30/11/2012 James O'Brien Show, UKIP, Drink Driving, Oscar Pistorius

Credit:  Jim Thurson

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Hour 1

After yesterday's by election results, is it time to review UKIP's reputation as a refuge for people too nuts for the Tories? 0845 6060973
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) November 30, 2012

• Featuring the zinger of the morning - "I can't stand all these human rights"

Hour 2

• More UKIP callers
• After the drink driving campaign was launched, James wants to know what we can do/have done to stop friends from driving drunk. 

Hour 3

• More drink driving calls
• Oscar Pistorius interview

James serenaded us with this classic while discussing drink driving

James' break-up song

Mystery Hour Podcast 29/11/2012

Here's today's Mystery Hour Podcast

Questions are under Hour 3 of today's show. 

• Click here to listen to previous podcasts.
• Click here to read the archive

29/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - I'm a Celebrity, The NHS, Mystery Hour

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Hour 1

• James is reluctantly outraged by something that happened on I'm a Celebrity.  He thinks it borders on child abuse.

Did I'm a Celebrity go too far in not allowing Charlie Brooks to see her daughter during last night's programme? Tell @mrjamesob on @lbc973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 29, 2012

The heartbreaking clip



Hour 2

• James examines Jeremy Hunt's remarks on the NHS inspired by this tweet and invites calls from people with personal experience

Hour 3

AUDIO: There's a free podcast for this hour

• Is there any basis on the suggestion that if you are wearing coat indoors it makes it less effective when you venture outside?
• What are the origins of the word "tattoo" when you're talking about the Edinburgh tattoo or the military tattoo?
• What are the origins of the phrase "tying the knot" in reference to getting married?
• Why do we lose our memories of what happens immediately before a car crash?
• How do touch screens work? (as in smartphones)
• In the UK you're innocent until proven guilty whereas in Europe it's the other way round. Has it ever been established which system is fairer?
• Why are there 60 seconds in a minute? 
• Is there a genetic guarantee that boys taller than their mother?
• How long does it take the royal mint to print £1 million when implementing quantative easing?

Cultural references

• Jay-Z's Guilty Until Proven Innocent

And James' obviously superior effort.  It's a shame that such talent has so far gone unnoticed by record companies.

28/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Porn education, Countryside Development, Online Dating

Picute credit: Jeff Schwartz

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Hour 1

• After this emotive story, James takes calls from parents about whether children should be taught about pornography at school.

Hour 2

• Following Planning Minister, Nick Boles' suggestion that we should build on 1 500 square miles of the English countryside, James wonders why building more houses in the where there's a housing shortage is a bad idea.

Hour 3

• James explores the booming industry that is online dating

27/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Property Ownership, Phones for Children, Floods

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Hour 1

• The bank of mom and dad is responsible for 72% of first time property buyers in London.
• James wants to know how we came to have the relationship between property ownership and success.

Hour 2

Why do children need mobile phones? Call @mrjamesob on 0845 60 60 973 @lbc973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 27, 2012

• James takes calls from paranoid parents who think a phone will insulate their kids from the evils of the world and some to whom the phones have helped their kids find their way home or with medical conditions.

Hour 3

• Following the floods that have swept across the North West, James wants to speak to people who have ever been flooded.
• All he wants to know is, WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

26/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - UKIP/Rotherham, Booze, Football Chants

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Hour 1

• Following the Rotherham Council/UKIP supporting forster parents debacle, James asks if you can love and care for children while simultaneously believing that they shouldn't be here.

Hour 2

• More calls on the Rotherham Council/UKIP topic
• The government is to increase the minimum alcohol price by 40p.  James wants to know who this is going to affect.

Hour 3

• More calls about booze
• James discusses the kerfuffle surrounding the Spurs and West Ham game yesterday
• James interviews Tim Minchin about his career and Matilda the Musical, which Tim co-wrote.

Cultural references

listen to ‘"Spurs fans' Y-word chants ARE offensive and need to stop" - David Baddiel’ on Audioboo

Tim Minchin's Matilda James has been singing in his "flat voice" - his words.

