Mark Watson the Comedian

150 comments

1. Posted by Ana on February 21, 2012

   nice!

2. Posted by Albert Piske on October 22, 2011

   Regularly I do not make comments on websites, but I have to say that this post really acted me to do so. Really awesome post. I discovered your site on faves.com bookmarking site?I like it and gave it a fave for you, Ill be checking back regularly.

3. Posted by Charles Commins on January 13, 2011

   1. Charles Commins (26) White British
   2. Warrington, Cheshire. UK
   3. Average, plump. Aim is to get fitter and smaller round the waist.
   4. 23% happy
   5. 55% WHF of 78%
   6. Customer Complaints Case Manager. I made that job title up. I work in a call centre handling complaints. I hate it and wish I was doing my dream job of radio (dj) presenter.
   7. I am in a relationship with my girlfriend. Keeley Hawes. Fit!
   8. I support Northampton Town FC at a rating of 10/10 Rugby League comes a close second thesedays.
   9. Fighting Talk
   10. Fighting Talk
   11. Read blog in fits and spurts but I read it all. I have commented three times. Oh shit, this is four!
   12. I don’t think about dying. As long as possible please.
   13. All subjects are fair game in my opinion. Whether I find the jokes funny are a different matter.
   14. Rhod Gilbert at the moment but it changes regularly. How I Met Your Mother is my favourite TV show as of today.
   15. Feeder and Biffy Clyro
   16. An insight into a day/morning on Fight Talk. Plus can I have Bob Mills’ signiture please Mark?!
   17. Peterborough United FC & Barry Fry (F*** The Posh!)
   18. I have a blog but not a specific TYSIC http://charlescommins.tumblr.com/
   19. My resolution this year is to not buy my lunch from work and always take a packed lunch like I used to have at school that mummy made me.

4. Posted by Weaselspoon on January 5, 2011

   1. Robert (30). White and English.
   2. South London (SW2)
   3. 5′ 7″ish. 13st ish. Shorter and fatter than I’d like.
   4. 19. I’m too pragmatic to get stressed or sad most of the time.
   5. 50. Giving a total of 69, dudes.
   6. Working as a librarian in a drama school. Need a new job. Trained as an actor. Also work sporadically as a theatre technician, sound designer, etc. Have been known to sell art for money.
   7. Yup. Very happily taken.
   Louise Brooks. In her prime (I went to see Girl In Every Port recently)
   8. I do not follow football. I try to follow formula 1 racing. On a saturday I like sleep, shopping and theatre.
   9. By name, through Isabelle of the pink hair. Although that was many years after having seen you in Far Too Happy.
   10. Live Shows.
   11. I read every entry of the blog, although not necessarily every day (I’m just finishing my three week I’ve-no-internet catch up, which has been the longest I’ve left it). I comment about once a month when there’s a subject on which I have useful wisdom to impart.
   12. I’d like to live as long as I have my faculties and my mobility. I don’t want to live to be a burden to my children.
   13. Not never, no. Anything which seems beyond poking fun at needs someone to poke fun at it.
   14. I would say Daniel Kitson, but I’ve stopped wanting to see him do comedy. He now sits next to Ben Moor in the storyteller category of my mental roladex. *Thinks hard* Tim Fitzhigham. The man always makes me very very happy.
   15. Last FM says…. They Might Be Giants, by a long chalk.
   16. Nothing springs to mind. Although a blog based round of We Need Answers would be fun.
   17. Contact Us pages on a website that lead you instead to an FAQ.
   18. I am Weaselspoon on the TYSIC. It’s not going badly.
   19. I will stop chewing my fingers.
   20. I have just moved house. I have all the stuff.

5. Posted by Cathy on January 3, 2011

   Sorry – bit late. Got a bit behind on the blog again, but what better thing to do on my first day back at work when I really should be, well, working? But that’s boring, so here goes:
   1. Cathy (30) British
   2. An ickle village in Northamptonshire. S’all right.
   3. Shortish at 5ft 3, but I’m happy with my height (except if there’s something on a high up shelf, of course). Definitely not thin, but slightly thinner than I used to be. Though a bit wobblier thanks to too many Christmas treats! Would like to be thinner.
   4. I think I have a natural(?) tenancy to always want what I haven’t got, rather than be happy with what I have got. So I will go with maybe 15?
   5. That being said, I am fairly chuffed with many aspects of my life, with the big fat exception of my job/career. So I will go with 50. WHF = 65
   6. As indicated above, no – I do not like my job. I work for a manufacturing company as ‘Quality, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager’ – which sounds more impressive than it is. I kind of ‘fell into’ this role, as they say, but I don’t think I really suit it, and I currently have very little to do and so find it incredibly boring and unfulfilling. I wish I knew what I really wanted to do – because it would make finding a new job just that bit more interesting! I studied drama and media at uni, so it would be nice to return to something kind of related to that or the arts in general. Otherwise, my other passion is food. Or maybe I’ll get off my bum one day and properly have a go at writing.
   7. Yes I am – and have been since I was 15 (with the same guy). We are super happy *gloat*. Most attractive famous person… well, I’m going to have to say Tim Minchin, aren’t I? Though Johnny Depp does comes a close second.
   8. Nope – I’m a sport hater. So favourite thing to do on a Saturday would be, I dunno, nothing too strenuous, maybe a nice walk followed by a good pub lunch. Or trying to do the crossword with a good coffee. I may sound about 60….
   9. Well, I’m sure I knew of Mark before, but was particularly drawn to him via the Tim Minchin association (you may start to spot a pattern here…)
   10. I’ve only seen Mark live once, and really enjoyed it, so in time this might become my favourite. But for now, I would have to say these blogs! I really enjoy his relaxed but genuine writing style.
   11. I catch up when I can. I’d like to read daily but a combination of lack of time/poor memory prevents this. So, after getting up to date early December, this is the first time I’ve checked back in! Though, there is something nice about having a few to read all together as a big chunk. I’ve only commented a few times, but the more up to date I am, the more likely I am to comment
   12. I’m sure a lot of people have said this, but I’d like to live as long as possible whilst I can remain moderately healthy. The idea of death does kind of scare me, but so does the thought of being helpless as an elderly person with physical illness or dementia etc.
   13. Nope. Not really – it’s more HOW they are talked about that matters
   14. No prizes for guessing – Tim Minchin! Favourite TV show is hard. There’s nothing I’m really passionate about, but lots that I’m quite a fan of. But for time-served, it’s going to have to be Neighbours. Hey, don’t judge – it’s silly and escapist, which is exactly what I need when I first get home from work.
   15. Would it be boring to say Tim Minchin again? Well, it is the music I listen to the most at the moment, so I guess I will have to. I am aware I am probably coming over as a little obsessed.
   16. Um….not fussed really. The challenges are quite fun. But I just like the chatting about simple, every day things really.
   17. Gosh – very tricky. Just one? Hmm, as a catch-all I’ll go with prejudice. That pretty much sucks, overall, I think. Oh, and cricket.
   18. No, not really. I think I made a comment on a very early blog about something, but I can’t even remember what that is. But I have meant to check out the site and do it properly, but haven’t got round to it. Being less of a procrastinator should probably be in there somewhere…
   19. Yeah, I should give blood. But it kind of scares me, but I will try. I will also try to make a proper TYSIC! Which will probably be related to getting my job/career in order. I need to not be still working at the same place in a year’s time. But I’m not generally a fan of ‘new year’s resoloutions’ – the new year is hard enough without extra challenges! I think all new year’s resolutions should start middle of January.
   20. Um, just wanted to point out, the Minchin obsession isn’t quite as bad as it sounds. Well, maybe it is, but it’s under control. Honestly. And in truth, I just like that my ‘obsession’ has meant I’ve met lots of nice people and has expanded my knowledge of other fabulous things – like this blog!

6. Posted by Sam on January 2, 2011

   Bit late, but oh well…
   1. Samuel (20) English
   2. Portsmouth/Wiltshire (depending on time of year)
   3. Tall-ish (although I don’t feel it), fat.
   4. 5
   5. 53.4
   6. I study American Studies at University, I’m an amateur comedian, and a ridiculous person.
   7. No. I have a soft spot for Judy Greer, but not many people know who she is.
   8. No.
   9. I can’t remember. I knew he was a comedian, then I read Bullet Points and found out it was him, then saw him live, then gradually became more obsessed until here I am.
   10. The combination of everything to create a sense a community.
   11. I read daily if I can, I used to comment most days, now it’s around once a week if that.
   12. I don’t really care when I die.
   13. Monster Munch
   14. Daniel Kitson for comedian. Ed for TV show, not many people know it but it is superb and has pretty much ruined me as a person for making me hopelessly twee.
   15. The Divine Comedy are my favourite but I will use this space to name others: The National, Rosie Taylor Project, Belle & Sebastian, Mountain Goats, Darren Hanlon and Sufjan Stevens.
   16. Progress on Mark’s drumming, not heard anything on that in a while.
   17. I try not hate, but lots of things do rile me at times, but its hard to recount them. Probably just myself.
   18. One of them is to pursue stand-up, I’m doing that but it is a pesky devil and keeps evading me. It’s rocky but I enjoy it mostly, just an absolute bugger to get gigs.
   19. I shall give blood then. Who should I give it to? And should it be mine?
   20. The inventor of 7up was Albino.

7. Posted by Georgie on January 1, 2011

   1. Georgie (20) Australian
   2. During uni: Melbourne, Australia. Otherwise: Hobart, Australia.
   3. I always thought I was reasonably short (at 163cm) but apparently that’s actually average height. So there you go. My weight is apparently slightly below average.
   4. 15/30
   5. 45/70 giving a total of 60/100
   6. I’m studying Animal and Veterinary Biosciences at uni in the hope of getting some kind of job involving animals. I’m being vague to make it more likely I’ll acheieve that goal.
   7. Not in a relationship. Not sure of the MOST attractive famous person… I’m not good at making decisions like that. Heath Ledger is/was quite lovely, though.
   8. I support the Geelong Cats (AFL) with a fandom level of 1.5.
   9.Umm… That’s a tough one! I got into comedy in around April 2008 and it wasn’t long after that that I heard your name… Most likely on Angry(feet) (Tim’s forum).
   10. Live shows, I think! Mostly because they are the things I have seen most of, and how I first saw you. And you’re not on the tele enough here for it to be a tv show!
   11. I try to read every post, but over the christmas period I’ve managed to miss several weeks. Trying to catch up now though! I don’t comment very often at all, really.
   12. I haven’t really decided this yet… Guess it depends on what happens in my life to know whether it would be worth living for as long as possible!
   13. No, not really.
   14. Tim Minchin… and favourite tv show… Hmm. I watch too many, really. Probably something like House. Or Castle. Firefly was good, too.
   15. Not really… I mean there are artists that I like but I’ve never really chosen a favourite as such. Duke Special is lovely though.
   16. Anything and everything! Talk of Australia would be good, of course. Because that would mean you were coming here (which I know you are anyway, but that’s not the point).
   17. I hate bees. I also hate pointless noise.
   18. When this all started I planned to decide on a TYSIC but I never got around to it… Probably would be something about where I hope to be job-wise. the whole not getting to things is addressed in the next question!
   19. I would resolve to donate blood but I’ve already done that and they told me that I shouldn’t do it again! Something is weird with my blood and I tend to faint randomly (have done 7 or so times over the past 8 years). So… I will say: I will try to get things done more. I tend to put things off and get distracted and then not end up to getting to lots of things. And it’s very annoying. These summer holidays will be produtive ones this year!
   20. Have I submitted this too late? I hope not!

8. Posted by Rick on December 31, 2010

   1) Rick Procter (32), White British – and for convenience’s sake, my birthday is 8th April 1978.
   2) A village called Winscombe at the edge of the Mendip Hills, just south of Bristol where I work and have friends.
   3) Much of a muchness, pretty much.
   4) Hmm well, my tendency in the past has been to fluctuate pretty wildly between the two – but I don’t do too badly, let’s say 21.
   5) Pretty good, but room for improvement – let’s say 55.
   6) I work in the motor industry currently, which is not ideal, but the job itself isn’t too bad – it’s a sort of back office IT liaison and training role. I reckon I’d be pretty happy in a Business Analyst or Systems Trainer kind of job.
   7) Currently single, but pretty much OK with that – and hot-celeb-wise, Scarlett Johansson comes to mind but I reckon I’m more inclined to be attracted to people I know in person. My dad likes Birmingham City and several friends like Bristol City, so I guess I kinda support them but only at about level 4. The one and only match I’ve ever been to is one time they played each other. I quite like snooker, but don’t often spend time enough to follow a whole tournament properly.
   9) I have to admit with a little self-consciousness, MW is a friend of mine going back about 15 years – I guess the market research doesn’t quite apply to me here.
   10) Books. And the 24-hour shows.
   11) I read it every day, and comment maybe once a month.
   12) All depends on health, as well as happiness and quality of life.
   13) Not all all. Any subject goes, but it’s all in the handling.
   14) It’s hard to pick one – I like different ones for different reasons… TV-wise I’d choose Fawlty Towers and Red Dwarf as all-time faves, although I have to mention The Wire too (less accessible and very serious, but it’s an absolute masterpiece).
   15) I’m going to give 2 bands my top spot jointly – Mansun and Eels. There are several in second place, but I mustn’t get carried away.
   16) It’s been great so far – if it carries on like this, I’m happy.
   17) The gross inequality in the world, and the greed that causes it – it is plainly wrong that some are so obscenely rich whilst others are so poverty-stricken. I hate the tabloid press and paparazzi too.
   18) Yes I do – there are a few elements to it, but first off is to get a job in an industry I’m better suited to.
   19) Giving blood is a very good resolution to make – I’ve meant to in the past but it’s never happened. Must try harder – will aim to do this in 2011.
   20) Everyone should check out the music of Suzy Condrad – look her up on t’internet. And after that, check out Jesca Hoop.

9. Posted by isabelle on December 31, 2010

   1. Isabelle. (21) I’m Canadian and have a double citizenship with France although I never lived there. I’m white, or they might write caucasian on those forms.
   2. Right now I live in a suburb of Montreal called St-Lambert.
   3. I’m average height for a woman and average weight I think. I’ve always wanted to be taller, but I guess I have no control over that…
   4. 10 out of 30
   5. 65 out of 70. so I am 75% happy right now. Life is pretty damn good right this moment.
   6. I’m studying film production and I will hopefully become a cinematographer.
   7. I am at the beginning of a relationship although we haven’t really spoken about officializing it yet… it’s still all secretive. And I think I must say Cate Blanchett as the most attractive celebrity, even though I’m straight, she’s the first person I thought of.
   8. Not really into football, I’m canadian you see . Although I’m not really into hockey either. My sport is tennis where I mainly support Andy Murray, I feel like he’s the underdog who actually has a chance to win so it’s interesting to root for him.
   9. I can’t quite remember. I’ve been pretty unhealthily obsessed with british things for several years now (I watch more british than North American TV), it was probably during a panel show, Mock the Week I would say.
   10. Right now it is the blog, I can’t seem to have access to much else other than the blog except for a few tv appearances (not we need answers though, which seems amazing from the clips I’ve seen), thus I haven’t read the book and haven’t seen your live show. is that a bit weird?
   11. I read it practically every day, there are some days I skip once in a while, and I usually only comment when it is sort of requested as in now or in the very late reviews and such things.
   12. I would like to live as long as possible with all my capacities intact, hopefully I would never need to live in a home. 80 seems like a good age to me.
   13. No, not really, any subject is fair game, as long as the comedian treats it properly of course.
   14. I guess I have to say a french canadian comedian called Jean-Thomas Jobin, who does really absurd nonsensical stuff. My favourite tv show would probably be QI. Nothing cheers me up like a cup of tea and a bit of QI.
   15. I have several bands vying for the top spot but Arcade Fire is up there at the moment.
   16. Not really, just continue it as it is. It’s quite good
   17. Politics and corruption.
   18. I have a TYSIC although I haven’t updated it in months… It was to direct a film and have it chosen in one of the larger film festivals. It is going good considering I am finishing up my film degree although I have not started even thinking about making it. Also, I am drifting towards cinematography rather than directing so I might modify my TYSIC to change it to either directing or photographing a feature film.
   19. Less procrastinating, that would be good, although it might also be unachievable.
   20.Happy new year to everyone!

10. Posted by tothesky on December 31, 2010

    1) Sanpreet (19), nationality – British, ethnic origin – Indian
    2) Coventry/Leicester
    3) very short, a litte thin but in proportion to my height. I do wish I was taller.
    4) This is hard, I’ll go with 20/30
    5) 40/70
    so WHF = 60/100
    6) Studying English but also working part time in a supermarket which is as bad as it sounds. Ideal job would be in studies or writing. Or to be self employed.
    7) Single, most attractive person is Robin Thicke. Not really into sports, favourite way to spend a Saturday is to read or do absolutely nothing.
    9) A friend recommended your R4 series to me.
    10) Live shows, followed by books
    11) Read everyday, but rarely comment. Sorry.
    12) I’d quite like to die before I lose the ability to take care of myself. I hate being dependant on others.
    13) Comedy should be able to talk about any subject, as long as it doesn’t do it for shock value or to gain cheap laughs. There has to be a point to it.
    14) Jon Richardson. I don’t think I have favourite TV show.
    15) My favourite singer is Robin Thicke, but I tend to go through phases of being obsessed with acts. Currently, it’s Laura Marling.
    16) I’d quite like read more about your uni days.
    17) Fearne Cotton.
    18) Main TYSIC is to become less socially awkward. It’s not going brilliantly but I’m glad to say I have improved. I have most definitely improved since March, but there’s still a long way to go…
    19) To try harder and procasinate less. I would give blood but I’m too small. Seriously.
    20) Ooh this wasn’t as time consuming as I expected it to be! Thanks for the blog Mark and hope you have a happy, very optimistic new year! xx

11. Posted by tinkissarah on December 30, 2010

    1 – Sarah (25). White British
    2 – I live in Banbury (which is 20 miles north of Oxford in case you were wondering). I was born and lived in Derby until I was 19 then I lived in Greece for 2 years before moving back to England and moving to Banbury.
    3 – I’m 5ft 4′ so basically average. Not stick thin but not fat. Guess I could do with being more fit if anything.
    4 – 28, I’m a pretty happy person. Not much gets me down.
    5 – 60. Im pretty happy. Few things I still want out of life but good things come to those who wait. And that makes my WHF 88
    6 – I’m a client co-ordinator for a utility management company which basically means I deal with energy companies and the accounts where the bills aren’t paid. Each member on my team deals with a different energy company as their first point of call and deals with eveything for that client. It’s not what I imagined doing when I was younger but I enjoy it I guess, as much as anyone enjoys an office job. If I could do anything it would be something more creative, something in theatre would be my dream.
    7 – I’m engaged and have been with my fiance for 8 and a half years. We’re currently planning our wedding for summer 2012 which will also be our 10 year anniversary.
    Most attractive famous person I can think of!? Ian Somerhalder *sigh*.
    8 – I support Derby County but only because my finace does (and it’s where we’re from). I’d say my fan-dom is most definitely 1. I’m not into football really. Although I do know the off side rule.
    9 – Seeing you on TV shows. Would always be like ‘ohh I like him, he’s funny’.
    10 – I thought I liked your TV show apperances but since seeing you live that is definitely my favourite thing you do. Fantastic. Although I love your books as well.
    11 – I try to read everyday but don’t get chance to get online much. I do read 2 or 3 times a week. I don’t comment all too often, mostly because when I get round to reading the blog is 2 or 3 days old so I just tend to read them. Will make more of an effort to comment, promise.
    12 – I’m not sure. I guess it depends what advances are made in the future. I wouldn’t like to live to be 100 now but by the time I’m 100 things may have changed. I’d like to live as long as I’m happy, healthy and I have my wits about me.
    13 – I feel hypocritical saying yes as jokes about subjects I think should not be mentioned, I have laughed at then thought actually that is awful. There will always be someone who will enjoy jokes on subjects I find offensive so I think it’s more on the spectator than the comedian. You should know what a comedian is like before you see them and if you know they are going to joke about something you’ll take offence to, don’t go.
    14 – Lee Evans is my favourite comedian(other than yourself of course). I love how he can joke about the same subject time and time again but put a different spin on it and it’s still hilarious.
    15 – McFly are my favourite band. I get a lot of stick from people about it but I’m beyond caring. My music taste is pretty eclectic. My other favourite band is Pink Floyd (thanks to my Dad and late Uncle).
    16 – I enjoy whatever you blog so anything is a thumbs up for me.
    17 – Cruelty to children/animals/people in general. I also hate arrogance, impatience and wilful ignorance.
    18 – I don’t have a TYSIC but will definitely look into starting one.
    19 – I have already sorted out giving bloody and have my first appointment on 6th Jan. My resoulution for the New Year is to excercise more. I always find an excuse to dodge the gym and I really need to get my self in gear.
    20 – I’m gonna continue with the whole ‘giving blood’ thing. EVERYBODY THAT CAN GIVE BLOOD, SHOULD GIVE BLOOD. I know that I would be thankful it was there if I ever needed it so it only seems fair I should help. I really want to use 2011 to do more for others.
    So everybody that can, should go register to give blood. I’ll even give you the telephone number – 0300 123 23 23 or register online at http://www.blood.co.uk.

12. Posted by Georgia on December 30, 2010

    1. Georgia (23) White Australian
    2. Rye, Victoria, Australia, 2hrs south of Melbourne, a beautifully, sunny, beachside peninsula. I live in a house with my parents and younger brother.
    3. Medium to short height. Medium to slim build. Moderately happy.
    4. 18/30 naturally happy
    5. 65/70 happy right now. So, watsonianally, 83/100 happy.
    6. I have just finished studying to be a teacher of Primary school students! I passed! I’m qualified! But I’ve not got a job doing that yet, by choice. I’m currently working my 6th year in a tiny delicatessen with one other employee, and loving it.
    7. Yay! Yes, I am in a relationship Most attractive famous person…hmm Andy Lee or Hamish Blake. Humour is super attractive.
    8. I don’t much get into football ( I assume you’re talking soccer, which is called soccer in Aus) but here in Aus I get really into our football , with the oval shaped ball and rough and tumble. I like many of the teams. I also enjoy the cricket.
    9. Mark, I have no idea. Tv perhaps?
    10. The blog, I haven’t seen you in the flesh and you don’t get on the box much here.
    11. I don’t use my computer every day, so unfortunately I don’t always get to read the blog on the day it’s posted, however every few days I catch up. I comment rarely because I feel everyone who comments is much funnier and more interesting than me.
    12. I’d like to live as long as possible please.
    13. none.
    14. I really like Arj Barker and Ricky Gervais. The office is hilarious and so is 30 Rock!
    15. At the moment I love Phoenix, a cute French group of boys.
    16. Anything interesting really.
    17. I really dislike when people misspell common words, or don’t bother using a dictionary when it’s appropriate.
    18. No, I don’t have one yet. It’s been a very busy and stressful year and I haven’t had time to scratch myself, let alone think of the bigger picture of my life. After this hectic Summer I will try and come up with a TYSIC. Promise. Well, maybe that’s it.
    19. I would like to ride my bike more often. I mean, I will ride my bike more often. I’ve just spent a lot of money on a new bicycle, and am well within riding distance to the shops and beach, so will definitely get into it. And for my fitness.
    20. Thanks for the blog, it’s a lovely, cozy environment

13. Posted by KateR on December 29, 2010

    1. Kate (46). White British.
    2. Living in South Oxfordshire with husband and 2 children (including Meg who comments on this blog more than I usually do).
    3. Tall, sort of average otherwise. I’m past the point of worrying about it!
    4. 20
    5. 50 = 70
    6. Used to work in orchestra and concert management; now look after the family plus bits of part-time admin work now and then. Would love to get back to a more focussed career one day.
    7. Extremely happily married for nearly 20 years. Still, I quite like Johnny Depp too.
    8. Sorry, sport is really not my thing. Aside from spending time with the family at weekends, I love shopping, listening to speech radio, reading novels and watching films.
    9. First episode of the first series of MW Makes the World Substantially Better on Radio 4 (whilst cooking supper, not down a well) – I giggled a lot into the casserole (or whatever it was), which I don’t often do with the Radio 4 6.30 new comedy, so this was one to remember.
    10. Radio 4 – please do more! However, I also love the blog and your live show was excellent (as are your books).
    11. I read the blog every day but prefer to comment very little.
    12. Not worried about dying but would prefer to stay around long enough to see what my children end up doing and so as not to desert them before they are well on track in adult life.
    13. No taboo subjects but I would avoid comedians who have homophobic, racist or misogynistic material.
    14. Tim Minchin. 30 Rock/The Thick of It.
    15. My husband, who is a professional musician, closely followed by the English Chamber Orchestra (does that count?).
    16. Can’t think of anything at the moment.
    17. The Pope and the current UK government. Sorry, that’s two.
    18. No official TYSIC. My aim is get back into a meaningful career within the next ten years but various uncontrollable circumstances at home are delaying this.
    19. Learn to knit properly.
    20. Happy New Year!

14. Posted by Tom Beasley on December 29, 2010

    1. Tom Beasley (16), English, White British

    2. Coventry, West Midlands

    3. Well I’m quite short and a bit overweight for my height. I am hoping to lose some weight over the next year or so.

    4. I’d say I’m probably slightly lower than the average /naturally/, say about 28%, but I try my best to be happy most of the time. Of course, this means I bottle up all the shit so when I get unhappy, I get /really/ unhappy.

    5. Well things are going pretty darn well, so I’d say 60, so a total WHF of 88.

    6. I’m studying English LangLit, Media Studies, Maths and Further Maths at AS Level with the ambition of eventually becoming a journalist of some description.

    7. I am in a relationship. We’ve been together six months. There is no doubt in my mind that Emma Watson (Hermione in the Harry Potter films) is the most attractive famous person. She’s beautiful!

    8. I am a Chelsea supporter. I even supported them before all of the money came along. I would rank my support at about 5. It used to be higher, but now I can happily go a weekend without having more than casually glanced at the score in their game.

    9. It would have been on an episode of Mock The Week a few years ago.

    10. Your stand-up is excellent and I love your books, but reading your thoughts every single day on a really interactive blog is the best Watson-related thing around.

    11. I read every day and comment roughly once or twice a week. I only comment if I feel I actually have something to comment about.

    12. Well my Great Grandmother is 94 (I think roughly) and she is at the stage where she can’t even walk unaided. I don’t think I ever want to get to that stage, but at the same time, death scares the shit out of me.

    13. No, nothing should be off limits. I just feel that certain subjects require an air of sensitivity.

    14. Ed Byrne is probably my favourite comedian. I love how he approaches comedy from his outlook of constant pedantry. My favourite TV show would be Doctor Who. I just love it.

    15. No current band or act can ever match up to Queen.

    16. I’d just like to maintain the kind of life updates that we get so far. They’re great.

    17. I hate people who misuse the English language. Text speak gets to me, as does the misues of there/their/they’re and your/you’re. It bugs me so much.

    18. Yes, I have several TYSICs.

    1: Publish at least one novel. (Well I have a very good draft. I’m going to start looking at literary agents soon.)

    2: Find love. (Well I’ve been with her for six months now and I certainly feel that I’m in love with her. ^__^)

    3: Get into shape. Lose at least a stone. (2011 will be the year. I’m determined.)

    4: Get into university on a journalism course. (I’ve started A Levels and they all seem to be going well thus far.)

    5: Have something published in a major national newspaper. (Well I’m still doing my writing for a small local publication. That’s about it.)

    19. I want to do well in my exams. Dull, I know, but meh.

    20. I have nothing to say. I’m a wonderfully exciting human being.

15. Posted by Sophie on December 29, 2010

    1. Sophie (15) I, well, my mum, usually puts Chinese in that bit,
    2. Manchester.
    3. I’m 5’2″ and I suppose that is rather short but I don’t mind. It would be great to be a little taller but I doubt I’m going to grow. I used to be a stick, I’m kind of more padded out now. Blah, I’m happy with it.
    4. 20/30 at a push.
    5. 55/70
    WHF – 75/100 which is higher than I expected it to be.
    6. I’m obviously still in school. Right now it’s A-Level choices. At the moment I reckon I’ll do Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and a toss up between History and Latin. I would love to write as my profession, but my writing is truly awful. Thinking realistically I’ll do medicine or maths or some kind of engineering thing at university.
    7. Not in a relationship. Most attractive person, um, David Tennant?
    8. I don’t really support a football team, or follow football. I like watching gymnastics and athletics and stuff like that. Gymnastics is more my kind of sport really.
    9. Probably just by watching TV.
    10. Possibly blog or books.
    11. I read the blog every day and really don’t get round to commenting that often.
    12. I would like to live long enough for there to be hover boots. haha.
    13. Generally controversial things like disabilities. I think a lot of comedians swear when it isn’t necessary. That bugs me.
    14. I can’t pick a favourite comedian, I watch too much comedy. Dara O’Briain’s videogame joke is one of my recent favourites. Favourite show, if I had to pick would be The Big Bang Theory.
    15. Current favourite band is The Candle Thieves. Or Snow Patrol.
    16. Not really.
    17. Teen pop stars. And Simon Cowell.
    18. Ah, no. Not yet. I was meant to get round to that.
    19. Procrastinate on the internet less. Revise instead of becoming more and more addicted to the internet. Get a life.
    20. I can’t believe it took me days to actually fill this in. I read it on the day it was posted and it’s been on my mental to do list. I never get round to doing things.

16. Posted by Martin on December 29, 2010

    1. Martin (23) Welsh White British
    2. Carmarthen
    3. I am average height and fairly thin I would hope.
    4. 25ish
    5. I would say 55 I guess. Total 80.
    6. Accounts clerk. Also studying accountancy (how exciting)
    7. Not at the moment. Probably Evangeline Lilly.
    8. Liverpool FC. I would say 9. I get pretty in to it which at the moment is a bad thing.
    9. Mock the Week
    10. TV Shows/the blog
    11. I probably read twice a week and read them all then. Comment occasionally. Maybe every few weeks.
    12. Yes as long as I can be independent.
    13. Cancer and that’s it probably.
    14. Lee Evans. Favourite show would probably be Would I Lie To You?
    15. The Killers/Kings of Leon
    16. Politics? But only because it gets people wound up. Student fees maybe?
    17. Referees (most sports)
    18. I do have one but I am guilty of neglecting it.
    19. I resolve to be more confident and not care what other people think.
    20. This blog has been great! Not long until it’s been a year. Just a month or so. Time flies. Keep up the good work.

17. Posted by Heather Jones on December 29, 2010

    1. Heather (47) I put ‘White British’ on forms, but only because Northern Irish (as opposed to just Irish) isn’t usually an option.
    2. I live in Ealing, West London – have done for over 20 years.
    3. I’m 5ft 5in and medium build (size 10 top half, size 12 lower half) I’m reasonably happy with the way I am – although I am very VERY unfit, and I know I would benefit from regular exercise – ie more than just walking the dog a few times a week.
    4. Hard to rate my overall happiness/disposition, out of 30, because of the blight of intermittent bouts of depression since my teens (prior to which I was a blithely happy child!): between low times, I’m still pretty happy, but I feel I ought to average it out. So, over the whole 47 years to date, I’m going to go for….18.
    5. Current happiness out of 70 = 60. WHF = 78
    6. I’m a part-time Teaching Assistant working in a Primary School and I really like it. I had previously been in Administration-type jobs for over 20 years, while at the same time always enjoying doing voluntary work (through scouting) with young children. I thought I would want to train to become a fully-fledged teacher, but have discovered that I prefer the less fraught teaching assistant role, despite the lower pay.
    7. I’m v happily married (21 years so far) Re Famous Attractive folk – Well Tim Minchin is certainly up there, along with my longer-standing heart-throb Robert Downey Jr, but my most recent favourite ‘eye candy’ is Tom Basden (eek! Please don’t tell him!!)
    8. Definitely don’t support a football team. I reluctantly tolerate my husband’s Man United fandom; my level = 1, his about 6, I’d guess. Not really keen on any sports, to be honest (I enjoyed competitive trampolining as a youngster, but that’s it). My favourite thing to do on a Saturday: Just sitting & chatting with my husband over a cup of tea (during the week, we often don’t make the time to just sit & talk)
    9. First heard of Mark early in 2010 while tracking down all Tim Minchin-related stuff. Came across Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better and loved it. Subsequently bought the 2nd series (which Minchin isn’t in), discovered the blog, and the novels and was hooked!
    10. My favourite MW thing – difficult to choose: the novels, I think, but close 2nd = MWMTWSB 1&2 and the blog itself.
    11. I read the blog very regularly – not quite daily any more, but I always catch up within a few days and haven’t missed reading any. I used to comment about once a week, but hardly at all now.
    12. Both my grandmothers lived to their early 90s, one with somewhat better quality of life right to the end than the other. I fear dementia: if I can avoid that living death, then mid-90s would be great.
    13. Not so much any taboo subjects (although I wouldn’t tolerate the old-school racist, sexist stuff by people like Bernard Manning – yuck!) more the way they’re tackled: the most innocuous seeming topic can become terribly offensive to some, but it can be difficult to avoid. There has to be a certain distance from the reality of personal pain for comedy to work (eg even the classic slap-stick hilarty of someone slipping on a banana skin).
    14. Favourite comedian: Tim Minchin. but Eddie Izzard (early stuff) and Bill Bailey (most recent show) also tickle my funny bone a lot…My favourite television show: Doctor Who, plus the new Sherlock – also by Steven Moffat. But favourite FUNNY TV show = the American version of The Office with Steve Carell.
    15. Favourite musical act = Tim Minchin (especially the early stuff on‘Sit’) Aside from Tim’s blend of comedy and music, I discovered Duke Special this year and I LOVE his stuff with a passion, while my long-term favourite ‘straight’ music is John Lennon and U2. (I’m old-school, me)
    16. What I’d like to see covered by this blog next year? I actually most like the diary-type blogs where you simply tell us what you’ve been up to. And, to be honest, I think you’ll value those ones a lot when you are looking back on the whole ten years of blogs.
    17. Dislike/hate – The ‘sailing by’ music on Radio 4 at the end of the night – really sets my teeth on edge, for some reason.
    18. Yes, I do have a TYSIC: I have 7 ongoing challenges but haven’t updated for quite a while. All are ‘bread and butter’ type of things and maybe seem too easy – but I like the positive feeling I get from succeeding in little things. Going to more live entertainment = going almost too well! Nurturing relationship with husband – going v well recently; Relationship with sons & their girlfriends = going v well recently. Making the most of time with parents – going quite well. Trying new things – 2010 has certainly been a year of LOTS of new things! Overall emotional well-being: the best winter for years so far, avoiding dipping into dark moods. Avoiding laziness & procrastination – OOPS! That’s still the hard one!
    19. Resolution for 2011. Get fitter – take up a more strenuous regular exercise regime
    20. Although generally happy with my lot, if I’m honest I must confess I really don’t like being 47 (nearly 48 in fact). I don’t feel that old, and the closeness to my 50th birthday bothers me. This last year has been a bit of a mid-life crisis in some ways, but it’s been a positive and rejuvenating experience, for the most part.

18. Posted by Tibbs on December 28, 2010

    1. Heather (26). Canadian. I’m not sure I’ve ever filled in a form that required an ethnicity, but White/Caucasian (do they still use that word? We did in my forensic anthropology class, but there was some controversy over the different labels).
    2. I was born and currently live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As rightly guessed (eventually) by a certain comedian at a fantastic gig I saw just recently.
    3. I’m not quite as tall as I’d like to be, but this summer I learned that I am the same height as Tiernan Douieb and also the “average British woman”, so maybe I should be content with that. I’ve always been on the skinny side, and am hoping my metabolism doesn’t change too much as the years go by.
    4. I’d say my disposition towards happiness is somewhere like 27/30. I’m usually pretty pleased with life, but with the occasional niggling worry.
    5. Hmm. This requires some thought. Currently, I have a terrible sore throat, both my regular and my small backup laptop have stopped working, and I’m a bit stressed about the possibility of buying a house. On the other hand, that sore throat is the result of being on a plane (never fails to make me sick), and is thus a reminder that not only did I had an utterly fantastic time in the UK, but also that I managed to beat the odds and make it back home for Christmas, which was absolutely wonderful and had lots of good food and great presents and so really cancels out the sore throat quite well; the laptops are under warranty or otherwise easily dealt with; and buying a house, although stressful, is still pretty cool. So I’m going to go with 68/70 for my happiness-at-the-moment-quotient, which gives me a total score of 95!
    6. I currently work in the kitchens at a hospital. It is most definitely not my dream job, but it pays well and has good benefits and such. I’m thinking I might add to my TYSIC to start volunteering at a museum over the next year, with the aim of maybe getting some sort of museum / tour guide-y type job eventually. I did my undergrad in anthropology, and was planning to go on to a graduate degree in archaeology, but I realised by the end of my undergrad that trying to make a career out of archaeology was likely to destroy my soul, and that I was really much happier as an amateur rather than having to deal with all the bureaucracy that goes with having a proper job in that field.
    7. I am not in a relationship. And “Who is the most attractive famous person you can think of”, huhn? Fishing for compliments are we, Mr. Watson?
    8. I support Bristol city in as much as I send good thoughts their way and am happy when you write that they’ve had a good game, but never actually get around to checking on their progress myself. So probably a 1. But as a proper Canadian I feel compelled to call hockey my “favourite” sport, although really I don’t watch either one all that much, and prefer playing myself (in a not-really-adhering-to-the-rules kind of way) to watching either sport. Also, the two go together nicely, with hockey taking over in winter and soccer/”football” dominating in summer.
    9. Minchin being on the first series of Substantially Better. This was also how I came to know of the wonderful Tim Key, and what lead me to finding out about the fantastic Alex Horne.
    10. I am not at all good at picking favourites, especially in this case as I think I like you so much in part because of the variety of things you do that all seem to blend together; I love the sense of community that you’re able to build, whether it’s with the blog, or the book launch, or your live shows. It seems like almost everything you do has the potential to become a group project, which is awesome, and I have met so many fantastic people as a result.
    11. I try to read and comment every day, which is usually pretty easy to do, except when my internet connection is messed up (like now).
    12. I used to want to live until I was at least 117, so that I would’ve lived in three different centuries. But really I think it would depend upon a lot of factors, such as how badly we mess up the world and whether or not there is anyone else left alive.
    13. I am a big fan about talking about everything; I don’t think that there are topics that should never be raised no matter what. Having said that, not everything makes a very good joke and I don’t really appreciate the type of comedy that uses shocking or offensive material as an end in itself. So I guess any topic can be used in comedy if handled correctly, but that some topics are really difficult to handle correctly.
    14. You and your “favourites”! Gah. Off the top of my head, in no particular order and by no means an exhaustive list: Tim Minchin, Tim Key, Alex Horne, Adam Hills, Dara O Briain, Robin Ince, Sammy J, Josie Long, Tiernan Douieb, Billy Connolly, Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey, Dylan Moran, Jon Richardson, Richard Herring, Chris Addison, DeeAnne Smith, Tripod, The Axis of Awesome, Demetri Martin, Geraldine Quinn, Cal Wilson, David O’Doherty, The Penny Dreadfuls, Ed Byrne, and MARK WATSON (haha, I defy your rules, puny mortal!)
    15. “Favourite song” is one of the few categories in which I can almost pick; I can’t check at the moment because of my laptop woes, but I believe I have somewhere along the lines of eighteen versions of the song Hallelujah, originally by Leonard Cohen (and in fact, Cohen accounts for four of them on his own), so that is quite telling. Other songs warring it out for dominion of my heart include Regina Spektor’s Samson (even the first chord is enough to brighten my soul) and the Symphony of Science “song” A Still More Glorious Dawn, which never fails to give me goose bumps no matter how many times I hear it. I know you asked for artists or albums, but that’s the closest I can get. Although actually, I will say that more people should listen to Jonathan Coulton; he is nerdy and great, and he has all of his music to listen to for free –and some to download for free– on his site (jonathancoulton.com).
    16. More of what you’re doing would suit me fine; maybe another guest blog by Emily?
    17. Reality TV. Cannot stand it in the slightest. Oh, and people who pronounce it “liberry” in stead of “library”. Normally I’m all about a descriptivist approach to language, but that is just not on.
    18. I do indeed. It is currently comprised of four separate components: 1) Be less introverted (going surprisingly well), 2) Travel more (definitely did some work towards this over the last few months, but it may be taking a back burner for the next little while), 3) Brush up language skills (severely flagging, but do have some promising French-language movies to look into, and I did know what Dara O Briain was saying in Irish in the Dublin gig he’s got as an extra on one of his dvds ["Maith an cailín! Tá tu dána, tá tu salach", "Good girl! You're bad, you're dirty"; I knew all of those words, although I had never encountered them in that context]), and 4) Buy a house (have made definite strides with this, might even happen in the next few months; am trying not to freak out).
    19. I’ll definitely be giving blood as soon as they let me again, but that’s still a few months off, as I have to wait until I’ve been back from Korea for a year. On top of that, there is the aforementioned volunteering at a museum. I think that’ll do me in terms of resolutions.
    20. I am going to use this space to give Misha a cuddle! (I think I can guess why.)

