RoverAndOut

11th December 52 Greg Lake — I Believe In Father Christmas 44 The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl — Fairytale Of New York 39 Jona Lewie — Stop the Cavalry  39 Queen — Thank God It’s Christmas 38 The Pretenders — 2000 Miles 37 Andy Williams — It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year  35 Wham! — Last Christmas 34 Saint Etienne — I Was Born On Christmas Day 34 Kate Bush — December Will Be Magic Again 33 Bobby Helms — Jingle Bell Rock 32 Ray Conniff — Carol Of The Bells 32 The Ronettes — Sleigh Ride  31 Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters — Mele Kalikimaka 30 Gabriella Cilmi — Warm This Winter 30 Bing Crosby — White Christmas 28 Brenda Lee — Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree 28 Burl Ives — Holly Jolly Christmas 27 The Darkness — Don’t Let The Bells End 26 Elton John — Step Into Christmas +6 25.Eartha Kitt — Santa Baby  24 Nat King Cole — The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) 24 Wizzard — I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday  24 Beach Boys — Little Saint Nick -9 22 Dean Martin — Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 22 The Crystals — Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 16 Kay Starr — (Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag 16 Mike Oldfield — In Dulci Jubilo  15 Chuck Berry — Run Rudolph Run Let's slide something out of the Top 12 and see what happens...

Don't think it's intended to happen every time (Ncuti Gatwa won't stick around when Jodie Comer becomes the 16th Doctor ). Bigeneration was assumed to be a myth (which suggests it has happened in the past). I'll be honest, although I've been a huge fan of New Who, and I'm perfectly comfortable with Jodie Whittaker becoming the 13th Doctor and the Timeless Child reveal, while awkward and making the Doctor somewhat god-like, I'll accept. But the simple fact is, I remember only bits of Peter Capaldi's run and even less of Jodie's. There's some good, even great, episodes in there, but I've only seen a lot of them once or twice. I've had a lot more on over the past decade, I'm a bit older, so I've not done the umpteen run-throughs I've done of the Eccleston, Tennant and Smith eras previously. Basically, all this is prefacing that what I'm about to say is very vague and non-specific. But in recent years, the Doctor has gone through a lot and its body has been altered in several ways over the past decade. Matt Smith's Doctor got a new regeneration cycle of unspecified length for helping to save Gallifrey, Capaldi's Doctor spent a billion years trapped in the Confession Dial, Jodie discovered she's actually been regenerating for centuries, if not millennia, prior to Hartnell. And then there was that thing where the Master transferred his consciousness into the Doctors body and back in The Power of the Doctor. Is it really that outlandish to suggest that all this could cause a case of bigeneration within the Doctor's stressed and traumatised body? He's retiring to Donna's garden to recuperate for this very reason. I'm curious to see what RTD has planned for Tennant's Doctor - it's hard to imagine that he's left him there "just in case" (but maybe he has?). I suspect, from first viewing, that Gatwa's portayal could be such a force of nature, we may quickly forget Tennant is pottering around with Wilf in the Nobles' house but we'll see. RTD rescued Doctor Who, I trust him not to kill it off inside 3 episodes.

What is Witnit?!

I like to watch not knowing the scores too if possible, since Rovers are no longer in the top tier. Sometimes catch a few scores, but generally at least a few I don't know. When a match like Man United v Bournemouth is first on, you know one of 2 things has happened: either Man United have tanked them or Bournemouth have earned a surprise win.

Simply not true. Brilliant song and regularly makes it into the top 5 in the UK charts at this time of year. Might make #1 this year thanks to his death, but regardless, it's a classic.

10/12/23 28 Kylie Minogue — Confide In Me 27 Pulp — Common People 25 Natalie Imbruglia — Torn +4 25 The Cardigans — Lovefool 25 Madonna — Beautiful Stranger 24 James — Sit Down 22 Deee-Lite — Groove Is In The Heart 21 Supergrass — Alright / Time 18 The Verve — Bitter Sweet Symphony 12 Blur — Song 2 -6 10 Ace Of Base — The Sign 04 Fatboy Slim — Right Here, Right Now Missed a day here too I think. Back to it.

