Me: So that’s 90 minute edits of stories from the first four Doctors. @cooraysmith.bsky.social : Keep them going. Do one for Black Orchid. Do every scene twice.

Children. One minute suspicious of blueberries, the next trying to drink puddles.

In the interests of fairness @drfionamoore.bsky.social has not only cooked and eaten Sylvia Noble’s Tuna Madras, but also published her conclusions. I recommend this post and the related series to anyone interested.

Post an image that will always make you laugh

The real, fundamental, unforgivable flaw of the writing in RTD’s second run is not in the stories, which for me are always interesting, often brilliant. It’s this recipe for Tuna Madras.

At the risk of talking shop: there are just under 50 Government Bills before Parliament (including Employment Rights, English Devolution, Great British Energy) which aren’t getting the media attention that Coalition Bills at a similar point did. We’re missing proper scrutiny outside of Parliament.

Repost with an iconic fictional band (if you feel like it)

buttondown.com/cooray_smith... New on psychic paper, for paid subscribers, but why not become one and get full access to the archive?

This morning, Sunday, Radio 4's religiously inclined cousin to the Today programme casually revealed the 1970s post boy charged with handling the rats in formaldehyde that the Boomtown Rats wanted to distribute across the US as a publicity stunt is now Pope Leo XIV. I'm sure I didn't dream this.

Watching the Redemption/Star One #blakes7 double bill at the BFI yesterday, I was (1) surprised how smoothly the Blake/Avon tension follows through and (2) struck by how by the series finale they’ve not only become more like each other but this is what destroys them.

I’m at the BFI tomorrow. Come and say hello if you’re coming too- I have snacks from Planet Lindor.

8 yo has discovered that Lego mini figures are swappable and is providing a delighted running commentary. “Does Princess Leia like having a scarf? Does she like having a nice cup of tea on a skateboard?”

Explain a film plot badly: Two women fighting over a pair of shoes.

Here’s to anyone who’s weaned a toddler without a bulletproof vest.

8 yo has discovered that Lego mini figures are swappable and is providing a delighted running commentary. “Does Princess Leia like having a scarf? Does she like having a nice cup of tea on a skateboard?”

Almost tempted by the NYT subscription offer to create ‘Who-dle’ puzzles, but aside from everything else there would be *ructions* at home (“that’s not the plural of VOORD!”).

@cooraysmith.bsky.social and I coming up with modern entertainers who would crush it in The Muppet Show: Paul Rudd Ron and Russell Mael Hugh Grant Matt Smith Meera Syal Diane Morgan Kylie Minogue Natasha Lyonne

Following on from October's Black Archive title, The Mysterious Planet by Jez Strickley, we can announce the books for the next six slots, covering the remainder of 2025 and most of 2026. Fans of the first and fifth Doctors are likely to be particularly pleased.

buttondown.com/cooray_smith... New on Psychic Paper: New Doctor Who, you say?

“Mr Stewart, you’re going to have to leave.” “I’m staying. Not Upper East Side, not Upper West Side but…

Plenty of people have drunk from finger bowls. I was wise to this, and so carefully dipped my fingers in one bowl and sipped from the other. I therefore drank the finger bowl *and* washed in the jasmine tea.

Neighbours lowering the tone while raising their game.

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. To look on my works, press 1. To despair, press 2. To speak to another Pharaoh, press the star key.

As Doctor Who’s budget is being discussed, there’s a persistent idea that it *should* be cheap like the original series, to allow for more creativity. It’s worth reading the accounts of the creatives. Christine Rawlins was the costume designer for the 1970 series, and describes “blood and sweat”.

2025 BFI Missing Believed Wiped is on Saturday 13 December. “The programme will feature other titles, to be confirmed closer to the event.” Genuinely have no idea whether this will be Doctor Who missing episodes, but 🤞🏽.

The Story and the Engine brings non-Western dramaturgy to a UK family audience. I hope it gets the critical engagement it deserves.

Sometimes, being wrong is the BEST.

Just because the breakfast buffet is inclusive doesn’t mean I have to go. …. Just because I go to the breakfast buffet doesn’t mean I have to eat everything. …. After two courses I’m now on my dessert plate. #onlymyselftoblame

Adverts should be representative of traditional British families.

On a bracing woodland walk. The fresh air’s making me a bit sleepy, so I’ll just have a nap by these wind chimes. What could possibly go wrong? 🐍 🍎 #KindaSurprise

If you see this, post a Frankenstein!

Proper belly laugh at this panel from Asterix and the Griffin by Ferri/Conrad, translated by Adriana Hunter, who all had mighty shoes to fill.

House clearance after your parents have gone is tough. But you can get lighter moments. For example, my parents ran a GP surgery from our house for 20 years. They never turned down *any* merch offered by a pharmaceutical company. Exhibit A: the “Pead Susp” smiley face mug with ears for handles:

I am contributing to Doctor Wno cancellation discourse, whether you like it or not. buttondown.com/cooray_smith...

If you're going to MCM apparently we're doing this on Saturday www.mcmcomiccon.com/london/en-us...

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po.

“Take him to the security kitchen!”

With the *everything*, here’s the letter accepting my mother for her first UK medical residency, aged 20. She wanted to develop her expertise before graduating from the University of Colombo Faculty of Medicine, one of the very few woman students there. 🧵about her and why she came here. (1/5)

If you’re looking up Blue Peter presenters from the late 70s you’re Groomscrolling.

A lovely write up of the good work of the Warminster Toad patrol, and (a bit) more optimistic than the headline implies.

The radio sitcom I wrote, a really long time ago now, is getting another airing on BBC Radio 4 Extra, so the pilot is up on Sounds now. It'll only be up for 30 days, cos that's what the contracts were like back then. I said it was a long time ago. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...

If it’s true that [redacted] is holding back a missing Callan I hope that Michele Dotrice gets her crew together to take them down in the style of Ocean’s Thirteen. Or Goodfellas.

Also from yesterday’s Observer: Bill Nighy’s priceless account of the agony of seeing himself on Softly, Softly: Task Force.

CHANCELLOR: Someone must go and help the Doctor. PRESIDENT: I agree, but no one can be spared, your Excellency. CHANCELLOR: Are you saying we can't help him? PRESIDENT: Yes, I am, but perhaps he can help himself. Show me the Doctor's timestream, the too broad and deep section.

Not a stupid decision in artistic terms, but if David Maloney hadn’t suggested the freeze frame ending to Part 3 of The Deadly Assassin we’d have had at least one more year of Philip Hinchcliffe. There’d be no reaction against horror content and no K9. And the series stops with Tom Baker.

Police have released a picture of the main suspects.

Si King’s delightful interview in today’s Observer. In a just world he and Monica Galetti would be the new presenters of Masterchef.

Who’s your favorite reoccurring (that is not part of the regular cast but kept showing up) sitcom character?