By Jayne Stead
“Hello to Jason Isaacs”
Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo
OVERVIEW
Available: Radio 5 Live Friday pm
Creators: Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo
Production Company: Somethin’ Else Sound Directions
Publication date: 2005-Present
Length: 2 hours
SUMMARY
The podcast is an extended version of the radio film review show that listeners to Radio 5 Live will hear on Friday afternoons. The podcast is bookended with reader’s emails which provide content and shape the phenomenon ‘Wittertainment’ – so called because the two are known for their wittering and bickering. They are old friends, and it shows. The sharp observations and intelligence of Mark Kermode’s analysis shows a gargantuan knowledge and love of film. In calmer, more normal times they do a run-down of the top ten films, interviews with famous actors and directors, and look at new home releases. Nowadays, there are reviews on downloads of all manner of things and their brief has expanded to the releases onto our TV screens until we can all return to regular cinema going.
THOUGHTS
- The magic of this podcast is the relationship between the two presenters. Their joy and comfort at being in each other’s company is palpable.
- Mark knows everything there is to know about film and Simon knows a hell of a lot less. In fact, he often point-blank refuses some of Mark’s favourite recommendations such as the film Jeremy and The Exorcist.
- They introduced a ‘code of conduct’ of how to behave in cinemas that encapsulates all the stuff that annoys you at the cinema – mobile phones, eating crisps, kicking seats etc.
- Simon Mayo is a supreme interviewer, and he is a favourite of a fair few actors of note. Intelligent and original questioning makes him popular with them.
- The in jokes and historic banter topics are very rewarding once you start to get them. Phrases regularly crop up – “Hello to Jason Isaacs” – and are regularly started by listeners. This helps form a bond with the audience that is really enduring and funny. You feel like you are in a gentle, supportive gang.
- My favourite parts are where they can hardly veil their left-wing leanings and hatred of political nonsense to acquiesce to BBC impartiality regulations – they barely make it and cause a headache for the editors and producers.
CRITICAL RECEPTION
Gold Speech Award (Sony Awards) 2009
Best Specialist Contributor, Mark Kermode, Sony Awards 2010
Listener’s Choice Award, British Podcast Awards 2017 and 2018
RECOMMENDATION: 10/10
Fun Fact: It is the BBC’s most downloaded programme to date and Mark’s rant over his dislike of the ‘Sex in the City’ film is the stuff of legend.
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