Spade_Cooley

Did briefly consider trying to exorcise those demons with a "Summer Girls" theme team: JOKER: Devin Lima (obviously) 2. Brad Fischetti (the member of LFO who isn't Devin Lima or the dead one) 3. -7. The five members of New Kids On The Block 8. Mike Jeffries (former CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch) 9. Michael J Fox (was Alex P Keaton) 10. Macauley Culkin (was in Home Alone) 11. Kevin Bacon (loved by LFO, except Footloose) 12. Larry Byrd (jersey 33) 13. Dick Beach (clown, played Willie Whistle who can't speak baby) 14. Carole Cook (last remaining major cast member from Mr Limpet) 15. Rakim (came in the door, said it before) 16 - 20: Five members of New Edition Sub: The other member of New Edition

I get "Summer Girls" stuck in my head every time I open a DDP-related spreadsheet or database and see Devin Lima's name loom large. This is hell.

Brickhouse's shoot interview might be the single funniest one ever recorded.

I dunno if I'm misremembering, but I'm almost sure there was a "first death of the millennium" about three minutes into 2000. Some journalist who died in an accident covering the Y2K celebrations... seem to remember he was Egyptian or Moroccan or Algerian?

Wonder how many of the backstage figures from the territory era would get close to a QO? Gene LeBell, Bill Watts, Jerry Jarrett and that's it?

Larry Matysik, former right-hand man for Sam Muchnick, has been hospitalised for unknown reasons. Apparently he was in assisted living at the time of this incident.

SPOILERS: Surprised by the lack of teams plumping for Ben Dover in this year's DDP, although, as I've not had my finger in the research this Xmas, maybe he's not as ill as I assumed.

Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Ed Asner are the holy trinity of old Jewish comedians who are going to live until 120. Complete waste choosing any of them.

How close was "The Ugandan Giant" to making the top fiddy?

Will-uh the-uh obit-uh on-uh the main page be done in a Mark E Smith impression?

Ditko and Dobtcheff having never been picked before are both surprises.

You thought there were too many wrestling theme teams in recent years? This time around there's approximately 2,793 line-ups based around sex offenders.

Respect to anyone who wins the DDP, and especial respect to someone who went out on top. Will miss you as a contestant and a forum poster Bert, and I think everyone here wants to see you back as soon as you feel up to googling "stage 4 cancer but not firemen who for some reason get their illnesses reported in US local press". You better be back for the 2020 showdown when I return as a competitor.

These stage 4 pancreatic cancer sufferers were literally too much for us to even in 2018

Currently working my way through a bunch of "thank you for your entry" emails.

^^^was really hoping nobody would notice that

It is a great maxim and one that my reluctance to follow this year almost certainly cost me... I think that front-loading my team with 50/50 youngsters (namely SKS and GG) is what killed me, when opting for Mary Valastro (the last cut from my team) would have seen me win it with breathing space. There's a good rule that top-tier Scrabble players live by: don't fall in love with words. For instance, while "futharc" is a fascinating word, it scores less points than "twelfth". You'll always do better with a dull high-scorer than a fascinating low-scorer. The same with deadpooling: don't fall in love with a pick just because they're interesting. A knock-in Welsh MEP is a guaranteed obit, for instance.

Maybe italicised? Work on the DDP is pausing for today while I watch Dimitri Van den Bergh's comeback against Rob Cross.

BDO nobody Toon Greebe has had some major complications after going into hospital for a toe operation, having his foot amputated and falling into critical condition.

That's a great 80s character actor face.

I don't know how to play it now I'm the gamerunner! I dunno if I want to pepper you all with these gems. But Gori is a guaranteed within-the-hour obit for those of you unsure.

So do we mention that [significant cultural and sporting figure from a major European nation] currently in critical condition here, or do you want it hidden so nobody steals your pick for next year?

Would never name and shame, although rolling my eyes at the person who picked Roger Moore is the most exercise I've gotten this Xmas.

Dennis Stamp