Home  

Members  

Join  

Search  

Listings  

 
<<<<   4530   >>>>

Topic: J.A.M in Edinburgh

Message 1 / 5
kirstygoldAug 22, 2010
 

 
I didn't manage to Edinburgh myself to see recordings happening, but I get the BBC7 news letter and the editorial this week was a description of the recording process and the panellists and so on and a bit about the festival and fringe itself.

I've copied it for you in case you don't get it yourself. (apologies if you do and you've already read it!)
Kirsty


Hello again

Without hesitation, repetition or deviation - the legendary host of Just a Minute is this month celebrating 10 years of taking his show, Nicholas Parsons' Happy Hour, to the Edinburgh Fringe. The show - a mix of his own stand-up and chats with invited guests - is always a sell-out. One reviewer recently described him as "an icon of Post Modern Cool", and indeed he is. It's incredible to realise that he's has been entertaining the nation for over 60 years, and has clocked up 47 years as the inimitable host of Radio 4's popular panel game.

On Tuesday this week, two Just A Minute (or JAM as we call it round here) shows were recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe in the largest of the Pleasance venues - The Grand.

Well ahead of the doors opening, the audience queued round the venue in what seemed like an endless snake, patiently waiting to get in to see their favourite show, whilst a separate queue gathered and grew, anxiously waiting to see if there were any returned tickets.

I was lucky enough to be able to squeeze into the show, and it really was well-worth the wait.

Before the recording began, as usual, Nicholas did his warm-up, and so entertaining was he - it could easily have made a show in its own right.

The panellists were veteran comic Paul Merton, Fred MacAulay (fresh from recording MacAulay and Co) Jenny Éclair (the first female stand-up to win the Perrier Award, 15 years ago) and making his JAM debut - award-winning stand-up, Steven K Amos. The show sparkled with wit as the panellists competed fiercely to beat that buzzer.

You can hear the JAM Edinburgh recordings on Radio 4 next Monday 23rd August and Bank Holiday Monday 30th August.

At the end of the recording, which earned tumultuous applause, the panellists dashed off to different venues to perform their own shows. But as the audience filed out of the stifling hot theatre, I noticed a boy of about 9 or 10 hopping up onto the stage holding out a piece of paper - in the hope of getting Nicholas' autograph. The host stopped in this tracks, sat down and chatted to the young lad, whilst writing what I'm sure was a lovely autographed message.

I felt quite touched watching this popular, genial and courteous entertainer - now well into his eighties - having just recorded two gruelling shows, about to perform in his own show - and in between shows, also launching his second memoir at the Edinburgh Book Festival this week - wasn't too busy to stop and give a young fan the gift of his time so graciously.

Congratulations on your decade of performances at the Edinburgh Fringe, Nicholas, and may you entertain us with many more of your festival Happy Hours in Scotland's capital city.

I couldn't help but notice that quite a few older children were in the audience at this week's recording of Just a  Minute in Edinburgh. This set me thinking about shows with family appeal - so I took a browse through the Fringe brochure to check out suitable shows.

I was surprised to spot over 100 shows specifically aimed at children on the Fringe this year. Intriguingly several are being performed by stand-up comedians; Manchester-based comic Seymour Mace is presenting his " Dafternoon Show", Scottish funny man Phil Kaye's kids' show is " Gimmyourleftshoe" and performance poet, comedian and musician John Hegley's show is " Animal Alphaboat"

As I was only in Edinburgh for 2 days, I was unable to catch any of these shows with their fun word-play titles, but I did manage to catch a play aimed at younger children.

Battling through the buggies in the Pleasance Courtyard, I joined a packed theatre audience of excited children and their parents/carers to see Charlie and Lola's Best Bestest Play. In addition to their popularity as BBC CBeebies favourite brother and sister on TV, Charlie and Lola (pictured above) can also be heard on CBeebies Radio.

The stage show was absolutely charming. A magical mix of puppets, live action and music had the audience enthralled - both young and old.

It was a delightful feel-good final entertainment for me - before returning from my "less than £50 a day" whirlwind McOnomy trip - back to the grown-up world of Radio 7.

I leave you with the  iPlayer and the  Schedule for the week ahead. Happy listening!

Mary Kalemkerian

Head Of Programmes
BBC Radio

 
<<<<   4531   >>>>

Topic: Re: J.A.M in Edinburgh

Message 2 / 5
kj.naughtonAug 25, 2010
 

 
Hello all,

This week's episode was the first of the Edinburgh episodes - if you don't already have it then my copy is at http://www.mediafire.com/?u9jyca9h8bg53

It was John Bishop's first appearance and I had hoped he would do well. I have to say that I thought it was one of the best debut appearances I can remember - he was obviously familiar with the show and didn't seem overawed or nervous. There were also quite a few references in the show that may not be familiar to listeners less familiar with the UK - including a brief section on recent politics.

