The antidote to modern living
We return to discuss the sad passing of the ultimate Nice Thing, Bernard Cribbins and also David Warner and Nichelle Nichols. We also learn that Lord Paul has become a ‘firm’ fan of the footballing and has never seen Time Bandits.
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On the hottest day of the year we decided to record, at Paul’s request. What followed was an exercise in heat exhaustion and delirium featuring Gary Lineker, Edward Judd, 1980s snow and Father Ted. Make of this what you will…
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This week we discuss the perils of not being versed in ‘blokespeak’ when it comes to having handymen round, Don Henderson’s hairline and the hot weather….conspiracy or cornetto?
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In this fun-packed 50th edish we discuss psychotic sanding, the resentment of summer, the genius of Jeremy Brett, Robert Stephens and Michal Bryant, why we crave nice things and look at the moment Australia went colour.
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This week we wax lyrical about independent bookshops and discuss the current trend toward censorship in the arts, the sad passing of Peter Brook, why minor keys make us sad and ‘Beavis and Butthead do the Universe’.
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After a break we return to chew over class distinctions within thievery, why Carry On England is the antidote to French cinema, Strongarm’s solution to the Incel problem and a difference of opinion over Narcos. Also discussed is Peter Kinley – retired thesp and Lord of Lark lane https://youtu.be/wzHa5xLhCrQ
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We return to mark an entire year of talking cobblers. Subjects include the lost mandible of Sigmund Freud, axiomatics and a lively discussion on how TV brainwashes the nation concluding with Strongarm’s view on ‘programming’ and, of course, the ‘Big Horse’.
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After, another, short break, we return to chew over false teeth, the tendency of stepdads to make men of us, the impending Jubilee, the ‘munchies’, comedy in The Sweeney and George Formby Senior.
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After a toothache break, the boys return to chew over Monster Munch, Paul’s recent birthday treasures, the Bonzos, The Lotus Eaters and give their opinion on the new Doctor Who.
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This week the chaps discuss Nazi sharks, Victor Maddern setting up his own record label to commit his enmity toward the BBC to vinyl, Sir M’s new Bechstein, Ken Russell’s opinion on the Carry Ons and the role of pornography in Governmental decision making.
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In a packed programme this week, Lord Paul treats us to a spectacular rant about the latest Dr Who special, Sir Michael takes us on an exploration of Christianity and Mithraism, marvel at the forgotten genius of Gerard Hoffnung and the festivities are rounded off with a chat about Jimmy Savile.
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In a very ‘relaxed’ edish the chaps chew over how to correctly deter ‘jailbirds’ selling things at one’s door, the vision of Orwell and Kneale and the perils of buying Nice Things twice when drunk.
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Sir Michael’s ‘intellectual’ attire takes the boys on a ramble starting at Dennis Price, then onto Gemma Collins starring in an updated version of The Archers, the price hike on energy and marrowfat peas.
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An idle gab about the utility of Unions turns into a ‘lively exchange of views’ on Alastair Campbell, before the chaps settle into more familiar ‘nice’ territory with the Granada Holmes, after which the internet conks out.
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In this week’s fun-packed, thrill filled show the lads pay tribute to that top chap Peter Bowles, how Esther Rantzen ruined Quosh for an entire generation and discuss Paul’s flawless plan to resume broadcasting Jim’ll Fix It in the wake of Nuclear Armageddon.
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This week the boys wax lyrical about 1971, in particular Season 8 of Dr Who and their favourite conspiracy theories which ‘might be true’. We also unearth the fact that Lady Paul is a closet fan of ‘Heron Foods’ which Sir Michael insists on calling ‘Heroin Foods’.
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The chaps discuss the way which the disembodied wig of the late Bruce Forsyth can haunt you and face a difference of opinion when it comes to Plato’s ‘Great Year’.
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In an early morning ep the chaps discuss the passing of legends such as Anna Karen, Jack Smethurst, Beryl Vertue and Sylvie Gatrill plus Polish cartoons, old TV ‘corners’ and Shakespeare.
