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Topic: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 1 / 11
DeanNov 25, 2011
 

 

 
<<<<   6361   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 2 / 11
nylon netNov 26, 2011
 

 
"The only show I'm a bit concerned about is the one with Paul Merton, Shappi Khorsandi, Jason Manford and Hugh Bonneville. Shappi is not an especially strong player, and Jason and Hugh are new. "

Like hydrogen, I believe Paul will expand to fill the game-space that is available. 

While he can step back to let other panelists shine, he will also move forward to fill the awkward dead air.

-----Original Message-----
From: dbedford@...
Sent: Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:44:26 +1300
To: just-a-minute@...
Subject: [just-a-minute] thoughts on the TV recordings

 

Time for some thoughts on the TV recordings recently completed. Obviously the final say will be when we all see the programmes on TV.

 

Nevertheless there are some things we can say.

 

Firstly, the producer of the TV series, Andy Brereton wrote to me last week. He sent the nice pics that I have put up on the blog, and also made a few brief comments about the TV recordings that will be of interest. I don't think he'll object to me relaying that he describes himself as a huge fan of the radio show and he says he has tried very very hard to honour the show. I know that the radio show's current producer, Tilusha Ghelani, has had some involvement in the TV show too.

 

By the way, Andy has offered to chat to me about how the TV show came together so if anyone has any POLITE questions about the TV shows, please send them and I'll ask.

 

I think too that you can see the radio influence in the casting. Here's the panellists since Clement Freud's death by appearances, including the radio shows recorded but yet to play.

 

Paul Merton 56

Gyles Brandreth 23

Tony Hawks, Sue Perkins 18

Graham Norton 14

Julian Clary 12

Jenny Éclair 11

Josie Lawrence 10

Sheila Hancock, Liza Tarbuck 8

Pam Ayres, Charles Collingwood, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Shappi Khorsandi, Ross Noble 6

Stephen Fry, Rick Wakeman 4

Alun Cochrane 3

Marcus Brigstocke, Kevin Eldon, Fi Glover, Dave Gorman, Phill Jupitus, Miles Jupp, Ian McMillan, David Mitchell, Justin Moorhouse, Chris Neill, Tim Rice, John Sergeant, Terry Wogan 2

Stephen K Amos, John Bishop, Jason Byrne, Janey Godley, Richard Herring, Russell Kane, Fred MacAulay, Pauline McLynn, Mike McShane, Paul Sinha, Suki Webster 1

 

So of the top 10 since Clement's death, only two didn't appear. But Sheila Hancock is in a stage play on the West End and Jenny Eclair is doing panto. So maybe they couldn't do the TV shows for timing reasons. Personally I would have had both of them on if they were available. Of the next group, on six shows, Ross Noble is in Ireland I believe, and Pam Ayres is touring New Zealand and Australia. So maybe the timing is the key to them not doing the TV shows too.

 

Now here are the casts for the 10 shows organised by number of appearances.

 

* Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Graham Norton and Sue Perkins

* Paul, Tony, Gyles Brandreth and Liza Tarbuck

* Paul, Graham, Sue and Phill Jupitus

* Paul, Gyles, Liza and Miles Jupp

* Paul, Sue, Marcus Brigstocke and Ruth Jones

* Paul, Sue, Marcus and Stephen Mangan

* Paul, Julian Clary, Stephen Fry and Shappi Khorsandi

* Paul, Julian, Stephen Fry and Russell Tovey

* Paul, Josie Lawrence, John Sergeant and Jason Manford

* Paul, Shappi, Jason and Hugh Bonneville

 

Look down the list and apart from the bottom two, there are at least three very experienced players of the game in each show. And Paul as an anchor panellist. This is a very good sign.

 

The problem for a lot of the TV shows in 1994, 1995 and 1999 were the panellists that really didn't know how to play the game. Some were good at picking up on mistakes of others, but had nothing to say when they got the subject. Some were excessively pedantic. Some seemed lost. In the second show in 1994, there were three people playing for the first time plus Tony Slattery in his fourth show. The game is difficult - it needs people who know how to play it. New people need to be introduced with players who do know how to get the balance between being competitive and being pedantic, and are also able to improvise.

