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Re: The Original Foursome: Derek Nimmo

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juliajellicoeMar 30, 2007
 

 
I think he's the cutest of the original Gang of Four.

I remember once he spoke on the subject "When I was 7," and he talked
about the bombings. This threw me because his date of birth is given
as 1930, but they couldn't have been bombing in Britain before '39, no?

I have "Oh, Brother" queued up on Netflix so I can see him. (Have seen
him in "Murder Ahoy" and "Casino Royale.") I should get one of his
books, but I can't decide which one ...

I wish he had had a chance to host JAM, the way Clement and Kenneth
hosted twice. He mentions in one of his later appearances on the
subject My Ambition that he wanted to take over when Nicholas finally
retires.

--- In just-a-minute@..., "bobbyshaddoe3004"
<bobbyshaddoe3004@...> wrote:

>
> Much like Tim Rice, I'm opening up a discussion to be taken in parts.
>
> I'm taking the time out to single out the original Foursome of Just a
> Minute, to discuss their strengths, weaknesses, career highlights (when
> possible), and their overall impact and contribution to comedy as per
> their appearances on JAM.
>
> The first person I'd like to talk about is Derek Nimmo.
>
> Here was someone wil a hearty lugh and wonderfully fruity voice and
> with a penchant for comedy like no other, for his time. I remember
> listening to this wonderful man over the years he was on Just a Minute,
> and there seemed to be as many facets to his own personality as there
> were to Kenneth Williams. Derek at one point could be a gallant
> gentleman, but other times can be a patronizing and condescending male
> chauvenist pig. he also had a great love of the theater, which is no
> surprise as he later on became a great theatrical prodcuer and writer.
>
> what always puzzled me though is why was it that people were fascinated
> by the fact that Derek could twiddle his toes? seems rather ordinary
> and boring quite frankly, but what do I know.
>
> anyway, he also had a great love of travel, which always came into
> damn near every discussion and every topic. in fact, I seem to recall
> one instance during the 90's when Paul Merton even directly challenged
> just how Derek seemed to be milking the same sort of material with his
> discussions of his travels and so on, to great hilarity as well. there
> was even a great running gag in both recordings about the Raffles Hotel
> in Singapore.
>
> anyway, Derek was also exceptionally funny, and he was amongst the
> first to go on flights of fantasy long before Paul Merton, with his
> made up surreal stories on various different things, like on the
> subject of 'How To Give Up Smoking' goes on a incredible story about
> somone named Smolensky King drowning in the ocean. Which also
> showcased an ability to create word pictures long before Ross Noble
> came into the pciture, or using regular words to try and connect them
> to the subject, and he would regularly be buzzed for deviation by
> Kenneth, and would not have the subject taken away.
>
> another thing that was always ever present was the fact that Derek has
> a stammer or a stutter, an impediment that would cause him to hesitate
> sometimes, and there was always a strange sort of situation where
> whether or not he'd be given the benefit of the doubt regarding his
> affliction, because it was just mindboggling to me, then again I
> frequently find the decisions and justifications made by Nicholas to be
> mindboggling.
>
> but the one thing I always prized above all else is Derek's frequent
> attacks on Nicholas Parsons, which were all entirely justified as
> well. he was amongst the first to make fun of Nicholas' age, something
> that is frequently done now. also, amongst the best moments usually
> came from every time Derek had a correct challenge, he still wouldn't
> get the point or the subject or from the moments when Derek is in full
> flow and Nicholas steals the subject away from him, claiming that
> someone else had challenged, this would come in the later years of
> course, when ol' Nick was becoming even more round the twist than
> usual. but anyway, the frequent thunder and outrage that Derek would
> display at Nick was always worth the price of admission, even though
> the show was free.
>
> also, his arguments with other panelists were both funny, but sometimes
> they could be downright rude though, especially if he buzzes someone
> and doesn't give them a chance to say anything.
>
> he was excellent in challenging, and especially with the celver
> interpretations of the main rules, but also withe the clever and witty
> one-worded challenges that nowadays earn people bonus points.
>
> however, what was kinda sad in the later years of Derek's life was that
> it was either his affliction had gotten worse, not so much stuttering
> or stammering, but if you listen carefully, his words and his speech
> became more and more muddled, which was very both sad and funny, only
> because of the challenges that would come up when people would
> challenge him for deviation of words or grammar.
>
> he was one of a kind, no doubt about that.the great thing being was
> that he was an actor, only because during his day there weren't what we
> today know or refer to as 'stand up comedians'.
>
> Now, I've heard that he used to be in a series called 'Oh Brother' as a
> monk, I've never seen this show. but I have seen or heard him in other
> things. the only notable things I've ever seen him in was the original
> comedic spoof 'Casino Royale' playing the manservant to one of the
> James Bonds in that film. and the only other radio program I remember
> hearing him on was 'The Clitheroe Kid', he played a new next door
> neighbor named Ironside.
>
> anyway, the news of his death was indeed very tragic and I certainly
> will never forget that wonderful man who opened so many doors on JAM,
> and paved the way for the future. I'll open the floor now to anyone
> else wishing to discuss this incredible actor.
>

 
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