Live and let (me do a) live (show)
More excellent bag efforts yesterday – one in particular. I’ll update you tomorrow. For now, a brief but perhaps more exciting piece of news.
You’ll remember that Key, Basden and I did a pilot of a live radio show based on MW Makes The World Substantially Better; indeed, ‘based on’ it in the sense that it was the same thing, but live, and with me squawking even more, and with a strange news item about ruddy ducks immediately beforehand. It went well, not least because almost everyone in the studio audience was a reader of this blog.
We were offered a whole series of the wretched things, but it couldn’t be done this summer because Key does nearly everything and is in One Day (the film), and Basden also does everything and had written a play, and I have a family. But now it looks as if we’ve successfully nailed the logistics of making the three of us meet in the same room, which is something of a prerequisite for the show to happen.
So, the shows will almost certainly be on November 2, then 9, and so on every Wednesday, at the antisocially but necessary-in-order-to-gain-the-BBC’s-confidence-for-a-live-show time of 11pm. As I said, these dates are not entirely set in stone, nor are the times, nor even is the whole project. But I would say it is 95 percent likely (you have to factor in things like the collapse of the BBC, my death, etc, which although not overwhelming likely are probably worth one percent each). So it might be worth thinking about whether you can come to any of these recordings. I would love to have a high quotient of slightly biased enthusiasts once more. The 11pm slot makes it highly unsuitable for many people (they’ll be in Central London, again), but it does create quite a special atmosphere for those who do make it.
They’ll be free – it will be a case of getting tickets online – but as before, I should be able to run a guest-list for anyone who signs up here. In fact I’m officially opening applications now. Just leave your name and your date of choice. You can have more than one.
Nearer the time(s) I shall of course describe how you can join in with the shows even if you’re not in the room. One obvious way though, I can speculate right now, will be to listen to it. I hope some of you will at the very least do that. Thank you.
Posted by Sarah on October 25, 2011
Not sure if I need to request here, but 2 for the 9th if possible
Posted by jaceybatts on October 2, 2011
If there are any tix left can I have two? Any date is fine, I’ll chance it!
Posted by Zoe Fell on September 29, 2011
I figure I should actually put my name down for this. Any date will suit me fine, whichever one(s) are still available. Coming to more than one would be lovely.
(And I can totally miss lectures for this, what with doing a Radio Production degree. It’s field “research”. Ahem.)
Posted by Alan Breen on September 22, 2011
Been waiting for this since I asked you if there would be a new series of substantially better in the liverpool empire a while back. Was starting to think it wouldn’t come! My Birthday is on the 14th of Nov, me plus one would be an excellent present for any date near.
Posted by Evelyn on September 21, 2011
I can’t wait for this!! Two tickets would be great, four would be a amazing, and I can make any night. x
Posted by Louise on September 20, 2011
I’d LOVE tickets. I came to the pilot and it was absolutely brilliant. Two tickets would be good, and I can make any date.
Posted by Jennifer on September 20, 2011
I hope I’m not too late, but I would love tickets.
Available for any of the dates.
Thanks!
Posted by Bex on September 20, 2011
Hi! I’d love tickets to any show! Preferably 4 tickets would be ace, but any would be lovely. Thanks!
Posted by Jonny on September 19, 2011
Sure, I’ll come along. Any of the dates will do.
Posted by Claire on September 19, 2011
I’d like to register an interest for any of the dates.
Thank you
Posted by Christoph on September 19, 2011
I had immense fun at the pilot despite the BBC kettling operation beforehand! A couple of tickets to any of the dates would be marvellous. Cheers!
Posted by Mhairi on September 19, 2011
oooh, this sounds excellent, and just the kind of thing i should being doing having just moved from glasgow to london. Sign me up plus1!
Posted by Rich on September 19, 2011
Hi Mark, hope I’m not too late, four tickets to a date of your choice my good man please! Also, what’s the score on ‘Improvisation my dear Mark Watson’?? Have the sticky beaks decided to give it a run?
