An extract from Fun At One, looking at an incident that might just have taken on a different resonance in recent years...
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For the new run of The Lenny Henry Sunday Hoot, the shows were shortened to two hours, and went out live. Henry, producer Kevin Howlett and the writers thrived in these circumstances, taking full advantage of the opportunity to include more topical material, some of which was literally conceived over the Sunday papers in the canteen. Henry was also keen to learn how to work the studio desk and present the show as if he was a proper DJ, and after a slightly shaky start – Howlett recalls having to 'rescue' the broadcast on a couple of occasions – he became very proficient. Indeed, Henry saw himself as very much a part of the team at Radio 1, appearing regularly on Saturday Live and Roundtable, and expressing a genuine enthusiasm for the station in interviews.
The live format also allowed the show to become more provocative, notoriously culminating in a bizarre attempt at undermining another show. The Lenny Henry Sunday Hoot was usually followed by The Old Record Club, a pre-recorded show presented by Jimmy Savile that attempted to maintain the illusion that it was going out live. One week, the team had the idea of listening to Savile’s show before it went out, copying out his opening speech, and getting Henry to read it out at the conclusion of his show as a speculation on what Savile was likely to say. Savile’s producer was not amused, and telephoned Howlett to tell him this in no uncertain terms. Station Controller Johnny Beerling, however, saw the funny side, with the result that this particular example of live Radio 1 comedy toying with the boundaries of acceptability has not acquired quite the same notoriety as those of Kenny Everett and Chris Morris.
Fun At One, the story of comedy at BBC Radio 1, is available as a paperback here or as an eBook here.
For the new run of The Lenny Henry Sunday Hoot, the shows were shortened to two hours, and went out live. Henry, producer Kevin Howlett and the writers thrived in these circumstances, taking full advantage of the opportunity to include more topical material, some of which was literally conceived over the Sunday papers in the canteen. Henry was also keen to learn how to work the studio desk and present the show as if he was a proper DJ, and after a slightly shaky start – Howlett recalls having to 'rescue' the broadcast on a couple of occasions – he became very proficient. Indeed, Henry saw himself as very much a part of the team at Radio 1, appearing regularly on Saturday Live and Roundtable, and expressing a genuine enthusiasm for the station in interviews.
The live format also allowed the show to become more provocative, notoriously culminating in a bizarre attempt at undermining another show. The Lenny Henry Sunday Hoot was usually followed by The Old Record Club, a pre-recorded show presented by Jimmy Savile that attempted to maintain the illusion that it was going out live. One week, the team had the idea of listening to Savile’s show before it went out, copying out his opening speech, and getting Henry to read it out at the conclusion of his show as a speculation on what Savile was likely to say. Savile’s producer was not amused, and telephoned Howlett to tell him this in no uncertain terms. Station Controller Johnny Beerling, however, saw the funny side, with the result that this particular example of live Radio 1 comedy toying with the boundaries of acceptability has not acquired quite the same notoriety as those of Kenny Everett and Chris Morris.
Fun At One, the story of comedy at BBC Radio 1, is available as a paperback here or as an eBook here.