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

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

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

By: Christian Cawley (host producer) | James McLean (host)
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About this listen

 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.



Christian Cawley, James McLean, Brian A Terranova, 2007-2024 Art
Episodes
  • 477: Is Doctor Who's narrative commenting on its real world fate?

    477: Is Doctor Who's narrative commenting on its real world fate?
    Jun 20 2025
    During the run of Doctor Who Series 15, Christian Cawley and James McLean got together to discuss how the show was developing.

    This conversation took place against a backdrop of intense speculation about the future of the series, its star, and perhaps even its showrunner. Factor in the internal narrative -- dialogue from Mrs Flood -- and comments from Russell T Davies seeming to downplay the future of Doctor Who, and you have an interesting topic for discussion, namely:

    Were RTD, the BBC, and Disney+ engaged in one of the most audacious publicity campaigns for a TV show ever? Or was this a semi-conscious, modern day retread of the events surrounding Trial of a Time Lord in 1986?

    Find out what we think. Remember, this conversation went out in early May to our Patreon subscribers, so the voices on the end of your podcastmachine have no idea what happened in Episode 8...


    Patreon benefits
    Supporters of the podcast on Patreon got this week’s show ad-free and early. Sign up to enjoy the same benefits.


    Get in touch
    Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.

    Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.
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    27 mins
  • 476: Philip Bates talks Companions: More Than Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants

    476: Philip Bates talks Companions: More Than Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants
    Jun 18 2025
    We're delighted to welcome back Philip Bates for this week's podcast. Recorded a few weeks before Series 15, Philip and Christian Cawley discuss his work on Companions: More Than Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants.

    Originally published back in 2013 as 50 Years of Doctor Who Assistants by Andy Frankham-Allen, Philip has contributed a huge swathe of new material to this new edition.

    After all, he's the editor of The Doctor Who Companion, so who better to work on the revision?

    The book has been out for a few months, but now is hitting shelves in bookshops around the UK, although you can also buy it direct from publisher Candy Jar Books, or from Amazon.

    Shownotes
    • Companions: More Than Sixty Years of Doctor Who Assistants by Philip Bates & Andy Frankham-Allen
    • The Doctor Who Companion

    Meanwhile, we're working on a podcast looking back at Doctor Who Series 8, with many of the contributors who popped up on a weekly basis with James. You'll get that first on Patreon!
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    22 mins
  • 475: Doctor Who: The Reality War reviewed

    475: Doctor Who: The Reality War reviewed
    Jun 2 2025
    Well, Doctor Who Series 15 has come to a close, and we don't know what is going to happen next.

    But before we spend time ruminating over the mind-bending regeneration, James and Magnus are here to discuss The Reality War.

    Shownotes Doctor Who: The Reality War on BBC iPlayer and Disney+.

    Patreon benefits
    Supporters of the podcast on Patreon got this week’s show ad-free and early. Sign up to enjoy the same benefits.


    Get in touch
    Subscribe to our podcast? Then head to Apple Podcasts to leave a rating and review. Any new reviews will be read out.


    Not on Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review somewhere else, send the link over on Twitter or Facebook or editor@kasterborous.co.uk, and you’ll get a mention.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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