Twelvetrees

I'm surprised the Daily Mail didn't see it as a moral judgment on her choice of career...

According to Wikipedia, he died just a day after his 84th birthday, missing out on a DDP party pooper bonus... But even if he DID die on his birthday, it'd still be a miss as nobody picked him on DDP. So long as you don't count the two that did. Not that his death was reported anywhere in print except for The Tennessean, which august organ is no longer running the story. Also worth noting that he's no longer dead according to Wiki. Looks like a hoax, folks.

Captain Beefheart, God bless him, must be the only person on DL named after his uncle's penis. According to Frank Zappa, the young Don van Vliet's uncle Alan used to exhibit his manhood, saying '...what a beauty. Looks like a big, fine beef heart'. No wonder he turned out slightly odd.

Agreed, Godot - as well as your fine examples; Donald Sinden (Two's Company, Never the Twain) will be 85 Tony Britton (Don't Wait Up) will be 84, and his co-star Dinah Sheridan will be 88 Donald Hewlett (It Ain't Half Hot, Mum; Come Back Mrs Noah (alongside Molly)) will be 86 Terence Alexander (Terry and June as well as Bergerac) will be 85 Jack Douglas (various Carry On films) will be 81 And these took me a few minutes, so there must be many more out there. We could run a sweepstake!

For those of us who have followed TV's own R&J for some years (albeit at a safe distance), is anyone else amused by their wine club? Expert - of course, the 2005 Burgundy is a classic; the only problem is that it won't be in peak condition for twenty years. Richard - she'll be dead then. Where can I steal some? Judy - F*ck, I've dropped me turps...

Clinton for the Democrats, and Giuliani for the GOP. Giuliani's played a clever game so far - waiting until the others are wounded before stepping in, and when it comes down to the wire, McCain's probably too much of an independent thinker for the Republican Party to endorse fully. The only thing that might swing it McCain's way is if he appeals as a stop-gap one-term incumbent. I guess if Hillary wins, there won't be many vacancies for females interns at the White House...

Sorry that it's not strictly on-topic, but it is mildly disturbing, and I suppose if it were a regular event, it could lead to me being beaten to death. Once I was having a very clear dream that included a hovercraft acting in the capacity of Noah's Ark. The dream was so vivid that, whilst remaining sound asleep myself, I woke up the person I was with so that she could see the giraffes' heads poking through the hovercraft's roof. It never happened again, not even with the levitating gorillas or the IRA pop video. Just sharing and moving on...

The UN don't tend to hang people, so no. And the trial according to FF's link (above) is expected to last 18 months. I can't see the Hague gaolers allowing another Milosevic incident, so in terms of the chances of Taylor expiring before 2009, this is not a brave choice. It is so unlikely as to be utterly beyond the Clive. However, there will be a certain circus-style amusement as we receive accounts of the regular health problems that will serve to prolong his trial even further. I say we have three 'collapses in the dock' incidents in 2008. Any advance?

I couldn't find a full date of birth for the DDP entry - only that he was born in or around 1973. Cricket umpire Nigel Plews is the only other one I don't have a photo for. Can anyone help? Or can anyone tell me which of these he is? I just assumed he was the one in the middle, but maybe I'm wrong. The picture wasn't very contextualized. While I'm here, I believe John Archibald Wheeler was a unique pick of mine, but it's not listed on my team. Otherwise, I want to make it known that I appreciate your hard work (and that of anyone who helped you) in getting the site up and running so quickly and that I think it looks absolutely amazing. I'm pretty sure that Plews is fourth from left - the tall bald one.

Now, did you know the London Borough of Hillingdon has more tourists than any other part of the United Kingdom? DWB Good one, DWB, although I'm not sure sitting on the tube, or a bus, or a taxi, heading through a neighbourhood and barely looking out of the windows 'cos there nothing to see, makes one a tourist. Or do you become a tourist the minute you land in a foreign place? The sad thing is, we have the largest tourist catchment but have absolutely nothing to offer them - nothing at all - I can't list one single thing in the Borough that may be of interest to a tourist. As the signs say - "Welcome to Hillingdon - Home of Brunel University". That's it. DWB Oh, Beetle, you are guilty of a great injustice. Why, Uxbridge itself has a strong half-dozen reasons to visit. 1 - Also, they shot some scenes for 'The Sweeney' at Brunel. It was a bank robbery episode set in a concrete hell-hole, as I recall. 2 - There's a canal. With colourful barges. Lie inside a sensory deprivation tank and you could almost be in Venice. 3 - The mixed grill at the Swan and Bottle is quite passable with a gallon or two of wine. It's very passable if they undercook the pork. 4 - They play a round called 'Uxbridge English Dictionary' on "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" on Radio 4, and even released a book with that title. People will flock to better understand the joke. 5 - Ummmm....it isn't West Drayton. Even though some of the more adventurous inhabitants of that swarming nest of reptilian atavism do occasionally make it as far as Uxbridge, they are soon scooped up and sent back. How many did I say? 6 - There are trains every five to ten minutes that can take you away at something approaching a brisk stroll. Apart from when there are engineering works or Bob Crow (see a previous rant) or some other reason. Trying to help

I has to be Benazir Bhutto. At least this is one poll that Musharraf can't fix.

