Jeff Stein

My best shows for 2021 were: The Serpent - incredibly atmospheric and every performance perfect in a true life story of a serial killer on the 70s hippy trail. Absolutely spot on portrayal of Thailand (according to my wife who is of that parish {except for one scene where a Thai lady kissed her boyfriend in public - despite what might be thought in the West still taboo there now}). Mare of Easttown - Performance of the year from Kate Winslet as a rust belt detective carrying an awful lot of personal baggage. Wellington Paranormal - very silly Kiwi comedy from the same stable as "What We Do in Shadows" following a couple of dim witted dead pan police officers investigating mysterious sightings. Satan employed as a Santa in a mall anyone? Clarkson's Farm - funny and informative; there wasn't an episode when I didn't learn something new. The kafkaesque complexity of running a modern day British farm is incredible/absurd. Mention in dispatches - Dalgleish and Vienna Blood - good quality well set period detective shows; Empire State of Mind - documentaries on the impact of empire on modern Britain, and last night - Attenborough and the Mammoth Pit - learnt plenty of prehistory I never knew.

I have it with Sky. I don't pay a separate subscription

Eurosport 2

In case anyone is sick of three figure averages, I see the BDO has resurrected itself and their world championship begins tomorrow. Have to say I recognise more of the names in the ladies' competition than the men's.

Huey "Piano" Smith. No word on the Clowns though

Hammond B3 maestro Dr Lonnie Smith

Pee Wee Ellis

Or Sheena Easton?

If you are interested in the music side of that year, David Hepworth's "1971" is well worth a read

The bloke is a complete boof head. Never understood why they signed him. He has produced nothing on the pitch to make the aggravation off it tolerable.

Had no idea he was still alive. Doesn't seem that long since Pops died but must have been if Pervis was 85. His nightclub had a very unfortunate name

I mentioned him in the people who are alive but you thought was dead thread. He would be great just for "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", but he lived an extraordinary life