Lance Percival
JAM Appearances: Seven as a panellist on Radio in 1979-1981-1988-1989.
How he did: Lance appeared occasionally as a guest over a decade, mixing good humour with a good line of banter, but wasn't good enough to distinguish himself from several other guests. Still he was a competent and clever player of the game.
Who is he: Lance was a regular on TV and movie comedy in the 60s and 70s, with a regular role in That Was The Week That Was. He appeared in several other shows after that, combining an ability to sing calypsoes with an agility with voices that some compared to Kenneth Williams. He appeared in a few Carry On movies but has been in retirement for some time with his TV appearances usually being in documentaries about former co-stars.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sue Perkins
JAM Appearances: 52 including 48 as a panellist on Radio in 2000-2001-2002-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011-2012-2013 and four as a panellist on TV in 2012.
How she did: Sue was astonishingly good when she got going on a subject, being very funny and very coherent. She almost sounded as if she was reading she was so fluent, but her ability to weave in remarks relating to what had gone before showed it wasn't. Sue has a good sense of fun, and can improvise with the best of them. As she has appeared more often she has got better and better, and is now one of the best performers on the show.
Who is she: Sue is half of a very popular British comedy duo, Mel And Sue, where she partners another comedienne called Mel. She has been involved in television lunch and breakfast programmes and also works in radio, in between stand-up gigs. Among other shows she appears on are The News Quiz, Supersizers Go, The Personality Test and The 99p Challenge.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
Su Pollard
JAM Appearances: Four as a panellist on Television in 1995-1999.
How she did: In JAM's entire history no-one has performed quite like Su. She wasn't much good at the game, but completely stole the show on each occasion she appeared. She over-acted, bawled her disagreement with the rules, sunk into depression, poked her tongue out at Nicholas, and generally behaved like a hyperactive four year old. Except she was so damn funny. It's hard to know whether Su would be a good regular but in the generally poor TV shows, Su is a star, lighting up the screen and making us laugh. She should certainly be given a chance on radio.
Who is she: Su was disovered on the TV talent show Opportunity Knocks. But she first achieved stardom as the put-upon chalet maid Peggy in the TV series Hi De Hi. She also appeared in the follow-up series You Rang M'Lord? As well as being a hugely funny comedienne, she also sings to great effect, and has appeared in the pop charts. She continues to work on stage and occasionally on TV.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3
Greg Proops
JAM Appearances: 11 as a panellist on radio in 1994-1998-1999-2000-2002-2003-2007-2012.
How he did: Greg has a sharp wit and a good line of patter, with some funny stories to tell, and can indulge in repartee with the best of them. But he isn't quick on the buzzer and fairly consistently comes last. So far anyway he hasn't seem quite suited to the show but his American accent provides nice variety.
Who is he: Greg is a very successful stand-up comic and improviser who has had success on both sides of the Atlantic. He certainly enjoys Britain where he is in big demand for his stand-up show and radio and TV appearances. He is best known for his long run as an improviser on Whose Line Is It Anyway where he appeared for 14 years. He has been involved in many other TV projects, though none have been big successes though a dating game Rendez View had a longish run.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Marjorie Proops
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on radio in 1968.
How she did: I haven't heard her appearance.
Who is she: Britain's best known advice columnist, until her death, Marjorie's column, Dear Marj, was a national institution. But apart from that Marjorie had a long career in journalism, mainly in newspapers but also on radio.
Links to transcripts: Her show not yet transcribed.
Steve Punt
JAM Appearances: Two as a panellist on Television in 1999.
How he did: Steve seemed good fun, but was among the worst players of the game, being slow on the buzzer and seldom able to kepe talking for more than few seconds without breaking a rule. His incompetence caused some mirth but it would be strange indeed if he was given another run.
