August: Radio 4′s iPM Podcast
au·gust /ɔˈgʌst/ [aw-guhst]
–adjective
1. inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic: an august performance of a religious drama.
2. venerable; eminent: an august personage.
[Origin: 1655–65; < L augustus sacred, grand, akin to augére to increase. See eke]—Related forms
au·gust·ly, adverb
au·gust·ness, noun
Not that I am any of these things, of course, but being in the month of August means that BBC Radio 4 have given me the honour (spelled with a “u”) of allowing me to waffle on about my favourite (spelled with a “u”) websites. My bit is about ten minutes in, but the entire show is worth a listen.
Click to play the programme, or download the iPM podcast here from the BBC. It will be available for the next week or so.
Here’s the unedited section, stolen from here.
Interesting, as always.
Off topic: how is that book on comedy coming along? I’m really dying to read it.
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Jeez this is going to be first my first English, am I going to die? The people at my house love cricket just like you.
Here is song for you and Smiley with a dash Viv Stanshall’s spirit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
My first English WINTER I meant. Yes i’m going to die. Going to die of never proof reading!
It’s pissing down rain as I write and I’m getting skin cancer.
Love to all,
Super Amanda
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Just dont get caught alone in Winter Amanda and you’ll survive just fine
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
And really John…..despairing on the distance you feel concerning British Politics, when you have all that razamataz of American Politics….lets face it we live in the times of style over substance, so you are most definitely focusing upon the right side of the channel. Any population that could have been so (die) bold to have elected GWB a 2 term President has obviously given over all pretensions of substantive politics in favour of slavishly following Goebbelesque mass minded media driven mendacity.
…But hey, maybe BO will be a different kettle of fish……time for a change?….well, at least a little underarm!
Unless your a Somerset County Cricket player, in which case the underarm is a no go to the BO, with the proviso that its a go slow if your Aussie elbow goes below, then its simply a low blow!
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Believe me, English politics is so messed up at the moment, you are not missing much at all…i love the fact that you help a lot with the animals, and i share the love for lemurs with you, they are adorable creatures. I once went to Chester Zoo and i was really upset because i didn’t see the lemurs…but as i was leaving the zoo i managed to see them, cute black and white ones they were, they were swinging around play fighting…so adorable. I have always wanted to own a lemur but i read that they can be quite nasty???
I must say, you made me chuckle with the ‘talk about these things to be just as boring as that boring person at a dinner’ remark because there is nothing worse than someone so boring…i dont particulaly (is that spelt right?) attend many dinners myself but i do have experienced that boring person who may sit next to one in a bar for instance…
I find it pretty great how someone of your age is so good working the Internet!! My mother is terrible at it..but you seem like a right whizz with all your blogging, linking things up etc etc…welldone!
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Thanks everyone for the lovely comments, and sorry I can’t reply very often. Lozzykinz: I have a lot of help, but I do enjoy these things.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Jack: Don’t worry about not always being able to reply, we understand that you are a busy guy! Just keep up the good work and as long as you’re here making us happy and you’re enjoying our company, we will continue to leave you lovely comments
i think it’s wonderful how you give up time to interact with your fans in this way x
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
What Lozzy said!
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Hi Jack,
Very happy to see you on here, it’s the magic and the mystery! I think what B.O (just realized what his initials are :0)
has is the ability to get a TV/net addled youth very optimistic and off their arses as well as many others in the states who stopped caring and of course the rapidly dwindling ‘Left’ which was nearly eaten by Liberals during the dot com revolution that saw it’s stronghold of Bezerkeley California (my homeland) carpet bombed by free trade Yerba Matte and feminists adopting third world orphans whilst blithely paying their nannies low wages. There are a few Wobblies and Communists still about who are no doubt beaming with pride regrading Obama as well as all the teens/early 20 somethings who think Paul Robeson was a tele vangelist of some kind and that’s why the US has to get out enmasse and vote. We have to try something new and we have to live with less. Americans have become lazy because of Reagan era materialism/credit glut and Clinton Out sourcing made in China. To in debt to protest and so anesthetized by breads and circuses that Obama brings out the cynic. Not me. I don’t want the world to get pissed away by Right wing Christian America.
I mean I still have not seen one episode of Ripping Yarns nor made my Micheal Palin and Boobs video.
-Super Amanda
August 4th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
To The Flaming Bush: The three of us don’t plan on being alone this winter but with virtually every man a young woman meets in London either out to cheat on their girl friend, casually mentioning offspring from a previous sexuality or drowsy from copious levels of Prozac and estrogen in the drinking water all bets are off and i may be sleeping in socks. It’s not easy being a Super Vixen with thousands of fans (sighs and adjusts breasts) People think it’s “Boner City” 24/7 when all you want is love and to carry back your sundries and produce from Waitroses I mean Sainburys in tandem each Sunday morning…sure Jack can relate
Jack: Big thanks to your web staff by the way, we appreciate it.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Amanda:
You’ve not seen Ripping Yarns???….’neigh Lass, ya nought lived’
I guess it cant be easy being a youtube super vixen, with all those ‘expectations’ to fulfil (adjusts corset!)…
…and although i do not wish to be an A-Llamist,if all you need is love and help with the cheesy comestibles Purchased from Sunday markets, can i suggest a Llama?…
The four footed variety, im told, can be most useful for Sunday morning jaunts, and just think of the fleece you could spin for those cold Winter nights!….heck forget Ripping Yarns….i say Llama yarn might be a better bet!
ps: (Apparently the two footed variety do a good deal in Tantric, and unlike the afore mentioned four footed variety, and your erroneous Pseudo masculine local population, your unlikely to get fleeced, and they apparently spin a good yarn,ripping or not)
pps: they are also easier to spell….and feed!