 

The newcomers - Hugh Bonneville, Ruth Jones, Jason Manford, Stephen Mangan and Russell Tovey - are all either comedians or comedy actors and they're all people who do already do comedy panel shows. They're all people who could well have been on the lists of the radio producers for doing the radio show. That doesn't guarantee success on Just A Minute, but it's a good sign.

 

The only show I'm a bit concerned about is the one with Paul Merton, Shappi Khorsandi, Jason Manford and Hugh Bonneville. Shappi is not an especially strong player, and Jason and Hugh are new. Jason has a pile of panel game experience so hopefully he will be okay. Still I would have kept Josie Lawrence on the second panel at that recording as she is such a good player these days.

 

But let's be honest - if Paul Merton is at his brilliant best, these will be funny shows. It's noticeable that all of the audiences seem to have loved the shows. Of course its the fans who will have turned up but I have yet to see anyone who came away from one of the recordings disappointed.

 

I see Andy is described as being from "BBC Comedy Entertainment Development". Does this mean that if these shows are successful, it could "develop" into something more? If he does agree to a chat, I'll ask him!

---

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<<<<   6362   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 3 / 11
dagi_ukNov 26, 2011
 

 
Jam Fans,

This thought is cynical and probably unwarranted, but I wonder if the TV panelists who've not appeared on the radio version (Hugh Bonneville, Ruth Jones, Jason Manford, Stephen Mangan and Russell Tovey) are only appearing on the show because it's on television?

I'm not aware that they've appeared on other radio panel comedy shows, but doubtless someone will correct me.

It will be interesting to see how many of these first-timers transfer to the radio game.

dagi

--- In just-a-minute@..., "Dean" <dbedford@...> wrote:
>
> Time for some thoughts on the TV recordings recently completed. Obviously the final say will be when we all see the programmes on TV.
>
> Nevertheless there are some things we can say.
>
> Firstly, the producer of the TV series, Andy Brereton wrote to me last week. He sent the nice pics that I have put up on the blog, and also made a few brief comments about the TV recordings that will be of interest. I don't think he'll object to me relaying that he describes himself as a huge fan of the radio show and he says he has tried very very hard to honour the show. I know that the radio show's current producer, Tilusha Ghelani, has had some involvement in the TV show too.
>
> By the way, Andy has offered to chat to me about how the TV show came together so if anyone has any POLITE questions about the TV shows, please send them and I'll ask.
>
> I think too that you can see the radio influence in the casting. Here's the panellists since Clement Freud's death by appearances, including the radio shows recorded but yet to play.
>
> Paul Merton 56
> Gyles Brandreth 23
> Tony Hawks, Sue Perkins 18
> Graham Norton 14
> Julian Clary 12
> Jenny Éclair 11
> Josie Lawrence 10
> Sheila Hancock, Liza Tarbuck 8
> Pam Ayres, Charles Collingwood, Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Shappi Khorsandi, Ross Noble 6
> Stephen Fry, Rick Wakeman 4
> Alun Cochrane 3
> Marcus Brigstocke, Kevin Eldon, Fi Glover, Dave Gorman, Phill Jupitus, Miles Jupp, Ian McMillan, David Mitchell, Justin Moorhouse, Chris Neill, Tim Rice, John Sergeant, Terry Wogan 2
> Stephen K Amos, John Bishop, Jason Byrne, Janey Godley, Richard Herring, Russell Kane, Fred MacAulay, Pauline McLynn, Mike McShane, Paul Sinha, Suki Webster 1
>
> So of the top 10 since Clement's death, only two didn't appear. But Sheila Hancock is in a stage play on the West End and Jenny Eclair is doing panto. So maybe they couldn't do the TV shows for timing reasons. Personally I would have had both of them on if they were available. Of the next group, on six shows, Ross Noble is in Ireland I believe, and Pam Ayres is touring New Zealand and Australia. So maybe the timing is the key to them not doing the TV shows too.
>
> Now here are the casts for the 10 shows organised by number of appearances.
>
> * Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Graham Norton and Sue Perkins
> * Paul, Tony, Gyles Brandreth and Liza Tarbuck
> * Paul, Graham, Sue and Phill Jupitus
> * Paul, Gyles, Liza and Miles Jupp
> * Paul, Sue, Marcus Brigstocke and Ruth Jones
> * Paul, Sue, Marcus and Stephen Mangan
> * Paul, Julian Clary, Stephen Fry and Shappi Khorsandi
> * Paul, Julian, Stephen Fry and Russell Tovey
> * Paul, Josie Lawrence, John Sergeant and Jason Manford
> * Paul, Shappi, Jason and Hugh Bonneville
>
> Look down the list and apart from the bottom two, there are at least three very experienced players of the game in each show. And Paul as an anchor panellist. This is a very good sign.
>
> The problem for a lot of the TV shows in 1994, 1995 and 1999 were the panellists that really didn't know how to play the game. Some were good at picking up on mistakes of others, but had nothing to say when they got the subject. Some were excessively pedantic. Some seemed lost. In the second show in 1994, there were three people playing for the first time plus Tony Slattery in his fourth show. The game is difficult - it needs people who know how to play it. New people need to be introduced with players who do know how to get the balance between being competitive and being pedantic, and are also able to improvise.
>
> The newcomers - Hugh Bonneville, Ruth Jones, Jason Manford, Stephen Mangan and Russell Tovey - are all either comedians or comedy actors and they're all people who do already do comedy panel shows. They're all people who could well have been on the lists of the radio producers for doing the radio show. That doesn't guarantee success on Just A Minute, but it's a good sign.
>
> The only show I'm a bit concerned about is the one with Paul Merton, Shappi Khorsandi, Jason Manford and Hugh Bonneville. Shappi is not an especially strong player, and Jason and Hugh are new. Jason has a pile of panel game experience so hopefully he will be okay. Still I would have kept Josie Lawrence on the second panel at that recording as she is such a good player these days.
>
> But let's be honest - if Paul Merton is at his brilliant best, these will be funny shows. It's noticeable that all of the audiences seem to have loved the shows. Of course its the fans who will have turned up but I have yet to see anyone who came away from one of the recordings disappointed.
>
> I see Andy is described as being from "BBC Comedy Entertainment Development". Does this mean that if these shows are successful, it could "develop" into something more? If he does agree to a chat, I'll ask him!
>

