Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Episode 78: Is It Christmas Yet?


Merry Christmas from...(is it Christmas yet?) The Happiness Patrol!
Today we help Lela S review 'The Mysterious Planet' the first part of the Trial Of A Timelord series with Colin Baker as the Doctor.
Also, we annouce the winner of the 'Sound Like A Cyberman' contest!

So break out the egg-nog cuz I hear Santa's on his way on The Happiness Patrol Episode 78: Is It Christmas Yet?????


Monday, December 5, 2011

Episode 77: Cheese On Toast


Today on The Happiness Patrol we talk about Cheese On Toast...uh, no...Black Orchid.
Lela S continues her CLASSIC WHO education with the 5th Doctor Peter Davison's fun little two parter in which Adric eats.

It's also our Pick Of The Week.

AND, our 'Sound Like A Cyberman' contest is still in full swing! Enter now to win JNT's book 'The Tardis Inside Out'.
All you have to do is send us your best imitation of a Cyberman to
the.happiness.patrol@gmail.com.

All this and more on The Happiness Patrol Episode 77: Cheese on Toast


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Episode 76: Time Lag


It's a TIME LAG! Yes, we've seen some strange things on The Happiness Patrol...but none weirder than the Salt Lake Skype Sandstrom Time Lag.
...AND IT'S BACK! when you least expect it.

We are ramping up for the holidays and looking forward to another Christmas Special from Doctor Who.
PLUS, there are about a million or two Doctors Who Toys & Tie-ins for the fan on your list.

The 'Sound Like A Cyberman' contest is heating up while the temperature is cooling down...

It's beginning to look alot like TIME LAG on this weeks' HAPPINESS PATROL Episode 76: TIME LAG



Monday, November 21, 2011

Episode 75: Our Second Anniversary


Can you believe it's been two years since our first episode??? Niether can we.
It's been a long and nutty ride and we are glad you were able to join us.

The coming year will see a few changes to the podcast; new guests, artwork and music, along with the same fun loving dedication to our favorite show, Doctor Who.

We are also still collecting entries for our 'Sound Like A Cyberman' contest. You could win the book by John Nathan Turner, "The Tardis Inside and Out". So hurry up and email those entries to

the.happiness.patrol@gmail.com

We are very Happy this week because not only does this episode mark our second anniversary, the lovely and multi-talented Daphne Ashbrook is this week's very special guest!
So grab some cake, even though Cake Is A Lie, find a comfy spot a prepare to hear things that will blow yer ever lovin' mind!

All on this week's Happiness Patrol Episode 75: Our Second Anniversary

Monday, November 14, 2011

Episode 74: In Case You've Just Joined Us


I keep forgetting that some crazy nutters out there have never heard The Happiness Patrol and have no idea what the hell we are go on about! So for those poor sods yet to dip their collective toes into the pink KoolAide, this episode is for you!

Lela S, Dale W, Lewis B and Nancy A talk about their fave program: Doctor Who.


All this week on The Happiness Patrol Episode 74: In Case You've Just Joined Us

ENJOY!
Lewis B.


Sunday, November 6, 2011

Episode 73: Keep Buggering On


Sometimes life will push you down. Sometimes it's hard not to let things get the best of you. Sometimes it seems like all you wanna do is give up, throw in the towel and call it a day.
Well, when ever you feel that way just remember to KBO...KEEP BUGGERING ON!

...and in the KBO spirit today we are proud to present our interview with actor Ian McNeice.

Also in this week's Happiness Patrol we present Sam Stone and David J Howe shedding light on
the the writing process.

So listen up and brave heart, Tegan...
because The Happiness Patrol starts now!

So KBO, people!
Episode 73: Keep Buggering On!

Monday, October 31, 2011

The Second Annual Happiness Patrol Spooktacular Halloween Special




ZOINKS! It's that time of year again and here on The Happiness Patrol we couldn't be...well, HAPPIER!
Uncle Lew and The Gang go on an adventure into some spooky old woods to find...well, just listen and you'll find out!

