We review a classic of science fiction: DESTINATION MOON. No, not the 1950 George Pal film (although Phil does mention it a few times in this episode). But the 1950s Tintin books by Hergé! Joining us is our special Francophone guest, podcaster Emmanuel Dubois (producer and host of La Fayette, We Are Here!) And we have a Moon-inspired quiz, and our usual round-up of recommendations of past/present/future sci-fi. Find our show notes on our blog at 101sf.blogspot.com...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 26
Following on from last episode, where we reviewed an old issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction , this time we come bang up to date (more or less) and review the Nov/Dec 2022 issue of the very same magazine. How does the current issue look? Will we be impressed or depressed? Has F&SF changed in sixty years? Read along with us! Find our show notes on our blog at 101sf.blogspot.com
Jan 24, 2023•59 min
It's December, and so according to the tradition we invented this time last year, we go back into the past and review an old science fiction magazine - to see how the field has changed over time, and to see if those old stories still hold up. This year, we tackle the December 1962 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. If you'd like to skim the pages with us, you can find the entire issue through our blog at 101sf.blogspot.com. We also have a science fiction cat quiz, believe it o...
Dec 13, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Phil and Colin look the "Bibles" for Star Trek (original series and Next Generation). What were the essential details that all writers and directors of the show needed to know? What were the differences between TOS and TNG? There are some surprises in here! For our show notes, including links to the items discussed, check out our website at https://101sf.blogspot.com/
Nov 08, 2022•58 min
Phil and Colin look for science fictional places to visit in the US, the UK, and elsewhere. We're convinced there must be much more out there, so please help us build our list of vacation opportunities! For our show notes, including links to most of the items discussed, check out our website at https://101sf.blogspot.com/
Oct 09, 2022•57 min
Steven Spielberg's classic UFO movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind could have been very different. In today's episode of the podcast we dig into the rejected early script for the film, which was written by Paul Schrader (famed screenwriter of Raging Bull and Taxi Driver). As well as reviewing this film-that-never-was, we have a sci-fi quiz, plus our usual run through of recommendations of past/present/future science fiction. We hope you enjoy the episode!...
Sep 07, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 21
We're back, and we're looking forward - as we review a new book, The Skeptic's Guide to the Future. To what extent can we predict the future, and what are the pitfalls of attempting to be a modern day Nostradamus? As well as reviewing this book, we have our usual run through of past/present/future science fiction. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Aug 11, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Time for another episode of the podcast, and this time we delve into our favourite sci-fi artificial intelligences. We largely ignore ambulatory A.I., so you won't find much talk of robots or androids here. Instead we try (but don't always succeed) to discuss the type of A.I. that won't chase you down a corridor or strangle you. Among the works mentioned are some Star Treks ; some Keith Laumer , Asimov , Clarke and Gerrold ; and several classic movies that highlight our human terror at the thoug...
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 6 min
In this new episode of Science Fiction 101 , Phil and Colin review three shorts stories - the only three stories to make the Hugo, Nebula and Locus shortlists. Our quizzing reaches new heights - or should that be depths - with a Chronology- inspired challenge for Phil. And we round off with our usual dash through past/present/future science fiction. We hope you enjoy the show. For links to all the items discussed, check out our show notes at https://101sf.blogspot.com/ - and find us on Facebook ...
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Phil and Colin return with an episode exploring a recent claim that there is no "science fiction canon", and probably never will be. We also have a sci-fi movie quiz, and the usual round-up of past/present/future SF. For links to all the items discussed, check out our show notes at https://101sf.blogspot.com/ - and find us on Facebook as Science Fiction 101.
May 15, 2022•58 min•Ep. 17
Colin and Phil dig in to Martha Wells' multi-award-winning MURDERBOT series, reviewing the first story of that series "All Systems Red". What could explain the huge popularity of the series? What will Murderbot novice Phil make of it? What will Murderbot fiend Colin reveal about how the whole series fits together? We hope you enjoy the episode! Check out our show notes at 101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook as "Science Fiction 101 podcast".
Apr 17, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Colin and Phil recently found themselves reviewing Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama (1973) on another podcast - and were intrigued by a quote from author Mike Resnick, who said that James White's All Judgement Fled (1968) was " Rama done right". What is this other book, and why would one repsected author (Resnick) suggest that another respected author (White) had bested yet another respected author (Clarke)? We decided to investigate - and in this episode of Science Fiction 101 we tell yo...