10/12/23 42 Wizzard — I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday 42 Greg Lake — I Believe In Father Christmas 40 The Ronettes — Sleigh Ride  40 Wham! — Last Christmas 38 Gabriella Cilmi — Warm This Winter 37 Queen — Thank God It’s Christmas 37 The Pretenders — 2000 Miles 35 Kate Bush — December Will Be Magic Again 34 Bing Crosby - White Christmas 35 Jona Lewie — Stop The Cavalry 34 Andy Williams — It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year 34.Eartha Kitt — Santa Baby 33 Beach oys — Little Saint Nick 29 Saint Etienne — I Was Born On Christmas Day 29 The Darkness — Don’t Let The Bells End 29 Burl Ives — Holly Jolly Christmas 28 Bobby Helms — Jingle Bell Rock 28 Ray Conniff — Carol Of The Bells 26 Perry Como — It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas 26 Brenda Lee — Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree 25 Nat King Cole — The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)  24 Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters — Mele Kalikimaka 24 The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl — Fairytale Of New York 23 Wombles — Wombling Merry Christmas 23 Mike Oldfield — In Dulci Jubilo 23 Kay Starr — (Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag 22 Dean Martin — Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 22 Elton John — Step Into Christmas 21 The Crystals — Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 20 Gene Autry — Here Comes Santa Claus -1 18 Chris de Burgh — A Spaceman Came Travelling +6 18.Chuck Berry — Run Rudolph Run 00 The Waitresses — Christmas Wrapping -4 00 Perry Como — Winter Wonderland -4 Think I missed a day again? Oh well, best make up for lost time and start trimming the list a bit. Don't hate either song but we've got 15 days to get this done, so using my 9 points wisely.

Which is basically what RTD has been promising. Hence it's Season 1, not Series 15 or whatever we're on now. Doesn't hurt after nearly 20 years back on the screens.

I liked it! Yes, it's an awkward and controversial transition (RTD said as much pre-airing) but if it keeps Tennant around in the background, I'm not complaining! Don't think he'll be popping up every 2 minutes, Ncuti's got a series in the can and another in production. But Donna's suggestion he's staying put til he recovers was a good way of saying "never say never." All sorts of possibilities for the future with Tennant and Tate but for now, it's Gatwa's time! He seems quite a dynamic and confident presence and it feels like his season is going to be a proper reset of the format, which will be interesting. NPH was superb as the Toymaker. Menacing, playful, inscrutable, it's a shame his stint was so short. This really should have been a two-parter, with part 1 ending with the regeneration cliffhanger (although we've been there before with Tennant, with similarly inconclusive results). Shame Bernard Cribbins could film no more, it was awkward having him involved "off screen". A couple of notes: 1. Who picked up the Master trapped in the gold tooth? This had parallels with Simm's Master in the first story RTD introduced him with, when his ring was picked up off his funeral pyre with a cackling laugh echoing. 2. Did Donna take Kate's offer then? Working for UNIT for 120 grand and 5 weeks' holiday? That should help her get back on her feet financially. Although, if 14 is sticking around, surely he can be a consultant anyway, a la Pertwee all those years ago. 3. Who was The Meep's boss? No mention today, so maybe not the Toymaker as previously thought? 4. What is the creature that is coming that The Toymaker ran away from? The one that is "for another story"? Perhaps Gatwa will find out next year...

44 Wizzard — I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday 39 Kate Bush — December Will Be Magic Again 38 Greg Lake — I Believe In Father Christmas 37 Gabriella Cilmi — Warm This Winter 37 Wham! — Last Christmas 37. Eartha Kitt — Santa Baby 34 The Wombles - Wombling Merry Christmas 34 Queen — Thank God It’s Christmas 34 The Ronettes — Sleigh Ride 33 Beach Boys — Little Saint Nick 33 Andy Williams — It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year 31 The Pretenders — 2000 Miles 30 Bing Crosby - White Christmas 28 Burl Ives — Holly Jolly Christmas 27 Saint Etienne — I Was Born On Christmas Day 27 The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl — Fairytale Of New York 27 Bobby Helms — Jingle Bell Rock 26 The Darkness — Don’t Let The Bells End 26 Jona Lewie — Stop The Cavalry 26 Perry Como — It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas 25 Brenda Lee — Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree 24 Nat King Cole — The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)  24 Ray Conniff — Carol Of The Bells 23 Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters — Mele Kalikimaka 23 Mike Oldfield — In Dulci Jubilo 23 Kay Starr — (Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag 22 Dean Martin — Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 22 Elton John — Step Into Christmas 21 Chuck Berry — Run Rudolph Run 21 The Crystals — Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 21 Gene Autry — Here Comes Santa Claus 21 Bing Crosby & David Bowie — Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy 18 Darlene Love — Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 17 Chris de Burgh — A Spaceman Came Travelling +6 14 Donny Hathaway — This Christmas -6 13 Perry Como — Winter Wonderland 11 The Waitresses — Christmas Wrapping 11 Destiny’s Child — 8 Days Of Christmas -3 Voted in the other one this morning but not this one (too many names to manoeuvre on my phone!). +6 and -9 right?

Radio Times loved The Giggle! (Spoiler Free!) https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-the-giggle-preview/

And I thought I'd checked it! I blame Brundle's last minute addition! Updated, thanks.

Well the tweet clearly says "Premier League history"...

8/12/23 31 Natalie Imbruglia — Torn 29 James — Sit Down 27 Pulp — Common People 26 Blur — Song 2 25 Kylie Minogue — Confide In Me 25 Madonna — Beautiful Stranger 25 The Cardigans — Lovefool +4 24 Supergrass — Alright / Time 23 The Verve — Bitter Sweet Symphony 16 Fatboy Slim — Right Here, Right Now 16 Ace Of Base — The Sign 16 Deee-Lite — Groove is in the Heart 15 DNA ft. Suzanne Vega — Tom's Diner -6

Right there with you - no way Maresca's failing at Leicester, McKenna's doing stupidly well at Ipswich, Plymouth will stick by Schumacher I think (they may stay up too!). So many of the ones who've gone should have been obvious - after reaching the play offs last season, it wasn't going to take much for Sunderland to dispense with Tony Mowbray if returning there this season seemed unlikely.

