Explore every episode of the podcast OH!CAST: Retro Sci‑Fi & Cult Classics
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Episode 91 - 'Smoke me a Kipper' - Red Dwarf IV - Smeg Hebs | 18 sept. 2026 | 00:59:15 | |
The Smeg Hebs are back before breakfast, and this time they've added a new member! Cal, Kieran, and Ralph are joined by Donald as they continue their Red Dwarf retrospective. 4 folk from the islands spend almost an hour arguing over the best episodes, as well as sharing their views on Ace Rimmer, Talkie Toaster, Justice, and ponder the important questions. After all, what's more of a punishment than being Arnold Rimmer? Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Official OH!Cast Merch: https://oh-cast-shop.fourthwall.com Email the team: contact@ohcast.info Chapters
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| Episode 90 - 'ZX Nightmares and ZX Dreams' - Our love of the Spectrum - Graeme Mason | 11 sept. 2026 | 00:57:49 | |
How many Graeme's with their names spelled correctly can one conversation handle? We don't know, but we had two in this one and it was excellent! Cal and Graeme are joined by retro gaming freelance writer, Graeme Mason. Graeme (guest, not co-host) has written some fantastic books on the games we loved and perhaps didn't love quite as much from our childhood - ZX Nightmares, and ZX Dreams. We talk through our respective gaming journeys, memories of Spectrum magazines, and Graeme (guest) fulfilling one of his childhood dreams, before turning our attentions to Graeme's other project - IndieHorrorGamer which does exactly what it says on the tin. Retro media? Check. Geek culture? Check. Must be another OH!Cast! Graeme's website is HERE IndieHorrorGamer can be found HERE Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 89 - 'Here's what you got wrong' - Star Trek: The Motion Picture | 04 sept. 2026 | 01:13:03 | |
Our intrepid Star Trek crew are back on OH!Cast, with Cal in the captain's chair again, hosting regulars Rob, Martin, and Eileen to talk about the first cinema outing for Star Trek - 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture. What was the cultural context around the movie, and how does this influence the reception at the time and afterwards? How has social media changed the way we engage with movies, and how we process and absorb information? The crew look at these as well as digging into the plot and themes of the movie - V'ger's existential question and Spock's internal struggle, fan theories (including the Borg theory), and Dr McCoy's arc. As always, this summary barely scratches the surface - go listen to the episode then join us on our links below for more discussion! Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 88 - 'Strongman and Stingers' - Remi Gone Rogue - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 01 sept. 2026 | 00:53:15 | |
We went live with Remi a few weeks ago, but tech gremlins prevailed so we rescheduled, and we're glad we did! Cal and Graeme host as Remi breaks down her history in Strongman competitions (including the famous Arnold Classic), and the wildcard rounds that are always a feature of these events. We talk conditioning (well, Remi talks conditioning, we're a couple of overweight nerds), and the difference between training for an event every few months compared with being in ring-ready shape every day of the week. From there, we also share experiences of stingers, and that moment when your limbs feel the jolt of searing pain and numbness and how it freaks you out. Remi details her training at Steve and Colby Corino's Carolina Wrestling Academy, and how hands on The King of Old School is in her training (and it's as good as us older fans would hope!); and also how she turned her own personality up and her filter off to become Remi Gone Rogue. Follow Remi HERE and The Carolina Wrestling Academy HERE Support Indie Wrestling! Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 87 - 'OH!Cast - smiling politely' - talking comedy writing with Brent Forrester | 28 août 2026 | 01:11:06 | |
Brent Forrester is the man responsible for some of the greatest episodes of comedy TV ever, and he's joining Cal and Kieran to talk about it on OH!Cast. Having been mentored Susan Harris (The Golden Girls, Soap), Brent details what makes comedy good, roundly dispelling the idea that "silly is funny" and outlining the three rules of comedy writing that guide him to this day. It's a brilliant interview with the man responsible for one of the best jokes ever which we've totally butchered in the episode title . All of Brent's links are here Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 86 - 'Chatting with the Chatterer' - Nicholas Vince | 21 août 2026 | 01:13:21 | |
