Just A Minute

I was lucky enough to be there for the recording. The episodes will become classics.

I've only been to a recording once before. Queued for ages and was 12th to have my ticket validated, but should have then started the queue by the exit to the theatre. I did not and despite my long wait got a poor seat at the back.

This time the system has changed. You go in through security who scan your bag for sharps, then wait in a reception area. Near the entrance to the reception area is a desk, and that is where you need to stand, for the staff turn up and start validating tickets at that point, irrespective of who got through the doors first. They call in the production guests to go into the theatre, then mobility challenged folk and their friends, then numbers 1 to 50, numbered stickers being given out in order they are validated.

Being in the first 50 and having stood at the doorways between reception and the theatre for some time I was at the head of the queue of ordinary folk and bagged my front row dead centre seat.

It was great to see the eye contact between Paul and Sheila.

At then end Nicholas hangs around waiting to meet "his people" but I managed to say thank you to him as I was walking past the front of the stage to leave, and I am happy to say he said thank you back. I was told on my last visit not to approach the stage to try to speak with him, so I am glad this worked. My thank you was for decades of mirth.

I still play JAM on my ipod every night in my sleep.

Dave