Reality Bomb - a Doctor Who podcast: Recent Episodes
Reality Bomb
Reality Bomb is a monthly podcast that explores the strange and uncharted world of Doctor Who through its fans.
Peoples of the universe, please attend carefully... Graeme has an announcement about the future of Reality Bomb.
On the one hundred and nineteenth episode of Reality Bomb, we talk with the Guardian's Martin Belam about how Doctor Who is doing in the current television landscape, and what we should look forward to, and worry about, in the coming years. And we look back on Is This Rumour Hot or Not? for the past season of Doctor Who and update what was really accurate... and what was wildly wrong with Lacy Baugher-Milas and KatyBeth Schmid. Plus feeling fan anxiety? Ask about Focus Zerg!
On the one hundredth and eigtheenth edition of Reality Bomb, we have our longest episode yet as we catch up on all the news we've missed while we were off (plus a few other things!) First, Graeme Burk talks with Lacy Baugher Milas of Den of Geek about Doctor Who's return to SDCC after five years away. We finish our review of the latest season, and look to the future, as Sage Young and Sanjay Lago discuss Rogue, The Legend of Ruby Sunday and Empire of Death. And we look to the past, or rather how the past is being re-presented through new blu-ray and streaming releases with Jon Arnold and Max Kaschevsky... which leads nicely into Gallery of the Underrated, where James Cooray Smith (of Graeme's favourite Doctor Who-themed newsletter, The Psychic Paper -- which you should really subscribe!) brings the recently CG animated missing story, The Celestial Toymaker. Plus Hot Take Roulette with KatyBeth Schmid... and Spoiler Cops concludes!
On the one hundred and seventeenth episode of Reality Bomb, we have a double shot of reviews from the latest season of Doctor Who. First, Graeme Burk talks to Sage Young and Lacy Baugher-Milas about Space Babies and The Devil's Chord. Then we talk to Joy Piedmont and Max Kaschevsky about Boom, 73 Yards and Dot and Bubble. We go under the surface -- way under the surface -- as Amanda-Rae Prescott relives Cold War in the Gallery of the Underrated. And Graeme reflects on the late William Russell. Plus Spoiler Cops continues!
On the one hundred and sixteenth episode of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk interviews SFX editor Darren Scott about Doctor Who having a digital-first release at midnight on Saturday, having episodes 1 and 2 air before Eurovision, and how the launch of the new season one is going. With a new trailer there's new rumours and Lacy Baugher-Milas and KatyBeth Schmid are here to help us through them with a new edition of Is This Rumour Hot Or Not? And Joy Piedmont takes Doctor Who fan JP Into The Dalek in a new Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, Spoiler Cops continues, a song about the least likely person to come back to Doctor Who and the BBC America lady starts a new job at Disney+!
On the one hundred and fifteenth episode of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk talks with Guardian writer Martin Belam about his controversial 2021 article about Doctor Who four years (and a massive series of changes in Doctor, showrunner, studio and co-production partner) later and then examines at the current state of Doctor Who in 2024 and what's ahead. Head Over Feels' co-founders Kim Rogers and Sage Young share a Reality Bomb segment for the first time in years to talk about this year's Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles and how the vibe there has changed with recent developments on the show. And we look to the future of communiting, and it doesn't look good, as Julie Chaston brings Gridlock to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus we bring back a song from our archives, and Spoiler Cops continues!
On the one hundred and fourteenth episode of Reality Bomb, we're all about all the 2023 specials, all the time, as Graeme Burk talks to Kim Rogers and Max Kaschevsky about Ncuti Gatwa's full debut as the Doctor in the Christmas special The Church on Ruby Road. Sage Young and Sanjay Lago also stop by to discuss the three 60th anniversary specials starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. And we look back on the past year of rumour-mongering in Doctor Who with Lacy Baugher-Milas and KatyBeth Schmid in a special edition of Is This Rumour Hot or Not? that fact checks the previous year's rumours! Plus we have the long-awaited return of Spoiler Cops!
We're continuing our celebration of the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with the second of our special episodes that asks a simple but important question: "What is an essential element of Doctor Who?"
20 fans answer this question -- some of them from the Reality Bomb archives, most others are new. All of them talk about the diverse elements that makes Doctor Who the amazing program it's been for 60 years. In part two, we have...
- Essential #11: Evolution with Jason A. Miller
- Essential #12: What-if? with Amanda Rae Prescott
- Essential #13: Emotional Entanglements with Petra Mayer
- Essential #14: Ambition with Jim Sangster
- Essential #15: Acting with Scot Clarke
- Essential #16: Ego with Sage Young
- Essential #17: Breadth with Joy Piedmont
- Essential #18: Hope (part two) with Lacy Baugher-Milas
- Essential #19: The Human Condition with Rachel Donner
- Essential #20: Curiousity with KatyBeth Schmid
- Epilogue: The Future with Graeme Burk
On the one hundred and thirteenth edition of Reality Bomb we're celebrating the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special episode that asks one simple but important question: "What is an essential element of Doctor Who?"
Over the next two episodes, we'll have the perspectives of 20 fans on this question, some new, some from the past, as they talk about the diverse elements that makes Doctor Who the amazing program that it is. In the first part, we have:
- Essential #1: Possibility with Lisa Gledhill
- Essential #2: The TARDIS with Max Kashevsky
- Essential #3: Storylines with Sanjay Lago
- Essential #4: Hope (part one) with Priya Deonarain
- Essential #5: Adventure with Pauline Serizel
- Essential #6: Cliffhangers with Tom Dickinson
- Essential #7: Silliness with Martin Belam
- Essential #8: Tom Baker with Bill Evenson
- Essential #9: Timelessness with Alex Kennard
- Essential #10: Companions with Kim Rogers
On the one hundred and twelfth edition of Reality Bomb, we talk to classical musician Elizabeth Reid McQuillan about the new version of the Doctor Who theme and what makes the Doctor Who theme so popular. We chat with Graham Kibble-White, co-author of the new bookazine Adventures in Type and Space, about how the book came together, and how some of the greatest title sequences in Doctor Who's history came together, with exclusive clips of Graham's interviews with the legendary Bernard Lodge and Peter Govey. And we reconvene the Reality Bomb Book Club as Shannon Dohar and Martin Hajovsky discuss Russell T Davies' and Benjamin Cook's behind the scenes look at the making of series four, Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale. Plus: Graeme Burk examines the origins of the oooo-eee-oooos and the dumba-ba-dums that make up the Doctor Who theme to see how it connects with Murray Gold's latest version ... and we discover, the hard way, that there are some things in the world of Doctor Who that are more ridiculous than any comedy sketch we can make.
On the one hundred and eleventh edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk talks about the trailer for the 60th anniversary specials -- and the return of David Tennant's Doctor teaming with Catherine Tate's Donna Noble -- with Sage Young and Julie Chaston. Joy Piedmont talks to Reece Connolly and Carrot about their Doctor Who themed cabaret, The Gallifrey Cabaret. And KatyBeth Schmid and Lacy Baugher-Milas are back for another round of Is This Rumour Hot or Not? Plus, we return to the Church of the Holy Trailer for some more worship.
Visit the Gallifrey Cabaret linktree page and Instagram for more information about their upcoming performances and more.
On a special episode of Reality Bomb, we’re continuing our tenth anniversary celebrations with a journey through Doctor Who and its fandom over the past decade with our editorials. We’ve trawled through our archives we're presenting ten editorials from past ten years of Reality Bomb that talk about what enrages, enthralls, excites and enlivens us as Doctor Who fans.
This special collection includes:
- Graeme's discussion of the Doctor being "never cruel or cowardly" and how that played out in the then-recent retcon in Day of the Doctor from December 2013. (Episode 006)
- Graeme conducts an interview with Chris Chibnall (in absentia) about all the things that have bothered him about Doctor Who's non-existent promotion of the series with its fans back in 2019. (Episode 085)
- Joy looks back on how Last Christmas was there for her during a particularly difficult holiday season. (Episode 075)
- Sage Young talks about how one of the first things she did during the pandemic was renew her Britbox subscription, and how doing the pilgrimage through Classic Doctor Who helped her through that period. (Episode 087)
- From September 2021: RTD returns, and Graeme has many, many, many, many feelings about it. (Episode 092)
- The first story of Joel and Carlie in a special, rarely heard, "studio" version recorded in November 2013 (originally presented in Epsiode 006a)
- Priya Deonarain takes us through the then-recent Flux and talks about the themes, ideas and big swings this story took. (Episode 095)
- From our shelter-in-place live zoom shows from 2020, Joy talks about the Doctor Who Blackout event, how it came out of a planned live-tweeting that failed to connect to recent events... and what all of us can do to be a better ally to BIPOC fans. (Episode 081) Introduced by Rebecca Farren
- Back in 2018, Doctor Who Magazine went to a North American convention to a #metoo panel... and had a British middle aged guy interview another British middle aged guy about it. Graeme talks about what's wrong with this picture, how DWM is so insular editorially, and how that reflects fandom as a whole. (Episode 056)
- From our first Gallifrey One live show in 2017, Graeme looks back on the past Gallys he's attended, and why he loves conventions so much. (Episode 043)
A quick note... you may have heard that some fan creators are no longer covering Doctor Who due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, because Doctor Who is on the SAG-AFTRA list of struck work. We fully support the strike and the writers and actors fighting for fair contracts; however, fan podcasts like ours can continue to discuss Doctor Who because we’re not bound by either union’s rules that prevent members from promoting struck work. As fans, there are many ways you can support the strike and the workers. To that end, we'd like to offer a few resources:
Donation page for the Entertainment Community Fund
SAG-AFTRA's Strike info page
WGA's strike info page
On a special episode of Reality Bomb, we're continuing our tenth anniversary celebrations with a look at our longest running segment, Gallery of the Underrated. We've made a deep dive into the archives and brought back ten Gallery of the Underrateds from the past decade of Reality Bomb that re-examine the overlooked, ignored and generally derided Doctor Who stories of the past 60 years.
