Science Fiction 101

Phil Nichols

Exploring science fiction from all angles - covering the past, the present and the future! We cover science fiction books, film, TV and other media. And we talk about classic or "golden age" SF alongside modern SF, using our "past/present/future" angles. Your hosts: Phil Nichols of the Bradburymedia website, who is also know for the Bradbury 100 podcast and the Bradbury 101 Youtube channel; and Colin Kuskie of the Take Me To Your Reader podcast. Both Phil and Colin love adapted science fiction, so you can be sure we'll always be talking about film versions of books. read less

Our Editor's Take

Science Fiction 101 is a podcast for sci-fi enthusiasts. Hosts Phil Nichols and Colin Kuskie create an engaging show. Beginners are welcome to listen. But hardcore sci-fi fans will enjoy the program as well.

In the "Star Trek Bibles" episode, the hosts talk about something the writing staff used. Each of the shows has its "Bible." These documents kept continuity accurate for the shows. Everything gets explained about each character. Science Fiction 101 discusses the differences in Bibles between the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

In another episode, Nichols and Kuskie review old editions of Galaxy Magazine. Notable authors in Galaxy Magazine include Alfred Bester and Ray Bradbury. Science Fiction 101 fans may enjoy this reminiscence. The hosts note whether things that seemed so fantastical then have happened in real life.

Speaking of which, Science Fiction 101 also talks about "ex-science fiction." That is science fiction that is now science fact. The show gives numerous examples, including landing on the moon.

Science Fiction 101 teaches listeners about some of the classic sci-fi writers. The podcast also explores Isaac Asimov, one of the most notable names from that golden age. Along with Asimov, the podcast examines the works of Arthur C. Clarke. He is another important name in the golden age of science fiction.

The Science Fiction 101 podcast also explores other sci-fi stories. These include works by Hugo Award winners Jack Vance and Philip K. Dick. Another episode talks about the classic sci-fi story "Scanners Live in Vain" by Cordwainer Smith. The podcast also describes the short stories of Robert Silverberg's Worlds of Wonder.

The hosts also encourage listeners to complete quizzes with them. These quizzes test the science fiction knowledge of both the hosts and listeners. Some of the questions are easy. But others may have sci-fi fans searching their memory—and Google—for the answers.

Listeners can check out Science Fiction 101 to hear stories of aliens, space travel, and more. Fans of this show may enjoy Bradbury 100, Nichols's other podcast. That show discusses the life and works of Ray Bradbury.

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Download and Chill with Robert J. Sawyer (episode 40)
17-04-2024
Download and Chill with Robert J. Sawyer (episode 40)
Time for a new episode of the podcast. This time Colin and Phil meet the Hugo- and Nebula-winning author Robert J. Sawyer, to discuss his new novel The Downloaded. You may recall we reviewed the Audible Original full-cast audio version of The Downloaded a couple of episodes ago (you can find it here). We were keen to find out how the book version differs from the audio version, so we invited Rob onto the show to discuss. And what a discussion it is!  Also in this episode, we have listener responses to our "to be a fan" episode, and our usual ramble through the past, present and future of SF. For the full show notes, check out our website at 101sf.blogspot.com

