A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast

Joe & Mark; playing consequences, swapping hair stories & conjuring up six reasons why this is the best story of the era. Also, Mark finally does it. He out filths Joe and stuns him into silence. A miracle.

Joe & Mark; ranking season six! The Doctor is figuring out the rules, and we’re delighting in the quirky imagery, funny lines and great acting. We talk Doc Oho Reviews, and how this story keeps giving.

Joe & Mark; out of control! Why is Rupunzel the ultimate companion? Who is the Master? Why is Mark so horny watching Jamie climbing rocks? Why is Joe quoting Pride and Prejudice? And is Bleak House a modern day drama?

Joe & Mark; suffering from the pox! A deep dive into surrealism and humour, with some clever set pieces and mad creativity. You might think after the incredible first episode that we would be less impressed, but we are in awe of how this story improvises.

Joe & Mark; coming to the conclusion that this is the best Doctor Who episode of all time. This is weird with a beard, and scary, and funny. All hell is breaking loose in the TARDIS and we are completely there for it.

Joe & Jeff; lost in conversation and barely aware that The Curse of Peladon exists! Is this story slow? Jeff explains what that isn’t a problem, and why that links into one of his favourite seasons of Doctor Who. You won’t believe where we are going next…

Joe & Jeff; trying to decide whether this is science fiction or a historical. A medieval tale with crazy aliens! We talk villainous performances and how they can be poles apart. Jeff is a sensitive man, and Joe drops something very personal in a wonderfully intimate conversation.

Joe & Jeff; trying to determine which decade had the best directors. Jeff sees Doctor Who in striking imagery and he is served a buffet in this story. Also discussion of his fantastic artwork, which you need to check out.

Joe & Jeff; together and doing what they love…celebrating great Doctor Who! Special editions, atmospheric storm lashed Doctor Who in outer space again, Pertwee era adoration, Lennie Mayne endorsement and what makes a good cliffhanger.

Joe & Mark; stuck in a queue at Longleat. What is Flavia’s dirty secret? Who is the ultimate Doctor? Which companions shine? Which version is better? And can this mucky pair make it through without being filthy and celebratory? Great Balls of Fire!

Joe & Si; putting the worlds to tights about later Tom Baker, shitting over somebody’s good time and why Doctor Who is a massive comfort in moments of stress. One thing is for certain - the flora and the fauna are in ze creeestelll. And so are the villains of the piece.

Joe & Si; juggling different tones. Hamster has been away for a few weeks, but we’re back and cheekier than ever! We’re loving the wit, the smart dialogue, the twists and turns. We’re less sure about the violence towards women.

Joe & Si; dancing to Dudley leaping down stairs music! Nightmare of Eden comes in for some flack from fandom circles, but we are here it celebrate its massive successes and remind everybody just who this should be appealing to.

Joe & Si; claiming superior knowledge! There’s one name who is on our lips in the first episode of this commentary: Bob Baker. After his recent death, we celebrate his entire run of Doctor Who stories and the terrific imagination, flair for dialogue and quirky characterisation he had.

Joe & Luke; drunk, then sober! Take two of this commentary where we discuss Luke’s fabulous sequel to this adventure, silly monsters, Doctor Who fandom, sex jokes, Rose & Jackie and why this is a brilliant piece of work.

Joe & Daniel; having a chavtastic time! Celebrating the work of Russell T Davies, giving his work a potentially spiritual bent, loving the production values and the darkness in amongst all the outrageous comedy. A misrepresented gem?

Joe & Pete; what goes up, must come down! How much does Tom Baker adlib? How much is Lalla's disdain for Matthew evident? Can you handle Joe singing Button Moon? And what three things will Pete choose to recommend State of Decay? 

Joe & Pete; come! Why is Worzel Gummidge so terrifying? Why is Chris Noth's super villain such a gem? The Great Love It/Like It challenge. Where did the second Doctor's receipt from Las Cadenaz end up? And will we ever talk about State of Decay? 

Joe & Pete; exploring large phallic objects! Cybermen in the woods, soul selling, Terrance Dicks reverence, which Doctor Who directors are gay, great lines, and of course the usual Orphan 55 mentions. Pete and I are about to get locked in a cell and anything could happen. 

Joe & Pete; in love as Tom and Lalla! A wedding invite, a love of season 18, people being sucked dry, actors who can't walk across a set convincingly, a fusion of three eras, and a lovely gothic atmosphere that we can get lost in. Come get Wasted with us. 

Joe & Toby; on the verge of saying I love you. The zenith of New Who? The point where the show was genuine watercooler conversation? The funniest bitch fight in the series? Dynamism, action, emotion, spectacle, heartbreak. Russell T. Davies grips the nation. 

Joe & Toby; nostalgic for the golden age of the show. Massive love for Russell T. Davies from two podcasts that adore this era, it’s fantastic characters, it’s ability to make us feel, to shock us and to delight us. The end is nigh for Ten/Rose, Torchwood is unveiled and two greats finally meet.

Joe & Mark; filming a Doctor Who spin off. A small location, great characters, a script that understands what Doctor Who wants, tight direction, and a firm understanding of how to make drama on a budget. Plus, Janice! The one and only Verona Chard!

Joe & Jason; swapping TCE tips. What could possibly make the Master say ‘horrible!’ Disco running music, epic showdowns, entropy cutting through the universe and a prepared for departure. Sarah Sutton features in one of the best scenes ever.

Joe & Jason; forced by the powers that be to be civil! We discuss the legend that is Anthony Ainley and his many memorable performances. John Frazer gets some consideration too, and Jason regales is with stories from his autobiography.