19. Posted by lukey on December 28, 2010

    1. Luke Anstee (18) White British
    2. Bedford in England sadly :/
    3. I believe I’m about 5 foot 9 ish ??? fairly thin happy as I am because buying clothes that fit is very easy
    4. 12 out of 30
    5. 35 out of 70. My WHF is 47
    6. I’m doing a horticulture Corse at college. Dull but I didn’t try very hard at school (Y)
    7. I am in a relationship and I’m very happy with her famous attractive person (this is tough) despite been a straight guy, can I say Ewan McGregor ?a fine specimen of a man who I’m a fan of.
    8. I hate football, sorry. The only sport I enjoy watching its snow board cross i saw it on the winter Olympics a few years back and was hooked.
    9. I saw you on tv, found the blog from following you on twitter.
    10. I like your stand up, I read your latest book too, and loved it, I recon my favourite thing about you is this blog though.
    11. I read every day, unless I’m without internet access or very tired. But catch up the next day
    12. I wanna live as long as I can, old people are humorous, and I’m quite looking forward to being one. (if I don’t die before I get the chance. of Corse, I may be hit by a bus tomorrow)
    13. No, I personally think it’s one of the best things about comedians. To be able to laugh at topics people are generally wary of commenting on.
    14. Billy Connolly, closely followed but Ross Noble, and Tim Minchin, and you.
    15. My favourite band is 36 Crazyfists.
    16. Maybe you could set up some of the single blog readers Mark Watson as cupid :3
    17. Ben Fogal ,ugh… what a twat.
    18. My TYSIC is to stay with my girl friend and marry her within the next ten years, I know it’s stupid to say this as I’ve only been with her a year, but I really do love her. She makes me happy, so being with her is improving me, my confidence, self esteem ect… so it’s good  The challenge really is to not give her a reason to leave me. To stay a good boy friend. And so far its going well, we are still together stronger than ever .
    19. I’m gonna put a little more effort in at college this year. So far I’ve been good, but only done the pass marks, I’m aiming for the distinction’s now (Y)
    20. I’ve found staying positive is pretty impossible, for those trying, keep at it (feels stupid typing all this)

20. Posted by Jamie/James on December 27, 2010

    1. James (22) British, Caucasian
    2. Leeds, but only until the end of next year.
    3. Quite tall, average size. I fluctuate.
    4. 18ish
    5. Anywhere between 38 and 55 & a half.. There was a point this year where I was 69, but only for about 25 minutes.
    6. Musician, drummer/accordinist doing an MA..
    7. It’s complicated. I like personalities.. I had a crush on a comedian, but it fell through after failed flirting attempts and a blind date game.
    8. 6 .. Bolton Wanderers.
    9. Honestly can’t remember, though I saw one of your shows at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009 whilst working as a flyerer.
    10. The Hotel and the last 24 hour show were both brilliant. Especially as I got to be part of both of them. The former is one of the reasons I read your blog.
    11. I read once or twice a week. Though if everything gets busy I might miss a couple of weeks, though I usually catch up. I comment occasionally.
    12. I’d like to live for as long as I’m still able to actively do things.
    13. A comedian should remember that the relationship between the audience and the performer is the most important aspect and take it from there.
    14. It varies. I don’t have a solid favourite.. some comedians can be funny one year and rubbish the next. I do like Simon Amstell’s stand up. I also like Improv stuff and Dan Antopolski is quite funny. Also Tiernan Douieb is great to follow on twitter.
    15. I don’t have a single favourite, but Ben Folds, Spring Awakening, Reuben, Cirque Du Soleil, Bellowhead and Imogen Heap are all up there.
    16. I like challenges/missions. Up to you.
    17. People who are famous for nothing.
    18. I have many. One was to get a first in my degree, which I completed. this year. I’m writing two musicals.. recorded stuff. I might give up on my ‘meeting celebrities’ one though. I’m not really seeing the impact from meeting any of them. Mostly just made a fool out of myself.
    19. By the end of next year I’d like to have my MA completed and get a well paid or music related job. It’s technically illegal for me to give blood.
    20. I have videos of my music stuff and my folk trio at youtube.com/mrdrummydrumdrum

21. Posted by Adele on December 27, 2010

    1. Adele Dicken (31). White British. 
    2. Living in Nottingham, originally from South Derbyshire.
    3. I’m short at 5’2″, neither fat nor thin, but sadly still considered overweight which does not please me. Ideally I’d be 2 stone lighter, realistically, thats not going to happen though. 
    4. On a 1-30 scale I would say my natural level of happiness is about 25. I generally assume the best case scenario, not in a smug way, but in more of a gullible “she doesn’t get out into the real world” way. 
    5. In general, and out of 70, I’m at around the 60 mark for happiness right now. If life carried on the way it is, I’d have no complaints, but there’s always room for improvements such as lottery wins, babies and my upcoming wedding. 
    WHF is therefore 85.
    6. My job is ‘Dog Care Support Worker’ for Guide Dogs for the blind which is essentially an admin job.  I like it, it’s interesting, hugely varied at times and the people I work with are now among my very best friends. That said, it is still desk bound on the whole so I’d like to do something that allows me to get out more…except when it’s cold or rainy! 
    7. A) I am in a relationship. I’m engaged to Roger, a very occasional blog commenter. We get married on 19th November next year. 
    B) Most attractive person? Errr, it changes daily but today it’s Ewan McGregor. 
    8. A) No, not anymore. I’m a retired fan. 
    B) I used to support Man Utd to an almost level 9 degree, but I was actually making myself feel ill on the eve of European games so eventually tired of the jangling nerves, inexplicable hatred of anything not currently your first team, and the constant conflict that arises from needing to see your team do well, and wanting to win the local fantasy football league. My new favourite thing is F1. Much easier to deal with because even if your favourite driver crashes, it’s still a bit fun to watch! 
    9. Edinburgh fringe festival, 2008. 
    10. Live shows, closely followed by the blog. 
    11. I read the blog every day, but only comment when I have something to say that’s applicable. 
    12. I would like to live one day less than my husband to be so I never have to be without him. That is, unless that day is very soon, in which case it becomes a one woman suicide pact which has a far less romantic feel. Maybe when I’m 85 which means he’d have to make it to 89. 
    13. I’m undecided on what subjects should and shouldn’t be mentioned by comedians. I think that freedom of speech is important, but at what cost? If a comedian says something that has the ability to totally ruin a person’s day, then the laugh it receives should never be worth it. People watch comedy to be amused and entertained. If, by discussing certain topics during a show, a significant population of the audience is feeling upset or offended, then is the comedian doing what they set out to do? I’m all for pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable, but not when it’s controversy for controversy’s sake. I would say that the stickiest topics are mocking disabilities or the recently deceased, two very emotive subjects. If a comedian wants to approach them, they should first question, if the boot was on the other foot, how would they feel? 
    Questions 14 – 20 (summarised as I have run out of time to do it properly):

    14: Eddie Izzard
    15: No I genuinely don’t
    16: Nothing that springs to mind
    17: No-one, I tend not to hate
    18: Yes; get a degree, run a marathon & lose weight. None of which are going tremendously well. 
    19: Do more random acts of kindness
    20: No more comments to make other than please do keep up the excellent work of this blog, it has become part of my daily routine. 

22. Posted by Anji on December 27, 2010

    Ok, so after deciding to wait and do this when on an actual computer, and forgetting for too long, here goes….

    1. Anji (28), White British
    2. Exeter, Devon.
    3. I’m a debateable 5’3 (apparently others think I’m taller than this), I’m a little less around then I was, and getting pretty happy with me. I think.
    4. How much debate can one question cause?! I think I’m about a 20.
    5. I’ve had a tough couple of years, but am starting to feel back to myself. i’ll stab at a 50, with room for improvement.
    WHF = 70
    6. I am a receptionist. It’s not a job i ever thought I would be doing, and certainly isn’t what I studied for, but a rubbish knee and rough times means I’m learning to like it!
    7. I am in a long term relationship. Patrick Dempsy – perhaps an odd choice but lets just accept it shall we.
    8. Aston Villa by default due to the OH, when I was younger it was Liverpool and I still keep an eye on things. I’m I’ve been told I’m a 6 – because I’ve been to games, and know stuff (ish) so a 6 it is!
    9. Seeing bits on TV, and then twitter.
    10. I love your books, I’m seeing you live for the first time in Feb, your TV bits I have seen are great MWKO being a fave coz the OH watched it too!
    11. I try and read everyday – sometimes I get a day behind. I’m comenting less lately but try to comment at least once a week!
    12. I’m happy to take it to the max. My Gran’s 90 and still going strong so perhaps that’ll be in the genes.
    13. I think everyone will have subjects that make them cringe, for personal reasons, but I think it depends on how the subject is put over that makes a big difference. There is probably a fine line, but I personally have a fairly flexible line!
    14. Dara O Briain. TV show goes to Grays Anatomy.
    15. I’m quite run of the mill with my music taste, Robbie Williams usually hits the spot.
    16. I think you cover a fab range of things already and have confidence this will continue!
    17. Jack Whithall is quite a dislikeable character. I hate rudeness and those who feel they are more important or better than others.
    18. I do, I havent updated it months tho! I seemingly remember it saying to get a job, which I have, and learning to drive – have to get onto that. I did fairly short term ones at the time, I may go and set some more long term ones shortly!
    19.To keep in touch will people better than I do now!
    20.

23. Posted by Lora on December 27, 2010

    1. Lora (20) I think it’s normally the White/British box I tick.
    2. Sunderland for Uni
    3. Quite short, relatively thin, pretty happy.
    4. 24 ish
    5. I’d say 50 so WHF 74.
    6. Studying Media Production, I’d quite like to work in radio although I’m pretty open to anything in media at all at the moment.
    7. Nope. Uhm I’m struggling with someone who is regarded as ‘famous’… Richard Armitage comes to mind.
    8. I have two football teams, one non-league, one league. I’d say 9 or so for the non-league team as I’m on the committee of the team and help run it and such but my day is never quite ruined by a result, I also attend as many matches as physically possible when you live on the other side of the country. For the league team (Sunderland) I would only say 3 or so as I’ve never been to a match despite living nearly next door for a year. Sorry long response there.
    9. I’m thinking Mock The Week or a similar show
    10. I don’t think I have a specific thing, as I enjoy the combination such as when you are trying to explain to people you’ve just met why biros are so important. If I was pushed though I would go for live shows.
    11. I read the blog every day when possible, if not I catch up as soon as possible. I comment on average probably twice a week.
    12. As long as possible please.
    13. Not really, as long as it remains respectable.
    14. Comedian (other than you) – Jon Richardson, closely followed by Alun Cochrane.TV Show – Spooks, closely followed by Life On Mars.
    15. Dopamine.
    16. Nothing springs to mind, whatever you fancy.
    17. People who only attend events to get a photo or be able to brag about having met someone famous.
    18. Yes, there were 6 points, one of which (attending a festival and camping) I have completed. Other 5 are:
    1. Keep regular gig reviews (so-so)
    2: Attend every date of a tour by my favourite band. (Badly affected by snow and lack of funds).
    3: Pass my degree (going well)
    4: Post regular pics from gigs on my blog (when it happens going well)
    5: Be able to make phone calls without getting myself into a tizz beforehand (quite successful).

    19. I did come up with something for this when I first saw the census blog, which I have now promptly forgotten on my return to fill in the questionnaire. Therefore, I shall make it getting employment at Edinburgh Festival.
    20. Some of these responses are brilliant, I feel I know quite a lot about Watsonians on the whole now.

24. Posted by Custard_Cream_Dreams on December 27, 2010

    1. Mike (23)… I put British English. That’s what it’s called right?
    2. Zeist, in the Netherlands
    3. I’m about average height, a bit thinner. I’d like to be slightly bigger in both departments, really…
    4. 20
    5. 60
    6. I’m studying a Masters’ in European Law at Utrecht
    7. I have a girlfriend! Um, that woman from Casino Royale
    8. I support Southampton, I reckon at level 6.
    9. I think it was Time Trumpet.
    10. Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better
    11. I try to read it every day, though I’ve fallen a couple of weeks behind. I rarely comment (though I almost won a competition once…)
    12. I wanna live till I die. No more, no less.
    13. I think it’s poor form to poke fun at people in circumstances beyond their control, though I probably do it as much as everyone else. I guess if you have that sort of relationship with someone in particular and it’s give and take, that’s fine.
    14. Dara O’Briain
    15. Foo Fighters or Ash
    16. 2011? Hur-hur… I don’t really mind. Whatever comes up. The Great April Pie Shortage, even.
    17. I don’t really like when people overuse the words epic, fail, random and win. That’s an arrogant thing to say, I know.
    18. I do, though I don’t update it very often. Thinking of making it yearly updates to save face But in terms of skills, the guitar is going ok, the exercise hasn’t really started as well as it could have, I can ride a bike now, I’ve learnt less French than I have Swedish and Dutch this year.
    19. I’m making it my resolution to learn Swedish, (as an appendix to my TYSIC, and one which take longer to master)
    20. I’d lost the audience’s sympathy by question 6, I’m sure. I’ll wish every Watsonian a happy 2011!

25. Posted by Joelle on December 27, 2010

    1. Joelle (16) Australian.
    2. Perth, Western Australia.
    3. Tall and chubby but I’m happy with my body. I wish more people were.
    4. 20
    5. 50. WHF = 70/100
    6. I’m still in highschool. I’m taking economics, literature, biology, math and politics and law (that’s my favourite). I hope to do something in journalism or advertising once I’ve left school.
    7. I’m not in a relationship. People think it’s weird that I never have been and haven’t done any of the stuff a normal 16 year old has. Sad times we’re living in. Most attractive famous person would have to be either Noel Fielding, Tim Minchin or Wil Anderson.
    8. I hate sport. On a Saturday I normally do homework, read, go on the computer or go out to practise driving. I really like to drive.
    9. An advert on TV advertising your show back in Perth 2008 made me want to go and see you live. You got me hooked to comedy!
    10. Books, live shows and the blogs are my favourite. I like the books because I get to live in an entire new world. Live shows because I love the atmosphere in the room during a stand up show. Everybody’s come to laugh and you do a great job of it, what’s not to love? The blogs just make me feel involved and accepted, even if I don’t comment or whatever. I don’t see you much on TV because I live in Australia.
    11. I read the blog daily unless I don’t have access to internet, like on school camps. I’m dreading my 8 day trip to Sydney/Canberra next year because I won’t be able to read the blog for ages. I comment maybe two quarters of the time.
    12. I’d like to live until my mind and body isn’t functioning properly anymore. I can’t really put an age on that because you can’t predict the future.
    13. Not really. If you can’t make a joke of something, you’re letting it control you.
    14. Tim Minchin. I’m terrible with favourites so I’ll just list some. Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, Mighty Boosh, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, IT Crowd, Friends and Will & Grace.
    15. Does Tim Minchin count? Other than him, Eddie Perfect, Paul McDermott or Ben Lee.
    16. Anything you deem appropriate seems good to me. It’s your blog after all
    17. Benny Hill.
    18. My main one is to see 100 live shows over the next 10 years and visit MICF and Edinburgh at least once. I think I’m going to up the show count, though. I don’t think you’re following me on the website by the way. I’m OJTS on the TYSIC site.
    19. Get a job and save money. Also just become a more happy and clean person.
    20. I have nothing interesting to say here (:

26. Posted by Ben Draper on December 25, 2010

    1. Ben (19) White British
    2. Walsall (West Midlands) & Bath in term time
    3. 6ft high, 9 1/2 stone. Happy with my shape
    4. 20
    5. 60 (but it is christmas, so…)
    6. Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering at University of Bath. I hate it, I wish I studied English or Film or something
    7. No, Anna Karina (Circa 1964)
    8. I like Bath Rugby team, maybe 3/10
    9. I can’t remember
    10. I loved Substantially Better
    11. I read every 3 or 4 days to catch up, since day 1 and have posted maybe 25 times?
    12. I have no idea, I don’t like the idea of being frail
    13. When they talk about their own race it annoys me. It’s not very inventive.
    14. Stewart Lee or Josie Long, not sure. I like University Challenge (i was nearly on it but was on holiday when it was being recorded)
    15. Oh so many, from The Smiths to Guided By Voices and De La Soul
    16. Anything Mark finds interesting.
    17. Uri Geller really pissed me off on 8/10 Cats the other week.
    18. Yes I do, to write a book. It has fallen at the way-side, if that’s how the phrase goes.
    19. Do more things that I want to do.
    20. I’ve got nothing, I hate a blank page.

27. Posted by JennyB on December 24, 2010

    1. Jenny (19 – birthday was 22 Dec, didn’t put this on the other blog, sorry.) I’m usually a “Mixed – White/Other” kinda gal, mixed English and Chinese isn’t usually an option.
    2. Living in Bristol for uni.
    3. I’m short (5ft 2) and more fatter than I’d like to be. Don’t actually mind the lack of height, think it’s worse for short guys…
    4. Naturally I’d say…14/30.
    5. 52/70 so a WHF score of 66.
    6. Studying chemistry. Still no idea what to do with my life *sigh*
    7. Single. James McAvoy = swoon.
    8. Liverpool FC fan – 10/10, I’m a nightmare to be around when they lose, which, given current form, is not good.
    9. Erm… probably a panel show, maybe Mock The Week?
    10. Live shows and the blog. I like experiencing the community of Watsonians.
    11. I usually read the blog every day but have been slacking recently (will hopefully return to order soon). I’m an occasional commenter (I think this is my 5th one) and a lurker-sympathiser, as I always think I shouldn’t post and often delete things I was going to write.
    12. I’m quite afraid of death but I think going at around 80 would be ok…
    13. I think Jimmy Carr can do a controversial joke well whereas Frankie Boyle can’t. Material is ok as long as the goal is to make people laugh and not just create offense.
    14. So many to mention – Russell Howard, Jack Dee, Bill Bailey, Michael McIntyre and Sarah Millican are the ones I can think of now.
    15. My favourite band is definitely Elbow. Guy Garvey is a genius and their Seldom Seen Kid album is my favourite of all time.
    16. I’m just hoping for more of the same sort of stuff really, just nice to hear your current musings.
    17. Keith Lemon. It’s just not funny.
    18. No TYSIC so far, will have a think about that one.
    19. Make more of an effort to stay in touch with people from home.
    20. Merry Christmas everyone!

28. Posted by Sarah el on December 24, 2010

    I love this type of thing!!

    1). Sarah, 21 (8Nov, I didn’t comment on the other one) Also I’m white, and call myself Welsh, if the forms give that as an option.
    2). I am living in S. Wales, in a little town.
    3). I am 5″2 which is fairly short, I’ve never been overweight but I managed to lose a stone before Xmas fairly easily, and I plan on losing more in the New Year. This is the first time ever I’ve cared about my weight. I hope it doesn’t turn into an obsession.
    4). This one confused me a bit. If I understand correctly, I’d say 10 out of 30; I’m quite a negative person, unfortunately.
    5). I’d say 25 out of 70, though it’s hugely improved in the past year! Okay, added together, I think I’d have a WHF of 35.
    6). I work for a charity, and first started out volunteering there. I dropped out of uni after my first year. I’d say more but I’m scared people I know could be reading.
    7. I’m the early stages, I guess. I’m a fan of Johnny Depp (of course).
    8). I hate all sports. On Saturdays, I lounge.
    9). I think I saw you on Youtube, not certain, maybe MTW?
    10). I like your stand-up, but I also like you on tv shows. I love the blog because I think it’s a nice thing to do. I haven’t read your books yet, but hopefully will over Xmas. Basically, I love everything!!
    11). I read every few days, I think. I have it in my google reader, so sometimes I just read it on there, and sometimes I click over to this site to read the comments. I hardly ever comment, though I have a little bit more recently.
    12). I have no idea how long I want to live for. I just want to be happy when I die.
    13). I can’t think of anything comedians shouldn’t talk about. Though I dislike comedians that are gratuitously offensive. Like Elise, I like comedy where the humour outweighs the offensiveness, or shock factor, not where the humour IS the offensiveness.
    14).This might sound ridiculous, in light of answer 13, and also as he’s probably the opposite end of the spectrum to you (who would obviously be my automatic choice), but I really like Frankie Boyle. I especially liked him on Mock the Week.
    15). At the minute, I’m listening a lot to Ojos de Brujo, and spanish hip-hop. Bob Marley is definitely the one musician I’ll listen to forever.
    16). Umm, I can’t think of anything specific. I like hearing details of your life, and general philosophical musing though.
    17). Ian Duncan-Smith >:(
    18). I know I remember signing up on the other site, I haven’t actually been over there since though. My TYSIC was pretty vague I think; I wanted to learn Spanish (maybe live abroad as well?). Like you, I think an effort toward optimism would benefit me. Maybe one goal should be to up my WHF?
    19). I thought about this yesterday. The things I came up with were to be more positive, learn more Spanish and eat less. Thinking about it, the first two are similar to my TYSIC. So to have one separate, my New Year’s Resolution will be to be more brave, and less shy.
    20). Well that was fun!! I think I filled them all out and didn’t miss any. This occupied for the hour on Christmas Eve where everyone decides to nap. I’d best finish wrapping the presents now.
    I hope everyone has a nice Christmas

29. Posted by Elise on December 24, 2010

    Collecting data on us, eh? I think this might be how cults start out. Ah well, here goes.

    1. Elise. (23) American, white (ethnically Irish and Polish).
    
2. I live in New Zealand, though I’m a New Yorker by birth/attitude.
    
3. I’m pretty much normal in the height and weight category. Even if I’m not, I’d like to think that I am, so let’s go with it.

    4. Hmm, probably like 22 out of 30? That’s a tough one.
    5. I would say I’m generally quite happy, maybe 66 out of 70. WHF=88.
    
6. Ah yes, my “job”. I generally call myself a freelance journalist, though I’m sure the New York Times would describe me as a “multi-platform media content provider” or some such. I do journalisty things.
    
7. Nope. Most attractive famous person I can think of is probably George Clooney. I know it’s obvious, but have you SEEN him? It’s ridiculous.
    
8. Nope (see: American). I’m not a huge sports fan, but I’m a big fan of sleeping and drinking with friends on Saturdays.
    
9. Definitely somehow BBC related, though I can’t remember exactly how.
    10. Easily ‘We Need Answers’. I remember the first time I watched it: I got 15 minutes in and thought, ‘Have I hit my head? Am I imagining this? Because this is awesome and strange and I can’t believe it was ever on TV, but it is fantastic.’ 

    11. I read the blog every day that I have Internet available, which is pretty much every day.

    12. I don’t want to live forever, which is lucky, as it seems unlikely. I don’t have an age in mind, but I think it’d be pretty cool to live to the 22nd century, which would require making it to 113. Manageable, I think. 

    13. Nope. The first comedian I ever saw live was George Carlin, and I agree with him that anything can be funny if you make it funny. But it has to be funnier than the ‘other’ thing it is – e.g., a sexist joke can be funny if it’s funnier than it is sexist. 

    14. I’m gonna have to go with Mitch Hedberg. Having recently lost Greg Giraldo, however, I have to say that he must have been one of the smartest comedians I’ve ever seen, and a huge reason for why I love comedy as I do. Absolutely genius, that man. Favorite TV show on the air at the moment is Mad Men.
    15. Foo Fighters.
    
16. Nothing special, just keep on keeping on.

    17. Rush Limbaugh.

    18. I do – it is to have a book published. To me, that seems like an unbelievable, impossible accomplishment, but I’ve got 10 years, so who knows?
    
19. Hmm. Well, its not really a resolution, but it might be time for me to understand money and budgets and the like, so I guess I could work on that in 2011.
    
20. I’ve had these questions saved on my computer for a few days now, lingering like homework. Every time Mark posted or tweeted anything, I’d think, ‘oh, I must do the census.’ So for better or worse, I’m properly hooked on this site, and will do whatever Mark orders me to so long as it’s legal and free/cheap. Please be benevolent, dear leader. And Merry Christmas to all.

30. Posted by Steph on December 23, 2010

    1. Steph (17 and 11 months today). White, English (I say English rather than British cause I live in Scotland and I like winding them all up. )
    2. Aberdeenshire, Scotland
    3. Average height & thin. And I am pretty happy with it.
    4. 20.
    5. 65. WHF=85.
    6. I work part time at a children’s science centre. It’s pretty fun but can get a bit dull when it’s quiet and the pay’s not great. Next year I’m going to uni to study medicine (although I have a horrible feeling I’ll get there and realise I want to be doing something more science focused. So my ideal job is either a doctor, or medical research.
    7. I am. The famous person I’m most attracted to is Ben Goldacre (of Bad Science fame).
    8. I hate all sports, on Saturday’s I like to sleep and be lazy (assuming I’m not working).
    9. I’m a big Tim Minchin fan so I first listened to Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better because he was in it.
    10. Blog, live shows, tv/radio shows. I like the books too, but I just think of you as a comedian/cult leader more.
    11. I don’t necessarily read the blog everyday, but I do always catch up. I only comment occasionally though.
    12. I want to make it to triple figures.
    13. I think anything can be mentioned, as long as the comedian isn’t being deliberately offensive (eg. Tim Minchin makes a joke about gay people, but without victimising them).
    14. Tim Minchin. And that’s too hard, I can’t choose.
    15. I have a (very big) soft spot for Newton Faulkner, and Duke Special.
    16. I can’t really think of anything… I’ll get back to you if I do.
    17. David Cameron, my “friend” Alina.
    18. I do… But I chose rubbish things, I’m going to start again.
    19. Mine was to give blood anyway, and to comment more on the blog.
    20. I think I love this blog more than I should.

31. Posted by DieNacht on December 23, 2010

    1. Lina (24). Canadian.
    2. Montréal. Québec.
    3. Short (5’3) and fit
    4. 18
    5. 50 WHF=68
    7. No. Thomas Fersen is famous enough, right? If not, I guess Tim Key.
    8. My team is the Montreal Canadiens (hockey). The season is way too long (82 games), so I start to seriously follow them in the last 15 games, and then, if lucky, during the playoffs. Go Habs Go!
    9. That would be about a year ago, through the We Need Answers/No More Women entries from the BBC Comedy blog. I enjoyed the games, and decided to check on the three of you.
    10. The blog
    11. Every day (RSS), 1st comment.
    12. Staying healthy is more important than the age.
    14. Tim Key, Milton Jones, Mitch Hedberg, Pierre Desproges // TV: Arrested Development
    15. Godspeed You! Black Emperor // Do Make Say Think
    19. “re-learn” spanish (lost a lot of it, due to lack of practice), although improving my english would also be a good thing…

32. Posted by Amy on December 23, 2010

    Totally forgot on the comedians question: Sarah Millican. Sometimes she makes me laugh so much I think a little bit of wee might come out. It hasn’t. Yet.

33. Posted by Amy on December 23, 2010

    1. Amy (21) White British.
    2. Norfolk
    3. Average height, above average weight. I’m working on it – I’m already doing well, just a couple of stone to go now.
    4. I’d say 20. I think I’m largely quite happy, but I think sometimes I have to work quite hard at it.
    5. 40. Good job, great friends… still things I can moan about other than that, but ultimately I’m better off than an awful lot of people. WHF = 60.
    6. I’m an Outreach Officer, encouraging young people to consider doing to university. It’s brilliant, and so rewarding, but one day I hope to be a comedian.
    7. I am single. I have a massive thing for Matt Cardle.
    8. Everton. Probably to a level 4 or 5. Feel pretty melancholic if they lose and pretty euphoric if they win, but it doesn’t ruin/improve my mood significantly for more than an hour or two. I don’t see every match, either.
    9. I’m not sure! Probably on something like Mock The Week.
    10. Market research question II: I love the blog. So much. And I’m so sad I never got to see a 24 hour show.
    11. I did read the blog daily for a long time, but very rarely commented. Then life got in the way. Now I’m back, and I’m hoping to get more involved in the commentage etc.
    12. Who wants to live forever? I want to live until I’ve accomplished everything I hope to do in my life.
    13. If we start censoring comedians we come into all kinds of problems. Everything, I believe, is open to discussion and comedy is a form of social commentary. Obviously one needs to be conscious of their audience…
    14. Favourite comedian varies wildly depending on mood. I can pretty much rely on Do’D, Stewart Lee and a splash of ol’ Rusty Rockets. Favourite television show? Embarrassingly, I absolutely adore Horrible Histories. I urge everyone to watch it – hugely funny, hugely informative and definitely not just for kids!
    15. Art Brut. Absolutely adore them.
    16. Can’t think of anything!
    17. Baked beans. Their texture makes me queasy. Little blobs of Satan.
    18. My TYSIC was to cycle the equivalent of half way to the moon. I then realised this was impossible. Now, it is to build on the moderate local success I have had as a stand-up and actually do something with it.
    19. Get to my target weight.
    20. My favourite fact goes like this: ants can carry significantly more than their body weight. They are billions of ants on the planet. If they really wanted to, and they really got organised, there are enough ants to pick up every human on the planet and throw us all into the sea. Scary, huh? Also, read hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com. Other than this fine site, Allie Brosh is EASILY the best blogger I have ever had the fortune to stumble across. Truly amazing, laugh out loud funny.

34. Posted by Tine on December 23, 2010

    1. Tine (28), White (I´ve never stated my race on a form before), Danish.
    2. Copenhagen, Denmark
    3. I´m sort of tall for a woman (that´s what people tell me when I´m outside of Scandinavia). My weight is fine by me.
    4. Naturally happy: 15.
    5. 50. WHF: 65.
    6. I study Modern Culture and Communication. I´m currently writing my thesis on memorials in Berlin. I´d like to write a book and work at a museum.
    7. I´m single. Angelina Jolie is quite hot isn´t she.
    8. 0. I support no football teams. I live right next to the football stadium in Copenhagen and I´ve never been inside.
    9. Mock the Week.
    10. TV and books. I´ve so far been restricted by geography to attend a live show. I´d like to when I´m in Britain.
    11. I read the blog several times a week. I don´t comment regularly.
    12. I´m hoping I´ll last until I´m in my eighties and then just drop dead (like both my grandfathers did).
    13. No. I believe if the comedian is smart or creative enough any subject can be used in comedy.
    14. Simon Amstell, Sarah Silverman and some danish ones.
    15. PJ Harvey
    16. Anything related to animals.
    17. The right wing parties in Denmark. They have way too much influence on our politics and they are doing bad things to the entire country. I´m really embarassed by them and the people who vote for them.
    18. I don´t have a TYSIC. I might consider getting one.
    19. I recently signed up for giving blood to the local hospital. My resolution will be to answer the email about arranging a date for actually giving the blood. I´m quite scared of needles but I really want to do it since I´ve been told by a medical student that I have a rare blood type and that it´s kind of selfish of me no to give blood. I´m determined to man up (or woman up) and let them take some of my blood in the new year.
    20. Good luck with everyone´s TYSIC and merry christmas!

35. Posted by Andrew on December 23, 2010

    1. Andrew (42). English, white.
    2. Oxford.
    3. 5’8″, about 11 and a half stone, happy enough.
    4. About 12. Sorry.
    5. About 40. Sorry. WHF therefore 52.
    6. Graphic Design. Fell into it, not my ideal job, no natural ability. No idea what else I would prefer to do though.
    7. I am married. I think Tea Leoni is gorgeous. My wife knows.
    8. I support Oxford Utd. I have a season ticket, and have had for 17 years, during which time I’ve missed about 5 home games. Apologies for the detail, but there are a lot of people claiming 10 in this category and I want them to know that this is what they need to beat.
    9. Miscellaneous TV appearances going back quite a way, but We Need Answers sealed my affection.
    10. TV shows.
    11. I’ve read every blog but not many on the day they are posted. I comment maybe one day in ten?
    12. I just want to live long enough to enjoy some time after I’m done with the misery of work. 80 would be great.
    13. There are no subjects off limits, but some comedians ought to realise that just shocking for the sake of it without having a point to make is pretty feeble (hello Frankie Boyle).
    14. The funniest stand up I saw this year, somewhat to my surprise, was Lee Mack; the funniest hour of my life was Harry Hill about a decade ago, before he became the most implausible ITV peak time star ever.
    15. Steely Dan.
    16. I like it when you are a bit more opinionated. Sometimes you seem overly anxious to see all sides of an argument. While I think this is an admirable trait, sometimes it’s nice to just say “People who think the eighth letter of the alphabet is pronounced haitch are all morons”.
    17. Jeremy Clarkson. I know it’s partly an act and he plays up to it for effect, but I actually find that sadder than if he was really like it.
    18. I don’t have one. I wish I did. Sorry.
    19. I’ll resolve to revive my own moribund blog. Nobody reads it, but it makes me feel good when I write something I enjoy.
    20. I would advise any young people reading to not do anything because they feel pressured to do it, or to feel that the things that they enjoy are weird or sad or any other pejorative term. You are what you are, enjoy that person and inhabit that person and let others take you as they find you.

36. Posted by Beth on December 23, 2010

    1) Beth (24) White British
    2) Currently living in Reading – it’s as thrilling as it sounds.
    3) I’m pretty much average height, not so much average weight. Ha.
    4) I would say approximately 21. I’m generally positive and happy go lucky, but when I’m miserable I’m REALLY sodding miserable.
    5) I’d say 40, giving me a WHF OF 60.
    6) I graduated in Philosophy back in 2008 and am now working as a Library Assistant. I really want to become a fully fledged Librarian, but I don’t know where I will find the dosh to pay to do it. Grr.
    7) I’m not in a relationship at the moment. I’m done with those for the moment. I have a huge crush on Rupert Grint. It’s totally not wrong now he’s 22. I’d also do terrible things to David Tennant. I half-heartedly support Crystal Palace. When I was younger, my fan-dom was about 8, now its more about 2. Otherwise I’m not fussed by sport, although I do quite like watching athletics, mainly because all those people are far better than me.
    9) I assume it was on Mock the Week.
    10) Books and Live Shows, dead heat. I think the blog will edge into place once I have carved myself a little niche in the Watsonian community.
    11) Pretty much everyday, sometimes with a catch-up day on Monday if I haven’t had the chance. I have been a QIP since the very beginning, but have been slowly commenting of late 
    12) I would like to live as long as I need to. i.e. when my quality of life begins to decrease but my age keeps going up.
    13) Nope. It’s the way certain comedians handle delicate topics which is more often the problem.
    14) I would say Dylan Moran, Dara O’Briain and Josie Long. But basically every British Comedian. I really want to be everyone’s friend. TV Show, most probably Doctor Who, it’s the only thing I will religiously watch.
    15) Belle and Sebastian, without a shadow of a doubt.
    16) Nothing immediately springs to mind, but should I ever get first comment, I will make my demands known…
    17) The Tory party. I don’t think this needs expanding.
    18) I don’t, and I know I really should! I’ll get on it, I promise.
    19) I gave blood for the first time this year (I’ve not been able to for a while, thanks to my teenage penchant for piercings, which has luckily petered out) so I can do that again! Otherwise, I think I will do one thing a month that makes ME happy. I do fuss around other people a lot. I resolve to have more me time. (As much as I loathe that phrase)
    20) I have just read AF632’s post. It appears all Watsonian Librarians like Irish comics and timelords. Other than that, I would like to echo the words of the most brilliant Josie Long and urge everyone to Be Honorable! in 2011.

37. Posted by Lauren on December 23, 2010

    1. Lauren (23) Australian.
    2. Melbourne.
    3. Average height, average build, pretty happy with it.
    4. 20ish.
    5. I’d say about 50, for a WHF of 70.
    6. Working in a coffee shop and studying Professional Writing & Editing. The goal is to finally finish a novel or two.
    7. No, and I’ve always fancied Ben Folds for some reason.
    8. Not a sport fan. My favourite thing to do on a Saturday is sleep in, then try to avoid doing anything that might seem like work.
    9. I think it was the Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala in 2007. I didn’t go, I just saw it on the telly.
    10. Live shows.
    11. Read it every day, only comment sometimes.
    12. I always thought 90 would be pretty good. Living to 100 is for attention seekers.
    13. I think sometimes comedians think they’re being edgy when really they’re going too far. There’s a line, and once you cross it and the audience starts to feel uncomfortable, it’s not good comedy.
    14. Ross Noble, with Dylan Moran a close second.
    15. Regina Spektor.
    16. Nothing I can think of right now, nope.
    17. Rude people. Why can’t we all just be nice to each other? There’s no reason to treat other people like that.
    18. One of them was to finish my first novel, but I keep feeling overwhelmed. It’s all written (poorly) and I was about half way through finalising the first draft when the whole thing stalled. The other one was comedy, which is in worse shape than the novel.
    19. 2011 resolution: take a deep breath and actually do some work on my TYSICs.
    20. I’m gonna go back to what I said in 17, let’s all just be nice to each other!

