Pop Pundit

There are times when an almost overly obsessive desire for knowledge in a specific subject can be useful. Being on TV’s Mastermind, for instance. In fact, that’s pretty much it. In just about every other situation, be it as a BBC News ‘Expert’ or Column Journalist, you’ll probably have time to pop to the library or use Google.

I’m beginning to get worried that my quest for pop culture trivia (specialist area: Rock and 70’s TV) is getting a little over the top. There’s only so many times having info about Mork and Mindy or The Sweeney, or knowing lyrics to Marillion songs is going to be handy.

At the moment I’m watching Coogan’s latest incarnation, Saxondale, and am worried I’m morphing into some kind of Radliffe and Marconie Radio 2 cross-over. For a time, this seemed good. When I was thinking of some kind of PhD in pop culture (possible topics included comparing Beatles melodies to Mozart, and a discussion of whether Dylan’s place in history was duly deserved).

I’m just wondering whether, just perhaps, pop trivia’s a little Allen Freeman and not quite enough Justin Timberlake.