Shows / A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Join Joe Ford as he waltzes all around the world (via whatever means the internet allows) and undertakes Doctor Who commentaries with a wide range of wonderful contributors. Fans, podcasters, online reviewers, writers, actors...the USP of this podcast is it's variety of guests and the fact that they all bring their own unique perspective to the podcast. The guest chooses the story, be it one they love, hate or are completely indifferent, and amongst the gossip is trivia, critique and personal…
Episodes
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Peter Griffiths about his choice of Vengeance of Varos (2/2)
Joe & Peter; needing more than Perrrier. We address the complaints; the gratuitous violence, acid bath humour, a murderous climax and lots of corridor…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Peter Griffiths about his choice of Vengeance on Varos (1/2)
Joe & Peter; we’ll hear you scream until we’re deaf with pleasure. A popular season, a well directed story, featuring a strong cast, a biting commentary on…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Si Hart about his choice of The Macra Terror (4/4)
Joe & Si; Ra! Ra! Ra! Discussion about piecing together Doctor Who like a puzzle. How gay and cheerful is Jamie? And how do you bring down giant gas guzzling…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Si Hart about his choice of The Macra Terror (3/4)
Joe & Si; happy to work, happy to play! Is this the point where the story becomes a little more conventional? What the hell is the Danger Gang? And what is the…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Si Hart about his choice of The Macra Terror (2/4)
Joe & Si; pondering extraneous TARDIS facilities that we never hear about again. Is Si a champion tosser? An initiative test? Missing episodes = the ultimate…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the munificent Si Hart about his choice of The Macra Terror (1/4)
Joe & Si; well this is gay! Huge love for the first episode, the subversive nature of Troughton’s Doctor emerging, the insidious, jolly atmosphere and…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Gary Russell about his choice of Day of the Daleks (4/4)
Joe & Gary; and the ultimate 🐹question. More talk of watching this as a kid, especially in relation to the brilliant final set piece. How did we do in actually…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Gary Russell about his choice of Day of the Daleks (3/4)
Joe & Gary; in a war torn Dalek future. Who was the last survivor of the Titanic? What was Terrance and what was Louis? Is this the first deeply unpleasant…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Gary Russell about his choice of Day of the Daleks (2/4)
Joe & Gary; the Tomorrow People podcast! Much focus on Paul Bernard and his strengths and weaknesses as a director. How many kids out of a class of 25 were…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Jeff Goddard (plus 🐹 fam) about his choice of The Power of the Doctor
Joe, Jeff & the Hammies; celebrating Doctor Who’s part in 100 years of the BBC and Jodie Whittaker’s incredible Doctor. Come with us as we count those…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Gary Russell about his choice of Day of the Daleks (1/4)
Joe & Gary; a good humoured commentary - perhaps a touch sardonic but not cynical. Discussion of the Targets, for Terrance, Barry, being a child in the 70s…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the fabulous Jim Allenby about his choice of Utopia
Joe & Jim; perfectly content drinking their own lactic fluid. It’s Derek Jacobi as the Master! That would be enough. But this is a fierce script, packed with…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Luke Molloy & Mark Rawlins about their choice of The Talons of Weng-Chiang (6/6)
Joe, Luke & Mark; and the plot condensed in three sentences. Holmesian gobbledegook, character beats, atmosphere, scares and our personal reasons we love this…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Rawlins & Luke Molloy about his choice of The Talons of Weng-Chiang
Joe, Mark & Luke; and River Song? Can Mark pronounce anything? Is Big Finish a vulture pecking over the corpse of Talons? Has the plot run out of juice just as…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Rawlins & Luke Molloy about their choice of The Talons of Weng Chiang (4/6)
Joe, Mark & Luke; it won’t be a stylish marriage! Luke’s favourite episode thanks to the magic tricks, show tunes and suspense in the theatre. How many Doctor…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Luke Molloy & Mark Rawlins about their choice of The Talons of Weng-Chiang (3/6)
Joe, Luke & Mark; getting by with a little questions from their friends. Is Jameson the best actor to appear in Doctor Who? A hooker?! Massive love for a giant…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Rawlins and Luke Molloy about their choice of The Talons of Weng-Chiang (2/6)
Joe, Mark & Luke; straight to the point boys! Patsy the Mudlark - the Complete History! Much love for Leela; the conception of her character and how it is…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Luke Molloy & Mark Rawlins about their choice of The Talons of Weng-Chiang (1/6)
Joe, Luke & Mark; a podcast threesome experience! You cannot talk about Talons without dealing with the racism and we get straight to the point so we can deal…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Nathan Bottomley about his choice of The Parting of the Ways (2/2)
