Hoddy

I believe you about The West Wing - just one of those things I'll have to live with. Yes, I can see how the reformation of Daniels' team was contrived, but one of the things I liked about this second series was the fact that there weren't story arcs for every single successful character from the first. And while that did mean that classic characters, such as Bubbles, were marginalised, it did add to the naturalistic feel of the show. Best scenes of the whole series both came in the pre-credits I thought. Firstly, the Johnny Cash 'Walk the Line' opening, where Prez was piecing together the whole messy case, and secondly, the crossword scene, with Omar telling that police the myths answer, followed by his donning the tie over his baseball garb. Best silent joke I've seen for ages.

Oh no, it wasn't for any 'I'm not watching this shit if they've kicked him out' reason or anything like that. I understand that he was just burnt out by the end (looking back at some of those episodes he was churning out on a weekly basis – particulary Season 2 - basically on his own, it's simply staggering), I just feel that it was his show, his White House, that I'd bought in so much to his own creation, that it wouldn't feel right watching someone else's. By the way – and I feel bad for hijacking my own thread here – but what are your thoughts on the second season of The Wire? For a show with no gimmicks and hardly any action, it's by far and away the most addictive TV programme I've ever seen. Having said that, I felt it just, just, fell short of Season One's heights.

Exactly what I though when my work colleague said to me on Monday, "You know John Spencer?" Made me feel even worse when he told me the news.

Can't watch it Paul. Aaron Sorkin was the reason I fell in love with the programme in the first place (Stu Monty, you're right - there's little better that's been on the box… ever), and regardless of how good it could be now, I just refuse to watch out of principle. A bit petty I know, but there's few screenwriters who've that much influence on a programme are there? Heard the same thing about Season Six. Apparently Five was a bit of a mess, but it seems they got themselves back on track the year after.

Ledley King and Carragher together would be phenomenal. My perfect January signing (if we were definitely in for a CB).

Only heard about his death yesterday, but what a shock. Awesome actor, and watching The West Wing will be quite eerie for some while now. Best Leo McGarry episodes anybody? I've not watched any of TWW since Aaron Sorkin left at the end of Series 4, so I'll have to plump for one moment in the 'What Kind of Day Has It Been' episode at the end of Season 1, where Josh and Leo have just made up after a minor fall-out, and Josh mistakes Leo's extended hand for a hug gesture. "Boy did you read that one wrong." Brilliant. Either that or his walk and talk with nearly every West Wing staff member in the show's pilot.

On the first day God created Crouch. On the second day God created Mania. On the third day Crouchamania ran wild on God. Peter Crouch doesn't go to the toilet. The toilet goes to him. The only question Peter Crouch has ever asked is 'Whatchyagonnado?' Peter Crouch does not jog. He runs wild. At the end of a day, Peter Crouch does not take his shirt off – he tears it off. Peter Crouch has never worn the same shirt twice. The only time Peter Crouch has ever taken a bath is when he took one outside to give it the Legdrop of Doom. Whoever Peter Crouch is dating on Valentine's Day receives the same poem, 'Roses are red, Violets are blue, I'm running wild, Whatchyagonnado?' Peter Crouch never says 'pardon' or 'can you repeat that again please?'. He simply cups his hand to his ear until he hears whatever it is he has to hear. Peter Crouch once wrote a two-hour English essay paper using just the words 'dude' and 'brotha'. He scored 93%. He then used the exact same essay for a French exam. He scored 97%. Peter Crouch does not make love. He runs wild. This one time Peter Crouch entered a maze, and went on 'a mazy'. The maze gave up first. Every girl Peter Crouch has ever been with claims he has a good touch for a big guy… … and Peter Crouch has given every one of them the big boot… quickly followed by the Legdrop of Doom. If you do not refer to Peter Crouch's arms as 'pythons', it is quite simply the last thing you will ever do. When she was pregnant, Peter Crouch's mum did not feel her baby kicking – just the big boot. Mrs Crouch still gets bad wind today. Peter Crouch did not turn down a starring role in 'Star Wars' because of wage-demands. It was because George Lucas would not allow Darth Vader to give Obi-Wan the Legdrop of Doom. Peter Crouch does not pass water. He takes it on his chest, holds it up, then passes water. There are seven Wonders of the World, each of whom one day hopes to meet Peter Crouch. Upon hearing the news that Peter Crouch was in the studio audience, three Government ministers refused to go on Question Time in case they were asked 'Whatchyagonnado?' Peter Crouch once bumped into Chuck Norris at an airport. Norris responded with a roundhouse kick. Crouch shrugged, got on his plane, went back to Liverpool, then gave Chuck Norris the big boot. Chuck Norris has not been seen or heard from since. Peter Crouch once won a game of chess with just three pieces left when his rook started 'hulking up'. Peter Crouch does not know – or care – how to play chess. Peter Crouch does not walk into a building unless accompanied by the theme tune to 'Real American'. Peter Crouch did not lose his virginity – he simply threw it away when he had no use for it anymore. The founders of Spain chose red and yellow as their national colours in the hope that one day Peter Crouch would want to play for their football team. Peter Crouch bodyslams Hope on a daily basis. Peter Crouch cannot walk down the street without clotheslining at least five innocents. He subsequently receives at least five apologies for 'python disturbance'. Traffic delays don't just happen – they happen because Peter Crouch is there, and Crouch can hold up anything. Peter Crouch does not get erect – he hulks up. Scientists now believe that this, and not America, is the planet's greatest threat to climate change. Peter Crouch once held an eight-hour argument with his English teacher, who claimed that 'Whatchyagonnado' was a six-word sentence. The argument finished with the school's headteacher under a broken classroom table due to a Legdrop of Doom. The missing dialogue at the end of 'Lost in Translation' saw Bill Murray's character whispering to Scarlett Johansson's, "Yes it's true babe – I am indeed a Crouchamaniac.

