Tuesday 8 January 2013

Happy New Year!

…and Happy Birling Day Eve.

As you may have guessed, I put this blog into hibernation while I finished writing Cabin Pressure; but now that's done, I will be attempt to resume normal service.

The fourth series begins tomorrow, on BBC Radio 4, at 6:30PM. It will be available here on BBC iPlayer for a week after that, and that should be playable from anywhere in the world.

I'll put up a blog post about the episode later tomorrow evening.

In the meantime, I am again, as I did at the end of series three, slowly stripping my flat of the post-its with scrawled plot points that collect on the walls and windows like flocks of moths during the writing of a series. Here are some of the ones I took down today:

Royalty Top Trumps

Goose attack

Douglas can't smell bacon

Arthur looks for camels.

Sweeping for assassins

Herc's fruit tray

No sheep in taxi.

Pineapple Juice - Leave the bottle


85 comments:

Cringing Wretch said...

I can hardly wait. I was rather hoping for a Christmas special episode to whet our appetite, but the Jo'burg episode would do as well.

Keith said...

This news is rife with unmitigated excellence.

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

this is already on twitter, duck for the wave of comments john!!

anon hull

Sil T said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sil T said...

So looking forward to the new series, thank goodness for your and your team's genius :)

Sarah said...

I feel like sheep shouldn't ever be in taxis. They're probably always short on fare.

Unknown said...

So exciting! And your fans have been quite good about the spoilers :)

Anonymous said...

The sheep question is certainly a wooly conundrum. And didn't the goose attack in St. Petersburg? Could this be retribution? Incensed goslings out to avenge their feathered father?

Anonymous said...

SOOOOO EXCITED! Too excited to come up with a coherent comment!

BeeCycling said...

I played British Politicians Top Trumps over Christmas. It included a "fanciability" category. Disturbing when the set included Eric Pickles.

Can't wait for tonight. Have heard quite a few trails on Radio 4 now, whetting my appetite.

Unknown said...

Life is good again. Thank you.

The french Frog (but with no outrageous french accent) said...

Now I'm going to try my hardest to be able to understand everything - I've got one week...

Anonymous said...

Best way to start a new year! Can it be evening now? And what about now? And now?

Paula said...

Can't wait!

But until then, "nothing beats mother's latte"!

Andrew Bossom said...

I heard a repeat of Johannesburg a few days ago, and remembered you asking if you'd ever mentioned Martin's height. It struck me that circumstantial evidence in that episode points to Martin being the same height as Tom Cruise, but of course by then you'd already recorded the new series so it would have been pointless trying to give you the benefit of my brilliant insight.

So here I am, writing a comment on your blog to pointlessly say that I previously refrained from pointlessly saying something.

Not only that, but I have just split an infinitive. Not content with writing a pointless comment, I have also risked the derision of self-styled grammarians everywhere. Not a good start to the day: I've had better Wednesdays. But at least I have a new series of Cabin Pressure to look forward to.

Hannah Littleton said...

I watched the Youtube video last night of you getting presented with the Lemon Book, John. So glad someone videoed that as I couldn't get tickets to the recording. I welled up a little bit! That on it's own is an indicator of how excellent your show is. Really looking forward to the new series tonight! I'm turning my phone off so no one can disturb me!

Jo said...

In Poland we are ready to get onboard tonight! :)

Katrin said...

Happy Birling Day to yourself! I can't wait. But I have an apple with me to keep me busy throughout the day. And I have this: http://instagram.com/p/UQRLPhE6qE/

Carla said...

Ohhh, "Pineapple Juice - Leave the bottle" sounds so ominous (only you, John, could make this so). D: I'm worried for Arthur now, and everyone, honestly. A down and out sounding Arthur is just not a terribly good thing (though I could be wrong entirely and it's Douglas swapping out his normal apple juice, I s'pose we'll see :) ).

Can't wait. :D ❤

MxDP said...

BRILLIANT

Happy New Year, and more importantly, happy Birling Day to you, too, sir!

Anonymous said...

For more value there are the repeats on 4extra - something lovely to wake up or (not - obviously) go to sleep to, just a week later.

Katri said...

