Just A Minute

Although Prunella Scales will forever be associated with the role of Sybil Fawlty from the exceptionally brilliant sitcom FAWLTY TOWERS, her appearances on JAM were considerably less than stellar.  I havent heard her first appearance because the recording for her debut appearance isnt available yet.  Her second and final appearance in 1970 is available and although she did try her best to be heard, i think her lack of success on the show has more to do with how badly she was treated by all the men on the show.  And while she made a valiant effort in the beginning, she just lost her confidence and made no attempt to get it back.  She was treated in a very patronizing and condescending manner, particularly during the subject of `passion`.  She was attempting to express her opinion on the notion of passion being foreign to the English mentality and was immediately hounded down for deviation.  She was just another one of these unfortunate women that appeared on the program and was given no respect or support by the panelists or the chairman.  she just seemed to be placed on the show to be the 'stooge', and be the lame duck so the other 'boys' can get laughs.  Think about it, she was given the subject of 'Why I Want To Play Lady MacBeth' and no sooner does she start talking, she gets challenged for repetition, and the subject immediately goes to one of the other men, which causes incredible hilarity because the subject was initially intended for a woman.  In addition, later on, she becomes the object of Clement Freud's lust during the subject of 'My Fancy', and although it was Kenneth that sprang to her defense, Prunella just sat there.  There was one very confusing moment I believe during 'Reading Under the Bed Clothes' where Clement was being challenged repeatedly and unsuccessfully, and at one point is challenged by Kenneth, its disallowed and before Clement could start off again, somehow Nicholas sees that Prunella has challenged Clement because he misquoted something, and in that confusion Prunella is given the subject with only like 2 seconds left or something.  Major headscratching moment.  The episode itself is actually really funny, but that's more because of Clement, Derek and Kenneth.  Years later, I believe during either the late 80's or the early 90's, I know it was just after Kenneth had passed away, the panelists I believe were Wendy Richard, Richard Murdoch, Lance Percival and I think Clement Freud.  I think the opening subject was 'Scales' and at one point Prunella's name gets mentioned, and it was by Mr. Murdoch. 

Amazingly, I read that Prunella received a CBE, and is still alive and kicking at 78.