After an earlier failed attempt to talk with Nicholas Vince due to an island-wide power outage, he's kindly agreed to come back and talk with Cal tonight. Nick is our second Cenobite to join the show, after we spoke to Doug Bradley back in episode 68 a few months ago (yes, I've also just noticed that this is episode 86 and there's a nice symmetry in the numbers). After meeting Clive Barker in London's Fringe theatre scene, the two hit it off and discovered they shared so many passions, which led to Nick agreeing to don "some makeup" (bit of an understatement) to become the legendary Cenobite, The Chatterer. Nick breaks down how he became The Chatterer, and the physical limitations the prosthetics forced upon him, and also how the Cenobites bonded on set. There's a story about a duck pond that you want to hear (I'm not spoiling it here), and one about a child's chance meeting with Doug in full Pinhead costume. Nicholas Vince can be found on INSTAGRAM or on his own website Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 85 - SOS - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 18 août 2026 | 00:55:35 | |
Graeme is off galavanting again, so Cal is riding solo as he chats with rising independent wrestling star SOS on The Hebridean Hammerlock. SOS talks about growing up with a dad who was a huge wrestling fan, and her early introduction to the spectacle of WWE, but not seeing where she would fit in, until she discovered the independent scene. The Divas era had a particular archetype, and a bigger woman of colour didn't fit it. The indies welcomed SOS with open arms It's a candid discussion about life, struggles, mental health, and how wrestling as an art form offers escapism and purpose. SOS explains her character too, and how she undertook research into dissociative identity disorder to respectfully build Skye (the protector), Olivia (the inner child), and Storm (the explosive force) and how she conveys which alter is fronting through body language, movement, and facial expression. Follow SOS HERE Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 84 - 'Woah Not a band, Not a band for you' - Not a Band | 14 août 2026 | 01:22:52 | |
Cal and Donald (in his OH!Cast debut) talk to the hilarious but absolutely not a band, Not A Band to find out how a jam session where they were "definitely not forming a band" has led to one of the most popular acts on the retro-media circuit. Matt, Jay, Ollie, and Alex explain how they accidentally became a band, and what drew them to the fertile lands of TV Themes, game show medleys, cartoon classics, and of course, iconic adverts when putting together their setlist. If you want clickbait, well, they will even tell you the one simple trick to making sure high notes get hit live! If pure, unbridled joy were a band, the would be Not a Band, and if you need any more of an endorsement, Barry off Eastenders said they were "BRILLIANT! Book them" Not a Band's website is HERE Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 83 - 'Why we love horror movies' - Katie Evans | 07 août 2026 | 01:10:34 | |
Cal is joined by Katie Evans - lifelong horror fan, practicing psychotherapist, and one of our most requested guests on OH!Cast. Over the course of an hour, we discuss the psychology of fear, and why monsters and horror have always been lurking in human storytelling. There's a hit of nostalgia as Cal and Katie remember browsing the video shop, especially when having sleepovers and the rites of passage that certain movies became, and how our early experiences shape our relationship with fear. Katie explains how Freud, Jung, and modern psychotherapy intersect with Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, and Michael Myers. There's also discussion of the evolution of horror in media, starting with folklore then moving on to the Universal monster movies, cinema censorship, video nasties, and the generational trends in horror. There's so much packed into this interview, so rather than reading this, go listen to it and experience it for yourself! Katie's instagram is HERE Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 82 - 'From Therapy? to OH!Cast' - Cal Side B - Sci-Fidelity | 01 août 2026 | 01:21:16 | |
Last time out, we heard about Cal's childhood. In this second part of the interview, it's his older teen years, going to university, living and working abroad before coming home to the Hebrides and creating OH!Cast. Side B starts with some love for Andy Cairns, Fyfe Ewing and Therapy? - particularly Infernal Love and the sharp left turn the band took after tasting chart success with Troublegum. Through chatting about music and life, Cal and Graeme touch on emotional themes, but also on the moment where as a man you choose to reject the toxic masculinity and misogyny that was innate to growing up male in the West of Scotland (albeit 300 miles apart) in the 90s/00s. Latterly, we get to what caused us to be here in the first place - OH!Cast - why Cal started it, what it means to him, and when he knew that he had something good. It's an honest conversation and helps you get to know the people behind the pod. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 81 - 'Cal's origin story' - Cal Side A- Sci-Fidelity | 31 juil. 2026 | 01:16:10 | |
A new show for OH!Cast as Graeme invites people on to talk about their lives through the songs that mean something to them. For 79 episodes, Cal has stewarded OH!Cast, keeping the conversation flowing, and corralling the ragtag crew of nerds and geeks into something approaching a coherent show. Tonight the tables are turned though and Cal is the guest. Side A tells his origin story across ten songs, from early school days to teens and beyond. It's a conversation where we get to the heart of what makes Cal our captain! Rock, geek culture, and a healthy dose of Hebridean life.