Joe & Nathan; off to Barcelona! He killed Lynda with a Y, and Jack, and the entire game station crew, and Joseph Patterson. And the Doctor! Badass Daleks…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Nathan Bottomley about his choice of Bad Wolf (1/2)
Joe & Nathan; WHERE were they hiding that? How do you pastiche reality TV whilst adoring it and using it for sick jokes and drama? RTD knows. How do you bring…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Si Hart about his choice of A Town Called Mercy
Joe & Si; and the curious case of Moffat love on 🐹 Saddle up cowboy! We’ve got lush location work, confident regulars, a fascinating moral dilemma, action, a…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Jack Coyer about his choice of The Unquiet Dead
Joe & Jack; don’t look at us like it’s our fault! Animated cadavers, gaseous lifeforms, immigration rumblings, a morality play, a fresh Doctor and companion, a…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Rawlins about his choice of Battlefield (4/4)
Joe & Mark; THERE WILL BE NO BATTLEFIELD! Why is Joe sniffing? Why is the Destroyer so cool? Should the Brig have died? And what about that charming coda? More…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Rawlins about his choice of Battlefield (3/4)
Joe & Mark; hairy chests and drippy mouths. Our love for Battlefield explodes into action! Where is Shou Young’s mother? Why is Morgaine so layered? And poor…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Rawlins about his choice of Battlefield (2/4)
Joe & Mark; and the tragic tale of the Fantom signing. Which Battlefield spurned Mark? Who’s not joining the action? Why do we love Jean Marsh? And will Joe…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Rawlins about his choice of Battlefield (1/4)
Joe & Mark; drinking Arthur’s Ale (anything but that beer!). Mark ADORES this, and Joe has done a 180 with it. The Brig, Bambera, Shou Young, Lavel, Morgaine…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Lucy McCaul about her choice of The Underwater Menace (4/4)
Joe & Lucy; and a dramatic U-turn into tragedy! Zaroff, his plan at its apotheosis, is ready to pull the massive phallic lever and destroy the world. And we…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Lucy McCaul about her choice of The Underwater Menace (3/4)
Joe & Lucy; rebelling under the ocean! Joe needs help unpicking Zaroff’s fatal plan and Lucy is on hand to provide the logic! It’s pure farce this week…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the delightful Lucy McCaul about her choice of The Underwater Menace (2/4)
Joe & Lucy; & La Gette of Death! Zaroff! Moving pictures! Zaroff! The Temple! Zaroff! Silly hats! Zaroff! Sir Charles Grover! Zaroff! Insane plans! Zaroff!
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Lucy McCaul about her choice of The Underwater Menace (1/4)
Joe & Lucy; figuring out where they are in the Mediterranean! Dare you come beneath the waves and face the mighty Professor Zaroff, Fish People and blowy…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Mark Dodyk about his choice of Planet of the Ood
Joe & Mark; peeling scalps & being sucked into brains. Morally complex, impeccably acted, full of action, fascinating characters and confronting dialogue. This…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Jason Thompson about his choice of The Daleks’ Masterplan (12/12)
Joe & Jason; and the Climax of Doom! Are we married at the end of this commentary? Is this an ‘evil’ climax? How is there no Achilles Heel? Junking this story…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Jason Thompson about his choice of The Daleks’ Masterplan (11/12)
Joe & Jason; and the dangers ramping up! What is yon fella’s mother in law responsible for? Was this bloated spider of a story responsible for tearing a new…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Jason Thompson about his choice of The Daleks’ Masterplan (10/12)
Joe & Jason; and the adventure of moving pictures! Featuring the Monk and his companions, Steven and Sara. Jason details two stunning directorial moments and…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Jason Thompson about his choice of The Daleks’ Masterplan (9/12)
Joe & Jason; & Doctor Who’s rudest line! Did Terry Nation dislike finishing his stories? Is Douglas Camfield a hero to attempt this endeavour? Is Egypt…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Jason Thompson about his choice of The Daleks’ Masterplan (8/10)
Joe & Jason; trapped on the planet Tigus! Why is the Monk a Monk? How would you make this a six parter? Why was Hartnell grumpy this week? How does Doctor Who…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Toby Hadoke about his choice of Forest of the Dead (2/2)
Joe & Toby; podcasts uniting to spread the love. What an extraordinary man Toby Hadoke is; insightful, generous, witty and self affecting. He has so many…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the magnificent Toby Hadoke about his choice of The Silence in the Library (1/2)
Joe & Toby; hey who turned out the lights? What don’t we cover in this conversation? Peak Doctor Who; a brilliant writer and showrunner, a top cast and…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Ambassadors of Death (7/7)
Joe & Frazer; it was our moral duty! Featuring Willow! How do we sum this one up? Carrington, his terrifying plans come to fruition, and he’s forgiven by the…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Ambassadors of Death (6/7)
