Wonder-ful Christmas Time

Yesterday I went to another I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue recording (yes, I know – again!!) – this time for the Christmas special, Humph in Wonderland which is due to be broadcast on Christmas day just after midday. I won’t say much about the show itself, so as not to give anything away, suffice to say that it was very funny and a very enjoyable evening was spent laughing our way through a very loose re-telling of Louis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The usual cast of Humph, Barry, Graeme and Tim were joined by a collection of guests (although I won’t say who, to keep the surprise for you) as well as Colin Sell at the piano, who was joined by Adrian MacIntosh and John Rees-Jones from Humph’s band.

C had managed to get us front row seats, which we were grateful for when they finally let us into the theatre! (There had been a mix up with the times – the tickets said 7pm , but the show wasn’t due to start until 7.30, which meant that most of the audience were queuing to get in far too early) So we had a great view of everything!

After the show it was round to the stage door as usual, where we had a chance to catch up with the Giddies. First out was Barry, who signed autographs and had photos taken before C and I went to talk to him and say how much we’d appreciated seeing him at the Frost Report show the other week. He said that he’d only realised that he was doing the warm-up right before the recording, which made me even more in awe of him!

Barry went off to see if he could find his wife, but we didn’t have to wait long before Graeme appeared. After everyone else had asked for their photos and books to be signed, I asked Graeme to sign my book and he said “you didn’t bring the sofa then?” (which is what I’d threatened in my blog after the Reading show) to which I replied “well, actually …” and pulled out of my bag a miniature sofa which I’d brought just in case. Fortunately he took it in the good humour in which it was intended and signed my sofa, saying that he’d have to be more careful what he said in future (although I’ll have to be careful what I write too!).

Graeme was standing and chatting to the six of us when Tim came out and joined us. Then it was (literally) hugs all round as first Tim, then Graeme went round the group of us giving hugs. After a brief chat they said that they were going back in, as there was a do backstage, and warned us that other people might not be coming out for a while. Realising that I’d forgotten to ask Tim to sign my book, I managed to stop him by the door and was cheeky enough to ask for a second hug too (I’m such a hug hussy!!).

Then the waiting began …

Eventually Tony Hawkes appeared at the door (strangely just after the Minx had said she’d really like to meet him!) and seemed quite pleased to see the little crowd still gathered there. Andy Hamilton also appeared, but seemed in a hurry to leave, so we didn’t try to stop him. Somehow Sandi and Rob had escaped us by leaving via a different door, so we were confused twice when they each walked past us from another direction!

I was by now thinking that I should perhaps go and catch my train. But then Graeme reappeared, so I stayed a bit longer.  There was some more chatting and another round of hugs before he had to go.

But then I really did have to go – It was going to be a long walk if I missed my last train home!

I can’t wait to hear the broadcast.

 [28/11/07  Edited to add] C has done her own write up – less of a what happened, more what she forgot …

There must be no regrets, no tears

It is with very great sadness that I write, on this the 44th anniversary of the first broadcast of Doctor Who, that Verity Lambert has died at the age of 71. She was the very first producer of the programme and helped to create such a great format and character. She also produced many other great series including Jonathan Creek and Sleepers.

Not only was she a producer of great television, but she was also a personal inspiration to me – here was a woman who worked in what, at the time, was very much a man’s world and yet she proved to be as good, if not better than her male contemporaries. What better feminist icon could a young girl want! And Verity Lambert was a name and a person who I grew up knowing about, through reading books about Doctor Who and then through recognising her name in programme credits.

And it was wonderful that she got a mention (even if it was slightly obscure) in the new series episode Human Nature. A lovely and fitting tribute. 

How we laughed

The second of my comedy events was on Tuesday – C and I travelled down to Teddington for the recording of a show celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Frost Report. Clearly I don’t remember the original show (despite what the bloke sitting next to me thought – do I look over 40??), but it was the show which many more recent comedy shows can trace their roots back to – The Goodies, Monty Python and Yes Minister, to name a few. I was also familiar with some of the sketches, especially the Class one, from their repeat on the 20 Years of the Two Ronnies during the 80s. 

We were sitting to the one side of the studio, so we were able to see the people coming into the studio. And the first person we spotted was Barry Cryer (the sight of whom made us both shout “it’s Barry!”, although I don’t think he heard us). He was doing the audience warm-up, as he had done for the original shows, and even managed to crowbar in a reference to Graeme Garden. Then it was on with the show.

I was quite shocked to see David Frost – I had in my head that he was much frailer than he appeared (although I realised this could be mainly due to Dead Ringers!) and I spent far more time than I should have being fascinated by the fact his socks matched his tie! Ronnie Corbett was brought on as the main guest and they chatted and showed lots of clips, and at one point had a tearful moment discussing the late Ronnie Barker. Other guests came and went as the memories and clips continued. At one point during the recording I realised I was sitting only a few meters away from some of the greatest comedy writers ever – Barry Cryer, David Nobbs and Denis Norden! Wow!! There were also a couple of songs from Julie Felix (who I only remember singing the Zoo song) and a clip of Tom Lehrer singing one of his songs on the show.

There were also some video interviews with John Cleese, Michael Palin, Antony Jay and Tim Brooke-Taylor. I was very impressed to see that Tim managed to get a mention of The Goodies in, as did Antony Jay – you see, no-one forgets the good shows!

The show ended with the Golden Rose of Montreux being placed on the desk, which had been won by the Frost Over England special in 1967, and which this was commemorating. So this will be shown sometime over Christmas (the producer didn’t know when) on BBC4

Christmas is coming …

Comedy shows seem to be like buses at the moment – you wait for ages then two come along at once.

And so it was that on Monday night I found myself in Broadcasting House, home of BBC radio, for the recording of Tim Minchin And Friends. If you remember, I went to the recording of Tim’s Christmas Special last year, and this one was just as good. But there was a major difference – this year there were no special guests, just Tim, his piano and a fabulous band which included his sister on backing vocals.

A half hour of songs was duly recorded – some familiar, some not (and some brand new, written especially for the show). It was good fun with lots of laughing and giggling, not all from the audience. The show is due to be broadcast on Radio 2 during the week before Christmas, so listen out for it.

I must just mention that this was my first visit to Broadcasting House and its newly refurbished Radio Theatre. So there was a great sense of occasion for me walking through the main doors into the building from which so much information and entertainment has emanated.