This special collection includes:
- Our first Gallery of the Underrated, with Jon Arnold on The Beast Below (Episode 003)
- Gary Russell's defence of The Monster of Peladon (Episode 017)
- A look back on The Sensorites with Shannon Dohar (Episode 057)
- Paul Condon's re-appraisal of Delta and the Bannermen, which includes a mind-blowing discussion of who the villains actually are... (Episode 047)
- Priya Deonarain's reconsideration of the themes of Ascension of the Cybermen and The Timeless Children (Episode 091)
- A journey back to The Planet of the Spiders, courtesy of Lisa Gledhill (Episode 091)
- Pauline Serizel talking about why Love & Monsters is about her life as a fan (Episode 069)
- Erika Ensign defending The Ribos Operation... both generally and against a hostile room live at Gallifrey One (Episode 054)
- Glen Weldon having a topping day, eh wot, with Black Orchid (Episode 042)
- Gary Gillatt re-examining The Invasion of Time (Episode 097)
On the one hundred and tenth edition of Reality Bomb, we're celebrating our tenth anniversary with our longest episode yet and featuring "ten for ten"-- ten segments that look back on ten years of Reality Bomb, introduced by contributors and friends of the programs. This episode includes:
- Romance in Doctor Who (from episode 060) - Jenny Colgan and Kim Rogers talk about how, why and should romance be in Doctor Who. Introduced by Kim Rogers
- Planet Who: Le Fandom Français (from epsiode 077) - We talk to Pauline Serizel from Pepperpot about French fandom as chronicled in a recent documentary. Introduced by David Matthewman
- F*ck That Guy (from episode 055) - One of our most...enduring? comedy sketches starring Shannon Dohar and Kim Rogers. Introduced by Deb Stanish
- The Doctor Who Theme (from episode 005) - Alex Kennard's audio essay on how the Doctor Who theme came to be and why it works so well. Introduced by Alex Kennard
- Con Safety and Doctor Who Conventions (from episode 071) - A panel from our special episode on con safety with Felicity Kuzinitz and Sage Young. Introduced by Sage Young
- Gallery of the Underrated: The Chase (from episode 048) - featuring BBC presenter and author Matthew Sweet. Introduced by Jim Sangster
- Variations on a Timeless Child: When Bad Retcons Happen To Good People (from episode 083) - Petra Mayer looks back on her worst day... as a Doctor Who fan. Introduced by Martin Hajovksy
- Spoiler Cops: Revenge With a Vengeance - Part Two The Vengeancing (from episode 030) - can Inspector McDonough clear her name? starring Lizbeth Myles, Bill Evenson, Erik Stadnik, Alex Kennard and Felicity Brown. Introduced by Bill Evenson
- Excerpt from our "Calling the World" documentary (from episode 064). Introduced by Heather Berberet
- Editorial - A Life in Fandom (from episode 024 live in New York). Introduced by Shannon Dohar
On the one hundred and ninth edition of Reality Bomb we're back doing a live episode on Zoom! Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont are joined by a panel that includes Kim Rogers, Lori Steuart, Max Kaschevsky and KatyBeth Schmid as they discuss (just in time for Doctor Who's big 6-0) what the essential elements of Doctor Who actually are. Lori Steuart (who has been on the show since episode 001!) finally gets to be on Gallery of the Underrated as they discuss meta satire, clowns and much more with The Greatest Show of the Galaxy. And Jim Sangster hosts a super-sized edition of (Doctor Who) Would I Lie To You? All this plus what happens when bad wifi causes you to Zoom...into the future!
On the one hundred and eighth edition of Reality Bomb, we're counting down to the 60th anniversary and talking about trailers, titles and overall hype with Head Over Feels' Sage Young and the Guardian's Martin Belam. We bringing in Gareth Kavanaugh, editor of the Doctor Who comics fanzine Vworp Vworp to talk about adapting The Star Beast and what this could mean for adapting future Doctor Who comic strips. And hang on to your hats (or other headwear!), Is This Rumour Hot or Not? returns. Plus Hot take roulette... and the fun new (old) game Doctor Who fans are playing!
On the one hundred and seventh edition of Reality Bomb, we're talking with Kim Rogers and Jim Sangster about actress, signer, performer Queen of Queens on RuPaul's Drag Race... and Doctor Who guest star Jinkx Monsoon. And we're out of our depths as Emma O'Neill-Deitel brings Legend of the Sea Devils to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus Scot Clarke ruminates further on Jinkx Monsoon and we have a special message... reminding you that Ncuti Gatwa is more attractive than you.
On this special episode of Reality Bomb, Joy Piedmont talks with executive producer and writer Chris Chibnall, who recently concluded his four-year tenure showrunning Doctor Who. Joy talks with Chris about growing up as a fan, his experiences at the Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles in February, the Doctor as the Timeless Child, building a writers room and much, much more!
On the one hundred and sixteenth edition of Reality Bomb, we're talking with Dominic G. Martin about the fifteenth Doctor new look: what the constituent elements of the ensemble are, how fashion forward it is, and what wardrobe can expect Ncuti Gatwa to rock in future. Then we have a new edition of "Is This Rumour Hot or Not?" with Lacy Baugher-Milas and KatyBeth Schmid. And co-hosts Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont catch up on the past three months by playing "Hot Take Roulette". Plus a situation room monitors a potentially important situation in Doctor Who...
On this holiday episode of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont are here for fans experiencing the absence of any Doctor Who special this holiday season by re-presenting some past segments from Reality Bomb's vaults to do with the Doctor Who Christmas specials including Mark Askwith and Nikki Stafford's discussion of the tenth anniversary of the Christmas Specials recorded in 2015 at our live Christmas special (Episode 030A) in Toronto. We also go back to one of Sage Young's first Reality Bomb segments with her Gallery of the Underrated on The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe from Episode 018. And Joy's documentary from Episode 085 examines what made the Doctor Who Christmas specials, well, special. And we have Spoiler Cops: Die Hardly from Episode 018. Plus Joy and Graeme share favourite moments from Christmas specials and play a holiday version of This-or-That... and Graeme tells a holiday-themed Joel and Carlie story!
On the one hundredth and fifth edition of Reality Bomb, we're getting excited about the arrival of Millie Gibson as the new companion Ruby Sunday as we talk to Jim Sangster and Julie Chaston about what Gibson might bring to the role and how her three years on Coronation Street might prove to be an advantage. Also Graham Kibble-White has an audio essay on Doctor Who's diamond logo and why it's caught the fancy of so many Doctor Who fans over the years. And writer Nev Fountain is taking us on a trip to Lanzarote, or is that Sarn, as Peter Davison's 1984 penultimate adventure Planet of Fire is in the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus a fan reminisces about where they were when Millie Gibson was cast!
On the one hundred and fourth edition of Reality Bomb, come celebrate the 59th anniversary of Doctor Who with us as we have a live episode on Zoom! Joy Piedmont is talking to Max Kashevsky, Kim Rogers and Priya Deonarain about Jodie Whittaker's tenure as the thirteenth Doctor. Graeme Burk and special guest Toby Hadoke are discussing one of Doctor Who's first "timey-wimey" stories, the 1966 story The Ark in The Gallery of the Underrated. And the whole gang is playing a round of "Doctor Who Never Have I Ever". Plus, Listeners' Q and A and Pam Brandeis faces her greatest opponent in court... her ex-husband. In a case about missing episodes!
On the one hundred and third episode of Reality Bomb we have a super-sized panel featuring an all-star panel discussing the ups, downs, Sacha Dwahan-ness and past Doctor Who-ness of Jodie Whittaker's swansong, The Power of the Doctor with KatyBeth Schmid, Priya Deonarain, Sage Young and Lacy Baugher-Milas. Plus the BBC's deal with Disney+ for future Doctor Who is examined by SFX editor Darren Scott. And in a new segment of Planet Who, we talk to Pauline Serizel of France's Pepperpot Team and Freddy Pavao of Doctor Who Brazil about the impact of Disney+ on Doctor Who's global fandom. All this and a pub quiz that goes horribly wrong because of Doctor numbering!
On the one hundred and second episode of Reality Bomb, we’re making a deep dive into Chris Chibnall’s tenure as Doctor Who’s showrunner and discussing the good, the bad, the ugly and the hopeful about Chibnall’s reign with Lacy Baugher-Milas, KatyBeth Schmid and Priya Deonarain. We’re also discussing pirates, comedy and Doctor Who fans’ not-so-secret anxieties when legendary casual fan Max Kashevsky brings Douglas Adams debut story The Pirate Planet to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, Joy Piedmont talks about change and Doctor Who, and in a post-apocalyptic world, lonely Doctor Who fans wait for any sort of news.
On the one-hundred-and-first edition of Reality Bomb, we're triaging the plethora of behind-the-scenes speculation as Graeme Burk brings together Lacy Baugher-Milas and KatyBeth Schmid for super-sized version of "Is This Rumour Hot or Not?". Also, what would a Doctor Who expanded universe on TV look like in the 2020s? Joy Piedmont talks to Martin Belam and Sage Young about what goes in the theme park, figuratively and literally. And we pay tribute to the amazingly talented Bernard Cribbins with Nick Abadzis and Jim Sangster. Plus listeners' letters and... Did you know there's going to be a Doctor finale this autumn? No we didn't know either...
On the one hundredth edition of Reality Bomb we have a special live episode recorded at QED in Astoria in Queens in New York City! Join Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont as they talk to Sage Young and Shannon Dohar about the top stories in Doctor Who during the past 100 episodes of Reality Bomb. We also talk to Tom Dickinson, Alyssa Franke and Rachel Donner about the future of Doctor Who and its fandom. And Verity!'s Deborah Stanish interviews Joy, Graeme and Alex Kennard about Reality Bomb and what goes on behind the scenes to make the podcast over the past nine years. And we have the return of Pam Brandeis: Fan Attorney; Spoiler Cops find themselves in a very meta caper and Bruce and Darren try to stop the creation of Reality Bomb. All this plus special guest Sophie Aldred talks about The Happiness Patrol in the Gallery of the Underrated!
On the ninety-ninth edition of Reality Bomb, Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor and Graeme Burk talks to Dominic G. Martin and Sage Young about what Ncuti might bring to the role and what to expect about future Doctor Who. Joy Piedmont chats with Mikey Williams about Ncuti and the experiences working on set on Sex Education. Evan Teng brings us to Victorian Yorkshire as the quirky and delightful Matt Smith era story The Crimson Horror comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. We even have late-breaking news as Kim Rogers and Max Kashevsky discuss the announcement that David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning to Doctor Who! Plus we have another round of "F*ck that guy"!
On the ninety-eighth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk hoists the mainsails to talk to Priya Deonarain, Katy Beth Schmid and Sarah Murphy about pirates, Sea Devils, history, Thasmin and what worked (and didn't) about The Legend of the Sea Devils. We're going to a future with teleportation and Ice Warriors when Philip Lawrence brings The Seeds of Death to the Gallery of the Underrated. And brace yourselves! Lacy Baugher-Milas and Joy Piedmont are answering the hard questions (and even harder math) when Is This Rumour Hot or Not? returns! All this plus, it's time to go to church to worship the blessed trailer!
On the ninety-seventh edition of Reality Bomb, we're going somewhere we've never gone before as a podcast... a discussion about bringing back classic monsters as Graeme Burk talks to Stacey Smith? and Priya Deonarain about whether, when and how to bring menaces from the past back to our screens. There's Vardans and Time Lords and a TARDIS interior looking like a hospital as Inside Soap editor, author and critic Gary Gillatt brings The Invasion of Time to the Gallery of the Underrated. And with the Gallifrey One convention returning after a year off due to the pandemic, Joy Piedmont offers a documentary about what it's like for fans to come home again. All thus plus Listeners Letters, and the four days that shook Doctor Who fandom!