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| Episode 80 - 'Let's go twat it' - Red Dwarf Season 3 - Smeg Hebs | 24 juil. 2026 | 01:12:57 | |
Cal, Kieran, and Ralph are back, which can only mean one thing - Smeg Hebs ride again! Season 3 is widely regarded as where Red Dwarf properly hits its stride. Maybe it's the increased budget? Maybe it's the cast chemistry reaching new levels with the addition of Robert Llewellyn as Kryten? Maybe it's all of it and what we see is the natural evolution of the show? Either way, it's bloody good! Given Michael Grade's infamous dislike of sci-fi, Chris Morris' single frame in Brass Eye is clearly accurate. Oh, and this is the episode of OH!Cast that traumatised Keef! Why? You'll just have to listen, but it's hilarious! Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 79 - 'How come we always end up like this?' - Star Trek The Animated Series (1974) | 17 juil. 2026 | 01:21:05 | |
We've got a full crew on the bridge tonight as Cal, Rob, Martin, and Eileen beam down to cover 1974's Star Trek: The Animated Series. Elements of psychedelia mingle with familiar Trek themes and characters to quietly reshape the canon, setting the stage for everything from Star Trek 2009 to Strange New Worlds. Our intrepid team examine just how influential this show actually was, from Yesteryear directly inspiring parts of JJ Abrams' 2009 movie, to the introduction of Robert April, who was re-canonized in Strange New Worlds. TAS wears its era firmly on its sleeve with the Filmation style - corridor chase scenes a la Scooby Doo, musical stings like Batman, and some interesting colour palettes (looking at you, lilac Klingon tabards!). Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 78 - 'Family don't end with blood, boy' - Supernatural Season 3 Retrospective | 10 juil. 2026 | 01:02:41 | |
Cal, Heather, and Rhiannon are back to take on the third season of Supernatural. As a show, Season 3 is where the writing got sharper and the villains got villainier. The colour grading finally gets sorted out too and the blue filter is finally consigned to the mid 2000s where it belongs! The Winchester boys (and Bobby) are almost secondary to the ladies this season as Ruby, Bela, and Lillith are front and centre, with the rise of Lillith especially evoking comparisons with Hellraiser. There's always room for a Trickster episode too, and Mystery Spot is one of the very best of the entire show with it's blend of comedy and horror tropes. The writer's strike may have forced the season to end early and truncated several storylines, but it's still a good one, and our Hunters are here to talk about it! Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 77 - 'In Conversation with the Krusher' - Krusher Knopf - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 07 juil. 2026 | 01:09:45 | |
Cal and Graeme welcome veteran of the Florida territory, Rick "Krusher" Knopf to the Hebridean Hammerlock. Graeme, in particular, is in his element with this conversation as him and Krusher chat about the magnetic charisma of Dusty Rhodes, and Krusher's experiences training and working with some of the biggest names in the industry. There's a real Sliding Doors moment too. From the legendary Sheepherders, through Krusher's time with WCW getting guys like the Steiners, and the Varsity Club ready for television, it's a thrilling look into one of wrestling's best eras. We pivot to the modern day too, and Krusher details what he is doing with Kingpin Pro Wrestling, and his passion project - Champions for Inclusion alongside the Arc of Bradford County, as well as his own health challenges. This is one of those interviews that could have went on for much longer, and we hope to welcome Krusher back again in future! Follow Kingpin Pro Wrestling HERE Learn more about The Arc of Bradford County HERE Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 76 - 'Sci-fi, politics, and real life' - Patrick Harvie | 03 juil. 2026 | 01:04:47 | |
This one is special! Cal and Ralph are delighted to be able to welcome former co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party, and all round good guy, Patrick Harvie to the show. This interview is about Patrick's love for science fiction, and how that helped inform his political ideals - why can't the equity of Star Trek be replicated in real life? Sci-fi has long shown themes of people with different backgrounds and ideals coming together for the common good. How does it help people describe their own "otherness" before they have the language to do it themselves? What have Soylent Green and The Clangers got in common? How does Doctor Who relate to growing up queer in 1980s Glasgow? This is one of the richest conversations we've had, and we really get into the allegories in sci-fi as we breakdown many classic arcs across multiple shows. Plus Patrick is as big a DS9 fan as us. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 75 - 'Life during wartime' - Ukrainian Wrestling Arena - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 29 juin 2026 | 00:55:17 | |
Cal and Graeme sit down for a powerful episode of The Hebridean Hammerlock as we go live with the team behind Ukrainian Wrestling Arena. We are joined by founder, Kostiantyn Perlov, veteran wrestler, Jake Koby, commentator/writer, Yaroslav Aero, and champion Adam Gart (though technical difficulties mean he cannot join for long), and it's a touching conversation about the reality of running a wrestling organisation in the middle of a warzone. What is the role of storytelling when bombs are falling around you and your world is breaking apart? Wrestling gives people that couple of hours escapism, even when it is interrupted by air raid alerts. It's a conversation that reinforces why geek culture matters and what it does for people. Follow Ukrainian Wrestling Arena's shows on YouTube HERE Kostiantyn is on Instagram Jake Koby is on Instagram Adam Gart is on Instagram Yaroslav Aero is (you guessed it!) on Instagram Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 74 - 'Knowledge is power' - Buffy Season 5 retrospective - Hebridean Scoobies | 26 juin 2026 | 01:30:20 | |
