OFF MESSAGE
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t would be invidious to single out any one Cambridge speaker from September’s dazzling line-up for a special mention, but let’s hear it for Philomena Cunk’s sublimely hilarious Convention videos. Cunk’s artfully dumb comments were ideal for cheering up any dele gates worried that they might be hit by the next wave of digital disruption. Equally enjoyable was the video clip featuring Status Quo veterans Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi poking gentle fun at John Whittingdale. The self-proclaimed heavy metal fan, who once impersonated Neil Kinnock as part of Margaret Thatcher’s preparations for PMQs, revealed that he’d attended some 22 Quo gigs. Off Message wonders how many Quo albums he owns – and what’s the secret to telling them apart. ■ OK, it might be unfair. Off Message can’t help but praise Sharon White, Ofcom’s newish CEO, for her hugely impressive Convention debut. What a breath of fresh air this jargon-free regulator was – cerebral, witty and well-informed, as one delegate put it. Her smile alone should go a long way in getting stakeholders and policymakers on side. It was heartening to see White, takeaway coffee in hand, on Friday morning sitting towards the back of the conference auditorium, ready
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and waiting for the first session to start. And not a minder in sight. Her relaxed, inconspicuous style is not what you’d expect from a regulator. Thankfully, in her encounter with Stewart Purvis she didn’t use the E words once – that’s E for “ecosystem” and “ecology”. ■ Back to music… well, Off Message supposes that we can call it music. Thursday night at Cambridge is the time for exhausted media executives to loosen their ties and switch off their devices. What better way to forget the day at the Convention coal face than to show off some well-honed karaoke skills. John Hardie, aka ITN’s CEO, was in his element covering George Michael’s Faith. This was followed by a rip-roaring version of Abba’s party perennial Dancing Queen. Show-stopping though the ITN man’s efforts were, he was almost upstaged by David Docherty’s startling take on Bruce Springsteen’s breakthrough anthem, Born To Run. What a pity Docherty had left his bandana and leather jacket in the office. ■ Perhaps the new shadow culture secretary, Michael Dugher, would have been in his element at the after-hours karaoke session. Little is known about Chris Bryant’s successor – apart from the politician
apparently once being an amateur rock musician. One thing is for sure – unlike Byrant, the MP for Barnsley East never worked for the BBC or took holy orders. Reckon he’s a mean air guitarist, though. ■ And finally, Off Message was thrilled to attend the 40th anniversary party for Arena, BBC TV’s peerless arts documentary series. Hosted by Anthony Wall, in charge of the programme since the untimely death in 1995 of his Co-Editor, Nigel Finch, the bash was held at what had been Finch’s sprawling and totally gorgeous South London home. The garden, backing on to Tooting Common, must be one of London’s finest. Arena is often brilliantly idiosyncratic. So, too, was the party. There was poetry – including a specially written verse celebrating the birthday – performance and an energetic trio that kicked off by playing a euphoric version of The Shadows’ classic Apache. Off Message, did not spot too many BBC executives at the gathering – apart from a beaming and conspicuously casually clad Alan Yentob. He once edited Arena. Among his shows was his brilliant profile of Mel Brooks, which he is fond of recalling. Sincere congratulations for four decades of often-inspirational television. Long may Arena continue to run.
October 2015 www.rts.org.uk Television