Mark Albrighton

I think the media were broadly more enthusiastic about Newcastle finishing fourth last season than they are at the prospect of Villa finishing fourth this season. 

I think there are various reasons for that, some more tangible than others. Their takeover was big news that people outside of the game could have an opinion on. Couldn’t say that about ours. With that ownership comes more of a belief that they’d upset the sky six long term. They’re also probably more enthusiastic about an English manager doing well than they are about the previously written off foreign guy people were laughing at because his third/fourth language wasn’t spoken as well they thought it could be.

And then I think there are less tangible things, my perception. I think the media are more enthusiastic about Newcastle doing well because they’re kinda easier to pigeonhole and “sell” than us. They’re proper northern, not middling midlands. They have a more Sky friendly derby I think. Everyone knows Kevin Keegan getting irate in the 90’s, we can show that clip for the thousandth time, mild mannered Brian Little isn’t going to generate the same recognition. Alan Shearer being a pundit is, inadvertently maybe, a bigger advocate for Newcastle’s relevancy than Dion Dublin is for us. 

I’d also argue that their failures/questionable moments over the years are more memorable. I think Shearer’s relegation has generated interest than our capitulation did. Pardew and Ashley are inherently more newsworthy than Lambert and Lerner.

Lots of little things.
 

These “roasts” that they have in the US for celebrities (prompted by the Tom Brady one referenced in the sha thread and me inadvertently finding out the most well known Kardashian had a rough time herself at it). 

At the risk of contradicting myself by putting in this thread, I suppose I do kinda get the appeal. But at least the bits I see that go viral leave me cold. 

I think it’s because it’s all pretty much all one note, at least it seems to me. And because the person who is being made fun of is there knowing it’s going to happen it feels a bit like they’re in on the joke and because everyone knows what subject matter is, the element of surprise is a reduced. I guess it feels kinda contrived.

3 minutes ago, jayEm said:

It doesn’t have to be loads — they could beat Burnley and Sheffield 3-0 each, draw with City, and watch us lose 3-0 to Liverpool and 1-0 against Palace.

2 minutes ago, Stevo985 said:

You’re saying that like it’s remotely likely

Individually those results are quite feasible.

Accumulated, much less so.

Just now, Stevo985 said:

It’ll be done before the final day, imo. Everyone needs to relax

I agree, I think it will be over following the Spurs - City game. 

People should relax a little more. They won’t.

I’d love to know what this place would be like if both Villa and Spurs had won today. How fraught people would have been seeing Spurs drag us back to just a 7 point lead.

1 minute ago, Stevo985 said:

And need a 9 goal swing. It isn’t going to happen

I think it’s because they have Sheffield United and Burnley, they could both be big victories. Draw with City.

We could lose badly against Liverpool and lose 1-0 to Palace.

It’s unlikely but I understand the worry.

We’ll finish fourth.

13 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Was anyone still worried about goal difference ?

I’m not worried about it. As I think we’re finishing 4th.

However, I can see why someone might have a concern.

At the time of writing we have a better goal difference of 10. Assume we lose both our games, that would be down to 8 (could be lower).

Spurs win two and draw one. They hammer Sheffield United 5-0 and Burnley 4-0. Both of those aren’t that unrealistic in my opinion.

Again, I think we’re going to finish 4th.

4 minutes ago, Tayls said:

I was right! Hahaaaaaaaa 

You might prove to be right. The only thing that is certain is that Spurs HAVE to win again this season.

It’s still quite possible we don’t need another point and will still finish 4th. I think we probably need to a couple more.

2 minutes ago, Delphinho123 said:

The set of results that had to happen to relegate them even if they won is absolutely bizarre.

Youd have got very good odds on Wednesday, Plymouth, Blues and Blackburn all to win. 

1 minute ago, MWARLEY2 said:

Would have earned a fortune surely . 

Throw in Rotherham winning (5-2) and it would be crazy.

6 hours ago, Mark Albrighton said:

I heard this musing before and it’s prompted by the mention of Bread in the worst sitcom thread. But I’ll be nice and post it here.

If you were to name female sitcom writers, I’m guessing you would think Jennifer Saunders, Sharon Horgan, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Victoria Wood, Caroline Aherne…all of these are also actors where they largely have written something as a vehicle to star in themselves.