Graeme steps into the hosts chair for the first time to chair the Buffy Season 5 retrospective, joined as always by the other Scoobies - Rhiannon, Alena, and Eileen. It's a poignant time for Buffy fans across the world at time of recording, as the news had recently broken about the death of Anthony Stewart Head. The team share their memories of Giles, and of Mr Head's wider career in an emotionally raw exchange before settling to tackle the season at hand. It doesn't help that it also contains The Body. Season 5 is one of those seasons of TV which captures everything about the show in one arc - from the ever-growing relationships between the characters, to the iconic big bad, with strong emotional moments, it's got everything. Come join us! Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 73 - 'Wattpad to Wulvers' - Rebecca Stewart | 19 juin 2026 | 01:08:04 | |
This week, Cal and Kathleen are joined by one of the most exciting new voices in modern fantasy, independent Scottish author, Rebecca Stewart. Rebecca shares her journey, from writing on Wattpad to becoming a published author, and the shock when her first novel was accepted at the first attempt! They talk about Wulvers - Rebecca's take on werewolves which challenges the misogynistic tropes underpinning traditional werewolf fiction. Her work is filled with strong female leads, with a grounding in Scottish folklore and a strong sense of community and belonging. Rebecca describes the fantasy she grew up with - Anne of Green Gables, and, of course, The Lord of the Rings and how these helped influence the way she builds worlds for her characters to inhabit. The conversation also touches on drowning out paralyzing chronic anxiety to keep writing, and dealing with chronic illness too. 📚 Check out Rebecca Stewart’s books on Amazon All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 72 - 'Wheeze of the week, mate' - Red Dwarf Season 2 - Smeg Hebs | 12 juin 2026 | 01:08:30 | |
Cal, Kieran, and Ralph are back on the Dwarf for the Red Dwarf season 2 retrospective! Red Dwarf was good from the start, but in season 2, it really found it's groove. The Smeg Hebs' love of Norman Lovett shines through, particularly in discussing the endlessly quotable episode Queeg, but that's not the only episode that is dissected. They also talk about why many Dwarf fans skip the first two seasons and start their re-watch from Season 3. Do you know what a Sinclair C5 has to do with Lister's bike? Listen and find out. All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 71 - 'To boldly go where no show had gone before' - Star Trek TOS Season 3 | 05 juin 2026 | 01:15:14 | |
Cal, Martin, and Eileen boldly tackle the most controversial season of Star Trek - the one which made television history and broke cultural taboos - that's right, Season 3! It's a season filled with memorable moments, from the first appearance of Klingons (sans forehead ridges) to the infamous Turnabout Intruder, but the one that stands out above all other is Plato's Stepchildren, featuring the first interracial kiss on TV between Kirk and Uhura, but amidst the social commentary and taboo-breaking moments, is Season 3 actually any good? That's what our intrepid crew seek to answer while acknowledging how TOS defined the archetypes which would later give us TNG, DS9, Voyager, Enterprise and more. All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 70 - 'Raised by a roving pack of feral librarians' - Keith R.A. DeCandido | 29 mai 2026 | 01:03:30 | |
Cal welcomes author, editor, blogger, podcaster, karateka, musician, and all around hoopy frood, Keith R.A. DeCandido to OH!Cast. Keith describes the franchises he grew up with - Heinlein, Le Guin, The Hobbit, and of course, reruns of Star Trek in the 1970s - and how his love of these led to him becoming a writer. Now, Keith has written for some of all of our favourite franchises - Doctor Who, Buffy, Alien, Farscape, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, and Command & Conquer (though we don't have him to thank for the greatest moment in video game history). One of the most important things for Keith when writing is getting the character voice true to what has been established - "if you're writing Jean-Luc Picard, he has to sound like Patrick Stewart". He talks Cal through his creative process and how he ensures the consistency and authenticity while telling his stories his way. Keith's website is HERE All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 69 - 'Your favourite flower child' - Eliza Hayze - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 26 mai 2026 | 00:48:46 | |
Cal and Kenny welcome Eliza Haze to the Hebridean Hammerlock Eliza is a rising star in the US independent wrestling scene, having debuted in late 2017. Hailing from New Mexico, though billed from Woodstock like all good flower children, Eliza mixes psychedelic energy with an explosive in-ring style. She's also a sweetheart too! Cal, Kenny, and Eliza explore her journey through the indie wrestling world and the moments that made her realise that she was on the right path, and she shares stories from herwork with DCCW, SWF, AWWA and more. You can check out Eliza's Instagram HERE All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 68 - ' We have such sights to show you' - Doug Bradley | 22 mai 2026 | 01:19:24 | |
