Kasterborous Classic TV: Exploring Doctor Who & Classic Sci-Fi

Kasterborous
  • 4.5 (20)
  • After Shows
  • Twice monthly

Regular podcast featuring unique and in-depth discussions covering Doctor Who and other classic TV and movies, usually in the sci-fi and sci-fantasy fields.  Launched in 2007, we've lost count of how many episodes we've actually done. Special episodes include interviews with creatives, writers, actors, and notable commentators in the cult TV field. Your regular hosts are Christian Cawley and James McLean.

  1. Is Doctor Who actually cancelled?

    1 day ago

    Is Doctor Who actually cancelled?

    You cannot have helped but notice that rumours are swirling about the future of Doctor Who, with tabloid reports suggesting that next year’s series and the 2026 Christmas special are facing cancellation. We dig into the reality behind these headlines, the struggle to find the next Time Lord, and why the current climate of “content saturation” is creating such an atmosphere of uncertainty. Quick TL;DR -- we don’t buy the “no one wants to play the Doctor” schtick, and nor should you.This chat does interrupt previously-scheduled chat about Mind Warp. We will be picking this up soon, but wanted to catch up on the latest news. Episode HighlightsHere’s what we actually cover this week: The comfort of the classics: Why we’re finding more affection for classic Doctor Who than the modern era. Is it nostalgia, or does the scarcity of the old episodes simply make them more precious? Panini stickers and the 1980s: A trip down memory lane. We discuss the joys of completing sticker albums—from Return of the Jedi to Transformers—and how they served as a vital, physical conduit to films in an era before on-demand viewing. Cutaway Comics and the Paradise Towers revival: We look at the new Unlive the Multiverse graphic novel and the exciting open artist competition for Scary Cat. Could this be the perfect time for a resurgence in spin-off material? Ncuti Gatwa on SNL UK: Thoughts on the recent Saturday Night Live monologue and why the current discourse surrounding Doctor Who feels like it’s being played for laughs. The cancellation rumours: Addressing the recent reports in The Sun and Radio Times. We break down why the “unnamed insider” narrative is often misleading and discuss the broader implications of the BBC’s current “uncertainty” era. Links and resources Cutaway Comics: Explore their library and find out more about their current projects and artist opportunities. The Doctor Who Companion: Our favourite Doctor Who online magazine. Join the Kasterborous Archive: Our Patreon is a collection of lost, forgotten, overlooked, and unheard interviews, features, and curios from 20+ years of writing and talking about Doctor Who Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you. If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop. Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support. Thanks!

    1hr 2min
  2. Forget the forgettable: Revisiting The Mysterious Planet finale

    3 days ago

    Forget the forgettable: Revisiting The Mysterious Planet finale

    Christian Cawley and James McLean reach the final episode of The Mysterious Planet — and by this point, the commentary itself may be more entertaining than the serial under discussion.  As the pair pick apart collapsing pacing, endless corridors, meaningless courtroom interruptions, and the baffling lack of anything recognisably “Earth-like” about Ravalox, the conversation expands into a broader discussion about Doctor Who itself: companion writing, Colin Baker’s wasted strengths, the failures of Trial of a Time Lord as a format, and whether the season could have worked better as a genuine deconstruction of the Doctor.  There’s nostalgia for VHS culture, comparisons with The Daleks’ Master Plan, frustration over Peri’s lack of agency, and a surprisingly thoughtful debate about why some companions endure while others become little more than plot devices.  By the end, the hosts are already bracing themselves for Mind Warp — and wondering if the real trial was the episodes they watched along the way. Join the Kasterborous Archive and influence topics for future shows. Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.  If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop. Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support. Thanks! What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments.

    28 min
  3. Trial by waffle: Revisiting The Mysterious Planet

    5 days ago

    Trial by waffle: Revisiting The Mysterious Planet

    Christian Cawley and James McLean continue their Trial of a Time Lord marathon with Episode 3 of The Mysterious Planet — and the cracks are beginning to show. What starts as a nostalgic conversation about VHS tins, HMV trips, and the ritual of physical media quickly becomes a forensic dissection of pacing problems, intrusive courtroom scenes, and a strangely muted “it was Earth all along” reveal. Along the way, the pair discuss Robert Holmes’ recycled story ideas, the abandoned "Yellow Fever and How to Cure It," unreliable narration in Trial of a Time Lord, and why the serial feels oddly disconnected from Earth despite its central twist. There’s also sympathy for Colin Baker being awkwardly hoisted by a wobbling robot, comparisons to the Kandyman, and the growing suspicion that the courtroom framework may actually undermine the storytelling it was supposed to enhance. Join the Kasterborous Archive and influence topics for future shows. Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.  If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop. Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support. Thanks! What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments.