Posted by Rhiannon Phillips on September 19, 2011
YES PLEASE!! Very happy to hear that there is a follow up to Makes the World Substantially Better
I’m officially registering my interest for any dates you decide to do. Will happily move birthdays, weddings, the earth etc to fit around it x
Posted by Natalie O'Brien on September 19, 2011
Hi my name is Natalie O’Brien and I would like 2 tickets for the 2nd November & 30th November.
Your abit of a ledge Mark, recently moved to London after your gig in Blackburn last year… Still cant believe you got a bus of people from Preston to come… And came to see you at Edinburgh
Anyhoo thank you, please!
Posted by Rhys C on September 19, 2011
This sounds awesome! Can I have 2 places on the guest-list for November 2nd please? Ta muchly!
Posted by Emma Horton on September 19, 2011
Hi Mark,
Please can I have 2 tickets for 2nd November? Thanks!
Emma
Posted by Rob (gingerrob) on September 19, 2011
Could i have 2 tickets please, i am a wheelchair user
Posted by Katherine Thorne on September 19, 2011
The man of the house has been messing around with internet so i’ve just seen this. Would be great to come (although I live up north I’d happily travel down for it) so consider this me registering interest. Also, an excuse to listen to my cd’s of the first two series again! Happy me
Posted by Dominique on September 19, 2011
Me +1 on whatever night, just let me know – don’t exactly do much on Wednesday, except eat curry.
Posted by Linda on September 19, 2011
Amazing! I’m up for any date!! Forgot to be cheeky and ask for a +1 as well x
Posted by Linda on September 19, 2011
Amazing! I’m up for any date!! x
Posted by AmandaN on September 19, 2011
Live recordings, yes please…any wednesday is fine.
Posted by Andy T on September 19, 2011
Hi Mark, this is great news, congratulations! I’d love to request one ticket for each show in the series, please! I came along to the first live show in February, had a great time and got home safely afterwards so I’m up for doing it again, repeatedly! Thanks, andy
Posted by Matthew Evans on September 19, 2011
Hi Mark
Can I possibly have two tickets for Nov 9th and then one for the following weeks?
Matt
Posted by Chris on September 19, 2011
Please let this be me registering my interest for two tickets to any of the dates. Available for all.
Posted by mzlondon on September 17, 2011
Ooh – as I’m not too late to sign up for this, I’d love one for as many of the shows as possible… except 2 November which wouldn’t be wise given a hellish work deadline I have that Friday. Name is Emma Watkins. Thanks!
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on September 17, 2011
Hi Mark, for reasons which I will later explain, I have not visited your blog for weeks. So just reading through the whole of September’s entries. I would like to come to your live recordings, I was at the Ruddy Ducks night and it was extraordinary. Not bothered which ones I come to really. All of them would be nice, could get in the habit of seeing you every Monday night, you know, like going to Bingo every Wednesday or something (not that I do, but I am rubbish and couldn’t think of another comparison) x
Posted by Aislinn on September 17, 2011
I ignored this blog entry for ages, because I heard about it before I read it, and the person I heard about it from told me it was 11.30 ’til 12. I cannot do 11.30 ’til 12. I CAN do 11 ’til 11.30, though, and am definitely interested. Any day. Any day at all. (The 2nd would be ideal, though. Half-term and all that.)
(Also: those photos of us at your Epsom show with Fell’s parcel – did you ever get them? I sent them to you, but sent about three other e-mails at the same time, none of which sent. Not the most vital thing in the world, but I’d hate for you to think of me as unreliable.)
Posted by Miranda Fay Thomas on September 17, 2011
Let me register my interest in being there! Yay xox
Posted by Lizzy on September 16, 2011
Hello, so I already registered ‘general interest’ under the usefully vague name of ‘someone.’ Could I be more specific in requesting 2nd November, and if not greedy, another day too? I’d come on my own on 2nd, as there are plenty Watsonians going, but possibly bring someone any other day. Thanking you.
Posted by Katy on September 16, 2011
Im not sure I’ve registered my interest yet. Im available for al dates so would like to come to them all if possible!
Posted by victoria on September 16, 2011
I’ll take any date available! If this isn’t too late . . .