August 5th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Did you know that the Llama can mate for up to 45mins??? I’d be so lucky…
August 5th, 2008 at 12:23 am
45 mins!…..(rolls up sleeves)…RIGHT!
“When i was young!…
oh wait…. wrong sketch!”:)
Lozzy: Apparently, the single L variety, can keep it going for an indefinite period of time…o.O
Although sadly, due to Tantra, the idea of a quickie is lost for all time!…damn shame if you ask me!, as sometimes i only get 10 mins for lunch!
oh and for Amanda:
p.p.ps: Tantra is sanskrit for ‘woven together’, so whatever yarn takes your fancy, your bound to get a jumper out of it, at very least!
August 5th, 2008 at 12:39 am
Oh and Jack
I have to once again echo Lozzy and Amanda’s sentiments, and thank your admin, and of course yourself, for kindly allowing us to clutter your wonderful blog with our inane drivel!
Having been a life long fan, ( Not in a Kathy Bates kind of way i hasten to add), its a total pleasure to be able share a little cosy space with you here. Your comic genius has warmed my heart with irreverent and unbridled laughter for longer than i can recall, and mere thanks don’t seem enough somehow!…..you have given possibly the greatest gift any human being can give another….the gift of laughter, to myself, and so many others….so although it doesnt seem enough, for now it will have to suffice.
Thankyou!
August 5th, 2008 at 1:01 am
I find Mr Cleese a really good anti-depressant, makes me laugh even if i’m hanging off a humungous building ready to jump (not that i have done that)
August 5th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Flaming Bush: Does the single L variety apply to me too then??
August 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I cant see why not Loz!….jumper’s all round i say!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Hehe we are slightly sick really arnt we!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Llamas are handsome and dashing true. Might be a bit better without their teeh though…
August 6th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
This very funny in The All-England Summarize Proust Competition tradition:
I wrote on my blog that I felt that texting in London was currently the new means to write the next Swann’s Way. I was referring to Proust’s voluminous but deeply personal style. ‘All personal style’ in writing in regards to verve and emotion seems to go into texting now. It was actually a bit of a compliment to the hundreds of thousands in London who are going at it as we speak.
My friend wrote: Ah gotcha. I think maybe you flatter many people. Never once in “Le Recherche…” did I read, “defo goin’ 2nite”, I like the sentient though.
How long am I going to get away with only knowing that bit about the Madeleine?
AAAHHH!!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I love the picture of Jack and the Lemur on this new post of his. Mr Cheese looks slightly stunned! Very cute pic.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Amanda: makes a pleasant change from what the Americans used to call the English during the last world war when they stationed here, but vaguely somehow vaguely reminiscent of the old expletive….. “Sucking Llama’s!!!”
August 6th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I think i was as drunk as Amanda during that last post….’Swann’s Way’ with a no exit sign!!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Am i the only sober one here?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
would it be too much to ask John that you post another blog entry so that we can begin another comment fest!
I mean whose blog is this anyway!!! lol
August 8th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I must say, the new podcast about the brain is very Cleeseyesque
love it
August 8th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Flaming Bush, i am finding it very scary that when i comment you comment at the same time!
August 8th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Flaming Bush: It might be asking to much…i mean, old people nowadays don’t like spending 24seven on the Web…he’s probably spending all of his free time now down at the Bingo hall! Love ya really Jack!
August 8th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Did you check SO lozzy?….im on there as TFB, surprise surprise!
August 8th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Hey Flamey, yes i did check out SO (the name that will not be spoken of on this Hammers fan’s blog)…do i have to email them to be able to join??
August 8th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Well, sounded as though i did need to email SO…so now i’m just waiting for a response. Speaking of Spurs, i’m hoping for a decent season this term, wonder if we will beat West Ham
of course we will!!!
August 8th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Well TFB, i have been on SO … i’m not hard to find…i’m the one with all the blokes after me…:P
August 9th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Jack.Jack Jack Jack…*puppy eyes* any chance of a new post from you?? we need fresh comments…
August 9th, 2008 at 1:37 am
My God Lozzy!!!, you’ve started a stampede girl!!! LOL
I popped off to watch a vampire movie, and came back to find that the bloodsuckers had migrated to the SO board!….I dont think ive seen so much free flowing testosterone, since Amanda popped down to Thoreau’s local “The Waldon Ponds”, and announced in a rather Llameresque manner, that Luci Pinder and SuperAmanda would be jelly wrestling in the parking lot, and tickets would be strictly administered with paddles!…..(all proceeds to be donated to the Poor Orphans of the blessed Mother of Youtube appeal)
coys!:)
August 9th, 2008 at 2:31 am
What can i say TFB…i have that effect on some people
August 9th, 2008 at 8:17 am
“Having been a life long fan, ( Not in a Kathy Bates kind of way i hasten to add)”
haha Flaming Bush! You mean you won’t get into a hot tub in the Amazon with Jack or greet him at the door in cling film? You’ll be missing out mate!
