The Channel Hopper Podcast

🎙️ Channel Hopper Podcast – New Episode Host John Mabey , TV and film historian, is joined by British actor of stage and screen James Warwick for a conversation that truly could have gone on for hours. James reflects on an extraordinary career spanning Doctor Who , Howard’s Way , Bergerac , and appearances within the Star Wars and Marvel universes, but this episode goes far beyond the credits. Tog...

In a brand new episode of Channel Hopper , host and TV & film historian John Mabey sits down with cult British legend and screen icon Madeline Smith , who is also joined by her dear friend, fellow TV and film historian and writer Simon J Ballard . With a career spanning more than 50 years, Madeline looks back on her remarkable journey through British film and television. From her role in the J...

Step into the artwork behind the shows you love 🎨📺 In this new episode of Channel Hopper , host and TV & film historian John Mabey is joined by legendary artist Colin Howard , best known for his iconic Doctor Who VHS sleeve designs of the 1990s and the instantly recognisable Target Books covers of the 1980s. Colin curates a selection of his favourite TV themes, using them as a jumping-off po...

TV and film historian John Mabey is joined by legendary movie poster designer Graham Humphreys for a brand new episode of Channel Hopper . In this wide-ranging conversation, Graham talks about his early artistic influences, his iconic work on The Evil Dead and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises, and his more recent designs for episode posters for the BBC dark comedy Inside No. 9 . Along the way,...

In this episode, John is joined by acclaimed actress Sarah Berger , known for her memorable roles across British film and television, including Minder , Casualty , and Doctor Who , where she portrayed the Cryon Rost in the 1985 story Attack of the Cybermen . Sarah also reflects on her work in the atmospheric and controversial 1990 ghost drama The Green Man alongside Albert Finney. Sarah shares som...

This week on The Channel Hopper Podcast , TV and film historian John Mabey sits down with actor and comedian Robin Sebastian , widely celebrated for his pitch-perfect portrayals of the legendary Kenneth Williams . Expect an hour of deep-dive conversation, candid insights, and a lot of laughter. Robin shares what it’s like to inhabit the voice and spirit of one of Britain’s last great comedy icons,...

Host and TV historian John Mabey sits down with acting legend Gordon Warnecke for an intimate and heartfelt conversation that spans an extraordinary career. Warnecke reflects on his ground breaking breakthrough as Omar in Stephen Frears’ My Beautiful Laundrette , acting opposite a young Daniel Day-Lewis in a film that helped redefine British cinema. From there, John and Gordon dive into his memora...

Channel Hopper is your weekly journey through the unexpected corners of television and film, hosted by TV & film historian John Mabey . Each episode, John invites listeners to rediscover the classics, revisit the cult favourites, and uncover the lost gems that shaped our screen culture. In this episode, John is joined by cultural historian, and renowned Doctor Who and cult TV/film fan Matthew...

This week on Channel Hopper , host and TV/film historian John Mabey sits down with legendary set designer Richard Drew , the creative mind behind some of Britain’s most beloved television moments. From the vibrant chaos of Top of the Pops , to the darkly comic world of One Foot in the Grave , to the painfully relatable halls of The Inbetweeners , and the poignant storytelling of Ricky Gervais’ Aft...

Christmas Special: “Flying Again – The Wild Geese in 4K” It’s a festive treat on The Channel Hopper Podcast as TV and film historian John Mabey welcomes movie critic, writer, and journalist Tony Earnshaw for a warm, nostalgic Christmas conversation filled with cinema love and behind-the-scenes stories. In this holiday episode, Tony dives into his lifelong passion for film and television, sharing w...

In this episode of Channel Hopper , host and TV/film historian John Mabey sits down with acclaimed writer Doug Naylor for a lively conversation spanning his remarkable comedy career and his latest creative leap. Doug reflects on his past successes, including the cult sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf and the ground-breaking satirical series Spitting Image , sharing behind-the-scenes stories, early inspirati...

In this episode of The Channel Hopper Podcast , host and TV/film historian John Mabey sits down with the brilliantly versatile Michael Fenton-Stevens , whose career has spanned radio classics, acclaimed comedy, drama, and beloved voice work. From his iconic days with Radio Active and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy to his countless roles across British television and audio, Michael shares sto...

In this episode of The Channel Hopper Podcast , host and TV/film historian John Mabey sits down with acclaimed voiceover artist and actor Jonathan Kydd , son of beloved character actor Sam Kydd . Together, they explore Jonathan’s multifaceted career, from his extensive voice work and acting roles to his unique experiences growing up with one of British cinema’s most recognisable faces. Expect warm...