Just A Minute

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

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queenofknerdsNov 22, 2008
 

 
Something I really enjoy about Just A Minute is the way it's evolved
and how every episode sounds totally different based on the
combination of panellists. You can recognise the eras changing as the
various regulars join or leave the programme over time. The only real
constant factor has been Nicholas and, let's face it, after forty
years and seven hundred episodes, the show would sound strange without
him. That isn't to say it won't be any good. I think the show's strong
enough to continue long after Nicholas but it would take a lot for us
to dismiss him as the greater chairman.

I've seen some very good points both for and against continuing the
show after Nicholas. I fully expect in future an explosive debate like
the current one over ISIHAC - Humph and Nicholas are both truly
irreplaceable but when it comes down to it we all really just want the
shows to go on forever. If only!

Regards,
Queenie

--- In just-a-minute@..., Robert Torres
<bobbyshaddoe3004@...> wrote:

>
> you also have to factor in a certain amount of youth and vitality to

the individual, after all, you would want someone to be able to carry
the show into the next 40 odd years the way Nicholas has.

>
> Dean Bedford <dbedford@...> wrote:
> 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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>

 
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