2026 vibes.

NEW YORK (AP) — Democrat Zohran Mamdani sworn in as mayor of New York City.

"By the time I finished typing that lecture... I remember sitting there and thinking, 'Well I have a choice' either don't give this lecture and hold on to my OBE or I give this lecture and give the OBE back. "I wanted to do the lecture so I gave my OBE back."

As a year closer/year opener intro, this is where you'll find my long-form articles on music (mostly on The Beatles), legacy musician interviews, book reviews and the deep dive history of that 'serious' actor from Wales, Michael Sheen.

Thomas Paine: "I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his own opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it."

December 27, 1967 Paul McCartney is interviewed by the UK press, following the broadcast of "Magical Mystery Tour" the previous day. "Maybe we've goofed" said Paul. Full Story 👉 https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/interview/interview-for-the-evening-standard-2/

When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, creative works from 1930 & sound recordings from 1925 will enter the public domain in the US, like: 💄 Dizzy Dishes, first Betty Boop cartoon 🕵️♀️ First 4 Nancy Drew novels 🚂 The Little Engine That Could 🎩 Morocco 🍑 Georgia on My Mind and many more! 🧵👇

All it takes on this Spirited day is two little words.

The beauty of @bandcamp.com playback availability, watching Johnny and June Carter Cash... I mean, @robynhitchcock.bsky.social and @emmaswiftsings.bsky.social harmonizing on a December evening at Tubby's House. Happy holidays, groovers.

on the subject of holiday fan club singles! i've been trying to write about the Beatles xmas singles for years. finally: www.salon.com/2025/12/23/m...

Winter Solstice in Iceland, courtesy of @kyanasue / IG 🌅

Elusive street artist Banksy appeared to confirm Monday that a new mural in London, depicting two children lying down and pointing up at the sky, is his latest work. https://to.pbs.org/496w5im

Hey, all I'm saying is that the Funko Pop! version of Premium Deku resembles Michael Sheen. Happy holidays and you're welcome.

How bad has 2025 been? We broke time.

A little late to the game(r), yet highly intrigued by what I've gathered from reviews and recommendations. Looks like the holiday reading will be Gabrielle Zevin level good.

Reposting for #Beatles reach. I support this message!

Started/going @merriam-webster.com 📖

A first look at Our Town in rehearsals - a community taking shape. Cipolwg cyntaf ar Our Town mewn ymarferiadau - cymuned yn cael ei chreu. 📸 @helenmurraypix

The first Welsh actor to win an Oscar is to be commemorated with a blue plaque in his south Wales hometown to mark 80 years since he received the award wp.me/p8Mk4U-1b1j

Day by day and night by night we were together,—All else has long been forgotten by me. - Walt Whitman #GoodOmens

There have been at least 159 shootings at schools in the US in 2025—resulting in 53 deaths and 148 injuries nationally. America’s epidemic of school shootings is a policy choice made by lawmakers who would rather cower to the gun lobby than support gun safety measures that are proven to save lives.

JFC. This day is getting better and better. Our dear Luke Spencer has left us.

Jay: Tiramisu. Sam: What is "tiramisu"? Jay: You'll find out. Sam: Well, what is it? Jay: You'll see. Sam: Some woman is gonna want me to do it to her and I'm not gonna know what it is! Jay: You'll love it. Sleepless in Seattle, 1993. You knew what is was even then, Rob Reiner 😘

His enthusiasm was infectious. I loved every second of this Rob Reiner chat with Seth Myers. ❤️

Almost every track on Some Fantastic Place has been crafted with the kind of hooks, emotion, and musicianship that has been Squeeze’s signature stamp since their beginnings as a working-class pub band in 1974. My 1993 interview with Glenn Tilbrook is now on Substack.

13 years ago, 20 children and 6 educators never came home from Sandy Hook Elementary School. They were killed in their classrooms in a shooting that changed our nation forever.

