Tag Archives: Duck Quacks Don’t Echo

Relatively Interesting

September 19, 2015 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a really good couple of weeks. Mine have been busy with lots going on. Including quite a few special occasions. The first of which was my cousin’s Wedding Reception in the Dairy at Waddesdon Manor. I have to confess that it was the first time I had been there. It is a beautiful venue. And I had a lovely evening catching up with the family, while just having a few social drinks and a bit of a dance. I can confirm that I can still bust some moves on the floor. There was a band there. The fantastically named “Carte Blanche”, who were truly excellent. Congratulations to Sarah and Stuart. Who are now off enjoying their honeymoon in Italy.

Before they jetted off. The day after the reception we continued the celebrations with an afternoon party at my Uncle and Aunty’s. I do love doing this. As you can talk about what happened at the Wedding and relive all the fun you had the night before. Or check on anything that you are may be slightly unclear about, if you need to. There was lots of delicious food on offer. The happy couple made an appearance of course. As this event was being held in their honour. It was great to be able to have a nice chat with them and wish them well. While also having a look at some of the photos. One thing I learnt from that weekend is that my family still know how to party. It was all good fun.

Then the day after it was Mum’s birthday. So I went and spent the afternoon with her. It was a nice day, so we sat out in the garden for a while. And a couple of her sister’s came round. It was really good to catch up with them. We are all very busy with our own lives but it is good to take a little bit of time out when you can and catch up with your relatives. We finished off the day with a Chinese Takeaway. Which is always a winner in my eyes.

The present she wanted from me was a day out in London. She says that she has not really been to the Capital and seen all the big tourist attractions since she took me there as a child. Which it is fair to say was quite a long time ago now. So I will be repaying the favour at the end of this month. And taking her to see all the sights. Which I must admit I am really looking forward to. I have already started planning my route for the day and organising a few surprises for her along the way.

I have once again been spending some time at Wembley Stadium during the last fortnight. One day I took my friend and his son for a look around the home of football. I am not sure who was more excited my mate or his kid. The boy is only four years old but already in his short life he has changed his football allegiance from Chelsea to Manchester City. Either he just likes the colour blue or is choosing to support the team most likely to win the title each season.

From the visit they have got a nice picture of them, sitting up on the stage in the Press Conference room. Looking like they are talking to the media after a game. The stadium is getting ready this weekend to welcome the first of two big Rugby Union World Cup matches. New Zealand play Argentina tomorrow and then next Sunday Ireland take on Romania.

I was also at Wembley on Tuesday 8th September for the Euro Qualifier between England and Switzerland. That date saw a little piece of history being made. I was really glad I was there to see it in person. We have got game day for international’s perfectly sorted. We arrive early, so we can have a nice meal in one of the restaurants near by. Then we go to a bar I know near the ground. Which is never too busy. So you can always get in there and get a drink really quickly. Then we head in to the stadium in time to see the players warm up. I am not going to lie to you the first half of the match was not exactly amazing. And I was querying my decision to go at that point.

But things then did pick up a bit in the second half. When a certain Harry Kane came on. I have never watched him live and not seen him score. And luckily this record continued. As he got the first goal. May be he should hire me to go to every game. England seemed to relax a bit at this point plus Switzerland actually had to try and attack now. To get something from the game. Which gave the home team more space. Then something happened that gave us the moment we had all been waiting for. Wayne Rooney going in to this game had scored 49 goals for his country. He was joint top scorer with the legend that is Bobby Charlton.

So when the Manchester City player Raheem Sterling was tripped in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. We all knew who would be stepping up to take it. The chants of “Rooney Rooney” echoed around the ground. Then after quite a lengthy delay he took it and smashed it into the top corner of the goal. So therefore breaking the all time scoring record for the England National Team with his 50th goal.

I was sitting right behind that goal to witness that historical moment. The shear delight and in many ways relief in his face was really great to see. Big congratulations to Wayne Rooney. That is a truly amazing achievement. There is a great video of him accepting a special shirt from the Manager Roy Hodgson. And then giving a very gracious speech in the dressing room after the game. It was fantastic to be there, to see it all unfold.

Do you remember what seems like ages ago now I said that I did a little bit of filming for the latest series of the Sky One show Duck Quacks Don’t Echo with Lee Mack. I took part in one of the experiments they do, to prove or disprove theories the guests bring on to the programme. Well the other week the episode I was in was shown. I just happened to be in and able to watch it for myself. As it has been on TV. I guess I can say a little bit about what it was.

