So I forgot to do a running commentary on this. Finished this evening - devoured it. Just such a satisfying 13 episodes of television. Not sure it's on any of the streamers, but the DVD is 11.99 or it's on YouTube if you're cheap. The best of that crop of short-lived 00s shows by a mile, IMO.

ZOMG!

@samholloway.bsky.social I feel sure the Big Show will want to mark this!

This is a sensible time to watch Team America for the first time in 20 years, right?

@samholloway.bsky.social I definitely remember hearing Jakki Brambles playing this Jesus Jones track when I used to listen to her on Radio 1... In 1991, maybe? Or possibly it was the year before but hung around on the radio for a while...?

Everyone else's Instagram feed full of cats in North America demanding to be let outside then meowing in protest at the cold and walking away once the door's opened? Just mine?

Seem to have started a new DIY project. The stairs in my flat have always had this wooden panel where you'd expect to see spindles. In fact it's some sort of modern-ish fibre board - I know because I stripped all the paint off when I repainted it all. There's another one on the inside face.

This year's January re-watch: Wonderfalls. Already seen it through many times (5-6 years last?), so doubt there's much I'll have forgotten, but... three minutes in and a) gosh they look young, and b) yep, those big fast-forward camera moves date it to the mid-noughties. Still look cool, mind.

Very well observed, this. If I try a new podcast and just hear minutes of blah at the start without getting to the thing I'm interested in, I invariably conclude it's a bad podcast, switch it off, and never come back. Radio programmes know they have to fit in a schedule so tend not to do this...

Here it is, then - part two of my rough digest of what I've been listening to over the past quarter-century. Last show from me for a while, but more in 2026... at some point. www.mixcloud.com/bedfordradio...

Experiencing slight dissonance this morning from all the accounts giving good wishes for 2026 to be better than 2025, and nobody mentioning the inevitable massive global recession and decade of terrible consequences. Oh well.

Here it is, if you missed it last night: part 1 of a show 25 years in the making. Going through the first quarter of the century, one album per year. Part 2 is on New Year's Eve, but will be available on catch-up if you're busy that night for some reason. www.mixcloud.com/bedfordradio...

Two hour special! Lots of good stuff coming up...

Just occasionally I manage to get my various interests to align, so here's a happy combination of radio, history, transport and Bedford.

This is great - probably all the more effective if you don't know the twist beforehand, so DON'T look it up!

I guessed Michael Gove, very very wrongly. Have a click and see...

I watched this on ITVX the other day out of curiosity. It lost out very deservedly.

This has turned into an enduring tradition / ritual. Depends what your Christmas Eve vibe is, but I suspect it's a record that will hit the spot for a lot of people.

Someone's about to get a visit from the ghost of their former business partner for starters...

Here it is, the final FM Nights of the year (and for a while). Not a Christmas show, but there's a few nods... www.mixcloud.com/bedfordradio...

Long shadows on the pitch, even before kick-off...

RIP Lorraine Cheshire. ❤🕊 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝘿𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨 is an all-time favourite of mine. Her performance as Joan was a masterclass. Truly brilliant. 🤌🏾

Oh dear. Sad news that we've lost Lorraine Cheshire, who I recognised most strongly as Joan from Early Doors. "Where's Dopey?"

Your annual reminder that Phil Collins didn't have to go that hard on Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and yet he did, he did that for us

@samholloway.bsky.social ooh, hard. Mid-decade. Very mid. Hmm...

Here's this year's Christmas special radio show - the carol-themed edition of the Alphabetical Wassail book I mentioned yesterday. www.mixcloud.com/bedfordradio...

I made an animated show card last year and nobody commented on how cool it looked. Just saying.

Rentaghost klaxon!

Brief Encounter. What is this contraption Laura's pouring coffee from? Looks like something from a school chemistry lab. Was that how they used to do posh coffee back in the day?

Very much this.

Last big landmark event in my year, bar Christmas, is always Missing Believed Wiped. Just got to the South Bank for one of my favourite days of the year!

Bedford people, get along and see this - it's a cracking show, as always. Just got back from this evening's performance, thoroughly enjoyed it. And catch a performance of A Christmas Carol too if you missed it last year!

My car found a friend! (Mine is the slightly cleaner one.)

I saw a lot of people posting their favorite cover songs and thought I’d add mine to the mix

@samholloway.bsky.social tough tonight! It's late decade / turn of decade. Will need song 4 to come to my rescue to get any more precise...

Time for a Christmas special radio show? No! That's next week. Yesterday's FM Nights is here though. www.mixcloud.com/bedfordradio...

Theory: Lando's engine blow-up was the worst thing that could have happened to Oscar. Suddenly a big lead and favourite status, and he had a wobble that lasted a quarter of the season.

Very pleased for Lando. He's been racing in #F1 to a very high standard for years now, and well deserves a title. What a season though. Whoever won it would have deserved it richly. Enjoying Lando's celebrations - just delightful.

Been looking forward to this grand prix for ages. First genuinely competitive title fight since 2021. And the only race of the year it's acceptable to watch while eating a mince pie.

@samholloway.bsky.social I'm off out to the Bedford Radio Christmas social in a few minutes, so will be on catch-up for the Decade Dip. Is it the 0s? Must listen to that Snocaps record at some point...

Last night's JKVS was the last regular one of the year, and for a while. Special edition(s) at the end of the month though. www.mixcloud.com/bedfordradio...

I get a bit introspective in this one. Or possibly just drone on a bit, YMMV. On air from 9.

That's got to be the angriest Oscar Piastri has sounded in his entire #F1 career. Understandably so. Had the pace to claw himself back into the title race, but had his chances ruined.

Operational sharpness has been the big question mark for McLaren this year, not the engineering of the car or speed of the drivers. It's proving a big enough weakness that it could cost them the drivers' title. Wow. #F1

I've seen Wenzels' mince pies so strongly recommended I'm thinking I need to pick some up next time I'm in London... But maybe the crunchy top isn't all that?

who else is playing sharedculturegeddon this december? it’s where, if you encounter an artistic work that’s so beloved that it is part of the fabric of your nation’s culture, you’ve lost, like a big fucking loser

@samholloway.bsky.social Only tuned in for song 3 so am short on thinking time... Mid-decade for sure. 4s or 5s... Torn!

Jack Shepherd gone - that's sad news. Was thinking the other week I'm well due a re-watch of Bill Brand.

No FM Nights this evening because grrr bloody computers.

Did you say Opposites Attract by Paula Abdul, covered by Art Brut *and* Bis? OK, thought you did. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDjK...