The Doctor's Beard Podcast

Lucky Shot Productions
  • 4.9 (7)
  • TV REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A Whovian (John S. Drew) and a Newvian (writer/editor Jim Beard) walk into a TARDIS and retrace the journey of the Doctor and his companions from the very beginning.

  1. 1D AGO

    Disco Who - A 70s Retrospective

    Episode Title: "Disco Who" - A 70s Retrospective SPECIAL HIATUS EPISODE - PATREON BONUS NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL! This episode was originally produced for Patreon sponsors in July 2025 and is now being shared with main feed listeners to showcase the bonus content available through Patreon membership ($3/month gets early access, exclusive episodes, and more!). THE DECADE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING: From Jon Pertwee's January 3, 1970 debut to Tom Baker's dominance through 1979, John and Jim reflect on ten years of color, UNIT, Masters, companions, and the evolution of the Doctor. THE BIG QUESTION: WAS PERTWEE'S TIME PROPER DOCTOR WHO? John's Challenge: "When you consider what we had in the 60s, what is proper Doctor Who?" The Batman Comparison: Like Batman needing parents killed, what are the essential Doctor Who elements? The Core Elements They Identify: Rebel/Iconoclast: Always up against authority Itinerant: No fixed location (even when exiled, Pertwee chafed at it) Time and Space: Non-negotiable Companion: Someone to talk to, bounce ideas off Scientific Curiosity: Every Doctor has this Eccentric/Off-Kilter: From Hartnell to modern Doctors British: "Has to be British. I know that sounds weird - he's an alien - but yeah, has to be British." PERTWEE AS THE SUPERHERO DOCTOR: Breaking From Troughton: Far more action-oriented. Troughton actively distanced himself from violence. Pertwee waded right in - Venusian Aikido and all! The James Bond Comparison: Show runners wanted "James Bond," but Jim saw more superhero than spy. Ushering In The 70s: "Nobody could have ushered in the 70s but Jon Pertwee. Troughton just could not have done it. Hartnell, absolutely not... New decade, new everything." Adam Adamant Connection: John's been watching Verity Lambert's follow-up series with Sydney Newman - Victorian man in suspended animation recovers in 1960s. "Pertwee's Doctor was Adam Adamant - man out of time, fish out of water." THE UNIT ERA - ADDITION OR SUBTRACTION? Jim's Take: "It added to it. It's a whole new layer that very much appeals to me. A paramilitary organization led by dynamic characters you want to root for." The Brigadier Factor: "You look forward to every interaction he'd have with the Doctor because you knew it was going to come close to a throat. His frustration with the Doctor and the Doctor with him." Continuity Innovation: First time Doctor Who had ongoing character plots! Mike Yates' betrayal and redemption across seasons. Bessie > Romance: "We were more impressed with Bessie back then." TOM BAKER - THE YOUNG DOCTOR: The Big Change: First time the Doctor wasn't an older gentleman - "this young man. But still not handsome!" The Beatles Analogy: Hartnell = John Lennon (fits like a glove!) Pertwee = Paul McCartney (leader of the pack, the charming one, ladies' man) Troughton = George Harrison (the spiritual one) Tom Baker = Ringo (John: "Tom Baker and Ringo, pretty much cut from the same cloth") Product of His Time: Baker represents late 70s - the hair, floppy clothing, the scarf as his version of ladies' knitted shawls, the big coat. The 80s Problem: "More and more as we're getting into the 80s, he's not really working as an 80s Doctor... Peter Davison seems like the 80s Doctor that should be there." Following Trends: The show followed trends more than ever - Star Wars influence obvious, but also Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers. Saturday night scheduling against Buck Rogers killed ratings (lost half the audience). BAKER FATIGUE: The Unique Problem: "You never hear Hartnell, Troughton, or Pertwee fatigue, but you hear Baker fatigue." Jim's Confession: "I had a little Troughton fatigue." The Blame Game: "I blame the producers of Doctor Who. They should have moved Baker along sooner instead of leaving it to him. There was precedent - they fired Hartnell!" Jim's Prediction: "I can't imagine Davison, Baker, or McCoy topping Jon Pertwee." John's Counter: "Davison will topple Pertwee. Pertwee will stay number two for me. He's a formative Doctor." Jim's Concession: "I'm going to give Davison the benefit of the doubt that he may push Tom Baker down." THE BAKER RECKONING: Jim's Frustration: "All this time I've heard almost nothing but Tom Baker, Tom Baker, Tom Baker - as if there's nothing else, no one else in this show since 1963. It's really interesting now to have gotten almost to the end and seeing that, for me, he ain't all that." The Diagnosis: "He's not bad. It's just not my cup of tea. He's been more annoying to me than anything. That's just that kind of character I don't care for." Only Three Stories Left: Moving into the 80s in full! THE TOM BAKER CHALLENGE: Jim's Dare: "Come on, bring on the hate emails. I'm waiting for it. Bring it on. I know how special he is to a lot of people." NEXT TIME: Patreon Exclusive #126: Music, Big Finish's "Doctor Who and the Pirates," Memory TARDIS spin, catching up on email Main Feed: Warrior's Gate - The end of the E-Space Trilogy! Jim handles narration for the four-parter. "The beginning of the end... preparing for the moment." From the swinging 70s to the itchy 80s! This episode showcases the exclusive content Patreon sponsors receive! Join for just $3/month at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for early access, bonus episodes, and more! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #70sRetrospective #DiscoWho #1970s #JonPertwee #TomBaker #ThirdDoctor #FourthDoctor #UNIT #TheBrigadier #TheMaster #RogerDelgado #Leela #Romana #SarahJane #Jo #GenesisOfTheDaleks #TheThreeDoctors #DeadlyAssassin #Inferno #TheDaemons #BakerFatigue #SuperheroDoctor #ColorTV #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoHistory #DecadeReview #PatreonBonus #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #RetrospectiveEpisode #TimeAndSpace #ProperDoctorWho #BeatlesAnalogy #AdamAdamant #VerityLambert #JimShooterTribute #NewUniverse #SecretWars #ComicBooks #JackKirby #WordBalloon

