RoverAndOut

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!!!

Blimey! What a couple of days! This is going to take a bit of time... First, some housekeeping, I never posted an update about the removal of the legendary Dick Campbell from Arbroath, who resigned on November 25th after a Scottish FA Cup loss to League 2 Spartans. Campbell took them from the brink of relegation from the football league to the brink of promotion to the Scottish Premier in 7 years. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67534081 This was a unique hit for @diego, his 6th hit in the game. Last weekend, the return of football from the international break saw 2 changes of manager, with Derek Adams leaving Morecambe and Mark Bonner leaving Cambridge. Scot Adams was poached by Ross County to replace Malky Mackay, who was sacked a fortnight earlier and leaves Morecambe 9th in League Two after relegation last season. It is Adams's 3rd spell as Ross County boss, so what could possibly go wrong?! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67470726 His resignation was a unique hit for @Commtech Sio Bibble, giving him a third hit! Mark Bonner, meanwhile, was sacked by Cambridge after a 3-0 home defeat to Lincoln left them 18th in the table. He signed a new "long-term" contract in September, so good payday at least! He'd been in charge for 4 years. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67564799 This gave @maryportfuncity his 4th hit in the game, and another unique! Now onto the chaos of the past weekend, as we enter panic season, where clubs try to act to give themselves half a season (and a transfer window) to get themselves out of trouble or into the promotion mix depending on their circumstances. 4 sackings in 24 hours have ensued! First up last night was Michael Duff, who was sacked by Swansea after 6 months in charge following a draw at the weekend with Huddersfield. They are 18th in the Championship and have just 1 win in their last 8 games. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67618235 His removal was a unique hit for @MariNisia, their 4th hit in the game! Then, late last night, Sunderland surprisingly parted company with Tony Mowbray. This comes despite them being 9th in the Championship and just 3 points off the play offs, which they reached last season in Mowbray's first campaign in charge. They have only won 2 of their last 9 matches, however, and clearly the board have panicked. This does not seem to have been universally welcomed by Sunderland fans. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67621150 This was yet another unique hit and a second of this update for Commtech Bibble, giving him a 4th hit of the game and moving him off the bottom of the pack! It appeared that the first sacking of this week was going to come at Bramall Lane, with Paul Heckingbottom looking set to pay the ultimate price for their humiliating 5-0 defeat against fellow promoted strugglers Burnley on Saturday. This news, however, took 24 hours to be confirmed, with Heckingbottom immediately being replaced by former Blades boss Chris Wilder (who himself was sacked when Sheffield United were heading for relegation 4 seasons ago!). The merry-go-round continues apace! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67622537 This news was not entirely unexpected this season in this game and provides the only multiple hit of this update, with 5 players scoring a hit with Heckingbottom's dismissal. So that's a 5th hit for both MariNisia and @Great Uncle Bulgaria, a 6th hit for @Bibliogryphon, a 7th hit for Yours Truly (@RoverAndOut) and an 8th hit for @wannamaker! Finally, Mitch Brundle has today been dismissed by Dover Athletic in the National League South. Interesting parallels with Heckingbottom, with Dover second bottom of the league, 3 points above Havant & Waterlooville, who beat them on Saturday 4-3. A defeat to a relegation rival not conducive to keeping your job it seems! It was a day after Brundle's 29th birthday, and I can't decide whether that's cruel or kind? https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/sport/whites-sack-manager-298069/ GUB's knowledge of non-league football earns him a second hit of the day and 6th in total! Lots of movement in the leaderboard, but @Sly Ronnie still out front! Scoreboard Sly Ronnie - 9 Wannamaker - 8 Lady Fiona, Rover and Out, Great Uncle Bulgaria - 7 Diego, Bibliogryphon - 6 MariNisia - 5 Maryportfuncity, Commtech Sio Bibble, - 4 Buffalo Phil - 3 Spare a thought for @BuffaloPhil, who's back in the basement for the time being! He, Ronnie and @ladyfiona are the only ones not to have scored in this update! We've hit 30 hits for the game so far, but nobody has reached the halfway point yet!

And now Sunderland have sacked Tony Mowbray! I'll update tomorrow...

No fear though, Rishi Sunak's wife would still get in.

I often find their decisions offensive, yes. But mainly I find the shysters selling them snake oil the offensive ones. The ones who promise them simple solutions to complicated issues with no untoward consequences that they lap up. Bringing harmony to discord, getting Brexit done, supercharging growth and stopping the boats, for instance.

12/3/2023 32 Andy Williams — It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year 28 Kate Bush — December Will Be Magic Again 28 The Beach Boys — Little Saint Nick 28 Darlene Love — Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 26 Bing Crosby — White Christmas 26 The Wombles — Wombling Merry Christmas 26 Wham! — Last Christmas 26 Bobby Helms — Jingle Bell Rock 25 Eartha Kitt — Santa Baby 25 The Darkness — Don’t Let The Bells End 24 Ray Conniff — Carol Of The Bells 24 Bing Crosby & David Bowie — Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy 24 Queen — Thank God It’s Christmas 24 Burl Ives — Holly Jolly Christmas 24 John & Yoko etc. — Happy Xmas War is Over 23 Greg Lake — I Believe In Father Christmas 23 Gabriella Cilmi — Warm This Winter 23 Wizzard — I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday 23 Donny Hathaway — This Christmas 23 Jona Lewie — Stop The Cavalry 23 The Pretenders — 2000 Miles 22 Run-DMC — Christmas In Hollis 22 The Ronettes — Sleigh Ride 22 Nat King Cole — The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) 22 Mike Oldfield — In Dulci Jubilo 22 Perry Como — It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas 22 Dean Martin — Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 21 Destiny’s Child — 8 Days Of Christmas 21 Perry Como — God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 21 Frank Sinatra — Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 21 Chuck Berry — Run Rudolph Run 21 Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters — Mele Kalikimaka 21 Brenda Lee — Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree 21 Boney M — Mary’s Boy Child (Oh My Lord) 21 George Michael — December Song 21 Coldplay — Christmas Lights 21 Kay Starr — (Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag 21 The Crystals — Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 21 Band Aid — Do They Know It’s Christmas? 21 Perry Como — Winter Wonderland 21 John & Yoko etc — Happy Xmas War is Over 20 Gene Autry — Here Comes Santa Claus 20 The Carpenters — Merry Christmas Darling 20 The Eagles — Please Come Home For Christmas 20 Jim Reeves — Silver Bells 20 The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl — Fairytale Of New York 19 Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews — Baby It’s Cold Outside 19 The Jackson 5 — I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 18 The Waitresses — Christmas Wrapping 17 Chris Rea — Driving Home For Christmas 17 Elton John — Step Into Christmas 17 Elvis Presley — Blue Christmas -3 17 Shakin’ Stevens — Merry Christmas Everyone -3 16 Kelly Clarkson — Underneath The Tree +4 16 The Ronettes — Frosty The Snowman 15 José Feliciano — Feliz Navidad 14 Stevie Wonder — What Christmas Means To Me 11 Leona Lewis — One More Sleep 6 Mud — Lonely This Christmas 6 Bob Dylan — Must Be Santa 4 Slade — Merry Xmas Everybody