msc

tbh there might be a decent chance you've actually met the person at some point? I know my mum did at one point in, iirc, the early 80s. Also: yes. Mind you, I always think my clues are bloody obvious. Another two clues then. The person has at least one song by a (imo) pretty major band sung about them, and they have their own Wiki page. You can see the evidence that built for them to become an acceptable pick.

Update, the family are suing the council and expected to win compensation. Still think that it's a parental role rather than the council's to drill into the kids not to go playing in the crumbling public access graveyard, in the same way you'd tell them not to play near the railway line or motorway within 2 minutes walk, tbh. But that's just me.

Brown's managed to outlive 4 of the team (Simpson, Gemmell, Baxter, Bremner) that beat England that day too. Greig, McKinnon, McCreadie, McCalloig, Law, Lennox and Wallace all still going, I think. Dunno how strong though. We're ahead of the English team that day in Death stakes (Banks, J Charlton, Moore, Cohen, Wilson, Peters, Ball, Stiles, B Charlton, Greaves, Hurst) 2-4, but given their well documented health issues I think the English will pull ahead in that old game before too long.

Mugabe is much more of a known figure over here than Montt. Given US history in that part of the world, I suspect it might be the reverse in the USA though.

And those who struggle to come up with 20 names and just pick folk off the TV.

Neagu Djuvara, a big name in Romanian historical essays, has died aged 101. Shockingly didn't make the Drop 40.

At least one person picked Shawkat Ali for last years Deathlist Cup. They wont get the chance in 2018.

Got the feel of Paul Daisley's last speech to the Commons there.

This is It?

I have had another Fringes decision to make, and have accepted the choice on the following grounds - They are close to a household name ie if you asked a bunch of strangers their name, at least 51% imo would go "Oh yeah, that's so and so, isn't it?" - They would pass the "hit by a bus" test with flying colours. - I have decided that if a person has been the subject of regular newspaper interviews and infrequent TV spots since before I was even born (that's going nearly 34 years plus), then it's a bit difficult to call them purely a "fringe" candidate, even if they look fringey at first glance.

One guy has a sole reference on 15th Dec. Other guy has multiple references in 7 Qualifying obit sources. It's staggering.

It'll be 2013. Punt pick dies in January, old timer and cancer sufferer gone by mid-February, lull, big name around March/April, then the "certs" all go around May-July, lull, finish the year off with a few big names = 13/50.

Tessa Jowell.

No bother. Done. Yer team are too eager to play!

That's been around for years. I don't get it, myself.

Nassar will get credit for time served for the past year. He will first be eligible for parole in 99 years -- in the year 2117. Something to look forward to on his 153rd birthday.

If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way. Life lessons from Homer. Anyhow, sounds as fan as a bout of ebola, MPFC, but hopefully the Deathlist Cup hereabouts will provide welcome distraction.

Well, on a personal level, this winter has seen me get the all clear on a cancer scare, and my aunt (who helped raise me and is one of my favourite people in the entire world) bounce back aged 90 from an illness which would have KO'd people much younger, so no, this winter's been a fairly un-disappointing and lucky one here.

iirc James Brady sealed the deal. TMIB did award points for that originally but then went back and decided to make the unwritten rule written?

Aye hence her Deathlist spot and Drop 40. Feels different when the individual confirms it, though. Mind you, first Sydney Pollack confirmed reports was by dying iirc.

Aha, the Amy Krouse Rosenthal of the 2018 Deathlist Cup!

Correct me if I'm wrong, @Sean, but isn't that the first time she's actually confirmed to the Beeb or Guardian or Telegraph or anyone that she does actually have a high grade glioblastoma? It was others saying it and her appearance before then. On her chances: "How do I know how long it's going to last? I hope it'll be a long time."

Yep, the heir to the throne gets divorced and it leaks out first in a gossip magazine which also announces Australia has been invaded by UFOs. Sounds legit.

A penalty against Celtic and scored? Surely some witchcraft.