7th December 30 Supergrass — Alright / Time 29 Pulp — Common People 29 Kylie Minogue — Confide In Me 27 Natalie Imbruglia — Torn 27 DNA ft. Suzanne Vega — Tom's Diner 26 James — Sit Down  23 The Cardigans — Lovefool 23 Madonna — Beautiful Stranger 23 The Verve — Bitter Sweet Symphony 20 Blur — Song 2 18 Deee-Lite — Groove is in the Heart 16 Fatboy Slim — Right Here, Right Now 16 Ace Of Base — The Sign 09 Haddaway — What Is Love +4 04 KLF ft. Tammy Wynette — Justified And Ancient -6 Think I stopped playing halfway through 97-98. Regret it slightly, but equally this game is exhausting and infuriating in equal measures from time to time. Returning halfway through the Grand Final it looks like? You seem to have done a decent job in the meantime. Let's see what happens.

7th December 36 Kate Bush — December Will Be Magic Again 35 Greg Lake — I Believe In Father Christmas 35 Wizzard — I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday 34 Queen — Thank God It’s Christmas 34 Wham! — Last Christmas 33 Bing Crosby — White Christmas 33 Beach Boys — Little Saint Nick 33 Andy Williams — It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year 33 The Wombles — Wombling Merry Christmas 32 Gabriella Cilmi — Warm This Winter 31 The Pretenders — 2000 Miles 31 Eartha Kitt — Santa Baby 28 Burl Ives — Holly Jolly Christmas 27 Bobby Helms — Jingle Bell Rock 26 The Darkness — Don’t Let The Bells End 26 Jona Lewie — Stop The Cavalry 25 The Ronettes — Sleigh Ride 24 Saint Etienne — I Was Born On Christmas Day 24 Brenda Lee — Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree 24 Ray Conniff — Carol Of The Bells 24 Bing Crosby & David Bowie — Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy 23 Mike Oldfield — In Dulci Jubilo 23 Kay Starr — (Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag 23 Nat King Cole — The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)  22 Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters — Mele Kalikimaka 22 Dean Martin — Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 22 Elton John — Step Into Christmas 21 Chuck Berry — Run Rudolph Run 21 The Crystals — Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 21 Perry Como — Winter Wonderland 21 Gene Autry — Here Comes Santa Claus 20 The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl — Fairytale Of New York 20 Perry Como — It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas 20 Darlene Love — Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 19 The Eagles — Please Come Home For Christmas 19 Donny Hathaway — This Christmas 18 José Feliciano — Feliz Navidad 18 Destiny’s Child — 8 Days Of Christmas 17 Run-DMC — Christmas In Hollis 15 Elvis Presley — Blue Christmas -6 14 The Waitresses — Christmas Wrapping 13 George Michael — December Song 12 Chris de Burgh — A Spaceman Came Travelling +4 10 The Ronettes — Frosty the Snowman 6 Coldplay — Christmas Lights Haven't voted in this for a little while. Not sure I've missed much! Doing my best diego impression, but I really like Spaceman Came Travelling. For balance, I can't be doing with Lady in Red. The Elvis song does nothing for me.

Doctor Who Confidential used to be great! Don't know why they ever got rid of it.

It felt like he was under pressure at the weekend and when I saw last night's result I thought it was curtains, but it seems he's getting a stay of execution. The fans seem split but the owner likes to sharpen his axe - he also owns Olympiakos and sacked their boss this week! Time's running out for Steve, which could be good news for 4 players in this game (alas, not me or you though, Maryport!).

21-18 to me! Perhaps the Committee may have a record-breaking year themselves yet!

This is the bonkers bit - this legislation is truly awful, terrifying in many ways. And it's still seen as too weak by the fanatics at the fringes of the Tory Party. Is it truly possible that the inmates could take control of the asylum and the Tory Party ceases to be a force in British politics? Someone mentioned the 1993 Canadian election a little while ago didn't they...? I know it's wishful thinking, but still...

Another 13. Irritatingly got the Friends one wrong, having initially had the right answer but then talked myself out of it trying to think if the reunion had celebrated a significant anniversary. I also got the Smiths one wrong - not my scene at all. Educated guesses on Mary Quant and Cormac McCarthy, complete guesses on the last 2 (MacGowan and O'Connor).

Jenrick says the government said "we would stop the boats altogether" and that is what the public "rightly demands and expects of us". Just imagine if they put as much effort into reducing NHS waiting times, preventing homelessness or reforming social care.

Almost like you've never heard of "dividing lines"... You don't say!!!