In an opening aside, The Captain curses wireless technology. Just use wires, folks. 
After all these years, ElTele learns how to run.

But the main theme for the end of year episode is: we list our best film, TV series, documentary, book, event, album and podcast of the year (spoiler: we don’t choose our own). 
If we’d like anything for Christmas, it’s that you like, subscribe, favourite, rate or share this podcast. Oh, and world peace too.

Meri Kirihimete to you all.

No links, no spoilers, listen now!

https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-53-our-best-things-of-2023/

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In our penultimate episode of 2023, we review a live concert by a legendary band, and a new album from an old stager. Spy drama Slow Horses returns. The Captain is drawn in to animated martial arts series Blue Eye Samurai, and is hanging out for the gripping final episode of NZ drama After the Party.

ElTele discusses the loss of Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, and the large number of celebrities that have left us this year, and trails the brand new Kirsty MacColl box set. Have I Got News For You endures, there's a new T Shirt of the Week, and we're not at all sure what to think about Spotify Wrapped, or the price of Coldplay tickets.

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/krafty-work/

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Some people might say it's time we started making sense! We've both been to see the remastered Talking Heads concert movie - hear the verdict - and we've also been impressed by the new album from Paul Cook and the Chronicles.
ElTele has completed an untypical rock biography and we talk about the life of the musician who wrote it. 
We wrestle with the Morrissey conundrum once again, and wonder if University Challenge is getting easier.

T Shirt of the Week begins (should we be even wearing T shirts at our age?), The Captain has opinions on Squid Game The Challenge, and we are staggered by the price of tickets to see an American comedy legend. How much?!

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-51-stop-making-sense/

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Is it really the end? Did we like the final Beatles product?

And what's more, did we ever think Monty Python was funny? Is comedy in some cases more about a sense of unity with like-minded fans, rather than actual laughs? We try to put these thorny issues to bed.

In other news, we trail All The Light We Cannot See, the dramatisation of Anthony Doerr's acclaimed novel, and the police procedural Shetland, now  up to season 8.
Tommy Emmanuel will tour NZ and ElTele will be there.
We're both slightly baffled by TikTok train spotter Francis Bourgeois.

And will New Zealanders appreciate Mortimer and Whitehouse going fishing on primetime TV?

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-50-the-beatles-the-end/

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Lots of things beginning with B in this episode, and some not!
Will the upcoming release be the last "new" Beatles tune? 
The Captain is deep into a time shifting whodunnit on Netflix called Bodies, whilst ElTele checks out the Beckham documentary.

The Captain reviews English costume drama Wicked Little Letters well in advance of next year's release, and welcomes the return of the cinema interval. 
Johnny Marr has a new book out, and talks about his pedals for the guitar nerds among us. 
Footballing legend Eric Cantona has released some new music (bien sûr!) and we rate the Soccer Sensation that is Jude Bellingham.

And by the way, we don't believe in ghosts. Or do we?

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-49-covered-in-bs/

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We talk about our couch potato go-to TV programmes. Guilty pleasures? We’re not guilty! 
ElTele checks out the Jay Blades documentary, and we both review an uncomfortable watch in The Reckoning, the four-part drama about Jimmy Savile, starring Steve Coogan.

The Captain is reading a really good novel that inspired a slightly less good film, and checks out the new Rolling Stones studio album, 18 years after the last one. 
ElTele pops out to throw a few darts and scores a 140, and we talk about some notable anniversaries.

And we try to explain just what it is about social media that annoys us (but please like, subscribe and share all our podcasts!).

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-48-stones-blades-and-bullet-train/

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A titan of electronic music goes acoustic after 40 years? How can this be?

Once again we talk about the impact of Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, and going further into the new series of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, which this week stars Lee Mack, off the substitute’s bench, and interesting to both of us. 
The Captain rushes through Oh Brother, the excellent biography from John Niven, and ElTele introduces us to new band Coppola.

We finish up by discussing always funny but often absurd names for covers bands (do you have a favourite?), and a brief dip into sport.

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-47-are-friends-acoustic/

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What does the drummer do when one of the biggest bands ever breaks up? Find out in this episode. 
The Office's Rainn Wilson is looking for happiness in strange places? Does he find it? ElTele finishes The Traitors UK, and trails the new series of Sex Education, once we decide which number series it is.

We decide just how much we like Radio New Zealand National, and the broadcasters and programmes that feature on it. 
Following on from last week, we talk about a number of online sources that feature Māori artists and musicians.

And what can we say about the return of the Rolling Stones?

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-46-rainns-world-and-ringos-furniture/

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We may not be the best at Māori Language Week but we are enthusiastic about it, and discuss it!

We talk about the responses to last episode's question "Do musicians listen to music differently to non-musicians?" 
The Captain appreciates good translations of novels that are not originally written in English, referring to the crime novels of Fred Vargas. 
Taskmaster NZ Series 4 is complete - bring on Season 16 of the UK one! 
ElTele is racing ahead with The Traitors UK and is solidly into the new Alan Partridge podcast.

And if you're a WordPad user, we have bad news.

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-45-te-wa-tuku-reo-maori/

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Moving swiftly on from our Mercury Prize predictions, The Captain plugs low budget comedy drama Scrapper, and Pasifika rugby documentary Family Faith Footy. 
He's also baffled by the stocking policy of a local record store. 
ElTele is impressed by a 9/11 stage play, keeps it in the family when going to a gig, and relaxes with the British version of The Traitors. He wonders if musicians listen to music in a different way to non-musicians.

We also welcome the return of Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing. A belated happy birthday to Ted the dog!

Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-44-chub-on-the-wye-and-scrapper/

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