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Re: The future of JAM, as decreed by Nicholas Parsons

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Dean BedfordAug 3, 2007
 

 
On Friday, August 3, 2007, at 08:44 PM, jeremy_keens wrote:

> Some thoughts that have been brewing and some comments.
>
> First, due to the generosity of people here I have been able to listen
> to JAMs from across the decades and have started to get a feel for the
> moods of the show. I think one of the things that I lov about it is
> that the structure allows such freewheeling stories and banter.
> Listening to, say, My Word I am struck by how serious and slow that
> now seems; and having downloaded a few Sorry I haven't a clues it
> reminds me of the problem of a lot of catch-phrase comedy - JAM has
> some but they seem less frequent (examples - Paul's sandwich
> hesitations, Kenneth's explosions).
>
> This exposure has led me to seek and purchase a copy of Kenneth's
> diaries - he is still my favourite but I am warming rapidly to the
> (not so new now) young turks. As a JAMmy bugger I looked at the JAM
> and Parsons sections via the index first and saw KWs dismissal of Nick
> (he never seemed to have warmed to him) plus his own displeasure at
> some of his 'outbursts'.
>
> But that takes me onto Nick as chairman. I agree he isn't perfect - he
> plays favourites (often it seems in the context of a particular
> episode, but also over time) but tends to balance; he isn't consistent
> but then who could be over 40 years, as the rules have gatehred a
> wealthy of common-law interpretation (eg the early banning of
> repetition of the subject, which has morphed into you can repeat
> homphones of single words). On the whole I think he does a good job,
> and is a surprisingly good listener noting repetitions that people
> have missed.
>
> However I think the B second letter of the alphabet C have created
> their own problem - yes no one panelist was irreplaceable because
> there is/was a pool of regulars and guests. There have been no
> chairman experiments for decades. The chair job is difficult - balance
> but also thinking about the flow or who is hot on a night, listening,
> taking the barbs, working the audience - and also has to have someone
> with a bit less of an ego: it is the panelists game.
>
> A question - are there any experience current players who you think
> could take on the mantle, and if not who else could. And lets hope the
> organisation I referred to before thinks about trying out some
> apprentices.
>
> On other points - again thanks for uploads I have listened to the
> latest and I was annoyed by Giles false pedantry - the plural of Midas
> would not have an apostrophe which seems to be what he was claiming
> (as in his reference to Parsons) and the bluster should have been
> pricked (a moment KW could have enlivened).

I've written about this before here so no buzzing for repetition from
"older" members.

Firstly I'd say there is zero chance of anyone else being tried out
unless Nicholas took ill mid-series or something like that. One of the
amazing things about Nicholas is that he has NOT ONCE rung up on
recording day or the day before to say "I'm ill", or "I have to go to my
grandmother's funeral" or whatever.

I think the chances are that it will finish up or at least be rested for
a couple of years when Nicholas goes. It's very very hard to replace a
chairman and whoever did get the job would be compared with Nicholas -
and they would be largely unfavourable comparisons. I think the BBC
might think that it was a good time for something new.

But a key man here is Paul Merton. I think if he was keen to carry on,
it would be hard to turn down a talent of his calibre.

You'd then have to decide what you wanted in a chairman - another
Nicholas or someone with a different style? I'd agree that a current
player would be desirable. The key thing is comedy timing - that's what
Nicholas has in spades and that's what a replacement will need.

The names that come to mind....

* Gyles Brandreth - would be favourite if you wanted someone similar to
Nicholas, I think, an experienced broadcaster and presenter, sharp
witted and someone you could imagine the panellists pulling the leg off.
* Julian Clary - really good at panel games. Great comedy timing and
someone who could do well as a bantering chairman.
* Kit Hesketh-Harvey - has publically stated an interest in taking over.
Very sharp and would create a good atmosphere with his giggling.
* Sheila Hancock - would probably be hard to persuade her but her
assertiveness would give the show a new and interesting feel I think.
* Tony Hawks - a virtuoso of panel games, a very good chairman. Would be
the choice if you wanted someone who was closely tied to the current
show.

There are others around like Liza Tarbuck, Marcus Brigstocke, Dara
O'Briain, Barry Cryer who are experienced at presenting or chairing
panel games and could come into the running.

 
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