On the ninety-sixth edition of Reality Bomb, guest host Sage Young is talking with Max Kashevsky and Kayti Burt about the 2022 New Years special Eve of the Daleks, about rom com time loops and much more. Adrienne Enderle stops by to discuss Queen Victoria's how mishap with a lycanthrope led to the creation of Torchwood when Tooth and Claw comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. And this is not a drill! Thasmin is a thing! It's real! And Lacy Baugher-Milas and KatyBeth Schmid are here to parse it out. Plus some soliloquys about the happenings in the world of Doctor Who!
On the ninety-fifth edition of Reality Bomb, we're talking about all things Flux: the uber-serialized nature of it, the characters, how the Doctor's new backstory works in it... all the things. It's a deep dive into the special serial that made up Series 13 with Kayti Burt, Evan Teng and KatyBeth Schmid. We also talk with author Paul Hayes about his new book The Long Game: the Inside Story of How the BBC Brought Back Doctor Who and the obstacles the show faced in coming back to TV in the late '90s including a Doctor Who film in development hell, confusion about the rights to the series and indifference within BBC culture to science fiction. And writer and renaissance man Graham Kibble-White emerges from a maze that looks like a 1980s hotel to bring The God Complex to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus Priya Deonarain offers an editorial on what she thought about Flux when all was said and done. All this plus an experiment to give people Flux in its purest form!
BONUS CONTENT: We have a special animated version of this month's Gallery of Underrated on Vimeo!
On the ninety-fourth edition of Reality Bomb, we're doing a live episode on Zoom where Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont are joined by panelists Sage Young, KatyBeth Schmid, Max Curtis and Bill Evenson to talk about Chris Chibnall's legacy on Doctor Who. Plus a surprise (perhaps not really) guest brings the 1965 story The Rescue to the Gallery of the Underrated. And the panel plays "Would I Lie 'Bout Doctor Who With You" with special guest Alex Kennard. And Kim Rogers joins us for comedy and listeners Q and A. It's the best way to enjoy the 58th anniversary of Doctor Who!
NPR Books Editor Petra Mayer, who has been a longtime contributor to Reality Bomb, died suddenly on November 13. In this special episode Graeme Burk is joined by the Verity! podcast's Deb Stanish to remember Petra and the special enthusiasm she had for Doctor Who. We revisit the highlights of Petra's 26 appearances on the program, and represent four complete segments including Petra's first time on the program, doing a Gallery of the Underrated on the Sylvester McCoy story The Happiness Patrol way back in episode 013 (July 2014); Petra's stinging critique of the lack of women writers in Doctor Who from episode 018 (December 2014); Petra and Deb Stanish at our second New York City live show talking about the enduring power of regeneration in Doctor Who back in episode 038 (September 2016); and finally we have Petra's contribution to our "Variations on a Timeless Child" episode (083) on a retcon that did not please her (to put it mildly) from September 2020.
Petra Mayer will be missed by Doctor Who fans everywhere.
On the ninety-third edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that first of all takes a deep dive into the marketing and promotion of Doctor Who -- talking about what's working and what disasters have befallen the show's promotion in the lead-up to the new season with Alex Kennard, Lori Steuart and Max Curtis. We also have spoons as a musical instrument and malapropisms in abundance as Time and the Rani comes to the Gallery of the Underrated with Marvel Comics' legendary editor Tom Breevort. And Priya Deonarain talks about what she's looking forward to when Flux comes to our screens. Plus Listeners Letters and an award ceremony that you won't want to miss!
On the ninety-second edition of Reality Bomb, we're talking about Russell T Davies' return to showrunning Doctor Who, what that means and the challenges ahead, with Evan Teng, Head Over Feels' Kim Rogers and Guardian writer Martin Belam. We travel back to 2003 to talk about the original announcement that Russell was coming to Doctor Who with Lisa Gledhill, Jim Sangster and Nick Abadzis. And KatyBeth Schmid plans to break into the Gallery of the Underrated with Time Heist. Plus a conversation with one's self from 2010!
On the ninety-second edition of Reality Bomb, we're talking about Russell T Davies' return to showrunning Doctor Who, what that means and the challenges ahead, with Evan Teng, Head Over Feels' Kim Rogers and Guardian writer Martin Belam. We travel back to 2003 to talk about the original announcement that Russell was coming to Doctor Who with Lisa Gledhill, Jim Sangster and Nick Abadzis. And KatyBeth Schmid plans to break into the Gallery of the Underrated with Time Heist. Plus a conversation with one's self from 2010!
Never fear, Reality Bomb listeners. There's nothing wrong with your podcast! The gang from Deeper Cuts -- Shannon Dohar, Rob Jones and Reality Bomb's very own Graeme Burk -- have been timescooped over to Reality Bomb's feed (in honour of the Deeper Cuts miniseries, The Soundtrack Sessions, available now!) to do their thing with us-- talking about an album that was of significance to one of them. Because it's Reality Bomb, they're talking about a Doctor Who soundtrack: 1984's Doctor Who - The Music II, which Graeme bought as 17 year-old as it was the sequel to an album he coveted from PBS pledge breaks. But how does this BBC Radiophonic Workshop collection with its heavy synths hold up in the modern era? And what are the basic elements that all Doctor Who music -- of any era -- shares? Get behind the sofa, good people, as the Deeper Cuts trio get all timey-wimey!
You can find out more about Deeper Cuts at their website, or look them up wherever you get your podcasts. You can talk to them on twitter at @deepercutscast
On the ninety-first edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that looks at what a showrunner does on modern day British TV with Mikey Williams and Philip Lawrence. We also talk to NPR’s Petra Mayer and Den of Geek’s Kayti Burt about what we hope to see in Doctor Who’s next showrunner… whoever they may be. We also have a brand new feature, the Reality Bomb Book Club, where Sage Young and Alex Kennard join Joy Piedmont in a discussion of Steven Moffat’s novelization of The Day of the Doctor. And Series 12 finally comes to the Gallery of the Underrated with the arrival of Ascension of the Cybermen and The Timeless Children, thanks to Priya Deonarain. All this plus Doctor Who news bingo!
On this super-sized episode of Reality Bomb we're talking about the recent SDCC Doctor Who panel and trailer with Katy Beth Schmid and Max Curtis. We check in with Dominic G. Martin, Beth Axford and Martin Belam about the interactive Doctor Who play Time Fracture, and we also talk with Martin Belam about his recent Guardian article. Plus hide the scissors - Michelle Tidmore is bringing The Edge of Destruction to the Gallery of the Underrated! And Rachel Donner talks about Judiasm and Doctor Who. All this... and a discovery about the recent trailer you might not expect!
Bonus content! We talk to Sage Young and Jon Arnold about the news about Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall leaving Doctor Who, and what's next for the series.
On the eighty-ninth episode of Reality Bomb, we discuss the latest revelations regarding Noel Clarke and John Barrowman, and what they mean to Doctor Who fandom, with Amanda Rae Prescott and Rachel Donner. Plus the Monks have always been on this podcast as author Jonathan Morris discusses The Lie of the Land in this month's Gallery of the Underrated. Plus Listeners' Letters, and what happens if you don't comply with the BBC's FAQ regarding fan fiction...
Resources on sexual assualt:
In North America call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or go to hotline.rainn.org/online to chat with a specialist.
If you’re in the UK call The National Rape Crisis Helpline at 0808 802 9999 or visit to rapecrisis.org.uk
On the eightieth-eighth edition of Reality Bomb, as we reach the first anniversary of the global pandemic, we decided to return to do an episode of Reality Bomb live on Zoom. Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont are joined by Kim Rogers, Sage Young, Lacy Baugher-Milas and Sanjay Lago as they tell us what they would do if they ran Doctor Who in the "I'ds of March". Sage and Kim lead us in a round of their convention mainstage game "This or That" and we have a special live version of "Is This Rumour Hot or Not?". And we visit an ersatz New York to witness a human in a Zoot Suit and a fetching Dalek hat as Daleks In Manhattan / Evolution of the Daleks comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus... Kim Rogers gives us a MasterClass on being a Doctor Who fangirl diva!
At the start of the episode Joy talks about the movement to stop anti-Asian racism. If you want to learn more about what’s happening now, how you can help, or need resources for self-care, we recommend this guide.
On the eighty-seventh edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk brings Sage Young and Max Curtis back to talk about their reactions to the 2021 New Year's Special, Revolution of the Daleks. Joy Piedmont talks to writer Talia Franks about their recent article for Nerdist about how Black characters are portrayed in the recent special, and how production decisions within Doctor Who don't consider the implications of race. And "Is This Rumour Hot or Not?" is back as Lacy Baugher-Milas considers the latest location discoveries, hot takes and speculations going on. Plus Sage Young talks about her pandemic pilgrimage, and a popular Doctor Who personality makes an appeal for a terrible affliction for the spouses and loved ones of middle-aged Doctor Who fans.
On the eighty-sixth edition of Reality Bomb, Joy Piedmont is looking back at the Doctor Who Christmas special and talking with Alex Kennard, Kim Rogers, Katelyn Seitz, Brenna Jones and Graeme Burk about their favourite festive Doctor Who moments in a special documentary. Graeme also talks with Sage Young and Max Curtis about the upcoming special Revolution of the Daleks and what they're looking forward to when Captain Jack and the (redesigned) pepperpots return on New Years Day. And the OG Doctor Who spinoff and Christmas special comes to the Gallery of the Underrated as Colleen Hillerup discusses K9 and Company. Plus Bruce tries to get Doctor Who more episodes...with disastrous results for Darren!
On the eighty-fifth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk is talking with Mikey Willliams, who works in the British TV industry, and Den of Geek editor Kayti Burt about series 13 starting filming, both in terms of what that means practically in an age of COVID, and what we can expect from a shortened season. Joy Piedmont explores what fandom is like for those born into Gen Z with Beth Axford and Dominic G. Martin. And Who For Schools donor David Matthewman takes us to the icecanos of Spiriodon as Planet of the Daleks comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus BBC America holds a seance / press conference for Doctor Who!
On the eighty-fourth edition of Reality Bomb, we're looking at Time Lord Victorious, the huge story arc encompassing audios, books, comics, figurines, t-shirts(!) and even escape rooms, and talking to Sanjay Lago and Derek Compare about what it is, who can afford it and who is going to buy it all. Planet Who goes to Brazil to talk about Doctor Who and the fandom there with Freddy Pavao and Thais Aux Pavao of Doctor Who Brazil. And a missing story comes to the Gallery of the Underrated for the first time as Den of Geek writer Kayti Burt discusses the 1966 Patrick Troughton story The Highlanders. Plus Listeners Letters, and Drew Meyer's reactions to the NYCC Doctor Who panel.
On the eighty-third edition of Reality Bomb, we've given over everything to a special episode exploring fan reaction to, and the impact of, the coming of the timeless child to Doctor Who through eight different variations
1) Doctor Who In 90 Seconds or Less - Kim Rogers runs us through all the changes to the Doctor over a 53 year period in one minute, thirty seconds.