PLUS-Special guests Sam Stone and David J Howe meet up with us to solve this haunted mystery!

It's a crazy free-for-all when K-9, Dale, Lela, Lew and Nancy cram into the hired van to seek out adventure this week
...on The Second Annual Happiness Patrol Spooktacular Halloween Special!
Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Episode 72: Upside Down Head in a Box



Time for all good men to call it a day.
Well, no one really believed that, right?
Time collapsing onto and into itself?
Chess anyone?

This week the Happiness Patrol takes a look at 'The Wedding of River Song'.
The grand finale of Season Six of Doctor Who.

OH, and what's up with all these awards our friends keep getting??
Sam Stone is on a roll.

All this and more on this week's Happiness Patrol Episode 72: Upside Down Head in a Box

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Episode 71: Here to Help


The Happiness Patrol is here to help. Yes, that's right, here to help you wade thru the muck and mire of fandom to the golden path of clarity and good judgement.
And, have you ever wondered how many times we could say 'SHIT' in one podcast???

yeah, right...

This week Lewis and the gang talk about 'Closing Time'.
Craig is back and we're happy about that. AND, CYBERMEN!
(and both brought along small versions of themselves!)

You ready to go toy shopping???
The Happiness Patrol is on this week's podcast...

The Happiness Patrol Episode 71: Here to Help

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Episode 70: Your Room Is Ready


It's a great week here on The Happiness Patrol because not only do we review a GREAT episode of Doctor Who, we also have a kick-ass guest, Terry Litefoot of 'The Dirty Whoers' Podcast!

What's in your room????
Do you like clowns?
How do you feel about Goldfish??

Join Lela S, Dale W, Nancy A and Lewis B as we delve into the psyche of our fave program this week on

The Happiness Patrol Episode 70: Your Room Is Ready

Monday, September 12, 2011

Episode 69: Amy, Amy, Amy


Oh Amy, Amy, Amy...
Don't it just kill ya??
Amy, Rory and The Doctor meet in a white room and the fun begins.

The Happiness Patrol puts a magnifying glass to it all and Tim Drury joins us from the podcast 'Tim's Take On'.

Also, we officially announce 'The Doctor Who Podcast Exchange Program' were other podcasters trade members with us for an episode and vice versa! WOO-HOO!

Lela is out and about leaving Lew, Nancy and Dale W. to tend the store.

Torchwood, The Girl Who Waited, and other things this week on

The Happiness Patrol Episode 69: Amy, Amy, Amy

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Episode 68: Proper English Time


WE'RE BACK! And so is The Doctor!
This episode is jammed packed with goodness and seething with Happiness!
Dale, Lela, Nancy and Lew talk about Hitler in the closet (who would have thunk it?)
Torchwood burning up the screen, and Night Terrors! spooky!
So sit back relax and enjoy the fact that we're back on this week's Happiness Patrol!

Episode 68: Proper English Time



Tuesday, August 30, 2011

AH! A CAT Tardis!



A friend of The Happiness Patrol Podcast over at The Tardis Rebuilders site sent us some photos we couldn't help but share.
It's a CAT TARDIS folks!
'Astro-Mark' built this incredible 1/4 sized TARDIS for his kitty. Not sure of the cat's name but it sure looks like shes love her TARDIS!



The inside is covered with wall to wall carpet (nice) and a lil kitty bed (also nice)



Kitty can also look out the door windows to see if it's din-din time!



Or, sit and sun on the roof top (there's a hole she can climb back into the TARDIS incase of Dalek attack)



All in all, I'd say this is a huge success. Now Gidget has been bugging me to build her one!
(not enough hours in the day!)

Lewis B.






Thursday, June 23, 2011

Time for a Summer Break!

Hello all!