    59 min
  2. You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    1D AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Serena Williams and Oprah on Deciding to Take GLP-1 Medications from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast For her most of her adult life, Oprah has struggled with her weight. She never dreamed in her lifetime, there would be medications that could help her as well as millions of others. On this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah is joined by Dr. Ania Jastreboff, leading endocrinologist and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine in front of a live audience in New York City. They discuss Dr. Ania’s new book, Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It's Like To Be Free which delivers a deeply transformational message: there is a path to healing from the blame and shame of obesity to lead the life you have always wanted. Dr. Jastreboff shares the science behind why obesity is a disease and not a question of willpower and why the new medications have been so effective for tens of millions of people. Oprah shares her decades-long public struggle with her weight and reveals how her experience with a GLP-1 medication has given her a freedom and energy she never thought possible. Plus, 23-time grand slam tennis champion Serena Williams joins the conversation and opens up about her own battle with weight calling it “the one opponent she couldn't defeat.” Serena also reveals why - after her initial skepticism - she decided to start a GLP-1 medication. Finally, we hear from guests in the audience about how the GLP-1 medications have changed their lives. One of those guests is Stedman Graham’s nephew Julius who shares with heartbreaking honesty how his weight held him back for decades. He says that after losing 64 pounds on a GLP-1 medication he is now “fully alive.” BUY THE BOOK! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Enough/Ania-M-Jastreboff/9781668217283 00:00:00 - Welcome Dr. Ania Jastreboff, author of “Enough” 00:01:30 - 74% of americans are overweight 00:04:30 - Obesity is a disease 00:07:30 - We live in an obesogenic environment 00:09:10 - Genetic link to obesity 00:10:50 - You can’t willpower away obesity 00:13:30 - Defining food noise 00:18:30 - Recalibrating your “enough point” 00:22:30 - Some people have food noise, others don’t 00:23:40 - Welcome Serena Williams 00:27:00 - Why Serena tried GLP-1s 00:29:30 - Everyone responds to GLP-1s differently 00:31:00 - How Serena feels on GLP-1s 00:40:00 - Why your body settles on an unhealthy “enough point” 00:42:00 - Welcome Julius, Stedman’s nephew 00:50:00 - How GLP-1s changed Julius 00:54:00 - Do you stay on GLP-1s forever? 01:02:00 - Can GLP-1s prevent obesity? 01:04:00 - Oprah wants GLP-1s available to all 01:05:40 - Dr. Ania wants people to understand obesity Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. JAN 8

    I am the Doctor, Whether You Like it or Not - "The Twin Dilemma"

