Story Time 100!

Yes, we got there. Raised the bat for 100 episodes of historical nonsense. According to Michael Holden, the leading statistician on Final Word related numbers, we have solved almost 800 Nerd Pledges in the process. Why not celebrate? Thanks to everyone receiving this message, you've all helped make it possible.

Ten of our favourite Nerd Pledgers helped fill out the show, recorded in front of a live online audience.

8.29 - Lara Killick
8.81 - Crispn Crunch
6.40 - Tanya Wintringham
6.49 - Helen Maynard-Casely
7.00 - Simon Old Trafford & President Richard Bond McNally
5.41 - Tim Vanderpump, Party Liaison
3.52 - KB
2.14 - Pushkar Godbole
3.14 - Dane Hansted

There is a private video link to the recording of that show here, for Patreon supporters only.

DC's edited audio ep is here.

The long slow smile of Rudi Koertzen

Season 12, Ep 22: Daniel Norcross joins Geoff this week, in a recording reaching from London to Texas. The Commonwealth Games cricket tournament was a success, and sad news arrived that former umpire Rudi Koertzen has died, after being one of the iconic figures of the 1990s and 2000s. Elsewhere, The Hundred is kinda sorta happening, the Asia Cup is approaching, and Sikandar Raza is on the streak of his life in making Zimbabwe win two series against Bangladesh.

Your Nerd Pledge number this week:
2.85 - Dom Philp.

Audio is here.

The Final Word with Adam Zwar

Season 12, Ep 23: Seven years ago, when we first started listing names of guests we would like to get on the show for a chat, the first was Adam Zwar, the creator of TV show Wilfred and a huge cricket nuffy. A lot has happened for both him and us since 2015, including his funny and moving new book, 12 Summers. It’s the story of the life of one of Australia’s most engaging creative minds told through the tales of the game that has always inspired and distracted him.

Your Nerd Pledge number this week:
2.08 - Michael Fallon.

Video is up top, audio is here.

The Commonwealth Games Daily

We wrapped up in Birmingham with the expected result on the top of the podium, but a lot of fun either way. Thanks to Natalie Germanos for joining the ranks of Final Word hosts, we always knew she would be a fine addition.

Our gold medal episode may be the only Final Word ep yet to feature a fireworks display halfway through. It's more notable on the video (here) but you'll notice it on the audio (here).

How's that for one week's worth of work? Can't stop, won't stop. The Daily will resume from the England-South Africa Tests this coming week, with Daniel and Adam. Geoff will do the Weekly and Story Time shows from New Orleans before disappearing into the USA map for a couple of weeks, but reinforcements are at hand. Stay tuned.

Can't stop, won't stop.