Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)

Subject: Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 20 - 02:05 PM

So the Minute Waltz really has faded away. We listened to Just A Minute for decades and I can't ever remember an episode that failed. He always put up with the good-humoured joshings and barbs from the panel and officiated with a sort of outrageous arbitrariness at times that the panel never objected to (though Kenneth Williams quite often tried!)

From a very nice tribute in the Guardian:

Indeed, Parsons’ persona on radio – the posh straight man, the nice but somewhat dim public schoolboy (Parsons attended St Paul’s School) – was once commonplace in British broadcasting. Think Brian Johnston on Radio 4’s Down Your Way, Derek Nimmo on BBC TV’s All Gas and Gaiters, Henry Blofeld on Test Match Special. When I was a boy, I used to confuse them all. Now I’m a man I can appreciate their grace. All seemed to have stumbled from the pages of PG Wodehouse and arrived bewildered in modern Britain. Their natural home would be playing indoor cricket at the Drones while other members shouted complaints from the bar. But their proper task was to function as an antidote to a coarsening Britain. In losing Parsons at the age of 96, we lose another stalwart in that struggle.

Despite that, he somehow never seemed to be out of date...

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 20 - 02:06 PM

I suppose this really belongs below the line, but I seemed not to have that option...

---

Not to worry, Steve. You did it right. We automatically move non-music obits below the line (and don't want them marked "BS"), and we add years of birth and death as soon as we know them)
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Raggytash
Date: 28 Jan 20 - 02:59 PM

Part of my upbringing.

Just a minute showed him at his finest. A wonderful beacon of gentle wit.

Rest in peace Mr Parsons you gave pleasure to so many, many people.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Jan 20 - 04:18 PM

R.I.P. Nicholas Parsons (no relation)

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 20 - 05:48 PM

The Guardian has a nice tribute to Nicholas Parsons here:

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jan/28/nicholas-parsons-broadcasting-great

Sounds like he was quite something.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 20 - 06:10 PM

That's the Guardian article I took the quote from in my opening post.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 29 Jan 20 - 04:26 AM

A Diamond Geezer, and from The Backwoods of Lincolnshire like me!
He will be very sadly missed. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Mr Red
Date: 30 Jan 20 - 04:01 AM

erm .........

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 30 Jan 20 - 04:41 AM

One of the true giants of the B Ditto C...

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 30 Jan 20 - 06:23 AM

Sorry, Mr Red, That's hesitation.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 30 Jan 20 - 07:37 AM

Let's go ride bikes.



...Oops, deviation...

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Raggytash
Date: 30 Jan 20 - 12:42 PM

What! Riding bikes is deviant!!!

Must be something to do with the lycra.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Jan 20 - 04:10 PM

vert funny with arthur hayneshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4BBWI1cLNM