Humphrey Lyttleton RIP

Sadly for Humph, and us, the hammer of time has met the anvil of inevitability.

He's gone, and I'm still trying to work out the rules of Mornington Crescent

RIP indeed, Humph

I can't imagine "I'm sorry..." without him. It was one of the few programmes that often had me laughing out loud. It could be dangerous on the car radio.

A very sad loss. But what a life!

Steve

Devastating news - I thought he would be there forever. Totally unique, likeable, entertaining and extremely talented, he will indeed be missed.

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
He's gone, and I'm still trying to work out the rules of Mornington Crescent

RIP indeed, Humph

Humphrey Lyttelton usually referred to NF Stovold’s Mornington Crescent: Rules and Origins. I tried to get a copy, but it is out of print. He also advised that "your local bookshop might have a copy of The Little Book of Mornington Crescent by Tim, Graeme, Barry and Humph." - unfortunately mine did not have a single copy.

Barry Cryer and Geoffrey Perkins stated Mornington Crescent was invented as a non-game, but some sources claim the game began with simple but secret rules, possibly based on a 1952 edition of the London A–Z, plus a few basic rules about which pages you could (or could not) turn to from the page you were on – all of which fell rapidly into disuse in favour of whimsical improvisation of rules and terminology. This original version of the game allowed for some degree of basic strategy, its goal being to reach the Mornington Crescent page while preventing opponents doing so first. Other sources maintain there are no rules nor any true game at all. Many sources, however, make general reference to the rules while refusing to enumerate them, because you can learn them easily by watching or participating in a game.

The game, as played on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, is a game of great skill and strategy, with complex rules. It bears some resemblance to party games such as Take a plane, Scissors, and Mao, in which certain players know secret rules. Unlike these games, Mornington Crescent's rules are well-defined but numerous and game-play is not arbitrary at all. As Humphrey Lyttelton said: the rulebook is maintained with inimitable accuracy by the lovely Samantha, who sleeps with it under her pillow. As it now runs to 17 volumes, she is running out of pillows.

HTH Rotf

LOL A worthy tribute, ROTF!

This is sad news. We will miss him, his audience will miss him. And so will a Mrs Trellis of North Wales.

Thank you Humph.

Chris

Dear ROTF,

Stovold is regularly revised and updated, it just takes some searching to track it down but it is worth the effort.

The basic rules of the game are quite simple (and there are so many books and websites explaining them that are but a quick google away that I won't go through them here), the complications arise from the multitude of variations that have sprung up over the years (such as the Scottish version of the game: Morningside Crescent).

You might seek out volume 2 of the BBC Radio Collection's Mornington Crescent. Disc two contains part one of Everyman's Guide to Mornington Crescent (narrated by Raymond Baxter). It examines the history of the game and its impact on world culture. Part two (explaining how it is played, is a little harder to track down, but worth the effort). Barry Cunliff (professor of history at Oxfor) has traced the roots of the game back to back to Roman times.

There is also Andrew Marr's In Search of Mornington Crescent.


It's well known that Humph was one of the very greatest players of the game. Unfortunately, he has for many years been excluded from the World Championships. His role as an adjudicator on I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue removed his amateur status.


regards, Tam

I would like to think that he is reading this and laughing along with us! You guys are great!

The one I feel sorry for is Samantha. She will be lost without her mentor. [Insert appropriate double-entendre here]

I can't claim much credit for my post - most of which derives from various Clue related broadcasts over the years.

regards, Tam

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Kelly:

The one I feel sorry for is Samantha.

For those of you new (too late) to "I'm Sorry ...", Samantha was the charming scorer who sat on Mr Lyttleton's left hand and keep a firm grip on the teams' points.

Of course, it's a little known fact that Samantha wasn't able to make the first programme. She had recently won Longest Legs of the Year 1972, and was in great demand for supermarket promotion work, she was busy opening them several times a day.

regards, Tam

quote:

Samantha was the charming scorer who sat on Mr Lyttleton's left hand and keep a firm grip on the teams' points.

Highly appropriate!

quote:

she was busy opening them several times a day.

Likewise!

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:
Dear ROTF,

Stovold is regularly revised and updated, it just takes some searching to track it down but it is worth the effort.

regards, Tam

Dear Tam

Thanks for the tip, I'll resume my search

ATB Rotf

PS - Can anybody sing Ernie - the fastest milkman in the west to the tune of Ride of the Valkyries?

Strap up your ribs and have a listen to these.....

regards
Geoff

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
PS - Can anybody sing Ernie - the fastest milkman in the west to the tune of Ride of the Valkyries?

Not without piano accompaniment from Colin Sell.

You know, people often ask after the old maestro. Well, unfortunately it failed its MOT so Colin is stuck with the bus at present.


regards, Tam

Rarely am I sad at the passing of a figure in entertainments or the broadcast media, but I was when Brian Johnstone died, and I am now in Humph's case. He will really be missed here.

One of life's pleasure has been sampled for the last time.

Yes I shall miss his incredible programme.

Somehow i always imagined that Colin Sell was spelt Colin Szell. How wrong I can be ...

George

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:
Samantha was the charming scorer who sat on Mr Lyttleton's left hand and keep a firm grip on the teams' points.

I hear she's taken it very hard.

If anybody wants a good read, I'd highly recommend It Just Occurred to Me...: The Reminiscences and Thoughts of Chairman Humph