Time for Cakes and Ale

Cakes & Ale Episode 33: An Interview with Daniel M. Bensen

July 20, 2021July 20, 2021 Posted in Books, Media, Podcast, Time for Cakes and Ale Podcast. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

In this episode we chat with author Daniel M. Bensen about his new speculative biology novel Interchange.

In this sequel to 2019’s Junction, a group of humans attempt to travel across the many biomes of the alien planet beyond the wormhole on Earth. Daniel discusses how his worldbuilding process leant itself to creating the geography and biology of multiple planets spilling into and evolving on a single shared world. We also talk about writing and publishing in lockdown and his recent co-authored comic book First Knife from Image Comics.

Interchange, and it’s prequel Junction, are out now from Flame Tree Press.

Direct download: Episode 33: Daniel Bensen

You can find out more about Daniel and his work on his website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Goodreads.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

The Tally Ho talks to Dr Santiago Sanchez-Pagés about ‘No Soy Un Número’

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 Posted in Books, Media, Podcast, The Tally Ho Podcast, TV. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

Welcome to The Tally Ho, a podcast about the classic TV series The Prisoner.

In this episode we had the pleasure of speaking to Dr Santiago Sanchez-Pagés about his new book ‘No Soy Un Número‘ (‘I Am Not a Number’), the world’s first book written about The Prisoner in Castilian.

Ten years in the making, Santiago’s book explores McGoohan’s TV masterpiece in the cultural context of the 1960s in which it emerged, with fascinating insights into its cinematic influences and lasting impact.

‘No Soy Un Número‘ is available now from Applehead Books. You can also find more of Santiago’s writing on economics, politics and pop culture via his website.

Santiago is an Associate Professor in Economics at Kings College London and his latest academic work can be found on the university’s website, and you can also follow him on Twitter.

Direct download: The Tally Ho talks to Dr Santiago Sanchez-Pagés

You can find all of our 2018/2019 Tally Ho episodes, beginning with Arrival, right here! The page is updated with each new edition of the podcast. Our 2017 Tally Ho episodes on the 50th Anniversary of the UK airing can be found here!

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe, leave us a rating and review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Be seeing you…

The Tally Ho episodes will run concurrently with our regular Time for Cakes and Ale ones and are available via our main podcast feed.

Homebrew: Episode 8

September 18, 2020 Posted in Comics, Gaming, Homebrew, Media, Podcast, Time for Cakes and Ale Podcast. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Nigel Twumasi, co-founder of British Manga brand Mayamada. Nigel tells us about how their social gaming Gamepad events have evolved and the challenges of adapting their business model to an online-only format.

Mayamada’s latest Kickstarer for ‘Serious – Through the Fog’ is live until 5 October and can be found HERE. And check out their Story x Story podcast.

Direct download: Homebrew 8

Geeky Sewing Bee: The Prisoner inspired cushion covers

September 13, 2020October 10, 2020 Posted in Geeky craft, Geeky Sewing. Leave a comment

A couple of years ago I made a Village resident-style cape as part of a Prisoner-themed cosplay outfit. I chose a red/blue/yellow/brown colour scheme to match those seen during the chess match in the classic episode Checkmate. The remnants of the brightly coloured fabric have been knocking around in a drawer for a long time,… Continue reading Geeky Sewing Bee: The Prisoner inspired cushion covers

Cakes & Ale Episode 32: Unconventional Conventions

August 2, 2020 Posted in Media, Podcast, Time for Cakes and Ale Podcast. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

With the pandemic interrupting the 2020 convention calendar, we discuss its impact on different events. We ask how it may not only affect the con-going experience, but also could lead to longer term changes, which could in fact have a positive effect on content, attendance, accessibilty and representation. But how can con-runners embrace the opportunites of new technology whilst maintaining longstanding elements of physical cons that content creators rely on?

Let us know what you think about conventions and what you would like to see in the future. Is the move to virtual content permanent? How do you keep the spirit of a convention alive?

