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


    • May 21, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 1h AVG DURATION
    • 1,144 EPISODES


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

    Talks to Jon & Eddie Arnold about their choice of The Ice Warriors (5/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2026 34:55


    We're five episodes deep now and we only have one question on our mind...what the hell are the engines powered by?

    Strictly Come Hamster - Fourth Doctor Special (featuring Toby Hadoke, Ioan Morris, Matt Cox & Paul Cresser)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 154:27


    We're celebrating all things Tom! You know I really think we might! But are the runners up and the winners the wrong way around? And will there be some rule breaking and cheating occuring? Who will win this hotly contested era?

    Tops and Bottoms Ten - Joe M Tops Classic Who

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 36:55


    Joe M delivers his top ten classic Doctor Who stories...never in your wildest dreams will you believe his number one...

    Talks to Jon & Eddie Arnold about their choice of The Ice Warriors (4/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 33:42


    Moving pictures! And a thrilling escape for Victoria who doesn't take a break from snivelling but does manage to get trapped under ice! It's all go this week!

    Tops & Bottom Tens - Joe M Bottoms the New Series

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2026 39:59


    What ten new series stories does lovely Joe M like the least?

    Tops & Bottoms Tens - Joe M bottoms classic Who

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 30:01


    A new Hamster Patreon feature is to appear in a new Hamster segment - the top and bottom ten TV Doctor Who for both classic and new series. Here Joe M kick starts the madness with his bottom ten TV classic Doctor Whos.

    Talks to Jon & Eddie Arnold about their choice of The Ice Warriors (3/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 38:49


    Are we struggling with pictures in the plotless middle episodes of The Ice Warriors? With all this banter flying around we don't have any time to get bored!

    Talks to Iain Martin & Dylan Rees about The TV Movie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2026 106:37


    In a double bill with Too Hot for TV for MayGan, we have another, very different, take on the TV Movie from two mega fans of the movie who can't control their love for this fabulous piece of trash...

    Talks to James Lark about his choice of The TV Movie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 153:42


    The first of three episodes celebrating the TV Movie this month - James takes a trip back in time to re-experience The TV Movie as a 16 year old via his diaries...

    Talks to Jon & Eddie Arnold about their choice of The Ice Warriors (2/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 40:09


    Proper Ice Warrior we have lumbering around the base threatening Victoria and all in black and white animation! Where so these lumbering behemoths come from?

    Talks to Jon & Eddie Arnold about their choice of The Ice Warriors (1/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 45:21


    It's battle between Dad and Son again! Eddie loves this glacial story, but Jon isn't a fan. We head to the tundra to see a Viking Warrior cut out of the ice and come to life! And how much was Eddie given to spend at the merchandise table at the convention?

    dad ice warriors viking warrior
    Talks to Joe M about his choice of The Robot Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2026 97:03


    The battle of RTD2! In the blue corner; Joe M! Lover, not fighter! In the red corner; Joe F! Who is not amused about anything this episode is doing... Opinions fly - not for the weak hearted!

    Talks to Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Kings Demons (2/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 62:14


    Has the impossible been achieved? Has Frazer made allowed me to find a way to enjoy The Kings Demons?

    Talks to Frazer Gregory about his choice of The Kings' Demons (1/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 45:06


    Who else but our Frazer could take hold of this insignificant little two parter and shout from the rooftops about it. His beguiling argument starts here...

    Strictly Come Hamster - 13th Doctor Special (ft Frazer Gregory, Daniel Knight & Daniel Rawnsley)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2026 166:12


    A delightful episode celebrating Jodie Whittaker and the 13th Doctor and determining the Strictly Come Hamster best episode of the era...

    Talks to the delightful Matt Cox about his choice of The Giggle

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 92:08


    And its Tennant and Tate out...and Ncuti Gatwa in! Plus The Toymaker, Melanie Bush, UNIT, and tons of continuity! How will it fare a few years after release?

    Talks to Lee about his choice of The Timeless Children (2/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 97:17


    A wonderful conversation about continuity, lore, production value, the Master and the Cybermen, self sacrifice, strong companions and a magnificent Doctor(s).