    Episode Title: "I Am The Doctor, Whether You Like It Or Not" - The Twin Dilemma Review THE GREAT REVERSAL: After three seasons of John defending Peter Davison against Jim's criticisms, the tables turn completely. Jim embraces Colin Baker. JIM'S SHOCKING TAKE: "I don't usually line up with Doctor Who fans because I did not like Caves of Androzani and I liked this. I liked Baker. If it's not what the show needed at this moment in time, it's definitely what I needed. I needed a Doctor who was more awake and doing things... larger." THE TWIN DILEMMA (March 22-30, 1984) Writer: Anthony Steven (first and only Doctor Who story - oldest writer at 67!) Director: Peter Moffatt (returning) The Legend: Doctor Who Magazine 2009 poll - Caves of Androzani came in #1. The Twin Dilemma came in #200... DEAD LAST. The Rift Begins: Saward wasn't happy with Baker's casting (thought he was miscast), didn't like JNT's stunt casting focus, and objected to JNT comparing Doctor Who to comedy show "Morecambe and Wise." THE DAVISON SLAM: The Shocking Lines: "I never really liked him anyway" "He had a sort of feckless charm" Definition of feckless: "Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible" The Culprits: Either JNT (getting back at Davison for leaving?), Saward (who did the heavy rewrite), or Steven - but those lines don't get through without approval. Jim's Theory: "I can't see JNT being happy with Davison leaving after three years. This could be him being petty." STORY BREAKDOWN: Mathematical geniuses Romulus and Remus are abducted by mysterious Edgeworth and taken to Mestor on asteroid Titan Three. The newly regenerated, unstable Doctor picks a new outfit, declares himself "unregenerate," and plans to become a hermit with Peri. The twins' father alerts authorities. Police commander scrambles fighters to investigate the freighter - only survivor is pilot Hugo Lang who accuses the Doctor of the attack. The twins are forced to do calculations for Edgeworth (revealed as Azmael, a Time Lord and the Doctor's old teacher). Mestor plans to move two planets into Jaconda's orbit as "larders" to replenish the wasting planet. The Doctor realizes the calculations are off - the worlds will crash into the sun, destroying everything but scattering Mestor's gastropod eggs throughout the universe. Mestor demonstrates mind-possession on Azmael, threatening to take the Doctor's body. The Doctor destroys Mestor's slug body. Azmael dies exorcising Mestor's mind. Jacondans are freed. Lang stays to help with mop-up. The Doctor returns the twins to Earth. CHARACTER ANALYSIS: The Sixth Doctor - Every Previous Doctor Combined: Hartnell's there (not the lead initially, Peri has more agency) Troughton: "We must find this evil and destroy it!" Pertwee: Says "Eureka!" Tom Baker: The ego is BACK and turned up to 11 Davison: The violence continues, referenced regeneration fears New Affectation: Repeating words three times when incredulous or angry ("Sweet, sweet, sweet") Hugo Lang - The Space Dirty Harry: Jim's Justice League addition! "You might reach that gun before I can kill you" - classic action hero dialogue. Stays on Jaconda at the end despite having "no one to go back to." Kevin McNally plays Hugo (later Pirates of the Caribbean's Gibbs!) Azmael: Time Lord, the Doctor's favorite teacher (sorry, Borusa!). Controls Jaconda, calls them "my people" (why does a Time Lord want to rule a planet?). The Death Scene: John loved it - touched and warm between Azmael and the Doctor. "The finest teacher I ever had." Mestor: Giant slug with mind-control powers and embolism ray ("little bubbles, not good"). Finds Peri "pleasing" so doesn't kill her immediately (second ugly being attracted to Peri after Sharaz Jek). PRODUCTION DETAILS: New Title Sequence: Sparkly! Logo curved! Colin's face transitions from serious to smiling! The TARDIS: Has a chair! The Doctor calls the outside "hideous" - setup for attempting to fix chameleon circuit next story Trans-Mat Love: Jim adores that this technology persists throughout Who history. The Doctor turns it into a time travel device ("just a few little adjustments") Old Who Connections Everywhere: Braveheart Tegan reference Azmael knew Fourth Doctor Wine at the fountain (Big Finish goldmine!) Space police headquarters "straight out of Troughton's time" The Video Games: The twins face each other with what look like handheld gaming consoles - repurposed 1970s electronic games! John searched everywhere to identify them. Actor Notes: Maurice Denham returns in Pertwee BBC audio "The Paradise of Death" and appeared with Roger Delgado in "The Slide" Edwin Richfield (Mestor) was Captain Hart in "The Sea Devils" The twins' real father played a gunrunner in "Caves of Androzani"! THE ENDING - "WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT": The Lines: "Wait a bit before criticizing my new persona" "I am the Doctor, whether you like it or not" The Delivery: Spoken directly to camera, directly to the audience. Then both smile - a wink? Softening the harshness? Jim's Question: "Why put that in there? You don't just have something like that unless you already felt you were getting pushback." The Speculation: Was it in original script or added during filming? Did it start as Doctor-to-Peri dialogue that got strengthened and shifted to Doctor-to-audience? The Challenge: "People will be like 'All right, let me give it another try.' This has been the thing about doing review shows - stuff I thought was garbage as a kid is really good now, and vice versa. The Meta Moment: Lots of meta at beginning and end - the story knows it's a transition. NEXT TIME: Patreon Exclusive #152 - Music, Colin Baker's comic debut, Season 21 Retrospective (the good, bad, and ugly), spoiler card revealing something about Season 22, Memory TARDIS spin, and a longer-than-usual episode! Then: Peter Davison Retrospective (Patreon) and 1970s Doctor Who retrospective (main feed hiatus episode)! Colin Baker fans - write in! "We need to hear from more people who like Colin Baker's Doctor. Drop us a line or leave a voicemail!" Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #TheTwinDilemma #SixthDoctor #ColinBaker #Regeneration #Peri #NicolaBryant #Season21Finale #NewDoctor #ExplosionInARainbowFactory #TechnicolorDreamcoat #WhetherYouLikeItOrNot #IAmTheDoctor #PeterDavison #Azmael #Mestor #Gastropods #HugoLang #Jaconda #AnthonyStevenGastropods #EricSaward #PeterMoffat #MoodCat #CatBadge #BipolarDoctor #ManicDepressive #ControversialDoctor #UnlikeableDoctor #CharacterArc #DavisonSlam #Feckless #ClassicWho #1984 #WorstDoctorWhoStory #Number200 #TablesTurned #JohnsRevenge #JimsStruggle #UnregeneratedDoctor #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #DefyingExpectations #RebelSpirit