Carla Lane is (was) kind of an exception to that. “Just” a writer. There are plenty of famous male equivalents who just write and there plenty who write and perform. But Carla Lane is nearly the only example I can think of who is a successful sitcom writer whose female and doesn’t also perform in her work (Susan Nickson who wrote “Two Pints of Lager…” is another one. But they are weirdly few and far between).

I don’t know if that’s just something about the industry or whatever. But I find it kinda curious.

4 hours ago, TheAuthority said:

Didn't Spike Milligan do an absolutely terrible show in the late 70's wearing black face as a Pakistani? Curry and Chips I think it was called.

He did. There was also a show he did called “The Melting Pot”. You can already imagine what that one’s like.

One pilot episode was aired. They filmed the series but it wasn’t ever shown.

“Worst” whatever show I always find difficult to answer because if I don’t like them I don’t watch them to see how truly bad they are. I know Mrs Brown’s Boys is terrible, but that’s based on a few caught minutes here and there so I don’t feel in the position to be overly critical.

2 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

In better news I actually think we've got enough points already to finish 4th now. This Spurs is certainly losing away to Liverpool and home to Man. City.

Just very annoying it's come on the most anti-climatic night of the season.

Yep ideally I’d rather we not test the hypothesis but I wouldn’t be surprised if we have already accrued enough points to finish 4th following that Spurs result tonight.

I switched to a card holder about 5 years ago. I bought one in time for a wedding so as to be appear a bit smarter (best man so a little bit more on display than usual). I then of course was given a card holder as a gift by the groom. Fortunately the gift was better than the one I bought myself. 

Still not a big fan of loose change in my pockets, but it’s not a regular occurrence.

59 minutes ago, chrisp65 said:

Lots of strong lists in this thread.

Not the winner, but just in case its not already mentioned: My Name Is Earl.

Great concept, first couple of seasons were really enjoyable. But then I recall it going kinda rogue and basically ignoring the driving force of the show (i.e. Earl and his list) and losing its way.

I remember him and Randy having to go to college for one of the tasks and Randy finding himself in a class teaching the theory of evolution.

Randy - “Did you know we were monkeys before we were people?”

Earl - “No. What were we before monkeys?”

Randy - “I don’t know. I don’t even remember being a monkey…”

I have the same concern, however I do think Norwich will turn up. Whether they get a result, that’s another matter. 

But I don’t think they’ll throw the game as such.
 

1 hour ago, VILLAMARV said:

bottom of page 4 before it got a mention. when we did a best UK comedies of all time a few years back, this got the most votes IIRC.

I have this sneaking suspicion that it won’t age well. And I’m not exactly talking about the content of the jokes (although that may well prove to be the case). I kinda mean just generally.

I do like it - although I haven’t watched it in years. I actually think one of the best things it did was how it captured suburbia. I feel like I actually know where they live.

In the 90’s my perception was the cup winners cup was considered a bigger deal than the UEFA cup.

How much of that was due to Nayim…from the halfway line, I don’t know. 

1 hour ago, TheMelvillan said:

I remember The Smoking Room. Actually had the box set and have never met another soul who watched it or remembers it!

 

And hats off to whoever mentioned Flight of the Conchords - one of my most rewatched shows id say. genius stuff

That would also be me - top of this page. 

<nonchalantly puts on the funky funky eye patch to further enhance my cool only to lose my depth perception>
 

Yes, The Smoking Room is a bit of a lost little gem - if I recall correctly, haven’t watched it in years. I’m a big fan of shows/films that are set in one location, I like Peep Show so Robert Webb being in it was a factor and I also enjoy Paula Wilcox’s presence in things so it ticked a few boxes. 

Whether or not it was ever going to continue, I don’t know but of course the smoking ban coming in didn’t exactly help matters.
 

Liverpool fading in the way they have has kinda thrown my thinking a little off. It was simpler when I was just writing off both their games against us and spurs as wins for them. Now I’m a bit more “well, we could get a draw, Spurs might do them again…”. 

Five more points needed to avoid any last day nervy shenanigans I reckon.

I will feel substantially more confident in that estimate if Spurs lose tomorrow. 

The injuries are a real problem though.