Brett-Butler

1) Heck no. That grifter's got no chance. 2) I see Sarah Palin as sort of a "proto-Trump", so I think she might have done quite well, albeit not well enough to win the candidacy (she was making mint from her media career, which is why she didn't run at the time). I don't see this as the end of Trumpism for Republicans, I imagine their candidate will be Trump-y without his short attention span and thin-skinnedness, and a woman in the Trump mould would be even more popular among the base than Trump could ever be.

I disagree. When I lived in Nebraska in 2010-11, the thing that surprised me was just how popular Sarah Palin was at the time among Republican-leaning people, female and male. There hasn't been a female Republican that put herself forward for the primary that was of the standard that could have won the party's nominations to date (Michelle Bachmann & Carly Fiorna ran objectively terrible campaigns), but in 2024 I can see Nikki Haley winning it, and there's quite a few Republican women who have entered the House of Representatives for the first time in this election cycle that are worth keeping an eye on. I've argued before that I think it is easier for conservative female leaders to win elections than it is for female left-leaning leaders, which is why at this point I think the Republicans will win in 2024 with a woman, and also might explain why the Tories in the UK have had 2 female leaders & Prime Ministers whilst the Labour Party have failed to have just one (and the Lib Dems' first one only lasted until she lost her seat).

Also, second Catholic President of the USA, so yay for that.

Well, another BJ prediction from me that was incorrect. Not that anyone will be particularly disappointed by that.

The first POC to be Vice President was Charles Curtis back in 1929. He was of Native American heritage, a member of the Kaw Nation. But still, first in nearly 100 years.

This is the first time I've heard "Mood" in spite of it reaching #1. Not sold on it on first listen.

I'd agree with that. Other BTS songs won't because they're not in English (even now it's still a barrier in the UK, Gagnam Style aside), but this one probably will.

My mum likes this Joel Corry song, which shows that it has some crossover appeal.

I'm guessing the reason why the BTS song still gets played on the chart show after all this time is that all the BTS stans would overload the Radio 1 emails & Twitter with complaints that their song isn't being played. Not that I'm complaining, it's a fun wee song, better than a lot of songs in the chart.

I think I speak on behalf of Buzzjack when I say that Buzzjack absolutely loves this song and the artist behind it, who is definitely not problematic in any way whatsoever.

I thought that Tion's name was pronounced in that it rhymed with John (ie John Wayne), but evidently not.

Ooh, a classical piece in the charts. The first time since Ludovico a few years back I think?

The weird thing about the Meduza song is that the main selling point of Dermot Kennedy is his strong soulful Irish accent, but the track smooths out his vocals.

Just found out my girlfriend's grandad was rushed to hospital with COVID last night. He was diagnosed with cancer last month so the outlook isn't looking good (the treatment has left his immune system compromised). I didn't have any close family or friends that caught it in the first wave, but sadly it seems that many people I know personally have caught it this time around.

Eels did despatch yesterday, but it doesn't seem to have helped his chart position. After 2 top 10 albums it's a shame it looks like this one will end up outside the top 20.

Eels is a lot lower than I'd expected, his last few albums went top 10 easily. Although my copy hasn't shipped yet, so it might climb once these are despatched?

Ooh, my favourite political-related klaxon. It's not a surprise, it was pretty well known that once Brexit happened that Farage would change the Brexit Party into the Reform Party, but I didn't think that coronavirus would feature in his offering. Then again, there is a sizeable minority that is becoming restless under lockdown, and he's got form at taking a minority political position and getting support behind it. Although the demographic that are most opposed to lockdown are 18-24 year olds (by quite a large margin), a group that are also more likely to be repulsed by Farage, so if there is an anti-lockdown party, it won't be one fronted by Farage.

A National Lockdown is apparently on the cards for England from Wednesday. *Brenda from Bristol voice*

This song's rather Jesus-y.

Unexpected B-B musical opinion incoming - "Dynamite" is a FABULOUS pop song.

Justin Bieber back to making rubbish songs I see. 2015 was very much an aberration.

Buzzjack, famously known for being massive fans of James Arthur from the very start, must be delighted as legion to see him getting another top 40 hit.

Sliced bread says hi.

Well, at least it helps to remind me how great the Corrine Bailey Rae version is.

Whilst I imagine that they could lose a tiny amount from die-hard Corbynites, I think they'd more than make that back from Tories voters that cross over, as well as from the "no one/no opinions" that would now answer Labour when asked. It'll be interesting to see if any of the smaller "left" parties do slightly gain in future polls; a few seemed to suggest they may go over to the Green Party, although I imagine that might cause a few problems on their side.