This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence welcome back writer, producer, former child actor, and all-round opinion-holder Gary Russell for a deep dive into one of science fiction's most enduring fascinations: alternative universes.

From evil doppelgängers and fascist Earths to Mirror Universes, multiverses and "what if?" storytelling, Gary traces his lifelong love of parallel realities back to childhood encounters with Lost in Space, Doctor Who's legendary Inferno, and classic Star Trek. Along the way, the team explore why alternative realities continue to capture our imagination, how they allow writers to twist familiar characters into unexpected shapes, and whether the concept still has a place in modern storytelling.

Expect passionate discussion of Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation, Marvel's What If...?, Batman's Elseworlds adventures, Spider-Verse, and much more. Plus: Gary's obsession with the London Underground, a spirited defence of maps, and the revelation that somewhere in the multiverse there may be a version of him who actually likes Star Trek: Enterprise.

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This week on Scarred For Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence are joined by comedian, actor, writer and genuine pop culture legend, Patton Oswalt.

From Star Wars and Star Trek to horror movies, comic books and classic animation, Patton takes us on a journey through the strange and unsettling things that left a lasting mark on him growing up.

Along the way, he explains why comedy and horror are essentially the same craft, reveals his all-time favourite horror films, discusses physical media, Doctor Who, Ghostwatch, Akira, nuclear war paranoia, and why some of the darkest moments in children's entertainment are far more disturbing than anything intended to be scary.

His three scars are:

• The endless torment lurking beneath classic Looney Tunes cartoons

• The horrifying final moments of the original version of The Fly

• The unforgettable robot transformation scene from Superman III

Plus, Patton shares his thoughts on ghosts, body horror, animation, Star Wars, Star Trek, and why some fictional nightmares stay with us for decades.

To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠

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In this listener mailbag episode of Scarred for Life, Andy Bush and Dave Lawrence share stories from the show's Facebook page, Instagram, and members forum. They revisit childhood TV traumas, creepy public-information posters, unsettling museum exhibits, and memorable celebrity autograph encounters, while discussing how nostalgia, faulty memory, and the inability to revisit old media often make childhood fears even more powerful. The episode also teases possible future guests—including Charlie Brooker, a mega US Comedian and a Doctor Who actor....

To join Scarred Club and get fortnightly bonus episodes, ad-free listening and access to the members forum - sign-up here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://scarredforlife.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠

Send us a voice note on WhatsApp - 07457 404 279

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Scarred For Life - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Andy Bush - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

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