best'? What would YOU pick for your list? Why not reach out and let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

As is traditional after we do a season of hot takes on the podcast, we regroup to discuss the season as a whole. Did some episodes go up or down in our estimation, after the initial hot take viewing? What did the rest of fandom think? How do we feel it went overall? Featuring fantastic contributions from our listeners via X, Facebook, email, Instant Messenger, carrier pigeon, our website, and more, this is our definitive - for now - take on Ncuti Gatwa's first season as the Doctor. Before then, news from the past month including our thoughts - and the BBCs - on Doctor Who ratings, as well as saying goodbye to legend of the show, William Russell. We also catch up with some classic Doctor Who in the form of the Celestial Toymaker animation, and a re-watch of The Ark. And Rob's really selling off his Doctor Who collection in earnest! You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

In today’s episode we dive into monsters and races from other TV shows and movies that we would like to see brought into Doctor Who. There are some different ways this topic can be tackled. How will we approach our lists? What would YOU pick for your list? Why not reach out and let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

The Doctor has lost, his ageless enemy reigns supreme, and a shadow is falling over creation. Nothing can stop the devastation - except, perhaps, one woman. What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

The Doctor and UNIT investigate Ruby's past. But as the Time Window reveals horrifying secrets from Christmas Eve, the mysterious Triad Technology unleash the greatest evil of all. What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

Join Dave from the Doctor Who Show, Mark from 42 to Doomsday, and Richard from Spacefall: A Blakes 7 Podcast, after knocking back a few gins at Dave’s place and watching The Twin Dilemma... as voted for by YOU, dear listener. What are their backgrounds with the story? What do they think of it in 2024, after 40 years have gone by? Tune in, find out. Contact the podcast anytime: [email protected]

The Doctor and Ruby land in 1813, where guests at a duchess's party are being murdered, and a mysterious bounty hunter called Rogue is about to change the Doctor's life forever. What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

The world of Finetime seems happy and harmonious. But an awful terror is preying on the citizens. Can the Doctor and Ruby make them see the truth before it's too late? What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

While we are in the middle of weekly hot takes relating to season one of Doctor Who (yes, that's officially what it's called, we don't set the rules), we thought it might be fun this time around for our longer, monthly show to do something completely different and take a flight of fancy into what Doctor Who stories we would remake with Hollywood directors. Before then, news and short topics from the past month including our thoughts on the ratings war raging among fandom at present, Varada Sethu arriving 'early' in Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa heading for the theatre (darling), and more. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

Landing on the Welsh coast, the Doctor and Ruby embark on the strangest journey of their lives. In a rain-lashed pub, the locals sit in fear of ancient legends coming to life. What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

Caught in the middle of a devastating war on Kastarion 3, the Doctor is trapped when he steps on a landmine. Can he save himself and Ruby, plus the entire planet - without moving? What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

In today’s episode we dive into the realm of space stories in Doctor Who. There are some different ways this topic can be tackled. How will we approach our lists? What would YOU pick for your top Doctor Who space stories? Why not reach out and let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

The Doctor and Ruby meet The Beatles but discover that the all-powerful Maestro is changing history. London becomes a battleground with the future of humanity at stake. What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

Ruby learns the Doctor's amazing secrets when he takes her to the far future. There, they find a baby farm run by babies. But can they be saved from the terrifying bogeyman? What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

Back in 1996, Virgin Publishing was pumping out Doctor Who 'New Adventures' and 'Missing Adventures' novels every month, which were both very popular ranges with fans. Then it made... this. Who Killed Kennedy is a standalone Doctor Who novel that is very much its own thing. Tonight, we discuss the novel... what it is, what it's about, and what we think of it. Before then, news from the past month including our thoughts on Millie Gibson appearing in season two, and much more. You can contact us anytime via [email protected]

On this Sunday's flagship show, we review the 1996 Virgin Publishing Doctor Who novel, Who Killed Kennedy. We appreciate it might be some time since some of you read it, and many of you might have never read it at all (being a nearly 30 year-old novel!), so this episode serves as a synopsis of the novel, enabling you to brush up on the basic storyline. Take note, this isn't a discussion, and it rattles along at a fair old pace. If you're not up on the first few seasons of Pertwee (and even a few stories that happened before his era), you might miss some of what's going on in this one. But stick with it, and try to get the flavour of what's going on, and we're sure it will benefit you when listening to us talk about the novel on Sunday. See you then! Contact us any time: [email protected]

Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005 and tonight, The Doctor Who Show team examines it in what must rate as one of the coldest of cold takes ever committed to a digital recording. What are our memories of the movie on release? What are our thoughts on it now, after a 2024 re-watch? If you’ve got an hour to spare, sit back, relax, and join us in an ALTERNATE GALAXIES episode that travels to a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away to try and review the film, once and for all, with no contemporary distractions. By the way, we reviewed Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones in March and Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace in February, if you haven't heard our takes on the two earlier installments in the prequel trilogy.

