I have been reliably informed that we must all watch episode 2 after episode 1 tomorrow and not just leap into episode 3. Be a good fan.

People! The Master Plan episode are already up on iPlayer!

GROOVY rather than that FASCIST GROOVE THING. Amen! music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...

Target book update: Joe Lidster’s Aliens of London is a little treat, made sweeter by having Camille Codouri read it. Jenny “T” Colgan’s The Time of Angels races through 100 minutes of action-packed adventure brilliantly and Matt Jones plays with the format of what was on screen perfectly. Hooray!

I didn't think it would get this far, and sometimes I wonder why I bother, but y'know, it's nice to share enthusiasm and whatnot innit. And I should also applaud @londonconcrete.bsky.social for turning them into Apple Music playlists, which is just super marvy. YAROO FOR THE POP SCENE!

Lovely stuff. As *always*

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Hmph #DuoLingo

🚨🧂NEW VIDEO🧂🚨 How could a Dalek that was donated to charity in 1964, still be in Genesis of the Daleks? And now it’s in Peter Jackson’s living room. Find out the full story! 👇🏻 The Dalek Donation Disappearance Mystery - Full Analysis youtu.be/bdOj9bRYBUs

World Book Day #10yo

You mentioned…?

Some of you like dogs, in which case you may appreciate that guide dogs of Team GB for the Paralympics get official photos

This week I have mostly been introducing the 9YO (soon to be 10YO) to I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. The rude stuff goes right over her head, but you’ve never seen anyone love One Song To The Tune Of Another so much.

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Ian’s curated playlists of the latest and best in pop are essential listening. How I missed this I don’t know (I seem to be spending less and less time on social media?) but here’s the Apple Music version of Ian’s awesome Pop Scene 51. music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...

It's a vibe. It's an aura.

Me & My Girl.

Valentine's cards for people who don't do soppy. gailmyerscough.co.uk/valentines-cards

Love this.

Can’t do this. I’m only on page 14.

For paid subscribers, but you can always become one; on the timely incompetence of The Dominators. buttondown.com/cooray_smith...

Scificollector Eaglemoss figures 25% off! Many Eaglemoss Doctor Who figures available on the Scificollector eBay store with 25% off using the code SCIFI25JAN26 until 24th January ➡️ www.ebay.co.uk/inf/whomerch...

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Happy birthday to the lovely @unamccormack.bsky.social who, I think, I have met in person just twice, but it was a very good twice.

buttondown.com/cooray_smith... For paid subscribers, but why not join them and find out why I think The Space Museum is good, actually?

Timeline serendipity.

Not only a perfect denouement, it was the end of an era. Thirty years ago today, this strip was published.

And this was me too! Yaroo!

IMPORTANT NEWS

Is it really bad that my favourite Christmas present is an electric corkscrew?

Hello there. Bored of Christmas TV? Fancy a visual playlist of some of the WAFR big hitters of 2025? Feat. Kraftwerk, Liza, Specials, All Saints, Saint Etienne, Rainbow, Suede, M, Kylie, Banshees and all that? Well fortunately you're in luck as we unveil the WHAT A FUCKING RECORD POP PARTY

“You look good in grey.”

Free for all. A Christmas Wishlist. @ Psychic Paper. buttondown.com/cooray_smith...

New Book at Bedtime with 9YO is First Term at Mallory Towers (a collection of 12 books was given by a generous Santa). 9YO adores it, but told me off for mispronouncing Alicia. Yesterday we finished the third in the “Scrap” series. I did excellent voices for that one.

I watched Earthshock today (shut up, it’s a Christmas movie, etc) with the 9YO who was LIVID that Dr Who didn’t go back to save Adric.

Happy Gauda Prime Day to all those who celebrate (although us locals call it GP Day).

Blade Runner rendered as a pulp fiction paperback by Timothy Anderson timothyandersonart-illustration.blogspot.com

in the spirit of the Ronco BOGOFs of yore, please welcome POP SCENE 2025 as a 'buy one get one free' affair, with 100 tracks on one and remixes on the other. POP SCENE: BEST OF 2025 open.spotify.com/playlist/3sb... POP SCENE: 2025 RESWIZZLED open.spotify.com/playlist/6g1...

The War Between the Land and the Sea, Pertwee-style.

For Classic Pop’s 100th issue I helped compile the 100 Best Pop Albums, wrote some reviews and had a natter with the wife.

Vengeance on Varos

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buttondown.com/cooray_smith... We're on the lip of apocalypse at Psychic Paper, as we revisit Serial C. In the right order this time. For paid subscribers only, but why not become one and get access to the archive?

Watching Good Boy, coz husband and 9YO are out and I’m not allowed to watch spooky movies if they’re about. However. The smallest of our three dogs has left the room, the youngest keeps staring at the TV, and the oldest is keeping me very close company…