Doctor Who - Pieces of Eighth

There's a murder mystery to be solved, in a creepy old house. The Doctor, Fitz and Compassion arrive, and this novel by Andy Lane and Justin Richards has a fascinating history, having originally been written without the Doctor. Andy joins us to reveal more. (With apologies for the varying sound quality on the interview)

The Doctor, Fitz and Compassion arrive in a gleaming chrome-city, with hover cars, and all the mod cons you could possibly want - and it's the year 2019. But what's happened to the Mods and Rockers, who are still fighting each other? We speak with author Steve Lyons, editor Steve Cole, and feature an audio clip from the spin-off release featuring the aliens from this book, the Makers.

It's Doctor Who vs the pus-y worms! We chat with Trevor Baxendale about his second EDA, as the Eighth Doctor, Fitz and Compassion encounter the Spulver worms. Editor Steve Cole pops by too, and we have our usual three readings from the novel.

Paul McGann and India Fisher have played the Doctor and Charley Pollard, live, on stage, in front of four theatre audiences. Of course, Pieces of Eighth was there to cover this - with unprecented access before, during and after the production. We bring you exclusive chats with author Robert Valentine, director Barnaby Edwards, and Alex Macqueen, the Master himself. And Kenny and Matt are joined by other fans to share their thoughts on the production, mostly live, outside the Cadogan Hall.

The Doctor and Fitz are on the run, in Compassion, their new TARDIS. She reacts badly when the Doctor tries to fit a randomiser into her, and throws her friends out onto an alien world. Editor Steve Cole and author Nick Walters discuss this book, as well as Matt and Kenny's thoughts on it - plus the reviews from DWM and I, Who 2!

The Shadows of Avalon caused a lot of excitement when it was first announced. Not only did it mark the return of Paul Cornell to writing Doctor Who, after his triumphant New and Missing Adventures work, but it brought back the Brigadier, and introduced a new incarnation of Romana. It also had an astonishing daring moment that really did seem audacious at the time. We're joined by editor Steve Cole, as Kenny and Matt discuss the novel and its impact, with archival quotes from Paul Cornell.

The Doctor and Compassion have been separated from Fitz. They're on one world, he's on another, living his best life. But what on earth is going on? Co-author Steve Cole talks to us about writing this EDA. And we finally discover who Natalie Dallaire is - and she's 100% real!

Remember when the Doctor and his friends had an action packed adventure with a giant vegetable monster? No, not THAT one, we're talking about Frontier Worlds, by Peter Anghelides, who reveals the story's working title, his original idea for the cover, and more. Editor Steve Cole drops in too, as Kenny and Matt discuss this Bond-inspired read.

Some corners of the universe have bred the most terrible things - they must be fought. The Doctor, Fitz and Compassion are set to encounter an old enemy of his - the Fendahl! We take a look at The Taking of Planet 5. Joining us, as ever, are editor Steve Cole, plus writers Mark Clapham and Simon Bucher-Jones.

The Doctor, Fitz and their new friend Compassion are off to the Obverse. The trio encounter a giant jade elephant, and a host of other strange, strange creatures, as well as humans on a spaceship. And if that wasn't enough, along comes the newly-regenerated Iris Wildthyme! We chat with editor Steve Cole and co-author Paul Magrs, about how this little gem came to life.

We continue our look at the controversial Interference, as we examine its legacy in the Doctor Who universe. Kenny and Matt discuss how they felt about it, as well as the Third Doctor's 'new' regeneration, featuring archival quotes from author Lawrence Miles. We also chat to former Big Finish producer Gary Russell, about bringing Sam Jones to life on audio... for a day... before she disappeared.

It's hard for fans today to perhaps gauge how important was for Doctor Who fans in the dying days of the 20th century. Lawrence Miles's two-part novel was discussed for months afterwards, and even now, still provokes an interesting debate. We feature range editor Steve Cole, and feature an archive interview with Lawrence Miles, read for us by James Hadwin-Bennett.

