Is The Chase Around The World A One And Done?

I recently read that ITV has seemingly decided not to commission a second series of The Chase Around The World.

In an article on the Mirror's website, the showbiz team declared the programme had been axed because it was seen to be 'one big flop'.

For what it's worth, a 'series spokesperson' has denied such a decision has been made. However, if the broadcaster has indeed pulled the plug on future series' of the unique game show, I would consider it unsurprising.

As I wrote on Friday July 17th, a day after watching the first ep, I floated the instinct that the game show - which saw teams of two go on trivia hunts across cities of the World with the prospect of facing two Chasers if they finish last - had potential of being a one and done.

Well, it looks like my guess could turn out to be accurate. There's no smoke without fire and all that.

I noticed lukewarm-to-negative reactions to episode one across social media. That despite the series, and most  - but not all! - of its contestants, growing on me as the episodes progressed.

The Chase Around the World was a fun spinoff of the teatime quiz show. I'll miss it if those initial reports turn out to be true.

1-0 Following Seattle's Season Kick Off

I suppose you could call last night a positive start to my NFL pick 'em campaign for the 2026 season.

I'm currently 1-0 in three of the four contests I've entered on the ESPN website. The fourth has yet to run.

The season kicked off with the Super Bowl Champions - Seattle - coming back from behind to beat the New England Patriots 13-10.

Seattle's QB1, Sam Darnold, was injured early in the game resulting in Drew Lock coming on to spare the home team's blushes.

I had Seattle to win in the straight up pick 'em contest entries. However, the Patriots +3.5 was my selection for the spread entry.

Yes, I consider it a fluke of sorts. A win is a win is a win, though.

Betting On The Showdown in Oz

Next up is the LA Rams versus San Francisco 49ers from Melbourne, Australia. I wrote a lot about it in THIS POST from last week.  I have the 49ers to win straight up and cover the +3.5 spread.

My fourth ESPN contest will kick in with this game because I have San Francisco as one of the five plays.

I find myself on the side which believes the 49ers have made the correct approach to the game by landing in Australia close to a week before the game. 

My theory contradicts the Rams' approach of arriving a little over twenty-four hours before kick off. 

Fallout From 49ers/Rams Travel Schedule

A lot has been made of the two methods. Even if my opinion turns out to be the losing one, both teams' returns to the USA will also make for an intriguing diagnosis. As I noted in Taylor's Pro Football Gambling Annual 2026, the 49ers' Week 2 game will be played at home in a Sunday afternoon while the Rams have a home fixture against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

The Rams then have to travel to Denver for Week 3's Sunday Night Football. San Francisco would have played earlier that day with a home visit from the Arizona Cardinals.

I cannot shake off the thought that the Australia approaches, and the schedules that follow for both teams, are a test by the NFL to see which method works best for the future of NFL games Down Under.

We're certain to find some things out over the next three-to-four weeks. Good or bad.

Manningcast Schedule For The 2026 NFL Season

Peyton and Eli Manning have revealed the 2026/27 schedule for their famous Manningcast.

The NFL legends will return with their talk show which is simulcasted alongside Monday Night Football games on ESPN TV in the USA and available on the premium NFL GamePass package here in the UK.

Twelve games will get the Manning treatment this season. It all starts with this coming Monday's meeting between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs that will close out Week 1. 

Speaking of closing out - the final Manningcast of its sixth season will air live from the Super Bowl on February 14th. The brothers have never covered the big game in this fashion before. That's likely because ESPN has the rights to air Super Bowl LXI - a first for the forty-seven year old broadcaster.

Manningcast Schedule for 2026/27

Here are all of the games Peyton and Eli Manning will watch, as part of the Manningcast, in 2026 and beyond.

Week 1 - Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs (September 14)

Week 2 - NY Giants @ LA Rams (September 21)

Week 4 - Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (October 5)

Week 5 - Buffalo Bills @ LA Rams (October 12)

Week 7 - Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles (October 26)

Week 8 - Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks (November 2)

Week 10 - LA Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens (November 16)

Week 11 - Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders  (November 23)

Week 13 - Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks (December 7)

Week 15 - New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs (December 21)

Week 17 - Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers (January 4)

Super Bowl Sunday (February 14)

When did the Manningcast launch?

The Manningcast first launched at the start of the 2021 NFL season. Peyton and Eli covered the Las Vegas Raiders versus Baltimore Ravens game which ended with the former winning 33-27 in overtime. 

The guests for that game were Charles Barkley, Ray Lewis, Travis Kelce and Russell Wilson.

The most famous Manningcast guest

The most famous guest to ever appear on the Manningcast is arguably George W. Bush.