Summer is here and The Happiness Patrol is going to take a break!
Since Doctor Who was taking the summer off we decided that WE CAN TOO! (dang it!)

Lots of stuff going on behing the scenes here at THP-HQ, and we need to take care of
some bee's wax, so-to-speak, so I made the EXECUTIVE DECISION to break until
Doctor Who comes back on in the Fall (or Autumn as Dale might say).

Lela has video games she needs to play! Tara has lizards and snakes to catch! Nancy has KIDS OUTTA SCHOOL fer cryin' out loud!
Dale has...well, I'm not sure, but I'm sure it'll be fun whatever it is...
And I need to find an honest to goodness REAL LIVE JOB! ;-)

So, go have fun, swim, bike, and knit. Or play video games, it's all good!

We'll see you guys in September and as always, on Facebook n Twitter!

Rock on!
Lewis B.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Episode 67: SNAKES ALIVE!!


It's our Season 6 MID-POINT Wrap-Up show! The Happiness Patrol is FULL of opinions and a lot of other stuff as we talk about Moffat and Company's most exciting season so far!
Dale, Lew, Nancy & Lela join Tara (from an airlock at Starbuck's somewhere near Los Alamos) to review/discuss it all!
PLUS: Ten Year Old Tony tells it like it is!
PLUS: SNAKES! uh, yeah.

All this and more on The Happiness Patrol Episode 67: SNAKES ALIVE!!


Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Episode 66: Let's Self Edit!


Time to get the washing done around the old HP HQ, and in doing so, we all make an effort in SELF EDITING!
(please feel free to leave us feedback if you think it's working or not...we won't know if you don't!)

A GOOD MAN GOES TO WAR...that's the name of the Season Six mid season finale.
We talk about it.
AND, Nancy A is in Cardiff.
AND, Lela is explosive in this episode with detailed rants on time/space/hotdog things...I mean, we couldn't shut her up!
;-)

All this and more on this week's Happiness Patrol!

Oh, and a word from all of us here...next week we are taking off. So no HP next week. Go buy a T-Shirt!
Lew

Episode 66: Let's Self Edit!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Episode 65: Cat Food Option


Hello, and welcome to The Happiness Patrol.
It's the un-official start of summer here in the states as we record this episode on Memorial Day.
So pull out the hot dog buns and fire up the grill, cuz this week's HP has
'out-of-school-hit-the-pool-go-to-the-beach' all over it as we goof off on
The Almost People.
Rock on.

It's The Happiness Patrol Episode 65: Cat Food Option

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Episode 64: DOUBLE TROUBLE


Welcome to another fun filled adventure in Skype, Doctor Who watching, and podcast production also known as THE HAPPINESS PATROL! wooo-hooo!

This week, Tara, Dale, Lela, Nancy and Lew take on the task of OPINION SPOUTING about this week's 'The Rebel Flesh'.

TEN YEAR OLD TONY joins us for a short time, and speaking of the young and young at heart, we welcome lil George Naughton into the world!
(can ya stand it??)

All this and more this week on...

The Happiness Patrol Episode 64: DOUBLE TROUBLE

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Way You Watch Doctor Who

I wanted to share this with everyone who listens to our podcast...it's a very well written piece by our very own Dale Who.
Read and ponder.
-Lewis B.

My View of Who.
I've been getting increasingly annoyed, upset and angered by Doctor Who fandom recently nit picking, moaning and whining from the beginning of episode one of the new series. It's gotten to me in a way I didn't think it could; so I decided to look at what makes my view of Doctor Who - which is usually glowing and happy - so different from those fans - in many cases friends and peers; and I've figured out what it is.

It's HOW you watch Doctor Who that counts. For me it's an immersive experience. I can easily and completely suspend my disbelief for 45 minutes, I can access my inner child with remarkable clarity and ease. He's the one who told me that despite being told many times to the contrary, there were ghosts. He's the one who told me that it's entirely possible to have a time slip when my rational brain ran out of excuses for what happened to me on several occasions in Lincoln. He's the one who loves Doctor Who totally, and I think he's very wise.

