ChrisJK

No. New Beginning was 1986. They released nothing in 1987 and then had one last go in 1988.

Dollar getting a Top 10 hit in 1988 was as much a surprise as when Bucks Fizz got one in 1986. I was there for it though as I loved a bit of Dollar. Even though David Van Day is actually a total tool.

Yeah, Livi really showed herself up as a bit spoilt there. Like, she can go around throwing names out but as soon as her name comes up as part of a group (not even just her specifically) she starts mouthing off. She can go. Joe can go. Dan's eye-rolling is the best 🙄

Thanks. You're right, I didn't mention potential chart success, because it's pretty clear it won't have much (if any). I just don't particularly like the song and don't think it will sounds great on, say, Radio 2 as a Kylie single. So I'd prefer they just skipped it in the UK.

Kas' exit was incredible. I cackled at how he did it. Genius. Shame he went but I don't know how someone could deal with being cut off by everyone. Tough to watch. Thought it was good Freddie said, "Think what you like, I'm not going to beg". Just a shame he couldn't hold it together with the votes against him. Joe needs to go. Just not a nice person.

I did not know that I Think We're Alone Now was a cover. It's such an iconic hit, but always reminds me on Robin Sparkles in How I Met Your Mother.

I didn't really listen to Tension II very much, so gave Someone To Me a listen earlier and thought it was a bit meh to be honest. Overly produced vocals and not much else. I kinda hope they pass it by in the UK as it would be her worst single for quite a long time!!

I'll take another look then as all I found was Regions that wouldn't work on a UK DVD player or being able to rent it through Amazon Prime. I would like to own it as I always enjoyed the movie.

Echoing the love for Heaven is a Place... I prefer Love Changes Everything for Climie Fisher. Have to say that the singer holding that shirt in the performance starts to appear awkward very quickly. I'm sure it was a unique styling thing, but he doesn't seem to know what to do with it after a while.

I really quite like it as well. Doesn't even try to break new ground or anything; it just is what it is and was right for the movie - which I really want to watch again but apparently has never been released on DVD in the UK. Shame it gets so little love from most of her fanbase.

LET'S GO....!!!!

Ravi and Denise all the way. Jack just seems to be nice to her until she is back in his bed and then they just fall into the boring married couple again. At least with Ravi she would get some fun and it would be good for her to be able to enjoy that relationship in full view. Don't lumber Priya into a relationship just yet. She needs to be the single girl about the square not giving a damn for a while. As for Nugget... He's gone from "But he is my Grandad" to "But he WAS my Grandad". They all fell for Nish's power. Even when the guy turned up to ruin the wedding, Vinny was apparently overcome by one small utterance of praise.

I enjoyed the Fond Farewell documentary more than I enjoyed the Finale. I actually laughed watching them filming certain scenes which I didn't laugh at during the Finale. It was amazing to see how invested they all were and how they genuinely seemed to be one big happy family (though I don't remember seeing Dawn on the sofas when they were all together - but she probably had prior commitments). People will always try to find the negative with James Cordon, and I don't doubt that he's believed his own hype along the way and acted like a tool at times, but everything surrounding Gavin and Stacey and his friendship with Ruth Jones seems genuine and quite lovely. I didn't see anything where I would think otherwise during the documentary. And that last scene after the credits...Well we've waited years for a glimpse...

I would imagine she felt very defeated by this point in her career, especially if she really did think about jacking it all in at the time. Defiantly continuing with the "indie" path would have only resulted in further diminishing returns, so there was only one way back... I'm sure I watched an interview with her where she said when she sat down with Parlophone they decided they needed to give the public what they wanted and expected from her - which was pop - and that's what they did. I think she needed to go there to come back with the indie stuff. Continuing in the 90s with pop would again have likely led to her fading away. Maybe an R&B sound might have worked (think Madonna Bedtime Stories) but even then it would have been just trend-chasing for a hit. I recently listened to Impossible Princess and for being the first Kylie album that I didn't buy, I missed out. It's a good album (better that its predecessor) but it's a good album in hindsight rather than a good album at the time.

From a list of not very good songs... Yellow by Wes Nelson.

The New Year episodes have been brilliant. Echoing every last word others have said about Priya. She must get a meaty storyline in 2025. Not sure I have ever been so glad to see a character killed off as much as Nish. The storyline became almost unbearable to watch, but it's saving grace was this ending. Here for Ravi and Denise getting together and it being public as she is single now. Ruby can jog on. I think there is potential for Martin if he got back with Stacey, but you can only see a boring existence with Ruby which would lead to just her getting pregnant again or them breaking up.

I wonder if this was stalled a little by having the same title as the Laufey song, which has been a big Top 20 hit? Just a thought.

Okay... So with full knowledge of what I was getting, I re-watched it last night and it was so much better. I didn't laugh, but I teared up a bit when Smithy realised where his heart truly lay. It was satisfying to spend time with "old friends". I have watched the first three series and Christmas specials countless times so just watching the characters I was so invested in was enjoyable. I still maintain the general storyline was unoriginal and not particularly funny, but I think this was a matter of something never going to be able to reach what I had built it up for, but when the dust settled it did it's job and the public would never be happy with any other ending.

I think I may need to watch it again without the hyped-up excitement in my head, because genuinely I was disappointed on Christmas Day and hardly laughed I know the outcome was inevitable and had to happen, but the storyline leading up to it was very unoriginal and predictable. I did question how Nessa said Smithy and Sonia got engaged the day after she had asked him to marry her, and yet it took 5 years to get to the wedding day. Sonia did not come across as someone who would wait that long for the big day.

I wouldn't actively ask Alexa to play Christmas music after Christmas Day, and when a repeat of The Masked Singer was on earlier and they were playing a Christmas song, it grated a little bit. I like the decorations to stay up untill NYD, but apart from a couple of meet ups with mates, I'd say Christmas is done now for another year.

Rain on Me for the win!

If it's only on 8 weeks then it would still be on SCR at the moment anyway. But if it's due to go to ACR the week after next, I suspect and hope they reset it for a little bit of longevity.

Basement Jaxx.

Still just Top 100 in Christmas Charts Midweek at #95. Would be #39 without Christmas songs (#40 if you count Beardman, which I didn't as it was only released because it's Christmas "Silly Season")

To begin with I was kind of hoping she wouldn't release any more new music as I thought she managed to win a lot of respect back after the Celebration Tour. But now it's coming and it's unlikely to sound like Madame X then I am up for it. Are we ready for a Madonna album to spend 1 week Top 40?