Who is he: Steve has been the star of several comedy shows on TV including The Mary Whitehouse Experience and Punt And Dennis. He works with Hugh Dennis in a very successful double act on stage. But he has possibly had more success as a writer, writing for many big names including Jasper Carrott and Ronnie Corbett. His main job these days is on Radio Four's The Now Show.
Links to transcripts: 1 2
Libby Purves
JAM Appearances: Five as a panellist on Radio in 1982-1983-1984-1985.
How she did: Libby was perky and on the ball, and won most of her appearances. She was sharp witted and enthusiastic, but not especially funny.
Who is she: Libby is one of Britain's top radio presenters and journalists. She spent seven years as the host of the BBC's main radio news programme, Today, before moving to Midweek where she has now been the presenter for 25 years. She also presents documentaries and writes a weekly newspaper column.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5
Magnus Pyke
JAM Appearances: Four as a panellist on Radio in 1976-1977.
How he did: Magnus had a lot of fun in his appearances, and the four shows are deservedly very popular among the fans. He spoke very fast, and had obviously prepared well on some scientific subjects. He got into the spirit of the game, being a frequent challenger and debater of any challenges against him, while having a laugh at himself and the others. He should surely have appeared more often as his unique style and eccentricity would have made him a great guest more frequently.
Who is he: Magnus's mad scientist persona enlivened British television in the 70s and 80s when he certainly became Britain's best known scientist. He was best known for a children's programme Don't Ask Me where he and other well-known scientists such as David Bellamy answered children's questions on vaguely science related matters, for example, why are banana skins slippery? Magnus's eccentricities saw him become a regular on other panel games and a much loved figure before his sad death in 1986.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4
Caroline Quentin
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on Radio in 1993.
How she did: Caroline was great, funny, witty and into the competition aspects. Her interaction with Paul Merton, her husband at the time, was a treat, although she also seemed to have a good relationship with Peter Jones. She could surely have made frequent return visits had she wanted to.
Who is she: In the 90s Caroline specialised in comedy, but she is now very much a dramatic actress. She is possibly still best known for her regular part in Men Behaving Badly, but her roles in Kiss Me Kate and Jonathan Creek and Life Of Riley have won critical acclaim. Apart from her acting, Caroline did a lot of improvisational work with the Comedy Store Players and on Whose Line Is It Anyway. She also appeared in the cult radio series The Masterton Inheritance. Today she is regarded as one of the jewels of the British TV crown.
Links to transcripts: 1
Jan Ravens
JAM Appearances: Three as a panellist on Radio in 1983-1994.
How she did: Jan was in one of my personal favourite shows when on her first appearance she was royally abused as an "old boot" among other things by that usually charming man, Derek Nimmo, and stood up to it brilliantly, giving as good as she got. She got a recall later that year, and again 11 years later, but didn't shine again.
Who is she: Jan is best known as a woman impressionist, doing most of the famous female voices on shows like Spitting Image and Dead Ringers. She has also acted but her versatile voice continues to provide her with much of her work.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3
Beryl Reid
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on Radio in 1967.
How she did: Beryl's appearance in the first ever show, with a household name, gave her the chance to become a regular perhaps for years on the show. She was never asked back. 'Nuff said.
Who is she: Beryl was a witty bubbly comedy star in Britain in the 50s and 60s, with movies such as The Belles os St Trinians. But it was probbaly radio that catapulted her to stadium in the Educating Archie series. She won critical acclaim in a dramatic role as a lesbian radio star in The Killing of Sister George and did a number of TV series as well as making regular stage appearances.
Links to transcripts: 1
Nick Revell
JAM Appearances: Four including two as a panellist on Television in 1994 and two on Radio in 2004.
How he did: Nick seemed jaunty and playful enough but genuinely funny moments were few and far between.
