Just A Minute

Apologies for not replying to this earlier.

 

It’s interesting that the same info was published in several newspapers. It does suggest a press release was put out by the BBC though I can’t see it in their archive of press releases. In response to nylon, there have been occasions when they have published lists of guests before – but it’s not something that happens all that often.

 

For those who haven’t clicked on the link. The pieces say Sir Terry Wogan will “join the regulars”. Rick Wakeman is also mentioned, and others said to be appearing in the next season are Tony Hawks, Sheila Hancock, Ross Noble and Marcus Brigstocke.

 

The best news to me was a return for Ross and Marcus. Ross’s appearances have been infrequent in recent years. I regard him as among the very best players of all time and it would be great to have him on more often. I feel almost as highly about Marcus who did a couple of shows each season for five seasons – and then stopped. I do hope he is going to be on more often – very funny, very sharp and competitive.

 

On Wogan, I will be surprised if it is already decided that he is a new regular, before he’s even recorded his first show. The phrase “joins the regulars”, could mean just that he will be working with the regulars, rather than about to become a regular. He is a big name in the UK so he adds some prestige to the show, even just as a guest. His work has largely been confined to British audiences – his long running TV chat show never played here - so I’m not all that familiar with him. I don’t think of him as the comedian-type chat show host in the style of Graham Norton or Jonathan Ross, but perhaps I’m wrong about that.

 

On being a successor to Nicholas, well, anything is possible. I guess I will be surprised though if a man in his mid 80s is replaced by someone in his mid 70s. I would think they would want someone a bit younger.

 

I was terribly wrong with my prognostications about a replacement for Humph on Clue so my guesses on a replacement for Nicholas are likely to be just as wrong. But personally I’d say ...

 

* Gyles is the favourite for similar reasons to nylon though not so critically!

 

* I think Tony Hawks has a good chance too – would give the show a younger feel and he has been closely associated with Radio Four panel games for years and JAM in particular without finding his niche. I could see him being good at it.

 

* David Mitchell seems to be given different shows to chair – is he being warmed up for one of the big ones?

 

* I also see Angus Deayton is about to chair a new Radio Four panel game. It did cross my mind that he was auditioning for JAM... though I guess Paul may have something to say about that and I expect he will have a big say in who gets the job.

 

* Perhaps slightly longer odds but in each case I think they would do a good job and bring something fresh to it – Julian Clary, Sue Perkins and Liza Tarbuck.

 

Final trainspotterish niggle – A couple of the papers listed JAM regulars as Julian Clary, Gyles Brandreth and Stephen Fry. Stephen has appeared in 2 of the last 109 shows over almost five years. However you define a regular, I don’t think he is one!

 

Incidentally the show is recording tonight (sat) British time so if you’re going, maybe you will see Sir Terry’s debut.