fame?

[Diane CBPFC]

I am wondering Roger, are you famous in the UK? Famous enough to go on WILTY?

I just saw a picture preview of an upcoming WILTY show and didn't recognize any of the guests which got me thinking how much fun it would be to see you on the show.

[Mince]

Who's Roger?

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I was actually asked to go on the pilot episode. I received a phone call from one of the producers whilst I was getting out of my car in a retail park. She had found my contact details online, and described the show to me. I was in a hurry, and thought it sounded completely stupid. I had to travel to London and stand still for 10-15 minutes trying to keep a straight face. I thought surely someone a bit closer to London could do that, so I politely declined.

Turns out there was.

[Mince]

I don't think he knows who Roger is either.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Who's Roger?

Daltry.

You're welcome.

[Mince]

Who's Roger Daltry?

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

That's the man, yes.

[Roger Kettle]

That's the man, yes.

Love it, Tarqs!
No, Diane, I am not remotely famous in the UK so there has been no approach from WILTY. Even if, by some miracle, I HAD been approached, I would have turned it down. I am not comfortable in the spotlight. Many years ago, Andrew and I were asked to do a spot about our work on a breakfast TV show and ran a mile from it. I do enjoy WILTY, though, and love the episodes with Bob Mortimer. Surreal and very funny.
I remember Tarqs on the quiz show Countdown---now there's a real TV star!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Thank you, Roger! It's safe to post this picture now, since I'm totally unrecognisable today compared to how I looked back then... thank goodness!

Not that I was ever mobbed by Countdown groupies back then. The extent of my 'fame' manifested in my being followed round Woolworths the day after it broadcast. the elderly gent with a flat cap, spectacles and a splendid moustache never actually spoke to me, but everywhere I went in the store, his face would pop out at the end of the aisle, then promptly disappear again as soon as he realised I'd spotted him. He was probably trying desperately to figure out where he'd seen me before (something I know all about now that I am an elderly gent with a flat cap, spectacles and a splendid moustache... who couldn't tell you what I had for breakfast). I resisted actually the urge to approach him and provide a clue (my uncanny impression of the Countdown Clocks last five seconds). Hopefully the penny dropped before he forgot all about following me.

The only other 'fame' moment came a few days later whilst sat in my season ticket seat to watch my beloved St Johnstone. The guy that sat two seats away arrived to take his seat. The only communication we'd ever had up till that point was a mutual nod and and an "Aye!" before settling down to read our programmes. This time, however, he left his programme unopened and without looking at me said, "Saw you on the box the other day."
"Did you?", I replied.
"Aye!", sad he, "You were bloody rubbish!"

I couldn't argue with that, so I laughed (he didn't) and went back to my programme, and we never spoke again (I chose a different season ticket seat number the following year).

I was actually still in the game right up until the Conundrum (only one in those days) and I pressed my buzzer with only seconds to go, then blurted out a word I had just desperately made up. "TAWDREISH!" This brought a puzzled smile to my opponent, who had displayed utter devastation only a split second before, and she visibly relaxed as Richard broke the not unexpected news to me that I was wrong. I needed those points to win, so my one appearance duly ended, and she went on to become a Champion Of Champions, which made me feel a little better.

I'll let you work out what the correct answer was from the letters in my made up word. Like the late, great Eric Morecambe said to André Preview about the notes on his piano, I used all the right ones, but not necessarily in the right order.

It strikes me that I my have told this story before, possibly more than once. But as well as getting to that age where I struggle to remember stuff, I also tend not to give a toss any more.

[Diane CBPFC]

I had not heard your TV story Tarks, glad you got on the show. I think so many of those shows look like such a lot of fun.

I had heard Countdown talked about in other TV shows so tried to find some online, found a few originals and 8 out of 10 cats does countdown although I would have preferred more puzzles and less panto.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

'8 out of 10 cats does Countdown' is a spin-off comedy show from the real thing, Diane. The original is MUCH less panto (despite my best efforts when I was on it), and was the very first programme on our Channel 4, when it was launched back in November, 1982. It's been an ever-present since then.

I was attracted to apply because of it's massive life-changing prizes. And even though I didn't manage to win the much-coveted dictionaries, I still left with a plastic Countdown carrier bag filled with a Countdown T-shirt, Countdown tie, Yorkshire TV writing pad, AND the name card they had Letrasetted for my appearance on the show. I know, I know - who could possibly ask for more, eh?

The producer who called me (these were pre-email times) after my audition in Edinburgh's Welcome Inn wanted to schedule me into a show with the legendary cartoonist Bill Tidy in Dictionary Corner, but I chickened out of that in case they made me draw something during the recording (Bill was notorious for drawing lightning fast cartoons... not something I can do), so when my episode was filmed, I had the joy of meeting the wonderful Sylvia Syms, then in her late 50s, but still fondly remembered for numerous films and TV dramas from her days as a young starlet, such as 'Ice Cold In Alex' (the famous beer-drinking scene famously being used, with Sylvia, in a Carlsberg advert - https://youtu.be/ghb7X6pqNz0 ).

She was also the key player in my favourite memory from that day. The Countdown audiences were all bussed in from local senior citizen homes, and most of them were of the vintage to well-remember Ms Syms from her Hollywood starlet days. So they were clearly excited from the off when she appeared on set, and she was brilliant with them all, clearly enjoying the the adulation herself. Then half way through one of the shows (they did a week's worth in one full day), her clip-on microphone failed. The sound engineer suggested she went back to her dressing room to be rewired with a new one. She dismissed the idea, with a, "We're all friends here!" wave of her hand, then whipped off her blouse on the set, and was rewired through her undergarment. Amidst the gasps from the audience, I swear I could hear the bleeping of numerous pacemaker warning alarms...

It was a splendid day out, and the hospitality was excellent. I'd recommend it to anyone, even those are normally shy of the spotlight.

[Diane CBPFC]

Oh plastic carrier bags are all the rage now. At least they are when you remember you left your bags in the car again and have to juggle your groceries out to the car. It's hard saving the planet.

Sylvia Syms, had to look her up - a classic beauty and I see she played the Queen mother in later life, now I'm interested to see a clip of that.

About nick-knacks, there is a youth organization here 4H that works with mostly farm kids, teaches them how to raise a cow, give a speech etc. They are known for giving engraved glass mugs to the judges as a thank you.

I told my daughter that I am judging the 4H speeches this weekend and she asked, are you that desperate for a mug?, and I said, no they were.  This went over her head not knowing that meaning of the word mug.

[Roger Kettle]

Great stories, Tarqs and Diane. I really must get round to doing something interesting I can share on here!

[Mince]

Just the appendix scar then?

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Oh plastic carrier bags are all the rage now. At least they are when you remember you left your bags in the car again and have to juggle your groceries out to the car. It's hard saving the planet.

Sylvia Syms, had to look her up - a classic beauty and I see she played the Queen mother in later life, now I'm interested to see a clip of that.

About nick-knacks, there is a youth organization here 4H that works with mostly farm kids, teaches them how to raise a cow, give a speech etc. They are known for giving engraved glass mugs to the judges as a thank you.

I told my daughter that I am judging the 4H speeches this weekend and she asked, are you that desperate for a mug?, and I said, no they were.  This went over her head not knowing that meaning of the word mug.

 

The movie was 'The Queen', starring Helen Mirren in the eponymous role, Diane. I thought it was an excellent film, set during the aftermath of Princess Diana'a death. You can spot Sylvia in the trailer (see link below) a couple of times, but I recommend watching the movie. I think it appeals to monarchists and republicans alike.