Aren't they doing a good enough job by themselves, anyway?

Rant of the year Virtually anything from Banshees Scream. Okay, there's more raving than ranting usually, but we're nothing if not inclusive. I miss the Tongans. Poster of the year. A draw between DDT - always a mine of useful information and OoO for his knowledge of the African Despot and public suicide note in taking over DDP. Between them, they are totally Fray Bentos* Best Newcomer. Harrymcnallyslipsmackintheycallmemistertibbsnononotthemindprobebluenandwhitearmy Thread of the Year It's boring I know, but the Ideas and Possibilities is where I always head first. It's the lifeblood of the forum. Avatar of the year Handrejka's is the scariest Iain of the year Dave Best Death Jazzman George. In the end it was a release for such a giant of a man and a chance to celebrate a life lived to the fullest. Post of the year Captain Oates' photos of Melly's last gig. *no lumps of fat or gristle - guaranteed!

Gudrun Wagner, the 63 year old wife of Bayreuth Festival organiser Wolfgang Wagner, has died. Not particularly notable in itself, but consider the fact that Wolfgang is 88 and is deeply embroiled in the constant internecine squabbling that has marked the Wagner family for generations and one may start to wonder if he'll be long following her out the door.

There is a difference between having a set date and being under sentence of death as per my earlier suggestion. This could still be an option. People still on trial or between trial and sentencing could still be allowed. Regarding the rule in general, you probably guess that my feeling is that selecting people on death row, whilst not cheating, does remove some of the element of chance from the game. I guess it depends on whether you want to win at all costs or just enjoy the ride. Anyway, OoO, whatever you decide, it will not be from lack of thought and discussion, and thank you for being prepared to consult and listen.

First of all - well done OoO, and good luck. Executions - Don't like them, don't want them. I think that no-one under sentence of death at the start of the year should be included. Of course, there's the possibility that someone may be on trial and be expected to be found guilty, or between verdict and sentencing, but we can't cover all bases. Famous for being Famous - Too difficult to judge, so I agree with you. TMIB put it better. Age Limits - no less than sixteen as of 01.01.08 is fine with me. At sixteen (at the moment in the UK) you can leave home and start work. There are international sportsmen and women aged 16 and 17, and we shouldn't be seeking to exclude them. Amount of subs - I needed three last year, so no argument from me. I actually had more die in the last fortnight in December than in the whole of 2007. Team Entry Limits - I find choosing one random team hard enough, but a theme team as well sounds fine (maybe only ten names in themes, as they can be harder to source). Obituary Requirements - The problem with the BBC is its downwardly-dumbing spiral, and The Guardian can be very slow sometimes. Agree with NYT / Washington Post / CNN, but would also like to see either The Times or Daily Telegraph. Unique Picks - Excellent. However, this will make your life absolute hell as you try and upload details on a wider-than-ever array of names. Scoring System - Happy with it as it stands. Wallpaper - Flock, like a bad Indian restaurant.

Some interesting names, as well as some familiar ones and a few from the pages of 'Who's That'. My point is that there is a problem with choosing lots of really old people on the sole basis of their age. Statistically, anyone in their nineties has a better than even chance of seeing through the next twelve months. Take Walter Cronkite - he's pretty spry for 92, and average life expectancy at his age is 96 plus. Likewise John Glenn, who at 86, should easily get past 90. Even Oscar Niemeyer would, on average, see 103. Let's get some younger blood in. And out.

Keep Malden, drop Vigoda. I'd say that Gore Vidal's main aim in life is to be around for Norman Mailer's funeral, so it depends on whether Mailer declines appreciably over the next six weeks. Likewise Ian Smith and the excecrable putrescence that is Mugabe. This is also the time to remind everyone that Deathlist is artificially prolonging the life of Clive Dunn. He will not be able to die until we deselect him. Have pity on an old soldier.

How about Tommy Ramone? Got to be getting lonely for him...

Sounds like quiz night in my local...apart from the Brazilian beauties, natch.

I am given to believe that Pinter was rushed to hospital last Friday and is currently in intensive care. No quotable sources, I'm afraid, but I understand that his wife, Lady Antonia Fraser, has cleared her diary of engagements to be with him.

Soe says the BBC, although they appear to claim that he died today. Maybe the Burmese authorities have been waiting to make the announcement.

For you Twelvetrees, requires sound and a tolerance of profanities. http://www.backingblair.co.uk/london_underground/index.htm Thank you, I loved it...but what does Mr. Crow think?

I have to say that he looked gaunt at the Proms a fortnight ago, but he still got through over 100 minutes without flagging. Speaking selfishly, I'd hate to lose him when he still has so much to offer.

Sad to report the death of Horace Brearley, who only played five first class matches between 1937 and 1949 (War stopped play). However, as the father of Mike Brearley, his contribution to English cricket cannot be underestimated.