38. Posted by Natalie-Helen on December 23, 2010

    1.Natalie-Helen (21) white British.
    2.Slutton (very) South London. It’s actually Sutton which was where C4 Phone Shop was set. But Slutton is accurate too. I basically live near a lot of more famous places.
    3.Basically average. No.
    4.Naturally left to my own devices I say about 12-15.
    5.It’s been a year of extreme good and shitty bad so I’m going to say at the end of the year I’m about a 45. And that’s being slightly more generous than I was originally inclined to (pessimism is very wide spread)
    6.I graduated from the University of Liverpool in June with a 2:1 (yay) since I’ve been trying to find a job. Hampered in a large way by fear and not knowing in anyway what I would like to do.
    7.No. Most attractive famous person fluctuates a lot. Gaspard Ulliel, but I’ll probably get distracted by someone else soon. (Long running faves inc: Johnny Depp and David Tennant. More recent are Prof Brian Cox and Benedict Cumberbatch. There are others but they are mainly so personal as to not be understandable by anyone else but myself.)
    8.Sorry Mark I’ve never got football and am pretty ambivalent to all other sports. I like doing swimming the best but probably watching wise I like the Olympics (all forms, winter, para ) because it’s like sports pic-a-mix never get too bored because you can watch something else for a bit.
    9.I cannot remember. Definitely knew you pre Mock the Week but it was probably another panel show. Could have been You Tube adventures.
    10.I cannot decide between Live and Blog. I Love the live shows when you are doing your thing but the Blog is a sort of personal element which is fun. It’s like being part of a cult but without the mass suicide.
    11.I try to read it every day. Occasionally if I’ve been away or really busy/ill it will be a couple of days before I get a chance. But will read the back log. I comment mainly when I have something to say but I think it is probably pretty regularly.
    12.I wouldn’t like to live as long as I can but don’t have an age at which I could go, as it were. I think if I had dementia I’d want to go as soon as possible. And also when it gets too painful or hard to do anything or things like double incontinence and being unable to dress myself. At that point I’s be booking flights to Switzerland. If I could have immortality but only with eternal youth (or even middle age) I’d be okay for a bit and then when everyone I knew died bored out of my mind.
    13.I don’t like it when comedians pick on people because they happen to sit at the front. It’s kind of lazy really. And taking the piss out of people who can’t answer back for whatever reason, it’s not laughing with them then it’s laughing at them and that’s too close to bullying.
    14.Please don’t make me choose. I don’t really have a single favourite because so many have had brilliant routines and shows that are followed by something not as good. TV wise, I’m a sucker for history programs, especially the Victorian Farm styles ones. And anything River Cottage. And Doctor Who. Did you only want one favourite?
    15.Linkin Park, Muse, System of a Down, Korn, Slipknot, Rage Against the Machine come up a lot on my iPod. Paramore and thanks to my Dad the Rolling Stones, Beatles and a little Bob Dylan from time to time. I also love old Disney soundtacks (I mean Hercules, and Sword in the Stone not High School Musical style) and musicals (Les Mis, Wicked, Jersey Boys, etc etc ) how’s that for a combo, metal and musicals!
    16.The highest points of your life. Which is actually quite personal so I wouldn’t blame you for not. Or what you would see in the Mirror of Erised which is probably even more personal (HP geekiness coming out there.)
    17.Piers Morgan and Rupert Murdoch. I hate myself sometimes, probably more than I should.
    18.YES! Of course I do. There were a few. Be happier as a person the most existential. Make things more (you saw the fruits of that in the hand puppet and tiny stockings), grow fruit and vegetables more. Speak French. I need some others though to to working on alongside the rest.
    19.GET A JOB. In anything so I actually have one.
    20.The Blog and TYSIC has made this year so much better than it could have been. It has made me feel part of a community and I’ve met so many amazing people both virtually and physically because of it. Sometimes I think it has stopped me from going actually crazy. And every day it has lightened my heart a little. Thanks.
    ^_^

39. Posted by JontyLarr on December 22, 2010

    Too many questions and I’m not up for talking about myself, but I’ll do your market research ones for you:

    9. Time Trumpet

    10. Live Shows and Substantially Better

    11. Read most days, maybe three or four times a month comment

40. Posted by Aislinn on December 22, 2010

    1. Aislinn (19) Caucasian, British.
    2. Wallington/Croydon/South London.
    3. 5’7″ and fairly thin. Sort of as thin as you can get without it being something that people comment on.
    4. Around 22. But satisfied at being a 22.
    5. 54, so 76 altogether The main, if not only, reason it isn’t higher is because of the answer to the next question.
    6. Long answer alert: I’m a teaching assistant (I work with Year 2, which is 6/7 year olds, and this year work one-on-one with a boy with ADHD). I work Monday-Thursday, and on Friday I go to University for a part-time teacher training course. It’s part-time in that I go one day a week, but full-time in that I’m doing the same work a full-time student would be doing. So it’s quite stressful in terms of workload, as my job is fairly tiring anyway. It’s a bit of a financial struggle, but I’m working with it. I never wanted to go to Uni and hated high school and sixth form so I’m quite proud of myself for finding a job I absolutely adore and having gotten myself back into education. And hopefully, in three and a half years, I’ll be a fully qualified teacher.
    7. I’m not, but am not that fussed about it. I quite like Jonny Sweet. But don’t tell him I said that. Shh.
    8. No football team. I bloody love rounders. I LOVE it.
    9. I think/assume Mock The Week.
    10. As a personal thing, the blog without a doubt. As a professional thing, either We Need Answers or A Light-Hearted Look At Murder.
    11. I read every blog entry, but not always on the day of posting.
    12. I don’t think I agree with either of those: I wouldn’t particularly love to just keep on living for ages, but there’s not a particular age/time I’d choose. I sort of feel when it happens, it happens. It feels weird to me, thinking about when you would/wouldn’t like to die.
    13. Not subjects in particular, but I don’t like comedians who pick on people in the audience and then just give them grief. That was the one thing that I struck me about you when I first saw you live (at Boosh Festival in 2008): you said as you came on stage and introduced yourself that you don’t pick on people in the audience as the reason they’ve come to see comedy is to relax and have a good time, and you can’t do that if you’re worried you’re about to be ridiculed. Or words to that effect. Either way, it really impressed me.
    14. I bloody love Clever Peter but as they’re a trio (and that’s the only way I’ll be able to make my mind up) I’m going with Basden.
    15. The Specials.
    16. No. Just more of you talking, please.
    17. One thing I hate: fans of Cheryl Cole. Not her in particular, but men who adore her/girls who think she’s a great role model. I could write an essay about why this bothers me so greatly.
    18. Yes. Be/stay happy and do nice things. Ironically, since starting TYSIC as a generally happy person, embarking upon my Uni course has made me, on average, more stressed-out. I’m aware of it happening, which bugs me no end, but I’m also trying, slowly, to work on it. Perhaps it’s actually quite apt I’ve made it one of my TYSICs.
    19. My plans for 2011 are to play more piano and meet Matt Berry.
    20. Frisbee.

41. Posted by Ivan (@ivanbrett) on December 22, 2010

    1. Ivan Brett (21) British (British)
    2. Hampshire
    3. Short(ish), thin(ish), but i’d like to be less short and more thin.
    4. 25. I’m happy. But sometimes I’m sad.
    5. 60. I’ve achieved a lot this year, which is awesome. Once I get good at my new job, It’ll be a 70.
    6. I’m an author. It’s my desired job, I love it, and at the moment it’s earning me enough to buy food AND cuddle a bishop.
    7. I am in a relationship (long-term). Venus de Milo is pretty attractive, despite her lack of limbs.
    8. I support Arse(nal). Support level of 4. I’m not a big footie person, but I love international football because of the extra added emotion.
    9. I have no idea. Word of mouth.
    10. Actually I love your blog. It’s marvellously honest. I love your standup too, but I’ve never actually seen you live. This will change.
    11. I read it every day. I comment thrice a week, I’d guess.
    12. I’d like to live as long as possible because I’d like to create as much as possible before I die. I want a shelf full of my own books prior to snuffing it.
    13. I think everything should be on limits otherwise it becomes sacred, and I’m not a fan of things becoming sacred. Having said that, it’s impossible for any person who has values (i.e. all of us) to live a life without holding something sacred, since we need some value factor higher than all others to compare the others too. Sorry, rambling. Basically, while everything should be open to criticism, some things aren’t worth questioning. I think disability is such a thing. There are probably others.
    14. I love the earlier work of Eddie Izzard, and I think Simon Amstell’s stand up is incredibly clever. But I don’t really have favourites, because so many comedians can come out with brilliant routines.
    15. I have so many. The Beatles is an obvious answer, because it made my childhood. But modern bands are too numerous to mention.
    16. Go for it. Whatever.
    17. Gillian McKeith. She makes money on lies.
    18. Yeah, my TYSIC is good. I’ve accomplished a massive thing by getting a publishing deal, but the other challenges are more long-term.
    19. I need to keep writing. More words per day, more hours not wasted.
    20. Mark, this blog is great. I keep quite quiet in this community, but I really love your honesty and frankness on this thing.

42. Posted by Lisa D on December 22, 2010

    1) Lisa (36) American. I usually put white on forms, though I’m enough Native American to be welcome at pow wows

    2) Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    3) Tall, fat, but getting less so thanks to 5 visits to the gym per week…which I suppose also covers whether I’m at the weight I’d like. I’m at the height I like, now that they make cute jeans with long enough legs.

    4) This one is tricky. I’m naturally optimistic but also have depression so I’m not sure which should get more weight mathematically. I’m going to go with 20.

    5) Gah. Life is pretty grim these days, but I’m in a good place artistically, have my health and it’s nearly Christmas so I’m going with 45. WHF: 65

    6) Vocation: playwright. Occupation: bartender Current job: wishful drinking.

    7) No relationship. Rachel Maddow is my dream girl. Does her show air in the UK? If not…well that just makes thr fact that Glen Beck’s does even more of a sin. She’s the thinking lesbian’s pinup girl. Cute, INSANELY smart, out & proud, and a sexy nerdy type.
    I have tried with football, I really have, but It just doesn’t get the coverage here to keep fandom in my heart. My favorite sport is baseball. I’ve been living and dying by the successes and failures of the Boston Red Sox for 29 years now. For most of that time it’s been absolute agony, but it’s a little easier nowadays.

    9) I first heard about you when I was watching a panel show on youtube and the host introduced you.

    10) My favorite thing of the things you do…well I’m working from a somewhat limited list since a fair amount of it isn’t available in the States. The blog rates pretty high for its availability alone. So I really like seeing you on the tv shows that either make it over here or are on the interwebs. When I’m feeling particularly glum I watch the kids’ tv episode of “You Have Been Watching” comforted by the knowledge that someone else has had the same reaction to Yo Gabba Gabba as I had.

    11) I read the blog nearly every day. My commenting frequency seems to fluctuate dramatically.

    12) I’d live as long as possible. My great grandmother made it to 104, so the bar’s been set pretty high.

    13) Every time I think there’s a subject comedians shouldn’t touch someone usually comes along with a really spectacular joke that proves me wrong. Richard Pryor certainly demonstrated that anything honest can be funny. That being said, I can’t speak for what’s going on in your neck of the woods, but over here there’s a disturbing trend towards massive tastelessness hiding behind the shield of pushing the limits. It’s like they all saw Bill Maher’s show when they were in school but aren’t smart enough to understand there’s a skill to crossing people’s lines. After a while it starts to blur into a wall of hateful noise. The general rule used to be that if it was a group you belonged to you could make fun of them. People started breaking that rule without really understanding where it comes from. It isn’t that (for example) a Jewish joke is acceptable if the comedian is Jewish, it’s that humor works best when it’s coming from a place of honesty and experience.
    …wow, that was a long winded answer to a simple question. Moving on.

    14) Tough call. My go to answer tends to be George Carlin, but he’s not touring much these days. Kathy Griffin is my favorite can-sell-out-theaters comedian, but my favorite in the clubs is Reggie Watts. He’s an incredible combination of silly and witty.

    My favorite television show has been Doctor Who since 1978. The Muppet Show nearly topped it around 1981 but nothing has come close since then.

    15) I’m head over heels for Ok Go these days, but the classics still hold a big part of my heart and I would sell my mom for tickets to Springsteen’s next tour.

    16) Not really, I’m pretty happy logging on to see what comes next.

    17) The closest I’ve ever come to hate is watching Glen Beck. The very idea that that horrible man passes himself of as being representative of the US or Americans offends me on such a basic level that I can’t even make jokes about him.

    18) Yes I do have a TYSIC. I’m trying to make myself a professional playwright instead of a playwright/bartender. So far it’s going ok. I’m pleased with the creative side of things. I’m not getting noticed much, but it hasn’t even been a year so I’m trying not to let that get me down.

    19) Resolution for 2011: To spend the year training and getting in shape in order to try out for the Boston roller derby league in November.

    20) This site is my favorite place to be online. People are so nice here.

43. Posted by Beth (Bloomability) on December 22, 2010

    1. Beth (15) White/Caucasian/British
    2. Cheshire
    3. I was 5’6 when I last checked, though probably now more like 5’7. I’m just a little over average for my BMI, but I’m fine with that for the moment.
    4+5. 55+ 20= 75/100
    6. I’m doing my GCSEs (German, Art, History & Food Tech as well as the core subjects) but I would love to work in the publishing industry or with typography & design. I do change my mind every now & then, but usually it is something English/History related.
    7. No, and I’d have to say David Tennant too.
    8. My favourite sport is probably badminton.
    9. I found We Need Answers whilst flicking through channels.
    10. That is quite a difficult question. Stand up & the blog, but Eleven was brilliant. I’m still reading Bullet Points and will get on to the rest soon.
    11. I read the blog (usually) every day, but I catch up if I miss a blog. I comment every once in a while, but intend to improve that a little in 2011.
    12. 65-70 seems like a pretty good time to go.
    13. Not really. Free speech and all that.
    14. I honestly can’t choose, but Minchin, Key & Horne are all brilliant. My favourite TV show is Misfits, Shooting Stars or The Mighty Boosh. Oh, or Doctor Who.
    15. I have quite an odd taste in music thanks to my Dad. My favourite artist is Joe Jackson or Imogen Heap & my favourite band are either Bowling for Soup or It Bites. I listen to a lot of YouTube musicians too, so anybody signed to DFTBA Records.
    16. I’m happy with reading whatever you want to write about ^_^
    17. Too many people. But the first one that comes to mind is Cheryl Cole. Or Miley Cyrus.
    18. My TYSIC is to read one book per week, listen to one album per week and to learn to read music & then play the ukulele. Oh, and write & redraft a novel. So far I haven’t done much apart from the weekly challenges, but I have looked at ukes on eBay and had one quick music-reading lesson.
    19. I resolve to comment on the blog more & either give a lot more to charity or volunteer somewhere.
    20. Merry Xmas to you all, and good luck with all of your TYSICs ^_^

44. Posted by Becca on December 22, 2010

    1. Rebecca, known to most friends as Marge (20) White British
    2. Mainly live around Croydon, but at university in Chichester
    3. I’m about 5’8/9″ perhaps? Yo-yo between 7.5 stone and 8.5 stone (yes I’m horribly underweight and no I do not have an eating disorder)
    4. 15. I’m easily pleased by certain things (being with friends, my guinea pigs, tea and chocolate) but cynical, pessimistic and borderline depressive.
    5. 40 + 15 = WHF of 55 (which seems horribly low compared to everyone else.)
    6. I study history and have no part-time job – I think I will end up teaching though I don’t actually know what I want to do. I would love to work in Waterstones but I think it would bankrupt me.
    7. Not in a relationship. Bradley Cooper, Matthew Gray Gubler or Mark Salling (Puck from Glee) but I am madly in love with David Mitchell (the comedian not author)…not that I’m indecisive or anything.
    8. The only ‘sport’ I really have interest in is WWE wrestling, which I’m sure some don’t count as a sport (and I don’t either really!) but it’s good entertainment.
    9. I’m not sure how I first heard about you but I’m going to assume it was Mock the Week – I think stumbling across the blog and Twitter etc. was because of my addiction to the Internet.
    10. I enjoy the blog because I love that you properly take time for your fans, I have been to one of your shows (Portsmouth Guildhall at the end of November) and in the nicest way possible you were much better than I expected (I hadn’t seen any of your proper stand up before) and my friend and I really enjoyed it, also I loved Eleven – basically I love everything you do it seems…
    11. I read everyday (though somtimes I might miss a day and catch up), I don’t comment often because (this isn’t an attack on anyone) but I don’t like leaving comments which are simply like “haha I agree.” as I think that’s pointless, so I only really comment when I have something proper to say.
    12. I haven’t really achieved anything and I’m not sure that I will manage anything significant, so anytime to die would be fine.
    13. I think comedians can talk about what they like and if I don’t enjoy it I won’t listen.
    14. I think Michael McIntyre is hysterical, and I love Dara O’Briain because I think it’s clever how he plays off the crowd. TV show – I love panel shows (Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Would I Lie To You) but I also love Criminal Minds, Glee and How I Met Your Mother.
    15. Machine Head, Slipknot, 36 Crazyfists and Killswitch Engage (all metal bands), Daughtry (rock band), Pearl Jam but also listen to current chart stuff.
    16. Can’t think of anything I want the blog to cover, I quite enjoy it’s random nature.
    17. Being patronised – I can’t stand being treated like I’m incapable, spiders – I try and be brave but it fails!, and attention seeking people. Among many other things.
    18. I don’t have a TYSIC, though I’m trying to decide on one to begin at the break of January and count the ten years from there. Maybe being more positive, or managing my time better. Actually I have had a 101 Things To Do Before You Die book for two and a half years. I have done 1. I might attempt some others.
    19. 2011 resolution – put more effort into my degree, and take better care of myself (eat properly etc.)
    20. I don’t really have anything to say but I feel like this wouldn’t be finished without filling in number 20. So I will write three extra things:
    a) I adore Pixar films.
    b) I have one tattoo but would like more, yet I can’t stand piercings.
    c) Everyone should read Postsecret (www.postsecret.com)

45. Posted by Rachael on December 22, 2010

    1. Rachael (22) White British
    2. I live in Cambridge during uni term time but Norfolk is home.
    3. I think I am about average for both height and weight, neither bother me particularly but I wouldn’t mind losing a few pounds.
    4. I’ll say 15 because it fluctuates.
    5. 55 + 15 = 70
    6.I’m in my 3rd year of studying Criminology
    7. No, Tough one but probably zac efron
    8. Arsenal, about 8 I’d say. Enough to hate people who attack them but I can get over the temporary disappointment of a loss.
    9. I’m not sure I can remember, seeing you on telly and then going to a show probably
    10. the live shows and the books
    11. I read and comment on every entry, as part of my tysic.
    12. As long as there is no prolonged suffering I’m not too bothered when it happens
    13. Things that re never funny should probably be avoided, like abuse
    14. Simon Amstell and Miranda
    15. Josh Pyke
    16. I’m happy to leave it up to you
    17. I hate the black eyed peas.
    18. yes, I want to get 3 goats, send my hair to locks of love and comment on every post. Haven’t completed any of them yet.
    19. Be abit healthier, like eat an apple instead of another biscuit once in a while. This is my resolution every year and it hasn’t happened yet.
    20. I tried to give blood once, the nurses messed it up and traumatised me abit. I may try again one day though.

46. Posted by Amy B on December 22, 2010

    1. Amy Blencowe (18) White British
    2. Lyng, in Norfolk. It’s a dump.
    3. Fairly tall, would like to be a bit thinner.
    4. 25 I reckon. I’m a fairly happy sort of person.
    5. 50. It’s ok, but I’m not really doing what I want to be doing, due to not being at uni, so next year I’ll be happier. WHF=75
    6. I’m doing a gap year at the moment so no job or studying. Studying maths next year though, and ideally I would like to be a mathematician or a physicist or something equally nerdy and awesome.
    7. Nope. /that’s a tricky one… Ryan Reynolds is very pretty indeed.
    8. Not a football fan at all (still don’t quite understand the offside rule). On a Saturday I like to get the train to London, wander round a museum or two and then go and watch a bit of comedy in the evening.
    9. I think probably on panel shows, and then I got into Minchin and found out about the radio show and thought “Ooh I do like Mark Watson, what an excellent combination, I’ll listen to that”.
    10. Live stuff is probably my favourite, but I also need to read the blog every day otherwise I feel a bit lost. And I love your books. And TV and radio stuff… that probably wasn’t a helpful answer. Sorry.
    11. Every day (sometimes I miss a day due to travelling or something, but I always catch up on what I’ve missed). I don’t comment that often, due to a combination of not feeling like I have much to add and reading in google reader so commenting requires greater effort. I’m quite lazy.
    12. I think just a sort of average length life would do me. Any longer would only be fun if everyone else lived that long too and you could carry on being healthy and mobile etc. If that was possible then a nice long life would be excellent- it seems pretty unlikely there’s anything after this, so best make the most of it.
    13. No. I think it’s important that comedy isn’t censored, and that we are able to laugh at things. Nobody should get to decide what other people are allowed to make jokes about. Unfortunately, as well as the people making intelligent comedy about difficult subjects, there will always be a few cunts. Free speech can be a bitch like that.
    14. Probably Minchin (Sorry to fuel the rivalry, but you did say I couldn’t say you, I’d say you are about equal). Favourite TV show is probably Doctor Who or the West Wing. Not sure if the West Wing counts cos it’s not on any more, but it’s pretty fantastic.
    15. Hard to choose between Ben Folds, Billy Bragg and Gavin Osborn. One of them.
    16. Not especially. You seem to be doing pretty well without my help.
    17. The Pope.
    18.Yep. You’re not following me though. Upsetting. Mine was to do well in A levels, get into uni, and lose some weight. First part went great, second part not so great- didn’t get into my first choice due to a C in one module, and realised I didn’t actually want to go to my insurance. In the process of reapplying though. Third part… again not so good. Christmas is unlikely to help. I’ll get back to you in January…
    19. Giving blood is a good one. I’ve wanted to for a while but haven’t due to a combination of being a bit scared and not having anyone to go with.
    20. This might be a good time to mention that Sarah Morgan, a comedy writer, was in the Evening Standard yesterday for having her earphones nicked by a policeman. Is this the Sarah Morgan from CATE? Was that even the name of the other blogger in the CATE book or am I imagining things?

47. Posted by Beth on December 22, 2010

    1. Beth, 17, White British
    2. Newcastle upon Tyne!
    3. I’m 5’7” and slimish and pretty happy with both
    4. Probably about 23
    5. 65 so WHF= 88
    6. I’m at school doing A levels in maths, further maths and biology not sure about a job in the future but I want to study maths at university
    7. Not in a relationship. attractive person= Chace Crawford
    8. Newcastle United of course but only a 1. I play netball and I love it!
    9. I probably saw you on a panel show of some description not sure which.
    10. I loved your show this year and I think we need answers is brilliant
    11. I read the blog every day and comment occasionally
    12. I don’t really have an age in mind as long as I am still quite healthy
    13. Hmmm I don’t think there are specific topics more the spirit in which it is talked about
    14. Fav comedian is probably tim minchin and tv programme is ugly betty
    15. I don’t really have a favourite band I will listen to basically anything
    16. Not really I like the spontaneous ones
    17. I have this pair of wellies with the worst grips ever that I have fallen over in about five times on the ice. I hate them so much I want to cut them up into little pieces.
    18. No I will think about it
    19. I resolve to get organised with my school work and revise lots for my january exams
    20. Er not sure.

48. Posted by AF632 on December 22, 2010

    1. Tom (25) White British
    2. Nottingham/Leicester
    3. 6’1, oscillating between rotund and ‘one at a time please’
    4. 15
    5. 35 (WHF of 50 – glass exactly half-empty)
    6. Qualified librarian, but working at a lower rung, considering assassination of those above.
    7. No; can’t shift John Barrowman from my mind, despite representing the wrong team.
    8. No team, no real affiliation to sport (will watch cricket, darts, snooker).
    9. No idea, probably via TV or a review of live show.
    10. The blog, I guess, purely because of common dissemination.
    11. Read every entry via RSS (commonly a day out of sync), but rarely enter the actual site.
    12. Can’t imagine quality of life will be good beyond retirement age, so 80 tops.
    13. Everything should be open for comment, as long as the treatment is worth the offensiveness.
    14. Dylan Moran; Doctor Who.
    15. No-one in particular; I quite like interesting covers of songs, particularly with tonal shifts.
    16. No; I like the way things semm to bump along randomly.
    17. Christopher Hitchens, closely followed by Martin Amis: I can’t justify why, just can’t stand them.
    18. I came in after the TYSIC stage; I suppose my aim in the next sub-decade is to become a more confident person, who is comfortable in social situations.
    19. To get to my weight-loss target (which I got close to last time); to make substantive progress on Chartering.
    20. Bowties are cool; libraries are important, not an easy cut; more shops should sell Border biscuits.

49. Posted by Madeleine on December 22, 2010

    LOT of David Tennant fans here! I hear ya – he was a close second for me.

50. Posted by Madeleine on December 22, 2010

    SHIT! accidently posted that last one before it was finished. Wish there was a delete for these comments. Sorry!
    1. Madeleine (17) Australian (sure, we’re all from far off seas but I’m such mongrel mix there’s no main ethnicity)
    2. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    3. Pretty tall (for a girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl) and a pretty okay weight, not the tall willowy beauty I sometimes wish I was but fine.
    4. 19
    5. 40 (soo… 59 WHF?)
    6. Just finished high school, doing a batchelor of arts (media and communications) at sydney uni next year. I would love to be a radio presenter, music journalist or band manager. Novel for a teenager I know
    7. I am not in a relationship. I’m currently in love, but he has a girlfriend (who is not me). The most attractive famous person I can think of is Julian Casablancas.
    8. I like to watch tennis. Completly unco-ordinated so I can’t play.
    9. I think I saw you on a comedy festival gala on the TV? It was so long ago, you’ve been one of my favourite commedians for years.
    10. Live shows. I love your writing but I think you’re a really unique, engaging preformer who seems to totally suit standup and makes me laugh more consistently that any one else really.
    11. Ready Every day! (well, unless I’m away for the weekend or something, and when that happens, oh the guilt!) and I comment at least once a week I would guess, whenever I’ve got something to say
    12. As long as possible. (I belive) There’s nothing after this, so it’s my aim to stick arounf for as long as I can.
    13. I think you can talk about anything as long as you can make it funny, not be descriminatory.
    14. Cann’t pick one! I just bought Simon Amstell’s DVD and he’s probably up there… also Australian commedians Wil Anderson and Tom Ballard and American political badass, nicest guy ever (we’ve totally met) Jamie Kilstein.
    15. Of all time, Radiohead. Also The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, LCD soundsystem, Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens and Whitley.
    16. Just keep doing what your doing! Audience participation/ competitions are always fun.
    17. Glen Beck.
    18. I do! It’s pretty abstract – Worry less, get a job in some kind of entertainment and learn an instrument.
    I have relaxed a bit, I did well in my end of year exams, I did some volunteering with the comedy and writers festivals this year, I’ve been doing some music writing (Strictly for my eyes only) and went to some music promotion and management workshops, I’m trying to improve in the skills I need to try and achive my career goals. I am learning the guitar! And sucking! but loving it.
    19. I’m moving states all by myself next year! So I hope I can be brave, be myself and try my best at Uni. Also make time to still read the blog even though (hopefully) I’ll be very busy.
    20. Rock the fuck on.

51. Posted by Hannahq on December 22, 2010

    1. Hannah. (16) British

    2. Brighton
    3. Shortish, mediumish
    4. 17
    5. 50
    WHF = 67
    6. I’m still at college, studying art, french, english lit and maths and i have absolutely not a clue what I want to do with my life.
    7. No. It’s actualy pretty difficult to choose, but I’m going to go with Matt Smith, mostly because I’m way too excited about Doctor Who at Christmas.
    8. Don’t like football, do like tennis but I can never really be bothered to follow it. Best thing to do on a Saturday: coffee/reading.
    9. Probabaly television – further than this I cannot say
    10.Live shows, closely followed by blog
    11. Read it everyday, comment every now and then
    12. As long as comfortably possible
    13. As long as it is actually funny, and not just for the sake of controversy, no
    14. Oh help! Erm…I really can’t choose, but I’ll say Chris Addison. I think my favourite television show at the moment is The Sopranos
    15. At the moment, Thomas Dutronc or Blur
    16. I can’t think of anything in particular
    17. Sarah Palin
    18. I do! Learning the piano – not done at all. Learning French – progressing in that I do it at school.
    19. Get better at time management

52. Posted by Sephy on December 22, 2010

    13…*would NEVER laugh…

53. Posted by Sephy on December 22, 2010

    1. Persephone.Yes, really . (21) White British
    2. I live in Birmingham, but I consider Manchester ‘home’
    3. Medium height, slimmish. Not happy with my size but know rationally I look alright
    4. 15/30
    5. 47/70 , So WHF= 62
    6. I’m a nurse. Go through phases of liking it and hating it. Like it at the moment, though I want to work in A&E eventually rather than on a ward which is where I am niow.
    7. Not in a relationship. I don’t know who i would say the most objectively ‘attractive’ famous person is. I never seem to fancy those people anyway. I find Andy Serkis ridiculously sexy for instance. Helena Bohnam Carter is amazing as well.
    8. I say I support Man City, but only because it annoys my dad lol. I generally have zero interest in spectator sports. Can watch atheltics, it’s over very quickly.
    9. Cn’t remember where I first heard about Mark. Tv panel show probably. Mock the week maybe. Or Buzzcocks.
    10. Never actually seen you live, but I like your stand up the best, when i’ve seen it on tv. I realise it’s peobably heavily edited and i really need to get my arse in gear and watch your live show. Loved Eleven too.
    11. Read everyday, comment maybe once a fortnight.
    12. I’d like to have the potential for immortality but be able to switch it off when i finally got bored. I don’t wanna just be floating around on my own long after the world has imploded. And i’d only wanna live forever if I could be reasonably fit and well.
    13. I don’t think comedians should exploit people’s personal tragedies because they don’t like someone. Especially if they have nothing to do with their public life. For example, a few weeks ago I saw someone make a joke about David Cameron’s son dying. I hate Cameron’s policies but I would laugh at someone’s child dying. Maybe I’m uptight but I don’t find things like that funny. It’s rarely even clever. Ditto, Frankie Boyle’s joke about Jordan’s son. However, I’m not saying they should be banned or censored either.
    14. Stewart Lee. Favourite current Tv programmes Mad Men and Peep show. I’ll also always love Father Ted and green wing. I know that’s a feww but I do watch a lot of TV.
    15. I change my mind a lot. The Smiths are my favourite of all time I suppose. Like The Unthanks at the moment too.
    16. Can’t think of anything in paticular. I’m just excited for my toblerun!
    17. Too Much. mainly selfishness. Hate it when people can’t see beyond there own front door and don’t care about helping other people. I can get very worked up about the way the elderly are treated (or not) for instance.
    18. I had one. I must have been drunk, i don’t know why i said it. I will think of a new one though.
    19. will give blood more often. will stand up to bastard more, rather than stare out the window and hope i don’t get battered.
    20. You look lovely today. Have you had a haircut? Well, it looks great anyway

54. Posted by Madeleine on December 22, 2010

    1. Madeleine (17) Australian (sure, we’re all from far off seas but I’m such mongrel mix there’s no main ethnicity)
    2. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    3. Pretty tall (for a girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl) and a pretty okay weight, not the tall willowy beauty I sometimes wish I was but fine.
    4. 19
    5. 40 (soo… 59 WHF?)
    6. Just finished high school, doing a batchelor of arts (media and communications) at sydney uni next year. I would love to be a radio presenter, music journalist or band manager.
    7. Are you in a relationship? Who is the most attractive famous person you can think of? (It has to be a famous person so you can’t just say your girlfriend/boyfriend).
    8. Do you support a football team and if so, to what level of fan-dom? 1= just go along with it to fit in; 10=life is ruined by defeats. If not football, what is your favourite other sport? If you hate all sports, what is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday?
    9. Market research question: How did you first hear about me (Mark)?
    10. Market research question II: What is your favourite thing of the things I do – books, live shows, TV shows (you can name a specific one), the blog itself, or the moments when I finally shut up?
    11. Market research question III: This subject has come up before, but how often do you read the blog? And how often do you comment?
    12. Would you like to live as long as possible, or have you got an age in mind which would pretty much do you?
    13. Are there any subjects you feel ought never to be mentioned by comedians?
    14. Who is your favourite comedian? (You can’t say me) (I was going to say ‘your favourite comedian other than me’ but that would imply I was your automatic choice) And what’s your favourite television show, funny or otherwise?
    15. Do you have a favourite band or musical act?
    16. Market research question III: Over the next year is there anything you’d like to see covered by this blog?
    17. Name one person or thing that you strongly dislike or would even say you hated.
    18. IMPORTANT. Do you have a TYSIC – that is, a ten-year self-improvement challenge – yet? If not, please consider starting one. You can find the details all over the fan forum and in old blogs on this site. It was one of the original points of setting up the blog. If you do already have one, what is it, just to remind me (I am following you on the mini-site, but you might have a different name here), and how is it going?
    19. Separately from the TYSIC, make a resolution for 2011. If you can’t think of anything, resolve to give blood. They’re always short.
    20. Use this last section to add any remarks on any subject, or any information you’d like to share with a sympathetic audience.

55. Posted by heatherooo on December 22, 2010

    1. Name. Put your age in brackets. No need for birthday as we SHOULD ALREADY HAVE THIS FILED. Also, what nationality are you and what do you put in the ‘ethnic group’ bit they have on forms?

    Heather (24) Scottish, White

    2. Whereabouts are you living and all that?

    Currently, for my sins, living in Hamilton, Scotland. Originally from Edinburgh, and my parental abode is in South Queensferry, nr Edinburgh, which is where I did a big chunk of my “growing up”.

    3. Are you tall or short, fat or thin, and are you pretty much the height/weight you’d like?

    I’m wee (short, haha), average weight for my stature, and can’t really complain about it at all. Although, like everyone else, I will complain regardless, usually when I’m bored/tired/grumpy.

    4. Apparently as well as circumstances, happiness is partly determined by genes, with everyone being more or less inclined towards being naturally happy. A book I read this year suggested a (rough) figure of 30 percent. So out of 30, how NATURALLY happy are you, by disposition, do you reckon?

    I’d say about 25-26, or thereabouts. Although I have to admit I struggled with this one.

    5. Now estimate how happy you are with your life, in general, right now, and give it a mark out of 70. Add the two figures together to calculate your Watsonian Happiness Figure, or WHF. We will be using this in various wellbeing experiments next year.

    Maybe 55? Everyone has bug bears about their life, and it’s easy to complain and wish everything was different, but I try to make the best of things, and work on the things that I can change. So that would make an overall 80-81 as my WHF.

    6. What’s your job, or what are you studying, or what is your desired job? If you do have a job, is it the job you’d ideally be doing? If not, what is?

    I’m training to be a mental health nurse. Ergo, my desired job is working as a mental health nurse. I’m pretty confident that (providing there’s any jobs going when I qualify in just over a year’s time) this is definitely the role I want to pursue.

    7. Are you in a relationship? Who is the most attractive famous person you can think of? (It has to be a famous person so you can’t just say your girlfriend/boyfriend).

    I am in a relatively new relationship, where everything is all wonderful and rosey at the moment. But I can still quite freely choose any number of attractive famous people. The most attractive I can think of, off the top of my head, is Ewan McGregor. Ooft. Haha.

    8. Do you support a football team and if so, to what level of fan-dom? 1= just go along with it to fit in; 10=life is ruined by defeats. If not football, what is your favourite other sport? If you hate all sports, what is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday?

    I hate all sports. Mainly cos I’m lazy and can’t understand the appeal, in any way. My favourite thing to do on a Saturday is chill out, read a book, spend time with my better half and generally be lazy. Although, it doesn’t work out that way, more often than not, haha.

    9. Market research question: How did you first hear about me (Mark)?

    I think (but I’m not a hundred per cent sure) that it was when you were guest-hosting Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

    10. Market research question II: What is your favourite thing of the things I do – books, live shows, TV shows (you can name a specific one), the blog itself, or the moments when I finally shut up?

    I saw you in Edinburgh this year and definitely appreciated the live show. But I also like your appearances on TV shows and greatly enjoy the blog. I enjoy it all. Picking just one is impossible.

    11. Market research question III: This subject has come up before, but how often do you read the blog? And how often do you comment?

    I try to read it daily, but sometimes life gets in the way and I need to catch up on a couple of days at a time. I comment if I feel like I have something to say. Sometimes that is regularly, and sometimes, not so much.

    12. Would you like to live as long as possible, or have you got an age in mind which would pretty much do you?

    I’ve not really thought about it. I’d like to live until I get to the stage where I feel like I’ve had enough, haha. I have worked with a lot of older people and there seems not to be a general consensus on this, as it depends entirely on where you’re at, with when you’re at, if that makes sense. I imagine my health and such would be a very big factor. As well is my cognitive ability and awareness.

    13. Are there any subjects you feel ought never to be mentioned by comedians?

    I think the whole point of comedy is to be able to mention anything, as long as you have an amusing point to make. I don’t really like comedians who set out to be controversial for the sake of it.

    14. Who is your favourite comedian? (You can’t say me) (I was going to say ‘your favourite comedian other than me’ but that would imply I was your automatic choice) And what’s your favourite television show, funny or otherwise?

    At the moment, I would have to say Kevin Bridges. But I think that’s mainly because he makes a lot of jokes about Glasgow, which a lot of people might totally not get, but because I stay near there, but am basically an “outsider” by birth, I find them quite hilarious. And it’s not just because I’m being patriotic and Scottish about it. I mean, I hate Frankie Boyle, so… haha. Favourite television show. That’s so tough. Um. At the moment, I quite enjoy Misfits, or Peep Show. I also love Grand Designs (lame I know, but what can you do?).

    15. Do you have a favourite band or musical act?

    Too many to mention. Current obsessions include Arcade Fire, Slow Club and a Scottish band called Admiral Fallow. But I also have an ongoing love affair with stuff like LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, Spoon, Flaming Lips, New Pornos, etc. Picking just one favourite would be an impossible task.

    16. Market research question III: Over the next year is there anything you’d like to see covered by this blog?

    Should that not be MRQ IV? Anyway…
    I don’t think it’s important to set out any specifics. Generally every topic is covered with enough humour and goodwill for me, so basically anything goes. Kind of.

