On Thursday, September 17, 2009, at 03:17 AM, j_a_m_fan wrote:
> As you rightly said, fewer episodes are currently being made outside
> London, which is flying directly in the face of stated government
> policy.
I work for a public broadcaster too and my experience is that what the
Government says it wants and what it's prepared to pay for can be two
different things.
>
> 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.
I can see the point but I think that's far too sweeping a statement. I
can give you some examples from my experience if you like, but the
economics and politics of managing public broadcasting is a bit
off-topic.
on a new chairman, I sometimes make lists in my head and actually find
it easy to think up people who would be good at the job. Not because I
think it's a simple job but because it seems to me the UK is blessed
with a lot of good broadcasters and comedians, a lot of them already
involved in JAM.
The questions from a radio producer's POV before you get to making a
list though are
* someone already associated with the show or someone fresh?
* someone older or someone younger?
* someone to do something similar to Nicholas's style or someone to do
their own thing in their own way?
and
* do you follow Clue and have people "auditioning" on the show, sharing
the job around for a bit - or just appoint someone?
On the last question, I think they need to appoint someone permanent.
Clue and HIGNFY get away with using different people each week because
the chairman's job is more straightforward - essentially reading a
script - and because both shows have core casts of regulars.
I do think Gyles would be a strong candidate, largely for the same
reasons you cite. I have been thinking recently that Julian Clary would
be rather good - obviously that would be a different style but I can
just hear him making snarky remarks about the others. I think it would
be good fun. Sue Perkins, Liza Tarbuck, Tony Hawks, Tim Rice could be
good too. Kit Hesketh-Harvey said he was keen a couple of years ago.
Clive Anderson would be good. I was thinking last night about Richard
Vranch who often acts as a sort of straight man for the Comedy Store
players. John Sergeant comes to mind too.
I tend to think of Gyles as favourite at the moment because he's quick,
able to play the straight man, and already associated with the show. I
think Paul might approve, and he will have a big say, I'd imagine. But
it's quite possible they might look for someone younger with more of an
appeal to the young - David Mitchell? Marcus Brigstocke?
I should say that I don't think the argument "s/he's too good as a
panellist" will come into it at all. They will want the best person they
can find. The only panellist definitely not on any list will be Paul.