Episodes

Download and Chill with Robert J. Sawyer (episode 40)
17-04-2024
Download and Chill with Robert J. Sawyer (episode 40)
Time for a new episode of the podcast. This time Colin and Phil meet the Hugo- and Nebula-winning author Robert J. Sawyer, to discuss his new novel The Downloaded. You may recall we reviewed the Audible Original full-cast audio version of The Downloaded a couple of episodes ago (you can find it here). We were keen to find out how the book version differs from the audio version, so we invited Rob onto the show to discuss. And what a discussion it is!  Also in this episode, we have listener responses to our "to be a fan" episode, and our usual ramble through the past, present and future of SF. For the full show notes, check out our website at 101sf.blogspot.com
To Be (or not to be) A Fan (episode 39)
21-03-2024
To Be (or not to be) A Fan (episode 39)
Are you a science fiction fan? Possibly, or why else would you be listening to this podcast? Phil and Colin ponder what it means to be a fan, and whether there are are specific rules for entry into fandom. We also have our usual quiz, and our past/present/future discussion. For full show notes, check out our website at https://101sf.blogspot.com/
Mind-Body Problem (episode 38)
15-02-2024
Mind-Body Problem (episode 38)
In this episode, we review The Downloaded, the new novel by multi-award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer. It's an "Audible Original", meaning that it's been published first as an audiobook - and not just any old audiobook. This has Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser as one member of a full cast. We also have a quiz and our usual run-through of recommendations of past, present and future SF. For more info, check out our shownotes at 101sf.blogspot.com
Entering the Uncanny Valley (episode 37)
11-01-2024
Entering the Uncanny Valley (episode 37)
It's that time of year where we take a current science fiction magazine and review it from cover to cover - as something of an antidote to what we did last episode (which was to review an old magazine from the 1960s New Wave). This time we work through one of the most successful of the current magazines, the multiple award-winning Uncanny. If you want to read along with us, you can find the entire issue (no. 55) online for free at the official website, here: https://www.uncannymagazine.com/issues/uncanny-magazine-issue-fifty-five/ Check out our full show notes on our blog, 101sf.blogspot.com
Riding the New Wave (episode 36)
15-12-2023
Riding the New Wave (episode 36)
It being the end of the year, Colin and Phil continue their annual tradition of travelling back in time to read an old science fiction magazine. This time, they stop off in 1968 - the height of the "new wave" in science fiction - and pick up an issue of New Worlds magazine from December 1968. If you'd like to read along, you can find a PDF of that magazine here, courtesy of the Luminist website: https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/luminist/SF/NW_1968_12.pdf And if you'd like to join in our 1960s science fiction movie quiz, you'll find that on Youtube, here: https://youtu.be/vAFs4PfLCVw?si=ZYb1o02iABx7QI3Z For more info on all the items mentioned in today's show, check out the full show notes at 101sf.blogspot.com
Hugo ShortsList (episode 35)
16-11-2023
Hugo ShortsList (episode 35)
Colin and Phil review the short stories nominated for this year's Hugo Awards. As the World Science Fiction Convention is in China, this year's shortlist includes a number of Chinese stories! We also have our usual run through of past, present and future science fiction. Check out the full show notes on our blog - 101sf.blogspot.com - and check us out on Facebook.
Desert Island Books (episode 34)
19-10-2023
Desert Island Books (episode 34)
We realised one day that we'd talked about our "desert island movies" and "desert island TV" choices, but not considered our BOOK choices. Time to rectify that oversight! We discuss four types of book: science fiction novels; science fiction short story collections/anthologies; books which are SF-adjacent in some way; and books which have nothing at all to do with SF. You're bound to recognise some of these, but we might have a few surprises or obscurities. Listen and find out! And don't forget to let us know about your favourites - by leaving a comment on our blog at ⁠⁠101sf.blogspot.com⁠⁠, or by finding us as Science Fiction 101 Podcast on Facebook.
Who Too (episode 33)
22-09-2023
Who Too (episode 33)
Phil and Colin like nothing more than a compare-and-contrast, so they return to Doctor Who to review an episode typical of the modern era. How does a Hugo Award-winning episode starring David Tennant stack up against the William Hartnell original episode (reviewed last time)? We also have our usual past/present/future round-up. For the full show notes, check out our web page at 101sf.blogspot.com.