Joe & Frazer; playing in pipes! Is Jon Pertwee a glowing asshole? Who is the best Cyril Shapps? Do Benton and Yates hinder the Brig? Is this episode padding?…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the brilliant Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Ambassadors of Death (5/7)
Joe & Frazer; character assassination! We bring Benton into light and try and explore the suggestion he might be a murderer. The big question on our lips…WHO…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Ambassadors of Death (4/7)
Joe & Frazer; Si has been kidnapped! Is the Brigadier at his most fuckable? Would kids have the patients to watch this? Is this Doctor Who characterisation at…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Ambassadors of Death (3/7)
Joe & Frazer; and the ten minute Pertwee era discussion before the episode! Why does Joe like stroppy Doctors? Why is the Doctor exiled on Earth? And can…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Ambassadors of Death (2/7)
Joe & Frazer; fashion experts (apparently). Frazer drops early why Ambassadors is the best story ever. A massive celebration of Liz Shaw, and of female…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the magnificent Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Ambassadors of Death (1/7)
Joe & Frazer; schwing! Guest starring Frazer’s puppy! Exemplary acting, writing, direction, music, characterisation - why does nobody rate this? Frazer and I…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the delightful Luke Molloy about his choice of The Rings of Akhaten
Joe & Luke; all singing, all reputation saving! Perhaps the greatest work yet done in 🐹 - detailing all the reasons this episode is a brilliant. Luke & Joe…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Si Hart about his choice of The Aztecs (4/4)
Joe & Si have lost the plot! Geriatric porn? Necrophilia? Calamity Jane? The Mexico People from Peru? William Russell’s sex life? And that’s just the first…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Si Hart about his choice of The Aztecs (3/4)
Joe & Si; testing the theory of how wrong two people can be about Doctor Who! We discuss the first hint of pro trans rights in the show, the first (delightful)…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Simon Hart about his choice of The Aztecs (2/4)
Joe & Si; 90% laughter, 10% intensity. Should Doctor Who educate or entertain? Do Joe & Si know their geography? How many stories has Si been keeping? How much…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to his wonderful co-host Si Hart about his choice of The Aztecs (1/4)
Joe & Si; happy that Cameca isn’t taking dating tips from Amy Pond. At this point we’re in control of this commentary; loving the detail of the sets, script…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to the fabulous David Rennie about his choice of The Lazarus Experiment
Joe & Dave; and Dave’s controversial favourite Tennant episode. We’re both keen on this neglected gem; loving the Pertwee vibe, catty Francine, the grotesque…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (4/4)
Joe & Rob; entertaining you…or dying. How well does the era tackle mythology? Why is McCoy so comfortable here? What are Rob’s (minor) criticisms? And will Joe…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (3/4)
Joe & Rob; the growling, the snarling…the reaction to the moon! The Chief Clown comes into focus; one of the most fascinating henchmen in the shows history…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (2/4)
Joe & Rob; we’re in the ring next. How much does the Doctor know, and does he have this plotted out? Who is Whizzkid? Are off screen deaths more effective? And…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (1/4)
Joe & Rob; metatextually speaking. A stab at surrealism, horror, drama, comedy and mad, memorable imagery. So much to discuss here. Rob joins the ham fam and…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Steven B & Nathan Bottomley about their choice of The Haunting of Villa Diodati
Joe, and Steven, and Nathan; and the fruition of a gothic classic! We love this; but Steven and Nathan have issues with the era (which we discuss) and Joe…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Si Hart & Frazer Gregory about their choice of Genesis of the Daleks (6/6)
Joe, and Si, and Frazer; will they complete their mission for the Time Lords? How do we bring this epic commentary to a climax? Can we reach a consensus on…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Simon Hart & Frazer Gregory about their choice of Genesis of the Daleks (5/6)
Joe, and Si, and Frazer; and the ultimate idea in the universe. Would Si release it? Did Terry Nation write the dialogue in this story? Is Frazer obsessed with…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Frazer Gregory and Simon Hart about their choice of Genesis of the Daleks (4/6)
Joe, and Frazer, and Si; and delusions of grandeur! Do we believe Sarah and Harry are dead? Do we believe Nyder will defect? Do we believe that the Doctor will…
- A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast
Talks to Simon Hart & Frazer Gregory about their choice of Genesis of the Daleks (3/6)
Joe, and Si, and Frazer; and Si’s favourite piece of Dudley Simpson music! Frazer explains why the Daleks are the Phantom Menace, Joe can’t be arsed to talk…