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A RHLSTP of contrasts today with showbiz legend Nicholas Parsons and the rude stars of the Do The Right Thing podcast, leading to two very different podcasts. Though I did manage to get Parsons to swear, so who knows which is the most shocking episode.
It’s pretty difficult to get someone to the Leicester Square Theatre by car as there’s no direct access. Last week Richard E Grant had misunderstood instructions and ended up waiting for us in a gay bar (that’s his story) and this week, in spite of my best efforts to have someone waiting for him, Nicholas ended up wandering the streets and relying on the kindness of strangers and was a little crotchety on arrival.
He also had not understood that the show was going to be recorded and worried that it would mean he would be giving away all his best stories, so people wouldn’t come to see his live show. I attempted to reassure him that in my experience an appearance on this podcast leads to more ticket sales for the act (so please prove me right by going to see him live if he comes to your town).
But he’s 95 so he’s earned the right to be crotchety. Luckily it did not affect his performance (and perhaps enhanced it) and he was joyously dismissive of me and the terrible fee he was receiving, but (I hope) appreciated the love in the room and the great respect I have for him (even though we both got a few gentle digs in). I think it was quite an effective double act (and we’re both had experience in that area) even if he claimed to be aggrieved if I got the laughs (and given that’s the reason Arthur Haynes gave for ending the double act with Parsons, I guess this might be our first and last gig).
If I live and work as long as Parsons has then I am not yet halfway through my career, which is actually quite a depressing thought, even though I’d love to have another 44 years in me (especially if my brain can stay as sharp as Parsons’). His age is not the most remarkable thing about him (I’d be pretty proud of myself if I could host Just a Minute even half as effectively as he does - it’s a HUGE mental challenge), but he is justly proud of being the oldest (longest?) continuously broadcast voice in the UK (and surely the world). My grandma Doris was a force of nature and remained physically and mentally strong into her early 90s, but by 95 it was all starting to fall apart. But being in front of an audience visibly revives and rejuvenates Parsons, even if he understandably a little frail off it.
It was a real honour to get an hour in his company and I am confident that he has a lot more to give. Perhaps he feeds like a nice vampire off the applause and laughter. But whatever it is, he’s a marvel.
And Michael Legge is very old for someone from Northern Ireland. So that was impressive too.
