A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast

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Join Joe Ford as he waltzes all around the world (via whatever means the internet allows) and undertakes Doctor Who commentaries with a wide range of wonderful contributors. Fans, podcasters, online reviewers, writers, actors...the USP of this podcast is it's variety of guests and the fact that they all bring their own unique perspective to the podcast. The guest chooses the story, be it one they love, hate or are completely indifferent, and amongst the gossip is trivia, critique and personal experience.

Joe Ford


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 58m AVG DURATION
    • 945 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from A Hamster With a Blunt Penknife - a Doctor Who Commentary podcast

    Hamster Book Club - Warmonger by Terrance Dicks (featuring Luke Sims-Jenkins, Andrew Batty & Jon Arnold)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 107:53


    Joe, Luke, Andrew & Jon face the most brutal fight in the Doctor's fight, a conflict so terrifying he has to form an alliance with Cybermen, Sontarans and Draconians and become a dictator! Issalon Kwai!

    Talks to James Lark about his choice of The Invasion (1/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 52:49


    In one of my favourite first episodes of a commentary ever, James reveals the true heartbreak and trauma of his fifteen year old romance and we head into Spy-Fi territory with the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe...

    Talks to Dylan Rees & Luke Molloy about their choice of The Power of Kroll (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2025 35:22


    Joe, Dylan & Luke come to the end of their boggy voyage with an action packed conclusion. Blood is flying, oil rigs are being sat on and Tom Baker is gagging at a giant squid!

    Hamster Patreon!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2025 3:43


    Want to join a fun and engaging community of Doctor Who fans? Early episodes? Exclusive content? Press play!

    Talks to Luke Molloy & Dylan Rees about their choice of The Power of Kroll (3/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2025 25:25


    The wibbly lines on the scanner are barely moving, but Kroll is extended his sloppy wet tentacles and munching on everyone he can! As Tom Baker says 'Ohhhhhh yes!'

    Hamster Book Club - The Harvest of Time by Alistair Reynolds (featuring John Lane)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 92:04


    In his podcast debut, John talks about an ambitious, action packed and nostalgic book by esteemed SF author Alistair Reynolds. We're shocked at how much it feels like the Pertwee era, and how much it innovates.

    Strictly Come Hamster Series A/1/15 (featuring Luke Molloy, Daniel Rawnsley & Michael Mills)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2025 261:45


    Joe, Luke, Daniel & Michael We face goblins, boogeymen, Maestro, Villenguard, loneliness, racism, shitty bird people & Sutekh! But who will reign supreme?

    Alien Bodies (Redux) by Lawrence Miles (featuring Paul Quinn)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 107:29


    One of the most important original Doctor Who books gets more consideration. How many influences and sources can superbrain Paul Quinn pull out of a hat? How Lynchian is Miles trying to be?

    Talks to Dylan Rees & Luke Molloy about their choice of The Power of Kroll (2/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 29:26


    Dylan is back to gossipmongering ways, scandalously! Luke is channelling his inner Tom Baker (oh yes!)! Joe is in a ratings tizzy! And there's nothing left but slags!

    Talks to Luke Molloy & Dylan Rees about their choice of The Power of Kroll (1/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 32:12


    Luke is obsessed with dragging us to the bog, Dylan is obsessed with the Doctor's coat and Joe is obsessed with throbbing wet tentacles! What could possibly go wrong?

    Hamster Book Club - History 101 by Mags L Halliday (featuring Anthony Carroll)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 105:02


    History is about to imparted, but from which perspective, and does it matter how we consider the subject? A dense, dramatic, informative book that has somehow fallen under the radar thanks to the big hitters around it. Anthony from Too Broad and Too Deep is here to redress that...

    Strictly Come Hamster - Season Seven (featuring Frazer Gregory, Toby Hadoke, Pete Lambert & Eddie Arnold)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 254:36


    Five travellers, trapped on Earth and without a means of escape, face Autons, Silurians, Ambassadors & Primords! But who will reign supreme in this popular season?

    Talks to Eddie & Jon Arnold about their choice of Midnight

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 88:25


    Father and son come together for a cross generational battle of opinions...but who is a lover and who is a hater of this well regarded episode?

    Talks to Jack Coyer & Steven B about their choice of The Family of Blood (2/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 104:18


    Contention abounds over God-like Doctors and just how much Paul Cornell wrote this teleplay but we can all decide that this is a staggering good production and worthy of its lofty reputation.

    Talks to Steven B & Jack Coyer about their choice of Human Nature (1/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 70:37


    Two incredibly smart men tackle one of the most popular NuWho stories; with their trademark wit, observations and this time through the lens of an adaptation from page to screen.

    Hamster Book Club - Shadow in the Glass by Stephen Cole and Justin Richards (featuring Jon Arnold, Andrew Batty & Luke Sims-Jenkins)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 98:41


    We explore how responsibly Doctor Who can take on the Nazis, discuss this rushed but popular book and name our top three favourite Doctor Who book shock twists. Needless to say, SPOILERS.