It's the biggest episode of OH!Cast yet - we're only talking to the legendary Doug Bradley! Cal, Kieran, Kenny, and Hereward couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Doug to the show and it's a celebration of horror, humour, and fandom. Doug explains the romanticism that drew him to coming on the show (it wasn't just Hereward's puzzle box!), and talks about the origins of the Cenobites' now famous nicknames. He talks about his longstanding relationship with Clive Barker, dating back to Liverpool in the 1960s, and how this led to him agreeing to join Hellraiser without a moment's hesitation, and how this became one of the defining roles of his career, leading to a crossover media moment with his surreal appearance at the 1992 VMAs. There's a lot more packed into this interview and we're not going to spoil it all here. Suffice to say, it's a must listen for horror fans, cult media fans, and general followers of geek culture. If you decide not to listen, well... your suffering will be legendary - even in Hell! Doug Bradley's website is HERE All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 67 - 'I've really committed to the bit' - Charlie James - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 15 mai 2026 | 00:56:34 | |
Cal and Graeme are back with another Hammerlock episode and it's a fun one! English independent wrestler, Charlie James joins the show for one of the funniest interviews we've had. Charlie is very new to the UK wrestling scene but has channeled her obsession with technical wrestling along with her background in comedy into a character that is gaining traction. After discovering wrestling during the pandemic, Charlie has trained alongside some of the best in the business (Kanji!!!), and is hugely influenced by the likes of Zack Sabre Jr in her quest to do "weird, spooky stuff with arms and legs". It's not just Zack Sabre Jr's wrestling that is an inspiration, but also his openness about his politics (and penchant for naming things after UK comedies). Look, just trust us when we say that Charlie was a wonderful guest, and you should listen to the episode, then if you're able to, go support your local independent wrestling company! Charlie's instagram is HERE All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 66 - 'Drawing the Slayer' - Georges Jeanty | 08 mai 2026 | 01:13:20 | |
Something special on this episode of OH!CAST - Cal and Alena sit down with acclaimed comic artist Georges Jeanty. Georges has drawn some of the most beloved franchises, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to Firefly, Star Wars, and more. He explains how his visual storytelling style was influenced by film directors, and describes the collaborative dance it takes between writers, authors, artists, editors and fans to make a successful comic-book adaptation. Georges also discusses paying it forward - mentoring and developing new talent within the comic industry, exploring how you help new artists flourish within the boundaries of existing properties and franchise rules. Georges' website is HERE All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 65 - 'and whether I shot first I'll not confess' - Shakespeare Star Wars - Ian Doescher | 01 mai 2026 | 01:03:05 | |
Cal hosts author Ian Doescher, who has adapted Star Wars into a Shakespearean style, bringing the Galactic Empire and the Globe together in one delightful mashup. Ian talks about the thematic similiarities between Lucas' series and the Bard's work, with Star Wars central stories of the corruption of power, family conflict, ambition, and tragedy; as well as the challenges of adapting iconic lines into Elizabethan language. It's heartwarming to hear that both communities embraced Ian's project, as we know that both can be fiercely protective of their respective media too. Beyond Star Wars, Cal and Ian chat about Ian's work in adapting other classic literature, and collaborating on a political satire covering Trump's first two years in office. If you ever wanted to know how Shakespeare inspires and remains relevant to modern storytelling, this interview will pull back the curtain. Cult media never sounded so highbrow! Ian's website is HERE All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters: | |||
| Episode 64 - 'Wrestlemania 42' - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 27 avr. 2026 | 02:16:47 | |
Another Wrestlemania is in the bag, and your Hebridean Hammerlock wouldn't be doing it's job if it didn't have a look at what it brought. From the disappointment of night one, through the redemption of the second night, Graeme, Cal, Kenny, and newcomer Chris, watched it all and like all good nerds on the internet want to complain about it and praise it, possibly not in equal measure! All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast
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| Episode 63 - 'Let's go, Billy!' Double Dragon: The Beat ’Em Up That Changed Arcade History | 24 avr. 2026 | 01:05:51 | |
It takes something special for Hereward to come out of cold storage these days, but one mention of talking about Double Dragon and we couldn't keep him away! Hereward and Graeme heap praise on Yoshihisa Kishimoto's legendary side-scrolling beat-em-up which not only defined the genre, but had the sort of legacy most games can only dream about. Meanwhile, Cal plays on an emulator (one day, he might even manage to do the back elbow successfully on purpose!). We take a look at the history of the genre, and detour into other favourites like Golden Axe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Turtles In Time, Final Fight, Streets of Rage, The Simpsons Arcade, and X-Men Arcade. We also bring the full nerd discussion of arcade cabinets and their inner workings, and the groundbreaking music of Double Dragon too (not two)! It almost saddens us that this is retro media - it's still as fresh and fun forty years later, but this is OH!Cast at it's finest - pure joy and love for a game that might not be flawless, but is peerless. All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 62 - 'Gazpacho Soup' - Red Dwarf Season 1 Retrospective - Smeg Hebs | 17 avr. 2026 | 01:18:15 | |
Cal, Graeme, Kieran, and first time co-host, Ralph launch a new retrospective show - Smeg Hebs. For the benefit of that one person on YouTube who implied we had made a mistake in our show title, we really didn't. It's a pun, you see. "Smeghead" is a phrase associated with Red Dwarf, but since we're in the Outer Hebrides, we took the first part, and added the common contraction for Hebrides 'Heb'. It's actually pretty clever. Just like Red Dwarf. Anyway, now that's out the way... it's season or series (another YouTube commenter took umbrage at that) 1 of Red Dwarf! It's where it all began, and quite frankly, they're dead, Dave. All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 61 - 'Respect Pro-Wrestling' - Bobby Roberts - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 14 avr. 2026 | 01:12:41 | |
