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The Best (and the Rest) of 2007

Posted by Jamie on December 31, 2007 1:49 PM | 

If Mickey Mouse's arms are in the right place, my watch tells me there is just eight hours and 11 minutes left of 2007.

That means, unless a major cultural bombshell strikes between now and midnight, I'm fairly safe in acknowledging what ticked my boxes - and what didn't - in the past 12 months.

Are you ready? It's this way...



The Spare Times 'Am-Dram, Thank You Ma'am' Show of the Year

Markham.jpg

It's naughty to pick favourites between the different amateur groups which appear in the leisure section, but I have to give an honourable mention to SDC's production of Move Over Mrs Markham, directed by Robin Hirsch. Brilliantly timed and performed, this wouldn't have looked out of place in Drury Lane. It's rare that I laugh out loud during a show, but I was giggling away throughout this - more of the same next season, please.


The Spare Times Reason to Get Very Excited Indeed Award

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Has to be the 'just-cooling-on-the-windowsill' Echo Arena in Liverpool's King's Dock.

At long, long last, a venue in a city which - arguably - is second only to Detroit for its contribution to international pop music, where major international acts can perform for a capacity crowd of more than 2,000.

It's been a long time coming, and I can't wait for my first peek inside.


The Spare Times Interview With an All-Famous Type of the Year

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Speaking to Mickey Rooney was an experience (ooh, get the name dropper...), but by far the nicest person to cross our path this year has been Marc Almond.

Have to confess, I imagined this would be five minutes on the phone with someone rather arty and stand-offish, but have never been so chuffed to be proved wrong.

An enthusing, bubbly and warm fella - Marc was thrilled to bits to be playing his first ever hometown gig at the Summer Classics in Victoria Park. It was only a fun-sized set of three songs, but Southport certainly gave him a homecoming boy's welcome.


The Spare Times Song of the Year

mika.jpg

I'm not allowed Cher's Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves as it was hardly written this year. I downloaded it from iTunes the other month and have revelled in the coming together of a camp carnival tune and earnest message about the treatment of travellers ever since. Therefore, I'll have to be a bit predictable and go for the almost-as-kitsch Grace Kelly by Mika.

A soo-poib pop pastiche, this is the type of stuff we should be sending to Belgrade in May to represent the UK at Eurovision - no more Scooch novelty-type rubbish, please.


The Spare Time Appointment TV of the Year

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Cranford.

I know, two months ago, I wouldn't have believed it myself, as I'm no lover of costume drama.

But this was brilliant, soapy fun. Imagine if you will, The Royle Family with bonnets and long skirts - as it really wasn't about anything at all.

I still don't know why you pour buttermilk on fancy lace, but the method Julia McKenzie and Imelda Staunton employed to retrieve it from the cat who swallowed said milk and frills was one of the funniest TV moments of 2007.


The Spare Times 'Ooh... Aah...' Read of the Year

hallows.jpg

Have to be honest, the only book published this year which I have actually read is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

But I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm still not going to give the ending away - just in case. Having watched last night's ITV1 documentary on JK Rowling, I hope she cheers up a bit soon - she's brought so much happiness to so many readers, it's a pity this air of sadness seems to linger about her.


The Spare Times 'Get that Woman to the Pub' Award

lorraine.jpg

Still Lorraine Kelly, for about the sixth year running. Bet she knows some really rude jokes. And drinks gin. Although Blanche from Corrie would be welcome to join us.

I'm just sorry there are no statuettes to accompany the accolades. But please feel special if you were mentioned, and buy yourself a Babycham on my behalf during tonight's festivities.

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