    17. Name one person or thing that you strongly dislike or would even say you hated.

    Dannii Minogue. I can’t explain why. So I won’t try. But urgh.

    18. IMPORTANT. Do you have a TYSIC – that is, a ten-year self-improvement challenge – yet? If not, please consider starting one. You can find the details all over the fan forum and in old blogs on this site. It was one of the original points of setting up the blog. If you do already have one, what is it, just to remind me (I am following you on the mini-site, but you might have a different name here), and how is it going?

    I don’t… I am still working out what approach I would take on this.

    19. Separately from the TYSIC, make a resolution for 2011. If you can’t think of anything, resolve to give blood. They’re always short.

    I am going to drink less alcohol, and therefore make an arse of myself less often. This will fall flat on it’s face halfway through January, most likely, but at least I’m considering it. I will also resolve to give blood.

    20. Use this last section to add any remarks on any subject, or any information you’d like to share with a sympathetic audience.

    I think I’ve gone on enough for one comment.

56. Posted by Beth (Doomed1) on December 22, 2010

    1. Beth (24) (British)
    2. Stroud/Bristol
    3. Tallish, Mediumish.
    4. 26
    5. 60
    6. I am a Design Technician for a Wind Farm Developers. I basically make pretty plans.
    7. Yep. Have a lovely boyfriend of a year and a bit. Most attractive person for me is Dominic Monaghan (Merry from LoTR’s) – love him!
    8. Not a big sport fan, I do enjoy areobics classes tho and I used to enjoy Hockey. Favourite thing to do on a saturday is to do some baking.
    9. Ermm, from Various programs, then discovered the blog from reading something somewhere on the web?
    10. Id have to say your stand up was REALLY good, I do love the blog, however I struggle to keep up at the moment!!
    11. Market research question III: I read every few days now, it used to be every day but my life has got much busier! So I comment only when I have something important to say. Not very often as I feel its a bit late to input once I get round to it!
    12. Death makes me feel sick, so I dont think about it.
    13. Erm, I thinkt here is a line, but it should be judged by the audience you have. There probably are, but can be quite personal.
    14. Eddie Izzard is probably my favourite, followed by you, dara Obrian, Minchin, hmm, sure there are some more.
    15. Brand New and Foxy Shazam (CHECK THEM OUT!!!)
    16. Hmmmm – I do love the environment, and the struggle with overfishing..etc. Erm, More Music discussions possibly! Promoting Foxy Shazam!!! (Check out their cover of walking in the air on youtube). Id liek to hear watsonians opinions of win turbines? and favourite cheese!
    17. Gosh, I do dislike a lot of people, but noone I could single out in my mind now. Without some reminder of how much I dislike them. Oh Yes Chris Moyles!! He will do nicely, I can easily say I hate him! I also hate Olives and snow!!
    18. I Do have a TYSIC. Mainly to move out from home and get a new job. Since then I have had a good payrise and can afford ot move out. So the plan is for next year to move out and im much happier in my job! So thats all good. Once moved out I can think about the llama and going to south america! So watch this space…
    19. Unfortunatly I cant give blood because I have a condition with my mast cells. But my resolution, is to be more positive and nicer at work! Keep up going to the gym three times a week. And save more money!
    20. Hello. Good idea. hopefully have some time to read replies. Sorry I havent input much recently. Still here. Hope everyone has a nice Christmas and can get to where they need to be! (Fingers Crossed)
    Bye x

57. Posted by Anna Lowman on December 22, 2010

    1. Name, age, nationality, ethnic group
    Anna Lowman, 25, UK, White British

    2. Whereabouts are you living and all that?
    Kentish Townish

    3. Are you tall or short, fat or thin, and are you pretty much the height/weight you’d like?
    Shortish and exactly the shape of someone who was very active as a youngster but then went to uni. Could lose a couple of pounds but doesn’t bother me so much to actually do anything about it.

    4. Natural happiness
    15/30

    5. Happiness now & WHF
    55/70 & 70/100

    6. Job and desired job
    Marketing/PRy stuff for an education/film charity. Lovely job – would ideally like someone to pay me for my reviews and stuff.

    7. Are you in a relationship? Fancy a celeb?
    Nope. Tough one – loads of little crushes but no-one’s leaping to mind… Tennant maybe?

    8. Do you support a football team? Fan-dom level?
    Doncaster Rovers, about 7.5

    9. Market research question: How did you first hear about me (Mark)?
    Not a CLUE. Sorry. It would have been around 2006ish but not sure in what context.

    10. Market research question II: What is your favourite thing of the things I do?
    Off the cuff live stuff, with novels a close second.

    11. Market research question III: This subject has come up before, but how often do you read the blog? And how often do you comment?
    I read all the blogs, but sometimes have to catch up on two or three. Don’t comment enough.

    12. Would you like to live as long as possible, or have you got an age in mind which would pretty much do you?
    Doubt you can live as long as possible and stay healthy, so I just want A Good Innings. Making a century would be fun, then it’s probably time to pop off.

    13. Are there any subjects you feel ought never to be mentioned by comedians?
    No, but if you’re going to go into really controversial territory, just being funny ain’t enough. You’d better have something to say.

    14. Who is your favourite comedian? And what’s your favourite television show, funny or otherwise?
    Cannot separate Minchin and O’Doherty – so different, both painfully brilliant. Blackadder is pretty perfect.

    15. Do you have a favourite band or musical act?
    Ben Folds has always been there for me…

    16. Market research question III: Over the next year is there anything you’d like to see covered by this blog?
    Can I request a medium instead? Podcast?

    17. Name one person or thing that you strongly dislike or would even say you hated.
    People thinking that being civil is being the same as being two-faced. Tools.

    18. IMPORTANT. Do you have a TYSIC?
    Yeah, live sports and reading. It’s not going amazingly but I got time.

    19. Separately from the TYSIC, make a resolution for 2011.
    To be way more active.

    20. Use this last section to add any remarks on any subject, or any information you’d like to share with a sympathetic audience.
    Thanks for being funny, insightful company in 2010, y’all.

58. Posted by cymruangel on December 22, 2010

    Oops and Ethnicity: White British

59. Posted by cymruangel on December 22, 2010

    1. Cymruangel, aka Hannah (27) Welsh
    2. Oxford, in one of the Colleges
    3. Short but curvy. Pretty much where I want to be weight-wise, although could probably do with shedding half a stone.
    4. Naturally tend towards pessimism in light of self, but optimism for others, so 20
    5. Life, apart from one thing, is good, so we’ll say 65. Total: 85.
    6. I’m a fundraiser, mainly working on student hardshi at the moment, which I enjoy greatly. But if I could pick any job in the world I would dearly love to be a Blue Peter presenter.
    7. In a relationship. Most attractive famous person I can think of is Gethin Jones (Welsh TV presenter)
    8. Sort of keep an eye on Swansea City, and Dad’s Team Man Utd (2). Favourite sport = rugby. But tend to spend Saturdays doing not a lot!
    9. First saw Mark on Mock the Week
    10. Favourtie things live shows and blog.
    11. I read the blog every couple of days (and catch up on entries I’ve missed) when I can fit it in around work. Think I probably comment on average about once a week.
    12. If I could keep mental faculties and reasonable helth, living forever would be ok. If not, I’d be happy to make it to 75.
    13. I think comedy is subjective – you shouldn’t be laughing it up about disabilities at the Down’s Syndrome Christmas party, for example. I don’t like a lot of the rude/ sexist/ so-called “offensive” stuff, but that’s my personal choice, and I just don’t go to watch comedians who do that stuff.
    14. Fav non-watson comedian: Russell Watson or Tim Minchin. Favourite TV show: Strictly Come Dancing
    15. No favourite musical acts – my taste runs from classical through salsa, to cheesy pop and r&B, and even a bit of rock and opera, so would be v. difficult to pick!
    16. I like the way the blog meanders – too many slated topics would spoil that.
    17. There is only one person in the world I can truly say I hate, but I would rather not sully this blog with his name. I also hate snakes, because fear of them robs me of my wits.
    18. Yes, I have a TYSIC. Slightly stalled, for reasons you’ll see on latest updates, but hoping to restart in the New Year.
    19. Would love to resolve to give blood, but they won’t let me (cos I faint). So next year I resolve to eat more fruit, which I have always been rubbish at.
    20. As some of you will already know, I have had a headache for over six months now. It would seem, fingers very firmly crossed, that the latest drug is working on it. Thank you to all of those who have sent good wishes – it seems to have helped. Here’s hoping for a headache gnome- free 2011!

60. Posted by James on December 22, 2010

    1. James (18.) I am Scottish. And I put White Scottish on the forms, I think. It’s something close to that, anyway.
    2. Edinburgh and all that.
    3. I’m tall (about 6’1) and slightly chubby. but not overly, so that’s fine. I’d like to be a bit thinner maybe? Yeah, that’d be good. I’ll make is a New Years resolution (i.e. never do it.)
    4. Umm, 15 maybe? Or maybe 10. I don’t know. I’ll say 13.
    5. Maybe about 30? So that’d make my WHF 43. Oh, that really is low. Maybe too low. Well let’s say that it’s a happy 43 (43+)
    6. I am studying Film. But I’d much rather be studying another aspect of media.
    7. No, I’m not. And maybe..oh, I don’t know. I feel like giggling now. Umm, Zooey Deschanel? Yeah, Zooey Deschanel.
    8. I don’t like sports, and my favourite thing to do on a Saturday is probably sleep. Or play music. Something like that, anyway.
    9. I was waiting outside the assembly rooms with some friends, and was approached with a flyer for ‘The Hotel’; it was the run-through or something so it was free. We thought we were going to see you do a live show, in a Hotel. That was not the case.
    10. Probably when you make the world substantially better.
    11. Every few days. I usually only comment on the ones where we’ve been asked to participate.
    12. Umm, maybe about 70? Definitely not forever anyway. 70′s fine.
    13. I’m not sure. Maybe if there is a reason behind it, and you aren’t just making generalisations, nothing is off limits. Is that a good answer? It might be. I might not even agree with myself. Oh well.
    14. Simon Amstell. Favourite TV show is probably Misfits. Or Grandma’s House.
    15. I like Arcade Fire, The Divine Comedy, Beirut, Radiohead, The Dead Weather. All those music people.
    16. Ponchos.
    17. The Daily Mail. But that’s just a given, really. I like chicken, so probably hate anything that isn’t chicken. I despise non-chicken.
    18. Yes, I have a TYSIC and it’s going OK. A few of the targets have been delayed a bit, due to some circumstances. Yup, it’s trotting along smoothly.
    19. Learn to be at one with non-chickens. And not to be so silly. In reality, finally do what I’d like to be doing etc. The usual. Oh, and lose weight, which will definitely happen. Definitely.
    20. I’ve probably made a few mistakes in this post. Sorry about that. Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year! And Happy Easter! And Happy Pancake Day! That’s me covered for a year now. Enjoy those pancakes.

61. Posted by DeborahF on December 22, 2010

    1. Deborah (36) White / British

    2. Derby

    3. Short, overweight but don’t really care as I am happy and I love baking too much to ever be a size 0 (you have to taste everything to make sure they’re up to scratch).

    4. I am about 25/30 for the naturally happy scale.

    5. Right now that would be a 55/70 (my commute and resultant lack of sleep is affecting this figure). So that’s a WHF of 80.

    6. I’m a project manager – I organise people for a living and I’m good at it so I see no reason to change that for the moment.

    7. Nope – single at the moment, but open to offers. I quite like Colin Firth, but otherwise I don’t really find the usual suspects (Brad Pitt, George Clooney etc) attractive – I can appreciate why others do but not really my type if there is such a thing.

    8. No as I’ve said before I don’t ‘get’ football, however I do support the England Cricket team and avidly watch the 6 nations rugby (all the games).

    9. Heard of you off TV panel shows, went to a live show, drifted away for a while and rediscovered you and the blog through Twitter. Now addicted to the blog – I wonder sometimes if that’s a healthy addiction.

    10. All of the above apart from the “moments when I finally shut up” – silence worries me – especially when its 11:45 and your not online and no blog has been posted.

    11. Daily and lots – I often wonder if you’re fed up of reading the drivel I write sometimes, I know I am.

    12. I would like to live until my quality of life is lower that I want it to be. I always said I was going to ‘grow old disgracefully’ and parachute jump on my 80th birthday.

    13. Ooh that’s a tough one – never really thought about it. I think there is a time and place for all subjects but it depends on the handling and timing of it. Mmm sat on the fence nicely on that topic.

    14. Well of course you, but I like lots of other comedians too if I had to pick another ‘favourite’ I like Dara O’Briain especially when he’s working the audience – it’s amazing to watch his comedy brain working.

    15. Far too many to have a favourite but some would include Muse, Band of Horses, Gaslight Anthem and then randomly I love Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Julie London and other crooners (blame my Mum for that).

    16. No – surprise me.

    17. Football, especially during the World Cup.

    18. Yes – it was to be better at dealing with change. I got made redundant, stayed positive, got another job and a whole new bunch of friends so I’ve done pretty well. I’m also looking to move house so change is now good. I think I need to set myself another TYSIC – I will contemplate this some more and report back on my new one at some point.

    19. No, I don’t really believe that New Year’s Resolutions work instead I set myself goals all the time not just a New Year. My latest goal is to move house by Easter.

    20. I love being a part of this blog and want to use this space to wish you and all the readers of it a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

62. Posted by Tracey on December 22, 2010

    Oops! I omitted my age, I’m 47.x

63. Posted by Tracey on December 22, 2010

    1. Tracey Donnelly
    2. Pailsey, Scotland
    3. 5 feet 8 inches and I’d like to lose a little bit of weight although my husband and daughter disagree.
    4.Aound 20
    5.Around 50 giving me a WHF of 70
    6′I’m a housewife
    7′I’m married, really fancy Frankie Boyle and Marco Pierre White though.
    8 I don’t like football but love tennis.
    9.I saw you on Mock the Week
    10.Love you on tv
    11.Iread the blog every day and try to comment every day.
    12.I’d like to live as long as possible to be there for my husband and daughter.
    13.No limits – comedians can make jokes about whatever they wish.
    14.Frankie Boyle, fav’ tv show?Has to be Inspector Morse
    15,Kate Bush, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Damned, The Cure, Florence and the Machine, Lady Gaga
    16.The blog is great as it is, just happy to read it.
    17.katie Price and other talentless so called “celebrities”
    18.To curb my irritability over small things and to try and cut down on medication – very difficult.
    19.To try and lose a little weight – yet again!I can’t give blood because I’m anemic.
    20.I just really appreciate how nice everyone is on this site.x
    15.

64. Posted by Katie on December 22, 2010

    1. My name is Katie Johnson, (31) I am British and I tick the White British box.
    2. I live in a village outside Cambridge
    3. I am 5’1″ so I guess quite short and I am about average weight. I have just lost a dress size in weight so I am happier than I was and I have always liked being short!
    4. I would say about 17.
    5. Hmm About 38 so my WHF will be 55
    6. I am about halfway through training to be a nurse,
    7. Nope, no boyfriend. Attractive famous person – Adrian Brody, or one I stand more chance of meeting, David Tennant.
    8. Well I nominally support Tottenham, but only a 1 as it’s a family team. Not as in my family own it, just that we come from round there originally.
    9. I cant really remember how I first heard of you Mark, it was most likely radio 4.
    10. I really enjoyed your books, but wouldn’t have read them were it not for this blog. I was unaware that you had written any books until then. you should talk to your publisher about better publicity! I do also think your stand up is very funny.
    11. I read this blog very day, I am only 4 months older than you so I feel like we are on a similar journey! (eurrgh sorry I sound like a reality TV show winner) I have commented three times I think.
    12. I will live as long as possible but only if I can keep all my faculties. The minute I can’t think for myself i’m outta here.
    13. Probably not, as long as it’s funny, not insulting or degrading. I get that what is funny is subjective, but I think censoring comedy is a slippery slope.
    14. Comedian, Tim Minchin, Dara O’Briain. TV Programme, possibly Spooks.
    15. Not really, I like a lot of stuff. Ben Folds is probabaly the closest thing I have to a favourite.
    16. Nope, just keep going as you are.
    17. That’s hard, I grumble about a lot of things but hate is a strong word, Catherine Zeta Jones comes quite high on the list.
    18. I don’t have a TYSIC.
    19. I am going to set one up.
    20. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

65. Posted by Vic Cowling on December 22, 2010

    Name.Vic Cowling (55, 11/5) British Caucasian
    2. Whereabouts are you living and all that? Vientiane, Lao PDR
    3. Are you tall or short, fat or thin, and are you pretty much the height/weight you’d like? On the short side, happy with my weight
    4. Out of 30, how NATURALLY happy are you – I reckon c.25
    5. 50 out of 70. Adding the two figures together = 75.
    6. Job – Freshwater Coordinator for WWF, only started 5 weeks ago, but excellent as it stands.
    7. I’m a husband and a father of 2. Who is the most attractive famous person you can think of? Grace Park
    8. Do you support a football team and if so, to what level of fandom? You’ll be pleased to know I am life long Bristol City fan & I am a 10
    9. Market research question: How did you first hear about me (Mark)? Actually can’t remember but it was the blog I came across. Only a couple of weeks since I first saw a pic (on the BCFC website, and never heard a routine
    10. Market research question II: What is your favourite thing of the things I do – books, live shows, TV shows (you can name a specific one), the blog itself, or the moments when I finally shut up? As in 9, the blog is all I know
    11. Market research question III: This subject has come up before, but how often do you read the blog? And how often do you comment? Get the RSS feed every day, never commented ‘til this one
    12. Would you like to live as long as possible, or have you got an age in mind which would pretty much do you? Forever, especially since my kids are only 10 & 8
    13. Are there any subjects you feel ought never to be mentioned by comedians? No
    14. Who is your favourite comedian? (You can’t say me) (I was going to say ‘your favourite comedian other than me’ but that would imply I was your automatic choice) And what’s your favourite television show, funny or otherwise? Comic – tough one, maybe Tommy Cooper? TV has been dead to me since I came to laos 13 years ago. Overall perhaps twin peaks, comedy wise the Larry Sanders Show
    15. Do you have a favourite band or musical act? Yes, many. Tpo would still be The Clash
    16. Market research question III: Over the next year is there anything you’d like to see covered by this blog? It is pretty wide ranging anyway,stay that way
    17. Name one person or thing that you strongly dislike or would even say you hated. Mrs Thatcher
    18. IMPORTANT. Do you have a TYSIC – that is, a ten-year self-improvement challenge – no, though adapting to a new career in SE Asia would have fit the bill 10 years ago
    19. Separately from the TYSIC, make a resolution for 2011. Don’t really believe in resolutions
    20. Use this last section to add any remarks on any subject, or any information you’d like to share with a sympathetic audience. It is better to regret something you have done than something you haven’t. Ask for forgiveness rather than permission. If you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got.

66. Posted by Deanna on December 22, 2010

    1. Deanna (27) New Zealand European
    2. Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
    3. I am above average height (though short for my family) and (very) fat. I’m happy with that.
    4. I’m about a 17 on the naturally happy scale.
    5. Life Happiness: 48/70 WHF: 66
    6. High School History/Social Studies teacher
    7. No relationship. Most attractive famou person: Unsure
    8. I support school rugby to a level 3.
    9. Market research question: The telebox
    10. Market research question II: The blog/shows
    11. Market research question III: I read every one, but comment rarely
    12. I’d like to live as long as all my faculties work reasonably well and my mind is intact.
    13. I depends on how the sbujects are dealt with, but I don’t think anyone/thing should be sacred
    14. Tim Minchin/Billy Connolly Castle/The Mentalist
    15. Many. I don’t like these “favourite” questions very much
    16. Market research question III: more causes you’re (Mark or others) involved in
    17. Can’t decide between racism or sexism I’ll say discrimination of all kinds
    18. I do, to become more confident, and it is going well but slowly and with many set backs
    19.I’ll give blood anyway, but I resolve to get healthy and not die on my europe trip
    20. More people should know about the fat acceptance and health at all sizes movement

67. Posted by alex :) on December 22, 2010

    Whewf. Apols for the tome.

    1. Name. Alex P (28). AKA alex . British citizen New Zealander. Pakeha.

    2. Kingsland, on the city fringe of Auckland, New Zealand.

    3. Medium height, medium build. In general I try to feel very lucky to occupy a fully-functional body most of the time, in the face of forces that would have me believe otherwise ahemahemcosmeticsfashionindustryahemahem.

    4. Natural happiness: I am naturally idealistic, so ‘happiness’ is perhaps at slight loggerheads with that (ie desire cannot coexist with satisfaction etc). I think though that the idealism, if channelled properly, can be a signifier of a deeply optimistic (if unrealistic) tendency. Lots of words there, negligible meaning. Out of 30, let’s say 22. Hard to say. It’s ups and downs, ups and downs, you know.

    5. Even though right this second I’m not exactly where I want to end up, I am definitely on my way, both career and good egg-wise. And I’m comfortable and happy to be here while I get there. Out of 70: 50
    WHF: 72

    6. I’m a bit of a long-term student at the mo, having graduated this year from a degree in English and Sociology. I am currently half-way through my first postgrad year and have thrown academic caution to the teeth of the gale to quit in favour of gaining a spot on a course I’ve wanted to do for years, in film and television production. It seems big and ridiculous (see above re: idealism) but my goal is to become a commissioning editor for comedy at the Beeb.

    7. Nope. Just me. I’m much easier to look after properly when I’m by myself. And a better person all-round really. Most attractive famous person: Hmm. I’m not sure what the MO is on telling someone you don’t know that you quite fancy their good friend who you also don’t know. But if I had to choose: Key. Lovely mess.

    8. No. I live precisely across the road from Eden Park, the hosting stadium of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. That’s the closest I get to ball-based sport, and when you discover the remnants of oik-infestations in the form of broken beer bottles in your letterbox or drunken eejits crawling around on your driveway or not being able to drive out of your street due to closed roads because Auckland’s local infrastructure was already fifty years out of date before they decided to throw a fuck off great rugby party in a residential suburb rather than in the city, based on some sobbing man-nostalgia for the ‘heroic’ legacy of Eden Park, that’s already too close.
    I am a roller derby geek. Love everything about it – the culture, the aggression, the style, the power. I’m getting skates for Christmas so that I can re-learn how to skate and hopefully join a team at some stage. Level of fan-dom? 8. Other than that, I’m not into any sports really and prefer to spend my Saturday at the cafe, drinking tea, reading books and chatting to randoms, locals and friends as they appear.

    9. The very first time I heard of you was a poster up around Auckland two or so years ago, for the comedy fest. I had the opportunity to review your show too, for a reviews site I was working for at the time, but passed it up, much to my hindseeing chagrin.

    10. I love this blog and the lovely community of people that are drawn to it. If I ever needed help in Preston, say, this would be an early port of call (as I hope anyone who wants a tour of Auckland would do with me). I dig your stand up and radio work most. Oh shit, and We Need Answers. Actually, now I think of it, what am I saying. Without equivocacy, without a shadow of a doubt, despite never having been to one, my absolute utter and in all other ways favourite work of yours is the off-comic live stuff: the 24/36 hour shows, the Hotel. I love what you do with the performer-audience exchange. Brilliant.

    11. I read pretty much every day. Occasionally I’ll get a couple of days behind, but I always read it. I comment about once a month or so, I suppose.

    12. Well. Horne has a few years head start on me, but I want to live as long as possible. In my ideal world, I’d just live forever (or near’nough), travelling through space and time and seeing everything.

    13. Apologies for the space the following will take up, but you made the mistake of asking. Oh ho ho. So. I think this depends upon the target of the joke. It takes thought. You may be able to make a racially-based joke if the gull is clearly the bigot who thinks that PC is the dominant ideology and therefore thinks it really boundary-pushing to make a racist/sexist/homophobic/transphobic/etcphobic claim. Mitchell and Webb do a modest trade in this sort of re-siting of irony. I think that rape jokes are fucking awful and very difficult to shoehorn into being a pisstake of the rapist, because the agents of rape in our society are ignored and obscured, meaning that when people think rape, they think of the women (and rare men) it ‘happens’ to, rather than the person doing the raping, or the people tacitly enabling rape by accepting rape culture in their everyday speech. But through rape jokes and those who laugh at them, I gain a very useful threat-detector. I learn who to avoid by learning what they’re willing to laugh at and trivialise.
    All in all, I think that the comic has a very important role in society as the Greek kynic, and enforcing rules that take away spaces for comedians to say things that are challenging to people/power structures is a dangerous exercise in censorship. I know, for myself, that I won’t be paying to get into a Frankie Boyle or Rob Bryden show any time soon, but the fact that they exist means that they can be critiqued, which is more valuable and important than silencing people because they say clearly stupid and unconsidered shit. It’s a trade-off I’m willing to make.

    “It’s not the jokes. It’s not the jokes. It’s what lies behind ‘em. A real comedian – that’s a daring man. He dares to see what his listeners shy away from, fear to express. And what he sees is a sort of truth, about people, about their situation, about what hurts and terrifies them, about what’s hard, above all, about what they want. A joke releases the tension, says the unsayable, any joke pretty well. But a true joke, a comedian’s joke, has to do more than release tension, it has to liberate the will and the desire, it has to change the situation. There’s very little won’t take a joke. But when a joke bases itself upon a distortion – a ‘stereotype’ perhaps – and gives the lie to the truth so as to win a laugh and stay in favour, we’ve moved away from a comic art and into the world of ‘entertainment’ and slick success. You’re better than that, damn you. And even if you’re not, you should bloody well want to be.” (Comedians, Trevor Griffiths)

    14. Fry. I know it has soooo been done. I can’t help it. I love him to pieces. Followed by Josie Long. Peter Cook (who’d probably also go in the posthumous section of question 7). Bailey, Izzard, Connolly. Most people who’ve come through the Footlights. This is a bloody hard question. I don’t want to leave out anyone important. Too… many… choices….. brain… smoking…. (oh wait, no, that’s me).
    Television show: Of the last decade or so, Spaced, Peep Show, Boosh. Others. There are others.

    15. The Beatles. I’ve narrowed music down to one band. The Beatles.

    16. My computer screen.

    17. Imperialist capitalist patriarchy. Everything else will trickle down from there.

    18. YES, I do. But I’m horrible embarrassed, because I haven’t kept it updated and I know there are many many very good people who have. However, my next year/ the rest of my future holds in store a whole bunch of prospects that will be better suited to TYSIC than Write 2000 Words from the Lonely Bleakness of my Dark Room. Again. Not very scintillating goals. But it’s about to kick up a gear and in the new year I will get on there properly and sort it out.

    19. Apparently I might have mad cow disease in me, having been in the UK pre-1983. So they won’t let me give blood. Next year my goal is to be the top of my class in this new course; to get and maintain my health and to run every morning. And drink craploads of water. And to try at every turn to be feeding spoons of good jam into our shared symbolic/social/cultural jam pool, to destroy the bad through creating the good. And maybe quit smoking. Maybe. Probably. Maybe.

    20. Well, it’s been an emotional trip through this census. I don’t have much to say, but I feel as though I’ve got the mic now and I should make it good. Just, keep being lovely everyone. Keep being geeky gawky earnest humans. Don’t let those cynical bastards get you. It’s official (it’s not.)! Being an unthinking all-knowing arsehole is sooo 2009. It’s our future and I’m bloody excited. Imagination. Optimism. Information. Justice. The future. If we choose. And we totally can. Let’s! Yeah!

    *cue aerobic fitness muzak*

68. Posted by Laurs on December 22, 2010

    1. Laura Ann (27) White

    2. Birmingham

    3. I’m short and overweight; one of these things I am working on, the other I’ve come to accept.

    4. Difficult, but being honest, I’d probably have to go for 10.

    5. How happy I am with my life right now = 50. Total WHF therefore = 60

    6. Secondary school English teacher. I love the teaching, hate pretty much everything else about this profession these days.

    7. Yes I’m in a relationship. The most attractive famous person I can think of is David Tennant.

    8. I support Nottingham Forest, my home team. Level of fandom = 6

    9. I was recommended We Need Answers, the first episode, and have been interested in what you do ever since!

    10. Really really tough question. I love the fact that you are so kind and considerate to your fans, and more importantly, so honest with us all, via your blog. But also, as an English teacher and aspiring writer, I’d say your novels are brilliant.

    11. I read the blog every day. I comment several times a week, more so if it’s on a subject I feel really strongly about. Less so when I feel people wouldn’t be interested in what I have to say.

    12. I would like to live as long as I can be sane, independent and needed/wanted.

    13. Not really, but then again it depends on the comedian, if someone only ever focused on taboo topics, then I probably wouldn’t enjoy watching a performance, but if it came up as part of a routine, then I imagine that it’d take a lot to offend me.

    14. Favourite comedian is Milton Jones, I love him. And Chris Addison, they’re equal. My favourite TV show changes, currently it’s Only Connect (BBC4)

    15. I have several favourite bands for very different reasons. I love Westlife, cos they saved me when I was 16 and I will be forever grateful to them for that. But my favourite now would have to be Dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip – Pip is a lyrical genius and Dan is so inventive. Love them.

    16. I’d like to see people discussing the stereotypes people hold of those in certain professions. E.g. from personal experience, people don’t understand what kinds of hell teachers go through on a daily basis from the govt, local authorities, the press, parents etc, all everyone can focus on is the weeks of holiday and the fact that apparently we all work from 9am til 3pm.

    17. I hate David Cameron and the Conservative Party.

    18. I do have a TYSIC, it’s to run a marathon in the next 9 years and to become a happier person. I’m almost there on the being a happier person side and it’s going slowly on the other.

    19. My resolution for 2011 is to stop worrying about what other people think of me and to start living my life for myself not others. And to finish writing my second novel.

    20. I’d like to recommend reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon to people, it’s a wonderful book. And to warn people against wasting their time and money on seeing the film Monsters; it’s awful!

69. Posted by Clara on December 22, 2010

    1. Clara Kathleen (Surname redacted) (23) Australian. Caucasian – I suppose.
    2. Melbourne, Australia.
    3. I am pretty average really, and I have decided to be happy about that
    4. Maybe 20/30 ? I am often quite cheerful but not really deeply contented with life.
    5. 59 WHF= 79
    6. I have just finished studying (well, I’m “taking a break” from post grad study). I just got offered a great job o/s teaching, but it wont begin til August so until then I will be doing my bearable but boring call centre job.
    7. Are you in a relationship? Nope. Either Tom Hardy or Bennedict Cumberbatch.
    8. Don’t follow follow football. I’m about a 6 or 7 in investment in cricket, but mostly just The Ashes.
    9. I probably saw you on Mock the Week on youtube (sorry!)
    10. I have really only seen you on TV shows and read the blog and I like both I plan to read your book soon!
    11. Your blog is on my google reader so every time you update I see it, sometimes if it’s a long entry I have it sitting in a tab for a few days until I get around to reading it.
    12. I would only want to live forever if everyone else did as well, if not I reckon 100 would do me.
    13. My natural inclination is to say no because I am for free speech. I would never want to see people censored. However, I find a lot of jokes that are made about rape are pretty terrible. There ARE jokes you could make about the way as a society we deal (or as it happens don’t deal) with rape victims but I rarely see anything like this.
    14. Probably Jon Richardson. I recently got in to Misfits which is fantastic. I also really liked Simon Amstell era Buzzcocks (who might be an answer to the first question, I recently watched his stand up DVD and he had some interesting things to say on happiness).
    15. Ben Folds, probably.
    16. The post you did about the experience of being on Mock the Week was really interesting! Comedy Panel shows are such a juggernaut these days, I think they’re worth analysing!
    17. Too many things! Sexism/racism/homophobia etc. Jimmy Carr is really annoying me these days and is on lots of shows with comedians I like. I think he might actually be a dick rather than just being ironic
    18. No, sorry!
    19. I already do give blood, but will resolve to continue.
    20. I read this quote in a ridiculous hippy vegetarian restaurant in Bali and while it’s cheesy I like it “When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.” (obviously doesn’t apply to Jimmy Carr )

70. Posted by Claire on December 22, 2010

    1. Claire (19). White British.
    2. Devon and London for uni.
    3. I’m about 5’3″ and an average weight.
    4. Maybe 20/30.
    5. Averaging out days when I’m sulking and when I’m not I’d say it is about 45/70. So a WHF of 65%.
    6. I’m studying psychology at degree level. I think I would like to be working as a care assistant but having never done anything I’m not really sure what I want.
    7. Single. Charlie Brooker.
    8. I did buy a West Ham teddy bear last week which I have been starring at for the past 3 months but I think that was mainly because I associate West Ham with Russell Brand and there is no where I am able to use it to fit in. I don’t like any sports. I like going to gigs Saturdays or any other leading day of the week.
    9. Russell Brand edited the Myspace Comedy page December 2008 (I think) and Mark was mentioned so I remembered him from that and saw him on the NME awards etc. Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better is one of the greatest things I’ve ever heard and reinforced how much better radio is than TV( a theory I’d been gradually developing over a couple of years).
    10. Probably the blog because I’m a bit addicted to it and I’m finding TYSIC useful to help me focus on stuff. But We Need Answers is amazing and the stand-up is great too. I haven’t got around to reading the books yet…
    11. I read the blog every day but hardly ever comment.
    12. At the moment I’m not that bothered but if life got a bit more interesting/ fun/ had more of a purpose it would probably change to at least 85 depending on what else was happening. (That seems to sound worse than it is; I’m just a bit flippant).
    13. I don’t think anything should be banned outright but I don’t like when stereotypes are used/reinforced and jokes about disability, race, misogyny etc if the overall intent isn’t to create a more compassionate, tolerant society.
    14. Russell Brand, Jon Richardson, Tim Minchin, Key, Josie Long, Sarah Millican, Rhod Gilbert (Iain Lee and AntHony Davis although I’ve never seen any stand-up by them). Erm…Loose Women (I know BUT it is the most mainstream thing I watch) and Charlie Brooker –wipes.
    15. Jane McDonald and Morrissey.
    16. I can’t think of anything. I think most things are going to be covered like writing and confidence.
    17. I hate my mobile phone and that stupid noise it makes when it vibrates which can wake me up (it shouldn’t do, it’s set to silent- I know I could turn vibrate off but that seems like too obvious a thing to do). Also the Daily Mail, EDL, BNP, the Express, the Sun. Overall, intolerance.
    18. The main things in my TYSIC are to become more confident so I communicate clearly, appear like a normal person and get a job. I haven’t made any major progress yet but I’m trying to sort out things towards this.
    19. I’ve tried giving blood in the past but my veins were too narrow Next year I should join the society to learn Greek at my university.
    20. The community and overall spirit of this blog is awesome. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and new year! x

71. Posted by Hannah on December 22, 2010

    1. Hannah (18) Australian, White.
    2. Blaxlands Ridge, NSW.
    3. Average height, slightly overweight – would like to add and reduce respectively.
    4. 24/30.
    5. 50/70. WHF of 74.
    6. Studying Design (Visual Communication).
    7. No. Ed Westwick.
    8. Fandom = about 3, so not a great supporter, but the only sport team I really ‘go’ for, due to in-home-competition is NFL and Philadelphia Eagles.
    9. 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.
    10. Live shows.
    11. Read it every day, although comment rather rarely.
    12. Live as long as possible.
    13. No.
    14. Tim Minchin. Friends.
    15. The Kooks.
    16. –
    17. Miley Cyrus.
    18. Yes. Overall objective is for more self-confidence. To be done through small objectives.
    19. Focus more on Uni and developing design skills.
    20. Hi! And, uh, I really should get more involved with my TYSIC and comment more regularly.

72. Posted by @Bexbitchdrummer on December 22, 2010

    1. Rebecca Lauren Somerfield (26) Yorkshire lass, I tick British on forms

    2.Born and Bred in South Yorkshire. I live in Doncaster.

    3. Very short, I was once described by a sweet old lady as 5 foot and a fag end! I am very curvy with ambitions to be a stone and a half lighter than I am now 

    4. I’d say I’m probably 24 out of 30 content as sometimes I am deceptive. I can have the biggest silliest smile on my face and yet not be particularly happy.

    5. I’d say I am 50 out of 70 happy as the 20 missing points are related to goals I have not yet achieved so I am 5 in WHF.

    6. I am currently in a IT position that although not my preferred role suits my current lifestyle. I am working towards improving my music career by recording a demo and going on a small tour in April. My first instrument is the Drums but I’m learning Guitar to accompany myself and finnaly finish writing the songs in my brain.

    7. I have been with my boyfriend Alan for 8 years and we’ve been engaged for 7 of them  One of the most attractive “famous “ celebs I can appreciate is Josh Groban he’s a US pop/opera singer who I’ve been into for 5 years and isn’t very well known in the UK but has recently had some attention over here after appearing on never mind the buzzcocks.

    8. My family supports Sheffield Wednesday and suffer for their devotion. I enjoy watching sport in a group but I don’t support anyone in particular. My favourite thing to do on a Saturday, is either getting ready for a gig that night or getting a chance to go for a coffee with my best friend Mike.

    9. I first heard about Mark through Twitter and following people who were mutual fans of Mark and Tim Minchin 

    10. I Love this Blog and your books are very well written and wonderful escapism fodder.

    11. I only comment on a blog if I feel I have something to contribute. I read every day in the week but often read Saturdays and Sundays bog on Mon night, along with Mondays entry.

    12. I would love to live as long as possible and see things that were unimaginable in my time

    13. I don’t think any subject is off-limits but I do think it’s about how you approach it.

    14. best for me is a toss-up between Billy Connolly and Ross Noble. favourite television show at the moment is Mad Men.

    15. I am currently and have been for some time completely transfixed by Frank Turner

    16. I am interested to see what steps others have made to complete their TYSIC.
    17. I currently hate the Daily Mails opinion on anything!!!!

    18 I do have a TYSIC My goals are:

    1: Learn a chord instrument so i can finally get my songs out my head.
    2: I want to travel a bit more and start seeing more gigs etc This includes the fringe festival and Glastonbury –[went to EDFRINGE this year]
    !3: I want to get either another qualification or master a skill I’ve always coveted like touch typing.
    4: Stop having to suck my stomach in
    5: Stop procrastinating and see things through to the end.
    6: I need to realise my own worth and stop putting myself down
    7: They say everyone has at least one good book in them, so i will write mine maybe in NaNoWriMo?
    and
    Stop Sleeping away (wasting) my weekend, just because i can.
    I have completed this and now get up at a reasonable time on a sat! as for number 7 I completed nanowrimo but I’m not happy with the result (the middle of the book is mudled)
    And goal number 1 is going amazing well and i may be going on tour, just me and my guitar in April!!

