On Monday March 21st 2016 at 22:00, Iain Lee introduced his Late Night Radio show on Talk Radio for the first time.
Produced by Katherine Boyle and presented by Iain Lee, these three-hours every weeknight tackle the zeitgeist head-on. Usually, there isn't a zeitgeist in sight, or even a topic; nor an on-going thread of conversation. Iain starts with a song followed by an entire blank canvas, thus allowing the callers to create themes and a sense of direction with their words. This is a phone-in show, but not as we know it.
There are pauses for reflection, and the workings are revealed to us, as the listener. With the invention of Periscope we have even further access; a camera broadcasts the scene from inside the studio.
This is an emotional roller-coaster of a show. Alan Caddick explaining why he was only quickly drawing on a cigarette because it meant he would "get less cancer" made me laugh like a drain. Katia's moving story about her father made me cry. When Russ started talking one night about CB radios, you could hear the sheer joy in his voice.
Special guests like computer expert Stephen Murdoch have made brief appearances; although Stephen wasn't able to help with any of the tricky technical issues raised to him by the callers, a real disappointment.
Barry from Watford has also popped up; one time he was notably unhappy with the presenter's critique of the recent Dad's Army film: "where do you get off slagging off Dad's Army?!" he complained. "People like you, are enemies of this country" he continued.
Nigel from Maidstone regularly updates us on the latest celebrity news. On occasions, he has been allowed to sing a song. "Lindsay Lo-horn" featuring backing vocals by Iain and Rob Burnett was a real treat.
The age profile of people joining-in ranges from eight to ninety. You have Dennis from Dunstable, Manny, Hugo Peters, Youtuber Sam and Anna/Hannah as the more regular speakers. There is a slightly higher ratio of male to female callers, yet I like how attempts have been made to redress the balance, with "female callers only" and "new people only" evenings. Katherine often joins Iain in the studio and adds an extra dimension of humour.
Interviews with guests also are a special part of the show, I loved hearing from the likes of Viv Albertine, Rhys Thomas and Andy Partridge. They help to draw in a wider crowd.
Highlights of the four months so far include a wonderful moment where non-football fan Iain calls into sister station Talk Sport to argue with Andy Goldstein and Jason Cundy, as angry Manchester City fan Dave. "Where's the other muppet Goldstein?!" Both Talk Sport presenters falling hook, line and sinker for the prank call.
The evening where Iain egged on a married couple to have sex following a late night decorating session; the time a young farmer explained the strained relationship with his wife; the occasion Iain randomly called Sweden; or the time we were all encouraged to 'love-bomb' Gina on Periscope; these are times when gold dust sprinkles out from the radio.
Silence is used to perfection by Iain. There are times when I am completely stopped in my tracks, unable to move until I hear what happens next. When a caller phoned in during the first week feeling suicidal, Iain took time out to listen to her. It was groundbreaking radio - something I've never heard before. Iain is equally open with his own feelings, and this I feel is part of the magic. Mental health is stigmatised in the media and is seen as taboo in British culture, but it is one of the most talked about subjects on the show.
One of the greatest nights was when Mr Ethical (Nicholas Wilson) called in, frustrated at a cover-up in the media. With tension palpable during the conversation, Nicholas promptly swore twice at Iain in quick succession, causing the presenter to "double dump" the offending words spoken.
Upon kindly allowing Nicholas back on, the discussion turned to mental health. Nicholas took part in this, albeit in a terse mood, and it was compelling unmissable radio.
On Friday evening a similar moment occurred. "Stuggy" phoned in, sounding extremely drunk after midnight. Suddenly we could hear a young child's voice in the background. Silence met the airwaves.
It was a clunky gear-change, something which happens often throughout the three hours. Iain's immediate denouncement of "Stuggy" and statement to not condone what was going on was a heart-in-mouth moment. It was dealt with excellently.
One night, Barry from Watford had a plea: "I want to talk about the Brexit. Brushing the Brexit? Tickling the exit?" In fact, current affairs and news stories are overlooked for juicier topics like "WPYKOO (Weirdest place you knocked one out?)" or "Can you lipread cartoons?".
I do however wish the news wasn't present at the top of every hour. A real vibe is garnered from the continual flow of calls throughout the evening, and the news bluntly pierces the mood.
Where's long lost Pitcher Phil and his American Football updates instead? Can they play the Littlest Hobo theme tune over the top perhaps? Maybe the answerphone messages? Instead of the news, can we have Jonathan from Swansea tell us his thoughts on another film he hasn't watched? Actually, I think I'd prefer the news in that last example.
Rather like The Unexplained with Howard Hughes on Sundays on Talk Radio, I feel Iain Lee's Late Night Radio show warrants a similar title. I have written nearly nine hundred words here and it really doesn't scratch the surface of what this is about.
You simply don't know what you're going to be tuning into each time. It is addictive radio, which I adore. If you're a listener you're a welcome part of the gang. All you need is the phone number to join in: 0844 499 1000. Cue Caddick: "we call you back". Hip hip hip.