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This week Lady Paul lays out his rather drastic solution to the UK’s ‘Yob’ problem and then goes on to lay out his love for Lucille Ball whilst Sir Michael pitches a Yootha Joyce sitcom entitled ‘Morecambe Mindy’.
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This week finds Lord Paul in reflective mode as he soaks in the warm bath of familial history, meanwhile Sir Michael compares himself to Jesus and they both recount a shared teenage love affair with red Grifters.
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In this week’s packed show we embark upon a discussion on the joys of being a theatrical ponce, take a diversion through the nature of reality and finally settle on a synopsis of a non-existent Leonard Rossiter sitcom.
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An unashamedly Barry Cryer-centric edish of Nice Things, which also includes the earth-shattering revelation that Paul’s favourite film of all time is American.
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The partially recovered chaps wax lyrical about Jeremy Brett’s Sherlock Holmes, CHiPs handcuffs and round it orf with a pitch for a new TV show starring Paul as ‘Internet Policeman’ DS Strong.
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In a special New Year edish the chaps discuss Tony Bliar’s knighhood, the strained relationship between Dickens and Hans Christian Anderson and why Dr Who is shit.
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Join Sir Michael and Lord Paul for a special live seasonal slice of Nice Things.
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To celebrate the festive season, Sir Michael and Lord Paul decided to team up with Smithdown Social Club to record a little seasonal treat for our viewers as they present some ‘Songs for me Mam’ dedicated to Michael’s much missed Mam.
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In a pre-Crimbo blether Sir Michael and Lady Paul discuss Ken Morse, Rostrum Camera, the execrable sitcom ‘Bread’ and we find out what minimum salary is acceptable for the lead protagonist in a TV drama.
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This week the boys present a whistle-stop tour of TV sitcom critique taking in the highs of Hylda Baker and offer their differing opinions on ‘Fist of Fun’.
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After a week off, or a weak cough in Paul’s case, the boys are back with a wind lashed show during which they extol the virtues of finding your own voice and the visceral pathos of Hi-De-Hi – yes really.
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To celebrate their 25th show the chaps discuss their memories of ‘The Five Faces of Doctor Who’, the joy of Christmas 1981 including the pain of the Winter Hill transmitter failing, and answer the burning question on everybody’s lips. Was William Rees-Mogg BBC Director General – or not?
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In this smoke shrouded show, Sir Michael recalls getting his teeth glued together by treacle toffee, whilst Lady Paul regales us with tales of Protestant bonfire treats such as Parkin. Obvious which side came off best in 1605. Also, at what age does it become acceptable to enjoy the music of Phil Collins? Find out….
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To celebrate all Hallows messrs Livesley and Carmichael take an autumnal stroll thru Hallowe’ens past and discover, er, that there wasn’t much of a fuss made of it here in dear old Blighty.
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This week the boys take a voyage around Margaret Rutherford via Hawkwind and Dr Finlay’s Casebook and Sir Michael pitches some show ideas he believes will save British TV from the insipid banality of Bradley Walsh.
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A post-hospital Livesley and a post-modern Carmichael take a voyage from Scandinavian Pop and Progg to South Korea TV and find the time to lay into James Corden along the way.
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This week a convalescing one-armed Livesley and his doubly dextrous pal Carmichael take a theatrical stroll from Roman London to modern day Nova Scotia thru a fug of painkillers and Netflix.
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Tales of Betty No-Toes, the stinging pain of a Dr Scholl sandal around the head and how Henry VIII ultimately secured Patrick Troughton a gig with the National Trust comprise this week’s later than advertised offering.
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A very sleepy Livesley – transmitting from his ‘CSO Kitchen’ – encounters an excitable young Carmichael full of bounce due to the return of RTD. Expect tales of murder in St Helens at the turn of the 20th Century and Alf Roberts, Turkey slaughterer extraordinaire.