    19. Resolution for 2011 is to focus on one goal at a time!!

    20. I may have to save this task till I am inspired by a different blog 

73. Posted by Juliet on December 22, 2010

    1. Julieta Rodriguez (18) Argentinean, caucasian.
    2. I live in Buenos Aires, capital city of Argentina (dirty crowded place)
    3. I’m normal I guess, wish I was a bit taller. (I’m 1,67 cm tall)
    4. 15/30 I’m quite moody and being happy requires some effort.
    5. 60/70. WHF= 75.
    6. Recently finished high school, will be starting uni in a few months. I’m going to study Literature, hoping to be a writer and a teacher.
    7. Single (too single). Most attractive famous person has to be either Hugh Grant or Colin Firth (I’ve a thing for old men).
    8. Hate football. I’m into basketball, fan of the Chicago Bulls (love you Joakim Noah).
    9. I heard you on The Now Show and immediately though I LOVE THAT MAN’S VOICE.
    10. I loved you on the Buzzcocks, read Eleven and absolutely adored it, I read the blog everyday and it’s great… but what I loved the most was “Mark Watson makes the world substantially better”. Still hear it. Don’t ever shut up.
    11. TRY to read everyday, it was hard during my finals but I’ve had time to catch up now. I don’t always comment, just a 25% of the time.
    12. I’d love to live a long long life.
    13. Nope.
    14. Apart from you? Well, Tim Minchin. TV show: Nevermind the Buzzcocks.
    15. No, not one, but I’ve always been a fan of Green Day, Panic! At the Disco and Maroon 5.
    16. No, I guess I just like it better when you write whatever comes to mind.
    17. Lady GaGa.
    18. Yeah I do, mostly has to do with becoming a teacher and publishing my writings. Going quite well, I’ve been trying to write a bit more now that I’m on vacations (it’s summer in this hemisphere).
    19. Stop worrying about stupid things (do this all the time).
    20. I speak English as a second language, I know it’s not so good but at least lets me understand what goes on in the blog (I’ve been studying for more than 10 years now). So, I apologise for any possible mistakes. It’s been hard to get used to your accent but I get everything now.
    Thanks for giving us the chance to share a bit of our lives

74. Posted by Benjamin on December 21, 2010

    1.
    Benjamin (16); white English male
    2.
    Cambridge
    3.
    I’m tall (6’2″) and thin; would like to be less skinny
    4.
    10
    5.
    45; WHF–55
    6.
    No job; would like to do economics
    7.
    Yes; Rachel Weisz
    8.
    7.5; Cricket
    9.
    Through TV programmes
    10.
    Live shows (blog comes a close second)
    11.
    Read blog–every day; comment–once every 2/3 weeks at most
    12.
    As long as possible
    13.
    Probably child illnesses
    14.
    (It would be you) Greg Davies/David O’Doherty; House (medical drama, not dwelling)
    15.
    Mumford and Sons
    16.
    How you ‘write’ a show
    17.
    Piers Morgan (default choice)
    18.
    No; probably won’t – I’d need to think alot about what the thing I’d want to have changed about me in 10 years – seems like a big commitment
    19.
    Don’t watch any time-filler TV – only watch shows that I have decided to watch in advance
    20.
    I feel sorry for the person who has to read all of these. Well done you – keep going!!

75. Posted by Dan on December 21, 2010

    1. Daniel Meier (19) Nationality: British. Ethnic Group: Jewish. Though I don’t believe in it.
    2. Sheffield at Uni, St Albans at home
    3. I am short
    4. 20
    5. 50. WHF = 70
    6. Studying Politics and Philosophy. Would like to write about them or something else
    7. Single. Mila Kunis is very very very pretty
    8. Not massively in to football. I play table tennis. I am also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do but I don’t do that anymore
    9. I first learnt about Mark Watson when watching Mock The Week. I then listened to Substantially Better and was hooked.
    10. Substantially Better, and also We Need Answers, and also live shows
    11. Read the blog every day, comment once every 5-ish
    12. Whenever, ideally around 90 but that seems unlikely
    13. No
    14. Too many to choose from, but probably Michael Legge. Favourite TV show: The Thick Of It. or for a drama, Six Feet Under. or for US comedy, 30 Rock. Ah there’s too much
    15. Streetlight Manifesto
    16. Not particularly, just keep on keeping on
    17. The right wing. Sorry to generalise. But generally.
    18. Right back when it began I said I’d never waste a day again. But I’ve wasted plenty so, not very well
    19. Give blood.
    20. Everyone go and listen to Streetlight Manifesto’s album Somewhere In The Between. It will make you happy, and will blow your mind, for want of a better phrase

76. Posted by David on December 21, 2010

    1. David (24)
    2. Livingston, Scotland
    3. Tall. Fat. Happy with the height, working on dealing with the weight.
    4. 25
    5. 50
    6. Work in a Contact Centre. Ideal job is omniscient layabout.
    7. No. Victoria Coren spring to mind.
    8. Livingston. About a 3, not been to a game in a long while but still follow them and remember the glory days of Europe and Cup Wins. Not bad for a side younger than me.
    9. The first 24 hour Edinburgh show. And then from playing you at scrabble online.
    10. Live shows/playing scrabble.
    11. Read Daily, Post rarely. I like to read, but not to write so much.
    12. As long as I am able to move and think. And no longer.
    13. No, as long as it entertains then they should go wherever they like. Oh, one exception is that they should not mention service stations as I’ve seen about a dozen comedians talk about them. Usually in their second stage show as all they’ve done since the first is travel by car around the country.
    14. Mitch Benn. TV Show is probably “The Amazing Race.” Pairs of Americans travelling the world getting lost and saying things like, “We’re going to Canada, I’ve never been oversees before!”
    15. Tempting to say Mitch Benn again! I don’t really have a favourite, but I go through phases listening to different music.
    16. This feature again, and to compare responses.
    17. The lack of the word “outwith” in standard English. It is a pretty useful word, but when I say it to non-Scots they act baffled. Similarly I want to see prepone. As in to bring forward something. I feel detest may be too strong for these, but it is what springs to mind.
    18. I do not. I should do, but have no bothered to look into it. I may make one to create a TYSIC…
    19. To lose some weight. Currently I’m over 100kg, would like that down by 10%.
    20. Stand-up is hard. Once stood in front of 100 people trying to be unfunny (part of a magic trick to make the laughter in the room disappear) and it is very disconcerting to have everyone stare at you with what you perceive to be hatred in their eyes. On the other hand, having a fez on your head is funny.

77. Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on December 21, 2010

    1. Cathy [54] US citizen, white.

    
2. High Point, North Carolina, USA


    3. 5’8” 150 lbs. Would like to lose 10 lbs.


    4. 24

    
5. 55, WHF-79


    6. Studying Spanish and Latin American History. Would like to be an interpreter or teach English as a second language to adults.


    7. Not in a relationship. No time. Tom Selleck.

    
8. 1, No football except my 8 year old nephews’ games. On Saturday I usually sleep in.


    9. Tim Minchin, I think. I first saw you on NMTB (youtube) when you hosted. Watched it for Minchin, then started following you.


    10. I like the blog, TYSIC, and have both Substantially Better recordings. I’ve seen bits and pieces on Youtube.


    11. I read the blog everyday and comment about once every 2 weeks.


    12. 90 if still healthy.


    13. No.

    
14. Eddie Izzard. Ed Byrne. Dara O’Briain. NMTB.
 QI. MTW. Doctor Who.

    15. Frank Turner & Tim Minchin


    16. Places you have travelled to outside UK.


    17. I hate puppy mills. The people who run those places need to die an agonizing, slow, torturous death.

    
18. Yes. I am studying Spanish and want to live abroad. Getting there, slowly but surely.

    
19. Have the ‘talk’ with my Mom. We have a problem with alcohol. Can’t give blood as I’m habitually anemic.

    
20. I love my family and dogs. I am finally, finally over my divorce (from 1997) and would entertain the idea of maybe, possibly dating again after school is finished. I have commitment issues and am easily sidetracked.

78. Posted by Alice on December 21, 2010

    1. Alice (30) British Caucasian

    2. Cornwall – right down the bottom bit

    3. Tall, average build, but with a top-heaviness that makes buying clothes a nightmare

    4. 20

    5. 50
    .
    6. I’m a birth doula and childbirth educator – exactly what I want to be doing!

    7. Living with long term partner. Erm… I’ll plump for Johnny Depp

    8. Hate all sports. Favourite thing to do on a Saturday is take my one year old to baby swimming class

    9. Difficult to remember… Maybe about 4 years ago when you started appearing on TV more

    10. Live shows. Seen a couple in Edinburgh.

    11. Read the blog every night, comment when asked to directly (serial lurker!)

    12. No idea as it depends on how happy I was. Wouldn’t want to be alive for the sake of it if I had a pretty miserable existance in my grand old age. Sometimes I quite look forward to the eternal sleep.

    13. I don’t think anything should be ‘off-limits’. We’re capable of taking responsibility for our reactions and ability to decide who we want to see. If someone thinks something is offensive then they just decide to switch over. But if you don’t like a particular comedian’s work you equally have the freedom of speech to express that too.

    14. Stewart Lee and Outnumbered/The Inbetweeners (can’t decide, sorry!)

    15. Weirdly, for the last 5 years or so, I couldn’t care less about the music industry and have no idea who anyone is any more. I suppose some Imogen Heap stuff is ok… I prefer to listen to live acoustic sets.

    16. How about some recipes?!

    17. I really hate James Corden

    18. Hmmm… no, not yet. I’m thinking about starting one.

    19. Thinking of giving blood when I’m breastfeeding less. Have heard it can wipe you out for a wee while if not. Resolution is to eat healthier.

    20. Cheers for blogging Mark!

79. Posted by Megan on December 21, 2010

    I tried posting my answers earlier today, but they never appeared. Fingers crossed this works:

    1. Megan (33), Canadian. I don’t put my ethnicity on census forms (Canadian ones are different) generally (not enough room, not terribly relevant as, for the most part, my family’s been here for two hundred years or more), but I’m of German, Scottish, English, Irish, French, and probably Native descent.

    2. Ottawa, ON Canada

    3. Tall (5’10) and what I call unsvelte. Fairly fit, but with a fair bit of padding.

    4. 23

    5. 53. WHF of 76.

    6. I am the General Manager of an arthouse/repertory cinema. My ideal job would be QI Elf or similar.

    7. Forgive me for going all Facebook, but it’s complicated. I hesitate to say Jon Hamm for most attractive celeb, because it seems a cop-out. Paul Rudd and Takeshi Kaneshiro are up there too.

    8. I only really paid very close attention to English football for about three years in the mid-to-late nineties. I supported Newcastle, which I gather is a shameful thing to admit nowadays. It’s not easy to watch the Premiership here so much, so lower divisions are right out.

    9. First seen on NMTB about four (?) years ago. First seen live in Edinburgh in 2008. Then Just for Laughs in 2009. Then Newbury in 2010.

    10. I like the online stuff quite a lot, but I also like panel show appearances and novels and live shows…yeah, I’m no good at narrowing things down.

    11. I check in every day in an OCD “Okay, it’s there, all is right in the world” way, but don’t necessary read full entries every day.

    12. Depends on my health. My grandmother lived to be 96 and was absolutely miserable due to her various ailments (real and imagined).

    13. I’m pretty sure that miscarriage jokes would never go over well.

    14. Billy Connolly, probably, in part for sentimental reasons. Dara O’Briain is way up there too. Favourite tv shows: QI & 30 Rock

    15. Depends on the day. Lately, Andrew Bird.

    16. I don’t have any specific requests. Curious to see how it develops organically.

    17. Keep grapefruit, Jay Leno, and Tom Robbins novels very far away from me.

    18. I had a few, none of which I’ve made progress on. (Biking around Iceland, PhD, getting on Radio 4.)

    19. I already give blood, though! Hm. Well, I’m going to start running again (I have been on a two-month hiatus) and run a *good* half-marathon in May.

    20. As much as your family might drive you crazy during the holiday season, be grateful for them and the chaos that ensues. I don’t have parents or grandparents or a spouse or kids, so Christmas just isn’t as eventful as I would like. I’m not very sad about it, really (I try to limit feeling sorry for myself – my mother taught me never to do it for more than 15 minutes a day or you’ll never get anything done), but I find that, lately, I am getting a bit snippy with people who complain about their familial obligations. As a bonus (from an anthropological perspective at least), I do get to hang out with a friend’s crazy family on Boxing Day, though. We are going to an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Rideau-Carleton Raceway. I wish I was kidding.

80. Posted by Sarah on December 21, 2010

    Ahh I missed the most important part of number 14! I LOVE LOST! Favourite TV show of ALL time, no doubt about it. I also very much like 24, The Mentalist and Scrubs. I’ve been watching The Event – I was hooked at the start and am now not entirely sure about it. But because the start was so good, I feel like I sort of have to stick with it because it might go and be amazing again.

81. Posted by Sarah on December 21, 2010

    1. Sarah (20), White British.
    2. Surrey, UK.
    3. I’m perhaps a little taller than I’d like to be – I’m about 5 ft 6/7, and I’d describe myself as slim, although I’d quite like to be a little slimmer in places.
    4. 23/30.
    5. 58/70 – so my WHF would be 81/100.
    6. I am a web developer – I’ve been doing it for a little over 2 years, since I left sixth form. It is what I want to be doing, but I’d like to improve at it and ultimately work for myself. Any graphic designers out there?
    7. I’m single. The most attractive famous person I can think of is Josh Holloway, or maybe Simon Baker. And I’m also a little bit in love with Michael Buble.
    8. I am not a football fan at all, and not much of a sports fan. I used to play netball at school and used to play badminton after school, so I guess those are my favourites.
    9. I probably first heard about / saw Mark on Mock the Week.
    10. At the moment I’d say TV, but I’m going to see you live in Reading early next year so that answer may change!
    11. I read the blog almost every day, and if I miss a day I’ll catch up. I comment occasionally, usually when your topic is something I know something about.
    12. I tend to not think about death too much – I trust that God has the timings sorted.
    13. There is a funny side to most things, if you look for it. I think you’re okay as long as it’s clear that you’re not trying to offend anyone.
    14. All round, Michael McIntyre. He had my sister and I in stitches the first time we saw him on TV!
    15. THE SCRIPT!! And I’m seeing them at the O2 in March – SO excited!!!
    16. I like the variety of things you talk about, and there’s nothing in particular I’d like you to cover in your blog.
    17. I hate the smell of vinegar. I can’t stand it. Why anyone would want to put it on their chips is beyond me.
    18. Yes, I do, but I had forgotten what it is :-/ That’s what happens when you give me a 10 year deadline! So, I checked, and I have three. Become more skilled as a web developer, be more healthy and get married (10 years, remember!). No progress on number 3 (see my response to Q7!). I could argue that by continuing to work as a web developer I am improving my skills… but I am looking at doing a bit of training online over my Christmas break. So there will soon be significant progress. And number 2… little. I think I should get back into doing some classes at the gym but right now it’s sooo cold. And I don’t like going in Jan/Feb when everyone who made a new years resolution is there, it’s too busy. So maybe I’ll wait until March now for that.
    19. Can’t do needles. Perhaps I should resolve to get my own website sorted – when you build websites, too often your own gets left until last!
    20. A question… has anyone here been to Fuerteventura? I’d like to go, and I’ve found a lovely place where I want to stay. Anyone have any advice on what time of year to go, what I should definitely do while I’m there, etc? (Won’t be going for a few years probably, but I like to plan ahead!)

82. Posted by Gabi on December 21, 2010

    1. Gabi (19) British, White British
    2. Wokingham in Berkshire, though mostly in Salford Manchester coz of uni n’that
    3. I am 5ft (2 inches shorter I’d be an internationally recognised midget- FACT) Pretty slim
    4. 24.8-26 most days on the happy scale
    5. Out of 70… 60 Pretty ruddy happy. Then 85 as an average in total
    6. I am at Salford Uni studying Tv and Radio. Very happy
    7. On facebook I would click the ‘it’s complicated’ tab. We sort of are a ‘thing’. Most attractive person- Alex Turner out of Arctic Monkeys. Melts my brain just looking at him.
    8. Sports and me are not friends. Enemies in fact. We avoid eachother at parties. So perfect sundays- tea, bagels, the observer and a day watching comedy dvds in bed
    9. Edinburgh and Beyond a while back on Paramount comedy
    10. I would go for Eleven.. as that has sort of turned in to one of my top five books, but also Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better or (MWMTWSB as all the cool kids are calling it)
    11. Read every day, though recently what with all this work have got left behind. Comment when I think I can add something
    12. Once I have achieved all I think I can, and am as happy as I can possibly be, I’ll die happy.
    13. There is always a way to make something funny
    14. Josie Long- all time hero and inspiration (you should know your second) Green Wing
    15. The Courteeners
    16. I love the ones which focus on your stand up
    17. White sauces. With a fiery passion. I think it has become a phobia…
    18.
    1.Have made a very good go at stand up- material written and an open spot booked
    2: Get my degree- straight 2.1s in my assignments this semester
    3: Got a job at the BBC or Chan 4- Work experience placements at ITV. Exciting times
    4: Stop seeking out panic and anxiety- better since I started uni, embracing every opportunity
    5: Learn to speak Italian- not so well.. A few podcasts listened to but not much going in.
    19. Get rid of the mini beer belly I have acquired this semester
    20. This blog is brilliant. Completely awesome

83. Posted by louisel on December 21, 2010

    1) Louise, 16 and White British.
    2) I live in County Durham. It’s alright, but most of my family live about 150 miles away. Boo.
    3) I’m 5’5 and a bit bigger than I would like to be, but I’m planning to sort this once my knee gets sorted out and I can get back to the gym.
    4) Hmmm, I’d say around 25 as I normally try to be optimistic about things, but it can take a lot of effort sometimes.
    5) I’d say around 60, because I’ve got amazing friends and family, but -10 because I’m completely skint and stressed with my exams looming. This should hopefully improve after January
    So my WHF would be 85%
    6) I’m at sixth form doing Biology, Chemistry, French and History A-level. I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but I’m thinking maybe a Nurse or something Biology related.
    7) I’m happily single, and I’d say either David Tennant or Michael Bublé. I technically support Sunderland, but it’s only because my family are all huge fans and would disown me if I didn’t. I’ve only ever been to a few matches and we lost every time, so I’d say I’m around a 2.
    9) I think I first saw you on Mock The Week, but I think it was after you were on Michael Mcintyre’s Comedy Roadshow that I properly looked you up.
    10) Arghh, this is a mean question! I’ve only seen one of your stand up shows and I loved it, but Eleven is one of my favourite books. I’ll say the blog, because I love reading it, and it’s sort of a mix between your writing and your standup style (and I really can’t decide between them!)
    11) I read every day usually, or catch up the next day if I miss one. I comment every so often, but shyness/lack of time means I don’t comment as much as a lot of people.
    12) Oooh. I’d say mid 80s, but only if I was in good enough physical shape to still enjoy my life and I had people to enjoy it with.
    13) I really don’t know. It depends how the joke is done, its purpose/point and the context.
    14) Ross Noble, Tim Minchin, Dara O’briain and Adam Hills are all brilliant. My favourite TV shows at the minute is probably Misfits.
    15) I’ll say Oasis, because I’ve loved them since I was 11 and they were the first gig I went to.
    16) Could you blog about your favourite books? I’ve been told by my history teacher that I need to read more in my free time if I want to get an A, but I don’t have a clue how to get into reading! I’d feel like an idiot walking into Waterstones and saying “I’d like to buy a book. Which one? Not a clue.”
    17) Spicy food, Nick Clegg, JLS and ignorant/rude people.
    18) My TYSIC was to work on my confidence and to Do More Stuff. The confidence thing is actually going really well; I do use my TYSIC as a reason to push myself out of my comfort zone sometimes, so thank you! The more hobbies thing isn’t going as well, mainly due to a lack of money, time and inspiration.
    19) I’ve been planning to give blood the day after my 17th birthday for ages, so I’ll say to get fit again and to pass my next viola grade exam with at least a merit.
    20) I hope you and all Watsonians have a lovely Christmas! And sorry if this was a bit rambly

84. Posted by Katie on December 21, 2010

    Sorry, I forgot to add Belle and Sebastian to the huge lists of bands I love. I don’t know how. Zoe reminded me. Thanks Zoe. xxx

85. Posted by Kate B on December 21, 2010

    1. Katie (15) British, white
    2. Cambridge
    3. I’m average weight and reasonably average height (I think) at 5’6″. God I sound boring! I’m pretty much happy the way I am, although like most teenage girls I’d like to be thinner and a bit taller.
    4. Probably about a 15. I have worse periods.
    5. This is a hard one. I’d say about 48. I don’t really have anything to complain about though. That makes my WHF 63.
    6. I’m still doing GCSEs at the moment but next year for A Level I’ll be taking History, English Lit, Psychology and Philosophy. My dream job is to be an actor or director. But at the moment I’m looking into journalism. But it’s still fairly early days.
    7. Nope. There is something very attractive about Derren Brown but I think I’d probably have to agree with many others in saying Johnny Depp.
    8. I kind of pretend to support Norwich City, which would probably place me at 1 on the scale. I’m not really bothered by sport but I will occasionally watch the cricket.
    9. I first watched you on Mock the Week, thought you were very funny and seemed really nice so I ended up looking you up on Youtube.
    10. That’s a really hard one! I love all the things you do. Your TV shows are brilliant, I especially loved We Need Answers and I enjoy reading the blog. But I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much when I saw you live in Edinburgh in the summer, so I think probably the live shows.
    11. I read the blog everyday, sometimes I’ll miss it due to technical issues but I’ll always catch up. I comment every now and then, usually when I feel I have something to say and sometimes when I don’t.
    12. I am absolutley terrified of getting old I’d like to die before I’m too old. Maybe around 70ish.
    13. Not really, I think it’s a question of how the comedian handles it.
    14. For the record, you are my favorite comedian. But second is probably Tim Minchin. My favorite TV show is a close call between Misfits, We Need Answers and all of Derren Brown’s shows. Oh, and Peep Show.
    15. I have an incredibly wide taste in music. I really do love older rock though, especially The Kinks, The Beatles, Grizzly Bear, Queen and The Flaming Lips.
    16. Not really, I’m happy leaving it to you
    17. The things I hate are pretty normal topics like discrimination, war and prejudice. I wouldn’t say I hated anyone, although I strongly dislike Margaret Thatcher but I don’t think I’m alone there.
    18. I do have a TYSIC but I’m doing pretty badly at updates. I have a couple, the main ones being to be generally a more happy person and to feature in a West End play. The first is going reasonably well and unsurprisingly the second isn’t so much.
    19. Annoyingly I can’t give blood until I’m 17 but I’m going to try and give back more to my local community in 2011. I’ve been planning for the last few weeks to start helping out at a local school for special needs kids and maybe visiting nursing homes every now and then. I already do some community work at local schools, but I think it’s always good to do more.
    20. Just wanted to thank you for writing this! It has made my year and I love reading everyone’s comments. It always puts a smile on my face, even those really short blogs that don’t really have a particular topic. Thanks, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

86. Posted by Katie on December 21, 2010

    1. Katie Campbell (18). White Scottish.

    2. Glasgow, Scotland

    3. I’m 5ft 5 and a half (the half is vitally important) and fat. Which makes me average height and fat. I would like to be thin, unfortunately I like food and not exercising far too much.

    4. Probably about 12? I’m incredibly pessimistic, but I tend to find good in other people’s situations.

    5. Maybe 45. So…57. Is that good? I don’t think that’s very good. Oh dear.

    6. I am a Sales Assistant in a concession within an M&Co, where I flog incredibly expensive blazers to old women, and I’m studying Psychology and English at Stirling University. My dream job is to be a writer of some kind, but I’m not really sure. I’d quite like to just get by without much fuss.

    7. I am not in a relationship, although like every unhappy single person in the universe, I would like to be. The most attractive celebrity I can think of at the moment is Conor Oberst. I think it might be a little bit of an intellectual crush. But he’s very attractive too.

    8. I support Partick Thistle (no, really), but on the fandom scale it is a definite 1. I don’t like other sports, unless you count video games as a sport, and I don’t even count darts as a sport (because it’s NOT). I normally work on a Saturday, but when I’m off, I like to go to the cinema or go into the city center and wander about the West End. It’s nice there.

    9. It may have been Mock the Week. I honestly don’t remember. It was probably Mock the Week.

    10. I like your books. Bullet Points is my favourite (I love the other ones too, but I just love Bullet Points a little bit more). I never quite expect your plot twists (I envy that you can do plot twists so bloody well). Everything else comes a very, very close second.

    11. I try to read it every day, and I don’t comment as much as I should because I sometimes I don’t really know what to say.

    12. Once I get to 50, every day after that will probably just be a bonus.

    13. As long as the subject is tackled with some sensitivity, I firmly believe that nothing should be out of bounds to a comedian.

    14. Probably Andrew Maxwell or Dylan Moran. Don’t laugh, but I fucking love Crimewatch. There is something about watching it that just enthralls me. Other than that, I love Being Human.

    15. Oh God, don’t make me choose. Maybe Bright Eyes. Or Idlewild. Or De Rosa. Or Malcolm Middleton. Or Elliott Smith. Or Jeff Buckley. Or Joy Division. Oooh, or Maxïmo Park! Or Mogwai. Or Neutral Milk Hotel. Or The Shins. Or Placebo. Or The Twilight Sad. Or The Smiths. Or Aztec Camera. Or Aereogramme. Or Sparklehorse. Yeah. Them.

    16. I’m not fussy. Anything you like.

    17. Bono or pies or Center fucking Parcs or people who insist on smoking but don’t actually take the smoke into their lungs (don’t ask) or Jamie fucking Oliver or vegetarians/vegans who do the “you’re not actually going to eat that meat around me, are you?”. The list is longer than that, but they are the current ones.

    18. I do, yes. I’m ohdear/Katie Campbell. My TYSIC is to get my degree and/or be happy or proud of myself. Which is more difficult than it sounds.

    19. My resolution is to write more. I used to write a short story every week, but I haven’t written anything proper in about 9 months. So I really should do more. Also, I can’t give blood. They don’t want my blood. I am anaemic. I’ve also had a tattoo done in the past 6 months, so my blood is like acid to them.

    20. Hello everyone. You’re all amazing. I’m hungry, so I’m going to have some toast now. Merry Christmas. xxx

87. Posted by Helen on December 21, 2010

    1. Helen (18) British

    2. Sussex

    3. On the smaller side of medium height. Thin, would very much like to be fatter.

    4. General happiness – 16/30

    5. Current life happiness – it’s nearly Christmas so 65/70
    WHF – 81%

    6. Hope to study Art History. Looking for a job. Ideal/dream job – late night radio DJ, answering calls etc, like Xavier.

    7. Most attractive celebrity – Johnny Depp. Eddie Izzard is pretty good looking too.

    8. Not really into sport. I quite like painting and writing, but never do it as much/as well as I’d like to.

    9. First heard about Mark…probably saw you on mock the week or something, then checked out your live stand up. We Need Answers must of contributed too. To be honest, it’s all a bit of a blur.

    10. I would say this blog and your live shows, but books are very much up there too.

    11. Read the blog everyday, comment often.

    12. Anything above 70 would do me. Worst fear is having to go to a care home or getting dementia so I’d like to die before that. Another fear is thinking, ‘oh not like this, not now’ on my deathbed. Or being run over. That’d be awful.

    13. I think they can mention anything, but they should use common sense and have some respect. Some seem to have lost sense of what’s funny. I rarely find ‘come on, I was just joking’ a good enough defence if they have said something really nasty.

    14. Only naming one is pretty hard. I’ll have to go for Josie Long. (But also mention Dara O’Briain/Eddie Izzard/Stuart Lee/Noel Fielding.) Favourite TV Shows – QI and The Mighty Boosh. I’m sorry but I can’t choose between them.

    15. I always find this question hard, I change my mind all the time and am not really into music as much as lots of people I know, but I like Eminem and some Mumford and Sons songs.

    16. Very happy with how things are going, so not really. I do like the competitions, though.

    17. The phrase ‘chock-a-block’.

    18. Worry less/be more positive/get more self confidence – Generally going quite well, but am looking to tweak this a bit so I set myself lots of mini challenges that, once complete, I will be closer to achieving the main goal. Generally feeling happier though, mainly due to my marvellous back operation which has improved things tremendously, but sadly has meant my other challenge of doing a sky dive isn’t possible. But I’m not dwelling on that too much because, well, that would be a very negative way of looking at things.

    19. Be less afraid of doing things by myself.

    20. Thank You for doing this blog Mark, I love it. Happy Christmas to everyone! And in general I do not usually do internet hugs but since it’s Christmas, *hug for Misha*

88. Posted by Emily on December 21, 2010

    I appear to have missed the second part of number 14. My favourite TV show, not sure I have a favourite. I like lots. Doctor Who, probably. Seems like the obvious choice.

89. Posted by Anna on December 21, 2010

    1. Anna (29). White British, though there’s a bit of Irish in there somewhere.
    2. Southend, Essex. I did manage to escape Essex for a few years, but got dragged back here in the end.
    3. Short (5’3″ ish), and currently look like I’ve swallowed a space hopper. A space hopper that moves around in a scary, alien like way. When not pregnant I’m at the upper end of the healthy weight for my height.
    4. 12. I’m a miserable bugger.
    5. 40. If I had a dishwasher and a child who wasn’t teething (a-bloody-gain), it’d be higher. WHF of 52.
    6. Stay at home mum. Hardest job I’ve ever done, but the only one I want to do. I’m already dreading the day all my children are at school and I have to re-enter the real world.
    7. Married for 4 and a bit years. Most attractive celebrity- Sawyer from Lost or Colin Murray. Though I do have a bit of a thing about Toadie from Neighbours, which I accept is just plain weird.
    8. I don’t really watch football, but if I had to pick a team it’d be West Ham. Though husband supports Liverpool, so I’m always pleased if they do well.
    9. Mock The Week
    10. The blog, because of the sense of community here.
    11. I read the blog every day, except for the days when it’s not updated until past my bedtime. I comment, on average, about once a week, I think.
    12. As long as I’m not in pain, I’d like to live to my 90′s. The women in my family do seem to last forever so that’s not too ambitious.
    13. I think nothing is off limits, providing the comedian is trying to make the audience think, and not just blindly taking the piss out of a vunerable group/person.
    14. Used to be Eddie Izzard, but he’s lost the plot a bit (IMO), so, er, Rhod Gilbert. Favourite TV show of all time is Lost (I cried when it ended), but in general I love medical documentaries. The highlight of my Christmas viewing is going to be the One Born Every Minute Christmas specials.
    15. Manic Street Preachers. To the point that my precious first born was named after Nicky Wire, and we’re still semi-seriously debating whether to call the next one James or Sean if it’s a boy.
    16. A Watsonian book club. Because I’m always on the lookout for new book recommendations.
    17. David Cameron. Do I need a reason?
    18. TYSIC- Learn to decorate cakes, listen to more new music, be a good parent, be nice to husband.
    19. Not a resolution as such, but my aim for 2011 is to have a home birth. I’m not allowed to give blood until 9 months after having a baby, but I will do it again as soon as they let me.
    20. Thank you, yet again, for letting me win the iPod. It was the non-parenting related highlight of my year!

90. Posted by Zoe Fell on December 21, 2010

    1. Zoe Siobhan Fell (19) White British.

    2. Plymouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom. (Although I am spending a lot of time in London – it’s become a second home of sorts.)

    3. I am short (5’4″ and a bit) and chubby (let’s not discuss how much to the tune of chubby I am, eh?). I do wish I was taller and slimmer though. I can only change my weight though, so I should crack on with it.​

    4. I am known for having a horrifically cheery disposition. So I’d probably go with a 28.

    5. I’d say 49 for this. There’s so many things I need to do before I can say I’m totally happy. ​My WHF is 77. Which seems really low. But something to improve in 2011, eh?​

    6. I have two jobs. I’m the Fashion Brand Consultant at Boots in Plymouth at the weekends, which basically means I get to play around with glittery make-up for a couple of days and get paid for it. Then during the week, I’m the Marketing and Media apprentice at a local music charity. Here, I basically just faff about on Facebook and Twitter all day. And occasionally do a bit of HTML for our website. My ideal job would be a position somewhere in the BBC’s radio comedy department as a producer or assistant. (Although I’d settle quite happily for “Comedy Groupie”.)

    7. I am not. Well…no. I don’t know where I stand. I would change my relationship status to “I HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE BOYS ARE TOTALLY USELESS AND RUBBISH AND ANNOYING BUT STILL LOVELY AND PRETTY AND THAT” but sadly, that option isn’t available. Yet. So the traditional “Single” will have to do for the moment. The most attractive famous person I can think of is Humphrey Ker off’ve the sketch group The Penny Dreadfuls. He’s been in films and everything. (And has a spectacular range of glasses and knitwear to choose from. That = really very attractive.) ​

    8. My favourite thing to do on a Saturday is nap. I’m usually shattered after work, so a lovely nap is welcomed. If I lived in London, I’d put “seeing comedy”. But I don’t, so can’t. BOO.​

    9. Probably on Mock the Week. Then on other stand up shows. And I’m positive I listened to MTWSB (Series 1) at some point. ​

    10. WE NEED ANSWERS. Closely followed by the blog. ​

    11. Every day. In fact, #MWblogwatch was my creation – I do get my panic on just after 11pm. I used to comment every day without fail. Then I got concerned that I was getting annoying, so backed off. But I am BACK. ​

    12. I’d be happy to live into my 90′s. Unless I’m still single at the age of 50, in which case, kindly strike me down dead.​

    13. I think everything is fair game​, if you’re offended…hey ho.​

    14. OH GOD. PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE. I have a lot of love for The Penny Dreadfuls. And Pappy’s. And Tim Key. And Nat Luurtsema. And Tom Craine. And Josh Widdecombe. And Tom Webb. And Clever Peter. And Tom Basden. And loads of others. BUT. BUT. BUT. One comedian who did have an interesting impact on my life this year was Alex Horne. But I can’t say why. So there. Alex is tip top. As for television show, Sherlock was awesome. As was Doctor Who. Out of the two, I shall choose Who.

    15. Argh. This year, I’ve expanded my musical horizons dramatically. Belle & Sebastian, Ben Folds, Johnny Flynn, Regina Spektor, Mumford and Sons, Amanda Palmer, The Dresden Dolls, The Smiths, Villagers and Laura Marling have all been right up there. Out ​of those, I’d choose Amanda Palmer as my current favourite.​

    16. How to get what you want – Confidence building with Mark Watson.​

    17. PEOPLE THAT DON’T REPLY TO TEXTS OR EMAILS WITHIN A DECENT TIME PERIOD (unless they have a good excuse)​ – Oh…it gets my back right up.

    18. Of course I do! 1: I resolve that by March 4th, 2020 I will have my dream job at a large media company (e.g. the BBC). ​2: I resolve that by March 4th, 2020 I will be/ have fallen in love. I suppose I’m moving on slowly with both. The second one is kind of in someone else’s hands now. Which is a pain.​

    19. 2011 will be the year that I finally feel confident about who I am. And this new found confidence will help me to get exactly what I want. (I might also try and give blood again – the last two times, they couldn’t find a vein. Which is always a worrying thing to hear.)

    20. Watsonians – You’re bloody brilliant. This year has been the year when my life has been changed the most and a lot of that change was for the better. A few of you were responsible for those changes. I owe you the world. I hope to one day be able to repay you somehow.

91. Posted by Declan on December 21, 2010

    1. Declan (24). Irish. White Irish
    2. Home is Tyrone, N.Ireland. Term time: Portsmouth
    3. 5″11. 10 stone. Happy with height. Would like to gain some weight.
    4. 25
    5. 40. WHF is 65
    6. Student: Criminology and Criminal Justice
    7. Single. Sarah Chalke
    8. Liverpool. 8/10 I would say. Enough to get pre-match nerves anyway. I also cried tears of joy when we won the European cup in 2005 so maybe 10 on occasion.
    9. Saw you live at The Empire in Belfast in 2005. Have followed you/your career since. Not literally.
    10. For shame I haven’t seen you live since above. I’ve read Bullet Points and Eleven and thought they were great. Favourite still stand-up though.
    11. Daily reader, occasional commenter.
    12. I would like to die before it all shuts down of its own accord. Hope to get to 70 at least.
    13. No
    14. Dara O’Briain
    15. Gun to my head: Stevie Wonder
    16. Yes, actually. I recently got Simon Amstell: Do Nothing on DVD and he said he chose to record it in Dublin because ‘they laughed more’. Do you think it’s true that people from different countries/cities in the UK have such varying senses of humour? (Or something along those lines)
    17. Ignorance.
    18. No. I will consider it.
    19. Graduate with at least 2:1. Find job, even if voluntary to begin with. Already give blood. Don’t understand why I can’t more often as it happens
    20. Merry Christmas everyone!, and all the best for the 2nd year of your TYSIC if you have one. x

92. Posted by amycool on December 21, 2010

    1. Amy (25) White British (one of the whitest I reckon)

    2. I live in my boyfriend’s parents’ house in Stockport, Cheshire

    3. I’m 5′ 7” and of slight build. Despite this, I’m a bit on the podgy side due to too many calories and not enough exercise. I’m torn because my clothes fit better now but I don’t like my flesh to tremble quite so much when I move.

    4. I would say 5 out of 30 in terms of my natural disposition. I was a morose child.

    5. 65 out of 70. Things have certainly picked up since entering my 20s. WHF = 70

    6. Library assistant. It’s by far my best job so far and I mostly love it because most of my colleagues are lovely and it’s very varied. It would be nice to learn more though. The best thing is that I only work 3 days a week, which gives me time for hobbies. Right now, I wouldn’t prefer any other job.

    7. I have been courting my boyfriend for 8 years, 9 months, 3 weeks approximately. I am very fickle when it comes to attractive celebrities and the time of the month has a huge effect. As of today, Alexander Skarsgard (of True Blood fame) as Eric Northman is in the lead. He’s atypical for me though (past fancies have included Jemaine Clement, Tom Hollander, Colin Morgan and the weirdest to date Jamie Hyneman)

    8. I do not support a football team. Snooker is my favourite sport to watch, especially when I have time to really get into it. I like the double entendres by the commentators and the waistcoats and the attractive snooker players and the beautiful baize.

    9. Weirdly, I can’t for the life of me remember how I came to be on this website. Perhaps it was We Need Answers? I had seen Mark on various things before but I believe that was what brought me here. It was probably only a few days before the blog a day thing came about.

    10. I’ve only been to one live show but it was amazingly wonderful, so that. I love the tenacity of the blog too though.

    11. I read the blog every day where possible. If I’m not in work I’ll read most of the comments too. I probably comment on about 1 in 3 blogs. Possibly.

    12. I’ve always been very averse to the idea of living forever and my greatest fear is being old and ill (I have a chronic lung disease). However, my lungs have been improving recently, which allows me to hope that maybe things won’t be so bad. If I was forever healthy, it would be cool to live over 100 years, but the reality is that I will be on an oxygen machine by then, so 80 would be nice.

