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

Kasterborous
Kasterborous
  • 4.5 (21)
  • After Shows
  • Updated weekly

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, James McLean, and Brian Terranova.

  1. 4 days ago

    When does Doctor Who fan fiction become canon?

    What actually counts as Doctor Who canon—and who gets to decide?  Christian Cawley, James McLean and Brian Terranova head down the rabbit hole of Doctor Who fan productions, unofficial spin-offs and alternative continuities, beginning with Brian's experiences developing his own Orville fan production.  That leads us to Doctor Who projects such as Downtime, and The Stranger, where familiar actors and characters could appear in productions that existed somewhere between fan fiction and the television programme they were inspired by.  An additional "aftershow" section for subscribers: https://www.patreon.com/cw/kasterborous/membershipBut things become even more complicated once officially licensed Doctor Who enters the equation. Does Big Finish "count?" What happens when established continuity contradicts something that was previously accepted? And is our obsession with arranging television, audio, comics and other media into a hierarchy of "canon" itself part of the problem?  We also discuss different approaches to shared fictional universes, why people create fan films and fiction in the first place, and how working within an established universe can help develop creative skills.  Finally, there's the curious case of Richard E. Grant: announced as the official Ninth Doctor for Scream of the Shalka—only for the return of Doctor Who to television to rewrite his place in the programme's history. So perhaps the real question isn't simply what counts as Doctor Who canon, but whether canon matters as much as we think it does.  ShownotesDowntime on Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/4xoikps

    When does Doctor Who fan fiction become canon?

  2. 3 Aug

    From Tracy Island to Wonky Donkey: remembering '90s children's TV

    What can Tracy Island, Wonky Donkey and a TARDIS tell us about growing up with television in the 1990s?  Well, Christian Cawley is about to find out.  He chats with author Thom Gray about 100 Objects of '90s Children's TV, his celebration of a decade of CBBC, CITV, Saturday morning shows and programmes that have since slipped from memory, which is out now from Candy Bar Books. Thom explains how the book came together, the challenges of researching children's television from the period, and his conversations with around 35 people who helped make it, including Pat Sharp, Anne Wood and Tony Robinson.  We also delve into some of the 100 objects themselves, including Anthea Turner's famous Blue Peter Tracy Island, Wonky Donkey from SM:TV Live, the MicroSoap Rubik's Cube, and the TARDIS. Doctor Who might have been absent from television for most of the 1990s, but it wasn't entirely absent from children's TV. Thom explains how the TARDIS continued appearing elsewhere during the Wilderness Years, prompting a wider discussion about Doctor Who's curious place in the decade.  Plus: forgotten programmes, VHS tapes, YouTube archaeology, and why '90s children's television is ripe for rediscovery.  Links 100 Objects of '90s Children's TV on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fMhmwi

    From Tracy Island to Wonky Donkey: remembering '90s children's TV

  3. 27 Jul

    What Doctor Who should learn from Marvel and DC

    This week’s podcast explores what the future might hold for Doctor Who—and whether the problems facing the BBC’s flagship series are really part of a much bigger shift across television and film. Hosted by Christian Cawley and James McLean, the show discusses Sylvester McCoy’s surprise appearance in the Commonwealth Games trailer, what it tells us about the BBC’s continuing commitment to Doctor Who, and the implications of the programme’s move to open tender. From there, the conversation broadens into Marvel fatigue, Netflix’s audience drop-offs, Spider-Noir, Chris Chibnall’s attempts to reinvent Doctor Who, and whether modern audiences still want long-running serialised storytelling—or something completely different. Talking points: Sylvester McCoy and the Commonwealth Games trailer BBC Studios and Doctor Who’s future What happens after Bad Wolf? Why Marvel’s current strategy may no longer work Spider-Noir and character-first storytelling Reassessing Chris Chibnall’s era What Netflix’s viewing figures tell us Why Doctor Who may need a completely different release strategy Let us know what you think, and if you have any thoughts on how Doctor Who should end, get in touch!Meanwhile, Patreon supporters can enjoy some exclusive “after show” chat…

