Just A Minute Series 56 and 57

“Welcome to…Just A Minute!”

Nicolas Parsons at the start of every show

Just a Minute, or JAM as fans call it, is as British as strawberries and cream. The rules are simple; speak for one minute about a chosen topic, without hesitation, deviation and repetition. These latest series, 56 and 57, are now available on CD from AudioGO. Many a famous player has joined Nicolas Parsons and regular panellist Paul Merton for a go on this long running show. Talents such as Josie Lawrence, Julian Clarey, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins and Sir Tim Rice are only a few who are on the panel in these two series. Notable topics include New Year Parties, An Icy Stare, How to Spot a Genius and The Society I Would Like To Join. The show is recorded in front of a live studio audience mostly at the BBC’s famous Radio Theatre in London though the team sometimes do venture elsewhere, such as a visit to the University of Derby in Series 56.

The host is actor, comedian and presenter Nicolas Parsons, who has appeared in every edition since the first episode. His, and the shows, popularity is down to his amazing timing as a straight man alongside his regular co-star, Paul Merton. He and Merton bounce off each other with good comic effect, plus the antidotes and humorous tales from the other guests. Merton is a very strong performer both in this series and in other programmes. Since the end of Whose Line Is It Anyway, his popular improvisation show, this programme gives him another chance to show off his talent for making up witty, rambling stories on the spot. The fact Merton is regular guest, keeps this show fresh and modern, with two comic eras united; Parsons from the more traditional comedy era and Merton from the 80’s alternative comedy era.

It has been criticised by both long-term fans of the show and by critics that recent series, including these two, of Just a Minute has developed a tendency to overuse the buzzer used by players of the game to stop the speaking panellist because of mistakes. Why I partly agree with this (panellists do sometimes buzz over minor or trivial issues, making it more difficult for a complete, uninterrupted one minute of speech) I also disagree. The interruptions are often the most amusing elements of the show, especially the “arguments” between panellist and host over where their objection comes in under the rules of JAM.

Just a Minute has proven that radio is still a strong home for entertainment, drama and comedy. While many think of radio as just music, due to the rise in popularity of commercial music stations and the BBC’s own Radio 1, Just a Minute shows us that spoken word is the funniest and most comical form of entertainment. Think telly with the pictures off, but so much better.