Today’s first recording starts with the end of a Christmas QI.
There’s a Torchwood sting, although no trail. I’m assuming (without actually checking) that it’ll be a new year programme.
There’s a trail for Three Men in Another Boat.
There’s also a trail for The Graham Norton Show in which Russell Brand touches Lorraine Kelly’s leg enough to know she’s wearing suspenders, before calling her a slut. Still, at least he’s a Born Again Christian now so that’s OK.
Then, the next episode of Lead Balloon – Rita.
Rick is auditioning for a part. There’s some cringe as he asks “I was wondering, is that his first name or his surname? You know, Driver. Because that’s quite unusual.” “That’s his job.” “Yeah, he doesn’t really need a name.” “Good. Great.”
He has an electrician in to put some sockets in the kitchen. But first the electrician has to perform the sacred male bonding ritual of discussing “the match”. Rick has to tell him he has no interest in sports, and I’ve never been more on his side. The look of incomprehension on the man’s face is perfect and the just too long pause before he just carries on with “You should have seen that tackle, though. It’s got to be a red.”
Michael is very excited to hear that Rick is going to be in a film with renowned actress Rita Stetler. “My father is her number one fan. Oh, I was brought up on Rita Stetler. I remember when the Roxy was opened, they’d show old 50s Films on Sundays. Father insisted on taking us. God help us if we made a noise. Only my brother, Christopher, would pinch me and try and make me yell out. Then one time he brought along a pen knife and stuck it in my leg. Well you can imagine.”
When Rick gets back he finds the electrician talking to Sam and Ben about the football. “Do you mind not talking to him? He’s supposed to be working.” “Couldn’t help it, Dad. He kept going on and on about football and that.” “I mean, we tried to leave.”
Rick meets Michael’s father who’s the big Rita Stetler fan.
But Rick doesn’t want to ask Rita to sign the poster, so he fakes her signature.
Later, Rick gets some bad news. Rita has had a stroke in LA. And he’s already signed the poster himself.
He tries to explain what he’s done to Michael, who then gets a nosebleed. “It’s a trauma response. I used to get them a lot as a child.”
Rick is able to convince his father that he flew to Los Angeles for a meeting with Rita, and she signed the poster there.
But the same electrician is there doing some work, and he recognises the poster. “I was around at his house when he signed that. It looks more like Rita, the way you’ve written it.”
Media Centre Description: Rick lands a cameo role in a film, appearing alongside a Hollywood starlet. When it turns out that Michael’s father is her biggest fan, Rick promises to get her autograph for him: but it’s easier said than done. Mel’s work is less glamorous. One of her clients is presenting a new series of Geriatric Ward. At home, Rick has to deal with a lazy electrician.
Recorded from BBC TWO on Wednesday 26th December 2007 21:30
BBC Genome: BBC TWO Wednesday 26th December 2007 21:30
The other recording today is Darcey Bussell’s Ten Best Ballet Moments in which she picks her favourite pieces of dance from the BBC Archive, and explains about the technique needed to pull some of them off.
Media Centre Description: Darcey Bussell, recently retired from the Royal Ballet, introduces and demonstrates some of her favourite ballet moments with dancers Roberto Bolle and Jonathan Cope. Featuring some of her own performances and archive highlights, with music ranging from Scott Joplin to Tchaikovsky. The ballets include Giselle, The Nutcracker and a classic performance by Margot Fonteyn in Swan Lake.
Recorded from BBC FOUR on Wednesday 26th December 2007 21:55
BBC Genome: BBC FOUR Wednesday 26th December 2007 21:55
After this there’s a trail for Pop! What is it Good For? and one for Thunderbirds Night.
Then the recording stops with the start of The Red Shoes.