Just A Minute

Personally, I don’t think the show is anywhere near as funny as it used to be. Mostly this is because of my fondness for Kenneth and his unique behaviour on the show though. I think it has only lasted so long because of those golden years and the amount of longevity the four regulars gave it. Having said that, I grew up in the 90s and still used to love the foursome of Peter, Paul, Derek and Clement that existed for a while.

I don’t mind this idea nowadays of trying out lots of new people, but just laughing at people being hopeless at the game is getting a bit weary with me. It’s like with Elaine Stritch. This episode was great, but they were sensible to never have her back to try and repeat it I reckon.

I just find it awkward after a while when newcomers collapse after a few seconds and then are never heard from again because they’re too nervous to challenge.

If these shows are all trials for new players, I only hope we have some of the more successful candidates back again: for my money David Tennant, Andy Hamilton. Andy was especially good and I meant to comment on here about him at the time. He was eager, clever, interesting and definitely able to hold his own.

Of course the mood of the show has changed a lot over the years, probably down to comedy and the BBC changing too. I think sometimes people like to suggest that in the old days it was full of erudite speeches by Derek and Clement on highfalutin subjects. To a certain extent this might be true, but I’d still suggest that they could be incredibly funny at the same time. Clement’s anecdotes and bizarre jokes were some of the show’s funniest.

For JAM, it’s not just important to be a good stand-up. I feel like it comes across very well on radio which  contestants are ready to muck in and feel like the game is for them, and those who are simply bewildered by it.

Paul, Graham, Tony and most of all Sue, are my favourite players right now because they really do seem to love the game, and are good at both being fluent AND funny. With the occasional massive dry-up of course.

Sue Perkins I find particularly breathtaking with some of her lengthy speeches. But that’s what we need, intelligence without feeling the pressure to be funny with every line.

Maybe for Paul, with comedians of his own generation around him it is more ‘fun’ and more enjoyable for him to do nowadays. The audience certainly seems to have a great time, and Nicholas still too.

I do certainly still tune in to see what’s going on with the show and am glad it’s back on at the moment

Phil