The BBC's 'Just A Minute: The Best of 2010' audiobook is a light hearted compilation of four separate sessions from this hugely popular and long-running comedy game show series.
The rules are simple:
There are four panellists (one of which is always Paul Merton). A subject matter is announced by the chairman (Nicholas Parsons) and the panellist in the hot-seat must talk for 60 seconds on that particular subject matter without repeating any words, deviating from the subject or pausing. If a fellow contestant believes someone has paused, repeated or deviated from the subject at hand, then can challenge them, and if the challenge is successful then they are flung into the hot-seat for the remaining time that is left (even if it's only 0.5 of a second!!!). The winner is the person who is in the hot-seat when the time finally runs out.
Obviously with a panel made up of of comedians participating in the game, the outcome is always humorous; awash with witty anecdotes and jovial challenges.
The double-CD 'Best Of' presentation includes the following shows:
25th January 2010 featuring:
Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, David Mitchell & Julian Clary
16th August 2010 featuring:
Paul Merton, Charles Collingwood, Josie Lawrence & Chris Neill
1st February 2010 featuring:
Paul Merton, Sheila Hancock, Tony Hawks & Ross Noble
23rd August 2010 (Edinburgh Festival Live Special) featuring:
Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Shappi Khorsandi & John Bishop
The comedy comes thick and fast throughout the four 30 minute long episodes. Highlights are the witty performances of Gyles Brandreth, David Mitchell & John Bishop. As always, Paul Merton is as masterfully comical as ever, with his slightly surreal touch on humour playing so perfectly within the remit of the games rules.
This is non-stop quick witted banter that is ideal for short car journeys, brisk walks to work or during mundane household tasks such as ironing etc. Just slam it on and have yourself a chuckle or two as you go about your everyday life. That's exactly what I did and it's a perfect little two hour collection to return to when the mood takes you.