Nicholas Parsons 1923-2020

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A "good innings" at 96, but still very sad news.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51278023

[Stanfordian]

A "good innings" at 96, but still very sad news.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51278023

According to a family member Nicholas had his marbles right to the end. A very bright man. He will be sorely missed by many.

[Serial_Apologist]

According to a family member Nicholas had his marbles right to the end. A very bright man. He will be sorely missed.

Nicholas Parsons always stood for a certain good natured generosity of spirit. I always loved Just a Minute - providing as it actually did lighthearted insight into some quite profound underlying issues to do with language ambiguities and performance pressures in putting spontaneity to the test, appealing to anyone with an interest in Zen. I'm betting on the programme continuing with the wonderful Paul Merton at the helm.

And I hadn't realised that Parsons had to overcome a severe speech impediment from his childhood - Hosting Just a Minute must have been stressful for just that reason alone.

[pastoralguy]

[ardcarp]

He was an institution! How wonderful to live life fully right to he end.
Just loved the show back in Kenneth Williams' day.

[Once Was 4]

A "good innings" at 96, but still very sad news.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51278023

I seem to remember him being mercilessly, almost viciously, lampooned by some BBC TV 'comic' or other and I took some time to understand why. Then the penny dropped; his shows were entertaining if you like that kind of thing (I cannot say that I do particularly) but totally harmless and would not upset anybody. It's such a shame when doing nothing to offend makes you a target for some highly paid nonentity. - sorry - talent.

[Serial_Apologist]

I seem to remember him being mercilessly, almost viciously, lampooned by some BBC TV 'comic' or other

Can't say I do.

[Nick Armstrong]

I always loved Just a Minute.

Still do! He was soldiering on presenting until a matter of weeks ago; and when there are no new episodes, Radio 4 Extra regularly put out recent archive editions.

A gent and a complete professional

[LMcD]

Gyles Brandreth to replace Nicholas Parsons as Chairman?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I seem to remember him being mercilessly, almost viciously, lampooned by some BBC TV 'comic' or other and I took some time to understand why. Then the penny dropped; his shows were entertaining if you like that kind of thing (I cannot say that I do particularly) but totally harmless and would not upset anybody. It's such a shame when doing nothing to offend makes you a target for some highly paid nonentity. - sorry - talent.

Taken by a Link to his Twitter page, I was struck by how many of the young comedians (in their 30s) felt moved to express their appreciation and affection. With Just a Minute, many of them had made their first appearance on R4, and were fulsome in their praise of his respect for them and concern for their success.

Lampooning NP was partly what he revelled in - none were more "merciless" than Paul Merton on JaM, who nonetheless held him in the highest regard. Concluding a JaM special interview with NP, Merton concluded with "you're a real gentleman, and I'm proud to call you my friend." I think that that sentiment would be echoed by the vast majority of people who knew and/or worked with him.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Gyles Brandreth to replace Nicholas Parsons as Chairman?

Probably - he was "supply chairman" last year when NP had to be absent.

Won't be the same.

[gradus]

Thanks Nicholas, a terrific innings.

[LMcD]

Thanks Nicholas, a terrific innings.

[cloughie]

Gyles Brandreth to replace Nicholas Parsons as Chairman?

I hope not - Victoria Coren Mitchell would be a good choice. Anyway a bit disrespectful as Dear old Nicolas is barely cold - a great guy and unique! RIP

[johncorrigan]

Very sad to see him go. I always remember him when I was a kid as the straight man to Arthur Haynes, who I used to think was v funny when I was wee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJEcyTtvrcI