I missed the initial message, apologies Dean, but I'm delighted you're going to pass on the goodwill of the many JAM fans to Nicholas. I had a thought that it might be nice to cut together a selection of his OWN personal highlights on JAM, moments when he was at the centre of some of the best laughs in the show. I'm thinking of Herbaceous borders and similar incidents. Just an idea as we could probably find instances from shows he hasn't heard in years.
Personally, I have been a fan of JAM since I was 10 years old, so the mid-90s. Living in Ireland, I would listen to it with my dad in the car or take over the kitchen and tune the radio into a crackly Radio 4 on Longwave 198. I would leave my tape recorder stuck up against the speaker on my brother's music centre and press record just before we left the house to go to mass so I could listen to the Sunday repeat when I came home. I used to play the game myself with my dad and younger brother and wanted to be as funny as Paul Merton. I bought tapes of the show, recorded others myself and wanted badly to be at a recording. In fact when leaving my primary school we compiled a year book in which I was asked my favourite TV show. I answered 'Just A Minute (radio)'. Asked what my ambition in life was, I said 'Appear on BBC Radio 4'. I'm now an actor and improviser and I know that my humour and love of words and performing was greatly influenced by the hours I spent with my ear glued to the BBC's Just A Minute. To this day I listen to past recordings of the show as I fall asleep at night.
At the heart of all that has been Nicholas Parsons. I only came to knew him through JAM and was unaware of quite what a career he had before that. To reach the age of 90 and still be the lynchpin of a fast-moving, quick-witted show like JAM is astonishing. The words 'Welcome to Just A Minute' as unique to his timbre, intonation and energy. He has marshalled the stars of the show and offered great comedy moments of his own - wittingly and unwittingly! Quite simply, the show would not still be going were it not for Nicholas and it would not have garnered the place it holds in my heart and the hearts of so many others without his stewardship. In amongst all his other achievements, I would rank that as his crowning glory and a worthy way for anyone to spend half their lifetime. Thank you and happy birthday. Let's hope for many more repetitions of them!
Barry
---In just-a-minute@..., <dbedford@...> wrote:thanks steveSorry Dean, I did mean to write something but forgot.
Here goes.
"Happy 90th birthday Nicholas.
Just A Minute has entertained me for more than 40 years and lot of my enjoyment has stemmed from your performances as chairman. I think you have got better over the years, polishing and embellishing your role, such that now you exude an air of serenity and wisdom, not found anywhere else in the entertainment genre of panel shows.
Thank you for helping to make each of the shows one of the the high spots of the week's listening.
I wish you all the best for the future.
Steve Kenrick"
To: just-a-minute@...
From: dbedford@...
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2013 20:47:42 +1300
Subject: Re: [just-a-minute] 90!
I'd really like to thank all the people who sent their ideas on how we should celebrate Nicholas Parsons' birthday which is tomorrow – in response to my request below.
I'd like to... but... I received NONE! Nada! Zero!
Perhaps others don't regard this as big a thing as I do?
Anyway... if you want - post your birthday wishes for Nicholas, if there are enough, I'll print them all off and send them to Nicholas.
In the meantime to mark the occasion I decided to write a birthday poem for Nicholas.
He's been the chairman since 67
when I hear that voice I'm in my personal heaven,
those words "welcome to Just A Minute"
it wouldn't be the same without him in it.
In 46 years come hail, wind or snow,
Nicholas Parsons has never missed a show.
Introducing the guests, adding up the score
That voice coming in over the crowd's roar.
Over the years there have been many
guests - the brilliant and mercurial Kenny,
then there was Peter and Derek and improviser Paul
Tony, Sheila, Sue Perkins and all,
The granddaddy of all was Clement Freud
A Nicholas ruling would get him annoyed
So many others have given it a lick
But they all defer to dear old Nick
That mind so sharp, that voice so strong
How is he has been round so long?
Who else could manage to chair that show?
Who else could keep Graham and Gyles in line?
He just gets better like a very good wine
And now he's reached the great 9-0
I'm tipping he'll be there for at least 10 more years
To receive all the JAM fan cheers.
Happy birthday Nicholas, as I come to the end
Thank you Nicholas, for being the listener's friend.
So here's to Nicholas, and for one final take
How will they fit 90 candles on his cake?
We're about to get a lot of attention on the chairman Nicholas Parsons. On October 10th he turns 90.
It is an incredible achievement that Nicholas is still chairing a game that is largely about being quick-witted. I don't agree with those who think he has slowed down significantly - he has always fumbled at some points. It's part of the joy of his chairmanship and has been throughout the 46 years. I also think his voice sounds 30 years younger than it is. Physically though he is beginning to look his age.
There's no sign that Nicholas will retire unless his health does take a turn for the worst. I believe he sees the 50-year and 1000-show targets in his sights.
Should we do anything special here to mark Nicholas's 90th? I'm interested if anyone has any ideas.
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