Radio Free Skaro #291 – That Which Survives
A simple commentary about "Closing Time," which gave the Three Who Rule ample time to discuss the great chemistry between Matt Smith and guest star James Corden, instead devolved into a simply rancid discussion on babies and their propensity to poop on this episode of Radio Free Skaro. Our ...
Radio Free Skaro #290 – Whom Gods Destroy
Ah, that's the January we remember. The Christmas Special aired weeks ago, it's a long time until new Doctor Who (even longer than usual) and there's really not too much going on in the Who world. But there's always Gallifrey! A bit of Gally news and banter helps, well, fill ...
Radio Free Skaro #289 – Errand Of Mercy
Gallifrey One, the massive and amazing annual fan-run Doctor Who convention, is rapidly approaching and we take some time to talk to Program Director Shaun Lyon about the recently-released convention schedule and to formally announce details of our live show - Radio Free Skaro And The World Of Tomorrow! As ...
Radio Free Skaro #288 – Friday’s Child
Despite January usually being a lean time for news of things Who, this week was chock full of factoids and quasi-related marginalia for the Three Who Rule to ponder and prognosticate upon. Of course all seriousness went out the window with a commentary on "Night Terrors," which such weighty matters ...
Radio Free Skaro #287 – The Man Trap
As 2011 draws to a close and the Three Who Rule look forward to 2012 and the next series of Doctor Who - whenever the heck it ends up being transmitted - and also deliver their commentary for the Series 6.2 opener, Let's Kill Hitler. We'll see if it stands ...
Radio Free Skaro #89 – Click here to listen
“The Stolen Earth,” the penultimate episode of Series 4, was a barnburning spectacular of fanwankian proportions, and the RFS crew did their level best to keep their geeky selves in check before effusively praising (or in the case of Chris, begrudgingly praising) a jam-packed episode full of danger, Davros, Daleks, derring-do, and other things starting with the letter “D”. Delightful!
The BBC, in their infinite wisdom, decided sometimes in the late Sixties or early Seventies that they needed space for new shows in their tape library, and destroyed many of the original tapes containing Hartnell, Troughton, and even a few Pertwee stories. Despite the odd find each decade of a lost story molding away in some backwater, many of these classic Who tales are lost in the mists of time…until now.
It turns out many a fan recorded the audio from the shows as they were broadcast, so almost all the soundtracks have been preserved. But a cadre of fans spread across the globe are taking things a step further and animating the classic lost Doctor Who adventures to recreate the Doctor’s first adventures. The BBC did this officially with “The Invasion,” but as stated in the Guardian story, animating is a tremendous amount of work. Fans don’t care, though, they want their Who and they’re willing to put noses to the grindstone to get it.
Radio Free Skaro #88 – Click here to listen
Chris absconded to Las Vegas this week for liquor, gambling, and other licentious pursuits, so it was left to the other two pillars of RFS to hold the fort, which they barely managed. The subject at hand? “Turn Left,’ which served as not only this season’s “Doctor Lite” episode but also as a fantastic return to the series for Billie Piper, not to mention a sterling performance by Catherine Tate. The usual digressions and drivel-making were of course present, but without our tall co-host’s derisive sneers and seething hate, it wasn’t quite the same.
There’s an interesting article up on Blogcritics.org about the visceral, often angry reactions from online fans towards their favorite TV shows. It’s mostly told from the point of view of players in the industry, but it does raise some interesting points as to just how much sway fans should have over the making of a show, and how a loud reaction doesn’t necessarily equate to anything more than a small number of vocal complainers.
Personally, I’m inclined to agree. I see a lot of fans who nitpick the living hell out of their favorite shows (something I’m not adverse to myself, given that I produce a podcast about Doctor Who) and while everyone’s free to voice their opinion, sometimes I wonder why people watch the show in the first place if it makes them so angry and bitter. Of course I’m only one member of the triple threat that is our podcast, and my co-hosts might have different opinions.
Radio Free Skaro #87 – Click here to listen
For once, the Three Who Rule were in total agreement that “Midnight,” the psychological thriller/Donna-lite episode of this season’s Doctor Who, was a fine bit of viewing. That left us with little else to do besides mock Who overseer Phil Collinson and engage in many a ridiculous digression, as per usual. Next week, Rose, dead Doctors, and atomic weaponry. Allons-y!
Radio Free Skaro #86 – Click here to listen
Dissent in the ranks this week, as the Third Guy forsakes a life of marital bliss with Who scribe Stephen Moffat and rips “Forest of the Dead” a new one. Steven and Warren, on the other hand, were charmed and entertained by the concluding episode of the two-parter that began with last week’s “Silence in the Library,” and thus did vigorous debate and pointless digression occur for about an hour and change.
Radio Free Skaro #85 – Click here to listen
Silence in the Library marks not only the return of Doctor Who to TV screens after a week’s absence but also easily the best episode of the season thus far. The Three who Rule waxed lyrical on the many excellent aspects of this Moffat-penned tome, speculated madly on the mysteries and plot twists sure to be answered next week, and of course digressed and went on mind-melting tangents as per usual.
