They were/are both quite funny music journalists, but they landed on their bottoms trying to do comedy. Collins quite transparently fancied himself as Rob Newman's cooler brother, whilst Maconie was pitching more for a Mark Radclyffe/John Peel vibe, not realising that neither of those influences were proper comedians. When they were on 'Naked City' (Caitlin Moran/Johnny Vaughan C4 show '93) they were struggling to do MWE. I briefly heard their radio show in '95 and by then they'd clearly heard/seen Lee & Herring.
But where are they now?
Either they shared an agent with Mark Goodier or Mark Goodier WAS their agent... Can't remember now, anyway either way that was why they got their regular Radio 1 gig in the first place. They're both still working journalists, although one of them (Collins?) also writes for EastEnders (heh heh heh...)
What was the name of their late-night film review show? "Collins and Maconie's...somethingorother".
"...Late Night Film Review"? Just a shot in the dark...
>Did they ever try to perform live, like a proper comedy duo? And when did they finally give up?
>
Stuart Maconie now works for Radio 5 doing a show called "The Treatment", a 'sideways look at the week's news'.
If someone uses that phrase EVER again....
Jon wrote:
When they were on 'Naked City' (Caitlin Moran/Johnny Vaughan C4 show '93) they were struggling to do MWE. I briefly heard their radio show in '95 and by then they'd clearly heard/seen Lee & Herring.
C& M frequently appeared seperately on Radcliffe's show and definitely had the same audience. Maconie appeared on one show with Lee & Herring and when guest presenter Peel asked them how they describe their comedy, they mutter the inevitable Newman & Baddiel connections. Maconie:"That sounds like the bitter words of a man who's had that accusation thrown at them". Or words to that effect. I can't be bothered digging the tape out and transcribing. SM was a little out of place with L&H and Stew seemed a little tired with him towards the end.
As for Naked City, I remember Private Eye noting Mark Goodier plugging them senseless for their appearances on that show. Why? He owns Wise Buddah, the radio production company C&M work for. That collaboration resulted in the excellent 'Hit Parade' which had a tire final season in 97. David Quantick's bits were always excellent, tho.
On the subject of Quantick, if I get my act together an article on his contributions to 'Hit Parade' and other shows will eventually appear on SOTCAA. Don't hold your breath....
'Collins and Maconie's Movie Club' is the name of their late night film review show. Very good as it happens, replaced by the pleb-friendly and all-right-in-it's-own-way 'Vids'.
'The Treatment' has been on air since at least 1995, btw.
Stuart Maconie is also doing a series on Radio 2 on "7 days that rocked the world" (or something like that) looking at events such as the Beatles appearing on the Ed Sullivan show.
>'The Treatment' has been on air since at least 1995, btw.
I think it was there at the start of 5 Live in 1994. It used to go out at 10pm on Saturdays, now it is at midday. I rarely listen, but I think it has gone downhill.
Collins does write for EastEnders, but also wrote for Family Affairs (yes, Channel 5) in its first year. He now writes supposedly hilarious bits for The Observer, and was editor of Q for a bit. Still writes for it, too, and so does Maconie.
Maconie is more palatable, largely because he's stopped trying to be funny (for the most part, at least). Does loads of music documentaries for R2 these days, and wrote a very good Blur biog (published last year, and they're never my favourite band, but he's quite happy to stick the boot in when necessary...worth checking out).
>Maconie is more palatable, largely because he's stopped trying to be funny
Didn't he start the rumour that the saxophone solo on Baker Street was played by Bob Holness?