The Doctor Who Show

Welcome to Don’t Read the Comments, a podcast where we ignore the show’s title and actually read online comments relating to something going on in the world of Doctor Who.

Tonight, Rob’s on Reddit to read the comments and has found a post from a fan who's just not 'feeling' the RTD2 era. How will other fans respond? Tune in, find out.

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Bluesky: @thedwshow.net
Facebook: facebook.com/theDWshow
Email: hello@theDWshow.net

This month, we’re diving into the 2001 BBC Books Eighth Doctor novel, Father Time.

Following on from our recent synopsis episode, this is the main event: a full discussion of the novel—what works, what doesn’t, and how it fits into the broader Eighth Doctor era. We also explore the plot, the tone, and some standout characters, including the Doctor’s daughter, Miranda!

Before all that, we kick things off with the usual mix of news and short topics you’ve come to expect. Then, after the book chat, we open the mailbag for a bumper listener feedback section—nearly 25 minutes of your thoughts, theories, and reactions. Our listeners are the best.

And if you enjoy our musical moments, don’t skip the end! Inspired by some of that listener feedback, we play a very special song after the closing credits—one that was nearly lost to time after its chance to appear in a recent episode of Gin & TARDIS came and went.

Contact us:

X / Twitter: @theDWshow

Bluesky: @thedwshow.net

Facebook: facebook.com/theDWshow

Email: hello@theDWshow.net

Far in the future, on a tough, brutal planet, a devastated mining colony has only one survivor. To discover the truth, the Doctor and Belinda must face absolute terror.

What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE.

Contact us:

X / Twitter: @theDWshow

Bluesky: @thedwshow.net

Facebook: facebook.com/theDWshow

Email: hello@theDWshow.net

This episode is a full synopsis of the 2001 BBC Books Eighth Doctor novel, Father Time.

Given the book’s age—almost 25 years old—we know many listeners might not have read it recently, or perhaps ever.

So we're here to help! With Father Time being discussed on Sunday’s main show, this episode isn’t a discussion itself, but a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the novel’s events—perfect for refreshing your memory or getting up to speed before the conversation.

Contact us:

X / Twitter: @theDWshow

Bluesky: @thedwshow.net

Facebook: facebook.com/theDWshow

Email: hello@theDWshow.net

Welcome to Don’t Read the Comments, a podcast where we ignore the show’s title and actually read online comments relating to something going on in the world of Doctor Who.

Tonight, everyone's talking the consolidated figures for the first episode of Season 2 of Doctor Who, The Robot Revolution, and Rob’s on Facebook, on the official Radio Times page... to read the comments.

Contact us:

X / Twitter: @theDWshow

Bluesky: @thedwshow.net

Facebook: facebook.com/theDWshow

Email: hello@theDWshow.net

The Doctor's quest to get Belinda home takes the TARDIS to Miami in 1952, where an abandoned cinema is hiding a terrifying secret. Can the Doctor uncover Lux's power?

What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE.

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

Welcome to Don’t Read the Comments, a podcast where we ignore the show’s title and actually read online comments relating to something going on in the world of Doctor Who.

Tonight, 'Lux' is the episode everyone's talking about, which drops in four days time and Rob’s on YouTube, on the official Doctor Who channel... to read the comments.

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

When robots from outer space kidnap nurse Belinda Chandra, the Doctor embarks on an epic intergalactic quest to get his new friend back home to Earth.

What did we make of it? This is our HOT TAKE.

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

Top Doctor Who guest stars we'd date (The List Makers)

In possibly the strangest episode of the List Makers ever committed to tape, this month we push the boat out - and then some - to answer a (modified) suggestion from a listener, plucked from Turlough's Hat of Rassilon. Who are the top Doctor Who guest stars we'd date? Why would we date them? Where would we go for said dates? What would your picks be? Why not write in and let us know?

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

Hello dear listener! Dave's taken a leave of absence (we'll do the planned FATHER TIME episode next month), and tonight Rob is talking to the self-professed 'Pip & Jane Baker of co-hosts', Mike Solko, on a missing story from Season 23 of Doctor Who, PARADISE 5.

Before then, all the usual news and short topics you’ve come to expect – including surprise showrunner talk from RTD, and new trailers for Season 2 of the show. In Short Topics, Mike covers the changes coming to Gallifrey One (the world's largest and longest-running annual Doctor Who fan convention), in the years ahead. 

Later on, after the Paradise 5 section, we have a ton of listener feedback and what we’ve been watching this past month. Something for everyone! Fill your boots!

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

For more of Mike on our podcast feed, check out:

August 21, 2022: Primary Sources – December 1995

August 26, 2018: 40 Companions in 40 Minutes (Almost)

May 28, 2017: Season 27, Big Finish Style

March 5, 2017: The DW Show Presents: Gallifrey One

Welcome to Don’t Read the Comments, a podcast where we ignore the show’s title and actually read online comments relating to something going on in the world of Doctor Who.

Tonight, 'Nu Who', 'Modern Doctor Who' whatever you personally like to call it, has turned 20 today and Rob’s on Facebook, on the official Doctor Who page... to read the comments.

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

Welcome to Don't Read the Comments, a podcast where we ignore the show's title and actually read online comments relating to something going on in the world of Doctor Who.

Tonight, we've had the episode titles for Season 2 of Doctor Who drop and Rob's on Facebook, on the official Doctor Who page... to read the comments.

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

Join Dave from the Doctor Who Show, Mark from 42 to Doomsday, and Richard from Spacefall: A Blakes 7 Podcast, after knocking back a few gin and tonics at Dave’s place and watching two Peter Davison stories, The King's Demons and The Awakening. 

How long has it been since any of them watched these? What do they think of them in 2025? 

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

Well dear listener, it had to happen. After appearing with us separately on various podcasts, a long-time and genuine friend of the podcast - Too Hot for TV's Dylan Rees - joins BOTH of us to discuss the BBC television adaptation of Douglas Adams' THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY on tonight's episode of ALTERNATE GALAXIES.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy aired between 5 January and 9 February 1981 on BBC2 in the United Kingdom. The adaptation follows the original radio series in 1978 and 1980, the first novel and double LP, in 1979, and the stage shows, in 1979 and 1980, making it the fifth iteration of the guide.

The series stars Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, David Dixon as Ford Prefect, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Sandra Dickinson as Trillian and Stephen Moore as the voice of Marvin. The voice of the guide is by Peter Jones. 

Peter Jones, Simon Jones, Moore and Wing-Davey reprised their roles from the original radio series in 1978/80, as did supporting actors Richard Vernon and David Tate. In addition, the series features a number of notable cameo roles, including Adams himself on several occasions.

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.net or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net

For more of Dylan with us, check out:

Aug 29, 2021 - Dylan discusses Doctor Who coffee table books with Rob

Dec 26, 2021 - Rob discusses DWM December 1988 with Dylan

Jul 31, 2022 - Rob discusses Dennis Spooner with Dylan

Nov 5, 2023 - Dylan discusses The Star Beast & The Light at the End with Rob

Oct 20, 2024 - Dylan discusses the 20th Anniversary Radio Times Magazine and Lords of the Storm with Dave

This month we think about and discuss the best extended universe stories that should be made for Doctor Who on TV. For a show that has literally thousands of stories across audio, novels, and comics (among other sources), how on earth will we narrow these lists down? What would your picks be? Why not write in and let us know?

You can follow us on X @theDWshow or Bluesky @thedwshow.bsky.social or email us about anything you like at: hello@theDWshow.net