Josie Lawrence
JAM Appearances: 12 as a panellist on Radio in 2008-2009-2010-2011.
How she did: Great, bubbly and not one to be intimidated, and someone who is bound to get even better.
Who is she: Surely one of the most versatile performers in Britain, Josie is a classical actress, spending many years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. But she is perhaps best known for her work as a comedienne and improviser. She has spent 20 years with the Comedy Store Players where she still works once or twice a week. For 10 years she was a regular on Whose Line Is It Anyway where she regularly made up songs on the sport, and displayed her singing talents. And on top of all that, she's gorgeous.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Bettine Le Beau
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on Radio in 1968.
How she did: I haven't heard her one appearance.
Who is she: Bettine was a pretty actress who was involved in a lot of middling sort of work in the 60s. In the 70s she appeared regularly with Benny Hill in Hills Angels. Bettine was in a nazi concentration camp and is active among Holocaust survivors. She is the author of a book on positive thinking.
Links to transcripts: Her show isn't yet transcribed.
Helen Lederer
JAM Appearances: Six, including four as a panellist on Television in 1994-1995, and two on radio in 1992-2009.
How she did: Helen wasn't much chop at the game, and seemed to struggle even to get her humour out. Rather amusingly incompetent but not a turn that would have bore much repetition.
Who is she: Helen seemed to be everywhere for a while in British comedy TV with no programme seemingly going to air without her in a bit part. These ideas she is possibly best known for her regular part in the big hit Absolutely Fabulous. She was also a successful stand-up comedian in the 90s.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Maureen Lipman
JAM Appearances: Six as a panellist on radio in 1982-1992-1998-2007.
How she did:
Who is she: Maureen has been one of Britain's busiest actresses for the past 30 years. She is possibly best known for her starring role as an agony aunt in Agony, a succesful sitcom, but most of her work has been on stage, where she was closely associated with JAM star Derek Nimmo for a time. Other shows she has appeared in include the soap Coronation Street. She's also a successful author and newspaper columnist.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Moira Lister
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on radio in 1969.
How she did: Moira was given a right royal rollicking in the Kenneth Williams Diaries for the way she interrupted the great man. But on the show itself, she just seems spirited, no more than many others. She played the game well, and had a good sense of fun.
Who is she: Moira was a regular on stage and screen in the late 50s and 60s, often in comedy roles and would have been wellknown to Kenneth at the time of her JAM appearance. As sometimes happens with remarkably good looking actresses as the years take their toll, her career faded away but she was certainly a big name in her prime. She died in 2007.
Links to transcripts: 1
Sean Lock
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on radio in 2002.
How he did: Sean wasn't short on the humour but his style involved plenty of hesitation and repetition which made it hard for him to make much of a mark on the show.
Who is he: Sean is currently one of the biggest names in stand-up comedy in Britain, packing them in wherever he goes and inevitably being a big hit at the Edinburgh Fringe. He wrote and starred in his own TV cult classic Fifteen Storeys High, and has done his share of game show appearances, currently being a regular on QI.
Links to transcripts: 1
Josie Long
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on radio in 2009.
How she did: Josie was chirpy and jolly, but didn't get many laughs.
Who is she: Josie's main job is as a stand-up comedian but she has also written for the popular TV series Skins. She won best newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival in 2006.
Links to transcripts: 1
Fred MacAulay
JAM Appearances: 14 as a panellist on Radio in 1996-1997-1999-2004-2007-2008-2010.
How he did: Remarkably well, Fred's deep Scottish burr, playfulness and humour made him a natural on JAM. He even managed to win his second appearance, but this turned out to be something of a fluke sadly. Still he gave us many hearty laughs and must be unlucky not to have appeared since 1999.
Who is he: A very well-known broadcaster in Scotland, he has hosted a morning humour show on Radio Scotland for six years, but has also been a regular on the stand-up circuit and contributed to plenty of game shows on both radio and television.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Aimi Macdonald
JAM Appearances: 34 as a panellist on radio in 1968-1969-1970-1971-1972-1973-1974-1975-1976-1979-1980-1981-1983.
