Tag: Charles Riley

Charles Riley 3 May 1994
News Revue
 
Dear Charles
 
MORE SONGS

 
Here are my latest offerings, including  a new South Africa Song at last – “Old Mandela”. By chance, I even have the music for three of the new songs, so Brian should be happy.
 
Hope to see you all on Thursday.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ian Harris
 
encs

Charles Riley 22 April 1994
News Revue
 
Dear Charles
 
A FEW POINTS

 
It was good to see you and the show last night. I enclose a few bits, pieces and thoughts.
 
TAPE
 
The enclosed tape relates to songs that Mark Keagan and Nick R Thomas intend to write this weekend. Their ideas sound good, so I hope they come up with the goods.
 
STREISAND
 
I don’t think the quickie can work. I do think the song can work, and I do think that Paula can do Streisand perfectly well; she really could do the song from the clipboard cos that is a joke in itself. Please try it.
 
SPAM
 
I think the D-Day spam fritter story will raise laughs. I have tried rewriting two lines of the John Major song to incorporate it (dropping the Bottomley/lobotomy line that really grates after hearing the same rhyme in Debbie’s opening number). This I think will work.
 
I also think that you could liven up any two-hander sketch by getting the others to burst in singing:
 
“Spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam, D-day spam, jamboree spam”
SKETCH PERFORMER:Shut up! Bloody Tories:
 
or whatever. This might even work as a runner through several sketches.
 
YOUNG, HEALTHY AND FIT
 
I don’t know what happened to this song. It is on the same tape as the Streisand. Here’s another copy of the lyrics.
 
ROTTEN
 
I still think this one works well. However, I seem to have lost my half credit on the running order for some reason!
 
USA POLITICS
 
I can’t help noticing the lack of American politics in the show (one quickie?). I am trying to think of new angles for songs, but it’s probably more sketch friendly. An early morning quickie:
 
ANNOUNCER:The American people remember Richard Nixon, the only US president in history  who’s screwed more of the American people than Bill Clinton.
 
Sorry, but it is 7.00 a.m. and that’s the best I can manage. Nag DAB, NC or JR to write something.
 
BOND
 
Do have another look at this one – I think you should cover the story to some extent. If the cast don’t like the blood line, you could always drop/replace it.
 
THAT’S ALL I CAN THINK OF AT THIS HOUR
 
Well, that’s all I can think of at this hour. I am now off to the borders of Wales for a wee while, but I shall be back by Thursday and look forward to seeing you all then.
 
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ian Harris
 
 

Charles Riley 19 April 1994
News Revue
 
Dear Charles
 
MORE SONGS

 
Corker of an opening week. Several friends of mine were in the audience and liked it a lot.
 
I hope you like the stuff I brought in on Sunday. Sorry these ones are a bit late – if the inspiration doesn’t come until Tuesday evening there’s not much I can do about it.
 
The Streisand one has gone down very well with the test audience tonight and might be worth your making a last minute change of plan! I think Paula could storm it.
 
See you Thursday.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ian Harris
 
encs

Charles Riley 11 April 1994
News Revue
 
Dear Charles
 
MORE SONGS ETC

 
Thank you for the call this morning. And Brian’s call this evening. I think I got the message. You want a recording of Video Killed The Radio Star. Well here it is. And also…
 
RWANDA
 
This has gone down very well with my test market this evening. I hope you like it.
 
EUGENE TERRE’BLANCHE
 
Jonathan Linsley keeps nagging me to update this epic from Paula’s run of 1992. As you seem desperate for a different angle on South Africa I thought I’d have a go. Again, the test audience thought it seems very topical and fresh with the few changes.
 
MAD FROGS
 
I was very reluctant to tinker with this one as I feel it is largely topical without change. I have changed the Mostar line into a Gorazde line to reflect the latest news. Note also that the Mogadishu line now reflects more recent events.
 
I’m looking forward to seeing the show on Thursday. I hope this little package is some help. Do get in touch if I can help with anything else.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
 
Ian Harris

LIST OF SONGS SUBMITTED AND TAPE TRACK LISTING

                                     CHARLES RILEY APRIL-MAY 1994 RUN
 
Dear Charles
 
I enclose your starter pack of lyrics and tape for my offerings.  The pack consists of new songs, songs currently in the show and one or two rewrites of older ones etc. If you want me to work on an old chestnut of mine that you might have uncovered in the archive, just let me know.
 
Feel free to call me and let me know if you are short of any subjects or styles and I shall try to oblige.  Also, if any of these need a bit of rewrite then I am happy to change them on request.
 
Hopefully the bank holiday should give me time to write some more, if the inspiration is forthcoming.
 
Looking forward to seeing you again soon.