Finland is ready too - this is going to be awesome.

Happy Birling Day to everyone!

BF said...

I am ready for boarding!!!!
John thanks for teh s4 :)
Greetings and love from Poland!

Pauline Laing said...

Bravo!

Laimelde said...

I'm about to go to bed in Sydney... and wake up at 5:30am to listen to Timbuktu. Timezones are mostly useful but occasionally very inconvenient. Hopefully I don't doze off, though of course I'll have a week to listen again if I need it. Can't wait!

Linnéa said...

Yay! Looking soooo forward to listening tonight!

Congratulation on finishing series 4, it sure must have been a lot of hard work - and hopefully a lot of fun as well. I always find it hard to go back to normal after finishing a huge project, so I hope you know what to do with all the free time at your hands now (if, indeed, you have any... Free time, not hands, that is. I'm assuming you do have hands.)?

Anyway, thanks for being such a genius writer! :)

John Finnemore said...

Everyone - Thank you! Really hope you like it when you hear it.

Andrew - I have good news for you, sort of: I never asked about Martin's height ( I asked about Douglas' age, which I now know). And if I had done, the answer would be that though not mentioned in Johannesburg, it is mentioned quite a lot in eg Abu Dhabi and Rotterdam. So, you had the wrong answer to the wrong question… and the good news is you didn't give it! Your Wednesday is looking up.

Carla - Good news for you too - I've just remembered that the scene represented by 'Pineapple Juice - Leave The Bottle' got cut in the final edit.

Horsa said...

Glad you've resumed your blogging-we've missed you. Friend and I failed to get tickets for recordings-so disappointed as we would have loved to see/hear you all live! Still....Happy Birling Day one and all and only just over 5 hours to Timbuktu. Told OH that I will be incommunicado from 6.30 to 7.00pm.

Julian said...

Yesterday's trailer nearly made me crash with laughter. I'm going to spend the afternoon desperately trying to work out how Mr Birling ends up in Timbuktu, and who gets the Talisker this year...

Claire said...

Was lucky enough to be at the recording for the first 2 episodes and they were hilarious! Brilliant stuff (oops, sorry John, nicking your word there). It was lovely meeting you after, you're such a lovely person. And I marvel at all the work that goes into the Cabin Pressure series. Good luck with it all!

Cathy in Canada said...

It is great to have your "voice" on the blog again. Missed you, but knew you were busy with more pressing matters... I look forward to being highly entertained with the new Cabin Pressure series. So, I have my baggage stowed, my chair back in the upright position, my table tray closed and locked, have watched you do cross checks and am ready to fly! 1, 2, 3...Let's go!

Pip said...

Happy New Year to you too!

I was fortunate enough to attend the recording last Sunday. Hilarious and wonderful. I've been following Cabin Pressure since the first series and my children are keen fans! My youngest (12) listens to them on a loop I think!

You have been very kind to give me a wonderful birthday present today, 9th Jan, with the broadcast of Episode 1 Series 4 :)

On a separate note, by sheer coincidence I picked up the 'Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook' earlier today and my eyes alighted on the section about 'Landing a plane'. Selected highlights include:-

No. 1. If the plane has only one set of controls, push, pull, carry, or drag the pilot out of the pilot's seat... (!)

by No. 5. the advice is...
Get your bearings and identify the instruments.
Look around you. Is the plane level? Unless you have just taken off or are about to land, it should be flying relatively straight.
(!)

The epilogue to the section is entitled Be Aware and includes the following advice...

When the plane comes to a stop, get out as soon as possible and get away-and take the pilot with you.!

Arthur could peruse the pages for a 'just in case scenario' :)

Thank you for giving us CP. It has been the only radio comedy series that I really wanted to watch being recorded and I'm so glad I had the opportunity.

Unknown said...

I came to the middle recording on the 16th December. I can just tell it's going to be a great series!

A few of us got very over-excited at college today, to the confusion of our fellow 18 year old friends. THEIR LOSS.

HAPPY BIRLING DAY!

Anonymous said...

huzzah! my computer chirped at me and I remembered what day it was. Get those time zones in gear, it's suddenly been entirely too long a wait!

Holly said...