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From the beauty of Jacqueline Hill to the delights of the first Eagle comic via the Mr Men and a confused bassoon. The chaps also celebrate Edward Barnes and wonderful Jims they have known.
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In the full glow of autumnal bronze, Livesley and Carmichael examine the quandary of organising collections, the unknown philanthropy of Bruce Forsyth and the thrills to be found within the pages of your Mum’s catalogue.
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This week a very tired Livesley and Carmichael find themselves in thoughtful mode as they discuss the meaning of life, the afterlife and why there are no clever people on the telly any more.
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This week Sir Michael and Paul Darrow take an autumnal hack through the cultural briar thicket and discover the importance of character names, the joy of Kenneths and the need for love. Particularly over a bank holiday weekend.
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This week messrs Livesley and Carmichael sleepwalk from Ken Shales Boozeldon to Eldorado via Woodfall Films, The Boulting Brothers, Alan Bleasdale and Margaret Thatcher.
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In a packed programme this week, a signed photo of Robb Wilton, weeing in cups at the Glastonbury Festival and the joy of finding discarded ‘Noddy books’ on embankments are the topics masticated over by Sir Michael and The Two Pauls in this week’s edish.
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This week the boys take the brakes off and dive headlong into the miasma of Nice Things. Starting at the outbreak of WWI, Sir Michael and Arch-Duke Paul drive their war horse through a history of horror films with Paul bringing us bang up to date with an epic rant about ITV and modern ‘personalities’ in general, particularly those called ‘Dom’.
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Nice Things reaches its 10th ep and to celebrate the boys have taped a Survivors (S1) special. Join them on a journey from Brimpsfield to Hampton Court and answering that most burning query of all. Just where did Abby Grant get all her cigarettes from?
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This week’s edish features yet another complaint about the heat, a tribute to Tom O’Connor, plus Michael recounting his time supporting an embryonic Take That and Paul’s great regret at not accepting a role in ‘Why Don’t You?’
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Professor Carmichael gets quite aeriated over on-demand television whilst Dr Livesley looks back on pimping his Mam out for pop n crisp on a Saturday night as the amuse-bouche to a discussion on the ‘Blankety-Blank’ lighting during McCoy era Dr Who and the passing of the late Mrs le Mes.
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This week the chaps take a stroll from the Childe of Hale’s grave to Adriano Celentano via Mike Read, Leo Baxendale and a slightly overdue complaint about the smoking ban in pubs.
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Messrs Livesley & Carmichael attempt a review of Penda’s Fen which swiftly descends into a chat involving onanism, Mr Bronson and wet plaster.
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This week, Sir Michael and The honourable Paul Carmichael QC, analyse the psychological impact which the collective betrayals of Ray Clemence, The Goodies and ATV inflicted upon us.
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Twitter Links
Sir Michael https://twitter.com/MichaelLivesley
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Join messrs Livesley and Carmichael for a very special Summer Solstice edish of ‘Nice Things’ in which they examine the evolution of the British psyche from stone circles to John Inman and all points in between.
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This week Sir Michael, and fellow Cultural Historian Lady Paul Carmichael, present an accidental Dr Who special via feigning sick days off school and renting a video recorder.
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Join Sir Michael and fellow Cultural Historian Lord Paul Carmichael, for a celebration of all things nice in their new podcast – Nice Things: The Antidote to Modern Living.
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Good day all!!
Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve had the time to post. Despite a paucity of live shows this year it has still been one of the busiest years I’ve known due to the writing, recording and producing of Parrotopia! My first collaboration with Lord Rodney Slater of The Bonzos. In total it was a gestatory 9 months, but a very jolly one! The CD is now available to buy here or if you prefer to ‘try before you buy’ you can do that here.
A full field report shall be forthcoming in a few weeks when I drag Lord Rod into the shed for a good long gab about the whole process. Meantime here are a few bits of press we’ve done to give you a flavour.
Interview with Arthur Smith for BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club
Interview with BBC Radio Tees Bob Fischer
Interview with top comedy blogger John Fleming
Until the next time dear chums!