Mar 15, 2022•58 min
In this new episode of the Science Fiction 101 podcast, we follow our review of a December 1951 science fiction magazine, with a review of a Christmas 2021 magazine! This time it's Clarkesworld, one of the leading publishers of science fiction short stories. We also have another fiendish quiz, this time all about classic - and not-so-classic - sci-fi films of the 1950s. Phil claims to know a thing or two about things from another world, and fifty-foot women from the red planet. But how will he f...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 9 min
We had some serious technical issues with this episode, so what you're about to hear is a bit of a patchwork, with variable technical quality and some parts we had to re-record. However, we think the information content makes it a good listen... In the latest episode of the Science Fiction 101 podcast, we travel back in time to review the Christmas 1951 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction magazine. Galaxy was the magazine which led the science fiction field in the 1950s, bringing to the genre a grea...
Dec 30, 2021•53 min
In the latest episode of the Science Fiction 101 podcast, we review a new book, Extraordinary Voyages by Steven Paul Leiva. We also have a quiz based on science fiction stories adapted to film, a review of a new science fiction film museum in the UK, discussion of short-lived TV series, and an announcement of what our December episode will be about. Science Fiction 101 is presented by Phil Nichols (of Bradburymedia and Bradbury 100) and Colin Kuskie (of Take Me To Your Reader).
Nov 24, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In the latest episode of the Science Fiction 101 podcast, we review a new book. The Apollo Murders is a novel about space - written by a honest-to-goodness real-life astronaut! The author, Chris Hadfield, has flown on the Space Shuttle, and on Soyuz, worked on the Russian Mir space station, and commanded the International Space Station. You can't get more astronaut experience than that. Hadfield has also written books before, but until now has focused on non-fiction. His best-selling book prior ...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Phil and Colin attempt to celebrate the big 1-0 - as we are ten episodes old! We discuss the ages-old myth (and sci-fi trope) of the Hollow Earth. And then its Phil's turn to spring a quiz on tuba-playing co-host Colin. And we finish with our usual round-up of recommendations of past, present and future science fiction. Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradbu...
Oct 03, 2021•53 min
We look at 2001: A Space Odyssey , the classic 1968 film directed by Stanley Kubrick, and the novel written by Arthur C. Clarke. Then Colin springs a quiz on an unsuspecting Phil. And we finish with a round-up of recommendations of past, present and future science fiction. Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols ( Bradburymedia , Bradbury 100 ) and Colin Kuskie ( Tak...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 9
We talk about ways the world can end in science fiction stories. We review the award-winning Naomi Kritzer short story "Little Free Library". And we bring you a quiz sent in by a listener. As well as our usual run through of recommendations from the past, present and future of SF. Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin Kuskie ...
Aug 07, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 8
A bumper episode - full of more sci-fi quiz goodness, plus a double-podcast-crossover as hosts Phil and Colin are joined by Seth Heasley from Take Me To Your Reader and Hugos There , two splendid SF podcasts. Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader) as this episode they consider Ray Bradbury (sort...
Jul 17, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Phil gets his quiz revenge on Colin, we review the short story that just won the Nebula Award (plus another one that was a runner-up), plus our usual discussion of SF past, present and future. Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols ( Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100 ) and Colin Kuskie ( Take Me To Your Reader ) as this episode they consider haunted houses, zombie moms an...
Jun 20, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 6
We review Andy Weir's new bestseller PROJECT HAIL MARY ! And we throw in a quiz, plus our usual discussion of SF past, present and future. Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols ( Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100 ) and Colin Kuskie ( Take Me To Your Reader ) as this episode they consider PROJECT HAIL MARY . Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook a...
May 30, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Our theme: EX-Science Fiction! Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader) as this episode they consider Space and all that it offers to the SF reader and writer. Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101 Podcast platforms carrying Sc...
May 08, 2021•51 min
This episode, our theme is SPACE! Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols ( Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100 ) and Colin Kuskie ( Take Me To Your Reader ) as this episode they consider Space and all that it offers to the SF reader and writer. Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101...
Apr 20, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 3
This time: TIME! Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader) as this episode they consider time travel and the nature of time itself. Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101
Mar 21, 2021•44 min
Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (of Bradburymedia and Bradbury 100 ) and Colin Kuskie (of Take Me To Your Reader ). In this first episode, Phil and Colin introduce themselves, and attempt to define "science fiction". They then move on to their recommendations of classic SF, current reading and hopes for new SF expected later this year. Find the shownotes on o...
Mar 04, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1