 
<<<<   6363   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 4 / 11
kj.naughtonNov 26, 2011
 

 
Hi folks,

I can't say whether the thought is cynical but I don't think it's unwarranted. In fact, it's probably at least partially true. But I don't see that as a bad thing.

There are two parts to a good JaM panellist, even on the radio. You want people who are good at the game (or can pick it up quickly) and you want people who are good on radio and understand the nuances of the medium. I see nothing wrong at all on picking people who are good on TV (or are telegenic) for a TV panel show - just as long as they can pick the game up quickly and play it "in the JaM spirit".

I have to say that I'm not at all despondent about the shows at the bottom of Dean's list either.

Shappi does know how to play the game and, although she isn't the best at it on the radio, she has been very good on TV shows, such as Have I Got News For You and Live At The Apollo. She has potential to be a good TV JaMmer.

Jason Manford is also a good TV performer. Don't forget he was chosen as the co-host of The One Show before getting booted off for an indiscretion not related to his performance. As Dean says, he's got a load of TV panel game experience. Incidentally, he's been on "And The Winner Is" on Radio 2 - not sure if you would call that a panel show and he was only on it once. He was, though, very good on it - it's one of my favourite episodes - with Lee Mack and Kevin Bridges.

I'm really looking forward to these TV shows. They may be great, they may be dreadful - most likely they'll be somewhere in between - but I can't wait to find out.

Cheers

kJ

--- In just-a-minute@..., "dagi_uk" <dgnews@...> wrote:
>
> Jam Fans,
>
> This thought is cynical and probably unwarranted, but I wonder if the TV panelists who've not appeared on the radio version (Hugh Bonneville, Ruth Jones, Jason Manford, Stephen Mangan and Russell Tovey) are only appearing on the show because it's on television?
>
> I'm not aware that they've appeared on other radio panel comedy shows, but doubtless someone will correct me.
>
> It will be interesting to see how many of these first-timers transfer to the radio game.
>
> dagi

 
<<<<   6366   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 5 / 11
Espen KrømkeNov 29, 2011
 

 
Den 26. nov. 2011 04:44, skrev Dean:

 

By the way, Andy has offered to chat to me about how the TV show came together so if anyone has any POLITE questions about the TV shows, please send them and I'll ask.

