I’ve never seen Dr Who. Don’t get me wrong, like the rest of the planet I witnessed its popular resurgence in 2005 as the scenes as they exploded over social media, in particular Rosa Parks. So, when I found out David Tennant, the renowned Time Lord and Broadchurch alum joined the podcasting Tardis, I found myself intrigued.
Produced by Somethin’ Else and No Mystery Productions, Tennant hosts the biggest names from TV, comedy, movies and culture. The guest list reads like Tennant’s contact list with guests Olivia Colman, Martin Sheen, Whoopi Goldberg, Sir Ian Mackellan and Billie Piper.
Tennant’s debut podcast with actor Jim Parsons is refreshingly honest and emotional as he speaks of the dangers of cancel culture and saying goodbye after 12 seasons of playing the iconic geeky Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory.
Judi Dench speaks humbly of her instinctive approach to acting and her aversion to publicity preferring to let people “pick the bones out for themselves”. The topic of grief is discussed sensitively as Dench shares fond memories of her late husband Michael Williams, “gosh, he used to make me laugh”. Dench admits she had to “work out how to be without him’ a beautiful tribute which will no doubt resonate with many listeners.
Listening to Dundee Bourne Brian Cox is great fun. The X-Men actor speaks passionately about being offered the part of divisive Logan Roy in Succession in his 70s. Writing his memoir during lockdown, Cox is in a reflective mood and confesses his ambitions to be an actor from an early age and his desire to keep working until he stops getting offered the work. Cox passionately says; “you can only learn from failure”. A gem of an episode Tenant and Cox clearly enjoy a wee natter with a fellow Scot.
The sharp and entertaining content of this podcast is mirrored in its production. With an elegant jazz intro, guests saying their own name as part of the title and the advertiser peppered cleverly at the appropriate junctions. Tennant has also launched podcast merchandise, a canny move, from someone debuting in the Top 3.
For his part, Tennant’s a charming and congenial host is reminiscent of James Lipton’s graceful style on Inside the Actors Studio. With considered questions to his fellow thespians their ease with him is evident, after all, they are speaking the same language. And no matter how much the guests try to draw him personally into the interview, Tennant refers to himself in the third person showcasing them as the star of the show.
And this listener, feeling the need to furiously write down quotes from the likes of Brian Cox and Judi Dench is enthralled. Don’t miss out on this podcast in this time or another.
David Tennant Does a Podcast with… is available wherever you get your podcasts.
Lisa produces and hosts Holding the Space podcast. In 2019, hosted ‘In Conversation’ sessions with Kerry Hudson, Fiona Gibson and Catherine Simpson at Outwith Festival.
Very passionate about history and ancestry partnering with the Scottish Genealogy Society for the Scottish Ancestral Records podcast recommended by BBC’s Who do You Think You Are? Magazine.