Eeep! Too, too excited. I'm watching the clock like it's a countdown.

Toria said...

If nobody has already suggested; Those post-its would probably sell well on EBay. Is there a charity you wanted to raise money for?

Anonymous said...

Somebody please design a BIRLING DAY greeting card?!

Maybe one of those that holds money, --with a picture of Talisker Scotch . . . ?

I have canceled all appointments and have readied my bedroom for CP Episode 1, Series 4 :

Radio in working order --check
Box of Chocolates --check
Bedside teapot--check
Phone off hook-- check

I"M EXCITED !

Anonymous said...

Only one more hour to go! Can't wait! Thank you Mr. Finnemore for creating such a wonderful series. I don't know ...and don't want to know...how many times I've listened to the entire series, but it still manages to make me laugh every single time.

Anonymous said...

I am so excited...Happy Birling Day all. x

Anonymous said...

I completely agree to spitfire.k8: Life is good again (and so are the comments here)!

Like so many others I've lived on the CDs in the past months and since I couldn't even apply for tickets one question remains: during the sessions do the actors actually act (like opening doors, walking around etc.) or do they just read and noises are added later?

Anyway, about 35 minutes till take off - YEAH!!!

Annie said...

"Pineapple juice - leave the bottle."

That makes me whimper with sadness a little. I hope Arthur will be ok! Less than 20 minutes to go. Happy Birling Day Mr. Finnemore!

x Annie

Eclectic Man said...

Hmm

"Herc's fruit tray"

This bodes well for a return of Herc and his rivalry with Douglas.

Caroline said...

Get Dressed You Merry Gentlemen, It's Birling, Birling Day!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 minutes to go and I'm getting pre-flight butterflies......

Welcome back MJN!!!!

Anonymous said...

BRILLIANT! Thanks for yellow car and... everything! I feel tempted to propose to you - all of you!

Jo said...

BRILLIANT!!! FANTASTIC!!! TOO SHORT!!! :) Greetings from Poland :)

Cyndi said...

Another outstanding Birling Day! Thank you!

Andrew Bossom said...

Ooh... evil Martin...

Anonymous said...

thank you thank you thank you - this made my day. or rather my week. possibly the whole year. you, sir, are a genius!
in deepest admiration,
d. from germany

casy said...

Happy New Year Mr Finnemore AND ..... what a BRILLIANT episode Timbuktu!!!
I knew it'll be great such as the previous seasons and you didn't disappoint me :D Can't wait for next week :D

dafairy43 said...

just listened to the new episode <3<3 the thing I love the most about cabin pressure is that the episodes just get better and better XD I LOVED Timbuktu <3

Ana said...

I have to write it: the episode was absolutely perfect, ¡REDONDO! we say here -- don't know if "round" is used in the same sense in English.

Thank you so much! Greetings from Barcelona.

Daedalus said...

Things are bright and cheerful in the USA now that the miracle of the Internet has brought Series 4 to us!

Only one complaint: not enough of the magnificent Mr. Whitehead!

Ellie P said...

Really enjoyed it tonight; Mum and I sat together and listened to it. So glad it's still going; thanks so much. :)

Rhi said...

That was a magnificent episode !
I laughed so much, I'll be listening to it again on iplayer as soon as it's available.

Bravo Mr. Finnemore !

Anonymous said...

Great episode, John/ 'particularly helpful mood' Arthur.

Love how Douglas always wins on Birling day. And Martin finally had a great idea for the first time!

Loved it from Canada!
Stella M


Caroline said...

Thank you for another wonderful flight!
Martin an evil genius - who knew?

Waiting impatiently for iPlayer now.....

Anonymous said...

Mr Finnemore you are BRILLIANT!!!!!
I want more CP!!!!
Martin was winning with Douglas??!! camel camel... Timbuktu Timbuktu... or Baden Baden Baden Baden :)
xxx from Poland

Magda said...

That was brilliant!
You just made my day:)
Thanks

Veej said...

Not just brilliant but Brilliant Brilliant!
Highlight of the week and probably the whole year too to have MJN back on the airwaves. Thank you so much!

Anonymous said...

