Just A Minute

 
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Greenwich recording

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Dean BedfordJan 23, 2008
 

 
The Bexley Times published this account of the Greenwich show

ONE of Britain's longest running radio comedy shows, Just a Minute,
celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and is as popular as ever with
two million listeners tuning in to every episode, writes Simon Hildrew.

The show stopped off at the Greenwich Theatre last week to record two
shows back-to-back in front of a lively sell-out crowd. The line-up for
these shows included 'long-suffering' host Nicholas Parsons, who has
held this position since the shows inception, show regular Paul Merton,
comedy actress Liza Tarbuck, Clement Freud, who has appeared as a
contestant since the show began and Jack Dee, making his debut on the
show.

The object of the game is to talk 'for just a minute' on a given
subject, 'without repetition, hesitation or deviation'. Humour ensues
when the panellists attempt to gain points by challenging their rivals
from departing from the rules or by being the person still speaking at
the end of the 60 seconds. To speak for the full minute without being
challenged is extremely difficult but glorious when achieved.

Parsons gave us a friendly pre-show warm-up, telling a few jokes before
introducing the celebrity contenders.

For the first show Merton and Freud dominated the opening subject,
'killing time,' as they constantly interjected each other trying to gain
points with the round finally going to Freud.

Chairman Parsons continues to attempt to control the proceedings and the
sometimes unruly panellists as they all try to gain an advantage over
one another by buzzing in whenever they hear the slightest hesitation or
even a stumble over words.

Some of the subjects were so closely fought that on two occasions the
time went right down to half-a- second!

Among the other subjects hilariously tackled were: loitering, prima
donna, leap year and prehistoric woman.

After a short break it was straight into the second recording with the
topical subject of the 2012 Olympics.

Freud made a joke that he would be eligible for the over 80s pole vault!

As the quick-witted jokes and verbal barbs flowed back and forth,
Parsons is the butt of the occasional friendly jibe from all the panel,
including an on going joke about him sharing a bubble bath with Liza
Tarbuck backstage.

The first show from Greenwich will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on
Monday, February 4 at 6.30pm with the other show to be aired in March.

 
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