    What Doctor Who should learn from Marvel and DC

  4. 20 Jul

    Doctor Who Series 2 isn't what you remember

    This week, Christian Cawley, James McLean, and a returning Brian Terranova revisit Doctor Who Series Two (2006)! Twenty years after Doctor Who Series Two first aired, we look back at the stories that established David Tennant as the Doctor and cemented the modern series as a television phenomenon. From New Earth and Tooth and Claw to School Reunion, The Girl in the Fireplace and the return of the Cybermen, we revisit our original reactions, discuss how our opinions have changed over the years, and ask whether this celebrated run of episodes deserves its reputation. The conversation also broadens into a look at modern Doctor Who as a whole, from the Chibnall era to Russell T Davies' recent return, considering which stories have stood the test of time and how fandom's views continue to evolve. In this episode Looking back at Doctor Who Series Two (2006) First impressions versus twenty years of hindsight New Earth and the strengths (and weaknesses) of the opening story Tooth and Claw and the evolving Doctor/Rose relationship Why School Reunion remains one of the defining stories of the era Revisiting The Girl in the Fireplace The Cybermen's return in Rise of the Cybermen and The Age of Steel Which episodes have improved with age—and which haven't Flux, the Whittaker era and recent Doctor Who highlights Why every era of Doctor Who has both classics and disappointments What are your memories of Series Two? Has your opinion changed over the last twenty years, or does it still represent the high point of modern Doctor Who? Let us know in the comments, or get in touch: podkasterborous@gmail.com You can support the podcast via our Patreon, which features a full unedited discussion about this topic and others. You'll also find the Kasterborous archive, which resurfaces old interviews and other material from the old Kasterborous website.

    Doctor Who Series 2 isn't what you remember

  5. 13 Jul

    From Transformers to the TARDIS: Lee Sullivan on drawing Doctor Who

    Doctor Who artist Lee Sullivan joins Christian Cawley to look back on a career that has spanned Transformers, Marvel UK, Doctor Who Magazine, and some of the most memorable comic strips of the Seventh and Eighth Doctor eras.Beginning with his childhood love of comics and Gerry Anderson, Lee explains how an ambition to become a comic strip artist eventually led him from British Aerospace to Marvel UK, where he cut his teeth drawing Transformers before unexpectedly becoming one of Doctor Who's defining artists. The unedited interview is available on our Patreon. The conversation explores the creative process behind classic Doctor Who Magazine strips, the challenges of sequential storytelling, and the evolution of the comic throughout the Wilderness Years and beyond.  Along the way, Lee discusses:  How Transformers became his first professional comic strip work.  Breaking into Marvel UK and working with editors including Richard Starkings.  Becoming a Doctor Who artist during the programme's 25th anniversary.  The enduring popularity of the Seventh Doctor comic strips.  Bringing the Eighth Doctor to life in comic form.  Storytelling techniques, page layouts and visual pacing.  Working on graphic novels, illustrations and Doctor Who publications beyond the comic strip.  Why Doctor Who has remained such a constant throughout his career.   Whether you discovered Lee Sullivan's artwork through Doctor Who Magazine, Marvel UK's Transformers, or later Doctor Who books and illustrations, this interview offers a fascinating insight into one of the franchise's most recognisable artists. Learn more about Lee Sullivan and his work: https://leesullivanart.co.uk/

    From Transformers to the TARDIS: Lee Sullivan on drawing Doctor Who

  6. 6 Jul

    From cinemas to Steam: who really owns entertainment anymore?

    The conversation continues beyond Doctor Who this week as Christian Cawley and James McLean turn their attention to the changing world of film, gaming, and digital entertainment. Starting with the prospects for DC Studios’ Supergirl and the current state of superhero cinema, the discussion broadens into the future of the cinema experience, the decline of physical media, and what it really means to own the films and games we pay for. Along the way, they consider whether streaming has changed our relationship with entertainment forever, why Blu-rays and boxed games still have a place on the shelf, and whether services like Steam have fundamentally altered consumer expectations. Also discussed: Is superhero fatigue really to blame for declining cinema audiences? DC Studios, Marvel Studios and the challenge of rebuilding franchises. Why some films still deserve to be seen on the big screen. The continuing appeal of Blu-ray and other physical media. Sony’s changing approach to physical PlayStation releases. Steam, digital ownership and the risks of an all-digital future. Evercade and the resurgence of physical retro gaming. Windows 11, ageing hardware and planned obsolescence. The full uncut edition of this week’s podcast discussions can be found on our Patreon, along with the Kasterborous Archive.

