Mark Griffiths

My play Philip Larkin: Masterspy hits the road this autumn with performances in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Oldham and, most excitingly of all, the University of Hull.

It took a will of iron even for a male producer at the BBC in the sixties to radically modernise an established show and make exposing its workings part of the appeal, let alone insist that none of it was ever wiped, but Biddy Baxter managed to achieve both. What a career.

You know you’re a Doctor Who fan when you step out of a portaloo, gaze around curiously and mutter, “Where have you brought me to this time, old girl?”

Closing date to order the paperback is the end of this week, Friday 8th August. After that we won't be taking any more orders and the only copies available will be any overprints by the printers...

Cardiacs Woodeneye single cover.

‘A classic Cardiacs banger, propulsive, punky guitars giving way to a symphonic choral effect and some serious guitar soloing from Kavus Torabi. It’s an enticing entrée for the main course (the album LSD on Sept 19)'

#Cardiacs - Woodeneye is a Quietus Track of the Month for July

buff.ly/6qH7Q3y

I think my favourite Moral Maze line-up was David Starkey, Melanie Phillips, Roy Orbison and Aquaman.

I’d be fine with that, telling him to get it on with Gladys, not to trust Ted, learn some basic stagecraft, etc. Quite fancy myself as a Hi-De-Hi Mary Sue now.

He’d be very sympathetic but I’d probably end up offering him the emotional support.

No cheating. Your last saved celebrity photo is your therapist. Who is it?

I love how Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting sequels have different publication and reading orders, one of the few things they share with The Chronicles of Narnia.

YouTube video by abcglobus CARDIACS - WOODENEYE - 2025 SINGLE

Lordy! A new Cardiacs single and it’s hot as fire on toast.

I reckon the BBC should have a "Mind-Blowing Thought For the Day" slot. Maybe knock five minutes off the One Show and just have Carl Sagan, Hannah Fry and Jim Al-Khalili explaining brilliant science-y facts instead. That sort of thing.

“Been in the wars, have we?“

now playin this not inconsiderable banger bruv #Cardiacs

Can you verify your age by scanning the liver spot on your arm that’s shaped a bit like Wales?

Strong Message Here - Strong Recommend: Shakespeare's Richard II - BBC Sounds Armando asks why Richard II is such an overlooked Shakespeare historical?

Hearing @aiannucci.bsky.social & @helenlewis.bsky.social fan-personing over Shakespeare’s Richard II was an absolute joy: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

If I may be so bold…

How many psychics does it take to change a lightbulb? Is it 1? Is it 2? Is it 3? Is it 4? Is it 5? Is it 6? Is it 7? Is it 8? Is it 9? 9? Yes! Thank you, ladies and gentlemen!

What perfect albums came out when you were 16?*

*OK, one’s a ‘mini-album’ but, well, shut up.

Beanbags are the quicksand of the middle-aged.

Take your kids to libraries and bookshops, and let them browse freely. These are places of magic and wonder - the places where we find the books that make us readers; the ones that shape us at the deepest levels and stay with us forever. Librarians and booksellers change children's lives! #literacy

Coldplay concert yadda yadda.

My fantastic four.

It’s the ‘Books by the side of the sofa to peruse when the adverts come on’ pile.

Terrance Dicks.

We’re pleased to announce that we will be publishing the first full-length biography of prolific Doctor Who writer and script editor Terrance Dicks, written by Simon Guerrier with the cooperation of Terrance’s family. Written by Terrance Dicks is provisionally scheduled for publication in 2026.

Big news indeed! Congratulations Paul!

‘Mr. President, a second Masterchef host has just been sacked by the BBC.’

Nice! Can I come round for a sleepover?

I'm tin-rattling! The primary school writers room I run has produced a cracking script for our latest short film (comedy, time-travel). If we can muster a decent total by next Monday (July 21st) we can apply for matching funding from the county council and we hope go for a Spring shoot.

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