    Talks to Lee about his choice of Ascension of the Cybermen (1/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 84:18


    A brand new contributor to Hamster and the boldest introductory swing as we head straight into Jodie's two part series 12 finale.

    Talks to James Lark about his choice of Mawdryn Undead (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 51:20


    Are we really talking about the abuse of science and committing suicide in a Doctor Who story? Has the story run out of steam or does it rouse at the conclusion?

    Talks to James Lark about his choice of Mawdryn Undead (3/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2026 39:27


    We're very much in the wander around the spaceship section of the story but with David Collings on the scene and two Brigadiers in action things don't stay quiet for long!

    mawdryn undead brigadiers
    Strictly Come Hamster - Season 2a (featuring Eddie Arnold, Toby Hadoke, Jon Arnold & Jack Coyer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2026 215:09


    What chaos will ensue when super villain Eddie Arnold takes the reins and guides us through season 2 featuring discussions on Planet of the Giants, The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Rescue, The Romans and The Web Planet...

    Talks to James Lark about his choice of Mawdryn Undead (2/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2026 37:24


    Our favourite episode of the story and the one which introduces timey wimey to Steven Moffat whilst he was still a wee nipper. The ultimate nostalgia fest when the Doctor jogs the Brigadier's memory?

    Talks to James Lark about his choice of Mawdryn Undead (1/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 54:06


    Joe & James embark on a timey wimey adventure and talk season 20, introducing new companions, unforgettable incidental music and a story with some serious themes...

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Invasion of the Dinosaurs (6/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2026 45:22


    Welcome to Dinosaur Hour with me, Joe Ford, and my pupil Paul Arthur...get ready to see Dino on Dino action, Dinos in the Underground and a jeep driven through a Dinos legs!

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Invasion of the Dinosaurs (5/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 33:38


    What's that? An episode of padding? It's the Doctor on the run...from UNIT? Plus politics gets messy when the far left show what they do with insurrectionists...

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Invasion of the Dinosaurs (4/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 34:21


    Joe & Paul continue their love in with this latter era Pertwee six parter with the story opening out in some fascinating and absurd new directions. How does the show tackle examining left wing extremism?

    Strictly Come Hamster - 5th Doctor Special (featuring Luke, Dan, Lucy & Paul)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2026 149:06


    The ultimate fifth Doctor love in as the team discuss the era, the actor, the character and determine the Strictly Come Hamster ultimate fifth Doctor story!

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Invasion of the Dinosaurs (3/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 37:48


    There's a ruddy great T-Rex chained down in the hangar and its pissed and wants to eat Sarah Jane! Does Doctor Who get any more exciting than this?

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Invasion of the Dinosaurs (2/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2026 32:45


    It's all to play for with this episode; Yates is acting oddly, the Doctor is just trying to work, Sarah goes out to play and the Brigadier hunts for a traitor!

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Invasion of the Dinosaurs (1/6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 41:36


    Paul bravely hands this episode to his family to watch...and then realises that whatever embarrassment he might have felt is dispelled when he watches it with a friend…

    Talks to Luke Sims-Jenkins about his choice of Earthshock (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2026 66:00


    We bring this commentary to a rousing conclusion as we discuss the momentous ending, the crazy pace, the mad twists and of course why the Cartmel era is just as flawed as what came before...

    Talks to Luke Sims-Jenkins about his choice of Earthshock (3/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2026 33:06


    It's time for name that Davison incidental music quiz! Things are REALLY hotting up with part three; traitors, massacres, and thousands of silos bursting open!

    Talks to Luke Sims-Jenkins about his choice of Earthshock (2/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2026 42:07


    Bombs, Freighters and Reid - oh my! We're still in love with this propulsive, expensive and impressive action romp.

    Talks to Luke Sims-Jenkins about his choice of Earthshock (1/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 37:24


    We discuss everything that makes this story stand out as impressively as it does, the many ways that the story is unique and why the instincts of the writer and producer were bang on.