I was hooked up to an electric shock machine. While sitting in a completely empty and totally white room. Basically when I got a bit bored I could press a button, which would give me a little shock. Now I do have a really low attention span. So yes I did actually give it a try to see what receiving the shock was like. The results of which you can very clearly see on the television. It was a fun morning spent shooting it. And it was equally as much fun to watch the finished product on screen.

I had a great time once again seeing an episode of Celebrity Juice being recorded at the Elstree Studios. That show is just total madness but lots of fun to watch and be involved with. I can’t wait to see how much of the really funny stuff. They will actually be able to show on the television. When it goes out. My initial guess is a lot of the most hilarious bits will be a bit to hot for TV shall we say. For this series the two team captains are Holly Willoughby and Gino D’Acampo both of who were great. I said previously that I had hoped Kelly Brook might be replacing Fearne Cotton, as I quite fancied seeing her. Well imagine my delight when she was one of the guests on the night I was there.

The other panellists were Louis Walsh, Hayley Tamaddon and the brilliant Jimmy Carr. Everyone was top quality. That is the first time I have seen Jimmy Carr in person. And he did not disappoint. He was hilarious. Everybody joined in and took the jokes about them in their stride. I have to say Hayley Tammadon really threw herself in to it all and was thoroughly entertaining.

And finally not forgetting the main man, Keith Lemon. Who was fantastic. The perfect ringmaster, creating the magic and the madness and to be fair also marshalling things brilliantly. You may have seen the show on Thursday night. If so you may have spotted me clapping in the audience. I did tweet the main man to tell him how much I enjoyed it. And he did send me back a nice reply. I have already organised to go and see another one filmed in a few weeks time. It is a great way to spend an evening. If you enjoy laughing a lot at crazy and surreal situations, that is.

Neil Quigley TV Radio & Live — Neil Quigley TV, Radio & Live

Staying with the television theme last Saturday evening I went along to the filming of the latest It’ll Be Alright On The Night. At the ITV Studios on the South Bank. Most television shows have a warm up person. Who comes out first, explains what is going to happen and gets the audience laughing and ready for when the stars walk on. Now last time I watched this particular show Ted Robbins was doing that role.

Since then he quite publicly suffered a heart attack. While on stage performing in the Comic Relief stage version of Phoenix Nights. Happily he has made a full recovery and was once again back at the studio for this recording. And I must say on top form. It was good to see him again. It is presented by the excellent Griff Rhys Jones. Who is so slick, professional and funny. While he is linking all the sections of bloopers together. It featured all new never seen before out takes from all over the world.

Lots of them were proper laugh out loud funny. A few of them featured some of my favourite and the best known presenters in the county. Once again proving that no matter how good you are, things can still go wrong. And it is how you react to them. That shows your true value and class. It is actually a pretty quick show to record.

As there are no real set changes or breaks. Plus it is just Griff talking to camera between the videos. They do get played to the audience in the studio. So the reaction to them can be recorded and of course used on the programme. When it is then shown on the television. Which for this show will be sometime during the Christmas period on ITV 1.

I really enjoy spending time in TV studios and always feel quite at home there. We were all done by about eight O’clock. So I treated myself to a few weekend drinks in London. The city was vibrant and great fun as ever. With lots of people in fancy dress for the opening of the latest production of the Rocky Horror Show. I have only seen that once at the theatre, so far. And in that version Jonathan Wilkes was Frank N Furter. Fair play though I have to admit there were some brilliant and brave costumes on show in the pubs, I was in.

Also last weekend on the Sunday I went to the christening of my friend’s two sons. It took place at the church were my friend and his wife got married. It was the first time I had been back there since. It is a lovely little village church. Which is actually over nine hundred years old. The ceremony itself was fun. As there were quite a few children around the parents seemed busy keeping them all interested and in some cases under control. Which as someone who has no kids I found mildly amusing.

The two stars of the show were great. Well after the older one had two failed attempts to run out of the building that is. Afterwards there was a lovely reception at their house. With a Bouncy Castle for the children and nice food with great company for the adults. It was lovely to meet up with and talk to lots of people that I had not seen for ages, many years in some cases. So another fun time was had by all. And predictably, as with all social occasions I attend. I was again one of the last to leave.

So we now know who is paired with who on Strictly Come Dancing, ready for the start of the new series. Firstly it is great to see Anton Du Beke paired up with Katie Derham. Normally he seems to get difficult ladies to teach. But this year I think he might have a chance of doing very well with this one. And hopefully going a long way in the competition.

My favourite dancer is still Aliona Vilani and she is with Jay McGuinness from The Wanted so I do want them to do well. Both Peter Andre with Janette Manrara and Kirsty Gallacher with Brendan Cole could do well in the competition. But the duo I am supporting are Jamelia and Tristan MacManus. I have always liked her and I thought he was great last year. So they are my tip to win the Glitter Ball trophy this year. I am looking forward to it starting again.

