On Tuesday, February 6, 2007, at 07:13 PM, j_a_m_fan wrote:
> In the light of certain comments about Nicholas Parsons in this group
> I thought I'd post up some thoughts I've been mulling over for a
> couple of years now.
>
> I think Nicholas is great and would be terribly hard to replace, not
> least because that type of Britishness really doesn't exist
> anymore, and I believe that is one of the great charms of JAM.
>
> Now obviously I hope he goes on for many, many years yet, but if for
> some reason he didn't continue, who would be your choice for his
> replacement?
>
> Do you try and replace like for like? In which case the only two
> names I can think of are Stephen Fry and Giles Brandreth - but
> both of these are very good players and would be, I suspect, far
> too competent anyway. Its only their Britishness which is similar.
>
> Or do you go for some whole new feel? If so, who would you pick?
>
> Or, god forbid, would this herald the end of the great institution
> which is Just A minute?
My thoughts....
I wouldn't entirely rule out the thought that the BBC might "retire" the
show if Nicholas left - he is so much the personification of it.
Remember that Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor have said
that I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue will end when Humphrey Lyttelton leaves.
I think actually it will be up to Paul Merton. If Paul wants to continue
under someone else, the BBc would be crazy to turn down someone of his
talent.
So assuming it does continue. I would say the following.
1. Look at the recent appointment of Sandi Toksvig who was promoted from
panellist to chair the News Quiz. It's likely to be someone already
associated with the show.
2. It will be someone who is already involved in comedy. The one must
for the show will be to have someone with comic timing. That's the gift
Nicholas brings - the judgement of when to start an argument going and
when to cut one off. That's the most important part of his job.
3. Whoever it is needs to have sufficient authority to exert some
control over big mouths like Paul and Graham.
4. It would help if they could be, like Nicholas, something of a figure
of fun, although sufficiently well-known that people didn't think they
were just trying to copy Nicholas.
My list then would be
1. Gyles Brandreth - an experienced presenter - he did breakfast
television and radio for years. He knows how to keep things bubbling
along - and he's something of a figure of fun. And he'd probably do it.
2. Kit Hesketh-Harvey - he said in an interview last year that he'd love
to be Nicholas's successor. He has a great sense of comic timing and his
sense of enjoyment of the show would be infectious - can't you just hear
him dissolving into giggles?
3. Liza Tarbuck - again an experienced presenter on TV, and someone who
would be strong enough to stand up and be counted.
4. Sheila Hancock - I really like the idea of Sheila doing it - I could
see something fresh being added to the game and she has the authority
and sense of timing to do it. Only thing is she is so much in demand I
doubt she would commit to it.
5. Tony Hawks - I think he would love to do it and he would be something
different to Nicholas. He knows about comedy and I could see him holding
his own in the banter stakes.
6. Tim Rice - someone of a natural authority who adores doing panel
games. Arguably the right age and has the verbal dexterity to do it.
Another thought was Tim Brooke-Taylor - but would be he prepared to add
another game show to his tasks?