Cal, Graeme, and our very own Dead Pan Talking (that pun worked better in my head than it did written down) - Kenny - welcome Scottish wrestling legend (and big cousin of OH!Cast favourite, Rubi) Bobby Roberts to the Hammerlock. The conversation starts with Bobby's journey from the other side of the guard rail, through his career as both a wrestler and a promoter, as he shares his unique and at times, blunt, experiences. He talks about how a one word Stone Cold impression got over, and as well about wearing the gorilla mask for one of Joe Hendry's iconic entrances too. After talking about the in-ring side of things, Bobby speaks at length about his promotion, Respect Pro Wrestling, and his ethos of giving back to the community and making sure that every person who comes through the doors of his school learns a variety of skills - whether they are for in-ring or behind the scenes as the unsung heroes of wrestling. If you didn't think wrestling could make a profound difference in people's lives, then you weren't paying attention. Respect Pro-Wrestling can be found on Facebook All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 60 - 'Why did it have to be clowns?' A Supernatural Season 2 Retrospective | 10 avr. 2026 | 01:03:09 | |
Cal is joined by our resident Winchester fanatics, Heather and Rhiannon for our second look at Supernatural. Season 2 marks a turning point in the show as it moves from 'monster of the week' to a serialised story about destiny and family, all with a hearty layer of moral conflict. Sam's evolving powers and Dean's ever-weighty burden come under the OH!Cast spotlight in a season that really piles on the emotional stakes and character development. We also get our introductions to the wider hunter community too as the show adds Ellen, Ash, and Henriksen. Load up the Impala, don't forget to salt and burn the bones, and prepare your best playlist, as our favourite wayward sons ride into battle with the forces of darkness again. All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 59 - 'Is that a mullet? Can I touch it? - Julez Bradley - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 06 avr. 2026 | 00:55:21 | |
There's a man with a mullet going mad with a mallet in Millets! Cal and Graeme are back with another Hammerlock interview, and this one goes places we really didn't expect. Julez Bradley has crafted a throwback look and hairstyle into a wrestling persona that is just joyous to see, but there's a story to how he ended up in wrestling that is as shocking as it is poignant when you see how he has channelled adversity into determination and subsequent success. Follow Julez on Instagram Buy his merch here: Unforgettable Vision Merch Store All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast 00:05 - Introducing Jules Bradley and his legendary mullet
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| Episode 58 - 'Mirror Universes, Mobsters, and Moby Dick In Space' - Star Trek TOS Season 2 | 03 avr. 2026 | 01:28:42 | |
Seems like ages since we had a Star Trek TOS episode, but it's well worth the wait. Cal is back in the Captain's chair, ably assisted by Klingon Rob, and Martin for a look at one of Star Trek's most iconic seasons - Season 2. The crew look at their highlights of the season - the 1920s gangster aesthetic of A Piece of the Action, the existential dread of The Doomsday Machine, and the parallel universe evil alter-ego fun of Mirror Mirror. There is plenty of discussion of Shatner's legendary scenery chewing performances, as well as his much more measured moments. All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 57 - 'A Global Gaelic Journey' - Kaz Gaidhlig Lover | 27 mars 2026 | 01:14:24 | |
In a very special OH!Cast episode, Cal, Fañch, and first time co-host/previous OH!Con guest, Dr Emily McEwan welcome social media sensation KazGaidhligLover to the show. Kaz talks about how heartbreak led her to picking up Duolingo, which in turn led to her discovering SpeakGaelic, and turning this love of learning into a hugely successful TikTok channel. The crossover doesn't stop there though as Kaz is also a cosplayer and TTRPG player. It's a veritable whirlwind of geek culture and a celebration of Gaelic and Scots languages spanning the globe from Malaysia, to Nova Scotia with it's heart in the Hebrides. Follow Kaz on Tiktok HERE All of our links are here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 56 - 'From walking sticks to championships' - Rubi Roberts - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 23 mars 2026 | 01:19:18 | |
It's another Hammerlock, but it could also be a Hebridean Scoobies episode as Cal and Graeme welcome Rubi 'The Basic B!tch Slayer' Roberts to the show. This almost feels like a bunch of old mates sitting down chatting about whatever comes up. Rubi is both hilarious and inspiring as she recounts how she kind of fell into wrestling as a way to try and get a wee bit of mobility back after long term chronic illnesses. From watching Chyna as a wean in the Garnock Valley to taking her first bump in a hilarious story you don't want to miss, everybody will come away from this interview with a new favourite gothic scheme maw! Follow Rubi on TikTok Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 55 - 'Writing the Slayerverse' - Nancy Holder | 20 mars 2026 | 01:15:24 | |
Cal and Graeme talk to New York Times bestselling author, Nancy Holder to the show. Remember when your favourite show had tie-in novels? Chances are Nancy was involved! She wrote the very first Buffy tie-in novel (Halloween Rain) as well as tie-ins for Angel, Firefly, and Ghostbusters. Nancy talks about the creative process, and the snobbery faced as both a tie-in and horror writer, even as someone who beat Stephen King to win the Bram Stoker Award for Horror. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 54 - 'Pushing Pixels' - Simon Butler | 13 mars 2026 | 01:27:15 | |