How she did: Of all the guests to have appeared on JAM, arguably Aimi is remembered with most fondness. A distinctive style, the playing up of the dumb blonde combined with a high pitched childlike little-girl voice was combined with a good humour and the ability to stand up to Kenneth's sexist gibes.
Aimi appeared on a couple of shows in the first season and was regularly brought back as a guest over the following 15 years. She was frequently featured with Clement, Kenneth and Peter, with whom she developed a strong relationship.
It was always difficult to be sure with Aimi how much of the dumb blonde thing was an act. Certainly Aimi didn't spout the erudite stuff of a Kenneth Williams. But she didn't need to, she had the audience in the palm of her hand with the endearing manner and the way she would challenge Kenneth's sexism. Laughter was never far away while Aimi was on the panel.
Although arguably more popular with some producers than others, it's hard to argue with the fact that most of the shows she appeared in were gems. She hasn't appeared since the mid 80s when being a dumb blonde became perhaps not as acceptable in a more PC world. But with Aimi, the audience was laughing with her and not her, and it would delight many if she returned at some stage, unlikely as it seems.
Who is she: Aimi started out as a dancer, but developed in to a fine comedienne and actor. Her career stated with a ballet company that toured the world. That led to a West End musical and eventually to a starring role in one of the first TV satire shows At Last The 1948 Show. Aimi's role was that of the dumb blonde who thought she was the star of the show, but clearly was not. The show ran for three years in the late 60s.
Aimi's career developed into a series of musicals andf plays, and she was a regular on the West End. Television work included some childrens TV and a series of game shows. She continues to appear regularly in plays. After a brief marriage in the 1960s she famously dclared her intention to love in sin for the rest of her life, she was regularly the subject of tabloid tittle-tattle, and linked to politicians.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
Lee Mack
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on radio in 2004.
How he did: Lee was a hit in one of the Edinburgh Festival shows proving witty, adept, quick on the buzzer and someone who just fits into the JAM style, trading barbs with the best of them.
Who is he: Lee is one of the most talented young comics on the circuit. His bread and butter is stand-up with which he tours the world, but he is probably best known as star of the Bafta award winning television programme, The Sketch Show. Other TV and radio work includes They Think It's All Over, TV Heaven Telly Hell, Would I Lie To You and Not Going Out.
Links to transcripts: 1
Jacqueline MacKenzie
JAM Appearances: Two as a panellist on radio in 1970.
How she did: Not great, another of the string of women guests that were intimidated in the hot-house atmosphere of the late 60s and early 70s.
Who is she: Jacqueline was a comic actress who specialised in an elastic face and vocal mimickry. Her talents were well used on the stage when revue was at its peak. Her one TV venture Trouble For Two died an early death though. She also worked as a TV journalist. But she achieved greater fame perhaps as a campaigner for lesbian rights, and she founded the lesbian community magazine Sappho. She is perhaps better known as Jackie Forster. She died in 1998 and in Glasgow, the LGBT Centre has a room named after her.
Links to transcripts: 1 2
Miriam Margolyes
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on Radio in 1979.
How she did: Miriam was a stunner in her only appearance, flirting outrageously with Nicholas, standing up to Kenneth and being very funny in a self-deprecating way. They should have been begging her to return as she seemed to have lots of fun too.
Who is she: Miriam has had a long stage and cinema career and was a close friend of Kenneth Williams. She has played on a good voice and her large figure to specialise in comic parts but has also won the Bafta for dramatic acting. More recently that voice has seen her heavily in demand for voice work on animated features. She currently appears in the Harry Potter movies.
Links to transcripts: 1
Alfred Marks
JAM Appearances: 15, including 14 as a panellist on radio in 1973-1974-1975-1976-1977-1987, and one in the 40th anniversary special in 2007.
How he did: Alfred was a special part of what were arguably JAM's best days in the mid 70s where he was a regular guest whose style seemed to fit in remarkably well with Kenneth Williams and Peter Jones in particular. Pretty much all of the shows he appeared in were very very funny shows with Alfred's store of shaggy dog stories, and willingness to argue with the others making him a great hit.