Wasn't a dig at the Mr T thing. Was a dig at that article. But I pity me too.

That article is funnier than that Mr T thing I read yesterday.

Funniest thing I have read in ages.

I know he's never going to admit that he did or was in the wrong (hell, the guy's so delusional he could get caught on camera with his dick up Steve Clarke's arse and he'd still find a way of blaming it on his wife), but it just takes one person to question the stream of hypocritical bullshit that he keeps coming out with. On top of the 'I may not have seen the Essien leg-breaker, but the Sissoko foot-rub? Oh well…' load of bollocks, there was the weeks and weeks and months and months of "Garcia's goal was not over the line - if the linesman is not sure, he should disallow the goal…" which was swiftly followed by his reaction to Drogba's disallowed goal vs Everton, "The linesman should give advantage to the attacking team." Yet no-one questions this, nor the fact that Chelsea beat Barcelona by an illegal goal, nor the fact that his Porto team got past Man Utd cos of an incorrect offside decision. He's just a 'character', fuck anyone - like Didi last night - who tries to be a gentleman or gracious.

… for an interviewer or media channel to stand Mourinho in front of the camera and show him a replay of Michael Essien's challenge? "So now did you see it José?" "Errrrrrrrr…" An interviewer will stand with Peter Crouch for two minutes trying to get him to testify he didn't score a goal, but one "I never saw it" from Whorinho and that's the end of the matter. Typical no-ass media bullshit.

I agree with that - Garcia had a stinker, and we just didn't keep the ball well-enough second-half. They still didn't look like scoring though, and the encouraging thing is that each game against them seems more and more comfortable each time.

Thursday 15th, BBC2, programme starts at 10am, but kick-off is 10.20.

Deffo on BBC2 live at 10am.

Spot on. Good post.

If you're going to pick at the guy the day after he's died, at least spell his name right. If you followed the industry, you'd see that the guy was an inspiration to many smaller-sized athletes in a predominantly big man's world. Regardless of any of that. The facts are: a) the man is dead. b) this upsets certain people. c) They want to pay him respect. Why do people on here have to chip in on everything with their own two pennies worth? Some threads are for debate, some are for other things. Surely this was the other thing.

That's a great point is that. Works for women as well.

Busting a gut? Granted, pace is not the guy's greatest asset, but to imply that he's been strolling through games with no care in the world is just wrong. And anyway, in November this is all simply moot. Come back to me with the same statements this time next year and you may have some facts with which to celebrate your prediction coming true.

Josemi was shit for Liverpool and cost the team games on more than one occasion last year. If I recall he was rightly praised for his first few performances until most of us learnt the God awful truth. Crouch was slated BEFORE he ever pulled on a shirt and has yet to be given a number of games before the daggers have been plunged even further. It's not even December yet.

If anyone on here jumps to Crouch's defence quicker than others, it's only because he gets unjustified abuse quicker than nearly any other player in this country. That's a fact. Happens at the ground, in the newspapers, on the TV, happened when he played (not badly mind) for his country. You're quick to derise the people defending him, yet don't see your views and your slating the guy after not even half a season as the reason why. It's all well and good saying that this is only a forum, but opinions like yours are being carried to the ground and are not helping the Liverpool player - for let's remember he is that - get his Liverpool career off the ground.

Can't remember what Davis said about that, but Cameron mentioned how the law as it stands was a farce, and that there'd definitely be another vote if they got back in.

I won't pretend to have an in-depth knowledge of politics, and thought both guys were quite cordial towards one another. But I give them credit for having the balls to stand up and debate outside their comfort zone. Would be good to see this kind of thing more often. Did anyone else catch it? What did you think?

And a season longer at the club and a horrific injury to give him some sympathy. And how can anyone say Crouch is not good enough? How many games has he played? He was rightly lauded for his Real Betis and Chelsea performances, but now suddenly is not up to it? What's happened? Could it be that some fans have been swayed by pundits and journalists who wouldn't recognize an original thought if it came up and punched them in the face? Manish Bharin: What do you reckon Lawro? Crouch - up to it or not? Lawrenson: Well he's definitely up to it Manish - problem is he's too up to it. Ten metres too up to it if you know what I mean. (LAWRO CHUCKLES TO HIMSELF IN A CAMP MANNER THAT SHOULD RIGHTLY MAKE HIM THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. MANISH WISHES HE WAS ON SKY SPORTS) Lawrenson: But seriously Manish, he's got a good touch for a big man-- (ORIGINAL THOUGHT RUNS INTO THE STUDIO AND BITCHSLAPS LAWRENSON IN THE FACE. LAWRO SITS THERE STUNNED. MANISH SITS THERE STUNNED. MARK BRIGHT SITS THERE BEING A WANKER).

He also gets his name chanted for hardly any other reason than looking cool, having bleach blonde/red/green hair and acting like a pimp. Crouch has 'freak' chanted at him and is laughed at by a section of his own support.