Here's Looking at Who, Kid (episode 32)
27-08-2023
Here's Looking at Who, Kid (episode 32)
This year, the long-running SF series Doctor Who is sixty years old - so Colin and Phil turn back the clock and watch the very first episode of the series, from 1963: "An Unearthly Child". Phil's first proper Doctor was the third one, played by Jon Pertwee, although he has vague recollections of the second doctor (Patrick Troughton). On the other hand, like many Americans, Colin first knew of the show from the Tom Baker years. What will they make of the gruff, original Doctor portrayed by William Hartnell? We also have our usual skip through past, present and future science fiction. Check out our show notes at 101sf.blogspot.com.
Fuzzy Logic (episode 31)
26-07-2023
Fuzzy Logic (episode 31)
In their neverending quest to understand how past and present science fiction relate, Colin and Phil explore FUZZIES. FUZZY NATION is a novel by John Scalzi which re-boots an earlier novel by H. Beam Piper, LITTLE FUZZY. Fuzzies are cute little creatures that use tools and form extended families. They behave as if they are intelligent - so should they be legally classed as "people" or "animals"? We also have our usual run through of recommendations of past, present and future science fiction. Full detailed show notes, visit our blog at https://101sf.blogspot.com/
The Secrets George Lucas Kept From Leigh Brackett (episode 30)
20-06-2023
The Secrets George Lucas Kept From Leigh Brackett (episode 30)
Phil and Colin dig into "Star Wars Sequel", the unfilmed 1978 script by science fiction legend Leigh Brackett which became STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. We look at what made it into the finished film and what got junked, and consider whether Star Wars creator George Lucas was keeping his screenwriter in the dark! For links to everything we discuss, check out the show notes at 101sf.blogspot.com
Telly Visions (episode 29)
27-05-2023
Telly Visions (episode 29)
In our last episode, we started discussing our favourite bits of science fiction TV - but feeling pushed for time, we only got halfway through our respective top tens. So this time, we continue the discussion. Will Phil's top ten go beyond the 1970s? What will be Colin's favourite SF TV show of all time? Join us and find out! Also in this episode, we have a diabolical, science fictional food quiz send in by one of our listeners. And, of course, we have our traditional run through of past, present and future science fiction.
Desert Island Telly (episode 28)
25-04-2023
Desert Island Telly (episode 28)
As we enjoyed our "favourite movies" episode so much, we decided to go for a "favourite TV series" episode this time. Once again, Colin opts for a top ten, but Phil chickens out of having to come up with a ranking order, and instead opts for a chronological jaunt through his list. Which TV shows did we choose? Are there any series common to both Colin and Phil's lists? Join us, and find out! And don't forget to let us know your favourites - by leaving a comment on our blog at ⁠101sf.blogspot.com⁠, or by finding us as Science Fiction 101 Podcast on Facebook.
Desert Island Movies (episode 27)
29-03-2023
Desert Island Movies (episode 27)
In the two years(!) that Science Fiction 101 has been running, we've somehow managed not to ever list our favourite movies. Until now. But faced with an almost impossible task, we choose two different methods of revealing them: Colin goes for the top ten (or top nineteen...) countdown; while Phil opts for a chronological approach. Which films did we choose? Are there any films common to both Colin and Phil's lists? Join us, and find out. And do, please, let us know your favourites. You can do that by leaving a comment on our blog at 101sf.blogspot.com - or by finding us as Science Fiction 101 on Facebook.
Enfin, Tintin! (episode 26)
23-02-2023
Enfin, Tintin! (episode 26)
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
New Year, New Fiction (episode 25)
24-01-2023
New Year, New Fiction (episode 25)
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
The Second Annual Time Travel Expedition (episode 24)
13-12-2022
The Second Annual Time Travel Expedition (episode 24)
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 or not. And our usual round-up of past/present/future items which have caught our attention recently. For more information, look for the show notes on our blog: 101sf.blogspot.com
Star Trek Bibles (episode 23)
08-11-2022
Star Trek Bibles (episode 23)
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/
Sci-Fi Vacations and Side Trips (episode 22)
09-10-2022
Sci-Fi Vacations and Side Trips (episode 22)
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/
The Alternative History of Close Encounters (episode 21)
07-09-2022
The Alternative History of Close Encounters (episode 21)
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!