(Content advisory: this episode contains strong language and frank discussion throughout.) Strap in for one of the most fun interviews ever conducted on OH!Cast. Cal, Kieran, and Graeme are kept in stitches throughout this interview with game design legend, Simon Butler. It's an interview that we've all come back to several times because Simon is such a brilliant guest. He has a wonderful way of withering self-deprecation that makes him a natural storyteller and we can't get enough of it. If you're passionate about retro gaming, and have a soft spot for the Spectrum, you're sure to enjoy this. Simon can be heard regularly on RetroGamingRoundup Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast | |||
| Episode 53 - 'Big Rig Bryan Colton' - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 09 mars 2026 | 00:54:39 | |
Cal and Graeme welcome US Independent wrestler, The Big Rig, Bryan Colton to the Hammerlock. In one of the guys' favourite Hammerlock interviews, they hear Big Rig's very real story about how he got into the world of wrestling, and how he has balanced a real career as a trucker with carving out a name for himself in the independent wrestling scene, and having a family. He is an inspiration, and a true representation of what happens when you follow your dreams. Follow Big Rig HERE Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 52 - 'Humanity Mutates First' - A Fallout Season 2 Retrospective | 06 mars 2026 | 01:34:29 | |
Season 2 of Fallout has just finished, so here are Cal, Kieran, and Des back to crawl out through the fallout and review it with the greatest of aplomb! It really does pick up from where the team left us at the end of Season 1, highlighting even more easter eggs for the long term Fallout fan, a look at both the character arcs and the performances from the cast, and the underlying themes of child labour and education. This episode also features a significant shoutout and kudos to our wonderful editor. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 51 - 'The Disco Fry' Chip Watson - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 27 févr. 2026 | 01:18:34 | |
Cal hosts solo tonight as regular co-host, Graeme is stuck on a ferry in the middle of the Minch. His guest on the Hammerlock is a gentleman with one of the most Scottish gimmicks this side of The Highlanders - Chip Watson, The Disco Fry - a man who is stepping out from behind the fryer and into the spotlight! They even take on one of the oldest rivalries in Scottish history - Salt and sauce, or salt and vinegar? Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 50 - 'Heartless Heather Blue' - The Hebridean Hammerlock | 17 févr. 2026 | 01:01:23 | |
It's been a long time coming, but the Hammerlock finally has it's first guest, and it's rising star from the American independent scene, 'Heartless' Heather Blue (aka The Blue Haired Harlot). Cal and Graeme sit down with Heather and talk about her inspirations, and what led her to step into the squared circle in the first place. Heather shares her experiences of transitioning from fan to wrestler, and some of the challenges of having a very supportive family! Follow Heather on Instagram Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast ***Audio Note: Chapters
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| Episode 49 - 'Behind the scenes of behind‑the‑scenes' - Jamie Benning | 13 févr. 2026 | 01:10:52 | |
We're excited for this one cause we're long-term fans of Filmumentaries. Cal and Kieran welcome Jamie Benning - the creative force behind Filmumentaries, and self-avowed die hard fan of 80s movies to the show to talk about his own creative vision and more. There is an in-depth discussion on how CGI impacted on practical effects, and more recently how AI is affecting the film industry. Jamie is able to give industry-experienced insight into the impact of technology on film quality, and the constraints and pressures facing filmmakers in 2026. If you're a fan of film, and effects work, you don't want to miss it. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 48 - 'Demons I get, people are crazy' - Supernatural Season 1 | 06 févr. 2026 | 00:56:09 | |
Supernatural is undoubtedly one of the greatest series of all time. Is it cult media, or does it have the crossover appeal to be considered mainstream? Join Cal, Rhiannon, and Supernatural Superfan Heather as they dissect the origin of the Winchesters and how the show used their storylines to open up areas of conversation for young men. In true OH!Cast retrospectivie fashion, best and worst episodes are identified, and the longstanding impact of the show is highlighted. Also, it wouldn't be a Supernatural discussion if they didn't discuss some of the needle-drops in this season. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 47 - 'There's going to be a rumble tonight' - The Hebridean Hammerlock - Royal Rumble 2026 | 04 févr. 2026 | 02:19:15 | |
The Hammerlock is back on OH!Cast, and in a new format for the show, Cal, Graeme, and Kenny try to give a rundown of the main storylines heading into the Rumble, a bit of a historical context of the importance of the Royal Rumble, and predictions for the event itself. After that, as if by magic, they reconvene afterwards and see just how wrong they got it. Remember, wrestling is supposed to be fun! Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 46 - 'To Boldly Go' - Star Trek TOS Season 1 | 30 janv. 2026 | 01:18:19 | |
"Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." So begins the OG of geek culture, the king of cult media... Star Trek (now known as Star Trek: The Original Series). Join our Captain, Cal MacDonald, and his two First Officers, Eileen and Martin as they undertake a slightly shorter mission than the Enterprise planned, to give the definitive sci-fi series review as they tackle Star Trek. The universal truths at the heart of Start Trek ring true nearly 60 years later - who'd have thought that a cult show would feature so many culturally significant groundbreaking moments? From social commentary, tackling bigotry and prejudice, and even neuroaffirming characters, Star Trek was woke before people knew what woke was, and we love it. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 45 - 'Always Punch Nazis' - Ben Ferrari | 24 janv. 2026 | 00:59:17 | |
Always Punch Nazis Cal is joined by Ben Ferrari, author of Always Punch Nazis. I'm not sure why it's controversial to suggest Nazis need a good punching, but apparently it is, and there was some pushback to the Kickstarter for Ben's comic book. Clearly they didn't pay attention to either history or Indiana Jones, because Nazis are bad guys and deserve to be punched. In case you're still not quite sure where we stand on the issue, ALWAYS PUNCH NAZIS! Ben's Instagram, with all of his links, is HERE Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters
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| Episode 44 - 'The emotional maturity of a blueberry scone!' - Hebridean Scoobies - Buffy Season 3 | 16 janv. 2026 | 01:07:11 | |
The Hebridean Scoobies are back, and it's time for Season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Turns out that Bowling for Soup were wrong, and high school does end. Not all high schools end with the mayor turning into a giant snake though! This season has some of the Scoobs' favourite episodes - Band Candy in particular, and Doppelgangland which has quite a bit of foreshadowing. Joyce comes into her own as a character this season, and we are introduced to the unforgettable Faith. Not every episode slays though, and as usual, Whedon's self-insert (Xander) continues to give people the ick. Buffy is one of those cultural touchstones where geek culture influenced mainstream culture, and this season has lots of examples of that. More than that though, it grows with it's audience, and this season is testament to that. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast 00:00 Welcome to Season Three of Buffy 02:30 Favorite Episodes of Season Three 11:19 Character Development and Critiques 15:15 Exploring Themes of Identity 19:52 Prom Night and Recognition 25:13 Villains of Season Three: The Mayor and Faith 27:11 Exploring Complex Villains: Faith's Character Arc 29:03 Ethical Dilemmas of Being a Slayer 31:58 The Introduction of Wesley: A Complicated Character 34:54 The Impact of Relationships and Cheating 42:16 Graduation and the End of High School: A Satisfying Conclusion 54:30 Exploring the Buffy's Timeline | |||
| Episode 43 - 'War...War never changes' - Fallout Season 1 | 14 janv. 2026 | 01:03:15 | |
Greetings, Vault-Dwellers! Welcome to the Wasteland. Overseer Cal has wrangled a crack team of co-hosts to cast their critical eye over Fallout Season 1. Heather is here, along with Graeme, and Des (who can't help but show off that he's the biggest Fallout fan of all and we're totally not jealous of his toys). This is an OH!Cast cult media review, so expect the usual unique takes on best and worst episodes, where the crew think the story might go next, and most importantly for geeks on the internet talking about geek culture, a heady mix of optimism for their own fantasy storylines, and complaining about what has been on screen too. Now, sing along with the OH!Cast choir I don't want to set the world on fire I just want to start a flame in your heart Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:29 Conformity Gate and Internet Theories 02:46 Personal Experiences and Conventions 05:09 Fallout Series Overview 07:55 Initial Impressions of Fallout Season One 10:36 Character Development and Humor in Fallout 12:44 Canon and Easter Eggs in Fallout 15:13 Conclusion and Future Expectations 15:31 Casting Choices and Character Dynamics 18:18 Character Development and Nostalgia 20:01 Critique of the Show's Ending 23:02 Corporate Satire and Storytelling 26:41 Soundtrack and Atmosphere 28:21 Character Portrayal and Naivety 30:46 Exploring Themes of Innocence and Experience 33:16 Character Evolution and Plot Development 35:55 Corporate Influence in the Narrative 36:55 Character Analysis: SIGGY and Others 38:56 Visual Aesthetics and Retro Future 40:59 Violence and Gore in Fallout 43:00 Easter Eggs and Fan Service 45:03 Game Continuity and Storytelling 47:38 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects 50:48 The Fallout Trivia Quiz Begins 54:33 Exploring Key Characters and Locations 57:22 Discussion on Game Mechanics and Lore 59:58 Wrap-Up and Future Expectations 01:03:06 outro (1).mp4 | |||
| Episode 42 - 'It's a-me! Celebrating Super Mario 3' - Alyse Knorr | 09 janv. 2026 | 00:58:09 | |
Cal and Alena are joined by poet, author, academic, and video-game historian Alyse Knorr for a celebration of Super Mario Brothers 3. Like all good retro media discussions, context is vital, so as well as looking at the cultural references in the game, each of the hosts and Alyse describe their memories of Super Mario Brothers 3 and why it means so much to them. Game design, evolution, and legacy are discussed alongside how gaming allows for exploration of identity. Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:37 Alyse Noor: A Gamer's Journey 02:09 The Enduring Legacy of Super Mario Brothers 3 06:42 Exploring Queer Identity Through Gaming 09:30 The Artistry of Super Mario Brothers 3 10:38 The Cultural Impact of Mario and Nintendo 15:42 The Social Aspect of Gaming 18:38 Gaming as a Source of Meaning 20:13 Introducing Gaming to the Next Generation 23:51 The Evolution of Mario Games 28:14 The Marketing Genius Behind Mario 3 31:37 The Rise of Mario and Sonic: A Console War 34:38 Nostalgia and Community: The Mario Experience 36:56 The Evolution of Gaming Culture: From Mario to Modern Games 40:40 The Creative Process: Writing About Mario 44:46 Miyamoto's Vision: The Heart of Mario 48:07 The Leap to 3D: Mario 64's Impact 52:22 Quickfire Round: Mario Favorites | |||