This Tuesday I am going to the ITV London Studios to help out with a game show run through for a brand new format idea in front of some executives from ITV. It will be lots of fun and I hope they pick it up and make it. As I think it is a great concept and genius idea for a quiz. I have to be there quite early in the morning. So I am hoping I might spot some of the Good Morning Britain presenter’s, when I am there. Or may be even Philip or Holly from This Morning. I will let you know how it goes the next time that we speak.

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.

Having A Laugh

July 11, 2015 Neil

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been great with lots of fun things going on. They have mostly, as ever it seems nowadays revolved around television and comedy. Which is always fine with me. My holiday now just seems like a distant memory. It is weird how soon you just settle back in to your normal routine and normal life after a nice break away. Luckily the weather here has been pretty good. So that has made the transition from being away in a hot country to being back at home in England a lot easier to deal with.

I was back at the ITV London Studios on the South Bank the other Monday to watch an episode of the new series of Mr & Mrs being filmed there. I am a big fan of the show. As it always makes me laugh and because sometimes you are more likely to find out a lot more about certain celebrities than you would on a chat show. Specially if their partners reveal something that may be they shouldn’t. Which does seem to happen quite a lot, I have noticed. I was delighted to finally get to see Phillip Schofield in person, working his magic in the studio. He is such a hugely talented presenter.

During the whole recording he did not stumble or trip over any words, while reading off the auto cue, the question cards or even just when talking to the contestants. At one point an old lady in the audience dropped her walking stick, while he was talking. He just paused, politely asked if she was all right. Then repeated the line perfectly just as he had the first time around. He is the ultimate professional and so good at what he does. He makes it look so easy and so effortless. And let us not forget that by this point in the day. He had already done two and an half hours of live TV on This Morning and also recorded another episode of Mr & Mrs earlier in the afternoon. The man is a legend.

The celebrities on the show I was watching were Carl Fogarty, Alex Brooker and Vernie Bennett from the band Eternal. I was supporting Carl Fogarty and his wife. As I have met him and interviewed him before and because he is a top bloke. Plus I know he is hugely competitive, so I figured he would be very keen to do well. I obviously can’t tell you what happened. You will have to wait until the show has been on television to find who won and how all the couples got on.

I will say it was very entertaining and you will certainly learn things about all of them. I guarantee that you will not have known before. It was all good fun and it was of course played in very good spirits. And remember that all the couples are playing for money for their respected charities. So we can enjoy watching it, while knowing some worthwhile causes are benefiting from our entertainment.

A couple of Sunday’s ago I went to the Family Fun Day at Windsor Race Course with my friends and their children. Before the day’s racing got started we went and visited the fairground area, so the kids could play on some of the rides and have a bit of fun. Although one of my mate’s, three year old son was actually a lot more interested in the racing itself rather than any of the rides or amusements on offer. I think he may take after his dad a little bit there. I just hope he grows up to be a better gambler.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon not least because I did manage to pick a couple of winners. In fact all of our party had at least one winner each. So we all came away happy. I am looking forward to going back there for the Irish Music Night on Monday 27th July. It is a lovely little course and always a good day or evening out.

The other Wednesday I was back at the Museum of Comedy seeing a couple of top shows. The first one was a preview of the brilliant James Acaster’s new Edinburgh Festival Show, which will also be the same one he will be touring later this year. He has been short listed for the best comedy show at the Fringe for his previous shows in 2012 and 2013. And having seen this year’s offering. I think he has to be in with a shout of achieving that status again this year.

It is very funny, very clever and extremely well put together. He is still at the stage where he is putting the finishing touches to it. So he was still trying out some new bits and playing with some of the material to see if he could get any more out of it at certain parts. He was great. And we are, I reckon going to continue to see more of him on our television screens over the next couple of years.

The Museum of Comedy has a small performance room called the Tommy Cooper Room. Which holds round about sixty people. A lot of comedians use it as a place to do quite low key gigs to try out new jokes or hone material for tours. In front of a fairly small and cosy audience. The second show that I saw I only found out about the day before. It was quite a last minute thing. And I was delighted to be able to get in and see it. In this small room. I got to witness the comedy giant that is Michael McIntyre do an hour’s work in progress gig. He is getting ready for the massive arena tour that he will be doing later in the year.

But there are still jokes that he has written. That he thinks might still be good enough to include in the tour. He has some new stuff he has written that he might want to add in. And also parts of the existing show, that he might like to expand by adding some more funny bits or lines to them. This was the aim of the show that I was watching.