    25 min
  4. Doctor Who, streaming fatigue, and the future of TV

    23 May

    Doctor Who, streaming fatigue, and the future of TV

    Christian Cawley and James McLean return to discuss the increasingly uncertain future of television — starting with reports that AMC will become the US streaming home for classic-era Doctor Who. Does the AMC deal mean Doctor Who is heading back toward an American co-production model? Or is this simply another distribution agreement being overanalysed by a fandom starved for news? (We think it might be that one ^^...) The conversation expands into a much broader discussion about the current state of television and streaming: collapsing audience attention spans, the “age of suffocation” caused by overwhelming amounts of content, and whether long-form prestige TV can even survive in a world dominated by YouTube, TikTok, gaming, and algorithm-driven viewing habits. Along the way, Christian and James discuss: AMC acquiring US streaming rights to classic-era Doctor Who Whether Doctor Who could ever become an American production Why streaming has created an “age of suffocation” for TV audiences The Mandalorian movie and the collapse of “event television” Gaming, YouTube, and the battle for audience attention William Shatner, AI-generated artwork, and authenticity online Remembering Blake’s 7 actor Michael Keating We also head back into the world of AI, and explore whether AI tools are quietly eroding creative industries, why audiences instinctively reject AI-generated work, and how websites and streaming platforms are increasingly losing their individual identities. Join the Kasterborous Archive and influence topics for future shows.

    58 min
  5. Pilot pressure: Why the 1996 Doctor Who TV Movie tried to do too much at once

    15 May

    Pilot pressure: Why the 1996 Doctor Who TV Movie tried to do too much at once

    In this episode, Christian Cawley, James McLean, and Brian Terranova reunite to look back at the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie. It was a night of high stakes, big budgets, and a transition that would define the "wilderness years" for a generation of fans. This week: * Brian Terranova Explains the PAL Problem: We welcome back the podcast’s original co-host to discuss his experience watching the movie’s US premiere on Fox and the "commercial break" mishaps that haunted his VHS recordings for years. Brian reveals why UK audiences have never actually heard Paul McGann’s real voice or the correct musical pitch due to the NTSC-to-PAL conversion speed-up. * The Jules Verne TARDIS: A deep dive into the 1996 console room. Is it too Victorian, or is it the first time the show actually looked like it had money behind it? * A Poetic End for Seven: We debate Sylvester McCoy’s regeneration. Was it a "un-heroic" mistake, or the perfect end for a master manipulator who finally missed one small detail?* The Pilot Problem: Why cramming 30 years of lore—Time Lords, Daleks, and Master-snakes—into 90 minutes might have alienated the very American audience Fox was trying to court. * Ahead of Its Time: How the movie’s reverence for props like the sonic screwdriver and jelly babies predated the modern era of "prestige" reboots. On the Kasterborous Archive, we have new chats with various people involved with the Doctor Who TV Movie, including Daphne Ashbrook and Sylvester McCoy.

    1hr 26min
  6. The Trial of a Time Lord fatigue sets in and it's only episode 2

    11 May

    The Trial of a Time Lord fatigue sets in and it's only episode 2

    We dive headlong into the second installment of The Mysterious Planet this week, only to find a struggle with the overarching structure of The Trial of a Time Lord. From the pitfalls of 1980s "stunt casting" to the surprisingly accurate technological predictions of the mid-80s, we explore why this era of Doctor Who often feels like a struggle between a standalone story and a courtroom drama. Our key talking points The "Bland" Factor: Why The Mysterious Planet lacks a certain "humanity" compared to other "mid-tier" stories like Black Orchid or Paradise Towers. Stunt Casting vs. Character: We look at the appearances of Joan Sims and Brian Blessed, and whether their larger-than-life personas pull the audience out of the story. A Win for the Prop Department: We marvel at a service robot that looks suspiciously like a modern-day automated vacuum cleaner—is this 1980s Doctor Who's most accurate prediction of future tech? Scale and Sci-Fi Talk: Why "wanted in the six galaxies" feels like a hollow threat compared to the more grounded stakes of Star Wars or earlier eras of the show. Peri’s Perspective: A rare moment where Peri isn't being objectified or "claimed" as a future wife (at least until Mindwarp). But here's the thing: at the midway point of this 4-parter season opener, it oddly feels more taxing than any commentary we've done before -- especially comparing this with how the show's format and pace was completely different a couple of years later. We're presenting our commentaries to you on Patreon in a complete story-by-story package, in both video and audio. To remind you, Season 23 comprised the following individual stories: The Mysterious Planet by Robert Holmes Mindwarp by Philip Martin Terror of the Vervoids by Pip and Jane Baker The Ultimate Foe by Robert Holmes (with Pip and Jane Baker) Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.  If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop. Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support. Thanks! What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments.