Posted by Holly Y on September 16, 2011
Exciting! I’d definitely like to come to the 2nd, and probably all the rest of the dates too as I don’t appear to have any Wednesday-based plans in November. MAKE MY GOOGLE CALENDAR SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER.
Posted by Miz on September 16, 2011
Definitely going on the 2nd Nov, please and thank you!
Posted by Knox on September 16, 2011
ok – sign me up for 2nd nov, please!! thank you xxx
Posted by A lot of Rachels on September 15, 2011
Can I go in on the 2nd Nov please?
Posted by Lora on September 15, 2011
Just returning to this blog as requested to put in a request for the 2nd November
Posted by EmT on September 15, 2011
Please consider my interest as registered, possibly for more than one recording if this kind of blatant greediness is not frowned upon.
Posted by Emily on September 15, 2011
2nd November please
Posted by Megan on September 15, 2011
My vacation days have been moved (forgot that I had tickets to Amon Tobin AND I WILL NOT MISS THAT) to early November, so I could be there on either the 2nd or 9th.
Posted by Sarah on September 14, 2011
May I have a place on the 2nd?
For people on the 2nd / would like to go but not keen on going on their own / would like to meet fellow Watsonians (I have met up twice and they are spiffing) I have started a list of people who are going and would like to meet up for a meal or drinks before and possibly book a mass room in a hostel (it worked out nicely in February) Safety in numbers and all that, plus much more fun.
http://www.markwatsonfans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=710
Is the link you need to add yourself to the relevant lists
Posted by Barry on September 12, 2011
2nd November would be good for me!
Posted by Kate W on September 9, 2011
Excellent news. I currently have no plans for late-night Wednesdays in November and would happily see as many recordings as there are tickets available for – loved the pilot.
Posted by Dawn on September 8, 2011
Brilliant news – the pilot was ace and I would love to come to as many as possible.
Posted by Natalie-Helen on September 7, 2011
Yes yes yes!
Do include me, it was jolly good fun! ( Hark at me getting into the spirit of Famous Five language. If this goes on until November, I may be persuaded to bake macarons and bring homemade lemonade to the recording.
I currently have very limited plans for November except the 16th so any date which is available/ or has the least number of Watsonians, and therefore a less biased audience works for me!
xxxx
Posted by Melinda on September 7, 2011
Any chance for some type of online participation from listeners who can’t make it to a live a show?
Posted by Al Kennedy on September 6, 2011
Hurrah! Glad to hear it’s going to a series – the pilot was great.
Posted by h2osarah on September 6, 2011
Well, now that I’m in London, I will definitely come to at least one of these recordings. Consider this ‘interest’.
Posted by Sue on September 6, 2011
3 tickets please. No idea which dates but maybe first or last recording!?
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on September 6, 2011
Space for three people on the 23rd would be excellent please Watson!
Posted by Ingrid on September 6, 2011
Curse how far away London is! Well i cant be there but i can promise to listen (:
Posted by Zoe Waterman on September 6, 2011
Enjoyed the pilot so much! Am available for all the recordings. Would love to attend as many as you’ll have me at!
Zoe
Posted by Lora on September 6, 2011
I’m here and registering my interest once again. It would be lovely to think something similar to last time could be organised with a group of us on a specific date. Plus I think this is far enough in advance to get time off work to travel down too! Exciting.
Posted by Lydia on September 6, 2011
Yay! That’s awesome.
Also, the 9th of November is my birthday. So it would be so amazing if I could come. Hmm.. I’ll see what I can do. What I Can Do mostly involves getting a job, which is proving rather difficult.
Posted by Rachael on September 6, 2011
Yay! I did enjoy the last one, I will be sure to listen in. If I lived nearer/had money for hotels I would be there.
Posted by Georgie on September 6, 2011
I’ll be listening from Aus! Most likely, anyway. Even though it will involve waking at 8am… x
Posted by Sarah on September 6, 2011
I probably won’t be able to get to all of them. I could organise something like what we did in Feb though. Maybe a few of us who live outside London settle on a date and arrange a meet-up sleepover in a hostel again?
Posted by Rachel Winter on September 6, 2011
That’s great news!
And another novel? Already?!
