Volume 3

Just A Classic Minute

Nicholas Parsons presents four more specially-selected archive episodes of the ever-popular comedy panel game from its early days.

Ian Messiter (Author) Ian Messiter was the creator of a number of quizzes and game shows, but is best known as the inventor of the massively popular and long-running radio panel game Just a Minute. Nicholas Parsons (Reader) Nicholas Parsons was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in 1923 and moved to London with his family at the age of eight. His career in entertainment spanned eight decades and, in 2004, he was awarded an OBE for his services to drama and broadcasting. He died in January 2020 after a short illness.

Just as uproariously funny - and terrifically popular - today as when it first began on BBC Radio 4 in 1967, Just a Minute challenges contestants to speak for one minute on a given subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation. Its mix of irreverent fun and ferocious competition has always attracted stellar names from the world of comedy and theatre, all of whom pit their wits - and their wit - against regular players including Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo, Clement Freud and Peter Jones. Nicholas Parsons, who has been at the helm of the series since it began, as chairman and occasionally as player, introduces this sparkling quartet of editions and provides fascinating background information on the game. 
 
2 CDs. 2 hrs.

Ian Messiter

Nicholas Parsons

Various

'Welcome to Just a Minute! And as The Minute Waltz fades away... please talk for 60 seconds on a random subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation...' First broadcast in 1967, Just a Minute is one of the longest-running radio comedy shows. A national institution, it is also loved and listened to all around the world. These four episodes find regulars Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Tony Hawks and Julian Clary attempting to talk non-stop for sixty seconds, along with special guests that include Stephen Fry, Sir Terry Wogan, Gyles Brandreth, Ross Noble, Sue Perkins and Liza Tarbuck. Among the subjects hilariously tackled are Dear Listener, The Best Sort of Babysitter, The Dictionary, A Limerick, The History of the World, How to Clean a Chandelier and On Valentine's Day, I Received... Join host Nicholas Parsons and the distinguished panellists, as they use their intellect, imagination and verbal dexterity to beat the clock and win the points in these four ferociously funny shows. 
 
2 CDs. 1 hr 51 mins.

Ian Messiter

Books by Ian Messiter

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