In today’s episode we dive into the realm of Doctor Who non-fiction books. So much has been written about the show over the years - some of it academic, some of it autobiography/biography, some of it in the form of episode guides, some of it in the form of fans writing about their fandom, and much, much more. Which would YOU pick for your top Doctor Who non-fiction books? There's a lot to choose from, so why not let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

Over the years, whenever Dave has seen a notable Doctor Who alum at an event, we've endeavoured to switch on the microphones and grab his thoughts in a special, standalone episode of the show. A year ago this was Sophie Aldred in the original 'Dave's Big Day Out' episode, but prior to that, episodes like, 'When Dave Met Chris' have also entertained listeners who couldn't attend the events. Today, we talk to Dave immediately upon his return home from Supanova where he saw, and interacted with, Jodie Whittaker. And also caught the panel for Jango/Boba Fett himself, Temuera Morrison. Enjoy our chat, and contact us anytime at [email protected]

Join Dave from the Doctor Who Show, Mark from 42 to Doomsday, and Richard from Spacefall: A Blakes 7 Podcast, after knocking back a few ciders at Dave's place and watching the updated version of Horror of Fang Rock on the new Doctor Who Season 15 Blu-ray set. What are their backgrounds with the story? What do they think of the updated version? Tune in, find out. Contact the podcast anytime: [email protected]

A bit of a different episode for March. In this one, we take on the role of time meddlers, going back into Doctor Who's past to change aspects of its history - mostly in the production sense, which then trickles down to the stories we see onscreen - and then discuss the fallout. Does a little change HERE equal a big change THERE? See if you agree with us. You can also contact us anytime via [email protected]

Star Wars Episode II - Attack of the Clones was released in 2002 and tonight, The Doctor Who Show team examines it in what must rate as one of the coldest of cold takes ever committed to a digital recording. What are our memories of the movie on release? What are our thoughts on it now, after a 2024 re-watch? If you’ve got an hour to spare, sit back, relax and join us in an ALTERNATE GALAXIES episode that travels to a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away to try and review the film, once and for all, with no contemporary distractions. We reviewed Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace last month and will also be reviewing Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in April.

In today’s episode we look at the top tearjerker stories/moments in all of Doctor Who. And remember, there's a difference between something being just 'emotional' and an actual 'tearjerker'; something we discuss in the episode. Which would YOU pick for your top five? Why not let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

Having made a series of hot take episodes on Series 10 of Doctor Who back in 2017, tonight we revist Peter Capaldi's final season in an ultimate cold take! What felt like "a few years ago" is actually a lot longer than we actually thought! Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace is 25 years old later this year and tonight, The Doctor Who Show team examines it in what must rate as one of the coldest of cold takes ever committed to a digital recording. What are our memories of the movie on release? What are our thoughts on it now, after a 2024 re-watch? If you've got an hour to spare, sit back, relax and join us in an ALTERNATE GALAXIES episode that travels to a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away to try and review the film, once and for all, with no contemporary distractions. We will also be reviewing Star Wars Episode II - Attack of the Clones in March and Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith in April.

In today’s episode we look at the top stories that have a good opening episode, but then go downhill from there. Which would YOU pick for your top five? Why not let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

January is traditionally Rob's month off from the podcast so, in today's episode, Dave is hosting Mark from the 42 to Doomsday podcast, and Richard from the Spacefall: A Blakes 7 podcast at his home to discuss the classic 1964 tale, The Keys of Marinus. Have you seen the Keys of Marinus? Do you agree with the guys? Why not write in and let us know your thoughts? Before the Keys discussion, the guys also rattle through news topics for January and have a lengthy discussion on the topic of Doctor Who anniversaries over the years and their relationship with each of them. Something for everyone in this episode! Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

In today’s episode we look at the top stories that feature humanity as "the monster" of the story. Which would YOU pick for your top five? Why not let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

It's New Year's Eve everybody, and after many weeks of talking about brand-new Doctor Who episodes from the 60th Anniversary and Christmas specials, we now turn our gaze back in time - to 1981 - and K-9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend. Have you seen this before? Do you think it deserves the criticism it gets from some? Or is there more to it? In today's episode, we examine the story. In addition, of course, we have all the usual news, short topics and listener feedback, too. Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