    25 min
  7. The Mysterious Planet: IKEA courtrooms and the best model shot in classic Doctor Who

    4 May

    The Mysterious Planet: IKEA courtrooms and the best model shot in classic Doctor Who

    Christian Cawley and James McLean settle in for a long-overdue rewatch of The Trial of a Time Lord, the Sixth Doctor’s epic 14-part swan song. Things kick off in signature style with a false start on the wrong episode, followed by a deep dive into the high-budget model work and low-budget "starched doily" fashion of 1986... This is the first part of our commentary/talking over The Mysterious Planet, with each subsequent installment coming to your podcast app over the next few weeks. However, if you want the whole thing in one go, you'll find it on our Patreon, details below. We'd love it if you watched along with us, via DVD, Blu-ray, or even BBC iPlayer. Just be sure not to hit "continue watching" or whatever if you've already enjoyed some classic Doctor Who lately... ShownotesWe're presenting our commentaries to you on Patreon in a complete story-by-story package, in both video and audio. To remind you, Season 23 comprised the following individual stories: The Mysterious Planet by Robert Holmes Mindwarp by Philip Martin Terror of the Vervoids by Pip and Jane Baker The Ultimate Foe by Robert Holmes (with Pip and Jane Baker) Your Patreon option This week, you get just the first part of the conversation, BUT Patreon listeners got the whole thing AND earlier than you, by a full 3 days. To join them, visit the Kasterborous Patreon today and sign up to support us with a free trial. Patreon supports will be getting our thoughts on Mind Warp and Terror of the Vervoids and the rest of the Doctor's trial much sooner than everyone else, too. Every week, supporters get the podcast first, with extra material (this one had video), ad-free, and other video content, and we give you access to the Kasterborous Archive (this week: Karen Gillan!) Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.  If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop. Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support. Thanks! What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments, look out for our conversation about part two next week.

    30 min
  8. The Doctor on trial: Was season 23 a meta-commentary too far?

    27 Apr

    The Doctor on trial: Was season 23 a meta-commentary too far?

    This week, Christian Cawley and James McLean prepare for the journey they’ve avoided for over 500 episodes: the 14-part epic, The Trial of a Time Lord.  As the longest single serial since The Daleks' Master Plan, it was intended to save the show, but instead, it became a fascinating, frustrating mirror of Doctor Who’s real-world struggle for survival in 1986. No shownotes as such this week, but look out for discussion of: The binge-culture disconnect: We discuss the "memory of disappointment" surrounding the 14-week structure. Does a story this long work better in the era of streaming, or was the "trial" format fundamentally flawed from the start? The unlikable hero: James revisits his "pre-teen" struggle with Colin Baker’s Doctor. We look at the "clownish" costume, the bullish personality, and whether a simple wardrobe change could have saved his legacy (probably, yes). Interruptions in the matrix: Why the constant cutaways to the courtroom dampen the stakes of stories like Mindwarp and The Mysterious Planet. The "lost" season 23: Christian breaks down the original plans for the season—including The Nightmare Fair and Yellow Fever and How to Cure It—and how a behind-the-scenes "trial" at the BBC led to the version we eventually got. The Valeyard revelation: We talk about the "adult vagueness" of the show's dark mirror-Doctor and why the revelation of his true identity didn't quite land for a younger audience in the 80s. Missed opportunities: From the lack of past companions in a courtroom evidence-giving scenario (where was Jamie or Ian Chesterton?) to the "meta-danger" of putting the show on trial while it was actually under threat from BBC management. We're hitting play on The Trial of a Time Lord from next week, and we'll be presenting our commentaries to you on Patreon in a complete story-by-story package, in both video and audio. To remind you, Season 23 comprised the following individual stories: The Mysterious Planet by Robert Holmes Mindwarp by Philip Martin Terror of the Vervoids by Pip and Jane Baker The Ultimate Foe by Robert Holmes (with Pip and Jane Baker) The Patreon option This week, it's a full show for everyone, BUT Patreon listeners got it earlier than you, by a full 3 days. To join them, visit the Kasterborous Patreon today and sign up to support us with a free trial. Every week, supporters get the podcast first, with extra material (this one had video), ad-free, and other video content, and we give you access to the Kasterborous Archive. Help us climb the charts! We are on a mission to raise our profile on Apple Podcasts, and we can’t do it without you.  If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review.It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in helping new listeners find us. While you’re there, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a drop. Not on Apple Podcasts? No problem. You can still help us grow. Leave a review on your platform of choice and send us the link via X/Twitter, Facebook, or directly to editor@kasterborous.co.uk. We’ll make sure to give you a shout-out in a future episode as a thank you for your support. Thanks! What do you think of the Sixth Doctor's final stand? Let us know in the comments, and look out for our deep dive into The Mysterious Planet next week!

    36 min
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4.5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Regular podcast featuring unique and in-depth discussions covering Doctor Who and other classic TV and movies, usually in the sci-fi and sci-fantasy fields.  Launched in 2007, we've lost count of how many episodes we've actually done. Special episodes include interviews with creatives, writers, actors, and notable commentators in the cult TV field. Your regular hosts are Christian Cawley and James McLean.

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