    Talks to Luke Hollands about his choice of Revolution of the Daleks (

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 112:40


    Winner of the Paul Spragg Big Finish competition, Luke Hollands joins me to talk about a much ignored but blisteringly action packed and entertaining festive special. Ryan & Graham leave, Jack returns, Daleks on Daleks, Jodie in prison...so much to talk about!

    Top and Bottom Tens - Hamster Book Club Extra!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2026 56:29


    Joe, David, Gareth and Dan all meet up in London for the day and of course had to do a bookclub recording - so we add to our original top and bottom tens with four more books we love and hate! Due to recording outside, a nearby crowd can be heard joining in the fun!

    Talks to Daniel Rawnsley about his choice of Eye of the Gorgon (2/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 50:24


    Serve the podcast! Serve the podcast! More great Nun action, a portal to another world, a bneautiful gift for Bea and touching moment for Chrissie.

    Talks to Daniel Rawnsley about his choice of Eye of the Gorgon (1/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 47:29


    A moving examination of dementia, an chilling look at Greek myths, a hilariously camp group of sinister nuns and Phylida Law!

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Terror of the Autons (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 44:39


    Is there anything more Doctor Who than a Time Lord and a human tied up in a van using the indicators to send out morse code while the army fights a bunch of mannequins in carnival masks?

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Terror of the Autons (3/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 32:21


    Who's in charge of you pen pushers these days? What makes good and bad comedy in Doctor Who? What makes scary Doctor Who? What makes entertaining Doctor Who? Terror of the Autons!

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Terror of the Autons (2/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 37:35


    Hungry asphyxiating chairs! Troll dollies that strangle fathers! Coppers with blank faces! Jo Grant having a meltdown! What a first day on the job...

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Terror of the Autons (1/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 38:38


    The Master! Jo Grant! Captain Yates! A shrunken scientist in a lunchbox! Don't touch her that's a bomb! Daddy issues! So much for Joe & Paul to get their teeth into...

    Talks to Daniel Rawnsley about his choice of Revenge of the Slitheen (2/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2026 43:09


    We've synchronised the mega wattage, called New York, prepared the vinegar in squeezies and turned off the sun! Anything else?

    Talks to Daniel Rawnsley about his choice of Revenge of the Slitheen (1/2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 46:41


    Time for another exciting adventure with Sarah Jane and the moppets...and the Slitheen! A new friend, Clyde, joins, and there's some unfinished Doctor Who business...

    Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Daemons (5/5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2026 39:05


    Is this a disappointing denouement or a rousing conclusion to a story that Rob and I both admit is one of our all time favourites?

    Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Daemons (4/5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2026 33:21


    Joe's favourite of the serial; sacrificial wrapping, QueQuiQuod and devastating reticules! Action, suspense, jokes, a brilliant Doctor and Benton and Hawthorne on form!

    Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Daemons (3/5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2026 33:59


    The Master makes his move on the village and blackmails them all with gossip and scandal! And the great Doctor/Miss Hawthorn debate rages on - Science or magic? 'With horns!'

    Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Daemons (2/5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2026 28:59


    E-O-Evo-Ay Azal! The Doctor is frozen, Jo is in a state, Miss Hawthorne is in a box and the Master is on the move...enter Yates and Benton to the rescue! My helicopter!?

    Talks to Robert Valentine about his choice of The Daemons (1/5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2026 41:38


    'Lots of lovely hush!' Rob and I are in total agreement on the fact that this is one of the very best first episodes of Doctor Who; thrills, suspense, jokes, character moments, a great cliffhanger and...Miss Hawthorne!

    Sarah Jane Adventures - Invasion of the Bane (with Daniel Rawnsley)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2026 93:08


    In a brand new thread for Hamster, Joe & Daniel will be watching and celebrating The Sarah Jane Adventures. How smart, funny, silly, intelligent and mature this series can be.

    Talks to Paul Arthur about his choice of Destiny of the Daleks (4/4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2026 51:50


    It's shoddy and boring and pantomimic and gets the Daleks wrong. Screw that! Daleks blowing up, gun battles, mucky punch ups, 'BYE BYE!' Just fabulous!

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