The Church on Ruby Road is only the second time a Doctor's post-regeneration story has been a Christmas Special, following the Tenth Doctor's first outing in The Christmas Invasion back in 2005. We’ve just seen it; what are our initial, raw, unvarnished thoughts? Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

In today’s episode we look at the top stories that feature the debut of a companion. Which would YOU pick for your top five? Why not let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

After publishing a hot take podcast hot on the heels of the three Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials, today we sit back and reflect a week after they ended, along with a TARDIS full of your own comments over the past three weeks. How do we sit with the specials now? What did our listeners think? What are some of the topics that didn't get a run during any of the hot take shows, but which we now have time to address? We're looking at you, The Vlinx. Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

Here we are, back again, this time for a hot take on the final of three Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials. In today’s episode, THE GIGGLE. We’ve just seen it; what are our initial, raw, unvarnished thoughts? Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

We're back for a hot take on the second of three Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials. In today’s episode, WILD BLUE YONDER. We’ve just seen it; what are our initial, raw, unvarnished thoughts? Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

Doctor Who has returned, which means our Hot Takes series has returned, too. In today's episode, THE STAR BEAST. We've just seen it; what are our initial, raw, unvarnished thoughts? Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

It's the 23rd of November, 2023 and Doctor Who is 60! Rather than drop this episode on the weekend - which would be its normal monthly slot - we've brought it forward a few days to celebrate the anniversary. Plus, we'll be putting out a hot take episode this weekend anyway, when we take a look at the first of three 60th anniversary specials - THE STAR BEAST. In today's episode we have a quick discussion about three of the bigger issues leading into the anniversary, including the retconning of Davros, a colourised version of The Daleks, and the Tales of the TARDIS series of releases. But then it's onto Doctor Who itself. Why did we get into it? How did we fall into fandom? What happened during the Wilderness Years? What about the show's return? And what does the future hold? Along the way we also read, and play, comments from our listeners, who also tell us their own stories about the show. We hope you enjoy the stories herein. Happy birthday to Who! Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

It's November, 2023. It's the 60th anniversary month for Doctor Who. Can you feel it? In today’s episode, in a moment of complete serendipity following last month's pick from Turlough's Hat of Rassilon, we look at the top behind the scenes people who have made Doctor Who what it is over the past 60 years. Who would YOU pick for your top five? Why not let us know? Contact us any time: [email protected]

We threw a vote out there on X for which season would like us to discuss on the next episode, from a list of four options. The results were: Season 8 (Pertwee) 37.1% Season 12 (Baker) 31.1% Series 9 (Capaldi) 18.9% Series 4 (Tennant) 12.9% So here we are, tonight, to discuss Season 8, comprising: Terror of the Autons The Mind of Evil The Claws of Axos Colony In Space The Daemons Before then, of course, we also talk some recent Doctor Who news, including the battle for An Unearthly Child to join the rest of Doctor Who on iPlayer in the UK, and Dave's thoughts after seeing Katy Manning at the recent Sirens of Audio event in his hometown, Melbourne. Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

Ahsoka episodes dropped on Disney+ between August 22 and October 3, 2023. As Star Wars fans, we're always happy to talk about the franchise here on our (highly) irregular episodes of ALTERNATE GALAXIES. See our back catalogue for more. So what did we make of Ahsoka? Tune in, find out. Episode 1: ‘Master and Apprentice’ Episode 2: ‘Toil and Trouble’ Episode 3: ‘Time to Fly’ Episode 4: ‘Fallen Jedi’ Episode 5: ‘Shadow Warrior’ Episode 6: ‘Far, Far Away’ Episode 7: ‘Dreams and Madness’ Episode 8: ‘The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord’ Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth David Tennant voices Huyang Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger Evan Whitten as Jacen Syndulla Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader Anthony Daniels as C-3PO Hope you enjoy the episode! Contact us anytime, [email protected]

As we sit here on the edge of the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who, there's an awful lot of TV stories out there. Some of them quite underrated... some of them regarded commensurate to their quality... and some of them are incredibly overrated. In today's episode, we look at the latter. What have been the most overrated stories in Doctor Who's long and storied history? Come at us! Contact us any time: [email protected]

*Dedicated to our friend and listener, David Harmsworth* In today's episode we discuss violence in Doctor Who, from the original three decades of the show, through to the modern era. Has Doctor Who always been a violent series? Are some eras more violent than others? Before then, we have an Apple Podcasts review, some news, and short topics. After the feature on violence we have our usual listener emails, and what else we've been consuming in the world of entertainment. Strap in! You can follow us on X @theDWshow or write to us about anything you like at: [email protected]

