I'll give it a go. Though I didn't do all the questions, here are some
of my responses....
1. My favourite Just a Minute panellist is.... because....
Linda Smith. She didn't really take the game all that seriously, but
it definitely sounded like she had a good time in all the programs she
appeared in. Such a tragic shame to lose this one-of-a-kind
comedienne, I'm still rather upset over her death last year.
2. If I could pick four people for my best ever Just a Minute panel,
they would be... because...
a. Paul Merton, his surreal wanderings are always welcome. Without
him, lets face it, JAM would have probably died out after the loss of
Kenneth Williams.
b. Clement Freud, the stalwart, there from the beginning, the only
remaining original male panellist still alive, and even now he is
still the king.
c. Graham Norton, one of the best of the "new breed" of JAM players,
always can be counted on to bring something outrageous to the table.
d. Sheila Hancock, one of the original female panellists, one who
could hold her own with the best of them, very good at the game, and
appeared to enjoy herself immensely.
3. The person/s I would like to hear more of on Just a Minute is....
because...
Aimi Macdonald, I adored her voice and she was rather amusing and was
able to put up with the dominant males in the 70's and 80's. And just
as Sheila came back triumphantly in 2002, I would love for Aimi to
"get the call" and return as a JAM panellist.
4. The first time I heard Just a Minute, I thought...
I thought it was an amazing program, and I realized just how difficult
it really is to be able to speak for a minute, without hesitation
repetition or deviation. I have tremendous respect for the panellists
who actually make it to the full minute.
5. I think if Kenneth Williams and Paul Merton had ever been on the show
together....
It would be interesting, needless to say. Kenneth's intelligence and
erudition versus Paul's surreal musings. I don't honestly know if it'd
work as a whole, to be honest.
6. The funniest moment ever on Just a Minute was...
There are several that come to mind. Graham bringing down the house
after a rather rude joke about Socks, Bill Clinton's cat. And probably
the funniest episode ever broadcast was one of Paul's first
appearances in 1989 (the final program of the series, first round
"Poker"). Derek and his dog named after a king's appendage, Peter
talking about his swimsuit (and cashew nuts). Classic from start to end.
7. The reason I love listening to Just a Minute is...
Even a sub-par program brings a smile to my face. I also enjoy the
fact that they mix the performers up, as well as bring in new faces
(as well as the occasional return of a panellist from days gone by).
Even when the topics are repeated, the show never seems stale because
the variety in the performers keeps the show from being boring.
8. If you've been to a Just a Minute recording, tell us about it!
Sadly, I've never been to a JAM recording, being stuck over here in
Canada. But I imagine it's a lot of fun, and I hope someday to be able
to attend one, provided JAM is still being recorded.
9. If you've ever played Just a Minute yourself, tell us about it!
I've not actually played JAM, but I have tried choosing topics at
random and trying to speak for a minute. I don't think I've ever
succeeded yet. :)
There we go!
EmileJ
mochrie99@...