    13. Hmmm…I’m not easily offended and I believe in free speech, but I would say that for the benefit of the comedian, being overtly racist/homophobic/sexist etc strikes me as lazy and not something I would pay to see. If you want to make money from jokes, they need to be clever and know where to draw the line to avoid alienating half of the audience.

    14. For amount of laughter given, I would say Flight of the Conchords. Hours and hours and hours of joy from their songs, TV show and stage performances. I’m not great at favourites though and I watch a lot of excellent TV, so I’d struggle to pick one favourite TV show. Sherlock would probably win for this year as it made me so excited, like I felt with Life on Mars.

    15. Elliott Smith

    16. Just because most people in the public eye shy away from it for fear of offending, religion. It fascinates me that people believe in such a variety of things despite a complete lack of evidence, including non-religious phenomena like homeopathy.

    17. Sadly I’ve met quite a few people I now strongly dislike. As for things, it sounds pretentious in the extreme, but I hate injustice. It makes me see red.

    18. Yes. My overarching TYSIC theme was to stop coasting through life and do something. In practice, this has led to facing some fears and indeed conquering some. I am no longer terrified of gigs. I am no longer terrified of trying new foods. I even went to a restaurant cool as a cucumber. I have also learnt some new skills, run a 5k and completed a Go Ape course. Still quite some work to do on meeting new people (although I met one this year through this site) and dealing with stressful adult situations like making large purchases and dealing with salesmen.

    19. I would love to give blood but I’m not eligible. I resolved quite a few years ago not to make new year’s resolutions but I like the idea of the BHA’s Resolution Revolution where you make one to help society rather than yourself. I would really like, once I have my own home, to be a proper neighbour, like on the TV show Neighbours. Taking round cakes I have made and looking after people’s plants/children/chickens now and again.

    20. When the National Census comes, please answer the religion question according to what you actually believe rather than what your family traditionally associate themselves with. The results last time were incredibly skewed, leading to more faith schools popping up right left and centre, which leave far less choice for parents.

    Statistics are fun.

93. Posted by Lydia on December 21, 2010

    1. Lydia (18)

    2. Devon. I’m in a village, so everyone is a little bit mad.

    3. I’m tall, and while I could probably be more “toned” or whatever, I’m not exactly fat.

    4. Lol, this question depresses me. Probably about 10.

    5. 20ish, I guess. I’m a bit weird and such. I’m in totally unhelpful therapy though, so at least I’m trying.

    6. I’m in year 13 right now, doing English lang/lit, sociology and psychology. I’m hoping to be a writer, but for now I am a part time waitress.

    7. No, I’m single. Hmm.. difficult question. I can’t think of anyone. But if pushed I would probably go for Martin Freeman in this particular moment.

    8. No. I don’t really get sport.

    9. I’m really sorry, but I can’t remember. I think I probably saw you on TV.

    10. I don’t know. Hmmm… Again, in this moment I’m going to say books because I just finished reading Eleven and I loved it so, so much.

    11. I read most days, but sometimes I get behind and then read a few in one go. So every day sort of. I comment most of the time.

    12. Haha, I have absolutely not idea. I can’t really think beyond 18 just now. I suppose old would be good if I was really old and really happy.

    13. I have major issues with comedians mentioning disability. My brother has autism, so I get touchy when any comedians touch that subject. I know that probably makes me a hypocrite, but I can’t help it.

    14. Tim Minchin. And I guess it’s a bit obvious, but I love Doctor Who.

    15. I have lots. I love Paramore because they have been with me since I was thirteen. I think Regina Spektor is incredible. Hmm… I also love Say Anything. Yeah. Lots.

    16. Some book recommendations would be interesting.

    17. Injustice, I guess. For example the fact that my brother is going to have his disability living allowance taken away despite the fact that having autism and epilepsy means that no one is going to give him a job.

    18. Mine was “sort out anxiety stuff”. It isn’t really going well. I have been referred for cognitive behavioral therapy, but I don’t find it very helpful. It’s all about rationalising, and if I was able to do that then surely I wouldn’t have a problem in the first place. They’re considering moving me up into a more “intensive” service, whatever that means. It sounds pretty ominous.

    19. I want to finish and edit my NaNoWriMo novel.

    20. I completely fail at any attempts I make toward optimism. I’m also sorry for how whiny I’ve sounded during this whole thing.

    Other than that, thanks for writing this blog, Mark. I love it and I’m really looking forward to coming to your show in February.

94. Posted by Someone on December 21, 2010

    1. Lizzy (21), White British
    2. Dartmouth, Devon (at the moment, though hopefully will soon move somewhere nearer to some sort of public transportation device).
    3. 5″10, described as “willowy”, though podgier than I’d like.
    4. Tough one. Um, averagely probably 15. Using up the full span of 0-30s :].
    5. 40. WHF of 55, hmm could be worse!
    6. Tomorrow is my last day of data entry work (wooop) for a magazine. I’m very jealous of comedians and would love to work in that general sphere of things. I’d also really love to do something I’m good at though. I’ll keep looking.
    7. Single. Attractive to me… Tim Key! Though I’ve recently noticed Tom Basden is extremely (what is probably more conventionally thought of as) attractive. I choose Tim though.
    8. Just say no to sports. On a Saturday, it may be sad, but probably my favourite thing would be spent in watching any telly with the We Need Answers/Cowards/Young Ones crews, or at the front of a small comedy gig.
    9. I really can’t remember when I first knew of you. It was ever such a long time ago, but i think it MUST have been from you making the world substantially better. Then I think I found you again at a later date on the 2nd series.
    10. Books! But when I think about it, followed closely by everything else. (Panel shows least though ‘coz they don’t show you off.)
    11. Generally every day, with gaps of maybe a week every now and again, for unavoidable reasons, of course. Commenting probably too often. Sorry. Boredom.
    12. Circumstances are everything. As long as possible if I had access to internet, a next-door theatre, and junk food. And as short as possible if I had to live with Gerri Halliwell and nothing but CSI/ER/dull american dramas on loop (ooh I guess I just found an answer for 17!).
    13. Not really, no. Somethings just aren’t funny, but you can’t censor ‘em.
    14. Tough one! Really tough one. I’m going to say Tim Key. And TV show, I’m going to surprise myself and say Life On Mars! Mmm.
    15. I’m going to say Jason Mraz, but that’s not typical of what else I’d say (Our Lady Peace, close 2nd).
    16. More being-a-comedian/author/telly-man insight? Or anything.
    17. Gerri Halliwell, Madonna, probably too much other stuff.
    18. Yep, but I have too much stuff I wanna do/improve, so it’s a fluid one. Difficult to write down or measure. I’ll pinpoint it, maybe, one day, before 2020. It started off to be more bold/people-hardy. I have an xmas work-do tomorrow. I’m quite, like, worried.
    19. Find my career. I don’t hold out a lot of hope. But must try harder. Tried to give blood once but they didn’t know if I could. I keep forgetting to ask a doctor. And the place was full of people, so it’s doubly scary to go back. But probably doubly something I should try and force myself to do.
    20. Mark, I think you’re an awesome bloke. Keep it up! (And your fans aren’t too bad, either.) Gonna go read t’other comments. Quite interesting, really.

95. Posted by Corey on December 21, 2010

    1. Corey (35)
    2. Chesterfield, Derbyshire
    3. Medium and Medium, on the smaller size of medium height and fatter side of medium size
    4. 28. I am naturally very happy and always look on the bright side, with only occasionally having days when I’d rather stay in bed
    5. Although my natural happiness is high, I always strive to add new things to my life so I would say 50 out of 70. Room for improvement.
    6. Run the payroll’s for 120 companies from a Chartered Accountants. Ideal job, writer/performer of comedy. At present all attempts at this are done in spare time of which I lack in bucketloads.
    7. No. There is a girl with whom I would like to be in one with but so far all attempts have proved unsatisfactory.
    Jennifer Love Hewitt
    8. Chesterfield Football Club. 5. Supporting a lower league team, if you felt like killing yourself after every defeat, life would be grim. I can get over defeats in a few hours. Then its time to look forward to the next game!
    9. Poster at the Adelaide Comedy Festival late Feb 2008
    10. Live shows….without a doubt.
    11. Every day….most days. Will explain in my summary section below.
    12. In my 80′s
    13. No. having said that I thought Frankie Boyle’s routine about Jade Goody last week wasn’t funny and pointless.
    14. Key …….Seinfeld
    15. Bob Dylan
    16. I do not believe in ghosts, but would love to, and love to see one. Does anyone believe out there and has anyone ever seen one/anything that couldn’t be explained?
    17. Piers Morgan
    18. Want to do the highest bungy in the world, hopefully later in 2011 this wil happen. Want to get involved in writing/comedy. Have got numerous writing projects on the go at the moment but do not know where to take them.
    19. Be better
    20. Right, I used to be a ‘regular’ commenter but of late I have found it increasingly difficult to keep up. I’ve had so much going on with family matters, travelling up and down the motorway too much, my Dear Gran passing away, being busy at work, not being appreciated at work, writing…..and then xmas creeping up on me…..I have had no time to stop and fully take in the blogs let alone comment. I have read every one though, and will endeavour to get back on track from now on in!!

    Happy Christmas

96. Posted by Simone on December 21, 2010

    1. Simone (25). Am an Australian residing in…
    2. London.
    3. I like being short (5’3″), but don’t like being chubby all that much.
    4. 22.
    5. WHF: 77.
    6. I’m a Catering Assistant, I trained as a Pastry Chef and being a comedy promoter would be my ideal job.
    7. I’m not in a relationship. I find lots of comedians attractive but i’d feel a bit awkward disclosing this with you, so I will say Kate Winslet.
    8. I don’t support a football team. I like tennis. I usually spend my Saturday’s on the internet catching up on the programmes i’ve missed in the week. I like seeing comedy at Soho Theatre on Saturday evening.
    9. A few people on angry-feet.com were waxing lyrical about you and I noticed you were doing a show at the Bloomsbury and I bought a ticket. I listened to series 1 of MWMTWSB around the same time.
    10. Live, followed closely by all the other options.
    11. I read daily and comment about once a fortnight.
    12. I’d like to live to at least 80, but no longer than 90.
    13. No.
    14. Minchin never fails to blow me away, however, Tim Key makes me laugh the most.
    15. Tim Minchin, he’s the musician i’ve seen the most.
    16. Nothing comes to mind.
    17. Rudeness really irks me.
    18. Yes. I have 5 challenges: read a book a month, introduce myself to people who I want to talk to (influential, people who I speek to online), keep an updated blog, weight loss.
    19. Be more selfless. I’ll try and give blood, too.
    20. Your blog never fails to brighten my day.

97. Posted by Rachel on December 21, 2010

    1. Rachel (17) White British
    2. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
    3. 5″5 and neither fat nor thin…somewhere in the middle. High waisted, apparently, if it counts.
    4. 15
    5. 50 (would be more had the ‘events’ of last week not occurred) = 65 in total
    6. Studying Spanish, English Language, Psychology and Media Studies. Aim to go into teaching or if not, ‘something in media’.
    7. Not in a relationship. Can’t think of anybody famous really. I like Tom Ellis as Gary in Miranda…but I can’t work out if that’s liking the character or him…
    8. Don’t support a football team. Used to be a horse rider though, until I realised I was paying £15 per week and being taught nothing new. On a Saturday I like to get my homework out of the way so I can do nothing on Sunday. My only ‘hobbies’ are choir and being a part of college’s Amnesty International group.
    9. You did a joke about a pigeon on the radio (Sean Lock & Friends?), I think, and since then my family has referred to you as ”The Pigeon Man”
    10. Live shows (especially typing) & blog. Waiting for my copy of Eleven so this will probably include books once it arrives and I get reading.
    11. Read pretty much everyday, comment at least once every two weeks…have been commenting more recently.
    12. Never given it much thought, but I know I wouldn’t want to be alive if nobody I loved was anymore.
    13. Pretty much everything Frankie Boyle does? Jokes about cancer etc can be a bit risky. Alun Cochrane did a big section about cancer when I saw him in October…very awkward considering I was with my friend whose mum died of cancer last year :/ It wasn’t funny either/nobody laughed making it even more awkward.
    14. Tim Minchin, Adam Hills, Rhod Gilbert. Favourite TV show at the moment is Miranda (gutted it’s just ended).
    15. At the moment I really like Camila and Sandoval (two Mexican bands), probably mostly because I’ve convinced myself it counts as revision. Other than that, Mat Kearney and Jack Johnson. And Minchin of course.
    16. More fun stuff like this
    17. Initials only: ZC. Mainly because she bullied me (and my friends) throughout high school and did some stuff that made my parents ring the police last week, but also because she’s a thoroughly horrible person. (Can you tell I’m still angry about it all?…)
    18. I have 8 TYSICs. It’s easier to link you to my profile than copy them all out: http://www.markwatsonfans.com/tysic/profile.php?uid=481. They’re going OK. Most productive: learning to drive, least productive: learning a third language (have decided to sort out Spanish before attempting another, but still really want to teach myself Croatian).
    19. Do more charity work. I’ve been working towards that already, but I really want to make a conscious effort to do lots next year. I can make that more specific if necessary. I’ve already been asked to help out with college’s Comic Relief activities after I co-organised the Children in Need activities.
    20. 2010 has been an odd year including some of the best and worst things that have ever happened to me. Hopefully 2011 will be just as odd, but without as many bad things. And I hope everybody else has a wonderfully bizarre 2011 too

98. Posted by Melanie on December 21, 2010

    1. Melanie Tasker (23) it was me who suggested Mark talk about birthdays! Also White British.

    2. Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

    3. 5ft 1.5 – would LOVE to be taller. Mainly so I could see over crowds at music gigs and festivals. Would like to lose about a stone to get down to 9 stone or below, but I’m pretty happy how I am really.

    4. I’d say about 23.

    5. I reckon about 45. so my WHT is 58.

    6.Work a little bit in a bar, but would like to start a job that has something to do with my degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications soon. 

    7. Single. And Josh Holloway from Lost.

    8. I do karate, but I quite like watching Rugby Union. Not a massive sports fan. 

    9. Think it was on Mock the Week.

    10. Love reading your blog, and I like you on panel shows. I enjoyed Mark Watson Kicks off too. Yet to see you properly live though! 

    11. Read everyday, comment about once a week.

    12. Live as long as possible, but as long as I’m happy and lucid.

    13. I think frankie boyle goes too far making horrible comments on disabled people. And I think rape jokes are a bit tasteless. 

    14. Favourite comedian – changes ALL the time, but at the moment either Dara O Briain or Rhod Gilbert, purely because I’ve seen them both in the last month. Rhod Gilbert did 2 hours without an interval, and he actually came to Huddersfield as well bigger places like Manchester and Leeds, which was great!

    Favourite tv show – at the moment Peep Show, but overall Flight of the Conchords.

    15. Red Hot Chili Peppers because they got me into real music when I was 15 and I think their back catalogue is simply incredible, listening practically exclusivly to them for about a year. They were my first gig! Don’t listen to them as much any more purely because I discovered other music, but I adore them and always will. Still know their entire back catalogue by heart. Otherwise, the Manics, Oasis, Flight of the Conchords, Tim Minchin, Queen, The Beatles, Blur, Pink Floyd to name a few.

    16. I like the idea of the first commenter nominating a topic. Maybe Mark could start posting pictures…?

    17. My old boss who basically completely destroyed my confidence in myself going into Marketing in one sentence during my University placement year. Also being left out, when your friends think you don’t mind but don’t bother to ask.

    18. I started electric guitar lessons 2 years ago, I’ll count that as a TYSIC.

    19. Find a job I enjoy doing and am good at. Even if it’s nothing to do with my degree.

    20. My identical twin sister may fill this too, so whoever collates them may find very similar answers. 

99. Posted by ChrisP on December 21, 2010

    And Arrested Development for best TV show. Or Twin Peaks.

100. Posted by ChrisP on December 21, 2010

     1. Chris Pollington (20)

     2. Currently at family home on Cambridgeshire/Essex border.
     For the next 6 months I will mostly be at my university address in Bath.

     3. Tall (6″3 ish). Slim.

     4. 20/30. (ongoing mental battle between optimism and cynicism currently being won by the former)

     5. 65/70.
     WHF 85/100

     6. Currently in my final year at Bath Spa University studying Geography.
     Working part time in Iceland on the side.
     Long term career plan remains ‘fluid’/completely undecided. Aiming to travel/gap year.

     7. Single. I have no idea who the most attractive celeb I can think of is, it’s doesn’t really concern me, celeb tend to be a bit out of my league so not worth worrying about.

     8. Tottenham Hotspur. 7.5.

     9. I loved the Magners advert! I’m joking. Fighting Talk for sure, although the advert did help put a face to a voice no doubt.

     10. The Blog! Seriously, this makes a difference (2010 has been an interesting year, highs and lows, but the blog keeps going…). Then stand up/Radio/TV shows and books. But they all kind of support each other, obviously.

     11. Every day of course! I comment when I have something to say whenever possible.

     12. I would like to follow the rock’n'roll tradition of dieing aged 27 although I may chicken out. I dread to think what the world will be like when I get to a respectable dying age. I’ll quit while I’m ahead in spectacular style I hope.

     13. Comedians can talk abot whatever they like, but if it’s a sensitive subject they need to be sensitive, obviously.

     14. Key/Horne I think, but it’s very close.

     15. For the time being its The Beastie Boys, although deciding who took the topspot from Muse has taken may years and is still hotly contested.

     16. Football, BUT not so much to do with teams/tactics, more the connection between teams/clubs with supporters and communities. I’d have thought you would be good at that. And I’m very surprised there’s not more stuff on music on here.

     17. Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m sure there’s worse people in the world but this is personal.

     18. Not exactly sure. I like to think I’m involved, I guess I’m doing the cyber version of loitering (remember in 10 years time I will be dead according to Question 12). But give me something to do and I’ll do it.

101. Posted by Meg on December 21, 2010

     1. Meg (15) British.
     2. South Oxfordshire
     3. 5ft 3ish which is slightly short for a teenager (I think), bit chubby but not too bad.
     4. About 20 – usually happy enough but can go up and down a bit.
     5. 60. I can’t complain, my life’s really good generally. So 80/100 overall.
     6. I’m doing GCSEs at the moment and I want to do Politics, History and English Lit and Lang for A Levels next year, and then something like a History and Politics degree at Uni. Not entirely sure yet though. I’d like to do something to do with Radio in the future, maybe a Radio Producer.
     7. Not in a relationship, not sure I want to be at the moment. There’s time for that later and I’m not very good with people anyway. Don’t really think of famous people in that way generally but Benedict Cumberbatch is rather lovely.
     8. I like playing football sometimes but find it pretty boring to watch. On Saturdays I like staying in bed and reading and watching boxsets of TV shows and trying not to think about the huge pile of homework I will have to do on Sunday.
     9. I heard Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better on Radio 4
     10. I think the blog itself because it’s such a lovely community and it’s something to look forward to every day. That said, your live show in Oxford was one of the best evenings I’ve had all year and I absolutely loved Eleven so it’s a tricky one. But probably still the blog.
     11. I read the blog every day and comment on some days.
     12. I don’t really mind how long I live. I’m not really concerned about my death but am constantly worried about the lives of those around me which is slightly irrational since most of my family and friends are not old enough for that to be a real concern yet.
     13. I think comedians should be allowed to talk about anything as long as they deal with the more tricky topics respectfully.
     14. You and Tim Minchin are joint first. Favourite TV show is House although I love Doctor Who and Sherlock too.
     15. Tim Minchin again.
     16. Can’t think of anything.
     17. David Cameron. Or Rupert Murdoch and his entire media empire.
     18. I wrote some TYSICs a while ago but I wasn’t sure if they were the right kind of thing and I never really got round to posting them so I’ve been quietly working on them. They are pretty vague: Be less rubbish at social situations, learn when to shut up, don’t be overly pedantic, write a proper script for something and learn how to revise effectively. I’ve developed much closer friendships with my friends than I ever have before, I’ve ignored quite a few of my history teacher’s grammar mistakes, I’ve planned what my script will be about and when I will write it, and I’ve done my GCSE mock exams (although I did very little revision and got away with it so I haven’t really progressed with that one. I’ll have to get better for the summer) so I’ve made a bit of progress overall.
     19. I am going to try and lose weight and stop procrastinating.
     20. I hope everyone has a wonderful christmas!

102. Posted by Emily on December 21, 2010

     1.Emily (17) English. Tick White British.
     2. Nottingham for now, hopefully get into a uni somewhere else soon.
     3. Pretty average all round, I think.
     4. 20, but it should be higher. Working on it.
     5. 60. WHF:80.
     6. Studying thousands of a levels. Well, six. Love to be a vet!
     7. Nope. And the answer to the celebrity one would probably be embarrassingly geeky, though there’s a few up there already!
     8. I work at a football club, so I should probably say them. Even if only because when they win the fans hurt each other less severely and us first aiders get to watch the game in peace.
     9. It was probably Mock the Week, then probably youtubed you.
     10. Stand up. Though the blog is a lot more regular. I suppose it jointly wins for sheer quantity.
     11. Every day (I’m pretty boring), but rarely comment (I’m pretty boring). I think about 5 times?
     12. It would be nice to do everything, ever, but I wouldn’t trust myself not to spend hundreds of years doing nothing, given the opportunity.
     13. If they can do it in a funny way which won’t upset too many people (though theres always some), I think most things are ok.
     14. Daniel Kitson. Or someone like Gavin Osborn, Jason Cook or Yianni Agisilaou, very likely to be spelt wrongly, they’re not as well known but lovely. I like the Apprentice, its addictive.
     15. Changes a lot. The Rumble Strips are a very happy band.
     16. Nah, I’ll just roll with it.
     17. I dislike the obvious. BNP, EDL, generally people who are too blinded by their own rage and jealousy to see any sort of reason. I don’t exactly hate them though, its more general disdain.
     18. I don’t have a TYSIC, I’m generally too much of a wimp to join forums and things like that. I will have a look at starting though.
     19. I have registered to give blood, so now I am going to start going to sessions. Thanks for the reminder!
     20. I always wonder if there’s anyone on here that I know in real life. Obviously impossible to find out, and very unlikely. Interesting though.

103. Posted by Hannah Mae on December 21, 2010

     1. Hannah (20). White, British.
     2. Bristol during term time; tiny village in Kent when with my parents.
     3. I’m 5’1, so very short. And I weigh far more than I’d like.
     4. 20?
     5. About 35. So WHF is 55/100. Should work on that.
     6. I’m studying English at Bristol University. I want to write comedy for radio and telly and that. Hmm.
     7. No, woefully single. Mark Ronson, maybe? I’m not a massive fan, just think he’s completely beautiful.
     8. -1. I spend Saturdays recovering from the night before, generally. Eating bacon sandwiches, watching Peep Show and groaning at the pile of reading I have to get through before Monday.
     9. When I started uni a few years ago, my housemate was a big Radio 4 comedy fan and we used to listen to Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better while making dinner. Then I started noticing you on Buzzcocks, Mock The Week etc., decided to check out your stand up…
     10. All of it, really. Nothing beats a good live stand up gig so I’m inclined to say that, but then you’re such a fine writer that I reckon you’d be a successful novelist without the comedy.
     11. I read everyday, if I’m about. And I comment quite a lot, although less frequently of late.
     12. Pft, no clue. I think it depends what’s happening in my life at the time. I’d hate to live to 90 and be hopelessly lonely.
     13. No, I think it’s just worth thinking about who the joke’s on.
     14. I have a lot of favourite comedians – Stewart Lee, Richard Herring, Simon Munnery (one of my lecturers used to be in a comedy duo with him. I’m still far too excited about it.), Eddie Izzard, Jeremy Hardy, Chris Addison, Josie Long, Dylan Moran… and then a lot of favourite comedy people not involved in stand up, like Armando Iannucci, Chris Morris… Fry & Laurie, Mitchell & Webb. Favourite TV programmes are Peep Show, The Thick Of It, anything Charlie Brooker’s involved with, lots of comedy panel shows.
     15. The Smiths, Patrick Wolf, Bloc Party, Arcade Fire, Flaming Lips. Lady Gaga is incredible in her ridiculousness. I’m quite into the New Pornographers lately, too – I credit it you with that musical discovery.
     16. More of your opinions on stuff, maybe? Random things you discover and enjoy. But hey, it’s your blog, and everything you write is entertaining.
     17. Ugh, I don’t know, Richard Littlejohn? People like him. And not a massive Clegg fan at the moment.
     18. Shamefully, I don’t have a fixed goal yet, just vague notions of being better. I’ll get back to you.
     19. I’m going to copy you and blog every day in 2011. At hannahmaecollins.wordpress.com if anyone’s interested, but I haven’t started yet.
     20. This blog is wonderful. Happy Christmas.

104. Posted by Stuart on December 21, 2010

     1. Stuart (27). I’m Scottish, and on most forms I’ll tick the White Scottish box. If its not there, then I’m White British.
     2. Edinburgh
     3. I’m 5’11, which is distinctly average. Could lose a bit of weight, but there’s no way I could be described as overweight.
     4. I’ve got a fairly sunny disposition, with ocassional dark spells so I’d say 20.
     5. I’m fairly content, so will score myself a 50 (I’ve lost 10 points for being single)
     6. I work as an intelligence analyst for the police. Its what I want to do, so no complaints there.
     7. No. Natalie Portman.
     8. I support Kilmarnock FC, and I scale myself as an 8.
     9. Probably Mock the Week
     10. Live show, followed by Fighting Talk
     11. Every day. I have it on my RSS feed, and read it on my phone. This doesn’t lend itself to commentating, so I seldom do that
     12. Long enough to enjoy a few years of golkf after retirement, but I want out as soon as I lose my independence.
     13. No, but if you’re going to go near some topics, you better a) be bloody good and b) have something to say
     14. I have a lot of love for Shappi Khorsandi at the moment. Fav ever is Eddie Izzard though. Best TV show is the Wire, but of stuff that’s still on, I’d say Spooks.
     15. Yes, yes I do (its Frightened Rabbit – terrible name, brilliant band)
     16. Nah, I’m happy with whatever
     17. Michael McIntyre inspires a huge amount of rage in me.
     18. I don’t – I’ve not really thought of anything that could inspire me enough to really commit.
     19. I’m going to devote myself to my marathon training, eat more healthity (but still enjoy some junk food) and stop drinking during the week
     20. If Michael McIntrye is reading this, I’m sorry. You just really annoy me.

105. Posted by elin on December 21, 2010

     1. Elin (28). Very Swedish… so caucasian?
     2. Live in Bergen in Norway since 2006, for studies.
     3. on the short side of average, and rather barrel-shaped… would prefer to be slimmer…
     4. I feel quite happy, but seem quite negative to others I think… but that might be because complaining makes me happy! I’d go quite high… 24. Because it’s 42 backwards, and I like that.
     5. I’m happy but stressed… hm… 50? in that case, WHF would be 74.
     6. I’m a master student of Fine Arts, painting. And a weekend nursing home assistant. Very happy with the first, ok with the latter as a way of making money to support the first.
     7. happy single. And I’m bad at knowing celebrities and their names… and remembering things… so pass.
     8. Sport? what is that? Good Saturday might be dinner with friends, knitting, painting, that sort of thing. Yes, I am an old lady…
     9. Don’t actually remember, might have been substantially better, or something telly on youtube or something.
     10. I really like the books, and I’ve never seen you live, I’d say Substantially Better. It’s almost always on my mp3player.
     11. Almost every day, sometimes I miss one day or two but I always read every post.
     12. I’d like to stick around for as long as I’ve got my brain, my eyes, and my hands working for me. When they go, I might as well go with them.
     13. Not really, if done well everything works.
     14. again with names… I like Ed Byrne, and Dara O’Briain, Robin Ince and people like them. I have a weak spot for the nerds… And television… no iplayer here, and I have no telly, but still… I like Doctor Who and Star Trek and things like that, and Horizon, Wonders of the Solar System was amazing, Cosmos… and Monty Pythons Flying Circus… Lots of stuff…
     15. not one, but several. Explosions in the Sky, Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra, Mogwai, Ivor Cutler, Radiohead…
     16. I trust you to come up with interesting things.
     17. Any neighbour who doesn’t clean up after themselves in the kitchen (I live in a student hostel with shared kitchen…)
     18. I do! And I’m working on it!

106. Posted by JoC on December 21, 2010

     1. Jo (27). Australian. Caucasian.
     2. Manchester
     3. Average height and slightly above average weight. Working on that.
     4. 26/30 natural happiness.
     5. Current happiness 62/70, Watsonian Happiness Figure 88.
     6. Human disease geneticist
     7. Single. Ewan McGregor.
     8. Manchester City 3, Hawthorn (Australian Football League) 5.
     9. Can’t remember how I first heard about you, it was years ago!
     10. Very tight contest between your live shows and this blog.
     11. Read the blog every day, comment around once every two months.
     12. I’d like to live to around 78, providing I’m still in reasonable nick.
     13. Nah, talk about whatever you like.
     14. Old favourites are Lano & Woodley. Also like Daniel Kitson. Favourite TV shows are currently True Blood, Mad Men, Grand Designs.
     15. Favourite band is always impossible. Augie March, The Dears, The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Belle & Sebastian, Doves, Elliott Smith, Final Fantasy/Owen Pallett, Spoon, The Thrills. And that’s being rutheless.
     16. Not in particular, I enjoy your normal hectic style.
     17. Hate licorice.
     18. Yes, I have a TYSIC, but I can hardly remember what it is so clearly it’s not going so well. To read a few Russian classics, which I continue to put off.
     19. Resolution for 2011: to keep up (and improve!) my current fitness which is at a lifetime high.
     20. This has taken far longer than it should have, but the perfect thing to do at 4:30pm on my second last day of work for the year… Cheers Mark.

107. Posted by Ingrid on December 21, 2010

     *18. Not yet, but i was wondering how many tictac boxes I could collect in ten years. Does that count?

     I missed out a bit, and it didnt really make sense without it…

108. Posted by Ingrid on December 21, 2010

     1. Ingrid (14) Scottish! Ethnic group? White i guess…
     2. In the Orkney islands, more specifically the town of Stromness.
     3. I used to be tall, but now im more or less average. I guess i have no real ‘weight issues’ as such.
     4.Interesting… i’d say about 25 allowing room for my angry freak outs!
     5. Life is good! I’ve made mistakes in the past but i like to think that i dont regret any of them, because they have led me here, so 68. taking two off because im hating physics!
     6. Im at school. I used to always want to be a vet, but recently i have had thoughts about being a journalist. But those are both really back up plans as my ideal job would be an author. I’ve already written 2 and a half books. 7. Im not at the moment. I’d have to say that i find Roger Federer pretty attractive. There are some more but im feeling to shy to say…
     8.Im a cycling geek! In the tour de france i back Bradly Wiggins (coz he is British) and Kim Kirchen. Also Andreas Kloden and Popovich but i think they are ‘getting on a bit’ In the world cup i support Ivory Coast to the level of 1, for no reason really.
     9.Hmmm… not so sure. I saw you a few times on mock the week, but i only really started to follow you (not in a stalker way or anything) after i saw you on Micheal Macyntire’s comedy road show.
     10. I love the blog, but i think your stand up is just brilliant!
     11. I read every day if i can help it, and comment when i feel the need
     12. Im terrified of dying, and if i had it my way i would live forever… seriously!
     13.Not really, as long as you do it tastefully. Frankie boyle is an example of ‘taking it to far’.
     14. Bugger, i was going to say you! Thats hard, but at the moment i would have to say Jimmy Carr, or Dara O’Briain. Oh and Milton Jones. I watch alot of tv, but my favourites would be Qi and Live at the Appollo (i do love comedians!)
     15. Ach there is a lot! I like Muse, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Ellie Goulding… and so much more.
     16. Oh nothing in particular, just keep it going in the same way, and keep up the optimism!
     17. Simon Cowell… and of course there is poverty, homelessness ect.
     18. Not yet, but i was wondering how many tictac boxes in ten years. Does that count?
     19. Confidence. Its something i lack, but i need. But I think reading this blog has actually helped my confidence, so thanks Mark!

     20. That was oddly enjoyable. Ive really enjoyed the blog, and it feels nice to belong to such a nice community (thing) as the Watsonians. Its nice to know that there are so many nice people out there. Thanks for everything Mark!

109. Posted by A lot of Rachels on December 21, 2010

     1. Rachel (19) White British is ticked on forms.

     2. I mainly live in Reading but stay with parents in Bexley every so often.

     3. Tall and thin (but curvy at same time..) Weight is fine, but I’d like to be shorter.

     4. I’m not sure how naturally happy I am, I can get pretty downbeat quite easily so maybe I should be about 17.

     5. Tough again, little things can set me off and there are several aspects I’m not happy with and wish could be better, I know I shouldn’t complain as things could be worse. But there’s one clear thing which brings my mood down so easily and that is simply social aspects and wish for friends. That makes me feel like my life isn’t worth much at the moment. so I’ll lean towards the half way mark again and try not to be too pessimistic with 40 so the WHF would be 57/100.

     6. I’m a second year psychology student who also techs the comedy nights at Reading union. But my ideal job would be working with mentally ill people who have committed various crimes.

     7. I’m in a relationship.
     Most attractive famous person, hmm, I reckon John Frusciante

     8. I support Newcastle United, but also a soft spot for Watford (that’s who I usually go watch as my dad is a massive fan). I’m not sure of my level of fandom, I check every football result but don’t go in a sulk if we loose, unless it’s to a stupid team.

     9. First heard of you would have been on Mock the Week, I was at mighty boosh festival few years ago, me and my friend knew your name so stuck around to see your set, so I suppose seeing you live was first proper time hearing of you.

     10. Toughy. I really enjoy seeing you live, and your books have always kept me entertained and turning the page. And then your blog gives me something to read each day.

     11. I read the blog everyday, but I don’t comment all the time, as I can’t think of anything specific to add or I’m reading it on my phone when I have a spare few minutes so don’t always have time to comment as well.

     12. I wouldn’t want to live forever, just long enough to do the things I want to do, and if I end up having kids, then seeing them grow up.

     13. I always get uneasy when people target people with learning difficulties or mental disorders. I just feel they can’t always defend themselves and it can be an easy way to get a cheap laugh, there are also other minorities where it’s easy to get a cheap laugh so I’m less keen on those aswell.

     14. Fave comedian would be either Jon Richardson or david O’doherty, always enjoy seeing them live. I had to narrow my list down quite a bit.
     TV show, I’d have to say Dexter, sooo good.

     15. I fell out of love with music but I’m slowly getting back into it and my boyfriend is showing me different bands. I’m currently listening to David Devant and his spirit wife so they’re prob one of my faves.

     16. I’m happy with things that have been covered in the past so I reckon I’ll be happy whatever crops up.

     17. I’m not sure what I hate, there are things I dislike an awful lot. Pineapple. Winter.

     18. I do have a TYSIC, but I’m feeling like changing mine. Is that allowed? Or atleast adding other things to it, what I want to add is to stop feeling so paranoid all the time, it gets incredibly infuriating walking around all the time paranoid. And also I’d like to add trying to make friends a TYSIC, that could help me quite a bit.
     I feel I’ve neglected TYSIC a fair bit, so am going to try and improve that.

     19. I wish I could give blood but I don’t think I can. My 2011 resolution is to change my diet. I don’t think I need to loose weight but have to stop drinking caffeine and have to go on GI diet as I have a higher risk than normal to get diabetes, so sticking to those diets would be lovely and healthy.

     20. Extra comments – my cat is sat on the other side of the room snoring very loudly.

110. Posted by Lindsay on December 21, 2010

     1. Lindsay (28), English/American/Northern Irish, blindingly white
     2. The Middle East
     3. Medium height (always imagine I’m taller than I really am), size 12, generally pretty happy with things the way they are.
     4. Naturally happy 20/30
     5. Life right now happiness level of 65 (so overall wellbing of 85/100)
     6. I’m just about to leave my job to study botany
     7. I got married this year. Most attractive famous person: Leonardo Dicaprio is getting increasingly hot as he gets older.
     8. I don’t watch football, or any other sport unless I’m put in front of it.
     9. Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better show on Radio 4
     10. Radio shows (never seen you live, but would love another radio show, please)
     11. Read once a day, or every other day. Comment once a month
     12. Never thought about it. Over 85 seems like a good innings.
     13. Depends how it is presented, but I would go off a comedian if he/she made light of domestic violence or rape.
     14. I like Ross Noble and the sweet guy from the west country: Russell something?
     15. I love folk music, so probably Kate Rusby and Bellowhead
     16. Not really
     17. Tony Blair
     18. Yes: become a botanist, own a dog, own a house, have kids (in that order); I have resigned from my job, applied to study botany, and got married since I started the TYSIC, and have exams in January; a lot is up in the air about where I actually study, but I think I’m making good headway.
     19. I resolve to start playing the piano again.
     20. I would love to know if there are any other blog readers in the Middle East.