John!!
It was a PALACE OF PLEASURE :)
love, B

Stripeycat said...

Camel Camel.xxx

Pivli said...


It was absolutely fantastic. John, you're a genius. I cried with laughter, really. And all my troubles are gone ... thank you, John, and thanks to all those performers.
You are all brilliant, of course!
Many Greetings from Prague




Anonymous said...

Greetings from Nebraska, and thank you for another hilarious, achingly clever episode! Your writing is as sharp and brilliant as ever.

Can't tell you how excited I am to commit season four to memory, like the previous 19 episodes. Honestly, I never tire of listening to them!

Daedalus said...

On the subject of BBC comedy coming to us via the Internet: the latest "Clare in the Community" has a script that reminded me of Mr. Finnemore's best stuff. Given that he has already written for "Safety Catch" I'd love to hear a Finnemore script for CITC.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness I wasn't listening while I was driving!

Gordiana17 said...

It was BRILLIANT BRILLIANT!!!!

Thank you John, for turning my crappy day into a lovely evening!

Yellow car!

Camel camel!

Greetings from Warsaw!

Julie said...

Hooray!! Such a happy, happy day! So glad that Douglas won again in the end. Washington DC salutes you!
Question- Martin has been at MJN for 5 years now? Surely he's getting paid something by now?

Beth Rivers said...

It's a shame me and my nan didn't get tickets for this series, anyone know about how long between series? because I only started listening to CP and got obsessed a few months ago... Hopefully it's not as long as Sherlock, a couple of years between series.. <3 John Finnemore you are BRILLIANT! x

Mandy (from Melbourne, Australia) said...

Happy happy Birling Day, Mr Finnemore!

Sheer brilliance to add Camel to the Yellow Car game - wonderful episode and I loved hearing the slight giggle in Benedict's voice at the mention of the 'crime'!

Thank you for your great writing, can't wait for next week's ep.

Anonymous said...

A thing that Douglas can't do! Howzat!

Elasis said...

Happy New year!
Thanks to the live broadcast on the BBC 4 radio website, I was able to listen to it from France.
it was brilliant (of course) :)

Spaceman91 said...

Hello John, is this the first time that Caroline has ever addressed anyone seriously or otherwise as "SIR" in any episode?...when she says to Mr. Birling,"We'll be ready to fly within the hour, SIR"

Veronica said...

Is it Timbuktu Timbuktu because of Mayday Mayday? I hope so, very Martin. But while it's nearly always Mayday Mayday in movies, the standard procedure is in fact Mayday Mayday Mayday. Now, about Baden Baden...

Laura G said...

Number 1 on the i-player i-player!
Thank you for brightening our Januaries Mr F.

Elasis said...

by the way, Baden Baden is a very nice city for its bath and sauna. whether Caracalla (modern bath + nudist sauna cabins in the woods) or Friedrich bath (Roman nudist bath. wonderful).
if you don't like bath & sauna, there's always the casino.
we got Bains les Bains (Bath the Bath) in France.

Anonymous said...

Ahoy! from Australia! Just heard Timbuktu, absolutely brilliant (as in brilliant brilliant, not brilliant, but brilliant brilliant, as in really). Can't wait for next week!

SJ Howitt said...

Loved Tumbuktu Timbuktu, highlight of my week! (month)
Well done

Can't wait for next week!

Saff x

Tarot Dragon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I'm utterly thrilled that the episodes are available for listening online as I live in the USA. I've recently become a Cabin Pressure fan and have been waiting for the past few months for this new season to start. It was incredibly funny and I can't wait for next week's episode! Keep up the GREAT work!

Anonymous said...

Just listened to Uskerty from series 4 of Cabin Pressure and I'd just like to say ~ John Finnemore is...BRILLIANT!

Tavicinity said...

Uskerrty - best episode yet? My dog thinks I'm barking with my outbursts whilst I sit at my computer and listen on iPlayer. Laugh out loud brilliant. Thank you Mr Finnemore.

Anonymous said...

Suddenly some of those post it notes make sense!

WirelessPaul said...

Just wondering John if you are happy with the final output as I am feeling that the laughter has begun to interfere with the great scripts.
Paul Hudson

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