And so when I sit down and the continuity announcer comes on just prior to the show, everything changes. The whole ball game. Nothing interrupts Doctor Who. And should anything manage to, the level of irritation and anger felt is that of a cheated six year old. Completely out of proportion to having a TV show interrupted; but entirely in keeping with someone getting in the way of me spending time with my hero.

I watch every new Doctor Who as a kid would. Completely entranced, and following what The Doctor's doing intently. I stare and laugh and gasp and jump in all the right places, and don't see what others point out about effects or plot holes or anything else. My hero's on and it's him I'm interested in. And when the episode's done... it's automatic for my brain to remember that it was an amazing 45 minutes because it's time I spent with my Doctor.

I've had to stop watching Doctor Who Confidential as it's ruining the main programme for me. Little inner Dale isn't in the slightest bit interested in how which effect was done, or whether Mr Guest Star got unexpectedly concussed when a dolphin felt out of the sky in Utah and smacked him in the head. He's got bigger concerns about Amy, River, Rory and The Doctor, about whether the TARDIS is alright and that evil's been defeated for another episode.

By the time I'm on repeat viewing number three, inner Dale has gone back to wherever it is he goes when his heroes aren't on and I can see the show as a show again. But this isn't *just* in play for Doctor Who. Superman gets the same response, as do Batman and Wonder Woman. You criticize them and you wake a sleeping monster; an over-protective hero worshipping kid who can't see that views are subjective; to him you're being rude about his heroes, and that isn't tolerated.

But it goes further than that, too. I can't watch the scene in Superman Returns where Lex's thugs beat the crap out of Superman on the island made of Kryptonite, and Lex stabs him with a shard of the green rock. It upsets me far more than it should. Someone is hurting one of my heroes. Batman having the snot beaten out of him by Bane. And the whole opening sequence of the DC Online game where Lex and the Joker manage to kill Batman, Wonder Woman *and* Superman leaves me reeling and in shock. It's not even something I get used to.

On the flip side though is the amount of pure unadulterated joy this brings, which far, far outweighs the down sides. Doctor Who, when it's new and I've not seen it before is an almost religious experience. The amount of joy that an episode brings is almost unequalled; the same with my other heroes. It comes before all but two things. They being my Mum and my Dad. They're more important to me than anything else on this planet... because, like any kid will tell you they're your heroes, your protectors, your safe place when all else fails.

I wanted to get this down, to give people a clue as to why I'm SO protective of The Doctor and Co, and why it seems I'm scarily obsessed with them. It's because I love them with the degree of love my inner child thinks is appropriate... and as with most kids and their heroes, that's total, unconditional, and everlasting.

Dale Who
5/8/11

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Episode 63: It's What's Inside That Counts


It's What's Inside That Counts....it really is. And that's what we learn, or more correctly, already knew about the Doctor's Tardis, right?
This week on The Happiness Patrol, Lewis, Dale, Lela, Tara and Nancy take a look at 'The Doctor's Wife'.
It's a good one, and it deals with a subject near a dear to our hearts...
The Tardis

PLUS, 'Ten Year Old Tony' is back to give us his take on The Doctor's Wife.

So grab a drink, sit back and get TRANSCENDENTAL this week
on The Happiness Patrol

Episode 63: It's What's Inside That Counts

Monday, May 9, 2011

Episode 62: Squeeze Box Sirens and Tuesdays in Brighton


We got a real live Mermaid on The Happiness Patrol this week! Medusirena The Fire Eating Mermaid drops in to hip us on what it takes to be a real mermaid...
AND Dale gets to meet her!
AND 'Ten Year Old Tony' is back!
AND everybody's happy and singing! (Well, not EVERYBODY, but most of us!)