111. Posted by Katie on December 21, 2010

     1. Katie, or sometimes more commonly Tig, short for Tigger, on account of my bright ginger hair. Actually, quite often just ‘GINGER’. (16) White British.
     2. Ledbury, in the middle of the english countryside where nothing ever happens and the front page news is ‘Wheelie Bins moved from the front of Tesco to 20ft down the road’
     3. Short, not fat, not thin. Very very very small hands and feet. And ears. Can probably guarantee the smallest out of all Watsonians.
     4. 27/28. I’m generally always happy and an optomist
     5. Right now, about 63. So that makes me 91/100
     6. I work for somebody I know doing cleaning and cooking. Not my favourite of tasks, but hey, it earns me a bit of money which I need. Ideal job- somebody who researches endangered languages and records them so they are not lost forever.
     7. Yes, complicatedly. He’s french, lives 700 miles away in Bayeux and I see him about three times a year. But there you go. Ideal celebrity- David Tennant
     8. Nopes. Favourite sport has to be cycling or rowing
     9. Mock the Week je pense…
     10. Blog, deffo. Cheers me up every day!
     11. I try to read every day, but I do forget, so realistically, every two to three days! I comment not very often!
     12. I would like to get to a ripe old age, but I’m not fussed about being immortal or anything.
     13. No!! Thats the thing with comedians- they CAN talk about everything!
     14. Ummmm, probably has to be between Michael McIntyre, Miranda Hart, Jimmy Carr and Ruth Jones. I can’t decide!
     15. I do love ‘Ich und mein Tiger’. I don’t think anybody will have heard of them. But google them, and listen. They really are very good.
     16. Not really!
     17. I have troubles with seriously disliking things, I can’t seem to do it. But it does bug me quite a lot when people say ‘It can’t be global warming, its snowing’ when actually its only Northern Europe who are experiencing drastically colder weather than normal and the Arctic is still way hotter than it should be.
     18. Not yet. I might do it as part of my New Year’s resolution.
     19. Its to start a blog, seeing as I am off travelling quite a lot next year, and I don’t tend to keep travel journals any more. Even if nobody reads it, I’d quite like to start one anyway!
     20. Everyone should make an effort to forget about all the shit going on with the credit crunch, the weather, the government and just look at all the good things in life! We are very lucky to live where we do in a country where the weather is temperate (mostly) and we have food and water and an uncorrupt government and generally lots of luxuries and I think people forget that too often. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

112. Posted by MusicalLottie on December 21, 2010

     1. Charlotte (21). British – I tick ‘White British’ on the forms.
     2. Bedfordshire (UK)
     3. 5’6″ and medium-build, though I have a little bit of a tummy. I’d like to be an inch or so taller and without my tummy. Other than that I don’t really mind.
     4. I’d say 22.
     5. Maybe about 43? Therefore WHF = 65
     6. I’m unemployed; my last job was a mix between admin assistant and outdoor activity instructor. That was immense fun; my ideal job would be to lead music workshops with children.
     7. No. I don’t ever look at celebrities with a view to how attractive they are; but if pushed I’d have to say Benedict Cumberbatch.
     8. No football team! My favourite sport is snooker.
     9. Hmm, probably from Mock the Week.
     10. The blog
     11. I read every blog, usually every day; I comment often.
     12. As long as possible. Humans seem to have an innate desire to live forever; why else would the anti-ageing / youth / vitality market be so huge?
     13. To be honest, I don’t think so. There are some subjects that require more sensitive handling, and there can be a fine line between funny and insulting, but I don’t think anything should be strictly out-of-bounds.
     14. Milton Jones; he’s hilarious and always clean. Favourite TV show is Sherlock, hands-down.
     15. Voces8. They’re an a cappella group who do lots of education work; their performances are musically wonderful but comical too.
     16. Nothing springs to mind; you always post thought-provoking and diverse blog entries anyway.
     17. Tomato ketchup
     18. TYSICs: to lead a music workshop, to get out and appreciate the countryside more, ride out depressive episodes better, explore a new area by train, visit every underground/tram/overground stop in London, practise twice a week, and get married or at least be decent wife material.
     19. I need to get a job; as it clearly won’t happen this year now, it’ll have to be next year.
     20. My orchestra course this week was cancelled due to the snow – we were going to be playing one of my favourite pieces (Shostakovich’s 5th symphony). And I’m REALLY COLD all of the time. Well, Watsonians are a sympathetic audience

113. Posted by Emily on December 21, 2010

     1. Emily (21) White British
     2. South Manchester-ish at home, Dundee for the final year of uni.
     3. 5’1”ish, so short. Thin, fluctuating around minimum “healthy” weight these days. I think I’m happy with that, I’ve spent most of my life up until now trying not to be underweight, but now I’ve got there I’m still getting used to it. Wish I was taller, more average height.
     4. I’ll go with a 15, though I initially was going to go lower, which shows how pessimistic I can be.
     5. Hmmm. It fluctuates wildly and regularly so let’s go with 50 for now.
     WHF = 65
     6. I’m studying Pharmaceutical Chemistry but once that’s done I’m hoping to go into Bioinformatics. I’m undecided whether I want a research career or just to sit in a regular 9-5 office job. So long as there’s limited wet lab work and computers are involved, I don’t mind for now.
     7. Single. As for an attractive famous person, I can’t think of one that particularly stands out.
     8. Not keen on football, though don’t hate it. Don’t mind a bit of tennis, golf, or gymnastics but don’t follow them particularly. I don’t really do things on Saturdays, they usually consist of me sitting around on my computer doing nothing of use. Much like every other day really. How sad.
     9. I don’t know when I very first came across you. I first really took an interest in your comedy and everything else when an episode of WNA series 2 was featured on iPlayer way back at the end of last year. I mostly watched it due to boredom, though I knew who you were, to a vague degree. Around the same time, I was getting into Twitter so started following you, watching YouTube clips etc. A couple of months later the blog and TYSIC started and the rest, as they say, is history.
     10. As I’m still relatively new to everything you do, my favourite thing is probably the live shows, despite only have been to the one, but I did quite like Eleven and intend to read your other books at some point. I am also quite a fan of the blog though. Tough choice.
     11. I read every day if I can, and catch up as soon as possible if I can’t. I have developed a habit of checking to see if there’s a blog every few minutes when I’m bored, or as procrastination. I comment when comments are asked for, but rarely any other times.
     12. Sometimes I think I don’t really care when I die, other times I wish to live as long as I can. If I have children I’d definitely like to live as long as I can for their sakes. Until then, I’m undecided.
     13. I can’t think of any subjects I’d say should never be mentioned, but it entirely depends on how a topic is talked about/used/handled.
     14. As I’ve only really got into comedy properly since getting into this whole Watsonian thing, I don’t have another favourite comedian as yet. There are comedians I like and comedians I dislike, but my judgment is almost entirely based on panel shows and sitcoms.
     15. Coheed and Cambria, without a doubt. I love their music and it’s got me through many low times. They aren’t really representative of my music taste as a whole though. My favourite band that gives a good idea of my overall music taste would be Trivium I think.
     16. There’s nothing that stands out, so no I guess.
     17. I say I hate lots of things and lots of people, but the thing I hate most in the world has to be any form of citrus fruit, citrus smell, or citrus flavour.
     18. I have several TYSICs, most of which I’ve made some, though minimal, progress with so far. My main one is eating normally. Food is the bane of my life and I’d quite like it not to be. Ideally I will be eating good regular meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day without going through the hell of forcing myself be arsed every time. In addition to that, being considerably less fussy would be useful too.
     As for the others, they’re important, but less key to generally improving my life. They include getting a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree (something that doesn’t have a choice about be worked towards so long as I’m at uni). The rest have been mostly abandoned due to uni.
     19. I don’t like making resolutions. I’m sure there are plenty I could make, such as learning to drive, but I’m unkeen on setting any in stone. Pathetic, I know. I can’t give blood because I’m too light, what with fluctuating around minimum “healthy” weight and being short and all.
     20. Watsonians are lovely. Fact.

114. Posted by h2osarah on December 21, 2010

     1.Sarah (24) Canadian Caucasian
     2. Kingston, Ontario, Canada
     3. I’m tall. 5’11″ and too tubby for my liking.
     4. I’d say about 15.
     5. 20. I hope that this will improve when I finish school, have a job and a live somewhere better. WHF of 35.
     6. Studying Neuroscience. Looking for a job in the health sciences once I finish. If you know of any, drop me a line.
     7. Are you in a relationship? I don’t really know. Sort of? Does dating for 6 weeks count?
     Who is the most attractive famous person you can think of? Um. I’m going to say Hugh Laurie (preferably a bit younger, but now is pretty good too).
     8. Not football. I like waterpolo, but it’s never on.
     9. Found Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially better via Minchin. Then went along to your 2008 Edinburgh show based on that.
     10. This is cruel. Live shows first (esp. 24 hour and the Hotel will always hold a special place in my heart). Then WNA and your books come second.
     11. I read the blog every day (with an exception for webless Edinburgh, but I caught up). I comment usually when specifically prodded to. Or if I feel that I have something to contribute.
     12. It depends on my health and if I have things in life that I still get pleasure out of. If I’m always surrounded by friends and still have the ability to do fun things, then yeah! Bring on immortality!
     13. No. For me it’s about intent and how you do it. If your intent is humour, then you’re okay with me. If your intent is pure shock value or to hurt feelings, then it’s not.
     14. It’s gotta be Minchin for this. He’s the one that got me into the UK comedy scene in such a big way. I think QI. It’s always joyful, nerdy and funny. Perfect.
     15. I’m gonna go with Great Big Sea because they were fantastic live.
     16. Nothing in particular.
     17. I have one on a similar bent to Glamlovinkitty. And Stewart Francis.
     18.Yes. To face my fears. Not very well.
     19. To finish my thesis ASAP (by or before April).
     20. I will use this bit to give Misha the cuddle she requested. Partly cos she’s awesome, but partly cos I want a cuddle too.

115. Posted by max on December 21, 2010

     1. Max (28). Argentine. I’m a mix of turkish/italian/spanish ancestors.

     2. Eindhoven, Netherlands.

     3. 1,80m. Not overweight, not super thin. Used to be right prop in my rugby team for more than 10 years, so I have a pretty big back. Not muscular at all though. Hate the gym.

     4. I’d say 24. I’m pretty much an optimist and like to laugh about the absurd things that happen to me. Like being stranded in diverse european airports every time I come home for christmas. Tip for travelers: if you wish to avoid cancelled flights and delays, just find out on which date I’m flying and book your ticket one day before me. I regularly fly on the days that everything collapses.

     5. I live in an incredible place and have a dream job, they pay me to study!!! I miss my family and friends though. So I’d say 59. My WHF is 83.

     6. I’m doing a PhD in operations research. I’d like to be a photographer one day too, I do take tons of pics but I’m too shy to expose myself to the world.

     7. Nope. Though question. I’d say Winona Ryder or Natalie Portman. Tastes change constantly, but these two I always found incredibly attractive.

     8. Boca Juniors (Argie football). I’d say 8. Now I kinda support PSV too, since I live 2 blocks away from the stadium. But it’s not a big emotional attachment. I also like it when real madrid looses. Hate those guys.
     I cried for football more than I care to admit, but it also made me very happy. When it comes to the national team, I’d say I’m a 10. You don’t want to be around me when we loose. Beating England in the ’98 WC is one of my happiest football related memories. I remember running through the street with a vuvuzela. Our loss in ’02 was one of the saddest moments, though. So it evens out.

     9. I have a vpn thingy in my computer that allows me to fake a british IP which I use to watch the bbc online. One day I put on the BBC4 and We need answers was on. I was instantly hooked.

     10. We need answers is still one of my favorite tv shows ever. But the blog and the books are brilliant too. I’ve never been to a comedy show, but if I ever did, you’d probably be it.

     11. I read every day. I comment when I feel I have something to add, say once every 9 days or so.

     12. I’d like to live as long as I can function by myself. I hate to depend on others.

     13. No. The world is way too politically correct already.

     14. George Carlin probably. But as I said, I’m not huge into comedy acts.
     Favorite show right now would probably be The big bang theory.

     15. Do you have a favourite band or musical act?
     Yes. I’m a music nerd so it changes a lot. For historical purposes and influence in my musical tastes today I’d say Porcupine Tree, even though I don’t listen to them so regularly anymore.

     16. Not really. Surprise me please!

     17. My tendency to procrastinate. I hate it, makes me miserable.

     18. Yes I do. Cycle around iceland and get a PhD. I’m on track for the 2nd, not so much on the 1st.

     19. Stop with the procrastinating.

     20. Everyone, have a wonderful 2011!!! And I’m on a personal crusade against stupid mind games in relationships, so consider being honest with people of the opposite sex. Mind games suck and usually end up badly.

116. Posted by Helen on December 21, 2010

     1.Helen. (22). Very English, would like to be French. White and a bit something else.
     2.I live in Nottingham which I love a bit.
     3.I am tall enough to have a sneaky advantage at sport and fat enough to stay warm in winter.
     4.Day to day about 24. I’m pretty chipper and when I’m not can just keep trucking through until everything’s sunnier again.
     5.50 I think. Some things get me down but I have other things to cheer me up again. 74/100 WHF.
     6.I am studying History and French at university. I’m in my last (4th) year because I spend last year being an English language assistant in a secondary school (remember the poor French people who appeared in your secondary school and were terrorised by racist teenagers? I was that in France and it was amazing). I don’t know what I will do but I will never be a teacher…
     7.I am not. The most attractive famous person I can think of is Matt Smith.
     8.I’m not a football person, but my rugby team , Northampton Saints have made me happy cry and sad cry over the past few seasons and I get ridiculously proud when any of our players are amazing on international duty. Chris Ashton’s try at Twickenham a few weeks ago was stunning. I will watch nearly every other sport that I can without having Sky Sports, except darts and snooker
     9.From the sister who gave me the CDs of MWMTWSB.
     10.Live I think. Especially over a 24 hour period. And the blog.
     11.I read every blog, mostly on the same day and I comment whenever I have something to add.
     12.I don’t know. A good long while I hope yet.
     13.No, if people want to pay to hear them talk then they can talk about what they want. But I wouldn’t’ go and see certain comedians because I imagine that I wouldn’t find it particularly funny.
     14.Key/Basden, and the last amazing show I saw was Greg Davies.
     15.I do! Delays. They’ll make your ears happy.
     16.I like it when it’s topical. Be topical Watson!
     17.Cheryl Cole. Terrible. Just terrible.
     18.I did have lots of TYSICs and then I realised that they were all the kind of things that I would do for myself over the coming years anyway, so I just decided to be try and generally be good to others and myself.
     19.In 2011, I am going to run a 10km in under an hour, get my first tattoo and graduate from university whilst looking fabulous in my gown. I am banned from blood giving on account of my tendency to faint a lot and to be pierced.
     20.I have no additional remarks except to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year. Be fabulous Watsonians…

117. Posted by Beth on December 21, 2010

     1. (Beth) British, tick ‘White British’ on forms
     2. Small village near Nottingham.
     3. I’m 5″5 and a bit bigger than I would like to be, but not overly bothered by it.
     4. 20?
     5. 20+50 = 70 WHF
     6. Just finished A Levels, working full time in a supermarket for a year until (hopefully) going to Leicester Uni in September.
     7. Currently single, but am a little bit in love with Simon Pegg.
     8. I like to watch Rugby because the men are manlier, but I liked playing basketball in school.
     9. I saw you on MTW and thought you were funny.
     10. I love your books, I loved you guest hosting NMTB and I love ‘Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better’.
     11. Every day, comment fairly regularly nowadays. Maybe ever other blog?
     12. I don’t want to be so old that I stop being able to look after myself.
     13. No, as long as it’s can be justified, anything goes.
     14. My favourite comedian other than you is Adam Hills/Tim Minchin/Bo Burnham. My favourite telly show is (was) Lost.
     15. The Smiths are my alltime favourite, but currently I’m really enjoying Yeasayer.
     16. I want to know who your favourite comedian is, do you go and watch other comedians etc.
     17. I do really hate Bruce Forsyth. I don’t even really know why. I just do.
     I also hate how much influence the press has on our society.
     18. My TYSIC is to learn piano and the start running/another sport to get fit and healthier rather than just to lose weight. It’s going quite well, I’ve recently got a keyboard (no space for a piano) and go running a few times a week as have yet to find a sport that I particularly enjoy.
     19. In 2011 I want to get into my top choice uni and learn to cook a proper roast dinner (I think it’s something everyone must learn, surely?) also, I want to be go to Australia.
     20. I think you should all listen to ONE by Yeasayer, it’s my current favourite song.

118. Posted by Rachel/Pandora on December 21, 2010

     (I would like to apologise for my dire (now deleted) first attempt at filling this in. I had a toast dropping accident. I am very stupid.)

     1. Rachel (22). I’m English or British or whatever you’re supposed to say. Descended from the Huns, apparently, but there’s not a box for that.
     2. I live in Rothwell, Northamptonshire, but will be moving to Leicester, soon-ish.
     3. I’m 5ft 8. I’d like to be a bit taller please. Pretty average
     4. Um. 20/30
     5. 45/70. WHF = 65/100. This seems a bit low, but its probably just cos I’m hungry.
     6. I’m going to be a physiotherapist soon, and I’m hoping it’s going to be amazing.
     7. I’m single, and more than a bit in love with Johnny Depp
     8. I don’t really support a football team. I support Northampton Saints, a rugby team. They’re doing really well at the moment. I’m also fond of athletics, but will watch almost any sport that’s on telly.
     9. Probably your first MTW appearance (2006ish?) then the Radio 4 show, then I first saw you live in 2008.
     10. Live shows. The last 24hr show is/was one of my favourite things ever.
     11. Every day. I comment a bit too much.
     12. I’d like to live as long as it’s still fun, I reckon. Don’t know how long that’ll be though. Lonely old people break my heart a bit.
     13. If it’s live I think people can talk about whatever they like, as it’s the audience’s choice to pay and watch. On telly you should probably avoid massively offending too many people. Being crass and just plain rude isn’t funny.
     14. Ooh, that’s really hard. I don’t think I could choose a clear favourite, if I’m not allowed to choose you. Favourites include Sarah Millican, Tim Key, Tom Basden, Greg Davies and Joe Lycett. Oh, and Chris Addison. And Ross Noble. TOO HARD. Favourite television programme of all time is Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as it’s the best thing ever.
     15. Lady Gaga. She’s both ridiculous and fabulous, which is why I love her. I do think that Bad Romance is one of the best things ever.
     16. I liked the Kindness Day stuff. Perhaps a charity fundraiser of some sort…?
     17. The Daily Mail. Cruelty. Rice pudding. That sort of thing.
     18. I do, yes. I graduated and got a job, achieving two. The remaining one is to do good things. Not sure how I’m going with that one, really. Shall work on it.
     19. I’m gonna stop biting my nails. Its a bit gross.
     20. I don’t have much else to say. I’ve probably said too much already, really. However, I will say that I’m quite attached to this blog and the community that it’s created. You’re all rather brilliant.

119. Posted by Gilly on December 21, 2010

     1. Gilly (20). English/American. As white as they come.
     2. California, and my pre-Christmas flight back to the UK for the holidays got delayed. Boo.
     3. Short and overweight. But I’m working on that.
     4. Mostly a 22, I’d say. But I, like everyone, have my moments.
     5. 40 – mostly because I don’t know if my late transfer application for uni will be accepted or not. Which makes a 62, but it’s normally higher.
     6. Theatre/literature. Ideally I’ll be getting paid enough doing what I love (acting and writing) to be able to spend time with people I care about. We’ll see how that goes.
     7. No, and right now my obsessive fangirl crush is Darren Criss, who is nerdgirl catnip.
     8. I listen to the occasional Arsenal podcast, but that’s mostly because they are amusing. I keep up with the world cup, but if I’m honest I’d much rather play. Or read.
     9. It’s gotta be something along the lines of HIGNFY, but it wasn’t until MTW and youtube that I found myself here.
     10. I very much enjoyed your Buzzcocks appearance, but I’ve sadly never seen you live. It’s quite a commute from CA. And I’m hoping for your books for Christmas.
     11. I catch up every couple of days – slightly obsessively – and comment every few days or so.
     12. I want to live until I am satisfied. I don’t know when that’ll be.
     13. No. I think everything CAN be funny, but a comedian needs to be able to read their audience and know what IS/
     14. I’m a fan of Comedians who seem to be comfortable interacting. Adam Hills, Tim Minchin, Dara O’Briain, Ross Noble. Naturally funny, rather than forced. I enjoy comedians like Frankie Boyle, but he feels too prepared/sensation oriented to make me really laugh.
     Also: Glee, NMTB, QI, Porridge.
     15. I’m really loving Joshua Radin right now.
     16. I leave that to your excellent taste.
     17. Pickles. Cottage cheese. Glenn Beck. Ugh.
     18. The fact that I had to go look up my user name should indicate that I haven’t been updating as much as I should. Gillybean. Or possibly just Gilly. The site confuses me. And I sent in my first (late) transfer application to a school I REALLY want to audition for. Fingers crossed. Not so much with the seizing the day, though.
     19. America won’t take my blood, because I’m English! True story. I’m going to compile a list, but for now I’ll say transferring to actually get my BFA. It’s about freaking time.
     20. If you haven’t seen A Very Potter Musical then you really should, even if you don’t like the books. It is hilarious. It is also possible that I am writing this at 6am PST, and should go back to sleep. Or pack for my flight on X-mas eve. That is all. Over and out.

120. Posted by lisan66 on December 21, 2010

     1. Lisa (18) Irish. Caucasian
     2. Dublin, one of those parts that is starting to be considered as ‘dodgy’, but my estate itself is full of OAPs, so it’s still nice.
     3. I’m 5’4″, which is probably short enough. I’d say I’m average on the weight size. I don’t really like this question…
     4. I’d say I’m 28/30 naturally happy
     5. 50/70 happy with my life.
     Added together, I get 78/100 as my WHF
     6. I’m a studying theology (bleh), business and economics. I want to drop theolgoy next year. And then when I’m finished my BA, do a postgrad in political economics and end up being a political economist.
     7. I’m single. I can’t think of the most attractive famous person right now…but I generally have a thing for Scottish actors because of the accent.
     8. I hate all sport, but I watch Wimbledon every year. On a Saturday, I bake/do stuff for college/do stuff for college while there’s a cake in the oven. And then I tend to go out.
     9. Eh……I don’t remember. OH, I do remember. You wrote a blog for yahoo for a while, and then I googled you and ended up here.
     10. I’m going to say blog, because I’ve not seen you live, haven’t read your books yet (Eleven was delivered from amazon the other day and then hidden in my parents room until Saturday morning), and I don’t have a lot of English channels, so I tend to miss those too.
     11. I read every day, unless I go out at night, when I read it the next morning. And the blogs until about May are being read slowly when I’m stuck in lectures. I comment about once every three weeks? But I tend to write comments more often than that and delete them.
     12. I wouldn’t mind living as long as possible unless I got dementia or something along those lines. Then, and I know this sounds horrible, I would like to die as quickly as possible.
     13. I don’t think horrible things like rape or disablity should be mentioned. But that’s just me.
     14. Dara O’Briain. He’s great, like absolutely great.
     15.I’m not a big music person. I tend to listen to whatever is on the radio. And when I do buy msuic, it tends to be a soundtrack. Most of my friends think I’m weird becausse of that (they all play instruments and when we hang out conversation topics vary from where they’re playing their next gig to whose gig they were at last weekend. This leads me to sitting there totally confused).
     16. As long as it stays funny etc, I’ll keep reading it.
     17. Can I name a person that I’m pretty sure none of you know? My friend Ashling. I’m using the word friend lightly here. She’s more of a friend of all my friends so we’re automatically friends. But yeah, I don’t like her a lot. She tends to dismiss anything I say and she moans over everything. And last night, she didn’t give me any money towards our taxi home!!!!
     18. I have two. One was to lose weight (lost eight pounds so far). The other was to bake a lot. I’ve made a christmas pudding, christmas cake, shortbread and a chocolate log for both my mam and my grandma for Christmas. I don’t get paid, but still….
     19. I don’t like new years resolutions, but I do like the idea of giving blood. I tried for the first time last week, but I was told my iron levels were too low for a sick person, so I’m going to fill myself with iron and then give blood.
     20. My sister says I shouldn’t give out this sort of information on the internet…But I’m ignoring it!

121. Posted by Kathryn on December 21, 2010

     1.Kathryn (19) Northern Irish (national identity is a bit of a minefield- I have a British passport but I’m “Irish” at university), White
     2.Living in Cambridge during term and Bangor (NI) during the holidays.
     3.Medium height ish, not exactly skinny but in denial and pretty happy about it.
     4.About 24/30- I think I’m usually pretty upbeat.
     5.57/70- if certain things hadn’t happened recently it would be a bit higher. WHF= 81.
     6.English student, with no idea where this degree is going to take me. I have no plans for any particular career. I’m not yet worried about this.
     7.Currently single/recently broken up with (hence lower answer for #5). Most attractive celebrity… Aidan Turner from Being Human, even if he isn’t really very famous.
     8.No football team to speak of. Favourite sport probably tennis. Favourite saturday activity is playing stupid games with my friends till 3am.
     9.I think Mock the Week from years ago.
     10.I love the blog and the live shows even though I’ve only been to one. It’s hard to choose though.
     11.I read the blog every day, and I used to comment every day as well but now I comment when I have the time to think of something worth saying.
     12.I wouldn’t like to live as long as possible; I think I’d be content with the time I’m given. My gran lived to 95.
     13.It all depends on how things are handled. I despise unintelligent comedy.
     14.Tim Minchin. TV show is harder. House is the only thing I make the effort to watch every week, but I think it ties with Doctor Who. And it’s hard to ignore Black Books and Flight of the Conchords even though they’ve both finished.
     15.Favourite band depends on which day you ask me. Right now possibly Bon Iver, but also Muse.
     16.I will read anything you choose to talk about.
     17.Unfortunately I can’t say I hate the jerk who broke up with me before Christmas. I can’t hate the snow either because it’s quite pretty even if it did cost me a lot of money to get home at the weekend. I hate poverty and injustice, and Ricky Gervais.
     18.My TYSIC was to work harder, to be more outgoing and to write some music. I’ve worked really hard at university this term, but I could work harder. And I’ve made new friends/developed more confidence. The music is a bit of a non-starter but I’m working on it.
     19.I’ve been meaning to give blood for a while so that’s a good one. Possibly put a bit more effort into my TYSIC goals as well.
     20.My year has been significantly improved by this blog and by the fan forum. And *cuddles* for Misha. The sense of community around here is amazing.

122. Posted by Kay (project preston fame) on December 21, 2010

     1. Kay Hartley (27 tomorrow!) Nationality British – ethnic group – White
     2. Live in Preston – Lancashire.
     3. Im 5ft 4inch and happy with the weight that I am, which i think people would call me slim.
     4. i would say im naturally happy 20 out of 30? ish
     5. Life right now i’d say 68 out of 70 but i love this time of year and am always happy at Xmas time. SO WHF is 88.
     6. Job – evening admin assistant in uni halls. very happy witht he job as it allows me to stay at home with my 11month old son. My ideal job would be to work with the RSPCA.
     7.I am married, but the most attractive famous person is Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black from the twlight saga).
     8.I support Preston north end, on your scale it would be 5 as I cannot get on all games and don’t care to travel the country to watch them lose! Football is not my favourite sport – that goes to Athletics/Swimming.
     9. First heard Mark on Mock the Week i think years ago!
     10. fave mark thing – your shows (and mad off shoot ideas – project preston for example)
     11. I read the blog every few days and comment very little.
     12. i don’t want to live too long and watch younger die before me, i think i would like to get to my 90′s.
     13. none
     14. fav comedian – between eddie izzard and russell howard. Fav show – CSI.
     15. Take That & McFly!
     16: nothing in particular just happy to read what comes up.
     17. Footballers salaries – makes me sick.
     18. don’t have one
     19. resolution to volunteer for charity.
     there done!

123. Posted by Phill on December 21, 2010

     1. Phill Sacre (27). Birthday is August 17th.
     I’m White British, as I might put on a form. My ancestors emigrated here from Flanders in the 1500s. My Dad has traced our family tree back to then. (Just say when this all gets too much information… oh right, now. Sorry.)

     2. Colchester, Essex. I don’t know what ‘and all that’ is, although I can tell you there is a possibility I may be moving to North London in September next year.

     3. I’m about average height for a man (5’11). skinny all over apart from my belly which is not as flat as I’d like it to be. Annoyingly this means that I am actually slightly underweight but I’d like to lose the excess fat. Doh.

     4. Tough question. Most of the day I’m not feeling particularly happy or unhappy. So I guess I have about a 50% level of happiness? (=15/30) How can you quantify such a thing, I don’t know!

     5. Um… I’m happy with some things, unhappy with others. I’m gonna give myself just over half for this. 45. WHF = 60/100

     6. My current job is a software developer. My future career potentially involves ordained ministry (i.e. a vicar, like the guy from ‘Rev’), so I guess I’m not doing what I’d ideally like to be doing at the moment

     7. Yep, I’m married (no kids tho). Most attractive famous person… um… I’m not good at this. I don’t think it’s fair to compare attractiveness really, it’s such a meaningless measure (eye of the beholder etc). But if you force me to pick one name I think I’d say at the moment Kristen Bell.

     8. Don’t really follow football, used to follow Ipswich Town but only really because my Dad’s into football and it was easy for me to keep up with them as he always had the football scores on. My favourite sport to watch is probably tennis, particularly Wimbledon. I love watching the championships, particularly when it’s not obvious who’s going to win. (i.e. it’s not just going to be Federer / Williams again).

     9. Heard “Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (Series 1)” on the radio, first time round I think.

     10. Live shows, definitely – been to two now, and loved both of them. Substantially Better is probably second favourite, then books, and TV appearances last. Not that I don’t enjoy them but I think your brand of comedy is better suited to live situations where you can interact. (Oh, really appreciate the blog too, make that no. 3)

     11. I’m subscribed to this blog on Google Reader, so I read it every day. I comment occasionally, say, once a week.

     12. I’d hate to live forever, or at least, live forever like I am now. I don’t know really, ask me in 40 years.

     13. No, but at the same time I think comedians should avoid causing offence just for the sake of it.

     14. Well, Mark I probably would say you, partly because of this blog But other than that I’d probably say Bill Bailey (although, again, picking favourites is a dangerous game with me). Fave television show – GAH! Too many to choose from. At the moment I am still loving Flight of the Conchords for comedy. I also love Life on Mars / Ashes to Ashes for more serious stuff. And for light-hearted fun you can’t beat Doctor Who. (Three favourites… I promise I’ll stop there).

     15. If you judge by my last.fm page, my favourite band is the Beatles (because I listen to their songs the most). I think I’d go along with that. Running up are Coldplay, Keane, Muse [I do listen to music which isn't played by Radio 1 as well... I was going to say 'decent music' but that's just pandering to music critics who seem to think a band have to have a ceiling number of about 1000 fans to be any good] I generally listen to Absolute Radio.

     16. Um… not really! As it comes.

     17. Simon Cowell. Seriously. I’m on Twitter, and every Saturday my feed would get clogged up with X-Factor related tweets. Everyone seems to hate it, and yet people can’t stop watching (and tweeting) about it. You can’t get away from it, even if you don’t watch it. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, COWELL.

     18. I’m learning to play the guitar better as a TYSIC. That seems sufficiently long-term. I’m getting there but progress on musical instruments for me is slow and there aren’t many moments when you can really say ‘ha! Progress’ – because it’s slow and gradual. I am currently learning the solo from Queen ‘Hammer to Fall’, which I guess is progress because this time last year I wouldn’t have been able to play it.

     19. Oooh, giving blood is a good one. I’m always seeing the ‘give blood’ posters up at work. I will resolve to book and attend one next year.

     20. This is probably the longest blog comment in the history of the world, and for that, I apologise. I honestly do not usually spend hours and hours talking about myself. Seriously.

124. Posted by TalksToRainbows on December 21, 2010

     1. Becca (19 + 1; I don’t like saying(/writing) the actual number – only 6 months to go then I can be 21 … ) and I’m boring and “White British”.
     2. North Wales in term time and Norfolk during the holidays.
     3. Average height and weight.
     4. 20?
     5. 50; 20 + 50 = 70%
     6. Student studying computer science and media – ideal job is something in TV CGI.
     7. Nope. And David Tennant or Brian Cox.
     8. I am a Sunderland supporter by birth – I would be kicked out of my house if I didn’t. I should probably pay more attention as last time I watched(/was in a room with the match on the TV) ‘we’ beat Chelsea 3-0. I much prefer watching the Ashes or the 6 Nations.
     9. On Mock The Week or one of my other sources of news (Have I Got News?).
     10. Live, Books, Blog, TV shows
     11. I read it pretty much every day in my RRS feed, and this is my 3rd comment in twice as many months.
     12. I am terrified of death, but also of getting old, so that’s a bit of a dilemma.
     13. No – if you can make a joke about it, that at least someone other than yourself will find funny, and is not too offensive, do.
     14. Andrew O’Neill, Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey, Tim Minchin, to name but a few. TV; currently: Miranda and the Apprentice.
     15. Several, but Fountains of Wayne, Kate Rusby and Counting Crows produce my favourite albums.
     16. More of the same? It’s a nice mix of properly thought out subjects, spur-of-the-moment “someone brought this up earlier, what do you think?” and “Oh no! It’s 11.50 and I need to post -something-!”.
     17. No, I don’t tend to hate people. Dislike, sure, but I don’t see the point in wasting energy hating someone.
     18. Yes. And I really need to update it. One of my challenges was to update it every week, but it fell by the wayside a little when I got back to Uni. And several of my challenges have had to change. It will be my New Years Resolution – probably the only one. I don’t tend to make them – I usually say “Giving up smoking” or something else I don’t do if people ask …
     19. Ha, I answered this before I read it ^^, but I already give blood
     20. Umm … I will share this joke I heard the other day:
     ‎”I hate it when people text me saying ‘K’, – I’m rarely in the mood to talk about potassium” (or, as my friends have commented, temperature or the boltzmann constant)

125. Posted by Andy on December 21, 2010

     1. Andy Hunter (44) White British 2. I live in Newcastle upon Tyne 3. I’m quite tall but chubby round the middle so could do with losing about a stone, although my Wii Fit tells me I should be 12 stone. I used to be 12 stone when I was 24 and looked like a splinter. I enjoy being tall 4. About 20 5. 50 out of 70 because I love my life but don’t much enjoy my job. That gives me a WHF of 70. 6. I train people in health and safety, principally cleaners and caretakers. It’s not a bad job but means being away a lot which I don’t like 7. I’m married but at the moment but think Jessica Ennis (the athlete) is particularly attractive. 8. If pressed, I’d say I enjoy Rugby and motorsport, but don’t support any particular team, which makes watching more enjoyable I think. 9. I think it was on Mock the Week or something similar 10. I’ve just started reading your books and enjoy them the most, although we need answers is good 11. I read the blog every day (on RSS feed) and I comment occassionally 12. It depends on how well I am. If I’m disabled or my mind is going I’d prefer to go then so as not to put my family through too much pain 13. Cancer, unless in a charitable situation 14. I’m particularly enjoying Lee Mack at the moment, and also David Mitchell. Favourite comedy show is HIGNFY 15. Jethro Tul 16. Not especially 17. Rudeness. 18. As I mentioned yesterday, I’m going to start a NYSIC, and it’s going to be my procrastination 19. I’m resovilng to be less accomodating, which sounds slightly pessimistic, but is connected to my procrastination as I agree to everything then get nothing done!. 20. I’ve done this survey instead of getting on with stuff I need to finish by tomorrow – maybe my NYSIC should be spend less time on the internet!! Happy Christmas everyone

126. Posted by Josie on December 21, 2010

     1. My name is Josie (I’m 16) I’m White British and horribly middle-class.
     2. I live in Bradford. Don’t judge.
     3. I’m tall and thin and I don’t really care.
     4. 26. Because there’s always room for improvement!
     5. 67. Therefore my WHF would be 93.
     6. I’m a student and I’m currently working on Psychology, Geography, French and English Language A-levels, hopefully with the prospect of a university course in linguistics and French at the end. I have a part-time job as a cleaner at a primary school though!
     7. Single. I think I terrify teenage boys. And all of my ‘famous people’ aren’t actually famous, so I’ll say Frank Turner and maybe you’ll have heard of him.
     8. Ha I hate all sports. Don’t follow them at all. On a Saturday you will find me sleeping, shopping or watching Gilmore Girls whilst eating a LOT of food. Mm.
     9. First heard about Mark Watson on Mock The Week and followed you ever since! Not literally. Just, you know, watched you on TV.
     10. I love the blog and when I saw you live it was amazing, so I’ll go for those two things.
     11. I comment on about two thirds of the blog posts with something useless to say but I read it everyday.
     12. I’d either like to live really glamorously and die before my 30th birthday or live as long as is humanly possible. I think my 113th birthday will be good.
     13. I don’t think any subject ought to be taboo, although there are some subjects which are tricky to approach.
     14. I love Tim Minchin’s comedy, and I also love Russell Howard’s stand-up and Greg Davies! I rarely watch TV but the shows I do watch are How I Met Your Mother, Miranda and Misfits.
     15. I love love love the Beatles. Do they count if half of them are dead? Well, they’re my favourites. So.
     16. Nope
     17. Coffee. Hate it.
     18. I haven’t got a TYSIC. I always just assumed I’d be too young for it. How can a 16 year-old attempt to improve themselves? I don’t think I’ve been alive long enough to technically count.
     19. Teaching myself guitar. I managed piano so who knows?
     20. I’m very pleased that I’m a Watsonian.

127. Posted by Sam on December 21, 2010

     1. Sam (37). British, White
     2. Glasgow
     3. Average height 5’ 5” and average-ish weight (size 14). Would like to lose a little weight, but not so much that I want to give up all the stuff I like.
     4. Generally a happy and glass-half-full kinda person. So typical happiness disposition would be 25.
     5. Life in general is pretty good – work’s good, relationship’s good, health’s good – so I’d say 60. Giving a WHF of 85.
     6. Health & Safety Manager working for a care charity. I actually enjoy my job and am happy doing it (obviously, retired lottery winner would be a preferred occupation)
     7. Yes. Most attractive famous person – there is a wide range of those…Joshua Jackson (started from my unembarrassed and non-ironic love of Dawson’s creek and he’s just getting better with age) or Alex Zane (I have a thing for skinny, scrawny boys with messy hair – and lucky for me my own boy fits that category)
     8. Not a football fan at all, and not really a fan of any sport. Don’t have a specific Saturday night ritual (apart from avoiding all reality TV). Maybe dinner, drinks in or out the house
     9. First heard about you when you were doing Glasgow comedy festival a few years ago – was intrigued by the title of your show which was something like ‘I’m worried that I’m starting to hate everything’. Went to see you, loved it and been a fan ever since.
     10. Live shows. Also enjoyed the silliness of the Eleven book launch at Edinburgh this year.
     11. Most days and usually try to catch-up on days that I’ve missed, but haven’t been reading from day 1.
     12. I’d like to live for as long as I wanted to and then go quietly and peacefully when I’d decided it was time.
     13. No, think they should be free to talk about anything they want. Although it should be funny, not be shocking for the sake of shocking. Also, I don’t have to think it’s funny or appropriate – but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t say it.
     14. Tim Minchin – last time I saw his saw live show my face was actually sore when we left from laughing and smiling the whole way through. Favourite TV show is probably True Blood (can I add in Vampire Eric to my answer to Question 7).
     15. Like lots of music, so hard to pick a favourite. Maybe IAMX or Cribs
     16. No, I’m happy for you to take the blog in any direction you want.
     17. Smoking/cigarettes and X-Factor
     18. No
     19. I have been meaning to give blood. I used to but had a few failed ‘drop tests’ which meant I was asked not to go back for about a year and got out of the habit. So, yes, I absolutely resolve to give blood regularly again.

128. Posted by Hal on December 21, 2010

     Just did the whole thing and my computer crashed…

     essentially, I’m from the Cotswolds and am happy, I fancy David Tennant when he speaks with his own accent, heard of you first on a radio 4 edinburgh review then tracked you down – this was years ago and it took ages(!), prefer the stand up to anything else, I’m a QIP and have read them all, favourite other comedian possibly Jon Richardson or Chris Addison. Blog topic – irrational fears, Hate figure – currently Pamela Stephenson, but probably completely unreasonably so.