So... @mchshe.bsky.social related a story to Dermot O'Leary on BBC Radio 2 about Kenneth Williams being Richard Burton's understudy in The Seagull. Turns out... this might have a dram of truth! 🧵

Michael Sheen with Dermot O'Leary this morning on BBC Radio 2 to talk about “Our Town”. Instagram post: www.instagram.com/p/DSMzRmwjHy8/

How do you measure the impact Monty Python’s Flying Circus has had on pop culture? Name your favorite sketch @ericidle.bsky.social And by favorite, I mean, all of them. Nudge nudge 😉 BTW, you can watch this 2009 six-part series free on Tubi.

📻🗣️This Saturday, WNT Artistic Director Michael Sheen joins Dermot O’Leary on his Radio 2 show, chatting about the play Our Town. Tune in this Saturday.

📣 Open Access ahead-of-print content from The Journal of Beatles Studies: new reviews and a poetic look at Beatles history. 👉 bit.ly/JBS-Ahead-of-Print @paullongmedia.bsky.social @smallmegapixel.bsky.social @ppbkwriter.com @bigbeatlessortout.bsky.social @iaspm-us.bsky.social @thenacbs.bsky.social

Not only does @klikandtuna.bsky.social write (and illustrate!) some pretty amazing multiple #GoodOmens AU over on AO3... the work on a Strange Planet crossover is *chef's kiss* More please!

Still watching the wheels, John, even though we had to let you go. Photo: © Bob Gruen

Because… reasons 🫡

More than anyone announced for Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics, I'm looking at David Morrissey as Paul McCartney's dad Jim as THE choice for the role. Woo-hoo!

Steve Cropper, a founding member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s whose distinctive funky guitar licks graced R&B and soul hits from the iconic Stax Records label and on tracks performed by The Blues Brothers, has died. He was 84.

For World AIDS Day, which is Dec. 1 and which is being ignored by the Trump administration because they dislike the World Health Organization, other countries, science, and queer people, I'm reposting a piece I wrote earlier this year. (They also hate history.) www.vulture.com/article/hiv-...

Look at this ineffable #GoodOmens couple! Much love and thanks to @smudgeandfrank.bsky.social for these two beauties. You did an amazing job and I'm very happy to have them safe and sound in their new home. 💖 Can I hear a wahoo?

"I like crowds." Ah, the pre-Internet days of Black Friday cannot be replicated.

"Oh! The humanity!" The absolute classic #Thanksgiving TV moment that came from the Buckeye News Hawk Award-winning radio reporter Les Nesman. Stay 'til the end. You're welcome. 🦃

From instagram.com/dylanthomasprize ::: "Here's a lovely image of the Dylan Thomas Prize's Director Elaine Canning catching up with the Prize's patron, award-winning actor and champion of the arts, Michael Sheen, at a special event in Swansea last night."

For every popcorn kernel, jellybean, pretzel twist and slice of buttered toast you've given us over the decades, a very happy heavenly birthday to @schulzmuseum.bsky.social 🎂

What would a Beatles cover collection be if not for the eclectic affectations over a wide-ranging landscape of smooth pop, prog rock and instrumentals that defy definition yet can equally do justice to a group that is intrinsically welded into our musical DNA?

For the holidays and beyond. Your ever lovin' Mrs. Holly-whiskers of Puddle-duck Pond 🐰

Just a reminder that holiday food season is also hoodie season, so go nuts.

I mentioned about a year ago what fantastic work ravizupa.com create firsthand, whether its prints, cards or tees. Just received my amazing T-shirt and will be definitely wearing it from now until next November when I make my trip to Wales.

I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired. If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.

Farewell to the great Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican singer who played a pivotal part in introducing reggae to the rest of the world. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...

In February, more than 1000 musicians came together for 'Is This What We Want?', protesting the UK govt's proposed changes to copyright law. Now releasing on vinyl Dec. 8 with a bonus track - a recording of an empty studio - from Paul McCartney. All profits donated to the charity Help Musicians.