23/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Stalking, Dubai, Prisoner Votes

Photo Credit: Creative Commons, Fotopedia

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Hour 1

What's the difference between being a lovesick fool and a stalker? @mrjamesob wants to know-call him on 0845 6060 973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 23, 2012

• We learn that James was something of a stalker as a teenager 
• James takes calls from stalkers and stalkees
• James was once on the receiving end of stalking by a Manc woman that culminated in what he can only describe as "simulated orgasm" (maybe she was a saucy phone operator), but he doesn't consider the  existence of this to be stalking.

Hour 2

• After a British woman and an Irishman were jailed in Dubai for what the prosecution and the only witness, a taxi driver, call sex in a taxi (James calls it getting jiggy), even though DNA evidence confirms that no penetration actually took place, James wants to know: what's the bloody fascination with Dubai? 
• A woman who lived there for 25 years called in to say people have too much freedom here

Hour 3

• After David Cameron's claim that the thought of prisoners voting makes him "physically sick", James wonders who this emotive line was aimed to impress.

Cultural references

• The Flintstones - The classic American cartoon series was the source of a very rubbish joke that was texted to James and he read it out at the end of the second hour
• Guns N' Roses - Linsey, the drummer of Guns 2 Roses, The Official Guns N' Roses called in to tell us that his band is performing in Dubai soon and he's keen to check it out.

Mystery Hour Podcast 22/11/2012

Here's today's Mystery Hour Podcast


Questions are under Hour 3 of today's show.

• Click here to listen to previous podcasts.
• Click here to read the archive

22/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Gaza Ceasefire, Babies and Dogs, Mystery Hour

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Hour 1

• Following the Gaza ceasefire agreement, James asks: who won and what was won?

Hour 2

• Following the death of a baby after getting attacked by the family dog, James wonders why anyone would take the chance of keeping a dog around your newborn baby.
• Scary stuff. All I can say is Dr Freud would have had fun with some of the callers.

Hour 3 - Mystery Hour

Free audio podcast of this hour is available here

• If stars die, how come astronomical studies appear to be the same?
• Is there a restriction on the height of basket ball players?
• Why do we refer to the mince meat pie thus when there's no meat involved?
• Why do we teach kids times tables up 12?
• What would have to happen for us to see things around us in slow motion?
• Can the internet ever be turned off?
• Can birds fly backwards?
• Can an animal procreate with an from a different species?
• Can a hair that's fallen off a dog grow on a human body?  Duh!
• Today being Thanksgiving in the US, what happens to the two turkeys that President Obama will pardon?

21/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Child Exploiting Gangs, Down's Syndrome, Women Bishops, PMQs

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Hour 1

• James kicked off the this story about that quotes a report by the Office of Children's Commissioner
• Sue Berelowitz said the evidence indicated the perpetrators "come from all ethnic groups and so do their victims, contrary to what some may wish to believe".
• James takes exception with the last part of that sentence. He sees it as emblematic of "political correctness at it's worst"
• James thinks the report has played down the role of certain sections of Asian/Muslim (consensus has yet to be reached) men whose attitudes towards women are "medieval" and who are more likely to target 
• As usual, a lot of callers who are high on anger and low of logic called in to disagree with him

Hour 2

• James quotes Dominic Lawson's Independent piece in which he wonders why he would want his 17 year old daughter with Down's Syndrome cured when he loves her the way he is.
• James then takes calls from parents of children with Down's Syndrome and they all share his sentiments

Hour 3

• James continues to take calls from parents of children with Down's Syndrome, Autism and similar conditions
• James introduces the topic of the Church of England's vote against women Bishops.
• Tom Cheal with the PMQs report.