Who is he: A fine and popular comedian in the 50s, 60s and 70s, specialising in radio but also being a regular on stage and TV. Also appeared in films. His TV show Alfred Marks Time had a six year run. He died in 1996.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Betty Marsden
JAM Appearances: Four as a panellist on Radio in 1968-1969.
How she did: Very well, her comic timing and ability to keep talking made her a good guest for the show. Had a demeanour that made it seem like royalty had descended on the show.
Who is she: Betty was a comic actress with a long career but was probably best known for her appearances on Round the Horne and Beyond Our Ken where she appeared with Kenneth Williams. But Betty was also seen often on TV and the stage, and had a sunny attitude which made her popular everywhere. She died in 1998 having a drink with friends - if only we could all go that way!
Links to transcripts: 1 2
Jean Marsh
JAM Appearances: Six as a panellist on Radio in 1973-1974.
How she did: Okay, Jean wasn't overwhelmed but a soft voice and not much humour in her delivery meant she was never going to tote up too many appearances. But certainly very pleasant.
Who is she: Jean will always be associated with the international hit drama series Upstairs Downstairs where she was star and co-creator, and more recently with writing the show The House of Elliot. She has also done a lot of comedy work, and her career began as a model and actress.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Carolyn Marshall
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on Television in 1995.
How she did: Carolyn's one show was possibly the worst ever JAM with so many pin-pricking challenges that the fun never got a start. Carolyn largely distinguished herself with her mop of red hair, but that wasn't able to save a dud of a show.
Who is she: At the time of her JAM appearance Carolyn was a popular TV presenter on a variety of shows. Is still working but no longer such a big name.
Links to transcripts: 1
Pete McCarthy
JAM Appearances: Two, one as a panellist on Radio in 1994, and one as a panellist on Television in 1994.
How he did: Pete was okay but nothing special, he had a nice gently humorous style, but didn't do enough to warrant further appearances.
Who is he: Pete became a hugely successful writer of very funny travel books, and tours doing readings and signings. At the time of his JAM appearances Pete was a regular on the stand-up circuit and at London's Comedy Store. He died sadly young in 2004.
Links to transcripts: 1 2
Maria McErlane
JAM Appearances: 14 including 10 on Radio in 1996-1998-2000-2004-2007, and four on Television in 1999.
How she did: Maria seems to be best remembered for her hearty chuckle, and the obvious enjoyment she got out of the game. Also uses her voice as weapon. As a particpant she was probably too prone to fits of giggles to make a real impact on the game though she was able to poke fun at herself in best JAM style.
Who is she: Maria is an actress/comedienne who was regularly on TV in the late 90s with her own game show Carnal Knowledge which she hosted with Graham Norton, and appearances on sketch shows like The Fast Show and Eurotrash. She is also a writer occasionally columnising in the press.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Alistair McGowan
JAM Appearances: One as a panellist on radio in 1993.
How he did: Perhaps one of the lesser appearances on JAM, Alistair just didn't seem to have what it takes on the night. Strangely given that his chief talent is impersonations, he didn't do any.
Who is he: Alistair is a big name impressionist with his impersonations of well-known voices being available even on mobile phones! He stars in his own long-running show Alistair McGowan's Big Impression. He also appears in many other shows including Dead Ringers and appears on the comedy circuit on stage. In recent years Alsitair has turned more to the stage, appearing in musicals. He's also known as an environmental campaigner and has recently bought land near Heathrow, to try and stop the expansion of the airport.
Links to transcripts: 1
Pauline McLynn
JAM Appearances: Six on Radio in 2006-2007-2009.
How she did: Pauline seemed bubbly and friendly and was a good sport but didn't make much impact comedically. Still she entered into the spirit of the game well without producing the big laughs.
Who is she: The Irish comedienne is still probably best known for her bit part in Father Ted, even though the show has been off the air now for a decade. She has also acted in movies, winning a Best Actress nomination in the 2005 Irish Film Awards for her part in Gypo. She's also a novellist and a regular on the stand-up comedy circuit.
Links to transcripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6
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