Has he seen the earlier JAM TV seasons, and if so, what did he think of them?

In addition to the obvious lineup difference in using the stars from the radio version of JAM, are there other differences in the production compared to the earlier TV shows (will we get the original Minute Waltz like on the radio)?

Could he please do what he can for us to get the missing JAM shows on CD? :)

Actually, Dean, you who seem to mingle with the JAM executives on a daily basis, have you tried suggesting they should release the missing shows on CD? They might if they are aware of it?

 
<<<<   6368   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 6 / 11
DeanNov 30, 2011
 

 

 
<<<<   6370   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 7 / 11
Espen KrømkeNov 30, 2011
 

 
Den 30. nov. 2011 11:25, skrev Dean:

I hate to be pessimistic but I really don’t think the missing shows for the first couple of years still exist. I can explain why I think this if you like.

 

I would have thought they got a recording of all shows? Please, explain if you like. Your theories and insights are always a good reading. :)

In any event, I really have no more influence than anyone else. The best way to ensure more releases is to buy the releases they do put out.

Oh but I do. I received my Classic Collection a couple of weeks ago!
But it might be that they simply do not know what shows are not out there as fan recordings. It would make pure business sense for them to release those shows then, plus an excellent fan service.

 

I really wouldn’t want anyone to think I do have a lot of interaction with JAM folk. If you put together my two talks with Tilusha Ghelani at Stratford and Edinburgh, they’d add up to a minute, and that is it!

... And that's impressive enough for those of us who have not even been at a recording! Bask in the glory, Dean. You are the JAM man.

 
<<<<   6372   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 8 / 11
Don JudgeNov 30, 2011
 

 

> I would have thought they got a recording of all shows? Please,

explain if you like.

Not wishing to tread on Dean's toes before he has a chance to reply but there WERE recordings made of every programme, both radio and TV, that's ALL progammes not just JAM.

Unfortunately until 1978 TPTB* at Auntie BEEB decided to periodically wipe the tapes/destroy the disks etc to make room in the archives and save money on storage - sadly this means so much has been lost forever.

Dr Who is an often-quoted TV example, similarily The Goon Show from the radio.

Every now and then missing recordings appear from private collections but if they were not recorded on HQ reel to reel tape the BBC seems to ignore them.
Recently some transcription disks of BBC programmes were discovered, I don't think there were any JAMs in there, sadly.

There are audio engineers (some ex-BBC) that restore vintage recordings for publication, they are experts but they can only do so much.
Richard Harrison and Ted Kendall to name but two.

Google and Wikipeadia will supply more information.

*The Powers That Be

 
<<<<   6373   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 9 / 11
Anthony HobsonNov 30, 2011
 

 

 
<<<<   6407   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 10 / 11
DeanDec 11, 2011
 

 

 
<<<<   6409   >>>>

Topic: Re: thoughts on the TV recordings

Message 11 / 11
kj.naughtonDec 12, 2011
 

 
Hi all,

Funnily enough, BBC News are running a news story today about having discovered two missing episodes of Doctor Who.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16136521

My understanding is that before about 1978 the BBC did not have an archiving policy and routinely wiped both TV and radio shows that they didn't consider special enough to keep - probably due to the cost of magnetic tape.

Wikipedia has some articles which explain the "rationale", if you can call it that. Search for BBC Wiping. Although it is probably fair to say that this industry practice at the time, at least in the UK.

Cheers

kJ

--- In just-a-minute@..., "Dean" <dbedford@...> wrote:
>
> Dean: AS Don mentioned the BBC archives for this period are not in good shape. A few years ago they asked publically for people to send them the first ever show â€" this was while it was widely available on the Internet. The shows that we have are largely via the ABC and every time they have gone back to the beginning and the missing shows are never there.