The end is near for Samantha Jones's travels with the Eighth Doctor and Fitz. But before she departs, she and her friends need to survive SS officers and a beings from another dimension. As ever, author Steve Cole joins us with his insights, while David A McIntee recalls his experiences of writing the book.

Jonathan Blum and Kate Orman return for their third (and final) Eighth Doctor Adventure. We chat with Jon about writing a story that's a sequel to the TV Movie, and range editor Steve Cole drops by too. And did you know - this story features the Doctor's dad...? (Possibly)

This episode of Pieces of Eighth takes us to Sweden... and there's not a Muppet chef in sight. We discuss this 1990s take on UNIT, and are joined by editor Steve Cole and writer Nick Walters, as we discuss the 22nd Eighth Doctor novel from the BBC Book. Kenny and Matt also discuss the DWM review of Dominion.

We're heading back to the 1960s with the Doctor, Sam and Fitz. There's a revolution in the air - and something else that smells a bit funny. We're joined by range editor Steve Cole and author Paul Leonard, to discuss this EDA which was a big favourite of both Matt and Kenny when it was first published.

The Doctor and Sam have a new friend onboard the TARDIS - his name's Kreiner. Fitz Kreiner. Find out what happens on Space Station Vega, and how it ties in with a host of other books in the expanded Whoniverse. We chat with Julian Richards, son of author Justin, as well as books range editor Steve Cole, and cover artist Tony Fleetwood.

We're back - at long last - for a brand new season of episodes. Kenny is joined by Matt Michael for this run of 18 episodes, as we take a look back at the Eighth Doctor novels from BBC Books, starting with the arrival of Fitz Kreiner in Doctor Who and the Taint. We've got lots of new content for you - the original character outline, his DWM reveal, plus what the DWM review said at the time, as well as chats with author Michael Collier (COUGH, COUGH), editor Steve Cole, and Rebecca Levene, who helped to co-create Fitz. Our new series starts here...

And so, we're nearly there - Christmas is just a day away. But we're going back to 21 December for today's episode, as we celebrate Winter of the Demon, Roy Gill's Eighth Doctor adventure with Charley and Audacity, which was released earlier this month. We chat to Roy, sound designer Benji Clifford - and India Fisher pops by too!

Christmas Day. It's always easy to remember, as it's on 25 December each year. Except, in 2001, it wasn't - as the Eighth Doctor finds Harry Sullivan doing a crossword outside a cafe. We're looking at 2018 Short Trips subscriber exclusive Tuesday, which was written by Tony Jones. We speak with producer Ian Atkins about this little gem.

We continue our adventures with the Eighth Doctor and his friend, journalist James Macfarlane, in BBC Audio's series of original adventures. Today, we look at The Teeth of Ice, which is the third outing in the series, which began with The Scent of Blood, and continued with The Code of Flesh. And, because it's the winter, it's apt that we join them in Antarctica! We speak with range editor Michael Stevens and writer Andrew Lane about it!

There's so many Eighth Doctor Christmas stories to choose from. It all began with The Chimes of Midnight in 2002, but since then, there's been so many others, in Big Finish Short Trips collections in print and on audio, in full cast adventures, and in BBC Christmas collections too. Today, we've asked YOU, our lovely listeners, to nominate your favourite festive frolics for Paul McGann's incarnation.

We've returned to the world of Eighth Doctor comics for our episode today. Pieces of Eighth turns back the clock by a decade to mark the Doctor's appearance in a 50th anniversary story, and we're NOT talking Night of the Doctor. We chat to writers Scott and David Tipton about Prisoners of Time, the IDW comics celebration of the show, and in particular, the eighth episode, The Body Politic. We also speak to artist Roger Langridge.