2) This Ain't Our First Rodeo - Jim Sangster explains the evolution of continuity in Doctor Who, and why it matters to fans so much.
3) Diagnosis: Fandom - There's a medical mystery, and Series 12 is at the bottom of it. With Shannon Dohar, Andy Hicks and Drew Meyer
4) Sacrificing Drama - Ari Lipsey has an issue with The Timeless Children. It's not what you think.
5) The Island of Misfit Continuity - Where do all the developments that happen to the Doctor on TV that no one talks about end up? Scot Clarke is on the case.
6) When Bad Retcons Happen to Good People - Petra Mayer talks about the worst day of being a fan... November 23, 2013.
7) Adoption Story - Joy Piedmont explores the timeless child and its connection to adoption.
8) Timeless Cracks - A poem by Sanjay Lago
On the eighty-second episode of Reality Bomb, we’ve given over the whole episode to revisit the best of our comedy sketches as selected (mostly) by you, the listener! Join Joy Piedmont and comedy sketch performers Kim Rogers, Bill Evenson and Drew Meyer as they go back through the past seven years of Reality Bomb comedic highlights including "F*ck That Guy", "Watch This Space", "Bruce and Darren in the Logos Operation", "Pam Brandeis - The Whofauldi Brief", "A Message from BBC America", "Doctor Who Feminist Agenda Meeting", "Daleklab 1 - Speculation", "Dylan Devlin: How to Lose Your Shit as Doctor Who Fan" and much more! Plus we offer a new version of "Spoiler Cops! - The Hostage Panel"
On the eighty-first edition of Reality Bomb, with sensible people still in lockdown during the global pandemic, we returned once more to do offer a super-sized episode of Reality Bomb live on Zoom. This time, we bring our true confessions revealing our deepest, darkest secret shames, embarrassments and wrongs we have committed regarding Doctor Who to the confession dial. We also play (courtesy of Head Over Feels) This or That! Plus The Tsuranga Conundrum is in the Gallery of the Underrated and we have Listener's Q and A! And... an ode to a t-shirt.
Resources related to Joy’s editorial:
- Nicole’s essay about World Enough and Time/The Doctor Falls
- Nicole’s recap of the #DoctorWhoBlackout
- Organizations supported by fans during the #DoctorWhoBlackout
- For those who have no idea what Intersectionality is: The Urgency of Intersectionality — TED Talk by Kimberle Crenshaw
- What does BIPOC mean?
On the eightieth edition of Reality Bomb, while we're all still in lockdown during a global pandemic, we decided to do another episode of Reality Bomb live on Zoom. We talk about the stand up and cheer moments we love in Doctor Who. The 2003 webcast Scream of the Shalka with Richard E Grant comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. And we play a game where you have to guess what scene from Doctor Who is being (badly) acted out! Plus... Pam Brandeis: Fan Attorney has a case to win on Zoom!
On the seventy-ninth edition of Reality Bomb, we decided to cheer ourselves up during the pandemic by doing a live episode of Reality Bomb... over Zoom. Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont are joined by Kim Rogers, Shannon Dohar, Alex Kennard and Bill Evenson as they talk about the Doctor Who we're watching or experiencing that provides comfort. Bill brings the 1965 Peter Cushing movie Dr. Who and the Daleks to the Gallery of the Underrated. And we play Doctor Who fan version of "Never have I ever..." Plus the return of "F*ck that guy"!
We also have a video version of this episode if you want to watch!
On the seventy-eighth edition of Reality Bomb, Lacy Baugher and Sage Young come together one last time to discuss the final episodes of series 12, the finale, the change to the Doctor's backstory and more. Joy Piedmont gets Graeme Burk to sit on the other side of the microphone alongside Robert Smith? to discuss their new episode guide to the modern series, Who is the Doctor 2. And the AV Club's Caroline Siede stops by the Gallery of the Underrated to discuss the Matt Smith / James Corden bromance-with-Cybermen, Closing Time. Plus we go behind the scenes at a Big Finish production meeting!
Be well, stay safe everybody.
On the seventy-seventh edition of Reality Bomb, we bring Sage Young, Lacy Baugher and Petra Mayer together to discuss Series 12, its shock revelations and what's going right and what's going wrong this year in Doctor Who. We also talk to Tom Spilsbury, former Doctor Who Magazine editor and contributor to Inside Soap magazine to break down Doctor Who's ratings this season. And we debut a new feature, Planet Who, which looks at fandom from around the globe -- this time looking at the recent documentary about French Doctor Who fandom with one of its co-directors Pauline Cadart Serizel. Plus Listeners' Letters and the exciting conclusion of Spoiler Cops!
On the seventy-sixth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk is talking about the return of the Master, the threat of apocalypse and the inventions of Nikola Tesla as look at the first four episodes of Series 12 with our review team for this season, Sage Young and Lacy Baugher, alongside Angelique Roche. Twissys and Thasmins rejoice as Joy Piedmont decodes the world of shipping with Kim Rogers, Paul Booth and Heather Berberet. And the Jodie Whittaker era comes to the Gallery of the Underrated when Kat Climpson discusses The Ghost Monument. Plus Spoiler Cops continues!
On the seventy-fifth edition of Reality Bomb, we're looking back on the past decade's worth of Doctor Who as NPR Books editor Petra Mayer, Den of Geek's Kayti Burt, Jon Arnold and Kat Climpson discuss the best Doctor Who of the 2010s with Graeme Burk. Joy Piedmont looks back on the Doctor Who Christmas specials with our Christmas Questions quiz with Bill Evenson, Kelly Boaz and Adrienne Enderle. And Graeme takes another trip to the Gallery of the Underrated to talk about the Jon Pertwee story the Mutants with emeritus producer Alex Kennard. Plus the return of Spoiler Cops!
On the seventy-fourth edition of Reality Bomb, Joy Piedmont is talking to Heather Berberet and Rachel Donner about the brand-new trailer for Series 12, what they're excited about, how it stacks up against past trailers and how it feels to have your favourite TV program ghost you for almost a year. Meanwhile, Graeme Burk talks to Sage Young and Den of Geek's Lacy Baugher about the slate of new and returning writers and directors. And a surprise guest (well to some people, anyway) comes to the Gallery of the Underrated with The Rebel Flesh and The Almost People. All this... plus the game show every Doctor Who fan has been playing this past year!
On the seventy-third edition of Reality Bomb we have a special live episode recorded at the Stone Creek Bar and Lounge in New York with Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont. First, we bring together NPR Books editor Petra Mayer, Marvel Comics writer Dan Slott and Bustle's movies editor Sage Young to discuss where things go from here with Doctor Who series 12. Then we subject Nick Abadzis, Shannon Dohar and Chip Sudderth to our fiendishly hard music quiz. And we talk with The Moment's Tom Dickinson about the end of Whofaldi and the Hybrid as he brings Hell Bent into the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus we have a bonus quiz with Rachel Donner and Edie Nugent and a double shot of comedy with Kim Rogers, Adrienne Enderle, Edie Nugent, Chip Sudderth, Jason Miller, Shannon Dohar and Tom Dickinson!
On the seventy-second edition of Reality Bomb, we remember to Doctor Who writer, script editor, author and legend Terrance Dicks with a special tribute from Martin Belam, Nick Abadzis, Lisa Gledhill, Jon Arnold, Jason A. Miller and Bill Evenson. YouTuber, fan and Doctor Who Magazine Time Team member Claudia Boleyn uncouples Utopia from the series 3 finale and brings it to the Gallery of the Underrated. And the craze sweeping the fandom is back as Is This Rumour Hot or Not? returns with emeritus producer Alex Kennard and Kim Rogers. All this plus a poem in honour of Terrance Dicks by Chris Fosten, and we blow wide the conspiracy behind what's going on with Doctor Who in Cardiff.
On the seventy-first edition of Reality Bomb, we’ve given over the entire episode to a special report on convention safety. We’re doing a 90-minute deep dive on the topic on harassment at conventions and what convention organizers need to do to make cons safer.
We talk to outside resources and experts as well as people in fandom and survivors including Christine Chapman of Uplift, an organization which has a special outreach program that creates codes of conduct for conventions and trains volunteer staff. We talk to Trickssi of the Cosplayer Survivor Support Network, an organization supporting survivors of abuse at cons. And we talk to Doctor Who fans Sage Young and Felicity Kuzinitz about their perspective within Doctor Who fandom about con safety. We also talk to regular contributor Heather Berberet, who offers her insight as a psychologist on the issues of harassment. Finally, we offer the stories of survivors of harassment at conventions.
For more information:
Uplift – an organization dedicated to combating sexual abuse in online communities through education and advocacy.
Convention Resources by Uplift – an initiative which offers staff and volunteer training to conventions and consultation on creating codes of conduct and more.
Cosplayer Survivor Support Network - a support network for members of the cosplay community who are survivors of harassment, trauma, sexual assault, or abuse. CSSN offers a report card on convention harassment policies.
If you or someone you know is a survivor and needs confidential support:
In North America call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or go to hotline.rainn.org/online to chat with a specialist.
If you're in the UK call The National Rape Crisis Helpline at 0808 802 9999 or visit to rapecrisis.org.uk
On the seventieth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk brings back emeritus producer Alex Kennard (and drafts Lori Steuart) for another segment of "Is This Rumour Hot or Not?" as they judge the latest rumours (or not) from the Doctor Who set. Neil Perryman brings the "love it or hate it" Sylvester McCoy story Ghost Light to the Gallery of the Underrated. And Joy Piedmont talks to Monica Duarte, Jim Sangster and Derek Compare about Doctor Who collecting in all its various forms. Plus listeners letters, and the protest about Ianto at BBC Wales goes into its tenth year!
On the sixty-ninth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk speaks to The Guardian's Martin Belam and Bustle's film editor Sage Young about Chris Chibnall's avoidance of publicity and whether or not Doctor Who needs hype (and if so how much) to survive in the modern media landscape. Joy Piedmont brings together Tai Gooden and Kat Climpson to talk about what other monsters from the Russell T Davies era (and more) could come back following the Judoon. And Pauline Serizel of the French YouTube channel Pepperpot Team discusses getting meta, fandom as heroes and a monster (literally) designed by an 10-year-old as Love & Monsters comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus: we find inspiration in a t-shirt.
On the sixty-eighth edition of Reality Bomb, we have a special episode featuring two documentaries in honour of Graeme being a fan of Doctor Who for 35 years last month. First we re-present our documentary from episode 012 where Graeme celebrates his 30th year of being a fan and talks to several people about the ways Doctor Who fandom changed in the '80s, '90s and 2000s. We follow that up with a brand-new documentary where Graeme and some friends (and a special guest) discuss the developments in Doctor Who fandom over the past five years.
