Paul Mackenzie on mixed marriage, the credit crunch and sausage skins - week 2

“All I had on in the afternoon was Paul Mckenzie”

“Mr Doodle, (comment: Oct 21) your idea about Paul being on TV is an interesting and positive one. I would think Paul is capable of turning his hand to almost anything. Letting him have a "free rein" in whatever he does would be "Paul Mackenzie". Restricting or controlling his performances would produce something less. I have a suspicion that Paul's rein would have been well short of "free" in the past. Paul tended to be not just "out of the box" he seemed to have avoided it by quite some distance. Perhaps Paul is happy just appearing in this podcast, to find out otherwise I suppose someone would have to make him an offer to see what is possible for the future. Perhaps he and George could discuss it among themselves….”

“Derby_born, it's good to know you appreciate the likes of our local composer, Ronald Binge. Did you ever hear the solo George Postlethwaite shows where he featured many of Ronald Binge's compositions such as "Sailing By" and "The Watermill"?
Ronald Binge was the first to use "cascading strings" something which of course Mantovani adopted and for which Mantovani seemed to take most of the credit. Good old Ronnie from Chaddesden! If George Postlethwaite returned to you know where, would they allow him to feature such wonderful "Local Music?" – I doubt it.
On the main subject, it is good to hear Paul and George. I fear sooner or later they'll be off to greener fields for good unless something is done about their return to a wider audience. I mean no disrespect to the Derby Telegraph, the paper has done wonders!”

“I wondered if this episode may not live up to last week's pilot episode but I shouldn't have worried as it was even better. George and Paul seem a lot more confident and more like their old entertaining selves. I recorded this episode and will listen to it again as I drive across the A66 to Keswick tomorrow.”

“Agreed, Derby_Born.
I have met Paul along with a fellow presenter at the time, whilst having a pint in the Flower Pot, and we had a good natter. With the right format, (NOT a chat show) he could make good use of the Televisual medium, maybe a travelogue-style wander, taking in points of interest and interviewing folk. Starting with Derbyshire. A good advert for local tourism, done in his genial way, assuming he was given free reign as to his approach and style. I think East Midlands today should give him a test run. And every episode could end with a bit of homespun philosophy, MacKenzie style.”

“Derbyborn, you seem to have overestimated. At the time of writing you have 13 red arrows, not 20. :D”

“Oscardoodle, apologies and thanks for that one! Derby does have some unsung talent. I had never heard pf Ronald Binge umtil a few years ag, but his music, Elizabethan Seranade is amongst my favourite classics.
As to Paul Mackenzie, I think he is capable of much more than this medium allows, I would like to see him given the opportunity to show more of his entertainment skills.
Paul jas narrated travel and event videos. There is one on Youtube where he is taking part in a Crich Tramway Museum 1940s Weekend event; interviewing participants and narrating. All very professional and something he could easilly do for television.”

“@Derby_born, I know that George is ficticious, I was paying homage to a fellow Bemrose printers employee of many year's standing, who would have made an admirable replacement for George. The Brian Hallett in question did the best Winston Churchill impression on the planet, and probably still does. He is the epitome of all that is great and good about Derby, it's history, and it's beer. I was doing him homage. In my own little way.
Non nobis sed allis futura merentem.”

“Sorry to disappoint you Oscardoodle but George is definitely not a real person. I have been interviewed by Paul, at BBC Radio Derby on a number of occasions I saw Paul switch his voice whilst holding a conversation with "Geotge", and in a recent D T article he admitted that he is George.

I agree that this format does not really work. Paul is much better on live radio, he used to have dozens of phone calls from people who wanted to talk to George. Everyone from young children to their grand parents would be jamming the station's switchboard. This Internet medium is lacking the imteractivity that Paul needs to succeed.
Inidentally, Paul once won an award for his George Postlthwaite accent.”

“Contrary to popular belief, I am a fan of Paul Mackenzie, but objected to another broadcaster's job being taken just to satisfy a small listernership's desire for a fondly held memory of a program with a warm interaction with the local folk that satisfied an online petition of just six people, and a few e-mails. The Derby Telegraph has jumped in with noble intent, but you will notice that apart from online advertising, it sounds like a ventriloquists audition, which is an insult to Paul's talent.
It doesn't work in this format.
Bring on the red arrows.
My apologies to those listeners who fondly remember the old days.
I still think that George is really Brian Hallet.
Hello Brian.
Sadly, I give this format three months.
It shouldn't have to be this way.
Sigh......”