Bibliogryphon

Vera Bryan quickly follows. There's so much less to see and do.....

I would guess Ferbos and Grau would be certainties but the others would probably be dependent on it being a slow news week on the obituary pages.

There must be half a daozen worth a pick at least.

You mean...you're Donald Sindon? You sly git, you've been mocking our efforts all along! Unforunately, or more possibly fortunately, I am not Donald Sinden. If Donald Sinden was the only smug pompus bastard this country produced it may be a better place.

Haribo hate vegetarians

In some ways the whole Maddie issue seems to neglect the girl herself. This poor girl either died accidently, was murdered or kidnapped but we as a society have bought into it (on either side) with such intensity. People are either "oh how terrible what must her poor parents be going through" or "Ha how long before the lying bastards get found out". If the full truth ever came out, no matter what it was then there would be a lot of soul searching. Of course I could just be a pompus idiot who no-one ever listens to.

Obviously we have no friends on the Booker prize judging panel. This morning it was being reported that the oldest contender Jim Crace was the most likely winner but they go and give it to a 28 year old girl. However in all fairness I am going to add her to my list just so she knows that it is not all book festivals and literary luncheons she has to put up with being discussed on the Deathlist. V S Naipaul (1932) John Berger (1926) Nadine Gordimer (1923) David Storey (1933) Salman Rushdie (1947) Thomas Keneally (1935) J M Coetzee (1940) Anita Brookner (1928) Keri Hume (1947) Penelope Lively (1933) Peter Carey (1943) Kazuo Ishiguro (1954) A S Byatt (1936) Ben Okri (1959) Michael Ondaatje (1943) Roddy Doyle (1958) James Kelman (1946) Pat Barker (1943) Graham Swift (1949) Arundhati Roy (1961) Ian McEwan (1948) Margaret Atwood (1939) Yann Martel (1963) DBC Pierre (1961) Alan Hollinghurst (1954) John Banville (1945) Kiran Desai (1971) Anne Enright (1962) Aravind Adiga (1974) Hilary Mantel (1952) Howard Jacobson (1942) Julian Barnes (1946) Eleanor Catton (1985)

They made it this far. How were they to know some greedy bastards were going to want to chop down all the bamboo.

Japenese Animator Takasshi Yanase dies aged 94

I was a bit concerned to see four picks for Peter on the latest death poll is there something in the media that is making people suspicious or is it just a coincindence?

I met Firmin a few months ago on account of a mutual interest in Clangers etc and he's just fine. Not a DL candidate for many years, I'd say. Good to see Peter's dusting off the Clangers for a new series; as long as they don't speak with a, like, American accent. I didn't realise Smallfilms is based in north Canterbury - I'll have to make the pilgrimage. This sounds like it will be faithful to the spirit of the old series but it must retain the sheer poetry of the language used and the 'jerky' charm that the original holds in our hearts. Loved the bits about swearing in the article.

Why am I not surprised? It was probably a ploy to try and get extra benefits.

The hiatus was kept to below 100 days and looking at the trend line I still think we can make it to12 this year. Going to change my mind now and say Biggs, Mandela and Lynne.

He finally caved in.

Gone with Biggs but was close run with Mandela

Considering how obnoxious he is making himself is anyone willing to take a stab at Owen Paterson (b.1956) for next year? Murdered in a revenge attack by TB infected badgers.

I am the opposite as I am hoping for at least some Hartnell historicals to be amongst the recoveries. The Massacre is my holy grail but I would be delighted with Marco Polo. You might be in luck as I heard one rumour suggest the Crusdade was amongst the 'haul'. After I wrote the above, I heard some rumours today that Marco Polo is amongst those found as well! The latest news is that Deborah Watling (who played Victoria the Victorian) and Frazer Hines (who played Jamie) will be at the BBC press conference. The news came from Watling's own official website. And timely for those who are researching next year DDP teams to see if Frazer Hines looks rough enough for inclusion.

He did - its called Camilla.

I am the opposite as I am hoping for at least some Hartnell historicals to be amongst the recoveries. The Massacre is my holy grail but I would be delighted with Marco Polo. You might be in luck as I heard one rumour suggest the Crusdade was amongst the 'haul'.

He's out and about again being shown round a day care centre for the elderly. Maybe Charles thought it would be a good idea.

Best 50th Birthday present ever No clues as to which ones yet but hopefully some Patrick Troughton ones as there are precious few of these. Last time it was Galaxy 4 and the Underwater Menace both of which are not considered missing masterpieces. I hope it is the Abominable Snowman.

Geez, thanks for that. Now everybody's gonna think of pregnancy tests whenever they see me... Though if you turn blue it is not good news!

There have been a couple of animation experiments - The DVD release of The Invasion features two (out of eight) animated episodes but the quality of the animation is not PIXAR standard by any means.

Sir Christopher to receive BFI award Doesn't say when the ceremony is but I hope it is soon judging by the accompanying picture. If we had put him on the list we could have a trio of Lees : Harper, Stan and Christopher. Maybe next year.

When this all comes to a conclusion are we going to have to endure a "Cry in the Dark" like movie adaptation. Any casting suggestions?