Quite A Boast - A Celebration of Reeves & Mortimer

In this episode we chat with journalist, author and Novelty Island stomper, James Brown.. one time features editor for the NME and creator of the legendary Loaded magazine.  After initially bonding over a shared love for early 80s Electro, he developed a close bond with Jim Moir who eventually became his landlord.  James regales us with tales of touring with Vic Reeves Big Night Out including experiencing a unique view of the show in Leicester, as well as revealing Jim’s specific wage demands for writing a column in Loaded.https://www.instagram.com/jamesjamesbrownhttps://x.com/jamesjamesbrown

Our guest in this episode has a face like stand-up comic, actor, writer, podcaster and Shooting Stars team captain.. it's the one and only Jack Dee, who talks us through his career in comedy from the 1980s to the present day. Jack describes how he found his role in the Shooting Stars set up, and how each week he managed to survive a barrage of insults from Vic & Bob, who had one goal in mind; to make Jack laugh! Jack also reminisces about recording the Shooting Stars sketches and working alongside Ulrika and Angelos Epithimiou.https://jackdeecomedy.com/Oh My Dog! Podcast link;https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cplb0Tk0KteJ3IW8yVinV

In this episode we chat with actor, writer & director, Rhys Thomas, who has worked on numerous television shows over the years including creating the sublime 'Brian Pern' mockumentaries and the delightful CBBC series 'Dodger'. He started his television career in a schoolboy work experience placement as a runner on Shooting Stars where he rubbed shoulders with several of his comedy heroes. Rhys tells us how he became a George Dawes stand-in, provided the profane comments for Donald Cox The Sweaty Fox and was present for the creation of Kinky John Fowler.

In this episode we are joined by director Matt Lipsey, who has directed some of the best comedy shows of our time, including; Little Britain, Human Remains, Upstart Crow, Psychoville, Inside No.9 and Ted Lasso. He was also behind the camera for some classic Reeves & Mortimer moments.. hear how he coped with a corpsing Mark Benton whilst filming Catterick and learn how maintaining temperature control helped keep a crocodile docile for a Croc Botherer sketch on Monkey Trousers.

In this episode we chat with James Atkin & Ian Dench from the Forest of Dean’s finest beat combo, EMF. We discuss their 1995 hit single with Vic & Bob, ‘I’m A Believer’ and also discuss how the collaboration came about. We hear stories about it’s recording and promotion and learn of their pride of being immortalised on The Man With The Stick’s helmet, Bob’s love of cheap lager and Jim’s attempt to trademark the famous ‘Oi’ refrain. https://open.spotify.com/track/2czSiogxA8W7LiZCJr1LMG?si=e121939670ea4d50https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdAVi061qTk

In this episode we talk to Iain Coyle, who went from being a Runner for Jonathan Ross to a top TV Commissioner. Along the way he has had numerous adventures in television including writing questions for Vic & Bob on Shooting Stars and being a ‘naughty boy’ on Families At War. Hear how Mark Lamarr could start a fight in an empty room and how Leo Sayer came a cropper on a treadmill! https://www.linkedin.com/in/iain-coyle

In this episode we speak to the legendary Les Dennis, who has been a permanent fixture on our TV screens for over 50 years; from his work with Russ Abbott, to Family Fortunes, to his role in Ricky Gervais' Extras. He has also survived the trauma of appearing at Baron’s Nightclub on Bang Bang It’s Reeves & Mortimer, partaking in the final challenge on Shooting Stars and also taking to the ring to have a good old punch up with Bob Mortimer …all for a good cause of course!

In this episode we speak to journalist, reviewer and author, Bruce Dessau. Bruce is the founder of the 'Beyond The Joke' website and writer of several books including the ‘Reeves & Mortimer’ biography.Bruce tells us about when he first chanced upon the pre-TV Vic Reeves Big Night Out in the late 80s and we discuss Jim & Bob’s career progression throughout the years. We also discuss Bruce’s love of music; from his devotion to Top of The Pops to his very brief stint in a legendary British indie group.https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/You can find Bruce's book here;https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reeves-Mortimer-Bruce-Dessau/dp/0752817817/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390648366&sr=1-1

In this episode we have a lovely chat with Nancy Sorrell Moir, who regales us with stories of her many years working alongside her husband, Jim (& Bob of course). From their first meeting during the filming of 'I Love 1991', to the joys of travelling around Britain & Ireland for the 'Painting Birds' tv series, we hear Nancy talk about her Catterick cosplay and of Jim suffering for his art whilst filming 'Vic & Bob’s Big Night Out'. https://www.instagram.com/nancy_sorrellhttps://x.com/nancy_sorrell