i've just heard wilfred pickles's voice for the first time! i don't usually tune in at that hour, but what luck that i did! i found barry took presenting a program called "laughter in the air" about the history of radio comedy (he had a book by the same name out some time ago - i must buy it!) and he was discussing wilfred pickles's legendary following and career - he's one of the best-loved broadcasters of his time and the first northerner to broadcast on bbc in his own speech. i've read lots about his time at the BBC but i've never heard an extended clip of his shows before. how awesome! she cries.

what's not quite so awesome is the new production of paul temple and the sullivan mystery playing on radio 4. the 1947 production has been lost (and it's one that was made before peter coke became the definitive paul temple.) the sound is right, and the mystery is exciting (i'm thrilled to hear a new paul temple), but the voices just don't convey the right feel to me, even with their put-on 40's accents. i don't mind crawford logan's paul temple so much, but i really took a dislike to the new voice of steve, who sounds rather wan and a touch dim, not in the least like majorie westbury's robust and vivacious steve. and they really don't have that sort of sparkling intimacy that peter coke and majorie westbury had.