So AHOY there Matey! Sit back and relax as Lewis, Dale, Tara, Lela and Nancy SHOVE OFF FOR ADVENTURE ON THE HIGH SEAS and all that garbage this week on

The Happiness Patrol: Episode 62: Squeeze Box Sirens and Tuesdays in Brighton


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Episode 61: The Invisible Tardis


This week on The Happiness Patrol, Lewis B, Nancy A and Tara W tackle the task of discussing "Day of The Moon".
In helping the adults understand what the heck is going on, 'TEN YEAR OLD TONY' drops by to put in his two cents! Surely during the rest of the season we'll be counting on him to point us in the right direction and keep us on track!
Nixon, Apollo, and fake central Florida intersections all on this week's edition of your favorite Doctor Who Podcast, The Happiness Patrol!

Episode 61: The Invisible Tardis

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Remembering Elisabeth Sladen



Episode 60: My Lucky Straw


Please remained seated...David J. Howe is with us today and he brought along the beautiful Sam Stone!
They help us wrap our heads around 'The Impossible Astronaut'.

Mind blowing? yeppers.
Upsetting? oh yeah.
The best season opener of Doctor Who yet?? Well, we'll let Lela S, Nancy A, Lewis B, and Sam & David figure out that one for us
on this week's Happiness Patrol!

(brought to you today with limited commercial interruption)

Episode 60: My Lucky Straw

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Episode 59: First We Take Manhattan


Andre T is back from the city that never sleeps and brings us reports from the New York BBC America premiere of Doctor Who Season Six with special guests Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston and Steven Moffat.

Lela almost has enough credits to graduate from 'Classic Who High' with her Masters, and this week it's Tom Baker's 'Stones Of Blood' on the lab table for The Happiness Patrol to dissect.

Tara W is back and just in time! WHY?
Cuz we missed her that's why!

So sit back, relax...and think of Manhattan.

Episode 59: First We Take Manhattan

Monday, April 11, 2011

Episode 58: A Shear Force Of Will


Excitement and other stuff this week on The Happiness Patrol!
Correspondents Andre T from New York and Michelle H from Los Angeles join us
as we get ready for the second coming...of The Doctor Who cast to the USA!
Also, Lela S continues her education of CLASSIC WHO with 'The Three Doctors'.
Dale Who is back for another visit and Nancy A sits in while Tara W explores the mountains of Colorado.

All this and more on The Happiness Patrol Episode 58: A Shear Force of Will

Monday, April 4, 2011

Episode 57: Where Have All The Hamsters Gone?



Money Back Guarantee?? I had no idea.
Welcome to Episode 57 of The Happiness Patrol!
Join us as we welcome back our wayward little lamb who has come to pay us a visit: DALE WHO!

Also, Lela gets to watch The Mind Robber and tells us why she thinks it's cool.
Nancy A joins us to tally the Facebook page votes so you can find out who is

THE SEXIEST MAN & WOMAN EVER IN DOCTOR WHO!!!!

Dale has a report from his visits to The Doctor Who Experience.

And we welcome the Doctor's daughter/grand daughter to the world!
(hello Olivia)

All this and a bunch more news right here on

Episode 57: Where Have All The Hamsters Gone?

Monday, March 14, 2011

Nine Pound Bag of Jerky: Episode 56


Tara is on the road, Nancy A is in San Francisco being cool, and Lela S is about to enter the world of CLASSIC WHO.
Meanwhile back in Orlando, Uncle Lew is learning how to cook a frozen pizza.
Turkey Jerky, highlights from Gally, drinking stories, remembering Nicholas Courtney,
The SPECIAL EFFECTS of The War Machines, and Doctor Who news.

It's a fun time for all and we have enough jerky for everybody!

So don't worry, The Happiness Patrol has gotcha covered!
Nine Pound Bag of Jerky!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Help Auntie Tara to Win.