20/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - MPs expenses, Private Schooling, Prisoner Mentorship

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Hour 1

Can you make a case for MPs keeping details of their expenses a secret? Call @mrjamesob on: 0845 60 60 973 @lbc973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 20, 2012

• 51 of our 320 MPs have not disclosed their landlords' details on security grounds 
• James wonders whether the absence of fury is a sign that we're suffering from "fatcat fatigue"
• This is not "moats cleaning" revisited but it should still give us pause

Hour 2

• After the Sutton Trust's report that a disproportionate amount of birthdays recorded by national newspapers are of people who are privately. Furthermore, 80% of them run the country. Why?
• Cue a succession of posh accents.

Hour 3

• Chris Grayling is will set out plans to introduce a mentor programme for newly released prisoners.
• James expresses his frustration with the usual refrain that "prisons are holiday camps" and tells of his visit to a prison last week
• James takes calls from former prisoners in an effort to find out how they transitioned back to outside life after their release.

Cultural references

• Following reports that Tory MP Peter Luff rents a flat from Chelsea footballer and regular caller to the James O'Brien Show, Frank Lampard, let's remind ourselves of Mr Lampard's call to the show a few years ago.

When news of this call spread like wildfire, James was invited on Sky News.  Kay Burley then set about trying to extort an apology from James on behalf of his friend, Frank Lampard.  I don't want to be unkind, but she was ill-equipped for the task.

• Jacqueline Wilson's Hetty Feather - the book James referred to in the third hour while discussing prisons.

19/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Mansion Tax, Young Drivers, The Middle East

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Hour 1

How can anyone object to a tax on property worth over £1m during a time of austerity? Call: @mrjamesob on: 0845 60 60 973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 19, 2012

• As usual, The Telegraph readers lined up with their reasons why they think this is unfair to them and had their arguments calmly and intelligently decimated by our bearded hero.
• But some useful contributions too, especially the last caller John who encouraged us all to "be greedy but not too greedy".

Hour 2

• James discusses the proposed restrictions on young drivers.

Hour 3

• James discusses the Middle East (again) but this time contrasts it with the Northern Ireland.

I wanted to link to the Matthew Parris' Times column in which he articulates his frustration and boredom with the Middle East.  James quotes it often and has said in that he cut it out and kept it.  I can't link to it as it's behind the paywall - and I'm not giving that company any of my money - but when Mr Parris was on Question Time, he pretty much summed it up.

Friends of The James O'Brien Show dance for Children in Need

Skip to 02:12 to avoid the "Nice to see you, to see you, to see you ......." prelude

Friends of the James O'Brien Show, astrologer Russell Grant and retired MP, Ann Widdecombe took to the stage last night to dance for Children In Need.  Well, I think it would be more accurate to say that the latter was dragged around the stage.

I miss the rule of Widdecombe on the show.

Mystery Hour Podcast 15/11/2012

Here's today Mystery Hour Podcast.

• Click here to listen to previous podcasts.
• Click here to read the archive

15/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Sniper, Gaza, Mystery Hour

Click here to download the podcast (subscription required)

Hour 1

• The Sgt Danny Nightingale story
• Should a soldier go to prison for possessing a firearm?

Hour 2

• After the tragic events in Gaza overnight, James braves the treacherous waters that is the Middle East politics.  

Hour 3

Free audio podcast of this hour is available here

• The origins of snod
• Shortsightedness - does it ever get reversed?
• Why do patients not bleed when they're being cut open in surgery? 
• Lieutenant, why do Americans pronounce it differently?
• Do colour blind people have to purchase a colour TV licence?  It didn't make it to the board.
• Do fish drink water, or whaEVER? It didn't make it to the board.
• Who invented the game of IT or tig or tag? I don't know either
• Why do we pull the face when we taste something sour?
• What is the difference between brook, stream and river?
• Why do push sprockets, gears on the right hand side? In the words of Homer Simpson: BORING!
• Can you record a smell? Duh!
• Phone boxes.  Do they come in different colours?
• How is the art industry having to buy all the colors when just three colours (magenta, yellow, cyan) would do when mixed?

Chris Offen's Mystery Hour Theme Song

While we patiently wait for Mystery Hour to begin at noon, let's sing along to Counterfeit Beatles' Chris Offen's work.