“Luci Pinder and SuperAmanda would be jelly wrestling in the parking lot, and tickets would be strictly administered with paddles!” Boris Johnson phoned about that last week, all booked up I’m afraid…
August 10th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Hello Jack, Hope this Sunday finds you well. I saw The Village Idiot Python sketch last night for the first time in afew years and just loved the scene when you are in bed with the two naked and submissive young ladies ‘..I may be an idiot but I’m no fool.’ The look, no! The whole body feeling of care and concern on that you had for those nymphs in need of guidance gave me a new found respect for your heroic empathy. More Michael Palin mind washing too as I watched all four parts of Sahara (or is it five?) and then a doc about his work with Terry J. I’m convinced that MP could chat his way out of danger no matter what country he’s in. I’ve never heard anyone discuss the removal of the clitoris with such grace. The man is a peacemaker. Then I saw ‘I’ll Never Forget What’s His Name’ Please tell you pal Mr. Winner that he is a better director than Kubrick ever was (the latter having stylized human beings/actors too much for my comfort level and the former creating an unreality within day to day reality that tells it like it is) and that he is in a class by himself. You are too of course
August 10th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I would just like to apologise for my insane behaviour on the Cleese Forum. I’ve now found my medication
August 10th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
“Luci Pinder and SuperAmanda would be jelly wrestling in the parking lot, and tickets would be strictly administered with paddles!” Boris Johnson phoned about that last week, all booked up I’m afraid…
LOL…touche!
August 10th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
can you believe that this post has hit now 41 comments…thats pretty remarkable really to say 90 percent of it is just full of random ramblings!! Just hope John doesn’t mind us going off topic now and again.
I’m glad he’s going to be in Pink Panther 2…i really enjoyed the first one even though it got bad reviews.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Hmmm…maybe it’s since i arrived? Looking down the list of previous entries we have 6 comments, 11 comments etc…wow, maybe i should calm down a bit hehe 42 comments is a bit ridiculous i cant see Jack having the patience to read our ramblings about Spurs and shagging llamas!!!
Am i the baby of the group here??? i mean…i’m 22…ive not spoken to anybody yet who is younger than me on here or the forum.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
you are most definitely baby bear lozzy!
thwe only thing thats really up for dispute is who is Goldilocks?….but then not even all three bears could work that one out!
August 11th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Well…there only seems to be three of us in converstaion as of late on this blog. Does that then make us the 3 bears and Jack Goldilocks!!
‘Whooooo’s been sleeping in myyyyy bed!!!’
Some lucky cow…
Joke!! Although, because i say joke i dont mean as if to say that Jack doesn’t get people sleeping in his bed or that he’s not the least bit attractive…or…or…i’m just saying joke so i dont insult him…i’m going to stop now before one of us dies…ahem…
August 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Well…thats how the story WOULD have gone of course if it had been the other way around…and it was us sleeping in John’s bed…like we would.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I love that picture of Sir Cleese with the lemur. Lemur lovers everywhere should check out our catchy lemur song — you can hear it here- it’s teh top song on our little playlist:
http://www.myspace.com/wearemoonbats
August 11th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
8/
here’s a shovel Lozzy….dig faster!!! lol
August 11th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I’m only mucking around.
August 11th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
When i said ‘us’ Flaming Bush, i meant all of us…including Amanda…not just me and you….shit didnt realise what i had wrote sounded so …. wrong!!! *hides head in shame – i’m just making it sound worse*
so.right.thats sorted then….
anyone for a game of chess?
August 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
John is going to hate us/me. I bet i’ve made the poor guy not want to update this blog what with the random ramblings! And there’s just too many of them!!
Think i will wait until the new post…if there will ever be one.
Spk soon guys!
August 11th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Bah hahaha!! It is now official!
LozzyKinz, The Flaming Bush and Weston-Super-Amanda all
Live at home with Mum
Never have sex
Own Dvds of every Carry On film, the original Star Trek and Keeping Up Appearances and have all read Michael Palin’s diaries in between spastic outbursts of arguing over the virtues of touching oneself while blithely watching the home shopping channels.
Pray for the Leopards of India everyone.
And now for something completely different:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dIUxcx6bhg
August 12th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
truly Surreal!, Rene would have approved im sure!:)
She’s a hell of a juggler that girl!, ….did you see how she kept all three of those objects in the air at the same time!!!!!
Gave new meaning to the Phrase…”look ma!.. no hands!”
oh and Amanda!…still missing ‘Carry on Camping’, couldnt borrow a copy could i? :p
August 12th, 2008 at 5:46 pm