Mark Watson’s Live Address To The Nation
A small piece of admin first: here are the cakes. If you don’t normally read this blog, it’s a long story, but basically some people made cakes to celebrate this blog’s first year. Thanks, everyone.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59661852@N06/
And now – as promised – a quick guide to how you might like to spend a part of your evening tomorrow. I, and my trusted colleagues Key and Basden (well, I say trusted, although Key is mad of course) will occupy Radio Four in its entirety from 11.02pm until half past. LIVE. LIVE!!!
The format of the show will be very similar to dear old Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better, but – well, yes, LIVE. The idea of this is that we can react to tweets and emails and whatnot that come in from our audience, and so the people at home (as well as the people in the room) will help to determine the course of the show. Although not too much, because that would be seriously dangerous. But a bit. Which is still a bit nerve-racking, what with it being on Radio Four.
We’re also taking contributions from people before we get started: here’s the link for that. The overall theme of the show is Ambition so I’m asking for stories relating to that little phenomenon. (We’ve done all the Sins and all the Virtues, so now I’m sort of poking around in things which can be interpreted either way.)
http://bbc.in/gsdfV2
So, some of you will be actually be there, but if you’re not, please do listen, either using an actual radio-box device or by logging onto the R4 website, or, I don’t know, by just laughing every thirty seconds or so between the allotted times, and hoping you’ve timed it right. Or if you’re not able/willing to listen, just cross your fingers for us and that’ll do me. We’re particularly keen to get contributions from people overseas, if you can find a way to listen in. But we’d also be delighted with tweets from UNDERseas (this country). And even if you don’t contact the show itself, I’d love to hear from you at my actual Twitter address as the show unfolds, because when it is over and the rush of adrenalin begins to fade, it will do me quite a lot of good to have some nice comments to counteract the inevitable handful of vicious ones.
And if you ARE going, by the way, there’s a little meet-up planned by hardcore Watson types beforehand. Here is yet another link, concerning this. (It’s from the Fan Forum, which is still bubbling along by the way.)
http://tinyurl.com/6jxfs3t
This is not going to be the most polished show ever, because (a) it won’t be all nicely edited like the other series, and (b) when the most polished show ever DOES occur, it won’t be by me. But it could be one of the most fun things on the radio for a while. That’s the aim. I hope you’ll be able to take part in some form. I am optimistic. That’s me for you, these days. Sort of.
Posted by Juliet on February 28, 2011
I’m gonna be listening (I think, if Radio 4 decides that your show should be available in my area) so good luck and I’m sure it’s gonna turn out great, just have a little faith! xx
Posted by Jen on February 28, 2011
Good Luck for tonight…can’t wait!!!Jx
Posted by Ingrid on February 28, 2011
The cakes are amazing! Mine really looks quite pathetic now.
Looking forward to the radio show. Good luck mark!
Posted by MusicalLottie on February 28, 2011
Oh wow, creative cakes – well done everyone!!!
(The fact that the photos were in ‘Watsoncake’s’ photostream made me chuckle. Don’t know why, it just did.)
Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on February 28, 2011
I’ll be listening on the internet. It will be 6:00 p.m. here. If I have to have a nap after school, I’ll set my alarm.
Good luck.
Posted by Tibbs on February 28, 2011
Very excited for tomorrow’s show! I shall definitely be listening from “overseas”. And everyone made fantastic, delicious-looking cakes. Made me sad that my contributions were slightly less edible.
Posted by Josh (the magnificent one) on February 28, 2011
Firstly, you did say there would be a winner of caking.
What’s the point in anything if it’s not winnable?
Secondly.
EEEEEEEEEHHHHH, 28TH.
SEEING MARK IN 22 HOURS.
Posted by Helen on February 28, 2011
Flabbergasted by brilliance of cakes, well done to all involved! Best of luck for the radio show, will be eagerly listening.
Posted by Misha on February 27, 2011
Impressive cakes. And it’s not just “hardcore” watsonians, we’ll take all comers. I”ll be the one with the “Official Watsonian (Extrodinaire)” canvas bag, it’s been well graffitied.
Posted by Katy on February 27, 2011
What amazing cakes! My was awful, but its the thought that counts. I’ve seen my favourite and will be telling the baker tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, pretty sure I’m not going to sleep well due to excitement.
Posted by Ally on February 27, 2011
Those cakes are gorgeous! Massive congratulations to everyone who made one!
Posted by Patrick on February 27, 2011
Good luck, Mark! We’ll be there to cheer you on.
(Also, PLEASE don’t use the little thing I recorded with Lianne on Thursday at The Horne Section. It’s horrible.)
Posted by Someone on February 27, 2011
I’m terrified too, Kathryn!! :s I hope we survive! :]
Posted by A lot of Rachels on February 27, 2011
Hope everyone has a great time at the show tomorrow and I’ll look forward to participating through the interwebs.
Posted by Rachael on February 27, 2011
I look forward to you making my evening substantially better. Good luck Team Watson!
Posted by Hannah on February 27, 2011
I thought uni would ruin the timing of me listening in, but I shall be able to if I rush from my lecture on Monday. Plan!
Posted by Lisa D on February 27, 2011
It’ll be on at 6:02 here, so that works out well.
Posted by Natalie-Helen on February 27, 2011
Ahhhhh. very excited right now. We have all made excellent cakes which is good. And tomorrow will be explosive in terms of tension.
Best of lucky luck luck!
xxx
Posted by Aislinn on February 27, 2011
EXCITED EXCITED EXCITED EXCITED
(also good work everybody on the cake front)
Posted by Jen on February 27, 2011
fab cakes everyone!!!!!
My first day back in work tomorrow…soooo disappointed that i can’t get to the radio show but i will be listening and tweeting!!!!Good luck Mark and co…im sure it’ll be great!!!….Av fun fellow Watsonians!!!Jx
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on February 27, 2011
I feel privileged to be part of this little piece of radio history, if you are really good I may even throw flowers at you
p
Posted by Meg on February 27, 2011
Wow fab cakes everyone! I am sooooo excited/annoyed that I couldn’t come. But I shall be definitely definitely listening. Hope it goes amazingly – I’m sure it will be brilliant!
x
Posted by Kathryn on February 27, 2011
I am going to be there. I am excited. (I have a lot of work to do before then as well, but we’re ignoring that.) I don’t think I can beat Zoe in terms of excited though because I also have to do London on my own for the first time and I am absolutely terrified.
Posted by Kate B on February 27, 2011
Good luck Mark!! I’m sure it’ll be fantastic. Sadly I won’t be able to listen tomorrow due to an early start next day but will it be on iplayer?
Everyone’s cakes looked amazing!
Posted by amycool on February 27, 2011
It’s a good job you mentioned this because I had forgotten. I must remember to have a lie-in so I have the energy to stay up late.
Everyone else’s cakes look amazing! I bet mine tasted the best though.
Posted by Zoe Fell on February 27, 2011
Seriously. Words cannot express just how excited about this I am. I will be absolutely useless at work tomorrow morning; roll on 1:43pm, when I am out of Plymouth and London bound.
I can’t wait to see you lovely, lovely lot.