Following James' plea yesterday, we've picked up a lot of followers (and bots).  Let's all tweet #mysterhour at noon and see if we can get it trending.

James and Steve the Brummie cold calling sketch

Listen to James launch into an impromptu role play with Steve, a veteran cold caller who rang in to defend his trade.  I think I'd find it difficult to be rude to Steve, he sounds like a nice fellow.

listen to ‘Why Do We Hate Cold Callers: Hilarious Role Play’ on Audioboo

14/11/2012 James O'Brien Show - Trains, Cold Callers, Depression

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Hour 1

The Department of Transport has suggested a third class of rail travel could be introduced. What's your reaction? @mrjamesob 0845 60 60 973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 14, 2012

• What is wrong with 3rd class travel?

Hour 2

Have you ever bought something off a cold caller? Should we be rude to them? Call @mrjamesob0845 60 60 973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 14, 2012

• Why be rude to them if you don't want to buy what they're selling

Hour 3

• In light of Margaret Moran's depression that has seen her avoid prison, James gets stuck into the subject of depression.

Caller of the day

• Hour 2 - Steve, a Brummie with 12 years of experience in cold calling rang in to defend his trade.  James asked him to re-enact a typical cold call.  What ensued was comedy gold.  I hope they audioboo the call. 

Here's the role play.

listen to ‘Why Do We Hate Cold Callers: Hilarious Role Play’ on Audioboo

Cultural References

• A Very British Coup - In hour 1 while discussing train travel, James referenced and recommended this classic drama.
• Citizen Smith - In hour 1 James referenced this classic BBC One sitcom.  You can pick up Series 1 and 2 here; Series 3 and 4 here
• Jon Ronson's The Psychopath Test - James has read this excellent book and it comes up everytime matters psychology come up.

13/11/2012 James O'Brien Show: Abu Qatada, payday loans, child smacking

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Hour 1

Is Abu Qatada staying in Britain a necessary evil? Why does his appeal success make you angry? Call @mrjamesob 0845 60 60 973 Text 84850
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 13, 2012

Predictably, the usual suspects crawled out of the woodwork and loudly called for Abu Qatada to be deported to Jordan, where he may be tortured and James was happy to debate them, and won.

Hour 2

• James continued to take calls on Abu Qatada
• Payday loans - "it's a tax on poor people"

Hour 3

• More payday loans calls
• After The Sun reported that a Plymouth University research has found that smacking kids could damage their health in later life, James and the callers explore the subject.

12/11/2012 James O'Brien Show: Poppies, Tax avoiding corporations, Mad as hell, Troops in foreign wars

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Hour 1

• Poppy burning arrest

Should a man have been arrested for posting a picture of a burning poppy on the internet? Call @mrjamesob 0845 60 60 973 Text 84850
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 12, 2012

Hour 2

• Tax avoiding corporations

Hour 3

• The criteria by which we decide to send the British troops to theatres of war.  
• We wear poppies to honour the fallen soldiers but do we know why they went to war in the first place?

When should British troops be sent to different countries? Call @mrjamesob 0845 60 60 973 Text 84850
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) November 12, 2012

Caller of the day

Hour 2:  Justin, an unemployed Marketing graduate, from Forest Hill called in to dissect the cynically crafted "friendship" we have with brands and the blind loyalty with which we, the masses, embrace it.  Another listener sent a text to James offering him a job.

Clip of the day

The clip James always refers to when all else fails:




Call to action

• James spoke to Jo Campion from NDCS about this petition to halt proposed cuts into services to deaf children.   
• James said "It's not a polite request, IT'S A BLINKIN' ORDER.  You should sign this petition." ow.ly/fddnx 

Cultural references

• Standing in another man's grave by Ian Rankin - the book James is currently reading.  Ian Rankin is a Scottish crime novelist.  Check more of  Ian's work here.
• Nineteen Eighty-For by George Orwell - this classic is always referenced whenever matters liberty and freedom of expression are on the table.  Today was no exception.