Christmas is coming, and we're starting to feel very excited about it. Today, we take a look at one of the lesser-known Big Finish Short Trips, as we put The Caves of Erith - a subscriber-only exclusive - under the microscope. We chat with producer Ian Atkins, and writer Alice Cavender, as we go batty for the festive season!

Brrrrrr! It's winter, so we thought we'd tie in with the season and do a story set in the snow. So, brace yourself, get your anti-gravity ski boots on, and prepare for some extreme wintersports on the Martian moon of Phobos. There's nothing to fear... is there? We look at this Eighth Doctor and Lucie adventure, as we chat with author Eddie Robson, and guest star Tim Sutton. Also, find out what Becca and Kenny's biggest fears are too!

We're back - and it's definitely about time! Our seventh season is a shorter run than normal, as we bring you some episodes which tie in with the Doctor Who 60th anniversary, winter and Christmas. We begin with a look at Endgame, the first Doctor Who Magazine comic strip featuring Paul McGann's Doctor. We chat with artist Martin Geraghty, comics expert Paul Scoones, and feature the words of writer Alan Barnes (who sadly couldn't join us), as we look at the beginning of a nine-year run of stories.

IT'S ANOTHER Pieces of Eighth exclusive. This week, we take a look at the 'lost' Eighth Doctor Adventure, Freaks, by Rebecca Levene, which was originally scheduled to be released in June 2000. And now, we take a look at it, as we bring this adventure with the Doctor, Fitz and Compassion to life.

IN THE week of this episode's release, Big Finish were giving away the eighth Doctor's first audio adventure, Storm Warning, for free. So, to celebrate, 16 of our listeners have sent in their thoughts on the story, which saw the Doctor meet his new best friend, Charley Pollard, onboard the doomed airship, the R101. And who's that co-hosting? Their voice might be familiar...

WE'VE only gone and done it again - we've tracked down someone who worked on the TV Movie, and got an exclusive interview with them! This week, we hear from Patrick Lussier, the man who edited the film, whilst working with director Geoffrey Sax. It was a dream come true for Patrick, who was a Doctor Who fan long before being hired - and even now, he still listens to the Eighth Doctor with Big Finish. Get ready for chat about D3: The Mighty Ducks, working on the Scream films with Wes Craven (and his thoughts on the spoof, Scary Movie), as well as branching out and directing in his own right.

JUST when you thought there was no more Eighth Doctor to novelise, he pops up in a Fourth Doctor book. Stephen Gallagher recently wrote a new short story featuring Paul McGann's Doctor, which was included as part of his novelisation of Warriors' Gate. Kenny and Matt chat their way through the story, which includes a brief reading from it, before hearing from editor Steve Cole and the writer himself. A fuller chat with Steve Gallagher appears in The Power of Three podcast, episode 128.

IT'S THE end of an era on audio, as the Doctor's friend C'rizz departs in spectacular style. We're talking about Absolution, Big Finish's 101st monthly range release, which was written by Scott Alan Woodard. He joins us to discuss the story, and then C'rizz himself, Conrad Westmaas, shares his thoughts on his departure.

PAUL McGann is back in costume! Woohoo! This week we find out how his new Night of the Doctor costume came about, as we speak to Long Island Doctor Who convention organiser Ken Deep, tailor Steven Ricks and prop maker James Sutton. And Kenny is joined by Eighth Doctor cosplayer/the most famous Belgian in the world, Tinne Peeters. Find out more about Long Island Doctor who at https://longislanddoctorwho.com/. Follow Steven on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stevenrickstailoring/?hl=en

REMEMBER when we didn't know what caused the Eighth Doctor to regenerate? And then in 2013 we found out, in The Night of the Doctor? Little did we know that Russell T Davies had also plotted out the end of Paul McGann's incarnation, for a short story, which ultimately never saw the light of day until the Doctor Who: Adventures in Lockdown series, first published in the BBC website and later, in print. We bring you a full reading of the story this week, complete with music and sound design, as well as Russell T Davies' introduction to the story brought to life by Big Finish's Narvin himself - Seán Carlsen! Join Kenny and Matt for a discussion on the story, as they find a large number of similarities between Doctor Who and the Time War and The Night of the Doctor.