    1h 52m

  4. JAN 1

    I Need My Pain - "The Caves of Androzani"

    Episode Title: "I Need My Pain" - The Caves of Androzani Review & The Fifth Doctor's Regeneration THE CAVES OF ANDROZANI (March 8-16, 1984) Writer: Robert Holmes (returning!) Director: Graeme Harper (debut - directing from studio floor, not control room) PRODUCTION NOTES: The Fake Title: JNT put "The Doctor's Wife" on the production board deliberately to catch office leaks (ironic foreshadowing of Matt Smith's episode!) Graeme Harper's Innovation: Highly innovative direction with unrestricted camera movement - energetic, personal style directing from the floor instead of control room. Peter Davison said if there had been more directors like Harper and writers like Holmes, he'd have stayed for a fourth season. The Strike: Recording interrupted, cutting two sequences including the Doctor explaining his blown glass bottle collection from different planets (why they're visiting Androzani Minor for sand) Nicola Bryant's Frostbite: Developed mild frostbite on first day filming because her lower legs were bare in actually cold conditions The Dream Casting That Never Was: Sharaz Jek was offered to Tim Curry, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger! Christopher Gable was Harper's first choice, Bowie his second. Only Bowie had a reason for declining (Serious Moonlight tour). STORY BREAKDOWN: The TARDIS lands on Androzani Minor where the Doctor and Peri investigate caves and step in raw Spectrox - the most valuable substance in the universe. They're caught between multiple factions fighting over Spectrox: business magnate Morgus, General Chellak's forces, gun-runner Stotz, and the mysterious masked Sharaz Jek controlling an android army. Both contract Spectrox toxemia - the only cure is bat's milk from the lower caves where a magma beast hunts. THE FACTIONS DEBATE: Jim struggles with the convoluted plot involving approximately four factions. John helps clarify: Morgus controls everything from Androzani Major, supplying guns to Jek through Stotz while also backing the military against Jek. Nobody to root for - they're all "nasty, nasty people." STANDOUT MOMENTS: Peri & The Doctor's Chemistry: Their banter is finally warm and funny! John notes Peri complains differently than Tegan - more innocent, not sharp-edged or world-weary. The Star Trek Connection: The military forces sport Star Trek colors (blue, red, gold) matching departments, and uniform design echoes later TNG/DS9 style! First "Droid" Usage: Doctor Who uses the term "droid" for the first time (George Lucas trademarked it, but the term originated with Mary Wolfe in 1952's "Robots of the World, Arise!") Direction Showing Off: The vid-screen conversations where Morgus walks behind the hologram and creative camera angles - "Someone's really showing off here, but in a good way" Morgus's Aside: John Normington misunderstood stage directions and spoke his inner thoughts directly to camera. Everyone loved it, so they kept it! Could've been the Deadpool of Doctor Who if used throughout. CHARACTER ANALYSIS: Sharaz Jek - A Cut Above: The most twisted, dark villain in Doctor Who history. Could give Davros a run for his money in maniacal madness. Shakespearean dialogue, obsessed with Peri's beauty in deeply cringy ways. The mask reveal? A letdown - "not worthy of the build-up at all." Morgus - Standard Bureaucrat Behaving Badly: Rat bastard who murders the President by pushing him down an empty lift shaft. His defeat is Jim's "moment of joy" - well-deserved! The Magma Beast: As awful as the Myrka from Warriors of the Deep, maybe worse. THE VIOLENCE: Brutal for Doctor Who - no comic book foundation anymore. The gun-runner scuffle was "nasty, nasty, nasty stuff." THE REGENERATION: Most Extensive Ever: The Doctor says "feels different this time" (David Tennant would echo this line in his bi-regeneration). All companion cameos newly filmed: Matthew Waterhouse (Adric) - the Doctor reacts most strongly Sarah Sutton (Nyssa) - had chicken pox! Janet Fielding (Tegan) - "Brave heart, Tegan" Mark Strickson (Turlough) Anthony Ainley (The Master) - "Die, Doctor!" The Psychology: John theorizes the hallucinations represent the Doctor's psyche - companions urging him to live vs. the Master (part of himself) wanting to die. Colin Baker's Entrance: Nervous during setup, but in command once cameras rolled. Dressed in Davison's outfit (as it should be!). Two takes - said "egotistical" in final cut, "egocentric" in first. End credits gave Colin Baker top billing immediately. JIM'S CONFLICTED FEELINGS: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE: Jim admits Colin Baker's brief scene gave him hope: "He's very different from Davison... the polar opposite. He immediately insults Peri and he's large and in charge. I can almost put up with a real jerk if there's just some real agency going on in the character." The Agency Theory: Jim yearns for the days of Enemy of the World when the Doctor had real agency, was right in the middle of everything. He identifies with Pertwee's sarcasm and hopes Baker will deliver. ROBERT HOLMES APPRECIATION: Both hosts wish Holmes had been brought in sooner to establish Davison's character. His dialogue elevates everything - Jek's "I have to live among androids because they do not see like we see." FINAL THOUGHTS: Jim: "I'm somewhat encouraged by that tiny little scene with Colin Baker. It gave me some hope... I can almost put up with a real jerk if there's just some real agency." John: "I think that's fair to say there will be agency." The marshmallow Doctor era ends. The loud, arrogant era begins. One more story to round out Season 21... NEXT TIME: The Twin Dilemma - Colin Baker's full premiere! Jim handles narration for the four-parter. What could possibly go wrong with starting a new Doctor's era? Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #CavesOfAndrozani #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Regeneration #ColinBaker #SixthDoctor #Peri #NicolaBryant #RobertHolmes #GrahamHarper #SharazJek #Morgus #Spectrox #AndrozaniMinor #ClassicWho #Season21 #BestDoctorWhoStory #Controversy #GreatestOfAllTime #CompanionCameos #Adric #Nyssa #Tegan #Turlough #TheMaster #MagmaBeast #Androids #1984 #Regenerations #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #INeedMyPain #TablesTurned #JohnsSadness #JimsVictory #MarshmallowDoctor #TheEndOfAnEra #Whovian #PodcastCommunity #FeelsDifferentThisTime

    1h 50m

  5. 12/25/2025

    From Carnage to Cleavage - "Planet of Fire"

    Episode Title: "From Carnage to Cleavage" - Planet of Fire Review PLANET OF FIRE (February-March 1984) Writer: Peter Grimwade (his final Doctor Who work) Director: Fiona Cumming (her last story, dating back to The Highlanders) Location: Lanzarote, Canary Islands - chosen after Cumming promoted it with holiday photos! THE SHOPPING LIST EPISODE: Peter Grimwade faces an enormous writing burden with his final Doctor Who script - a literal checklist: Introduce Perry, reintroduce Kamelion (and write him out), fill in Turlough's background, bring back the Master and kill him off, and oh yes, set it all in Lanzarote because we want a holiday! PERI: The accent is terrible, the acting is broad, the costumes are... strategic. But she's a complete 180 from Tegan, which makes her "a refreshing change" in Jim's words. Also: Why does Fiona Cumming, a female director, go along with the obvious cheesecake shots? THE QUESTION: Why was Turlough sent to Earth instead of being on the ship with the others? THE DEATH: The Doctor hesitates as the Master burns in the flames. Both hosts question whether he could've saved him (echoing the Davros dilemma from Resurrection). KAMELION'S END: The prop finally works by having Kamelion transform into Howard (Perry's stepfather) and then the Master. Jim asks the obvious: "Why didn't they just do that all along?" THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUND THEORY: Jim theorizes that while previous Doctors showed physical deterioration before regeneration, Davison is being psychologically and mentally wounded - all the ethical dilemmas (Davros, the Master, Kameleon) are wearing him down, setting up the regeneration. LOCATION WORK: Both hosts praise the Lanzarote filming and volcanic landscapes doubling for Sarn. Jim wanted more of the shipwreck dive sequences. The café scene where the Doctor leaves alien money behind stands out as atypical behavior. THE SOPHIE ALDRED ACE PODCAST UPDATE: John reports the interviews barely discuss Doctor Who - Sylvester McCoy talks about pissing off Richard Burton and friendship with Ian McKellen; Katy Manning discusses life philosophy ("Every day is a blessing"). The hosts approve: "We've heard all the Doctor Who stuff for years!" NEXT TIME: The Caves of Androzani - "Once daily Androzani! Major and minor!" The end of Peter Davison, the introduction of Colin Baker, and the return of Robert Holmes! Subscribe on all platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Support at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast for $3/month. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #PlanetOfFire #FifthDoctor #PeterDavison #Turlough #PerryBrown #NicolaBryant #MarkStrickson #TheMaster #AnthonyAinley #Kamelion #PeterGrimwade #FionaCumming #Lanzarote #CanaryIslands #TurloughOrigins #Trion #MiniMaster #TissueCompressionEliminator #CrispyMaster #1984 #ClassicWho #Season21 #Sarn #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #FromCarnageToCleavage #Cheesecake #PinkBikini #Speedo #80sTV #Whovian #CompanionDebut #CompanionExit #PodcastCommunity

