The Doctor Who Podcast

Trev, James, Tom and Leeson have a bit of a geekout this week about the effect of social media on Doctor Who, and the way we consume our favourite show. With the explosion over the last decade of sites like Facebook and Twitter, the way Doctor Who fans get their news and talk about the show has changed dramatically. With this change many benefits have occurred, but also there is a downside. The boys discuss this issue and try and get to the bottom of the question “Is social media good for Doctor Who?”

As the title of this release suggests, quite a busy and eclectic week at the Doctor Who campervan. First up is our look at Power of the Daleks – Reimagined, the fan film that sets to bring to life one of the classic and beloved stories from the Patrick Troughton era of Doctor Who. We have an interview with the man who plays the Doctor, Nick Scovell, and producer/DOP/tea maker Rob Thrush. We review Power of the Daleks – Reimagined to see how it stacks up against the story that inspired it.  Ian and Michele also had a listen to an audio recording of the original 60s story and share their thoughts. We also have an interview with Graeme Burk, one of the two authors of a marvellous Doctor Who reference book called Who is the Doctor. Ian and Michele are back again to round off the episode with their review of the Big Finish audio The Catalyst.

The Doctor Who Podcast turns its steely gaze towards the Big Finish Towers this week as we look at the latest trilogy of Big Finish audios featuring the 8th Doctor, Paul McGann. The Silver Turk, The Witch from the Well and Army of Death fall under the watchful eye of James, Tom and Ian.

Just Trevor and James to keep you entertained this episode as we again delve into the mailbag and see what delights lay within. We also have a chat about Barry, the star of a recent episode of Get Your House In Order, a series where experts try and declutter peoples lives and help them with their hoarding tendencies. Barry has Doctor Who stuff, a lot of Doctor Who stuff. Trevor and James talk about how successful the shows attempts were to help him with his overwhelming collection.

Our love affair with Tom Baker and Big Finish continues with Leeson, Trevor and James reviewing the latest batch of Fourth Doctor and Leela adventures. Renaissance Man, Wrath of the Iceni and Energy of the Daleks are popped into the tape deck for a listen. What will the verdict be?

The DWP Campervan goes literary this week and is awash with a myriad of titles based on the adventures of the 9th Doctor, Christopher Eccleston and his various TARDIS crew. The four novels we are reviewing, forming our look at the 9th Doctor book range are The Clockwise Man by Justin Richards Winner Takes All by Jacqueline Rayner The Deviant Strain by Justin Richards The Stealers of Dreams – Steve Lyons Ian and Michele also get into the book reading fun and review Only Human by Gareth Roberts. We also review a book from the mighty pen of John Barrowman and his sister Carole – The Hollow Earth. You also have the chance to win your very own copy of this book. We were also very lucky to coax some of our fellow podcasters and dear friends of the show to provide some readings of the books being reviewed.  Our thanks to Laura from the Oodcast, Chip from the 2Minute Timelord, Erik from the Doctor Who Book Club Podcast, Michele from the DWP and her son Ken!  Thank you all!

Tom was lucky enough to sit down with the Indiana Jones of Doctor Who, Paul Vanezis.  Paul has been involved with the Doctor Who Restoration Team, as well as having a key hand in many of the many documentaries and special features on the Doctor Who DVD releases. When he isn’t putting the spit and polish to existing episodes, he is out there searching out lost episodes.  Paul can lay claim to returning many formerly lost Doctor Who episodes to the BBC archives. Sit back and enjoy Tom’s chat with Paul about all things dusty, Doctor Who and DVDs.

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 that James 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.