WE MAKE a fast return to the world of Big Finish Short Trips this week, as we explore The Hall of the Ten Thousand. The Ten Thousand represent everything the Doctor admires. Ingenuity, creativity and triumph of peace over war. So, naturally, he's taken Charlotte Pollard to see them. Kenny and Tinne take a look at this tale, featuring interviews with producer Alfie Shaw and writer Jaine Fenn. You can find out more about her work at www.patreon.com/jainefenn

WHO WANTS to live forever?, asked Queen in their song. We find out the answer to this question in Immortal Beloved, as the Eighth Doctor and Lucie encounter Zeus, Hera and a number of other gods. Today, Kenny and guest co-host Tinne Peeters chat about Lucie Miller's fourth episode, and have exclusive chats with writer Jonathan Clements, talking about the story for the first time on a podcast, and actor David Dobson, who played Tayden/Ares.

We've taken a while to enter Eighth Doctor comics territory again, having featured one in our second episode, and now we've featured two in one season! Today, we're taking a look at The Forgotten, a six-part comic series published in 2008/09 by IDW Comics, and featured the Eighth Doctor in one part. We speak with writer Tony Lee, in another conversation recorded at Gallifrey in February.

WE'RE BACK looking at a Big Finish Short Trip, but this time, it's a more recent one. Kenny and guest co-host Matt Michael discuss Death Will Not Part Us, before producer/writer Alfie Shaw explains where the story ideas came from, and sound designer/composer Richard Fox reveals how it all came together in the editing stage.

HAD YOU ever heard of Gef the Talking Mongoose before listening to The Dalby Spook? We hadn't! This week, Kenny and guest co-host Dave Steel learn all about the mysterious Gef, a mongoose who apparently spoke, whilst living on the Isle of Man in the 1930s. We're joined by co-author Stewart Pringle, actor Harry Myers, sound designer Benji Clifford and musician Jamie Robertson, to find out more. Was Gef real? We want to believe! Thanks to Jana on Twitter (@JanaJa1) for permission to use her cover art for this story.

SHADA - the incomplete Doctor Who story that's been completed so many times over the years. Today, we're taking a look at the version from 2003, when Big FInish went into studio to record the audio for the story, which was coupled with Lee Sullivan's art, and animated for the BBC website as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations. This week we chat with producer Gary Russell, illustrator Lee Sullivan and musician Russell Stone, as we take a look at the adaptation of Douglas Adams's script. Our guest co-host this week is everyone's favourite Belgian, Tinne Peeters.

WE HEAD into new territory for Pieces of Eighth with this week's episode, as we look at a Short Trip from one of Big Finish's early audio collections. We chat with Simon Guerrier about Letting Go, which was commissioned by editor Xanna Eve Chown and appeared on the second volume of the Short Trips audios. It was narrated by India Fisher, and Becca gets jealous (again) that Kenny spoke to someone for the podcast whilst in LA...

DON'T CRY for me, Weeping Angels! The Doctor, Liv and Helen encounter those blinking assassins again, and it leads to a hugely emotional adventure. It's our biggest episode yet this season, with a fantastic four guests, including writer Roy Gill, Albie himself, Mr Barnaby Jago, musician Jamie Robertson, and sound designer Benji Clifford. We also have Song for Helen - get those hankies ready!

ONE OF the great crimes of the 90s, with regards from Doctor Who (aside from a lack of a TV series for the Eighth Doctor) was the fact that the show never got an annual that year. Something of a British tradition, each Christmas, children are given a hardbacked book, containing comics and stories with their favourite characters from TV, film, toys, etc, as well as puzzles and games. But now, 27 years after it should have been published, The Doctor Who Annual 1997 has arrived, from Terraqueous Distribution. With Becca on maternity leave, Kenny's joined by his Power of 3 co-conspirator David Steel, and chat with editor Mark, as well as one of its many writers, Rob Nisbet. Find out more HERE.