This is a special edition of Reality Bomb remembering a special person: Paul Condon, who died late last week. Paul was brilliant, funny, thoughtful, mischievous and kind. He was a much-loved Doctor Who fan and we're paying tribute to him by presenting two interviews he did: the first (from episode 048) was recorded the day after Jodie Whittaker was cast as Paul explained who Jodie Whittaker was and what to watch of her work. The second is a Gallery of the Underrated from episode 047 as Paul explains why he thinks Delta and the Bannermen should get more love -- and offers a mind-blowing interpretation of what actually happened in that story.
Paul Condon was the best of Doctor Who fandom. And he will be missed.
On the sixty-seventh edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk asks the question “Why do conventions fail?” and Ly Cao, Jeff Elston and Jim Sangster discuss the logistical, economic and general reasons that have caused many cons lately to cancel at the last minute. Also a new book, Bookwyrm: An Unauthorised & Unconventional Guide to the Doctor Who Novels Volume 1, looks back on the Doctor Who New Adventures novels of the 1990s and its authors Robert Smith? and Anthony Wilson are here to talk about the days, long ago in an English winter, when Doctor Who was only to be found in prose. And Concorde crash lands in Jurassic England and author Jenny Colgan is on the spot talking about Time-Flight in the Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus Listeners Letters with Joy Piedmont, and the latest superhero sequel featuring an all-too familiar villain.
On the sixty-sixth edition of Reality Bomb, Joy Piedmont has brought Petra Mayer and Alex Kennard together to evaluate what rumours have escaped the locked down set of Doctor Who as "Is This Rumour Hot or Not?" returns for a new season. We're talking about Clara and things in the wifi when Kim Rogers brings The Bells of Saint John to the Gallery of the Underrated. And we have a special documentary looking back at one's first convention. Plus we have political ads about... Chris Chibnall!
On the sixty-fifth edition of Reality Bomb, we conclude our review of series 11 (and the 2019 New Year’s special, Resolution) as our review team of Sage Young and Lori Steuart talks to Graeme Burk about what made them happy, and unhappy, about the latest season, the standout stories, what they would change in the season to come and much more. Joy Piedmont talks to Jon Arnold, Delia Gallegos and Heather Berberet about the role families—actual and found—play in Doctor Who. And the Guardian’s Martin Belam takes us to the world of “teenaged” Kangs, cannibalistic Rezzies and rulebound Caretakers as Paradise Towers comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus listener’s letters and a popular nature documentary visits the exotic world…of a Doctor Who convention.
On the sixty-fourth edition of Reality Bomb we're calling the world for their opinions on Series 11 of Doctor Who!
We have suspended our usual segments to present a special documentary where we talk to 50 people in 9 countries and find out how they feel about the latest season. We talk about the positives and negatives about the storytelling, the new Doctor, team TARDIS and much more as we try to determine what we have in common, where the fault lines are in the emerging world of fandom, and what we hope to see happen in the next season of Doctor Who.
Listen now
On the sixty-third edition of Reality Bomb, series 11 has arrived and this year's review team of Sage Young and Lori Steuart are here to talk with Graeme Burk about what's different, what's working and what's not working this season. In the newest segment of Perception Filter, Joy Piedmont talks to Connie Gibbs, Bayana Davis and Robyn Jordan of Black Girls Create's podcast TARBIS about how the new Doctor Who’s commitment to inclusion in front of and behind the camera is working in practice. And Graeme reunites with his co-author Robert Smith? to discuss alien invasions, 2005 style, as Aliens of London / World War Three comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, a grimdark superhero with a mission... to answer criticism about Doctor Who.
On the sixty-second edition of Reality Bomb we have a special live episode recorded at the Imperial Pub in Toronto with Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont. We interview a panel of fans including Lori Steuart, Rebecca Diem and Cadence Gillard about their first impressions of the new Doctor and the new season. Our fifth annual new season news hype quiz tasks Peter Hill, Cameron Dixon, Warren Frey and Heather Murray about the news that somehow escaped from Chris Chibnall's grasp. Prisoners of Gravity and InnerSpace creator and comic book writer and ubergeek Mark Askwith discusses Doctor Who's foray into superheroes by bringing The Return of Doctor Mysterio to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, we have musician David Lush (of Memorex) performing the Doctor Who theme live, a double shot of comedy, listeners Q and A and much more! It's your favourite Doctor Who podcast... only live. In the centre of the universe!
On the sixty-first edition of Reality Bomb, Joy Piedmont talks to Den of Geek's staff editor Kayti Burt and The Guardian's senior social correspondent Martin Belam about the latest news of Doctor Who's move to Sundays and the recent announcement of new writers and directors and what all this might mean for the series. Graeme Burk explores the question of whether Doctor Who fandom is toxic or could become toxic with Angelique Roche, Sage Young and Felicity Kuzinitz. And emeritus producer Alex Kennard returns to Reality Bomb in order that he might bring the now-forgotten revolutionary 2002 webcast Death Comes To Time to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, some anthropologists attempt to flush out some middle aged Doctor Who fans in the wild and more!
Reality Bomb is going to be doing a live show in Toronto on Saturday October 20th at 3pm at the Imperial Pub at 54 Dundas Street west. Details are on our website or our Facebook event page for more details!
On the sixitieth edition of Reality Bomb, Joy Piedmont talks with author Jenny Colgan and Head Over Feels' Kim Rogers about romance in Doctor Who and what defines it. Graeme Burk talks to Lindsey Mayers and Heather Berberet about their fondest hopes, deepest fears and wildest speculations for the new season. We reunite our "Twitch Team" of Helena Lane, Katherine Climpson, Evan Teng and Andrew Smith to discuss how Doctor Who in the '70s and '80s fared and the skittles-coloured Daleks invade the Gallery of the Underrated with Kelly Boaz. Plus our poet laureate, Chris Fosten, offers an ode to not knowing, and Miss Urquart investigates a locked room abduction on a podcast!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! Reality Bomb will be having a live show in Toronto on Saturday, October 20th! Details to follow soon!
On the fifty-ninth edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode as, one year after they first talked about Jodie Whittaker's casting in episode 048, Graeme Burk talks to Petra Mayer, Angelique Roche and Sage Young about the new Doctor's debut at San Diego Comic Con... and the brace of teasers, trailers and news articles all saying very little but meaning so very much. Joy Piedmont talks to vlogger and member of Doctor Who Magazine's Team Team Claudia Boleyn about the ways Doctor Who could improve representation in a variety of ways as we debut a new segment, Perception Filter: conversations about identity and Doctor Who. And Graeme reunites with Rob Jones and Shannon Dohar -- his co-hosts from the music podcast, Deeper Cuts -- to talk about Doctor Who's new composer Segun Akinola and how his work on other shows might connect with his work on series 11. Plus we have coverage from the SDCC press conference, Listeners' Letters, a song and scenes from a meeting you won't want to miss!
On the fifty-eighth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk brings together a group of fans who had largely never seen classic Doctor Who until they saw it on Twitch TV including Katherine Climpson, Helena Lane and Evan Teng to discuss the joys of 1960s Doctor Who alongside classic series writer Andrew Smith. Also, Adrienne Enderle talks about golf ball-munching herbivores, fathers with trowels, Egyptian queens and genocidal maniacs when Dinosaurs on a Spaceship comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. And Joy Piedmont looks into The Caves – a rock opera about The Caves of Androzani – with its co-creator Christian Erickson. Plus, a salute to Graham Strong, who provided crystal clear recordings of so much 1960s Doctor Who… and we look back on the bittersweet memories of the omnirumour. Stephen Cranbrook, who spoke in our segment about Graham Strong will be doing a charitable walk for St. Barnabas House, the hospice which looked after Graham. You can donate to this walk in Graham’s memory by visiting Stephen’s Just Giving page. Listen now!
On the fifty-seventh edition of Reality Bomb, Joy Piedmont follows up on the recent rejuvenation of the Time Team in Doctor Who Magazine by assembling a focus group of twentysomethings who have mostly never read DWM before to see if the magazine connects with them. There's a slow terror afoot (very round feet too!) when our pal (and co-host the Deeper Cuts podcast) Shannon Dohar brings The Sensorites to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, we look to the darker corners of nature to document the internet Doctor Who troll!
On the fifty-sixth edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode which looks at the legacy and future of the Target Novels as Graeme Burk talks first with fans Jon Arnold and Christopher Bryant, and then with author Jenny Colgan, who wrote the recent adapation of The Christmas Invasion. We then look back to when Doctor Who broke bad and lost its arms, its legs, it's everything as Doctor Who writer Andrew Smith brings Nightmare of Eden to the Gallery of the Underrated. And Joy Piedmont talks to Sage Young, Petra Mayer and Michelle Tidmore about Doctor Who actors and the appeal they have that bring fans to conventions and the stage door. Plus Bruce and Darren travel to a parallel dimension to get a shelf with uniform DVD and blu-ray spines...but at what cost? Listen now!
On the fifty-fifth episode of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont, emboldened by the #WhoAgainstGuns campaign, look around at the other ways Doctor Who fans are doing good. First we go back in time to learn more about the 1985 Fan Aid campaign to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief with then-organizer, now-author and writer Paul Cornell. Back in the present, we talk about the Whovian Running Club with organizer Brian Biggs, and we discuss the Doctor Who Society of Canada's work raising money for children's hospitals in Canada at conventions with Cindy Peters. We also have a brief update on #WhoAgainstGuns with Rachel Donner. Additionally, Koa Webster, who won the #WhoAgainstGuns giveaway to be on Gallery of the Underrated, takes the opportunity to talk about fake news and the companion that couldn't with The Long Game. Plus, Emma Caywood has a song inspired by #WhoAgainstGuns and two fangirls go to a convention bar... and they have a LOT to say! Listen now!
On the fifty-fourth edition of Reality Bomb we have a special live episode recorded at the Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles with Graeme Burk and Joy Piedmont. We start off by looking to the future of Doctor Who with Sage Young, Tai Gooden and Simon Fraser. In celebrating 30 years of Perivale's finest citizen, we have a quiz about all things Ace with Paul Cornell, Felicity Kuzinitz, Rob Shearman and Rachel Donner. Controversy comes to the Gallery of the Underrated (live in the room!) when the Verity! podcast's Erika Ensign offers The Ribos Operation for consideration. We have a live edition of Listener's Letters adjudicated by Paul Cornell and a bonus quiz with Shannon Dohar and Deb Stanish. Plus we have a double shot comedy from Kim Rogers, Andy Hicks, Felicity Kuzinitz, Edie Nugent, Chip Sudderth, Liz Myles, Bill Evenson, Robert Smith? and special guest star Richard Ashton!
SPECIAL NOTICE
Reality Bomb is also proud to support #whoagainstguns, an initiative to encourage Doctor Who fans to take action against gun violence.
An all-star cast of over 40 Doctor Who podcasters, writers and fans are coming together to record a podcast commentary of a Classic Who story. The podcast will only be released to listeners who provide a donation to an organization committed to ending gun violence.
