The Swipe Volume 2 Chapter 24
It’s been a bumpy week, I can’t lie. The Day Job has—intruded on my headspace. Consequentially, it’s a short chapter this week. I’ll regroup next week with a less scattershot offering, promise.
This week: early rising, a Frasier murder mystery and the greatest Emmy acceptance speech ever.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
The 2000AD Summer Special, with some especially ripe mashups of classic characters. Johnny Alpha, the Strontium Dog, makes a strong showing, appearing as both Dredd and Rogue Trooper. It all gets a bit overly meta at the end but hey, drokk it, it’s still quality entertainment for less than three of your Earth pounds. Zarjaz!
For other audiences, there’s a new Misty annual out in time for Spooky Season.
Rob is watching…
Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour. What starts off as a typical meet-cute travel show with an odd-couple cast (He’s an uptight guy who loves classical music and art! He’s a streak-of-piss Essex loudmouth with Strictly credentials!) turns into a show with a valuable lesson—it’s never too late to learn, to teach and to discover. The chemistry between Rylan and Rob is utterly delightful as they tease, challenge and support each other through an emotional rollercoaster in some beautiful settings. Unequivocally recommended.
Quote of the series:
‘Three days in Venice and I’ve turned you into a poet.’
‘Three days in Venice and I’ve turned you into a drag queen.’
Rob is listening to…
25 Songs About Horses Ranked By How Much I Think You Should Play Them For Your Horse
Of course there’s a Spotify playlist.
Rob is eating…
at Pierre Victoire in Oxford, especially good if you need a quiet bistro to swerve the football. Three courses for £35. Absurdly good value and hence wildly popular. If you haven’t booked, go early. Try the chicken farci, it’s godly.
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
This lil bit of public service.
The quiet and determined life of Steve Ditko, one of the creators who Marvel have not treated with the respect their characters deserve. Or indeed paid them a respectable percentage of the annual turnover of merch and IP. Ditko DGAF, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Yes, I am a member of the club which includes the few, the proud, the partially sleepless. Yes, I am usually in bed before 10pm. Rob DGAF. I’m happy this way. How do you think I crank this newsletter out week on week?
I am amazed, no, astonished, that this brilliant idea has not been played with up till now. And doesn’t Colombo look cute?
An interview with Beck, who has soundtracked some very meaningful moments in my life. Morning Phase is a simple, quiet joy to me, but there’s also Mellow Gold, Midnite Vultures…
Actually, let’s come back to this in the Outro.
Pixar-style renditions of the Bear crew. Some are better than others (Neil and Tina ain’t right) but Carmy and Nat? Bang on.
Script-writers could do a lot worse than check some of these pick-up lines out. I was moved in a very discombobulating way.
We do not, to my knowledge, have a character like Mr. Rogers in the UK. That is to our detriment. Look at how he reduces an audience of Hollywood A-listers to tears with a simple request to shut the fuck up for ten seconds and think about the people who got them there in the first place.
OK, he didn’t quite put it like that but you get the gist.
We could all do with taking a quiet moment to remember the loved ones who helped us on our path every now and then. Thank you, Fred.
Ok, I’m out. One, two, you know what to do.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
