Just A Minute

 
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Re: Today's ep s55e07 @ http://www.mediafire.com/just-a-minute

Messages in this topic: 24 View All
j_a_m_fanSep 16, 2009
 

 
As you rightly said, fewer episodes are currently being made outside London, which is flying directly in the face of stated government policy.

The political argument goes: the more the BBC moves out of London the more it can afford to do and the better value for money it can thus give. This in the light that perhaps the next round of license fee rises may well be the last any government feels it can impose.

By definition, any BROADCASTER that chooses to base its staff in one of the world's most expensive cities, and by far the most expensive place in the UK, is making a common-sense error that goes beyond stupidity and smacks of elitism.

On the subject of Graham Norton, I don't imagine he'd sign a contract that would exclude him from BBC radio shows - after all, Channel 4 does not compete in that media. Does he love the show enough to fit it into a heavy schedule? I certainly hope so - (indeed, in the 40th anniversary edition didn't he say he was prepared to travel anywhere to do it he loved it that much?), but see my other post on the matter.

I agree with you that Sue Perkins in Edinburgh can be taken as a sign of a post-Clement core cast move. I do think someone as funny and as competetive as Clement needs to be found as a core member in addition though. Stephen Fry could fill the role but I doubt he'll ever have the time on his hands. Jenny Eclair is certainly competetive enough but lacks erudition for those that wish to find a like-for-like replacement (impossible, surely!?).

Do you remember, some years ago, not long after this group started, we had a long discussion about possible replacements for Nicholas should the awful day come that he can no longer continue? No one managed to come up with any satisfactory names that I remember (I haven't gone back to read it), but at the time I think we ruled out Giles Brandreth as being too good a panelist.

I've now come to re-consider having listened to Giles' more recent shows. If his ego could take the straight man role, I think Giles could be the ideal man for the job. Here's why:

He is somewhat a figure of fun having been a Tory MP and having a history of guest appearances on TV shows wearing the worst taste in jumpers ever. He's a stright man in that his profession is that of ex-politician, he's somewhat senior to the likes of Paul Merton, which gives an edge to him being the butt of many jokes (something that has come out in recent appearances anyway. Indeed, he brings many of the jokes upon himself by displaying an even greater smarmy charm than Nicholas with the female members of the panel.

Also, he certainly has the gift of the gab for those fill-in links that Nicholas pulls off so smoothly between challenges that we don't really notice them that much, even though on occasion some are terribly corny) after all, he did once compete with Nicholas for the world record longest ever speech!).

I dunno, its making sense to me. I'm sure he'd jump at the offer if it were made. What say you?

--- In just-a-minute@..., Dean Bedford <dbedford@...> wrote:
>
> On shows outside London - I gather the sole reason for not going on the
> road so much is financial. I am not sure that the venues have all that
> much to do with the popularity of the show, or its ultimate survival.
> While the show rates, it will probably stay on air. I say "probably" as
> the death/retirement of Nicholas may be a turning point, the sort of
> point where the BBC might think it time to try something else.
>
> On Graham, I've seen the stories talking about him going back to Channel
> Four but wasn't aware this had been confirmed. He was on Channel Four up
> until 2005, and did JAM back then, indeed more regularly than he does
> these days, so it's not like it would mean he would be banned from
> appearing on BBC Radio. Of course a daily chat show would involve a
> heavy workload, so maybe he wouldn't want to do JAM as well... but then
> again, it's a commitment of a couple of hours once or twice a year...
> and we know he loves the show.
>
> On Sue (other email), like you I think her very good. I think the fact
> they took her to Edinburgh suggests they see her as one of the core
> cast, post-Clement.
>
> I suggest on the blog this week that that core could be Paul, Gyles, Sue
> and Graham - I may be overly optimistic about Graham!
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at 08:07 PM, j_a_m_fan wrote:
>
> >  
> > I agree Stephen is unbelievably busy, his latest show on the BBc is a
> > follow up Tv programme to Douglas Adam's excellent last book 'Last
> > Chance To See' which literally takes him all over the world to many of
> > the most inaccessible spots, this on the heels of travelling all over
> > the USA in a London taxi as well as filming some US series in L.A. a
> > certain number of weeks per year ("Bones" I believe) ... not to mention
> > QI and many other guest appearance slots he does ...
> >
> > Trouble is, how many radio shows will survice at all if they attempt to
> > remain based purely in London? NONE is the official answer, outside the
> > news studios.
> >
> > I wonder, also, if Graham Norton's 'defection' back to channel 4 will
> > stop him appearing on Just A Minute. Again, he wont be doing it for
> > money if he is to make future appearances, he MUST be into an 8 figure
> > contract (over 3-4 years) to have moved from the BBC. This may have
> > been discussed previously but I have been unable to keep up with all
> > messages in recent times. If anyone knows, a quick response to this
> > post would be much appreciated.
>

 
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