For more details visit the Who Against Guns webpage.
On the fifty-third edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that features Reality Bomb's new co-producer Joy Piedmont talking with Kim Rogers and Simon Fraser about Peter Capaldi's swansong, Twice Upon a Time, and how the twelfth Doctor's finale fared, how a less-than-progressive portrayal of the first Doctor worked, and what they're looking forward to based on Jodie Whittaker's brief debut. Meanwhile, Lindsey Mayers and NPR Books Editor Petra Mayer are on hand for another edition of Are These Rumours Hot or Not? as they discuss what few rumours have made it out from Chris Chibnall's tight lid on production and judge them (thoroughly). And the Gallery of the Underrated reaches a milestone with its 50th segment as writer, designer and Doctor Who fan (and the designer of Reality Bomb's logo and graphics) Scot Clarke comes back to do his look back on the Idiot's Lantern he was supposed to have done in episode 002! Plus: we have an instructional recording on how to speak like Jodie Whittaker, and a popular radio show and podcast examines the history of artificially intelligent Doctor Who fans!
On this special episode of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk travels to Britain and takes the podcast with him! Graeme checks in with comic book artist Rachael Stott (Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor Adventures, Sex Criminals) about how she's coping with Peter Capaldi's imminent departure and what she's looking forward to with the Christmas special and the new Doctor. Doctor Who writer and World Fantasy Award winning author Robert Shearman discusses Turlough, the Black Guardian and multiple Brigadiers when he brings the timey-wimey-before-it-was-called-that story Mawdryn Undead to the Gallery of the Underrated. And Graeme journeys to Cardiff to visit some Doctor Who and Torchwood locations!
On the fifty-first edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that begins with the TARDIS landing on the runway as the thirteenth Doctor’s costume debuts and we have fashionistas Joy Piedmont and Heather Berberet at the ready to give their thoughts. We’re also talking with Lisa Gledhill about change, mindfulness, chase sequences and arachnophobia when Planet of the Spiders comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. And Lindsey Mayer’s evaluates the latest rumours about Doctor Who and judges whether they’re hot or not. Plus Bruce and Darren try to save Shada and we bid a fond farewell to our esteemed co-producer Alex Kennard.
It's the fiftieth edition of Reality Bomb and we have a special live episode recorded in New York at Passage Irish Bar and Kitchen in Astoria, Queens with Graeme Burk and co-host Shannon Dohar! There's a new Doctor hype news quiz regarding the silly season's best stories following the announcement of Jodie Whittaker with Simon Fraser and Robert Smith? and friends; we have music and "The Song He Couldn't Be Arsed to Write" with Cat Smith; a journey to the 1920s and Agatha Christie in the Gallery of the Underrated with This Week in Time Travel's Alyssa Franke; and a discussion of multi-Doctor stories with the nearly-late Petra Mayer, Sage Young and Nick Abadzis. Plus the new game all the kids are playing with Kim Rogers, Kathleen Schowalter, Joy Piedmont and Andy Hicks; Listneners Q and A with Alex Kennard... and a few other surprises! It's your favourite podcast, but it's live...and celebrating the big five-oh!
On the forty-ninth episode of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode where we conclude our review of Series 10 with a discussion of the finale and the season as a whole with our intrepid reviewers Lindsey Mayers and Lori Steuart. We're also comparing notes about capital punishment, relationship sadness and tribophysical waveform macro-kinetic extrapolators when Rachel Donner brings Boom Town to the Gallery of the Underrated. Once again, the interviewer becomes the interviewed as Graeme Burk talks with the Coal Hill AV Club Podcast host Andy Hicks about the book about Doctor Who creator Sydney Newman that Graeme worked on, Head of Drama. And Joy Piedmont talks about representation, Bill and the series 10 finale. Plus the return of Listeners Letters with Graeme and Alex Kennard and see the titanic fight to the death of... reasonable fans.
Reality Bomb will be celebrating it's 50th episode with a live show in New York in September! It's on Saturday, September 30 at 3 pm at Passage Irish Bar and Kitchen, 40-11 30th Avenue, Queens, New York. Details are on our Facebook page. It's going to be a great time and we hope to see you there!
On the forty-eighth edition of Reality Bomb, we have our biggest episode yet as Sage Young, Petra Mayer and Angelique Roche welcome Jodie Whittaker as the thirteenth Doctor. We then talk with author Paul Condon about Jodie Whittaker's career highlights. And we talk about what it means to have a woman Doctor -- before and after the announcement of the new Doctor -- as we revisit the very first Reality Bomb segment from episode 001 with Lori Steuart, Felicity Brown and Heather Berberet. Also, author and BBC Radio presenter Matthew Sweet discusses the joys of the 1965 Dalek story The Chase in the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus: do you have feels about this season's finale? Help is here for you!
On the forty-seventh edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that includes a discussion of series ten with Lori Steuart, Lindsey Mayers and Shannon Dohar that is replete with trenchant commentary, insight, apt metaphor and off-the-hook crazy theories. With news that China has bought a package of Doctor Who episodes that could potentially go til series 15, Graeme Burk talks with Space producer (and co-creator of Prisoners of Gravity) Mark Askwith about what Doctor Who, and television, might be like in the future. And welcome campers to Shangri-La! Delta and the Bannermen comes to visit the Gallery of the Underrated with author Paul Condon! Plus: our season of Spoiler Cops comes to an exciting two-part finale!
On the forty-sixth edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode where Titan’s Twelfth Doctor comic artist Rachael Stott, Angelique Roche and Titan’s Tenth Doctor comic writer Nicholas Abadzis talk about what they love about Bill. We continue our review of series ten as our review team of Lori Steuart and Lindsey Mayers are joined by NPR books editor Petra Mayer. And carrot juice, carrot juice, carrot juice, The Trial of a Time Lord episode 13 and 14, AKA The Ultimate Foe is in the Gallery of the Underrated with comedian Peter Hill. Plus: Jim Sangster talks with Paul Condon about Doctor Who reaction videos, and Spoiler Cops continues.
On the forty-fifth edition of Reality Bomb, we’re kicking off our review of the latest season of Doctor Who thus far (all two episodes of it!) with our Series Ten review team, Lori Steuart and Lindsey Mayers. Also, Joy Piedmont talks with Tai Gooden about what might happen were the next Doctor be a person of colour. And we have a fairy tale of a lost child in a magical forest in London when Heather Berberet of Doctor Who: On The Couch brings Smile writer Frank Cottrell Boyce’s The Forest of the Night to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus: they’re back and it’s about not spoiling anything! It’s the return of Spoiler Cops!
On the forty-fourth edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode where we get excited about series ten with a panel that includes Lindsey Mayers, Joy Piedmont and Angelique Roche. We also travel to the canals of Venice (or a simulacrum of them in Croatia) when The Vampires of Venice comes to the Gallery of the Underrated with Kathleen Schowalter. And why is it that fans in North America can't access a large number of stories in the catalogue of classic Doctor Who stories? We ponder this question with the Incomparable Podcasting Network's Jason Snell. All this plus Listeners' Letters and a pub quiz that takes a huge left turn...
On the forty-third edition of Reality Bomb we have a special live episode recorded at the Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles with Graeme Burk and co-host Shannon Dohar. We kick things off by talking to Lindsey Mayers, Sage Young and Titan's Twelfth Doctor Comic artist Rachael Stott about the announcement of Peter Capaldi's departure and what Capaldi meant to fans. We hold a special live edition of our 3rd Annual New Series News Hype Quiz with Steven Schapansky, Erik Stadnik, Deb Stanish and Jon Arnold. Attack of the Cybermen is in the Gallery of the Underrated thanks to Warren Frey. And we have a live edition of Listeners Letters with special guest Paul Cornell! Plus a double shot of comedy and a bonus quiz with Nick Abadzis and Gillian Morshedi! It's your favourite Doctor Who podcast but it's live...at Gallifrey One!
On the forty-second edition of Reality Bomb, we’re faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a Mr. Huffle as we discuss (or argue about) The Return of Doctor Mysterio with Joy Piedmont and David Barsky. Also, there’s murder that’s not cricket as author Glen Weldon (The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture) of NPR’s podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour brings Black Orchid to the Gallery of the Underrated. And we talk about a decade of Doctor Who spinoffs with Petra Mayer, Sage Young and Jim Sangster. Plus a popular radio show and podcast examines the science of trailer predictions!
On the forty-first edition of Reality Bomb, we've got a blast from the past as Simon Fraser and Lori Steuart discuss the recent animated reconstruction of The Power of the Daleks. Also, the entire first season of Class is graded by Joy Piedmont and Robert Smith? And Chip Sudderth, ignoring the call from the Ood Sphere and avoiding his fate to rejoin Two-Minute Time Lord, finds a loophole in our "no podcasters" rule to talk about The End of Time, Parts One and Two. Plus: Bruce and Darren return on a time-travelling quest to find the missing episodes!
Note: the discussion about Class takes place between 26:25 and 46:16
On the fortieth edition of Reality Bomb, we're looking at the Doctor Who stories that we watch for comfort viewing with Lori Steuart, Sage Young and Kenyon Wallace. And the final segment of the the Key to Time season, The Armageddon Factor is in the Gallery of the Underrated with Doctor Who, Class and Torchwood author James Goss (writer of the upcoming novelization of Douglas Adams' The Pirate Planet). Plus BBC America gives viewer feedback about colourizing The Power of the Daleks!
On the thirty-ninth edition of Reality Bomb, we have first impressions of the new Doctor Who spinoff Class with NPR Books' Petra Mayer and Sage Young. And we're talking with a panel of educators and parents that includes Shannon Sudderth, Joy Piedmont and Jon Arnold about what's age appropriate when it comes to Doctor Who and Class. And are you a fan losing an argument? You have help from Pam Brandeis, fan attorney! Plus: Jim Sangster is looking back to 1985 and the greatest Doctor Who audio adventure of them all... Timelash. And Tai Gooden has flown the number 200 bus to the Gallery of the Underrated to discuss Planet of the Dead. And Sage Young speaks about women, safety and Doctor Who conventions.
Note: the Class discussion takes place between 2:16 and 13:45
On the thirty-eighth edition of Reality Bomb we have a special live episode recorded in New York at The Way Station in Brooklyn with Graeme Burk and co-host Shannon Dohar. There's an interview on the 50th anniversary of the Doctor's first regeneration on the enduring potential of regeneration with NPR Books editor Petra Mayer and Verity! podcast's Deborah Stanish; a trivia contest on Doctor Who in comics with Titan's Doctor Who comics' Nick Abadzis and Simon Fraser and The Beat's Edie Nugent; a conversation on head canon and what that means with Angelique Roche, Sage Young, Kathleen Schowalter and Simon Fraser; and LI Who's own Ken Deep is in the hot seat as Warriors of the Deep is in the Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus the music of Cat Smith and a rap battle extraordinaire with Andy Hicks (who wrote it) and Cat Smith and Kim Rogers. And Graeme reads from his adolescent fan fiction! It's your favourite Doctor Who podcast but it's live...in Brooklyn!