Shameless self promotion instead of our regular podcast.
As many of you already know, Tara W. has a wonderful Tardis. Earlier this month
she hauled it from her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Los Angeles, California for the
Gallifrey One Doctor Who Convention.
As you might ALSO know, The BBCA is having a little competition called 'Where's The Tardis'
where people can go and show off their 'Pizza Tardis' or 'Snow Tardis' (go Sherri) or...

if you are nuts like Tara and myself,
your self built, full size Tardis!

There are a certain number of rules that need to be followed in order for the contest to be won,
but, the biggest factor here seems to be the number of votes a Tardis gets.

This, good people, is where you come into play.

Follow this link and click on the 'LIKE' button and cast your vote for Tara's Tardis
and make The Happiness Patrol just a little more HAPPY!

VOTE FOR TARA!

Here are a few videos of her grand Blue Box.


From Dragon Con in Atlanta in 2009


From Gallifrey 2009...This video is from the first time I met Tara and David.


Tara and her Tardis on Craig Ferguson.
very cool.

So what are you waiting for??? Go vote for Tara and her beautiful Blue Box.

Lewis B.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Happiness Patrol: Gally 2011



This week The Happiness Patrol is jammed packed with drunkards, sexy women, podcasters, actors, writers and fried chicken.
Yes, this is the annual Doctor Who celebration known affectionately as simply GALLY.
Gallifrey One's Catch 22 Doctor Who Convention for 2011 in sunny Los Angeles.
This year's event broke attendance records and the total was something like 2200 Doctor Who fans.

Try to imagine 2200 Doctor Who fans in one place. yeah.

I was greatly pleased to see Tara W, Lela S, Andre T, Nancy A, and Michelle H all together one place.
FANTASTIC!

So come with us as we celebrate Doctor Who in the California sunshine on this week's EXTRA SPECIAL Happiness Patrol.

The Happiness Patrol: Gally 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Peter Davison Unravels


Tara W. always comes up with the best ideas.
She's the only person I know who would spend time knitting a Season 18 scarf JUST FOR THE CHANCE that Peter Davison would unravel it. simply amazing.
Special thanks to Michelle H. for the video!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happiness Patrol IMPORTANT NEWS


A few things to bring to the attention of Happiness Patrol listeners.


FIRST,
I have sad news to report.
Happiness Patrol Co-Host Dale Who has decided to leave the podcast to pursue other ventures.
Dale was a HUGE part of the success of The Happiness Patrol and we will miss him dearly as I'm sure most of you guys will also.
We wish him the best in everything...K-9 as well.

SECOND,
I've decided not to edit a podcast this week because, frankly, we didn't have the time to record and edit a podcast while we were all getting our affairs in order to head out to LA for the Gallifrey 22 Doctor Who Convention.

BUT NEVER FEAR!
Next week will be our Second Annual Gallifrey Convention report chock full of interviews and general convention mayhem
from Tara, Lela, Andre, Michelle, David and myself so stay tuned for that!

THIRD,
We will be taking a few weeks off to rest and regroup but never fear, we will be back for Season Six!


Does this mean the end of The Happiness Patrol???
No.

Stay tuned to this blog or our Facebook account and watch our twitter feed for info on future Happiness Patrol Episodes.

Thank all of you for listening.
KBO!
Lewis B.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Middle School Mix Tape: A Podcast Discussion with Steven Schapansky


Another edition of The Happiness Patrol and this week is special. As part of our 'Countdown To Gally' segment, we scored a very nice interview with the man behind Radio Free Skaro, Mr. Steven Schapansky.

Steven and Lew talk about what it takes to put together a successful Doctor Who podcast on a weekly basis and talk 'nuts n bolts' about podcast in general.
Also, It's 'The Lewis and Lela Show' this week as Dale and Tara are out using their sick days! Can Lewis and Lela hold their own without the snappy quick wits of their co-hosts???

Tune in and see on this week's edition of
The Happiness Patrol: Middle School Mix Tape!