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Re: Recent Shows/Classic Shows

Messages in this topic: 19 View All
Robert TorresAug 21, 2010
 

 
I would like to come to Liza Tarbuck`s defense. I find her presence on the program rather enjoyable... In an Aimi Macdonald sort of manner. Liza is geniunely warm, and has a great sense of fun. She obviously enjoys being on the program as you can hear her laughter throughout as she attempts to keep going on a subject. She is also capable of some rather amusing comments as well as being quite informative. I love having her on the show.

On Sat Aug 21st, 2010 3:53 AM EDT Oz wrote:

>Hi Dean,
>
>I do agree that that formula is best, averaging 3 regulars drawn from a pool of those I named in my 'top group'. However, I suspect that it just isn't possible due to the schedules of those people. Paul Merton would probably make time and Tony Hawks and Kit Hesketh-Harvey probably have time, but those such as Fry and Perkins seem to have an unbelievable amount of other work, Ross Noble has moved abroad, Clary and Norton probably have more work than they can handle also. Even Jenny Eclair's mainstream career has taken off in a big way in recent years (I say 'even' because her stand-up is pretty crude stuff and nowhere near the mainstream).
>
>It really can only happen if such stars as these are prepared to put aside some of their other (most likely better paying work) simply for love of the tradition of the game.
>
>I'm surprised no one has leapt to the defence of Lisa Tarbuck. Does this mean everyone agrees with me that her run has been over-long? Or is it just that people couldn't be bothered to read such a long post?
>
>Keep safe on your travels, Dean
>
>Oz
>
>--- In just-a-minute@..., "Dean" <dbedford@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Oz
>>
>> thanks for such an interesting post. I agree with a lot of what you say.
>>
>> Do you agree with me that they may be better to go back to the formula for the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s and have say four or five regulars, three of whom are in each show (sometimes two, sometimes four but three on average)?
>>
>> I think that would help with the repartee and getting people to play off each other more...
>>
>> Haven't heard this week's show yet (I've been travelling) so I've that to look forward to!
>>
>> And yes thanks indeed to the kind people who share their files... lots of love from me!
>>
>> thanks again Oz...
>>
>> Dean
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Oz
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 7:58 AM
>> To: just-a-minute@...
>> Subject: [just-a-minute] Recent Shows/Classic Shows
>>
>>
>>
>> For some time now I have been toying with the idea of posting about the make-up of potentially classic shows. I'm sure many will disagree with my views and i'd be pleased to hear what you have to say. So here is my theory:
>>
>> There are only a few people who have the skills and/or personality to speak on the given subject AND manage to be funny while avoiding the J.A.M. rule pitfalls. (Eg. P Merton, S Perkins, J Eclair, S Fry, K Hesketh-Harvey, G Norton, R Noble and to a lesser extent J Clary, T Hawks).
>>
>> In between talking on the subject there are many players who can make funny challenges or come out with one-liners or over-the-top reactions to what has been said and thus contribute and add to the fun eg. S Hancock, M Brigstoke, P Ayres, C Collingwood, G Brandreth, S Frost, M McErlane, P McLynn, D O'Brien, C Neill, F MacAuley, J Lawrence, T Rice and arguably some others.
>>
>> Another group are those with potential who have perhaps yet to prove themselves fully but have already had good moments such as D Mitchell, D Gorman, A Cochrane, J Dee, P Jupitus, R Brydon.
>>
>> Then there are those who have little or no business on a J.A.M. panel eg. Lisa Tarbuck (fantastic personality but does little more than contribute an infectious giggle and is mostly incapable of discoursing on a subject AND being funny at the same time) John Seargent (It was all too apparent in the recent show that the days of this kind of contributor are over) Bill Bailey (surprisingly inept at allowing the show to flow, perhaps wanting to be too big a part of it). Greg Proops (plenty of chances but just can't get going when he has the subject). Victor Spinetti is another disaster that springs to mind. Included, it would appear, for geographic reasons, at least the mistake was not long and drawn out like poor Lisa has been.
>>
>> For a potentially classic show I contend that you need at least two from the first group named above (which you will note is really quite small - I include only those who are still available) and one or two from the second. There is no guarantee of a classic show, of course, the mix has to be right as well as the players being on their 'game' on the day.
>>
>> Fringe shows used to almost always be classics, with Paul Merton clearly very much at home and excited audiences spurring on Freud, Jones and Nimmo - but too many Fringe shows of late have been disappointing. In recent years the producers have gone out of their way to show-case new talent perhaps taking advantage of the Fringe format allowing bookings for just a single show. But the fresh faces have often either been no good or just too inexperienced at radio/J.A.M. The producer should never have more than one beginner on at any given time and there should always be at least two names from the top group involved. Of course it is essential to try new people from time to time but don't try two new players on the same show! It isn't Opportunity Knocks.
>>
>> So, having said all that, I'm a little surprised at the negative feeling towards the 3 shows of the new season so far. Yes, the John Seargent and Lisa Tarbuck on the same show was a casting disaster (and I assume there is another show with this pair to come - how John Seargent comes back from that I do not know - for his sake I hope it was the second recording of the pair), but the other two shows have been RICH with talent and a fantastic mix of the top two groups of players with the ever-dependable Paul Merton (along with Nicholas, of course) giving the show the anchor it needs.
>>
>> If the Fringe shows end up with the right mix of experience and the odd new(ish) face I think this could end up being a classic season as I already rate episodes 1 and 3 as potential classics (only time will tell if they deserve this appellation, of course).
>>
>> Lastly, Thanks to Paul Hurwood and all those of you who record the shows and make them available to us who don't have the ability/tools to do it ourselves. The service you provide is absolutely invaluable to what I suspect is a very large, mostly silent majority. Thanks again.
>>
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