    Strictly Come Hamster Series 4B (featuring Daniel, Kieran, Frazer & Lee!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 277:26


    In which we face giant wasps (I mean wasps that are giant!), shadows (Hey! Who turned out the lights?), the anonymous Midnight monster, alternative realities and Davros threatening the destruction of REALITY ITSELF!

    Hamster Book Club - Paradise Towers by Stephen Wyatt (featuring Michael Mills)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 93:21


    Joe & Michael head to Paradise Towers for a stay in its gleaming pools, squares and towers! Welcomed by contentious caretakers, kindly residents and sweet girl gangs. And a world class sauna in the basement...

    Hamster Book Club - Set Piece by Kate Orman (featuring Luke Sims-Jenkins, Jon Arnold & Andrew Batty)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 127:43


    Join Joe, Luke, Jon & Andrew as we say goodbye to Ace from the New Adventures, discuss her characters success (or otherwise) and pick our bottom three NA covers...

    Hamster Book Club - Battlefield by Marc Platt (featuring Michael Mills & James Lark)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 135:26


    God tier Doctor Who - and we're not mad. James & Michael have always loved this book and have enticed Joe to join them in happily declaring this one of the best Doctor Who books. Hyperbole? Press play and find out...

    Strictly Come Hamster - Season Twelve (featuring Daniel Knight, Lucy McCaul, Jo Short & Elliot Mair)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 241:07


    Join Joe, Daniel, Lucy, Jo & Elliot as they face robot wielding Nazi's, big bugs, sadistic Sontarans, Daleks & Cybermen! Who will be victorious?

    Hamster Book Club - City of the Dead by Lloyd Rose (featuring Anthony Carroll)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 95:21


    Joe is joined by brilliant new bookclubber Anthony to discuss one of the creepiest, slyest, most hallucinatory Doctor Who books. Lloyd Rose stepped into the EDAs and shook things up...

    Talks to David Gillespie-Pratt about his choice of Spearhead from Space (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 42:10


    No more Meg! But plenty of death! A bus queue mown down! Will Joe & David survive their experience with the asshole of Death?

    Talks to David Gillespie-Pratt about his choice of Spearhead from Space (3/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 32:41


    Meg under fire! Barney attacked! Ransome dribbling coffee! That shot or Channing through the door! The stunning double Scobie cliffhanger! This story has it all.

    Hamster Book Club - Verdigris by Paul Magrs (featuring Kieran Pell)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 89:41


    A podcast as lively, as smart, as silly, as scattershot and as barking as the book they are talking about! Allow me to introduce Kieran from Patreon as he embarks on a Paul Magrs classic...

    Talks to David Gillespie-Pratt about his choice of Spearhead from Space (2/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2025 28:43


    Meg in action! Don't think I'll have that dirty old box in my house! The Doctor nude! Blood all over the windscreen! Dummies springing to life! Is this a kids show anymore?

    Talks to David Gillespie-Pratt about his choice of Spearhead from Space (1/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 37:55


    Join David & I as we explore the re-imagined Doctor Who for the 70s. The ‘We Stan Meg Seeley' fan club starts here.

    Toby Hadoke talks Quatermass!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 122:10


    To celebrate the lauch of Toby Hadoke's new book - The Quatermass Experiment - I would love to present to you the glorious episode of Hamster Extra where he discusses the four iterations of the show magnificently. Buy the book today :-)

    Hamster Book Club - The Ancestor Cell by Peter Anghelides & Stephen Cole (featuring Mark Donaldson)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 92:33


    Mark steps into the book club with a nice easy read - voodoo cults, twisted versions of Fitz & the Doctor, a female TARDIS that Romana is attempting to force breed, an oncoming War and the destruction of Gallifrey. No biggie.

    Strictly Come Hamster Series 4A (featuring Frazer Gregory, Daniel Rawnsley & Kieran Pell)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 256:47


    Join Joe, Frazer, Daniel & Kieran as we face Adipose, Pyrovilles, evil corporations, Sontarans and genetic warfare in the aim to crown the winner of this half season...with a very special guest star!

    The Savages Omnibus (featuring Mark Rawlins)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 147:54


    To celebrate the release of the animation, a re-release of the best time that Mark & I had discussing one of his favourites and one I have come to love through his eyes. 'Thank you, young lady, for making me look so grand!'

    Hamster Book Club - Terror of the Vervoids by Pip and Jane Baker (featuring Paul Quinn)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 94:53


    I bring in one of the smartest men I know to critique the work of Pip and Jane Baker. With an enormous vagina on the cover, murder, mayhem and intrigue within its pages and conversations that consider morality and the poignancy of death, how does this book fare?

    Talks to Pete Lambert & Toby Hadoke to celebrate Revelation of the Daleks (full commentary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 135:47


    At Pete's request, we have assembled to talk about one of the most unusual Doctor Who stories of all time and just how many ways we love it...

    Hamster Book Club - The Romans & The Myth Makers by Donald Cotton (featuring Luke Sims-Jenkins, Jon Arnold & Andrew Batty)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 104:40


    A fascinating pair of historical artefacts (both in content and as books) - most unlike your usual script to page Target and divisive reads amongst the book clubbers this week. Does taking a risk reap rewards? Also, our favourite book companion exits.

