Available as Paperback
The paperback outing of the very first Just a Minute book, written by the show’s long-standing and much adored chairman
Includes contributions from Graham Norton, Sue Perkins, Jenny Eclair and Gyles Brandreth.
As its nine hundredth episode approaches, Just a Minute has consistently entertained BBC Radio 4 listeners since its first broadcast in December 1967. Inspired by a punishment handed out at school, the show’s creator Ian Messiter devised a deceptively simple and versatile set of rules that has allowed the game to adapt and thrive as each new era of comedy entertainers emerges.
Over forty-seven consecutive years, fans have laughed along with Kenneth Williams’ outrageously funny ‘battles’ with Sheila Hancock, Paul Merton’s imaginative flights of fancy, Clement Freud’s acerbic wit, Julian Clary’s flagrant innuendos, Graham Norton’s celebrity ‘gossip’, Jenny Eclair’s brutal honesty, Gyles Brandreth’s extravagant monologues and Sue Perkins’ infectious enthusiasm to name only a handful of the more than two hundred star entertainers who have braved the Just a Minute panel.
In this official celebration, chairman Nicholas Parsons, the only person to have appeared in every programme, recalls the very best, occasionally awkward and often hilarious, moments from the last six decades. Magical minutes, verbal dexterity, sharp one-liners and witty challenges can all be marvelled at once again as Nicholas tells the Just a Minute story from its inauspicious pilot episode, through television and stage versions, and on to the present day, without hesitation, repetition or deviation…
“A joyous compendium of facts, fun and stories. This hilarious and informative guide is destined to become the companion to radio’s most enduring panel game”
Paul Merton
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”Just a Minute is my favourite gig … It is as global as it is timeless. It is forever refreshed and unpredictable. I love it”
Sue Perkins
“Nicholas Parsons’ incredible stint means that he can write with authority about the beginnings of the show and how the original format has been tweaked over the years, as well as reminisce at length about panellists from the classic era and modern-day successors. There are copious quotes, plus extracts of complete quick-fire exchanges, from every era of the programme … A fine example of how a tie-in book can be done right”
the Herald
Nicholas Parsons
Nicholas Parsons was born in Grantham in 1923. He first came to prominence in the late 50s in the comedy partnership with Arthur Haynes. As well as presenting Just a Minute, he was known for hosting Sale of the Century and for his chat show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He was awarded an OBE for his services to Drama and Broadcasting in 2003 and a CBE for his charitable work in 2014. He died in January 2020.