    1h 37m

  6. 12/24/2025

    Santa's 3D Printer & The Killer Snowman - Fantasy Takes Over & The Mechanics Attack! - Patreon Exclusive #16

    Episode Title: "Santa's 3D Printer & The Killer Snowman" - Fantasy Takes Over & The Mechanoids Attack! - Patreon Exclusive Sample CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast delivers a festive Patreon Exclusive perfect for the holiday! Join John (as Santa Claus) and Jim (as the Evil/Demon Magician) as they unwrap a mixed Santa's bag - three Doctor Who strips from the 12-week Dalek Master Plan era, plus an emotionally satisfying Dalek comic featuring the Mechanoids' first appearance! THE SEA CHANGE: Jim identifies a major shift in the Doctor Who strip: "The stories have really become little fantasies than science fiction." What began as simplistic but genuine sci-fi has transformed into Oz-esque fantasy adventures with frog people, ancient mariners, and yes - Santa Claus himself. DOCTOR WHO STRIPS: "SHARK BAIT" (November 22 - December 13, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin The Doctor helps frog people with their shark problem before the story pivots to an ancient mariner trying to claim the TARDIS as his home. Meandering plot reminiscent of Dalek Master Plan's mid-story shifts. "A CHRISTMAS STORY" (December 20, 1965 - January 10, 1966) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin John's bold claim: "Actually better than the TV episode [Feast of Steven]!" Santa Claus appears as a character (Jim loves this trope from comics), falling behind on toy TARDIS production due to overwhelming demand. The Doctor saves Christmas by providing Santa with... a 3D printer! "Maybe the Doctor gave us 3D printing. Whoever thinks they invented it needs to read this story." The B-Plot: A creepy demon magician hampers Santa's efforts. But the REAL terror? The Killer Snowman who literally tries to choke John to death!  John recognizes similarities to Matt Smith's "The Snowman" Christmas special, theorizing Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat were subconsciously influenced by childhood comic memories. "Bill Mevin's family needs a few ducats... or grubsits." "THE DYTUS EXPEDITION" (January 22 - February 12, 1966) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin The long-extinct Dytus bird escapes a space zoo. The Doctor offers to recapture it, leading to jungle adventures with unfortunate native stereotypes (echoing the recent Monstrons issue). Jim gets "a real Doctor Dolittle vibe" from the giant creature quest on an island. Both hosts confess: "I like stories about space zoos" (with John teasing an upcoming episode will satisfy this). THE DALEKS: "EVE OF WAR" (December 11, 1965 - January 8, 1966) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artists: Richard Jennings (Parts 1-5), Ron Turner (Parts 6-7) Artist Change Alert: Ron Turner takes over for the final two installments, redesigning Daleks to resemble the movie versions. He continues as the strip's artist going forward. The Story: After rebuilding Skaro in "just a few months" (!) with intricate surveillance to prevent future invasions, the Daleks plan to mine nearby planet Auric. That's when the Mechanoids attack. This is the "first meeting" between Daleks and Mechanoids in strip continuity - different from TV universe. The Mechanoids are presented as equally conquering, totally machine entities (unlike the Daleks with organic components inside). Key moment: The strip explicitly clarifies Mechanoids are "totally machine" while Daleks are not - important distinction! True Cliffhanger: The story literally ends mid-narrative with "TO BE CONTINUED" - not just teasing the next adventure but stopping in the middle of this one! THE BIG QUESTION: John asks Jim: "Do you find yourself enjoying reading these more than watching some of the Dalek stories on TV?" Only one Dalek strip disappointed them across the entire run - and the end approaches! Time to buy the collection. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DOCTOR'S BEARD PODCAST! Support year-round comic discussions, novel reviews, live watch parties and more for just $3/month at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #PatreonSample #ChristmasEve #HolidayEpisode #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #BillMevin #SharkBait #AChristmasStory #DytusExpedition #SantaClaus #3DPrinter #KillerSnowman #FantasyWho #SpaceZoo #Daleks #DalekChronicles #EveOfWar #Mechanoids #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #RonTurner #ArtistChange #FirstMeeting #Skaro #ToBeContinued #VillainProtagonists #RootingForDaleks #DalekMasterPlan #1965Comics #1966Comics #VintageComics #RetroComics #BritishComics #ComicReview #ChristmasComics #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #ChristmasGift #MerryChristmas #Whovian #SupportThePodcast #CollectorsEdition

    28 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    Help Me! - Oh No, Don't Hurt My Daleks! - Patreon Exclusive #15

    Episode Title: "Help Me! - Oh No, Don't Hurt My Daleks!" - The Monstrons Defeat & Problematic Depictions - Patreon Exclusive Sample HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast delivers another Patreon Exclusive featuring comics discussion! Join John (as Kenix of the Monstrons) and Jim (as the Golden Emperor Dalek) as they tackle Bill Mevin's Doctor Who strip and confront a troubling but emotionally powerful Dalek comic. DOCTOR WHO STRIP: "ENTER THE GO RAY" (October 25 - November 15, 1965) Writer/Artist: Bill Mevin Jim's opening assessment: "I like the art. All right, next." The TARDIS crew lands on a world straight out of Oz novels - inhabitants roll on single wheels instead of feet! Accused of stealing pile-cardium that powers the city, the Doctor races against time in radiation suits to provide mercury as an alternative power source while the Go Rays pound on the door. John's highlight: "They look like gingerbread cookies on wheels in the end." THE DALEKS: "MENACE OF THE MONSTRONS" (October 23 - December 4, 1965) Writer: David Whitaker (from Terry Nation's concepts) Artist: Richard Jennings ⚠️ Content Warning: The hosts must address the strip's deeply problematic visual depiction of the Monstrons as offensive African stereotypes. Jim expresses discomfort and surprise at such imagery appearing in 1965, creating "a weird dichotomy" - the characters are portrayed as highly intelligent and capable (defeating the Daleks), yet drawn in extremely unflattering stereotypical ways. The Story Itself: An alien race with "Engibrain" android soldiers kicks the Daleks' "shiny metal asses" (to quote another robot from pop culture). The Monstrons arrive using the same conquest playbook as the Daleks, setting up base in a volcano, and capturing Daleks as souvenirs after believing they've destroyed the race. Both hosts admit they were rooting for the Daleks throughout, celebrating when they finally turn the tide. UPCOMING TEASE: The 12-part Dalek Master Plan begins next! John warns about the infamous Part Six (which "does not hold up" and could be removed without affecting the story), but promises excitement after Mission to the Unknown. Only three episodes exist: Parts 2, 5, and 10 - everything else remains missing with no BBC animation. LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? Comics discussions, novel reviews, live watch parties, and more await! Support the show for just $3/month at patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Happy Holidays from The Doctor's Beard Podcast! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoComics #PatreonSample #HolidayEpisode #TVComic #TVCentury21 #FirstDoctor #BillMevin #EnterTheGoRay #JillianCount #22WordBalloons #PowerRunning #ThoughtBalloon #Daleks #DalekChronicles #MenaceOfTheMonstrons #Monstrons #DavidWhitaker #RichardJennings #ProblematicDepictions #RacistImagery #1965Comics #ContentWarning #VillainProtagonists #RootingForDaleks #EmotionalDaleks #BraveLittleDalek #GoldenEmperor #Engibrain #Androids #Skaro #VolcanoBase #DalekMasterPlan #MissingEpisodes #ClassicDoctorWho #VintageComics #RetroComics #BritishComics #ComicReview #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #HolidayGift #Whovian #SupportThePodcast

