Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale

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'Fisher ... immediately sought leave to appeal'

 AWSoP in UK radio comedy book • 9 October 2008


9 October 2008 saw the publication of Lyttelton's Britain: A User's Guide to the British Isles.  This is a compilation of the hilarious prefatory remarks, made during weekly broadcasts of BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, in which Chairman Humph – the much-mourned jazz trumpeter – introduces, and insults, the characters, history and customs of the town hosting the recording.

Imagine my surprise on opening the book at the 'Croydon' chapter (page 7) to find a reference to Procol Harum, albeit nastily mis-spelt. Readers unfamiliar with Lyttelton's world-weary delivery and immaculate timing may have difficulty in spotting the humour. For addicts of this most ridiculous of radio shows, however, the book will doubtless prove indispensable.

Lyttelton is venerated in his home country not only for his musical prowess but also for his dogged aversion to seriousness. As he famously contended, "As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from desiccation.” 


More about the AWSoP lawsuit

 

 

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