Posted by Miz on September 6, 2011
Yay, that’s great! Definitely going to try and fit a few into my schedule.
Posted by Knox on September 6, 2011
oooh – cool news!! i would love to come to the shows, but 11pm start is a bit late for getting home after (even though i live in london!). also will have to check when i’ll be in nigeria in november, before i could say when i could come. i’ll sort it as soon as possible, though. very excited.
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on September 6, 2011
WOWEEE!!! I’m 95% thrilled for you!!!
Hang on, let’s discount the highly unlikely 1%+1% events you mention = I’m 97% thrilled for you!!!
Fabulous news … will consult the train timetables in the London region and see if it’s at all possible but would LURV to come along …
Posted by Megan on September 6, 2011
Whoa, this is fantastic! I will be in the UK some time in late fall. Let’s hope I can make it to one of the shows!
Posted by ChrisP on September 6, 2011
Yes! (depending on train times).
Posted by Alex on September 6, 2011
THIS IS SO EXCITING! If Wednesday goes well (it won’t), then I’m even going to be living in London by then. (I have an interview, for an actual speech therapy job. I am close to vomiting with nerves). So yes, definite interest.
Re: the bag thing. I appreciate so far I have been a pretty much useless job-share-Anne, but I will try to do better once I have stopped panicking/hyperventilating about Wednesday.
Posted by Joelle on September 6, 2011
I will be listening online. Being on at 11 over there makes it a suitable time over here in Perth when I have double free periods on thursday mornings. Except for exams on around this time. I’ll listen while it’s still up in those cases though.
I’m so glad you finally have a time for this!
Posted by Josie on September 6, 2011
I AM ALSO REGISTERING AN INTEREST
caps lock was definitely necessary
Posted by Katie K on September 5, 2011
Not wanting to sound selfish and greedy, but I would love to go to each live episode, so if I can be allowed to go on the special guest list, I will also be sure to come each Wednesday night with a box of chocs for everyone backstage to share (that’s not a bribe by the way, it’s kindness via Xmas choc offers at supermarkets so I can afford it, along with my train/taxi fare & Boots meal deal) so yes, excited for the live series & am available for each show. Kx
Posted by alot of rachels on September 5, 2011
sounds excellent, shall have to work out train times home to Reading, should be doable though!
Posted by Someone on September 5, 2011
I’m in London. Bit scared of getting home at 11.30 on my own though, because I’m a wimp. I will though. Either on my own or if I HAVE to have company, dragging someone (probably quite willingly, damn them and their incessant ability to speak). Last one was fun :]. I’m not booked up on any dates (tellingly), so any/all, please. Well done, you three.
Posted by Jen on September 5, 2011
Fab news!!Dates subject to pos change you say…would the Wed before i.e.26th be a possibility…hmmm,never mind!I can’t do Nov due to work n being up North,boooo…I will however be listening n joining in from home…yay – oh and I’ll be at your Buxton show – hooooray!Jx
Posted by Josh (the magnificent one) on September 5, 2011
I’m registering my interest. I’d love it. I’d love to have a reprise of the February one. Maybe I’ll get to meet you this time.
HOWEVER:
I’m going to uni in a couple of weeks so I have no idea if I’d actually be able to come. Or when. Or why.
Posted by Kathryn on September 5, 2011
Wednesdays could potentially be problematic; I’ll have a look at trains and stuff. But yes, I am interested. I may also bring people.
Posted by Anna Lowman on September 5, 2011
Marvellous news, Mark! Last one was great fun. If I were able to come on my birthday-eve 16th Nov, I’d be very happy indeed.
Posted by Patrick on September 5, 2011
Would it be worth a) co-ordinating one of the live shows which the majority of people can get to and getting everyone to go to that one, or b) Spreading out the ratio or Watsonians among the weeks?
Posted by Misha on September 5, 2011
Brilliant news Mark! I am officially registering my interest, even though I’ve not managed to move to London yet.
Posted by Laura-B on September 5, 2011
I can’t be in London then. Boo! But very good news.
x
Posted by lisan66 on September 5, 2011
I know already that I won’t be in London this year…..but I will listen if I can listen online