    18 min

  8. 12/20/2025

    Midichlorians Before Midichlorians! - Patreon Exclusive #14

    Episode Title: "Midichlorians Before Midichlorians!" - The Sorcerer's Apprentice Novel Review - Patreon Exclusive Sample HOLIDAY GIFT TO OUR LISTENERS: The Doctor's Beard Podcast presents another special Patreon Exclusive - this time venturing beyond comics into the world of Doctor Who prose! Join John (the Apprentice) and Jim (the Sorcerer Supreme) as they discuss Christopher Bulis's The Sorcerer's Apprentice from the Virgin Missing Adventures line. JIM'S BACKYARD: "I don't know from podcasting... but a good old fashioned book is my bailiwick." Jim reveals his Doctor Who origin story: reading Target novelizations in the late 70s/early 80s (American publisher reprints with Harlan Ellison introductions stating "My Hero, Doctor Who"), then driving to Windsor, Canada with his father to find British Target editions. He sold those collections years ago and now kicks himself regularly. CHOOSING THE BOOK: Jim turned to Facebook Doctor Who groups for recommendations on First Doctor original novels. Two titles dominated suggestions: The Venusian Lullaby by Paul Leonard (First Doctor, Ian, Barbara - takes place between The Dalek Invasion of Earth and The Rescue) The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Christopher Bulis (First Doctor, Susan, Ian, Barbara - takes place between Marco Polo and The Keys of Marinus) Jim chose The Sorcerer's Apprentice because it comes chronologically first and includes Susan. The cover features the Doctor, Susan, and the TARDIS being breathed upon by a fire-breathing dragon - an actual scene from the book! THE MISSING ADVENTURES SERIES: Virgin Books received the Doctor Who license after the 1989 "rest" (not cancellation). They launched: New Adventures: Continuing Sylvester McCoy/Ace stories with ongoing character development Missing Adventures: Original novels set during the first six Doctors' eras DOCTOR WHO THE MISSING ADVENTURES: THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE (1995) Writer: Christopher Bulis The Setup: The TARDIS lands on an Earth-like world with a stereotypical medieval setting - knights, dragons, castles, a king and queen, princess and her fiancé. But there's also real magic. The core conflict: Science versus Magic - the Doctor representing science, the world representing magic. The Twist: Outside this medieval world exists a solar system-spanning empire with spaceships and lasers. Legends and names derive from Arthurian mythology - the planet is called Elbyon (spelled differently from Albion, an old name for England). CHARACTERIZATION - NAILED IT: Jim praises Bulis for capturing the actors' voices perfectly: "I'm reading this and I'm hearing William Hartnell, William Russell, Carol Ann Ford, and Jacqueline Hill. That's what really makes this come alive." Character Rankings: The Doctor - Spot on throughout Ian - "Really strong... there's a particular way you have to have Ian talk" Susan - Well-captured, gets meaty material Barbara - Sadly underused, separated from the group early and relegated to a tangent storyline CLEVER CONTINUITY TOUCHES: Language Mystery: The Doctor and Susan speak to each other in an unidentifiable language Barbara has never heard before - a subtle nod to their alien origins without spelling it out. The Ring Returns: The Doctor's ring (featured prominently in "The Web Planet") plays a significant part in the action. Jim appreciates the callback to their ongoing discussions about when the ring matters versus when it's forgotten. Ian Learns Swordfighting: Ian explicitly states he doesn't know how to sword fight - perfectly placed between "Marco Polo" (where he wouldn't know) and "The Romans" (where he suddenly does). This novel explains where Ian learned! Susan's Difference: Brief references to Susan being "different" from the humans, reinforcing her alien nature without heavy-handedness. NO SMIRKING OR WINKING: Unlike some novelizations that project future Doctor knowledge backward, Bulis respects the 1964 timeline. Jim: "If you really want to be accurate, you have to write it from 'it's 1964 and that stuff hasn't happened yet.'" LISTENER COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED: Jim found limited online reviews, mostly negative: Splitting Up the Crew - Complaint: Early series constantly separated characters. John's defense: You couldn't fit this anywhere in the Susan timeline without that happening Stereotypical Setting - Complaint: Bulis uses standard tropes. John's defense: "We say things like that, but when somebody does something different and out of the ordinary, we criticize them for that too" Jim on fan expectations: "Obviously writers can't kill characters, have them get pregnant, lose limbs, or murder somebody... especially when they tell us exactly where these stories take place in canon timeline." AVAILABILITY: Out of print for nearly 30 years but readily available on eBay and used bookstores for around $10. Jim found both Sorcerer's Apprentice and Venusian Lullaby from American sellers at reasonable prices. JIM'S READING PLAN: Will eventually read The Venusian Lullaby, then plans to read one original novel per Doctor as the podcast progresses, soliciting recommendations from fan communities for each era. LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? This novel discussion is just one example of Patreon exclusive content! For $3/month: Deep dives into Doctor Who prose, comics, and audio Early access to episode reviews Memory TARDIS retrospectives Live watch parties And much more! Visit patreon.com/thedoctorsbeardpodcast to explore all of time and space with us! Subscribe to The Doctor's Beard Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Email thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com or join our Facebook community. Happy Holidays from The Doctor's Beard Podcast! Hashtags: #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoBooks #DoctorWhoNovels #PatreonSample #HolidayEpisode #TheSorcerersApprentice #ChristopherBulis #MissingAdventures #VirginBooks #FirstDoctor #WilliamHartnell #Susan #Ian #Barbara #CarolAnnFord #WilliamRussell #JacquelineHill #OriginalNovels #Prose #BookReview #Arthurian #MedievalFantasy #ScienceVsMagic #Nanites #Midichlorians #StarWars #ThePhantomMenace #GeorgeLucas #TargetBooks #Novelizations #1995 #90sWho #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWhoHistory #LiteraryWho #CanonTimeline #MarcoPoloToMarinus #IanSwordfighting #TheDoctorsRing #AlienLanguage #BookDiscussion #DoctorWhoPodcast #TheDoctorsBeardPodcast #PatreonExclusive #FreeEpisode #HolidayGift #Whovian #DoctorWhoFandom #PodcastSample #SupportThePodcast #ReadingWho #UsedBooks #eBay

    43 min
See All (180)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A Whovian (John S. Drew) and a Newvian (writer/editor Jim Beard) walk into a TARDIS and retrace the journey of the Doctor and his companions from the very beginning.

Information

  • Creator
    Lucky Shot Productions
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Doctor's Beard Podcast