WHO doesn't like a good, in-depth interview? After all, that's what Pieces of Eighth is all about! This week, we take a look at Reeltime Pictures' release of The Doctors: Paul McGann Years, which features a chat with the Eighth Doctor actor, co-stars Daphne Ashbrook, Yee Jee Tso and Eric Roberts, as well as executive producer Philip Segal, and TV Movie director Geoffrey Sax. We chat with Reeltime's Keith Barnfather, who tells us about the origins of the range in the 1980s, and how it's become a vital repository for people wanting to know all about the classic series era, in the words of those who made the show.

IT'S A SHORT Trip that has been released four times, it's THAT good. We're talking about Museum Peace, written by James Swallow, which sees Kalendorf from Big Finish's Dalek Empire series encountering the Eighth Doctor in a museum. And there's a Dalek in it too. We speak with James, and also Nicholas Briggs, who narrated the story, as well as doing the music and sound design, for its release as an audio Short Trip. You can find out more about James' work at https://jswallow.com/ and Museum Peace can be bought from the Big Finish website.

It's another one of Kenny's chats in person from Gallifrey, as we welcome back our old pals Matthew Jacobs and Vanessa Yuille. They chat about the impact of their film, Doctor Who Am I?, and find out how Matthew now views his place in the Whoniverse. Becca's not jealous of the trip at all...

WE'RE back into the territory of the original Lucie Miller adventures, to the delight of one of your co-hosts. We have a chat with Paul Sutton, the writer of No More Lies, the sixth story in the first run of Lucie Miller adventures. It's the first time Paul's chatted about the story, and he reveals how his research into Hungarian folk songs played a part in the tale.

WE'RE BACK - and it's about time we featured another comic featuring the Eighth Doctor. This week, we feature Titan Comics' Empire of the Wolf, in a chat with editor Jake Devine, and writer Jody Houser - recorded by Kenny in person at Gallifrey in February this year. It's the first of several interviews from Stateside, for this run of episodes. Find out more about Titan's Doctor Who range at https://titan-comics.com/?tag__series=doctor-who

Ahead of the launch of our sixth season, we're delighted to bring you some rare material, with these trailers for Invaders From Mars, as originally broadcast on Radio 7 in 2005. Here's four short teasers, to get listeners hooked - aren't they great?

HAPPY NEW Year! Doctor Who's 60th anniversary year is upon us in 2023. And to kick off the celebrations, we asked our listeners to share with us their favourite Eighth Doctor stories, on TV, audio, books, comics, etc. This episode is dedicated to the memory of our friend Si Hodges, who kindly provided us with images to use in several season three episodes, including the Beyond the Vortex episodes, and creating us a special piece of art for The People's Temple episode.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! We didn't originally plan to do this episode, but the opportunity arose, to bring you some special presents on Christmas Day. Firstly, we've a present for you, dear listener. We've married up Gordon Tipple's original opening narration for the TV Movie, with the soundtrack, to hear how it may originally have sounded. Secondly, we've a present for Becca, as we're joined by a special Christmas Day guest! And finally, we've another present for you all, as we have a reading of the Short Trip Evergreen, which is performed by its original author. We're DEFINITELY finished for this year now - this is our 70th episode of 2022!

"CHRISTMAS wouldn't be Christmas without my plum pudding!" So Mrs Baddeley tells us throughout The Chimes of Midnight, and now, for many Doctor Who / Big Finish fans, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without The Chimes of Midnight. This Christmas Eve, we're joined by our friends all over the world, as we celebrate the story regarded by many as the greatest Doctor Who audio story, if not the greatest Doctor Who story of all, in Robert Shearman's tale from 2002.