     TYSIC – trying to get pregnant, have had IVF and will find out on Xmas Eve how it has gone (eek)
     Resolution – as ever, learn something new, not sure what this year, depends on the above (previously it has been languages/climbing/dancing/musical instruments, this year perhaps ‘coping without sleep’)

129. Posted by Nat on December 21, 2010

     1. Natalie (16). Born in England, though I’ve lived abroad for 13 years.
     2. Waterloo, Belgium
     3. Quite short, average weight
     4. Um.. 15-20%?
     5. I’d say 55%, giving me a total of 70-75%
     6. I’m still in school, but would like to be a psycologist or an author
     7. No. Probably Tom Felton.
     8. When I lived in Sweden, I went and saw Djurgården a lot, but now I don’t really watch it anymore. At the time, I was about a 6. My favourite sport is showjumping.
     9. Through mock the week.
     10. Tv stuff
     11. I read it every day, though only tend to comment if a direct question is asked.
     12. I haven’t really thought about it until now…
     13. Don’t know
     14. Either Jmmy Carr, Chris Addison or Simon Amstell. My favourite tv-program is Sherlock
     15. Alex day and Florence + the Machine
     16. Not anything I can think of at the moment
     17.
     18. Yes, but I’ve been neglectging it and can’t remember everything I wrote…
     19. Learn to play the ukulele
     20. –

130. Posted by Josh on December 21, 2010

     Damn, seems everyone has to forget at least something.

     11 part 2. I don’t comment enough, only when I think of something in particular to say, rather than just popping down for a chat like I used to.

131. Posted by Miz on December 21, 2010

     1. Miz (18, female). I’ve been a lurker and haven’t posted my birthday anywhere, so that’s December 14th. Japanese-British.
     2. Yokohama, Japan.
     3. Short (just about 5’3″) skinny, would prefer to have longer legs but otherwise content with body shape.
     4. Brain chemicals mean I often go into the minuses, hmm. I’d say about 10 in Japan, 20 in England. (I’m affected by location) I think it’d be about 14 overall.
     5. At the risk of possibly being the most depressed Watsonian ever, at the moment I’d say 15, bringing my WHF to a whopping 29. I’m not that dour, honest; I’ve just been having a bit of a rough time lately.
     6. Studying for A-levels on my own at home.
     7. I have a best-friend-with-benefits, but it’s more a friendship than a romantic one. As for famous people, Santiago Cabrera does strange things to my ovaries, and I’d go gay for Angel Coulby.
     8. I get really, really obsessive, so I ban myself from watching most sports in case I turn into one of those fans who take things too seriously. I do let myself indulge in doing and watching alpine skiing, though – slalom, giant slalom, super g, I love them all!
     9. From the radio series, Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better.
     10. I’ve never seen you live due to location, but I think it’d definitely be your live gigs. I also enjoy interviews (like the one you did with Marsha on XFM), simply because I find comedy fascinating, and I love learning about different approaches, styles, and what’s going on in a comedian’s mind in general.
     11. I learned of the blog when you mentioned it on Marsha Meets, but I kept forgetting to check it every day. And then a few days ago I discovered this nifty thing called RSS. (Fail.) I think I’m going to try to comment as much as possible.
     12. In an ideal world, I’d accomplish all the things I REALLY want to do by 60, and then keep on going and doing things I moderately want to do until I die.
     13. As long as the joke has a point to it (like Richard Herring’s ‘racists have a point’ routine), then I can’t think of any subjects that can’t be touched. There’s a difference between being homophobic/sexist/racist/etc and making a joke that takes the piss out of those things.
     14. Josie Long all the way! Doctor Who.
     15. The Indelicates are the greatest
     16. I’d definitely be up for anything. Well, almost anything.
     17. Ann Coulter
     18. I’ll go and do this one now
     19. Be happier.
     20. Um, hello? I’ve only recently joined in, but hopefully everyone has welcoming virtual arms.

     x

132. Posted by Suzy on December 21, 2010

     1. Suzy (37), British, white
     2. Aberystwyth, Mid Wales
     3. Average height & weight and fairly happy with how I am
     4. Happiness.. um if nothing made me sad I’m quite a happy person .. um 20/30?
     5. Happiness now .. um 35/70 … so my WHF is 55.
     6. I am a Web Development Assistant – which basically means I’m the assitant leader of a web team that looks after Aber Uni’s website. I’m pretty happy with my job.
     7. I’m married. Most attractive person I can think of right now … am I allowed to say a certain Mr Mark Watson?
     8. Don’t support a football team. Not really into sport particularly but I do like watching some when the Olympics are on – like diving, gymnastics and athletics
     9. Goodness … um I don’t know … probably have seen you on TV for the last few years, first saw you live last year, and read all your books this year
     10. Favourites in order of favouriteness – top fave no 1 is live shows, no 2 is books, no 3 is blog, no 4 TV shows ..
     11. Read daily, comment from time to time when I have something to say
     12. I would like to live as long as possible as long as I’ve not gone doo-lally or something
     13. Um … depends how they mention it I guess, but probably things like rape, child abuse that sort of thing should probably be steered away from
     14. Other than you, I love Bill Bailey the most. Fave TV show … um tricky … I love Bones, House, Grey’s Anatomy, that kind of thing
     15. I love music generally, all sorts – current faves are Hurts
     16. Um .. maybe you could tell us more about yourself or something – childhood stories, happy memories … something like that. But really I don’t mind!
     17. Louis Walsh. Have to fast forward him everytime he opens his mouth on TV
     18. Yes I do … not going hugely well, but I am managing to be more positive at the moment, and did dress up on Wear it Pink to raise money despite looking stupid.
     19. I usually do give blood but couldn’t last time as I was ill so I can make it a resolution to do it next time I can
     20. Um I don’t think I have any energy left to think of anything else! Oh I know – hope everyone reading this gets to spend their Christmas with the people they want to be with, in the place they want to be … despite the snow.

133. Posted by Josh on December 21, 2010

     1. Josh Rodell (18). White, British.

     2. Suffolk…

     3. Average to tall, pretty much as non-fatty as one can be without being thin and I even have a muscle or two, so, yeah, pretty content.

     4. Largely 27 with occasional 19′s.

     5. 58, with plenty of extra points for Christmas.
     WHF of 85 with occasional 77′s

     6. Unemployed, student, third year at 6th Form doing Physics and Philosophy, going on to Uni in September to do either Philosophy or Acoustics. If I do acoustics, I’ll be an acoustician, if not, fuck knows.

     7. Woefully Single. Quite possibly Lily Cole.

     8. 0 for football but rugby’s worth a watch, don’t know any teams though. England? Winter sports are great too, all the types of bob, they’re all good. I do Kung Fu on a Sunday, that’s ace.

     9. Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better on Radio 4.

     10. I love all of you, but MWMTWSB and We Need Answers are particular favourites of mine. That and your creation of Watsonia.

     11. I’ve read every blog and try to read it every day. The days I miss I make sure I go back for. If you’re doing this every day, so should we.

     12. I want to live until I go all useless. I am very much looking forward to being an old man wearing tweed and smoking a pipe, so definitely after that stage.

     13. Anything Michael MacIntyre wants to say.

     14. For comedian, probably Minchin, although I love so many. Minchin won it because he is also a world-class pianist. I always find that helps. For TV, I’ve really liked Misfits recently and everything stylistically similar (Skins, Being Human, The Inbetweeners) but I cannot wait for the Christmas Doctor Who… SO EXCITING.

     15. I’ve never liked this question, it’s like picking a favourite child. I’ll say Bellowhead, just because they’re the ones I want to spread to as many people as possible.

     16. Mark Watson’s Least Favourite Fruit

     17. I don’t want to speak his name but it starts with “Cl” and rhymes with egg.

     18. I have 3, 1) Give a damn about the things that matter 2) Learn the guitar and 3) Don’t get fat. The first has taken a bit of a hit recently, I’ve been letting some important stuff slide and have been doing all sorts of not very important things *cough*christmas song*cough*. I’ve learnt the Ukulele, which kind of looks like a guitar and have been dropping hints about a guitar for Christmas and I’m still not fat.

     19. Do a band. I really should do a band. Also I need to get round to giving blood again. I passed out the first time because I’m super-blood-efficient and so I couldn’t do it again for a while and then I forgot the last one so yeah, it’s been a while.

     20. It’s clichéd to be cynical at Christmas. Thank you and Goodnight.

134. Posted by Glamlovinkitty on December 21, 2010

     That was a long list of questions, but I’m at work, and I am nothing if not a procrastinator, so…

     1. Helen (39). White Scottish.
     2. I live in Glasgow, which is pretty cool.
     3. I am short – about 5 foot 3 – and fatter than I would like, but this will change.
     4. I think I am a bit of a pessimist and vary wildly in terms of happiness. When things go well I can be well into the high 20s, but when things are buggered, I tend to wallow. A lot.
     5. Right now, I’d say out of 70 I am about a 50. Taking the average fromt he previous question, WHF is about 65.
     6. I’m a policy manager in a large university. I’ve got a business degree, an MBA and am studying for a third degree in psychology. Through school I wanted to be a journalist, but then I went and actually did it and didn’t enjoy it at all. My job is ok – it pays well and the people are nice.
     7. I have been with Adam for ten years and living with him for the last 8. If I have to choose the most sexy person other than him, it’s got to be Johnny Depp. As Captain Jack.
     8. I hate football.
     9. Heard of you via Minchin, when he was appearing on ‘substantially better’ (first series). I listened because of Minch, then realised I also liked you (more so once the accent calmed down a bit!) I think I had seen you on TV before and thought, that accent is too strong for me to keep listening to. So I wasn’t a fan at first, but I am now. Hope that’s ok. At least I can admit when I’m wrong!
     10. Difficult one. I have enjoyed all of your books, and all of your live shows. If I had to choose one thing, I think it would be live shows, because they’re different every time and more personal. My favourite ‘bit’ of yours is a toss up between the pre-show laptop shenanigans, and ‘I didnt know I had to revise for this wee’.
     11. I comment every now and then when I have something to say. I don’t comment just for the sake of doing so. Often I find someone has already said what I would say.
     12. I would like to live as long as I’m healthy. I hope it’s a decent amount of time.
     13. The only subject that really bothers me when comedians raise it is animal cruelty. Not so much because of the joke or bit itself, but because when so many people laugh at it, it makes me feel there must be a lot of people out there who think animal cruelty is funny. I suppose anything where the target isn’t capable of defending themselves.
     14. I would say Minchin. I just find him and his songs massively intelligent, even when they’re stupid. Favourite tv show is a toss up between Scrubs and Men Behaving Badly.
     15. My favourite band has been Hanoi Rocks, since 1983. Even though they split up last year. I still bloody love them.
     16. The unpredictablity of the blog is what I like about it, so no suggestions!
     17. There is a person I hate. His name is Ewan, and he was my boss in a previous job. He made my life a living misery for two years, to the point where if he was late into work, I would hope he had been in an accident. I’m not proud of this, but honest to god, he made my life sheer hell. I ended up testifying at a tribunal brought by my successor in the job (a stranger to me) after she got sacked for complaining when he treated her the same way.
     On a more superficial note, I also intensely dislike Peter Kay, Paul Foot and Kevin Bridges.
     18. I do have a TYSIC – grow stuff to eat, lose weight, be positive and move into a psychology related career. The growing food thing is the only one I’ve made much progress with so far.
     19. I will resolve to give blood. I haven’t before, as I keep getting tattoos, and you have to wait 6 months after a tattoo before you can donate. But I think it’s been that long since my last one now.
     20. I would like to recommend a book if I may – The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov. It is quite simply the most astonishingly wonderful book ever written.

135. Posted by Cat on December 21, 2010

     1. Caitlin Fitz-Henry I’m 19 and an Aussie, though part Irish/Scottish. I would put Caucasian!

     2. I live in Sydney Australia, though it’s rather far away from the city. More like the sticks in Aus.

     3. I’m tall and thin and am the weight I would like thanks to lots of exercise, though I’ll never be happy with my tummy because I don’t know how to diet and love chocolate too much!

     4. Gosh, probably 20ish?

     5. More like 60! WHF = 80!

     6. I am studying animal science at Uni and work in a pet store. It’s rather good but I would rather not be in retail and would like to do animal training or welfare more…!

     7. I most certainly am in a relationship. Most attractive famous person? Ummm, I’d probs say Daniel Radcliffe, at least he’s more my age. And Sam looks a little like him

     8. Fooseball wha?

     9. Your first Melbourne gala appearance I fell in love with you and mother took me to see one of your first Sydney shows after that

     10. Live shows and books are my favourite

     11. I read the blog every couple of days and catch up on ones I miss, then comment every week or so. I’m so lazy!

     12. Depends how I feel when I’m old, if I can still do things (arthritis is bad in my family) and if by then I’m lonely or not!

     13. If you make something sacred then people will always want something else to be spared. Best off not having any boundaries.

     14. Can’t say anyone but you! Do I have to? I do like the show Harry’s Practice, though it’s old and specifically Australian so you would have no idea what I’m on about. It was an animal vet show…

     15. Ooh, I do like the John Butler Trio and Mika! For music!

     16. I’m happy with anything and everything

     17. I hate hating! Can I just say mosquitos?!

     18. Of course! It’s to have a dream job working with animals, preferably birds. It’s going well, I’m at the pet store and am looking to become a volunteer wildlife carer soon, to work towards a paid job

     19. I would like to become a less angsty person in 2011. I’ve started getting frustrated and angry too easily and my boyfriend is so calm I feel embarrassed after getting grumpy. That would be nice to be as calm as him

     20. I miss you!!!

136. Posted by AlNapp on December 21, 2010

     1. Al Napp (42) British White

     2. Live in Watlington, Norfolk originally from Leeds

     3. Mid height and Fat, I weigh appro’x 1.8 SHM* would be happy to be about 1.3
     (*Standard Human Males)

     4.15 my natural state is “OK”

     5. 45 WHF 60

     6. I’m a Sysadmin (senior techie) for a major Online retailer – it’s great and I enjoy it.
     Is it my ideal job? No
     What is? No idea, hence not doing it

     7.Yes, married.
     Brad & Angelina probably have that covered between them

     8. 0.000001 (I stay very vaguely aware of football so I know roughly what others are talking about)
     Prefer family time

     9. Time Trumpet / early panel show appearances/ R4 not sure which would be actual “1st”

     10. Live shows (probably true of all the comedians I like)

     11. daily / infrequently

     12. As long as (comfortably) possible

     13. Absolutely none, but must be funny

     14. I’m a comedy nerd so very very hard to pick a favourite currently a 3-way tie between Richard Herring, Stewart Lee and Tim Minchin
     Fav TV: Doctor Who because I am also a nerdy nerd as well

     15. pre “load” Metallica

     16. Nothing springs to mind as “missing from current line up”

     17. Anne Widdecome

     18. Yes, “Enjoy stuff more and still be around” I am on the site (but not very often there) It’s going OK, definitely doing more fun stuff and exercise – unfortunately not lost any weight yet

     19.The weight’s the thing this year.
     I used to give blood but am no longer allowed too since having a corneal transplant – please take my place it is a vital thing

     20. I always feel old when I read you blog and the comments, but not necessarily in a bad way

137. Posted by Jamie on December 21, 2010

     1. Name. Put your age in brackets. No need for birthday as we SHOULD ALREADY HAVE THIS FILED. Also, what nationality are you and what do you put in the ‘ethnic group’ bit they have on forms?
     1. Jamie (18) White British

     2. Whereabouts are you living and all that?
     Southampton

     3. Are you tall or short, fat or thin, and are you pretty much the height/weight you’d like?
     5’11″ Thin. Yes

     4. Apparently as well as circumstances, happiness is partly determined by genes, with everyone being more or less inclined towards being naturally happy. A book I read this year suggested a (rough) figure of 30 percent. So out of 30, how NATURALLY happy are you, by disposition, do you reckon?
     25

     5. Now estimate how happy you are with your life, in general, right now, and give it a mark out of 70. Add the two figures together to calculate your Watsonian Happiness Figure, or WHF. We will be using this in various wellbeing experiments next year.
     Am I being silly, or is this measure flawed…. for example, someone could give themselves 25/70, and another person could give them selves 52/70, however, 2+5 is the same as 5+2?
     Anyway, I’d give myself 60/70. Great girlfriend. Christmas is coming, coursework is done. Knocking it down a couple of points is impending exams in January, lack of motivation to book a driving test, and general stress about getting into uni next year.

     6. What’s your job, or what are you studying, or what is your desired job? If you do have a job, is it the job you’d ideally be doing? If not, what is?
     Studying: Maths, Physics and Economics. Current job is with a company who runs the sound at festivals and band nights.
     Future job: Working for the BBC

     7. Are you in a relationship? Who is the most attractive famous person you can think of? (It has to be a famous person so you can’t just say your girlfriend/boyfriend).
     I am. Most attractive famous person: Mila Kunis

     8. Do you support a football team and if so, to what level of fan-dom? 1= just go along with it to fit in; 10=life is ruined by defeats. If not football, what is your favourite other sport? If you hate all sports, what is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday?
     Badminton and Sailing

     9. Market research question: How did you first hear about me (Mark)?
     Radio 4. How to make the World Substantially Better.

     10. Market research question II: What is your favourite thing of the things I do – books, live shows, TV shows (you can name a specific one), the blog itself, or the moments when I finally shut up?
     Books and the Blog. Never seen a live show.

     11. Market research question III: This subject has come up before, but how often do you read the blog? And how often do you comment?
     Everyday. First ever comment.

     12. Would you like to live as long as possible, or have you got an age in mind which would pretty much do you?
     86. Unless the state retirement age is that!

     13. Are there any subjects you feel ought never to be mentioned by comedians?
     IMO comedians have a social responsibility to not reinforce negative stereo types. Prancing around stage swearing, and putting on a voice akin to someone who has Downs, is neither funny, nor clever. I don’t buy the argument that “comedians should be allowed to push boundaries”. Who gave them that right? Plenty of comedians manage to find funny things to say without offending anyone.

     14. Who is your favourite comedian? (You can’t say me) (I was going to say ‘your favourite comedian other than me’ but that would imply I was your automatic choice) And what’s your favourite television show, funny or otherwise?
     Michael Macintyre. Almost too embarrassed to admit, but Top Gear.

     15. Do you have a favourite band or musical act?
     Frank Turner

     16. Market research question III: Over the next year is there anything you’d like to see covered by this blog?
     How you got to where you are today.

     17. Name one person or thing that you strongly dislike or would even say you hated.
     Simon Cowel

     18. IMPORTANT. Do you have a TYSIC – that is, a ten-year self-improvement challenge – yet? If not, please consider starting one. You can find the details all over the fan forum and in old blogs on this site. It was one of the original points of setting up the blog. If you do already have one, what is it, just to remind me (I am following you on the mini-site, but you might have a different name here), and how is it going?
     I do, However, I can’t say I’ve been on the site in a while, I may have even forgotten my password… I shall go onto it soon. I promise

     19. Separately from the TYSIC, make a resolution for 2011. If you can’t think of anything, resolve to give blood. They’re always short.
     Giving Blood was already one of mine, also though, I really want to get this driving test out the way. Preferably before summer.

     20. Use this last section to add any remarks on any subject, or any information you’d like to share with a sympathetic audience.
     The doors on Lord Alan Sugar’s Roller. Do they really need to close automatically? Just saying…

138. Posted by Josh on December 21, 2010

     1. Josh (mind your own business!)
     2. Bolton (get in there Wanderers!)
     3. Probably about normal
     4. 15
     5. 30
     6. No job at the minute
     7. No relationship right now, but if i could choose anyone, Juno Temple (google her)
     8. Bolton Wanderers at a fan level of 5? (avid follower but dont go to many games)
     9. Mock the week
     10. Blog
     11. Read every day, comment occasionally
     12. As long as is poss
     13. “That time of the month” for women
     14. Dara O’Brien or Milton Jones, and I’m a fan of Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow
     15. Arctic Monkeys
     16. Just the same as usual really
     17. Cher Lloyd of the X Factor. Murdering songs since 2010
     18. No, I only came to the blog this year, and am satisfied with my life currently
     19. Go out with the girl I fancy
     20. Yay I’ve finished!

     Have a great Christmas and New Year, Mark, your family, Watsonians, your families!

139. Posted by Patrick on December 21, 2010

     Oh my god, I fail horribly.

     6. My ideal job is to be a writer, preferably for TV.

140. Posted by Patrick on December 21, 2010

     Oh! And I’m happy with my height. Bugger.

141. Posted by Patrick on December 21, 2010

     1. Patrick Lickman (15, hoping to qualify as youngest Watsonian). I’m British, but tanned.
     2. I live in Northampton, in Northamptonshire, in England.
     3. I’ve never measured myself, but I am reliably informed that I am taller than my girlfriend (spoilt question 7 now), who is 5ft 4. She estimates about 2 inches taller, so 5ft 6in
     4. 20/30
     5. 55/70, giving me a full WHF of 75%
     6. I’m at school, studying all the usual things, as well as French, Drama and IT.
     7. I’m in a relationship, and the most attractive famous person I can think of right now is the lovely Karen Gillan.
     8. I hate all sports, and on Saturdays I go to a Youth Theatre with the best friends in the world.
     9. On a flight to Japan last year, an episode of MWMTWSB was on the in-flight thingy. I listened to that, then after following you on twitter I came to the forum and the blog.
     10. I love them all! The best two, though, are the live shows and your book.
     11. Not hugely often, I must confess, but I have been getting into it more since HackerGate. Probably once a month before that, but daily now.
     12. I’d like to live as long as possible, I think. You never run out of things to do.
     13. It’s normally okay if a comedian makes fun of a group of people (religious etc) but when a comedian is really mean about one person (and unnecessarily, too) that might be going a little far. Further reading: Frankie Boyle.
     14. You! No? Oh, okay. Minchin. Favourite TV Show – Doctor Who
     15. Again, Minchin But proper bands and such, would be The Killers.
     16. No, I don’t think so. Carry on as you are.
     17. Adam Smith from school.
     18. I do. It’s to create my online web series, Rebels. How’s it going? It isn’t.
     19. See more live comedy.
     20. Thanks, Mark, for basically giving me the best year so far. I know there’s only 15 to choose from, but this has been the top, definitely.

142. Posted by Katy on December 21, 2010

     1. Katy Funnell, its short for Kathryn but my parents never called me that. Also my surname is pronounced FUN NELL not Funnel. (29 and 1/2). I normally put English/British.
     2. Delightful South London. Though potentially not for much longer.
     3. Im average height of a fashion being 5 foot 5 inches. I dont mind being this height. As for my weight…gah. Its not the best but Im also not depressed about it.
     4. About 18. Thats lame isnt it?
     5. Happy with life is probably about 40 so 58 is my WHF.
     6. I work in the wonderful world of financial services. Im a qualified financial adviser and mortgage adviser but I currently do admin and a bit of mortgage advice. The industry is ok, its a career if nothing else rather than just a job. Looking for a new job next year though as this one has run its course.
     7. Im awfully single, to the extent where I make a fool out of myself in front of exes (Katie knows all about this. I go through phases of fancying famous people and at the moment (no laughing please) my current crush is Tim Key. No word of a lie. I also have a top 10 football managers list. I need a life.
     8. I support Reading FC. It started because my ex (not the one I embarrass myself in front of) was a life long fan and I went along. Now I flaming love the team and I’d say im about a 9 on the fandom scale. Im quite good at post-match anaylsis even though I do throw in the odd “oh did you see his thighs” mainly about Kevin Doyle.
     9. My friend Lee, the one who looks like you whose wedding you gave me advice on, got me into you so its a lovely little circle of happiness I think. We went to Istanbul earlier this year and he played me …Substantially Better and I was hooked.
     10. Oooh good question. I loved Substantially and We need Answers and your books. BUt I’m going with your stand up show as my favourite.
     11. I read every single day and cant go to bed without reading it, despite how drunk I might be. I dont comment that often (mainly because I’m drunk) but I do keep saying I’m going to change this.
     12. It would depend if other people were also able to live as long as possible with me as I can imagine it gets lonely when all your friends have died. I think 80 would be my target, if I get there then I’ll be happy.
     13. I think all subjects are fair game, it all depends on the situation and the actual joke and whether its funny or just trying to be offensive for the sake of it.
     14. Crikey, Im new to all this comedy lark, which sounds stupid as a sentence. I shall get back to you on that one. Favourite TV? Im a sucker for the soaps. Dont judge me.
     15. Volbeat: Danish metal, Johnny Cash meets Metallica, amazing. I also flaming love Carter USM and their solo efforts of JimBob and Abdou.
     16. I dont mind, I think the blog is well written that most things can be good subjects.
     17. Ooh thats an interesting one. I try not to hate people as I find it a waste of energy. I very much dislike Alan Shearer though, to the point where I have to turn the tv over if hes on.
     18. I do, though Ive always found mine a bit wishy-washy. Actually thats a lie, I wanted to be less scared of the world and do more for myself which I do. Ive met random strangers now which is something I could never have done before the TYSIC.
     19. I vow to lose some weight. Lame but now I’ve put it out there I’ll have to do it! Oh and to get a new job, im greedy I want two resolutions.
     20. I’ve clearly written an essay already so I should spare you all. But one last thing – you’re some of the most fabulous people I’ve ever met and I’ll always be grateful to you Mark for bringing us all together. Aww soppy me. I do hope this all makes sense.

143. Posted by Sarah on December 21, 2010

     Argh, fogot to copy / paste 18 and 19.

     18 – To Gain more confidence, – Winning, am meeting more people, taking meetings at work and generally enjoying life more
     Not be afraid of putting my views into conversations – Again massive win, came out as an atheist to religious friends and actually enjoyed debating religious subjects with them
     Lose weight / generally get fitter – I beat a 12 year old in a race last week. I think I was
     Buy a house

     19- Have a better 2011 than 2010, but this is me being greedy as 2010 was my best yet

144. Posted by Sarah on December 21, 2010

     1- 1- Sarah (24) English White
     2- 2 – Burgess Hill
     3- 3 – Average height, tubby
     4- 4 – 28
     5- 5 – 50 78/100
     6- 6 – Reservations for a cruise company
     7-Single Mitchell Johnson (although I did go off him during the last test for being too damn good)
     8- No, Cricket is my game
     9 – Youtube
     10 – Live because you have me in stitches , No books because you can read them over and over ARGH!!!
     11 – Daily / rarely
     12 – No 70 will do me 
     13 – Not at all. I like it when comedians talk about difficult subjects, as long as it is not overly offensive.
     14 – Tim Minchin Dr. Who
     15- Erm Tim Minchin again?
     16- No, I look forward to the unknown
     17- Discrimination

145. Posted by Misha on December 21, 2010

     1. Name. Put your age in brackets. No need for birthday as we SHOULD ALREADY HAVE THIS FILED. Also, what nationality are you and what do you put in the ‘ethnic group’ bit they have on forms?
     Misha (howlieT) (Eighteen) “British”

     2. Whereabouts are you living and all that?
     Minaly in Cardiff for uni, but also often still in Coventry

     3. Are you tall or short, fat or thin, and are you pretty much the height/weight you’d like?
     Tall and curvey, something which i’ve largely since come to terms with

     4. Apparently as well as circumstances, happiness is partly determined by genes, with everyone being more or less inclined towards being naturally happy. A book I read this year suggested a (rough) figure of 30 percent. So out of 30, how NATURALLY happy are you, by disposition, do you reckon?
     About 18? I tend towards some quite fantastic depressive bouts, because my brain doesn’t work quite right.

     5. Now estimate how happy you are with your life, in general, right now, and give it a mark out of 70. Add the two figures together to calculate your Watsonian Happiness Figure, or WHF. We will be using this in various wellbeing experiments next year.
     60 I reckon.

     So WHF = 78

     6. What’s your job, or what are you studying, or what is your desired job? If you do have a job, is it the job you’d ideally be doing? If not, what is?
     I am combining being a Sound Technology Student with being Unemployed, ideally i’d like a job that means I get to dck about in comedy clubs, teching or promoting or maybe even pratting about on stage. Basically, not a real job.

     7. Are you in a relationship? Who is the most attractive famous person you can think of? (It has to be a famous person so you can’t just say your girlfriend/boyfriend).
     Nope, haven’t been for a while. This one’s difficult a. because I tend to fancy comedians rather than “proper” famous people, and b. because i’m too embarassed to say the first person that came to mind, and no it’s not minchin. I’m going to go with Julian Rhind-Tutt Mac on Greenwing) as someone who I find attractive who i’m assuming you (Mark) don’t know to tell .

     8. Do you support a football team and if so, to what level of fan-dom? 1= just go along with it to fit in; 10=life is ruined by defeats. If not football, what is your favourite other sport? If you hate all sports, what is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday?
     Not really, as was covered at the football shambles, I take a half hearted interest in how well Cov fail each year but that’s all. I am however flirting with an interest in Cricket, but the only sport ever to really hold my attention outside of 3 am at the olympics was anything horse related. I used to ride on a saturday morning, but now I’m either on a train/coach to London, or lying face down in bed pretending I don’t have to go into uni to mix.

     9. Market research question: How did you first hear about me (Mark)?
     Probably Mock the Week, which I started watching long before I was strictly old enough to. I thought you seemed nice.

     10. Market research question II: What is your favourite thing of the things I do – books, live shows, TV shows (you can name a specific one), the blog itself, or the moments when I finally shut up?
     Exist.

     11. Market research question III: This subject has come up before, but how often do you read the blog? And how often do you comment?
     Pretty much daily on both counts as far as is possible, evidenced by the fact i’m using my Dad’s laptop to do this.

     12. Would you like to live as long as possible, or have you got an age in mind which would pretty much do you?
     I’d quite like to get to my 80′s. Anything after that is a bonus really.

     13. Are there any subjects you feel ought never to be mentioned by comedians?
     Difficult. I don’t think so, but I think you should always be careful. In the right group of people anything can be funny, I know I’ve laughed (however guiltily) at rape jokes and suchlike, but then I have a particularly dodgy sense of humour. So, yeah, anything within reason. Freedom of speech innit?

     14. Who is your favourite comedian? (You can’t say me) (I was going to say ‘your favourite comedian other than me’ but that would imply I was your automatic choice) And what’s your favourite television show, funny or otherwise?
     Ooft! Now that’s a nasty question. I’m going to go for Ed Byrne for favourite (other htan you) for the purely arbitrary reason that he was the first stand up I ever saw. Me and Abbii trailed over to Worcester specially.
     As for favourite programme, hmm, Doctor Who i’d say. Because I am a massive nerd.

     15. Do you have a favourite band or musical act?
     It practically changes weekly, I have a favourite few I suppose, Emmy the Great, New Pornographers, Allo Darlin, The Graeme Mearns band etc.

     16. Market research question III: Over the next year is there anything you’d like to see covered by this blog?
     I don’t know really. The anniversary? Nice and easy.

     17. Name one person or thing that you strongly dislike or would even say you hated.
     Jack Whitehall. No, really. I also hate the usual things, rape, war, misogyny, marmite etc.

     18. IMPORTANT. Do you have a TYSIC – that is, a ten-year self-improvement challenge – yet? If not, please consider starting one. You can find the details all over the fan forum and in old blogs on this site. It was one of the original points of setting up the blog. If you do already have one, what is it, just to remind me (I am following you on the mini-site, but you might have a different name here), and how is it going?
     I added a couple, so mine are: Be more outgoing, learn to play guitar, move to London, tech at the edinburgh fringe, improve my relationship with my Dad, finish my degree. They’re going OKish.

     19. Separately from the TYSIC, make a resolution for 2011. If you can’t think of anything, resolve to give blood. They’re always short.
     Alas as a massive needle phobe I can’t. It wouldn’t be worth their time. My resolution for 2011 is to Do More. just generally. Read more books, go swimming, take up a hobby, learn how cricket works, learn to dance and anything else people see fit to suggest. Oh, and i’m resolving to start an orchestra at uni.

     20. Use this last section to add any remarks on any subject, or any information you’d like to share with a sympathetic audience. You got there. Well done.
     Can I use this bit to ask for a cuddle? i’ll explain properly why I need one if people want. I mean, above and beyond usual.

146. Posted by Alex on December 21, 2010

     Jesus I am bloody useless. Here is no 11:

     Everyday, obviously. Sometimes in the early hours of the next day but surely that still counts? I comment semi-regularly I think. Sometimes I want to leave a comment but then cop-out.

147. Posted by Michael King on December 21, 2010

     1. Michael King (18) Nationality: British. Ethnicity: White British.
     2. Plymouth and Southampton, the latter for university. I’m in Plymouth for more of the year though, so I guess Plymouth.
     3. I’m tall but overweight. I’d prefer to be thinner.
     4. Probably around 20. I can be pessimistic at times.
     5. Around 50. A month ago I broke up with my girlfriend of nearly two years, but I’m just about over her now, but on the positive side Christmas is soon! Total WHF: 70.
     6. No job, studying Mathematics, no idea about my ideal job.
     7. Alas, no (see #5). Most attractive famous person I can think of…? Karen Gillan? Yeah, I’m a Doctor Who fan, eheheh.
     8. Yes! Plymouth Argyle are my team, and I’m definitely a 10 on the scale. I can be in a mood for days when we lose, but when we beat our greatest rivals Exeter City two Saturdays ago I was shouting about it all week.
     9. Oooh, tough one. Probably one of your appearances on Mock The Week.
     10. Is it a cop-out to say everything? I really enjoyed your live show when I saw you in Southampton the other week (I was the deranged guy with the shoe), so I’ll say that.
     11. I read every day via the RSS feed, and I comment sporadically at best.
     12. I’d like to live as long as possible while still healthy. I wouldn’t like to be old and bedridden. Maybe into my 70s?
     13. Yes, definitely. Disorders and disabilities, whether mental or physical. Even jokes about Abu Hamza having no hands rub me up the wrong way, but jokes about completely innocent targets are the worst. I’d probably prefer it if comedians didn’t use the c-word, but in saying that your skit about the arbitrary nature of words was very funny. Racist and homophobic jokes are obviously a no-no, but jokes mocking racism and homophobia are fine.
     14. Probably Dara O Briain. My favourite show is definitely Top Gear, because my psyche is essentially eight years old.
     15. LCD Soundsystem. I LOVE LCD Soundsystem more than I love my next breath.
     16. The right-wing bias in tabloid news coverage. (See below.)
     17. Richard ‘Political Correctness Gone Mad’ Littlejohn. The man infuriates me.
     18. I don’t have a TYSIC. I think I’ll make one when I can think of something.
     19. To lose weight.
     20. I’ve really enjoyed reading this blog over the course of the year, Mark.

148. Posted by Alex on December 21, 2010

     Update for 3) I’m just over 5’6″ and it’s probably the one thing about my physical appearance that I wouldn’t change at all. Short enough to get away with wearing stupid heels, but not so short that I feel that I have to.

149. Posted by Alex on December 21, 2010

     1. Alex (21) White British Name.
     2. Newcastle upon Tyne in term time, Birmingham in the holidays (Sutton Coldfield specifically)
     3. Wouldn’t mind being thinner but I guess I’m not really fat. I don’t enjoy this question
     4. Hmmm. Maybe 20. I’m usually fine but have small stretches when I feel crap for no reason.
     5. 55
     WHF-75 No
     6. Studying speech and language therapy (final year- eek) so hopefully I will be a speech and language therapist. To be perfectly honest, ideally I’d be doing something in theatre but I don’t really want to be poor forever, and I do really like my course.
     7. I am not. This is a difficult question. Do they have to be alive? If not then Heath Ledger. If so…boring answer but possibly Johnny Depp. Or if this means objectively and doesn’t actually have to be someone you’re attracted to then Rachel Weiss is stupidly beautiful.
     8. No, not into football. I love tennis though, mostly because I can tell whether or not people are any good at it.
     9. Errr… I can’t really remember. I think it was probably Mock the Week.
     10. Live shows probably, but the blog is a close second, and everything else is a close third.11. Market research question III: This subject has come up before, but how often do you read the blog? And how often do you comment?
     12. As long as possible as long as it was still worth it (happy, active etc). 13. Not really. As long as it’s actually a joke. I can’t be bothered with people who are controversial for the sake of it.
     14. Obviously you would be my automatic choice. Possibly Rhod Gilbert but it’s a tough call. TV show at the moment would either be Peep Show or Misfits, but I do bloody love Doctor Who.
     15. Robbie Williams & Paolo Nutini.
     16. I’m not very good at the ideas bit. More of a follower than a leader.M
     17. There are lots of really important things that I can’t stand (poverty, Tories etc) but on a trivial level I can’t watch anything that Fearne Cotton is presenting. I’m sure she’s lovely and everything but bloody hell she gets on my nerves.
     18. I do but I am terrible at updating it/doing anything towards it. It’s essentially about self-confidence and also about finding something I’m good at. Doing alright with the first one and terribly with the second. IM
     19. I gave blood already but they collapsed the vein they were using so I’,m not sure I can/want to do it again. But seeing as that was 3 years ago I will resolve to find out if they’ll let me do it from the other arm. I doubt it though, they are incredibly fussy about who they can take.
     20. I think Watsonians might be some of the best people in the world. Seriously. udience.

150. Posted by gib on December 21, 2010

     1. gib (though, technically Richard would be more accurate). I’m 27, British and tick White British on the forms.
     2.Kent, soon to be London
     3. I’m tall, about 6’2″ and stocky with a bit of a tummy. I’m not too displeased about it but may offer a different answer after I’ve finished all the cheese I just bought for Christmas.
     4. I’d say about 25.
     5. Probably 45. There are things I’d change but I haven’t got much to actually complain about. My WHF is 70.
     6. Lowest of the low in the Civil Service. I’d like something much more interesting where you can see the positive effects your work is having.
     7. Nope. Emmy the Great is the celebrity who makes me sigh the most.
     8. Arsenal and it’s probably a 10. Sometimes I wish it wasn’t.
     9. I think it was at Up the Creek in Greenwich on a Friday night, then I forgot about you until I heard you on Radio 4.
     10. Is the part with the laptop before the show too specific? I’m a big fan of that
     11. I read it every day but very rarely comment.
     12. Health and stuff permitting, I’d like to see how far I can take this thing.
     13. No, but it’s a matter of knowing your audience and being sure they’ll understand your intentions.
     14. Daniel Kitson. I don’t know if I have a favourite TV programme.
     15. It was biffy but we’ve grown apart. I’m listening to Emmy the Great a lot but Ben Folds is never too far away from my stereo and has been around for much longer.
     16. Not really, I’m happy to take it as it comes.
     17. I get drunk and rant about the press in this country.
     18. A very new one. I’ve resolved to keep a journal. I don’t know for sure if it will improve me but a little self awareness can’t do any harm.
     19. I applied to do the marathon but didn’t get in, maybe something like that. I don’t really have one though and already give blood.
     20. Everyone should read enemiesofreason.co.uk, it’s nothing to do with me, it’s just excellent.