Who is he: Nick has been involved in a number of TV sketch shows, including one named after him. He was resident compere at the Comedy Store for 10 years and still works as a stand-up comic. He has also written for several comedy shows including Drop The Dead Donkey and for a range of comedians from Bob Monkhouse to the American satirist-pundit Michael Moore. He recently co-starred in the radio sitcome Living With The Enemy, with Gyles Brandreth, who he first met on JAM.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4
Tim Rice
JAM Appearances: 46 including 45 as panellist on Radio in 1980-1981-1982-1983-1984-1985-1986-1987-1989-1990-1991-1998-1999-2000-2001-2002-2005-2006-2007-2009, and one on the 1992 Silver Minutes special on Radio.
How he did: Tim is arguably JAM's longest serving guest, having made one or two recordings a year for most years since 1980. Tim is a consistently good performer, being competitive and able to argue over a challenge with the best of them. Tim has never seemed intimidated by the big mouths around him and in a style similar to Clement, is usually up with or near the winners at the end of the show. He loves to break his speeches into itemised parts, and he seems to enjoy a good scrap with the regular players of the game.
Who is he: Tim's career has been an extraordinary one. His fame has been made as the co-writer of a string of hit musicals, including Joseph And The Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Chess and Heathcliff. He also wrote the lyrics for the hit movie The Lion King, for which he won an Oscar.
Tim has been such a successful lyricist but he also has branched out into many other areas. Apart from musicals, he is probably best known for his interest in cricket, where he is a former president of Marylebone Cricket Club, world cricket's most prestigious and influential club. He has also written on cricket for newspapers and done radio commentaries on the sport for the BBC.
Apart from JAM, Tim has also involved himslf in other panel games. He was a regular on Many A Slip, and on Test Match Trivia. Tim continues to work as an after dinner speaker, and continues to write lyrics.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
Wendy Richard
JAM Appearances: 41 including 30 as a panellist on Radio in 1988-1989-1990-1991-1992-1993-1994-1995-2002-2003, 10 as a panellist on Television in 1995-1999, and one on the Silver Minutes anniversary special in 1992.
How she did: Wendy made her JAM debut in Kenneth Williams' second to last recording, a timing that was fortuitous for her, as her appearances led to her being crowned, if unofficially, as Kenneth's replacement. She sat in his seat, and became a regular, although eventually being edged out by Paul Merton who made his debut the following year.
The debut appearance by Wendy is an interesting programme, as Wendy is virtually silent for half of the show, and then completely dominates the second half. Most women guests had been reluctant to take on the big mouths of Kenneth, Clement and Derek. Wendy was not. She shouted them down, niggled over challenges, defended herself and attacked the others, in between being amusing and laughing at her own discomfort. It was a wonderful performance and different to any other guests in the show's history.
As Wendy became a regular, there developed some habits which became part of her appeal. A favourite subject was her pets, firstly a cockateel called Henry, then a dog called Shirley Brahms. She disliked Clement's habit of spinning out time by making lists, and claimed this should become a further rule which should not be breached. She disliked being challenged, especially if it was for hesitation, which she almost always claimed was just because she was "breathing". And she would claim the others were picking on her, Paul Merton being a particular target for this claim. Her style would also usually include a denunciation of aspects of modern life. In one show Peter Jones observed that she was very disapproving after she had made a series of attacks on various subjects.
When she was speaking, Wendy was not as funny as the others though she was fluent enough. Often her best lines came in putdowns of the others while arguing over challenges. But Wendy isn't a stand-up comic and didn't have the wit of one. Her stories, although usually true, often didn't have the best of punchlines.
So although she was a breath of fresh air, the act did become a bit repetitious and she was eventually edged out of the fourth regular seat by Paul Merton. She seemed to be a bit much the harridan, and she was dropped from the show in 1995. She was called up for the TV version in 1999 where she was a regular, and back to Radio in 2002, where her habits as enumerated above were the same as ever. Her bolshiness was unchanged, and in one show she flatly refused to even start on a subject she disliked.