Doctor Who has had a lot of talented production staff over the past 60 years - and most of them never worked together. In this List Makers, sent in by listener 'Blue Box' Bill McCann from the USA, we make our fantasy lists of which production staff we would have loved to see paired together. Are you surprised by any of our choices? Agree with them? Why not let us know YOUR top production pairings? Contact us any time: [email protected]

Dave's away this month, so Rob recruits super-sub Dwayne Bunney from the Sirens of Audio podcast for a suitably Big Finish themed episode, this time talking about the classic, The Fires of Vulcan - the twelfth story in Big Finish's monthly range, released in September 2000. It was written by Steve Lyons and features Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush. Before then, the guys also talk some recent Doctor Who news, including Big Chief Studios going out of business; the surprise animation of the Underwater Menace; a possible return to Doctor Who for Steven Moffat; and the 60th anniversary celebrations at Big Finish - the 'Once and Future' range of stories. Lots to talk about! Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

The 1960s era of Doctor Who is one that fascinates and entertains both of us - to the degree that William Hartnell is Dave's favourite Doctor. In this episode of THE LIST MAKERS, we sit down to discuss what our top stories of the 1960s are. Are you surprised by any of our choices? Agree with them? Why not let us know YOUR top 1960s stories? Contact us any time: [email protected]

In past episodes of the podcast we've considered various TARDIS teams being placed into stories from other eras of Doctor Who and how they would fare. In this episode, we turn that concept on its head somewhat and each come to the table with a Doctor Who story from each era that we think could ONLY be of its era and not be made in a different era with a different team. Before then, we also talk some recent Doctor Who news, including Ncuti Gatwa confirming he will complete at least two series of the show; Season 20 comes to Blu-ray; Target novelisations of the 60th anniversary stories; and Mark Gatiss comments on how he would play the Doctor. Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]

A new month means a new LIST MAKERS episode! This time, we discuss 'almost' companions in Doctor Who. Characters whom we think would have made good companions or, in some cases, were designed to be companions, then the production changed course. If you’ve never heard a List Makers episode before, these are 20m chats based around making a Doctor Who related list and discussing similarities, differences, and whatever else comes up during the chat! Suggestions for future lists to be drawn from The Hat of Rassilon are always welcome; get in touch via any of the methods mentioned below! Twitter, Facebook or email us old-school style at [email protected]

With a new non-fiction Doctor Who book on the horizon, this time looking at the creation of Doctor Who back in 1963, Rob sits down for the third time in the life of the podcast with friend of the show and the book's author, Paul Hayes. Pull To Open: 1962–1963: The Inside Story of How the BBC Created and Launched Doctor Who is available from Ten Acre Films on July 24, 2023. = = = ‘Fresh and compelling… As definitive an account of those early years as I have read’ Toby Hadoke When Doctor Who began on Saturday November 23 1963, few could have guessed that it marked the start of perhaps the most extraordinary story in the history of BBC television drama. But there had already been another story, equally extraordinary yet unseen, leading up to the transmission of that opening episode – the creation of the series itself. Pull to Open explores the behind-the-scenes saga of Doctor Who in 1963, when a chain of events at the BBC brought together a disparate group to launch what would become one of British TV’s best-loved and most successful programmes. It’s the story of why these events happened; the BBC creative culture into which Doctor Who was born; how television drama was made in the early 1960s; and an insight into the people who started this epic journey. Drawing from the BBC’s written archives and new interviews with some of those who were there, including Doctor Who’s first director Waris Hussein and original co-star Carole Ann Ford, Pull to Open is a detailed and comprehensive account of the programme’s path to the screen. Immerse yourself in the world of BBC Television in 1963 and discover how a series which was almost cancelled before a single episode was shown survived to cement its place in the popular culture of a nation. Foreword by Toby Hadoke

From time to time, the Doctor Who Show devotes an episode to a series writer. A great chance to talk about numerous diverse episodes, sometimes from totally different eras of the show, only related by the name on the script. In today's episode... Mark Gatiss. Possibly the most 'Marmite' of all Doctor Who writers, especially in the modern era. Fans tend to love and hate Gatiss' stories... but strangely can never agree which stories are meant to go in which column! Stories covered in this episode include: The Unquiet Dead The Idiot’s Lantern Victory of the Daleks Night Terrors Cold War The Crimson Horror Robot of Sherwood Sleep No More The Empress of Mars Plus a number of 'extras' including Gatiss' New Adventure novels, Nightshade, and St. Anthony's Fire, and the 50th anniversary special, An Adventure in Space and Time. Before then we also talk some recent Doctor Who news, including new cast members for the upcoming Ncuti Gatwa era; Davo's wife has written a book; and are there some missing episodes materialising from the ether in time for the 60th? Tune in, drop out, and contact us anytime, [email protected]