I've come across an interesting review of Mark Steel's in Town in The Observer today. I'm especially interested in Miranda Sawyer talking about "the pedants' revolt".
That has to be one of the best typos ever. If you are going to spell a word wrong, you might as well get it to spell "pedant" just to add to the humiliation.
I have taken the appropriate action, and have sent it as a cutting to The News Quiz (new series starts on Friday).
Mark Steel In Town is some really excellent stand-up. I think it should be between him and Bleak Expectations for the Sony Gold award this year.
I was just trying to think about what else is currently on the radio - but it's a really quiet time! The Unbelievable Truth is a laugh, and Scrooby Trevithick is better this series, but that's about all that's new at the moment (I've not heard Jason Byrne's Radio 2 pilot yet).
Looking forward to The Vote Now Show next week - mainly to see if Punt & Dennis can meet the tall order of churning out a decent, well crafted show, every night, just a few hours before broadcast.
Anybody hear the Vote Now Show last night? I was too tired to listen last night, and was wondering if it's as good as the normal Now Show on Fridays?
Well, it was interesting in the sense that it wasn't just comedians on it. Peter Oborne was interviewed on the show talking about the fakeness of election events. It appears that Andy Zaltzman is appearing as a regular on the show, covering media coverage.
Quote: Ian Wolf @ April 13 2010, 1:50 PM BSTWell, it was interesting in the sense that it wasn't just comedians on it. Peter Oborne was interviewed on the show talking about the fakeness of election events. It appears that Andy Zaltzman is appearing as a regular on the show, covering media coverage.
Sounds interesting. I'll break out the matchsticks for tonight.
Quote: chipolata @ April 13 2010, 1:34 PM BSTAnybody hear the Vote Now Show last night? I was too tired to listen last night, and was wondering if it's as good as the normal Now Show on Fridays?
It was pretty much the normal Now Show we know and love (complete with height gags about Jon Holmes, and the audience question).
What with the show going out nightly, God knows how they're going to keep the quality up though. I particularly feel sorry for Mitch Benn, as he's got to come up with a whole string of new songs rather quickly.
Quote: Mark @ April 13 2010, 3:27 PM BSTI particularly feel sorry for Mitch Benn, as he's got to come up with a whole string of new songs rather quickly.
I admit to regularly ffwding over his songs, since they sound unfunny and preachy to me. I know I am in a minority with such an opinion. I found the other Punt and Dennis muso, Mervyn Sutter, to be far superior.
Baggage. 
It's like The Archers, without the laughs. Or the excitement. And twice as long.
Quote: chipolata @ April 13 2010, 7:00 PM BSTBaggage.
It's like The Archers, without the laughs. Or the excitement. And twice as long.
Oh, was that what I turned off today at 6.35?
Listened to the Vote Now Show last night and quite enjoyed it. My only problem is that I haven't really engaged with the election yet so it was hard to get excited about a lot of the material.
Nice to see Richard Stilgoe making a storming comeback on yesterday's Vote Now Show. Just goes to show, for all has beens - it's not the talent that dries up, just the phone calls.
And yes, Mitch Benn is going through a bit of a barren patch at the moment - he certainly didn't look too bouncy at Monday's recording - but don't forget that when he's on song (sic) he's unbeatable. The credit crunch song from a couple of series back is still my Now Show stand out moment.
Quote: Bomsh @ April 14 2010, 4:03 PM BSTNice to see Richard Stilgoe making a storming comeback on yesterday's Vote Now Show. Just goes to show, for all has beens - it's not the talent that dries up, just the phone calls.
I don't think he needs phone calls, he made a fortune from his contribution to 'Cats' and I believe he devotes much of his time to charitable causes.
Loving Lewis MacLeod on The Vote Now Show - his Gordon Brown impression is so good!
Quote: Mark @ April 15 2010, 3:26 PM BSTLoving Lewis MacLeod on The Vote Now Show - his Gordon Brown impression is so good!
He might not need it after May 6th.
Nogget - point taken
I don't know about anyone else, but I can't help feeling the 3 times a week version starts to lose momentum once they get past the scripted stuff at the top of the show (including the stand up and the songs).