Invasion of the Nobbly Snatchers....
So.... I'm up in the front seat of an ice cream van (aka the "Nobbly Bobbly") on the promenade in Blackpool, sitting there trying to construct a poem (as you do!). The recent illumination of the sea-front lights provided a stunning visual backdrop for the proceedings and there were a couple of hundred people all braving the wet and windy elements, awaiting for the show to begin.
And what a peculiar mix of a show that it was! We had Mr Gay UK requesting a 99...minus a little bit, Joey Blower (a local celebrity comedian), a wet T-shirt display from an enthusiastic lady (where ice cream was conveniently used instead of water). Mr Nibs was put into a trance by a stage hypnotist then mentally whisked away to Moominland and to top it all off, the Mayor of Blackpool arrived on a Honda Goldwing motorcycle complete with his bike helmet, a tangerine jacket (the official colour of Blackpool) and his "bling-tastic" gold mayoral regalia.
There was one brief point in the evening, when I glanced back to Matt (who was skillfully trying to operate his beloved "switches" lodged between a pile of CD's and a fridge freezer). We both looked at each other and shared the same befuddled thought: "How in the flying fuselage did we ever end up here!?!"
The answer of course goes back to about a year ago, when we were all young fresh and radio green over on 6music. In those heady days, our burgeoning podcast was hovering at about the number 10 mark in the charts. Russell promptly exclaimed that if we ever made it to number 1, then he would get into an ice cream van and give away free goodies. Everybody laughed, as none of us could even conceive that the podcast would ever become that popular, so when it eventually topped the charts we were all taken aback by suprise.
Obviously somebody out there must like our little choc-ice of poddy-podcast delights! This was made all the more evident by the huge outpouring of well wishes that we all received throughout the night. I met so many people who had trekked from all over the UK just to see how Russell would handle his Mr Whippy! Admittedly, it wasn't exactly bikini weather and sadly all we had to offer you lot were ice lollies and ice cream!
Thanks to everyone who turned up, survived the rain and made the night special, also to the R2 crew who made it all possible: Richard, Ian, Caroline, Joe and our producer Nick (who was rushed off his feet!). But especially, thanks to you all for lending us your ears and allowing a little Nobbly Bobbly to invade your iPods!
Next week it's Russell and Matt transmitting from the New York City, the Big Apple....come take a bite!
it was worth it!
it was an amazing night
i would like to knjow what russell did with the rock willy i gave him!
xxxxxxxxxxx
Really loved it, thanks to everyone who made it possible! :-)
Thought your poem was fantastic, as always!
My mum's still recovering from getting hit in the face by a solero though! (other ice creams are available)
Poppy xxxxxxxx
Can't wait to hear it. But wait! New York City? I live in New York City! When and where will Russ and Matt be for us not in dear Blighty to feat our eyes on His Gorgeousness? Inquiring minds need to know, Mr. Gee!
Ridski...xxx
We were more likely to be showered with ice creams than rain! Worth it though – Congratulations on the Number One Podcast and Thanks for keeping your promise! - 'Twas great fun. :D
As I looked upon the somewhat surreal scene of the three of you crammed into Nobbly Bobbly doing your thing, I couldn’t help thinking of Scooby Doo and Co. in their van, solving purportedly supernatural mysteries in funfairs:
Who dun it in the end this time? Was it Mr Gayness UK, pink jumpered Joey Blower or the hypnotist?
Noo …. It was the jolly tangerine Mayor that no-one suspected.
xx
Love the photos.
Lovem lovem lovem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ther unbelievable, wicked.
Russell is the most stunning human being, I think, in the world.
Mattis v. sexy too.
My fave pics are, 44, 55 and 59.
Thanks so much fer puttin them up ere for us to see.
Youre amazin.
Love the photos.
Lovem lovem lovem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ther unbelievable, wicked.
Russell is the most stunning human being, I think, in the world.
Mattis v. sexy too.
My fave pics are, 44, 55 and 59.
Thanks so much fer puttin them up ere for us to see.
Youre amazin.
Great pics!
Thanks Russell, Matt, Mr Gee, Mr Nibs and the Radio 2 team for doing the show from Blackpool in the Nobbly Bobbly.
It was a 4-hour round trip drive for us, but we had a brilliant night, despite the wind, rain and the near miss with a box of lollies thrown by Russ in the direction of my head! I didn't mind getting Mr Whippy in my hair either, such was the fun on the night.
Get Joey Blowers and the good ol' Mayor of Blackpool on your show again, they were bloomin' marvellous...!
Nice pics
that has to be the coolest mayor that I've ever seen. but where are the mr gee pics? where you too scared to leave the nobbly bobbly? lol
x
Where and when can we see this crazy event called Russell, Matt & Gee invading New York! I live here in Brooklyn and will certainly make my best effort to turn out!
Someone please email me and lemme know - I think you can click my name. No?
So, Mr Gawjus .... when can we expect the Russ Roadshow in Clacton?!?!??
I foresee a future of Russ's Seaside Specials in 2008!
CtD x x x
hey Russell, Matt and mr. gee.
I can't believe the fact that you're coming to new York. I live in New Jersey and it is my dream to meet you guys! Thanks for reading my e-mail last week from nobbly bobbly. any info would be greatly appreciated!
luvu boi boi luvu!!1
I thought you’d be sitting ducks to a riot at Blackpool but what a great show, the highlight for me being the ‘makeshift’ Mayor.
x
Listened to the show via podcast and laughed my socks off. When can we welcome you to HK??? Not sure we could find you an ice cream van, but we could definitely rustle up a junk.....
Strong emotion
Trapped and frozen
On hold in notion
Waiting for a worthy cause
Looking for a window to vent
Swept away to distant shores
So it is meant
But why cannot we share
And swim in the power of its air?
Culture,like a systematic vulture
Steals, unseemingly, so
That all should be, as it seems.
Like a vat of butter,would not
Make a pea a nutter
So it is with raw emotion
Given to explore explosion
Pure harmony
Would underscore
What would seem unseemingly
Would mean, in extremity
Nothing, that would echo of cliche'
We would touch, the tip
Rippling down through the burg
We would stitch
The stake in our hearts
And sew up
The soul, wrapped up in fur
We would swing in the face
Of the dread
and its pace
Would be unable to stir
Given only to streak,
Through the burdens,
That creak
When unleashed
Crack through to mielleure.
Wrong devotions
Mapped and brazen..
Unfold in lateral motions.
Patiently hating what's in store
Cooking you in tow for lent
Leapt astray from 'hissed at' whores
Is it straight, is it bent?
How sly must we scare
A whim, in the shower of his hair?
Couture, but statistically immature
Gives, so evidently so...
un-taunting, yet bursting at the seams!
That strikes me as a stutter
Do not flee, I merely mutter
So I say this as a token
[bidden as is spoken]
We'll be your army
without flaw
We could beam eternity
Should we scream in vanity?
"Muffling," spat good beckoning prey..
Withstood much of our lip
Crippling towns remain unheard
A random glitch
Would make us start
to grow up
Black holes omit to stir
But care we do not, I thus concur.
So take this thread
and every race
stood as one to confer.
Withering as I speak
True is this burden
about to peak
rare, unique
Smack is so last week.
Do you like our poems?
I wrote the barnicled one.
Dan wrote the popsicle one.
We took the first, then changed the words so it took on a life of its own.
Danny bowiy is clever.
He is also sweetly, sexy and dangerous.
Watch out.
BOWIYS!