    The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords Omnibus (featuring Toby Hadoke)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 214:55


    Recorded two years ago - how time flies - we (mostly) wax lyrical about the closing two parter of series three. It was a time when we were both pinching ourselves at the shows success and loving what was being delivered.

    Talks to Dylan Rees about his choice of The Stranger - In Memory Alone

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 55:19


    A huge Nicholas Briggs love in for a great script and brilliant guest turn. Easily our favourite of the Strangers - a creepy, beguiling SF mystery with a superb chance for Colin and Nicola to show what they can do.

    Hamster Book Club - Mutually Assured Destruction by Nick Walters (featuring Dylan Rees & Frazer Gregory)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 66:13


    In a double bill with Too Hot for TV - it's Quarkmania! Joe, Dylan and Frazer embark on a Quark (and Dominator) filled spy thriller from the Lethbridge-Stewart range...

    Talks to Dylan Rees about The Stranger - More Than a Messiah

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 50:16


    Sophie Aldred as a sexy alien planet! Naked with Colin Baker! Nigel Fairs as a bereaved gay lover! Peter Miles & Barbara Shelley! And possibly Wookey Hole! Bring it on!

    Talks to Dylan Rees about The Stranger - Summoned By Shadows

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 43:29


    Starring Colin Baker & Nicola Bryant as the Doctor & Peri...sorry the Stranger and Miss Brown! Joe & Dylan begin their great voyage to listen to a explore all six Stranger stories - starting with hermitage and Michael Wisher!

    Strictly Come Hamster - 11th Doctor Special (featuring Frazer, Si, Mark, Luke & Jackson)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 158:10


    Bring forth the five biggest 11th Doctor fans - Frazer, Si, Mark, Luke & Jackson! This is the big one! Series five, six and seven discussed, Matt Smith examined, and the best story of the era decided! What surprises are in store?

    Hamster Book Club - Love & War by Paul Cornell (featuring Paul Quinn)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 72:16


    Joe & Paul head to Heaven to meet Benny, lose Ace and have a torrid and angst ridden love affair! Paul surprises himself by enjoying this a lot more than he remembered....Joe takes a little more convincing...

    Talks to Andrew Batty, Jon Arnold & Luke Sims-Jenkins about their choice of The Invisible Enemy (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 33:56


    'Blow it up!' We reach the end of this incredible voyage with our sanity intact (just about), our inebriation faltering and our laughter flowing. Can we find 12 reasons to love this story?

    Strictly Come Hamster - Season Five (featuring Dylan Rees, Michael Mills & Elliot Mair)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 186:09


    Monsters! Bases Under Siege! Evil Dictators! Intransigent Base Commanders! Joe, Dylan, Michael & Elliot tackle a classic season and see how it holds up with a modern eye...

    Talks to Jon Arnold, Luke Sims-Jenkins & Andrew Batty about their choice of The Invisible Enemy (3/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 30:15


    Join Joe, Jon, Luke & Andrew as they talk balls balls balls! If it isn't Michael Sheard's balls, its the ballsup of a terror attack on the medical facility, or the hairy bouncy balls of the Doctor's phagocytes!

    Hamster Book Club - Eye of Heaven by Jim Mortimore (featuring Dr Philip Boyes)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 101:24


    Let's head to the high seas for an unusual Past Doctor Adventure as we see the world through Leela (and the Doctor's!) eyes first person. Is this the first great PDA?

    Talks to Andrew Batty, Luke Sims-Jenkins & Jon Arnold about their choice of The Invisible Enemy 2/4

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 28:13


    We're off to space hospital to face terrorism and virus expansion…before being shrunk and injected inside the Doctor! What the hell is going on?

    Talks to Jon Arnold, Andrew Batty & Luke Sims-Jenkins about their choice of The Invisible Enemy 1/4

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 32:42


    The intrepid foursome embark on a Great Space Adventure! Contact has been made and Iceland's Prawn rings will never be the same again.

    Hamster Book Club - Eaters of Wasps by Trevor Baxendale (featuring David Gillespie-Pratt, Dan Pinn & Gareth Bowley)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 101:34


    Bzzzzzz! It's one of Gareth and Dan's all time favourites but what will the book club think as they head to Marpling (geddit?) and face time travellers, bombs and mutant evil wasps?

    Strictly Come Hamster - Season 21 (featuring David Gillespie-Pratt, Paul Cresser & Steven B)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 236:12


    Join Joe, David, Paul & Steven as we face murderous reptiles, the menacing Malus, terrifying Tractators, deadly Daleks, cursed Kamelion & toxic Spectrox! But who will suceed?

    Talks to Elliot about his choice of The Gunfighters (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 41:43


    Joe & Elliot; 'Til there's blood upon the sawdust...' The William Hartnell era love in concludes with more reasons to love the Gunfighters and the era than you can shoot a Buntline at...

    Talks to Elliot about his choice of The Gunfighters (3/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 37:53


    Joe & Elliot; 'People keep giving my guns and I do wish they wouldn't' We're in episode three territory now but it is timed bring in a fresh villain to keep things interesting. Enter Johnny Ringo.

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