I'm interested to know what others thought of this episode.

Cheers

kJ

--- In just-a-minute@..., "kirstygold" <kirstygold@...> wrote:
>
> I didn't manage to Edinburgh myself to see recordings happening, but I
> get the BBC7 news letter and the editorial this week was a description
> of the recording process and the panellists and so on and a bit about
> the festival and fringe itself.
>
> I've copied it for you in case you don't get it yourself. (apologies if
> you do and you've already read it!)
> Kirsty

 
<<<<   4533   >>>>

Topic: Re: J.A.M in Edinburgh

Message 3 / 5
deanbedfordAug 25, 2010
 

 
I thought it was one of the best Edinburgh shows in ages - largely because of John who jumped in with great gusto, and was, I thought, very very funny.

There's a growing number of people who deserve another run aren't there - but he is going close to the top of my list.

I also thought Paul was the best he has been so far in the series. His double act with Gyles is getting very good.

I'm in two minds about Shappi. When she does speak, she is awfully funny. I imagine her stand-up act would be well worth seeing. But she seems happy to wait her turn an awful lot. Could we be seeing someone like Linda Smith or Peter Jones who doesn't say a lot - but when they do, it's worth it...

I guess I think probably not... but she does provide something unique when she does talk...

thanks as always for the file KJ

--- In just-a-minute@..., "kj.naughton" <kj.naughton@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> This week's episode was the first of the Edinburgh episodes - if you don't already have it then my copy is at http://www.mediafire.com/?u9jyca9h8bg53
>
> It was John Bishop's first appearance and I had hoped he would do well. I have to say that I thought it was one of the best debut appearances I can remember - he was obviously familiar with the show and didn't seem overawed or nervous. There were also quite a few references in the show that may not be familiar to listeners less familiar with the UK - including a brief section on recent politics.
>
> I'm interested to know what others thought of this episode.
>
> Cheers
>
> kJ
>
> --- In just-a-minute@..., "kirstygold" <kirstygold@> wrote:
> >
> > I didn't manage to Edinburgh myself to see recordings happening, but I
> > get the BBC7 news letter and the editorial this week was a description
> > of the recording process and the panellists and so on and a bit about
> > the festival and fringe itself.
> >
> > I've copied it for you in case you don't get it yourself. (apologies if
> > you do and you've already read it!)
> > Kirsty
>

 
<<<<   4534   >>>>

Topic: Re: J.A.M in Edinburgh

Message 4 / 5
nylon netAug 25, 2010
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: kj.naughton@...
Sent: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:44:26 -0000
To: just-a-minute@...
Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: J.A.M in Edinburgh

 

Hello all,

This week's episode was the first of the Edinburgh episodes - if you don't already have it then my copy is at http://www.mediafire.com/?u9jyca9h8bg53

It was John Bishop's first appearance and I had hoped he would do well. I have to say that I thought it was one of the best debut appearances I can remember - he was obviously familiar with the show and didn't seem overawed or nervous. There were also quite a few references in the show that may not be familiar to listeners less familiar with the UK - including a brief section on recent politics.

I'm interested to know what others thought of this episode.

Cheers

kJ

--- In just-a-minute@..., "kirstygold" <kirstygold@...> wrote:
>
> I didn't manage to Edinburgh myself to see recordings happening, but I
> get the BBC7 news letter and the editorial this week was a description
> of the recording process and the panellists and so on and a bit about
> the festival and fringe itself.
>
> I've copied it for you in case you don't get it yourself. (apologies if
> you do and you've already read it!)
> Kirsty

---

Share photos & screenshots in seconds...
Try FREE IM ToolPack at www.imtoolpack.com
Works in all emails, instant messengers, blogs, forums and social networks.

 
<<<<   4535   >>>>

Topic: Re: J.A.M in Edinburgh

Message 5 / 5
kirstygoldAug 26, 2010
 

 
I thought you might like to see a clip of Shappi's stand up routine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I5KmlXCLIk

she has a 'niche' sort of approach to things racist. She uses them for comedic effect - not unlike Omid Djalili - going from 'posh English' accent to ethnic accent and back again in seconds flat. I find her humour very intelligent.

(I'm now off to listen to the Edinburgh show which I've not heard yet. *Hangs head in shame* Thanks again to KJ for the upload.)

K

--- In just-a-minute@..., "deanbedford" <dbedford@...> wrote:
>
> I thought it was one of the best Edinburgh shows in ages - l
>
> I'm in two minds about Shappi. When she does speak, she is awfully funny. I imagine her stand-up act would be well worth seeing. But she seems happy to wait her turn an awful lot. Could we be seeing someone like Linda Smith or Peter Jones who doesn't say a lot - but when they do, it's worth it...
>