Just a Classic Minute: v. 1

Nicholas Parsons introduces four archive episodes of the ever-popular comedy panel game. Just as uproariously funny - and terrifically popular - today as when it first began on BBC Radio 4 in 1968, "Just A Minute" challenges contestants to speak for one minute on a given subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation. Its mix of irreverent fun and ferocious competition has always attracted stellar names from the world of comedy and theatre, all of whom pit their wits - and their wit - against regular players including Kenneth Williams, Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones and Paul Merton. Among the guests in these four archive programmes are Peter Cook, Barry Took, Victoria Wood, Wendy Richard and Stephen Fry. Nicholas Parsons, who has been at the helm of the series since it began, as chairman and occasionally as player, introduces this sparkling quartet of editions, and provides fascinating background information on the game, as well as memories of its players and its devisor, Ian Messiter. These four episodes were first transmitted on 28 October 1968, 29 May 1979, 24 September 1983 and 11 January 1992.