Direct download: Episode 32: Unconventional Conventions

Homebrew: Episode 7

June 7, 2020 Posted in Homebrew, Media, Music, Podcast, Time for Cakes and Ale Podcast. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Kev from the band Flames of the Lizard Birds about writing and recording music under lockdown, and the challenges that are being faced by both bands and venues as the live music scene is put on hold.

You can check out Flames of the Lizard Birds on Bandcamp, their YouTube channel and their Facebook page, and the episode ends with one of their recent tracks, Get My Persona.

For those who remember Digitizer, Mr Biffo’s Found Footage can be watched here!

Direct download: Homebrew 7

Homebrew: Episode 6

May 15, 2020May 15, 2020 Posted in Homebrew, Media, Podcast, Time for Cakes and Ale Podcast, TV. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Eurovision superfan Dudepoints about the 2020 contest that never was, and how the ESC fandom has responded to the lockdown with online events to keep the spirit alive such as Eurovision Again and streamed live performances from artists. Surie’s incredible piano rendition of Hard Rock Hallelujah is unexpected and beautiful.

You can check out the Dudepoints blog for more tales of national finals, Eurovision memes and their own personal chart rundown of the 41 songs from this year.

The Dude’s YouTube playlist of 2020 songs is here so grab a glass of whatever you choose and enjoy the ride!

Direct download: Homebrew 6

The Tally Ho talks The Prisoner and Twin Peaks

April 28, 2020 Posted in Media, Podcast, The Tally Ho Podcast, TV. Post format: Link5 Comments

Welcome to The Tally Ho, a podcast about the classic TV series The Prisoner.

In 2017 as Twin Peaks season 3 reached its conclusion and fans were looking for something else to experience, we wrote an article giving 10 Reasons why Twin Peaks fans should watch The Prisoner.

Fast forwarding two and a half years – and after more than 50 hours of Prisoner ramblings as part of our Tally Ho podcast – we felt it was time to discuss the links between these two seminal TV series in-depth. In this episode we talk about the influence that The Prisoner had on Twin Peaks and its co-creator Mark Frost, and examine the many thematic, structural and aesthetic connections that exist between our two favourite shows.

Direct download: The Tally Ho talks The Prisoner and Twin Peaks

Many thanks to Quoit Media who allowed us to share a brief clip of Patrick McGoohan himself talking about Twin Peaks and David Lynch! The whole fascinating interview (conducted by Howard Foy and printed in a 1990 issue of The Box) is available to buy from their website and is a fantastic listen. Check it out!

Links to other resources
Our Chris Rodley interview episodes part 1 and part 2.

We also reference several articles about the influence of The Prisoner on the likes of Alan Moore, Better Call Saul‘s Peter Gould, JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Joss Whedon, and a 2017 episode of the Talkhouse podcast in which Sam Esmail talks to Mark Frost about the impact of the show on Frost’s career.

Interviews with Patrick McGoohan

Be seeing you… in the trees.

The Tally Ho episodes will run concurrently with our regular Time for Cakes and Ale ones and are available via our main podcast feed.

Homebrew: Episode 5

April 17, 2020 Posted in Homebrew, Media, Podcast, Time for Cakes and Ale Podcast, TV. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with podcaster Carl Sweeney about his adventures on The X-Cast and The Movie Palace podcasts, and the #XCastQuarantine watchalong which is running through the classic 90s TV series The X-Files during the lockdown.

Direct download: Homebrew 5

Homebrew: Episode 4

April 12, 2020 Posted in Books, Homebrew, Media, Podcast, Time for Cakes and Ale Podcast. Post format: LinkLeave a comment

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with author Chris Beckett about writing at a time when reality is stranger than fiction. Chris is best known for his Clarke Award-winning Dark Eden trilogy. Chris has recently been posting a selection of short stories from throughout his career along the theme of ‘isolation’ to read for free on his website – the whole collection can be read here.

Direct download: Homebrew 4