It’s a joy to be back: Nicholas Parsons

How has the journey been, being on the show Just A Minute?
I was the chairman of the original pilot of Just A Minute 45 years ago and I’m still doing the same job now, having recorded well over 800 performances. I haven’t missed a single one! The show has evolved and improved over the years and become sharper and slicker as the new wave of comedians join the show and the original old crowd have faded away. In fact, of the original players, I’m the only one still alive!

You have an interesting back story too. You were made to study engineering, whereas you wanted to become an actor. So did you ever have confrontations with your parents about your career choice?
I always wanted to be an actor but I was born at a time when you were not encouraged to do what you wanted, but to do as you were told. I come from a traditional middle class professional family, and my parents thought it was mad for a son of theirs to enter the insecure and bizarre world of showbusiness. So they persuaded me into the world of engineering, for which I did have an aptitude.

So how did The Comedy Store event come about?
JAM on BBC Radio 4 has been running now for a record 45 years, it used to be transmitted to India via the World Service and became popular in this country.

We thought it would be a wonderful and original idea in the next series of Just A Minute to include two editions that had been recorded in Mumbai. The natural place to record them seemed to be The Comedy Store as the audience there is familiar with improvised comedy. The BBC has engaged two top players of the show from Britain — Paul Merton and Marcus Brigstocke — and we have four Indian comedy performers taking part, two in each recording.

How has stand-up comedy evolved over the years internationally?
Comedy evolves all the time as comedians have to find new and subtle ways to advance their skills and entertain the audience.  As audiences have become more knowledgeable through the power of television, comedians have needed to find innovative ways of keeping the public entertained and exploring new ways to make them laugh.

Does comedy come naturally to you?
Yes. I’ve always been called a bit of a comic from the days of school where I enjoyed making my friends laugh. It’s something you’re born with and you need to polish as the years go by, as well as keeping up with what makes the audience laugh.

Stand-up is fairly new in India. Do you think holding shows regularly will help change the scenario fast?
I do. With the development of the world wide web and the public being made more aware of other forms of entertainment, it is obvious that stand-up will develop in India and produce interesting comedians.

What are your views on Indian stand-up artistes?
I have seen so few Indian stand-up comedians that I’m not really in a position to comment.

Would you be open to doing a TV show for the Indian television?
I would love to do a TV show in India, I love the country and warm instinctively to the natural humour of the people here. I’ve entertained Indian people on cruise ships as they have been in the audience but the recordings in Mumbai will be the first to an all-Indian crowd.

What are your first impressions of India?
My first impressions of India were gained years ago when I visited Bangalore to make a programme which I had written about people and their love of language and knowledge for its own sake. It’s a joy to be back and once again I’m captivated by the warmth, charm and courtesy of the people who make you feel very welcome.