Monday, July 27, 2009

Speaking Of BBC Radio 4...

Today marked the beginning of a new season of Just A Minute, another legendary BBC Radio panel game. Unlike I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, Just A Minute is easy to describe. Panelists are given a topic and must talk about it for sixty seconds without "hesitation, repetition, or deviation." This is much, much harder than it might sound.

For the record, the panelists on today's show were Sue Perkins, Pam Ayres, Tony Hawks (that's Hawks, not Hawk) and Tim Rice (yes, the lyricist). The host, of course, was Nicholas Parsons. Nicholas is 85 years old and has been doing this show since 1967. He's done many other game shows as well, but his only other real hit is the British version of Sale Of The Century, which he hosted from 1972 to 1983 - and really, can you imagine an odder combination? I can't find an episode of Sale Of The Century with Nicholas hosting. I would LOVE to see him doing a quiz game.

Of course, the most famous panelist from this show, Clement Freud (Sigmund's grandson), died on April 15 at age 84. Thankfully, the show payed proper tribute to him with a clip at the end. I have heard that he taped a few episodes before his death that haven't aired yet...assuming this is true, come on, air them!

Just thought I'd promote another great show that is unknown in America,

Aaron

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