NOTE: Graeme's 1984 drawing of 'his' Doctor in his fan fiction can be found on our facebook page
On the thirty-seventh episode of Reality Bomb, we've given over the whole episode to revisit the best of our comedy sketches as selected by you, the listener! We go back through the past three years of Reality Bomb to our listen to our comedic highlights including, "How Dare You Steven Moffat!?", "Continuity Complaints Tribunal", Continuity Porn", "The Society for Scientific Accuracy in Doctor Who", "Sh*t Doctor Who Fangirls Say", "Bruce and Darren Stop The TV Movie", "Serial Code" and much, much more! PLUS - A brand new Spoiler Cops movie, "Unconventional Crime", featuring Liz Myles, Bill Evenson, Jeff Elston, Andy Hicks, Chip Sudderth, Kim Rogers, Drew Meyer, Erika Ensign, Deb Stanish, Felicity Brown and special guest Paul Cornell!
On the thirty-sixth episode of Reality Bomb, we've given over the whole episode to a special documentary that looks back on the special programs on Doctor Who made by Eric Luskin and New Jersey Network for PBS in the 1980s. We listen in on some of the best moments of these documentaries, talk to fans including Chris Hankenson, Drew Walco, Felicity Kuzinitz, Steven Schapansky and Warren Frey about what those programs meant to them and what it was like to live in a world of PBS pledge drives. And we talk to Eric Luskin himself about what it was like to go behind the scenes on Doctor Who in the 1980s and interview some of the most important people from that period.
SPECIAL NOTE: Reality Bomb will be doing a live show in New York on Saturday, September 17 at the Way Station in Brooklyn. Details are on our Facebook page.
On the thrity-fifth edition of Reality Bomb, we're puzzling about how Matt Lucas is going to play Nardole, given how little there is of him, and pondering the first Series 10 writers that have been announced with Richard Salter and Edie Nugent. We're looking back on Doomsday 10 years later with Head Over Feels' Sage Young and Kim Rogers. And we wake up to the possibilities in what will probably be one of the lower regarded stories from the past season when Martin Hajovsky brings Sleep No More to the Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus an infomercial that will change your life when it comes to freaking out about Doctor Who!
On the thirty-fourth edition of Reality Bomb, we're celebrating 500 issues of Doctor Who Magazine with Jim Sangster and Jon Arnold as they discuss the secret of DWM's longevity and the happiest times and places in the magazine's history. We also bring together NPR's Petra Mayer and Kathleen Schowalter to discuss their experiences as fans of the modern series coming to the classic series. And it's the 20th anniversary of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie and we have very special guest Deborah Stanish on hand to discuss its inclusion in the Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus listeners letters and a time travel adventure only two Doctor Who fans could do!
On the thirty-third edition of Reality Bomb, we're running through corridors with Bill, the new companion played by Pearl Mackie and then talking with Paul Condon, Lori Steuart and Shannon Dohar about who Bill might be and what we liked about Pearl Mackie in her debut teaser video. We're also talking about our hopes and fears about the upcoming spin-off Class with Sage Young, Joy Piedmont and Jon Arnold. And what happens when a bunch of peace-loving people in togas made from curtains get bullied by sociopaths armed with deadly filing cabinets? The Dominators is examined in this month's Gallery of the Underrated with writer Anna Livingston. All this, plus Miss Urquart, investigating murder most foul on a very long-winded Doctor Who podcast!
On the thirty-second edition of Reality Bomb, we're talking about the good, the bad and the timey-wimey of Steven Moffat's tenure on Doctor Who in a no-holds barred discussion between Petra Mayer, Anna Livingston and Lindsey Mayers. We're summoning Kronos when Young Sherlock author Andy Lane brings The Time Monster to the Gallery of the Underrated. And we're talking about what qualities we want in a new companion with Robert Smith? and Felicity Brown. All this plus listeners' letters and a nature documentary on the strangest of creatures.
Sorry dear listeners. We've decided we need to take the month of February off.
It was a hard decision but Alex and Graeme are hard at work on another project and their day jobs have been super-busy. With the hiatus on Doctor Who in 2016, we thought this might be a good opportunity to take a break.
But, fear not, we'll be back in March (and Patreon subscribers, we'll be giving you something extra down the road).
Graeme and Alex talk about this a little more in depth in this mini-segment. We'll see you in a few weeks!
On the thirty-first edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that starts with a discussion with Keynon Wallace and Nikki Stafford about Doctor Who's new showrunner (in 2018) Chris Chibnall. Then, we're looking back at this past Christmas and The Husbands of River Song with Angelique Roche and Tammy Cunningham. Plus Lindsey Mayers, Shannon Dohar and Rebecca Diem go back and revisit the speculations they made about Series 9 last September and The Android Invasion is in the Gallery of the Underrated courtesy of Jim Sangster. All this and the world's most popular podcast examines a fan argument, week by week!
On this special Christmas edition of Reality Bomb, recorded live in Toronto in November, Graeme Burk talks with author Nikki Stafford and SPACE producer Mark Askwith about the 10th anniversary of Doctor Who Christmas Specials, while Cameron Dixon, Ari Lipsey and Peter McAlpine submit themselves to a quiz about the missing episodes. Kenyon Wallace submits The Next Doctor as his seasonal entry in the Gallery of the Underrated and Lori Steuart battles author Rebecca Diem over which David Tennant stories had brown suits vs. blue suits. Plus the music of Alex Kennard and a double shot of comedy! It's like every episode of Reality Bomb...only it's live. And it's Christmas!
On the thirtieth edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that includes the debut of a new podcast-within-a-podcast, Colour Separation Overlay, where host Lindsey Mayers discusses the latest season of Doctor Who from a diversity perspective with Tai Gooden and Joy Piedmont. Meanwhile, on Reality Bomb, we have a discussion on the finale of series 9 and the season overall with Titan's eleventh Doctor comic artist Simon Fraser, Edie Nugent and Andy Hicks. And Emma Caywood brings the first Twelfth Doctor's first entry to the Gallery of the Underrated, Robot of Sherwood. Plus: the exciting conclusion of Spoiler Cops!
On the twenty-ninth edition of Reality Bomb we continue our journey through Series 9 with a panel discussion featuring NPR Books editor Petra Mayer, Shannon Dohar and Lindsey Mayers. Also, Alex Kennard talks with Robert Smith? about the recently published Outside In 2: 125 unique perspectives on 125 modern Doctor Who stories by 125 writers. And author and former Big Finish producer and Doctor Who script editor Gary Russell is bringing The Monster of Peladon to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus: the return of Spoiler Cops!
TORONTO AREA FRIENDS AND ENEMIES: We have a live show in Toronto on Sunday, November 22nd at 2 pm at the Victory Cafe (581 Markham Street). Hope to see you there!
On the twenty-eighth edition of Reality Bomb, we have a super-sized episode that includes a discussion of the first six episodes of the Doctor Who series nine that includes Lori Steuart, Sage Young and author Richard Salter. We also have a discussion of the newly announced Doctor Who spinoff Class and its showrunner Patrick Ness with Joy Piedmont and Maddie Rodriguez. And we're going from the Zero Room to the Dwellings of Simplicity in search of the square as Steve Traylen brings Castrovalva to this month's Gallery of the Underrated. Plus: listeners' letters and we take a journey through time and space to learn the history of fandom!
Reality Bomb is coming to the so-called centre of the universe with a live show in Toronto! We'll be in T-Dot on Sunday, November 22nd at 2 p.m.at the Victory Cafe at 581 Markham Street by Bathurst Station (just around the corner from the former Honest Ed's).
We'll have more details in the coming days. Watch this space!
On the twenty-seventh edition of Reality Bomb, Rebecca Diem, Shannon Dohar and Lindsey Mayers speculate on practically everything about the upcoming season! We continue to brace for the arrival of Series 9 with our 2nd annual New Season Hype News Quiz, with Petra Mayer, Simon Fraser and Alex Kennard braving the challenge. And Angelique Roche is talking about Jenny when The Doctor's Daughter comes to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, the interviewer becomes the interviewed when Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? talk about their new book The Doctors Are In to Erika Ensign. All this and another infomercial you don't want to tune out!
On the twenty-sixth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk talks with Rachel Donner, Shannon Patrick Sullivan and Robert Smith? about the winners and losers of this year's Doctor Who Magazine poll and just why is it that we find the DWM poll so interesting. We also talk to Sage Young and Kim Rogers about their experiences at San Diego Comic Con, lining up for Hall H, meeting Peter Capaldi and seeing the Doctor Who panel. And Marvel Comics writer Dan Slott (The Amazing Spider-Man, Silver Surfer, She-Hulk) brings the 1999 Rowan Atkinson Comic Relief Doctor Who, The Curse of Fatal Death, to this month's Gallery of the Underrated! Plus listeners letters, rumours and sh*t Doctor Who fangirls say!
On the twenty-fifth edition of Reality Bomb we have a special live episode recorded in New York at the Stone Creek Bar and Lounge in Manhattan. Graeme Burk interviews NPR Books editor Petra Mayer about the tenth anniversary of the tenth Doctor, while Sage Young and Kim Rogers from Head Over Feels battle each other in our trivia contest about the David Tennant era and comic book artist Simon Fraser (Titan's eleventh Doctor comic) brings Fear Her to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus a song by Cat Smith, some live comedy, an opening musical number and Alex Kennard and Robert Smith? in the debating duel of year! It's the Doctor Who podcast you love, only live...in New York!
On the twenty-fourth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk attempts to referee a no-holds barred discussion between Lori Steuart and Lindsey Mayers on the twelfth Doctor. We also talk about the great speeches in Doctor Who with someone familiar to political speechwriting, Christopher Cutler, Advisor to the Mayor on Community Relations for the City of Hamilton, Ontario! We also have author Rebecca Diem talking about love and shapeshifting robots when she brings Let's Kill Hitler to the Gallery of the Underrated and David Barksy is in our new feature Doctor Who: From A to Z talking about the letter S! Plus: the origins of Reality Bomb are explored!
Reality Bomb is coming to New York City! We'll be in the Big Apple with a live show on Sunday, June 21 at 2 pm at the Stone Creek Bar and Lounge ) 140 E 27th St, New York.
We'll have more details in the coming days. Watch this space!
On the twenty-third edition of Reality Bomb, we have a feature length documentary about the early days of Doctor Who in Canada in the 1970s, the educational segments on TVOntario featuring Dr. Jim Dator and science fiction author Judith Merrill, and the first generation of Doctor Who fans in Canada and how they organized themselves. This documentary features conversations with Ed Conroy of the YouTube channel Retrontario and one of the first fans in Canada, Dean Shewring. Also in this episode, Graeme Burk is talking about the lasting legacy of UNIT with Peter McAlpine and Patrick Troughton's Doctor finally comes to the Gallery of the Underrated when Jason Miller brings The Krotons. Plus, a new feature, Doctor Who From A to Z, has NPR Books Editor Petra Mayer pondering about a word with the letter E and its importance to Doctor Who... and we have a murder mystery on a Doctor Who podcast!