The 43rd President of the United States appeared in Week 11 of the 2025 season when the Mannings covered the Dallas Cowboys' visit to Las Vegas.  The road team won 33-16.

The Picks Are Being Picked

It's that time of the year.

My friend sent across the lines for the NFL handicapping contest we play in. I'm now looking through Taylor's Pro Football Gambling Annual 2026 before sending him my selections.

It still seems surreal to be using my very own book to handicap the games. 

Just like last year, every single pick I make will be made using Taylor's Annual. That approach turned in a positive strike rate of 55.2%. I obviously hope to do better than that.

I also intend to play in some of the ESPN contests. Especially the pick 'em game.

One more sleep!

Last Sunday

Yesterday was the final Sunday without NFL football until 2027. 

It felt somewhat peculiar to me. For the first time in fourteen years or so, it was the first Sunday without participating in an NFL fantasy draft.

No Draft Day For Me

The league I played in seemingly didn't host the annual Sunday-before-NFL draft it has ran since the 2010s.

As I've written countless times over the years, I didn't know anyone in the league. I joined it from the late NFL UK Forum and I've been a part of it for fourteen(ish) seasons. 

ESPN took over the NFL Fantasy game during the offseason and, even though there was an email sent informing of my team being migrated to the new platform, it didn't appear as though the league we played in has been set up for 2026.

It's a double shame. First, because I won't get to play fantasy football with the group any more. It also bugs me that I couldn't get to thank them for allowing me to play with them for all these years.

The Calms Before and After the Storms

One thing I noticed yesterday, as I reflected on the upcoming season, is the fact that there seemed to have been a calmness about the day. I reminded myself that 'this time next week, I'll be in NFL regular season mode' eating up all the news and everything about the sport. It then struck me that there's another calmness on the first Sunday after the Super Bowl.

I know which one I'd prefer to be in...

The Butcher Dies

I woke up yesterday to read the news that The Butcher, who wrestled for All Elite Wrestling during its founding years, had a medical emergency at an independent wrestling show on Saturday night.

A certain wrestling news aggregation website claimed Andy Williams had died. Unfortunately,  the hedging turned out in favour of the 'report' because - later that day - a more reputable source (and I use that term lightly) - TMZ - broke the sad news. He was only 48.

Bill Dundee Passes Away

The Butcher wasn't the only person in pro wrestling to pass away over the weekend. Bill Dundee, a well-known face in Memphis wrestling but toured the world for other promotions in his day - was another.

The Australian began his career in the early 1960s. As I noted, he travelled the world. One stop crossed paths with yours truly. 

It was October 1993 - World Championship Wrestling's first stop on the Halloween Havoc tour. At the time, Dundee worked as 'Lord' Steven Regal's butler - Sir William. Both were on the Cardiff card because Regal squared off against Ric Flair.

Dundee was brilliant on that night. He managed to stir the crowd up with his antics. It truly is one of the many lasting memories I have of that brilliant night I experienced as a wrestling fan.

That's a perfect spot  to end today's post. Back tomorrow!

I've Finally Watched The Mandalorian & Grogu

I finally watched The Mandalorian and Grogu this week. 

The Star Wars movie premiered on Disney Plus this past Wednesday. I caught it as soon as I had the chance.

To be frank, I had low expectations going in because I caught a couple of reviews earlier this year, when the film was in cinemas. Both of those reviews were negative. 

Maybe I'm biased, but I didn't hate it at all. I enjoyed it for what The Mandalorian and Grogu is - a new chapter in a tale I've followed in the Disney Plus series. It's also another step towards a movie that will accumulate The Mandalorian and other Star Wars series' in a 'climatic story event' (if such an idea is still on the table).

The DVD/Blu-ray release is set for September 28th. I've preordered it because I'd like to own a copy for my collection of Star Wars films.

Richard O'Sullivan Passes Away

Another celebrity, whose autograph I have in my collection, died this week.

I am aware Richard O'Sullivan had a lengthy career, but - due to my age - I first came across him when he starred as Simon Harrap in Me and My Girl. 

That comedy series is one of a handful of programmes that takes me back to my childhood weekends at my aunt's flat. She would look after my sister and I whenever my parents were unable to on Saturday mornings due to work. We'd often stay overnight on Fridays. Me and My Girl would air on those evenings.

For the past twenty-plus years, Mr. O'Sullivan had been a resident of Brimsworth House - a care home ran by the Royal Variety Charity. The home looks after many retired veterans of the entertainment industry. 

The who's who of talent that spent their resting years at that home could fill a post in itself.