  7. 6 Jul

    Remembering Justin Richards and Doctor Who's literary legacy

    The Doctor Who world lost one of its most important creative voices with the passing of Justin Richards. This week, Christian Cawley and James McLean celebrate his remarkable contribution to the Whoniverse and discuss why his work mattered to generations of fans. From the Virgin New Adventures to BBC Books, Big Finish audio dramas, comics, and countless reference works, Justin Richards helped define Doctor Who during the years it was off television—and continued shaping the franchise long after its return. Christian and James both experienced the books when they were released, back when there was no Doctor Who on TV. Pre-Big Finish, these titles were the only tangible Doctor Who stories beyond the comic strip and the short-lived TV Movie, and were vital to positioning Doctor Who as a serious brand.  Along the way, the conversation explores favourite novels, the evolution of Doctor Who publishing, and the enduring importance of books in keeping the series alive between 1989 and 2005.  Also in this episode:  Updates from the growing Kasterborous Archive on Patreon. A preview of an upcoming interview with Doctor Who artist Lee Sullivan. Our favourite Justin Richards novels and recommendations for new readers. The transition from Virgin Books to the BBC Books range. Justin Richards’ editorial influence on Doctor Who publishing. Why the Wilderness Years remain one of Doctor Who’s most creative periods. Whether you discovered Justin Richards through his novels, his audio dramas, or his work behind the scenes, this episode celebrates a writer whose influence on Doctor Who is difficult to overstate. The full uncut edition of this week’s podcast discussions can be found on our Patreon, along with the Kasterborous Archive. Kasterborous Archive on PatreonLook out for our main chat, landing later.

    Remembering Justin Richards and Doctor Who's literary legacy

  8. 29 Jun

    The “ersatz” Doctor: Why fandoms are obsessed with deleting the past

    Christian Cawley and James McLean address some recent show reviews and consider a growing trend in major fandoms: the desire to rewind the clock, and remove episodes, or movies, that don’t align. Following a surprising Apple Podcasts review that labelled certain eras of Doctor Who as “ersatz,” they dive into the psychology of canon, the reality of “brand positivity,” and why big studios might actually consider wiping the slate clean. This episode first aired on our Patreon. Support the Kasterborous Archive on Patreon, and unlock interviews and "lost" items from our old website. Our topics this week The “professional” fans: Christian reads out a selection of listener reviews, including a three-star critique that calls out the “modern abomination” of Doctor Who. Defining “ersatz” Who: Where do you draw the line? Is everything off-screen fake? We discuss the subjective nature of what “counts” as real Doctor Who. The Star Wars sequel trilogy erasure rumours: Addressing the recurring social media storm that Disney is planning to “delete” the Star Wars sequels. Is it a legitimate business move or just fan wish-fulfilment? Canon as an audience construct: James argues that while fans obsess over timelines, producers only care about IP utility. Does “canon” even exist to the people making the movies? There’s also time to consider how shows like Scrubs and Roseanne used “light-touch revisionism” to ignore unpopular final seasons and return to familiar status quos, and the 1990s Timothy Zahn-penned Star Wars novels. Let us know what your thoughts are on this matter -- is it useful to remove or ignore multimillion dollar movies from a timeline? Can the same be done to Doctor Who -- or is it simply not necessary? Email us: podkasterborous@gmail.com

    The “ersatz” Doctor: Why fandoms are obsessed with deleting the past
See All (500)

4.5
out of 5
21 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, James McLean, and Brian Terranova.

Information

More From Kasterborous

You Might Also Like