Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)

28 Jan 20 - 02:05 PM (#4030818)
Subject: Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Steve Shaw

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Despite that, he somehow never seemed to be out of date...

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28 Jan 20 - 02:06 PM (#4030819)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Steve Shaw

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

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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-

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28 Jan 20 - 02:59 PM (#4030837)
Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Raggytash

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.

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28 Jan 20 - 04:18 PM (#4030853)
Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Nicolas Parsons
From: Nigel Parsons

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

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28 Jan 20 - 05:48 PM (#4030867)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Joe Offer

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-

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28 Jan 20 - 06:10 PM (#4030873)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Steve Shaw

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

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29 Jan 20 - 04:26 AM (#4030926)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Backwoodsman

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

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30 Jan 20 - 04:01 AM (#4031104)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Mr Red

erm .........

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30 Jan 20 - 04:41 AM (#4031109)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Steve Shaw

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

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30 Jan 20 - 06:23 AM (#4031123)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Nigel Parsons

Sorry, Mr Red, That's hesitation.

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30 Jan 20 - 07:37 AM (#4031134)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Steve Shaw

Let's go ride bikes.



...Oops, deviation...

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30 Jan 20 - 12:42 PM (#4031193)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: Raggytash

What! Riding bikes is deviant!!!

Must be something to do with the lycra.

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30 Jan 20 - 04:10 PM (#4031223)
Subject: RE: Obit: Nicolas Parsons (1923-2020)
From: The Sandman

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

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