Wendy is a favourite with the fans and some wait for her explosions of anger at the others in the same way they used to wait for Kenneth. She has a completely different style from the stand-up comics that dominate the show these days, and is also a bit older which doesn't hurt. Nevertheless it is a limited style and probbaly occasional appaearnces suit her. And it's all done in a gorgeous Cockney accent.
Who is she: Wendy was one of Britain's best known TV actresses, achieving fame through two long-running TV roles.
The first was as Miss Brahms, the busty sales assistant in the department store comedy Are You Being Served, which despite its complete lack of political correctness continues to screen around the world. Richard's role in this was essentially as the sex object for the men to be titilated by. But Richard was too good an actress to be just a dumb blonde, and developed various other comic quirks, like a posh accent and word-mangling which made her character more memorable than say the equally well endowed secretaries that inhabited the offices during the series.
Just as that series was coming to an end, Wendy landed a role on a new soap opera, East Enders as the Fowler family matriach Pauline. For more than 20 years, Pauline was the backbone of the show. Pauline Fowler was a hard working old-before-her-time salt-of-the-earth type who the whole family relied on. In the way of a long running soap opera character, she had to deal with more than her share of tragedy. And the glamour look of Miss Brahms was replaced by old cardies and chain smoking.
Before Are You Being Served, Wendy did many other TV shows, usually as a dolly bird type. Wendy was TV royalty. Sadly her health deteriorated after her departure from East Enders and she died in 2009.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Kate Robbins
JAM Appearances: Two as a panellist on Radio in 2006.
How she did: Kate was keen to shine and eager to get involved, challenging on some of the smaller points. She seemed pleasant and fun without doing enough to get the call up much more often.
Who is she: Kate is a comedian and impersonator who is part of the famous Robbins comedy family of Liverpool. Brother Ted was on a TV edition of the show, while another brother, Michael, was a regular on the long running classic sitcom On The Buses. Kate was a regular on shows like Crossroads and Spitting Image where she provided voices for some of the female characters. She briefly had her own TV show, The Kate Robbins Show where she impersonated female celebrities.
Links to transcripts: 1 2
Ted Robbins
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on Television in 1994.
How he did: Ted was one of those vaguely annoying panellists who challenge on every repetition of the and it, but have nothing of interest or amusement to say once they do get the subject. He had his best moments between speaking bits, talking about his challenges.
Who is he: Ted currently works as a presenter on Radio Lancashire, and is regarded as one of the best studio audience warm-up men in the business. He also takes on straight acting roles and has appeared in sketch comedy shows and as a stand-up comedian.
Links to transcripts: 1
Kenneth Robinson
JAM Appearances: Two as a panellist on Radio in 1979.
How he did: Kenneth was arguably one of the weaker guests, although he tried hard and seemed jovial enough. But surely there's room for only one Kenneth on JAM.
Who is he: Kenneth was a big name broadcaster in the 70s in Britain, with many TV and radio programmes to his credit. These included Points Of View, and If It's Wednesday It Must Be on TV. He also hosted light chat shows on radio.
Links to transcripts: 1 2
William Rushton
JAM Appearances: Two as a panellist on Radio in 1975.
How he did: Willie as he's known to everyone was normally the best of game show guests, but for some reason JAM didn't suit him. Perhaps it wasn't in him to interrupt his famous panellists, perhaps he didn't have the verbal flow necessary, but despite his saint like status on other game shows, there was little chance of a return invite to JAM.
Who is he: Willie is fondly remembered as a mainstay of British comedy for 30 years. He first came to public notice in the satirical series That Was The Week That Was, and as a cartoonist with Private Eye from its inception. He developed into a professional game show panellist on both radio and TV, perhaps being best remembered today for his roles in I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue and Celebrity Squares. Other shows he appeared in included Trivia Test Match and Up Sunday. He did stand-up comedy towards the end of his career. He died in 1996. His work in I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue still stands as a testimony to him, and he has never been replaced on that show as a regular.
Links to transcripts: 1 2
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