I hazily recall that it was on BBC and I ignored it. Or was it ITV?

And didn't Rick Wakeman host it?

It was originally the BBC2 transfer of R4's "The Cabaret Upstairs". I don't think it had a fixed host. I only saw it once or twice (back in '88/89) a lot of the acts were ropey 80s chancers who must have given up ages ago by now. Don't know about it getting revived recently.

But the show looks far too tacky for BBC2. And why are they still making them now if they aren't shown anywhere other than UK Gold?

And why does Rick Wakeman wear those god-awful glitzy trench coats? I would like answers.

>And why does Rick Wakeman wear those god-awful glitzy trench coats? I would like answers.


He still thinks he's a bit showbiz (despite recently gigging in Eastbourne) and obviously feels that spangly clothes must project this image.

Just look at Peter Stringfellow and all his gold-plated finery.

>Just look at Peter Stringfellow and all his gold-plated finery.

I'd rather not.

>He still thinks he's a bit showbiz (despite recently gigging in Eastbourne) and obviously feels that spangly clothes must project this image.
>
>Just look at Peter Stringfellow and all his gold-plated finery.
>
>

Are you saying it's a clothed form of mid-life crisis?

>Are you saying it's a clothed form of mid-life crisis?


I'd never thought of it as that, but yes. It's a showbiz-mid-life-crisis-maybe-someone-will-find-us-attractive-if-we-wear-glitter kind of thing.

"But the show looks far too tacky for BBC2."

You'd be surprised, Ms. Surprise...

>"But the show looks far too tacky for BBC2."
>
>You'd be surprised, Ms. Surprise...

But Jon, it even ventures beyond BBC2's benchmark standards of neon. No wonder Alan has to wear glitter to be visbile.

The 1987-88 Jongleurs show was (I think) called Cabaret At The Jongleurs on BBC2. Don't remember them being particularly great, but they always seemed to be scheduled adjacent to the Simpson-free Tracey Ullman Show and/or It's Garry Shandling's Show on Thursday nights.

I think the Wakeman-fronted shows were actually made for UK Gold - which started in about 1992, but I think this show was made later.

Who was performing on LAJ, then, kinder? We might be able to guess the time it was made. Unless Arthur Smith was involved, of course...

They look quite recent to me, christ though, they even had Phil Cool on the other week, STILL doing his bloody 'scrunch your face up and do the elephant man voice for a couple of minutes' routine, thats all hes been doing for the last fucking 20 years, that and a crap Rolf Harris impression, I saw him on TV in like 1986 when I was about 5 doing the same fucking set!

That's a very odd arangement. All that time, effort and neon JUST for a late slot on UK Gold? One I saw was definitely made this year. But the theme music and credits are ancient - I'm guessing from the 1995 era judging by the unreceded hairline of Sean Meo.

Could it have been shown on channel 5 - sort of late at night? that could explain the cheapness of it all.

I don't think so. Alan's trench coat would have confused viewers looking for a programme of a flashing and nudity element.

Just what is the point or clientele of this show? I really would like answers.

Let me throw some light on this matter.
Yes, LAJ is made for cable. We get it here in Oz, and I know that they also get it in the US of A.
Yes, Rick Wakeman and his coats host it (I'm a bit worried about the mid-life crisis/glitzy clothes thing - I tend to look like some sick Liberace/Cyndi Lauper/Robert Smith hybrid on stage)
Oh, and I met the guy who books the talent during the Melbourne comedy Festival. What can I say?
Tool.

Thankyou for sharing your higher understanding with us Janet but I got a bit lost towards the end of your comments.

>Oh, and I met the guy who books the talent during the Melbourne comedy Festival. What can I say?
>Tool.

I don't know why this would have a bearing on low quality cable programming. And is 'tool' a reference to the many 'toolsheds' scattered around Australia. Do you feel affection towards this man you speak of?

Perahps Janet just means that she makes use of his abilities.

lol. I really respect the resourcefulness of Australians.

We're a handy lot in Oz.

Let me explain - tool is a disrespectful colloquialism (from primary school times, but a term running rampant in the comedy industry). If a person is a fool of the highest order, then they are a tool. Thus the heckle comeback to a raucus bunch of chaps might be "This reminds me of my dad's shed - a table full of tools" (attributed to Matt King - currently performing in London)

My other favourite amongst younger comics is "cockspank" or "cocksnap"- similar meaning, but more humourously intentioned.

Here endeth the lesson.
Next week: drongo and doofus - pick the difference.

Sorry, that was from me, not Anonymous.

Doofus or Dufus is a term that originated in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. It meant a bad pilot. It probably reached Australia via the Aussie troops that fought there. And it's a great insult.

Janet I really like you. I look upon you as a mother figure. Could 'drongo' be conceived as a maternal way of addressing you? It conjures up a desire for umbilical drainage to me.

Feel free to be a drongo anytime KS. (I've realised what a bad mother I am - look how long you've been waiting for a reply from me for).
BTW, if I'm a mother figure (a high compliment indeed!) who will be Dad? I won't be happy with just anybody, mind...(cute guys considered first).