Bonus content: the raw TVOntario footage in our documentary can be found here, here and here!
On the twenty-second episode of Reality Bomb, guest host Alex Kennard talks with technology writer (and host of The Incomparable podcast) Jason Snell about the latest controversy over the Hugo nominations and what it has to do with Doctor Who. We're also talking to author Liz Myles about the book she co-edited, Companion Piece - Women Celebrate the Humans, Aliens and Tin Dogs of Doctor Who and Nikki Stafford brings Planet of the Ood into the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, Graeme Burk talks to a 7 year-old about meeting Peter Capaldi on location and more!
On the twenty-first episode of Reality Bomb, we have a massive, supersized episode celebrating 10 years of the modern series of Doctor Who with a special two-part panel featuring Lindsey Mayers, NPR Books Editor Petra Mayer, Head Over Feels blogger Sage Young and Doctor Who Thing's Matthew Stott. Plus, Alex Kennard looks back on the too-short-season of Doctor Nine, Christopher Eccleston and The Unquiet Dead is in the Gallery of the Underrated with Shannon Sudderth. And Barnaby Edwards and Jon Arnold are talking about the literary sub-genre of Doctor Who celebrity biographies and autobiographies. All this and infomercials you really don't want to miss for once!
Like our show? Support Reality Bomb by funding us on Patreon!
On the twentieth episode of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk talks to Felicity Kuzinitz, Felicity Brown and Robert Smith? about what they would most like to see in the new season of Doctor Who. We also commemorate ten years of downloading since the leak of Rose by chatting with technology writer (and host of The Incomparable podcast) Jason Snell. And author and Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell brings the 1965 story The Web Planet to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus, Alex Kennard sings about the hard life of not going to Gallifrey and we go back to 2005 for a Canadian Heritage Moment!
On the nineteenth episode of Reality Bomb, guest host Erika Ensign talks about Last Christmas with Lindsey Mayers, Cat Smith and author Rebecca Diem. We also discuss the growing popularity of Doctor Who Legacy with gamer and vlogger TheAdiposeTV. And television producer David Barsky takes us on a visit to Voga the Planet of Gold as Revenge of the Cybermen makes its way to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus Alex Kennard returns to audio essays and muses on the reaction of fans to series 8 and we look at gatekeeping Doctor Who fandom. Literally.
On the eighteenth episode of Reality Bomb we're discussing women writers in Doctor Who, or the lack thereof, with NPR Books editor Petra Mayer. The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe is in a special holiday-themed Gallery of the Underrated thanks to Head Over Feels' blogger Sage Young. And Louise Lafond convenes a roundtable of Doctor Who's toughest critics: a group of kids. All this and Listener's Letters...and the return of Spoiler Cops!
On the seventeenth episode of Reality Bomb we have another supersized episode featuring our final panel review of Series 8 that includes Lori Steuart, Jon Arnold and Children's Fantasy author Lou Anders (Thrones and Bones: Frostborn). We also have a conversation with Cat Smith and Lindsey Mayers about Missy / The Master. And Titan's Doctor Who tenth Doctor comic book writer Nick Abadzis tries (and possibly fails) to get The Twin Dilemma into the Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus Listeners' Letters, poltical attack ads you need to hear... and host Graeme Burk gets an offer he can't refuse!
On the sixteenth edition of Reality Bomb we continue our journey through Series 8 with a panel discussion on episodes 5 through 10 featuring NPR Books editor Petra Mayer, author Nikki Stafford and Space producer Mark Askwith. We're also celebrating 15 years of Big Finish audio adventures with DWNY's Barnaby Edwards and Andrew Flint. And Caitlin Walsh gives up something of value to put The Rings of Akhaten in this month's Gallery of the Underrated. Plus listeners' letters and an august gathering of fans evaluate the science of Kill The Moon!
On the fifteenth edition of Reality Bomb we have a super-sized episode featuring a special panel looking at the first four episodes of series eight that includes Lindsey Mayers, David Barsky and Kim Rogers. Also, Gallifrey One's program director Shaun Lyon puts a stake into State of Decay in this month's Gallery of the Underrated and Bill Evenson takes us Into The Dalek. And we check in with the spouses and partners of several Doctor Who fans including Maddie Rodriguez (partner of our co-producer Alex Kennard), Robert Thompson (husband of author Nikki Stafford), Paul Stanish (husband of Verity! co-host Deb Stanish) and Julie Hopkins (wife of host Graeme Burk). Plus we return to listen in on Wisconsin's finest Doctor Who podcast!
On the fourteenth edition of Reality Bomb we prepare for the onslaught of series eight by holding our first ever New Season Hype News Quiz featuring Felicity Brown and Head Over Feels' Kim Rogers. Also, Graeme Burk interviews Jason Tucker of CONsole Room and Mike Doran of Who Party Toronto about what's possible for small market Doctor Who conventions in an age of mega conventions and Greg McElhatton discovers it's not so comfortable in the Gallery of the Underrated when you're defending The Space Museum. Plus two superfan missing episode hunters get their own sitcom and a song about that most forbidden love!
On the thirteenth edition of Reality Bomb, we're celebrating the first anniversary of this podcast in style by featuring a special Gallery of the Underrated where NPR Books editor Petra Mayer talks with Graeme Burk about The Happiness Patrol. Also we talk to Lori Steuart and Lindsey Mayers about the new trailer for series 8 and about the allure of trailers in general and we interview Mike Doran (twice!) about the leaked scripts and then the leaked episode 1. And Alex Kennard commemorates our first year by talking about Doctor Who podcasting and how you can join in (with contributions by a number of podcasters). All this plus listeners letters and the Doctor Who adult video most fans want to see!
On the twelfth edition of Reality Bomb, Graeme Burk looks back at 30 years of being a Doctor Who fan with a special documentary about how being a Doctor Who fan has changed over the decades. We also talk with Sam Maggs and Mike Doran about the winners and losers in the Doctor Who Magazinepoll and Felicity Kuzinitz sends us on a quest to find The Keys of Marinus in this months Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus comedy from Liz Myles, Bill Evenson, Scot Clarke, Sean Homrig and Laura Gerald... and Alex Kennard finally sings the song he was supposed to have sung last month!
On the eleventh edition of Reality Bomb we have a bootleg tape of Graeme Burk and Alex Kennard at their latest live show recorded at CONsole Room in Minneapolis in May. Featuring an interview with Arnold T Blumberg and Robert Smith? about the new Doctor and a TARDIS trivia quiz with Steven K. Manfred, Kathryn Sullivan, Bill Evenson, and Lars Pearson. And it's time to do a security check as The Ambassadors of Death is in the Gallery of the Underrated with the AV Club's Christopher Bahn. All this plus special guest Sophie Aldred sits down for an interview and performs in a comedy sketch with Arnold T. Blumberg, Alex Kennard, Laura Gerald and Bill Evenson!
NOTE: We really mean it. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the sound quality is about the same as a concert bootleg.
On the tenth edition of Reality Bomb, we're talking about Time And Relative Dimensions In Sexuality in a brand-new documentary produced by Alex Kennard. In honour of Kate O'Mara's passing, Graeme Burk interviews author Jennifer Pelland about the Rani and female villains in Doctor Who.We also check in with Jon Arnold about the latest news and Rod Mammitzsch brings The Power of Kroll to the Gallery of the Underrated. Plus Lori Steuart shares her thoughts on discovering William Hartnell's Doctor. All this and the live concert you've been waiting for - one night only!
On the ninth edition of Reality Bomb, we're getting ready for the arrival of companion / recurring character / significant character photographed on a white background Danny Pink with Lori Steuart and Lindsey Mayers. Plus we have Sam Maggs offering up her hopes for the Peter Capaldi era. And it's the bittersweet taste of life as Aaron Guylas put Terminus in this month's Gallery of the Underrated. Alex Kennard ponders the nature of Villainy in Doctor Who, and we talk about parenting and Doctor Who with Nikki Stafford and Steve Traylen. All thus plus a return visit to Wisconsin's best Doctor Who podcast!
On the eighth edition of Reality Bomb, we're dedicated followers of fashion as Graeme Burk talks to fashionistas and cosplayers Taylor Deatherage and Robin Careless about the Twelfth Doctor's new costume. We explore the tropes we love in Doctor Who with a panel that features Peter Hill, Mike Moses, Felicity Brown and Rob Jones. Alex Kennard looks back fondly on the chessplaying Time's Champion, the Seventh Doctor and The Face of Evil is this month's Gallery of the Underrated with Trish Young. All this plus listeners' letters and phone calls to the Doctor Who Continuity Complaints Tribunal.
On the seventh edition of Reality Bomb, we're speaking the truth about The Time of the Doctor as Graeme Burk interviews an all star panel that includes Nikki Stafford and Jon Arnold. We also talk to comic book reviewer Greg McElhatton about the end of the IDW comic and Doctor Who in comic books. Alex Kennard says goodbye to the Raggedy Man himself, Matt Smith. And we're talking with Lindsey Mayers about 42 in this month's Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus a guide to surviving till the next season of Doctor Who!
On this special Christmas edition of Reality Bomb, recorded live at Chicago TARDIS in November, Graeme Burk talks with DWNY's Barnaby Edwards about Christmas and Doctor Who (with a special guest contribution by Tony Lee!). Also on the show, Radio Free Skaro's Steven Schapansky drops by to talk about why Voyage of the Damned is our seasonal addition to the Gallery of the Underrated. And Alex Kennard discusses the emotional significance of the most important sound in Doctor Who: the TARDIS dematerialzation noise! Plus: the music of Quiana of the Sevateem, Serial Code Deathmatch with Steven K. Manfred, Robert Smith? and Steven Schapansky and comedy from Bill Evenson, Robert Smith? and Quiana Howard. It's everything you expect from an episode of Reality Bomb...but live on stage. What could possibly go wrong?
On the sixth edition of Reality Bomb, we're all over the 50th anniversary as Graeme Burk interviews a panel of fans including Jon Arnold, Lori Steuart and Bill Evenson about The Day of the Doctor. We also interview fans Kathleen Schowalter and Sam Maggs about Paul McGann's triumphant return as the eighth Doctor in The Night of the Doctor. Also, Keynon Wallace goes back to 1963 in his assessment of An Adventure in Space and Time and Alex Kennard talks to Doctor Who Video FAQ master Steven K. Manfred about the changes to the Doctor Who DVD range. And Ari Lipsey puts The Trial of a Time Lord episodes 5-8 AKA Mindwarp in the Gallery of the Underrated. All this plus the making of a scene in The Night of the Doctor!