If this was sixty minutes of the material that he was not totally sure about. The actual Arena shows will be amazing. As I do not think I stopped laughing the whole time that he was on stage. He was very honest and upfront about what he was doing. He was not wearing his now trademark very smart suit and bright shirt. In fact he was even wearing his glasses. Which made for a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the room.

Apart from that though he was everything you would expect him to be. Firstly very very funny. He just has that instant rapport with the audience. And was giving us, kind of directors notes as he was writing things down and telling us what he was doing and even what he was adding. I found watching this process totally fascinating. Seeing how a true professional does this and how hard he works to make sure everything is perfect and the best it can possibly be. If you have tickets to see his tour, trust me you are in for a brilliant time.

It is clear he is doing pretty well for himself though. I have seen a lot of comedians play at the Museum of Comedy. You normally see them come in the front door on the way in and leave the same way as the audience to get the tube on the way out. Michael McIntyre used the stage door behind the stage to get in and out. And he even had his own chauffeur driven car with blacked out back and side passenger windows waiting outside to take him home.

Another reason I really like him is because he like me is a Tottenham Hotspur fan. So I wish him all the best with the upcoming tour. Although he will not need it. It is going to be hilarious. He is just a machine for coming up with new and very clever day to day observational comedy.

While we are talking about comedy. The Tringe Festival is still on at the moment. With lots of brilliant performers coming down to Hertfordshire to play The Court Theatre in Tring. Most of these gigs will be previews for upcoming Edinburgh Festival or future Tour shows. But they will all be good fun and if you have never been to one of these shows. Do go along. The organisers and audiences are all great. Comedian’s who will be playing before the Tringe ends on Saturday 25th July include Josh Widdicome, Ed Byrne, Arthur Smith, Sara Pascoe and Patrick Kielty.

To find out more about this year’s gigs click the link here Tringe Festival. I made my comedy debut at the Roving Comedy Night at the Tringe three years ago. If you want to see my very first set recorded live at the Black Horse in Tring. You will find it on the videos page on here.

I went to the Pinewood Studios for the first time the other week. Not to appear in a new Star Wars film or to play a spy in a James Bond movie but to a recording of the Sky One programme Duck Quacks Don’t Echo. I have done some filming as part of an experiment for this series but it was not one of the ones used at the show I was at. So I still have not seen what that looks like yet. Lee Mack is the host and he was great, very funny and entertaining. Just as I had expected and hoped he would be. As I am a big fan of his work.

The panel for this episode included John Humphrys and Ed Byrne. Both were very amusing in their own ways. John seems to have an unexpected relationship with and view on animals. While Ed is just funny with his jokes and his observations. It was good fun. And while I was there I learned a few facts that I didn’t know. And also confirmed some that I did.

One thing I did find out through a test that they did in the studio. Is that I have the hearing range of a twenty four year old. Which as someone who has spent a lot of time wearing headphones usually with the volume up quite high. I was pretty surprised about, to be honest. The series should go out sometime in the autumn. So keep an eye out for it and of course for my small cameo appearance in it.

I did manage to get outside and enjoy the weather and enjoy a bit of sunshine last Thursday. Normally around this time of year I am working with the great team at Regatta Radio to bring the Henley Royal Regatta to the airwaves for the race goers and people unable to get to the riverbank to enjoy it. But this year the station has taken a year off.

It is fully expected to return next year and hopefully I will once again be involved with it. I am generally based in the studio, so do not get to see any of the action. But as I was not working this year when I attended Henley. I did for the very first time get to see some of the racing. I met up with some of the Regatta Radio team there.

Firstly for a couple drinks at one of the many bar areas along the side of the course. In doing this I managed to support a local brewery. One who I am shall we say familiar with their work. So I enjoyed a couple of pints of beer supplied by the Rebellion Brewery from Marlow. Then the evening got even better. As we then had a nice boat ride for about two hours up and down the side of the famous Thames rowing course.

So we got to see all the rowing action from the last session of the day from on the river. The sun was out, the sky was blue, Henley looked lovely and we were enjoying a picnic while watching the racing. I have certainly had worse ends to the day. It was really nice to catch up with everyone. I look forward to hopefully working with them again next year. I am so lucky sometimes with the things I get to do and enjoy.

Last Saturday at the ITV Studios in London I had an audition to be a contestant on a brand new ITV Game Show. That is going to be recorded shortly. I do not know if I will be selected to be on the show or not at the moment. Also I can’t say any more about it at this stage. What I can say is that I had a fun afternoon and it was nice meeting some of the producers behind it. I think I might be able to let you know if I do get on the show but even if I do I will not be able to say anything else about it until it has been shown on the television. But I will tell you when it will be on, I promise.

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.

Neil Quigley Presenter