James O'Brien Fan Site

18/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - RSPCA and Foxhunters, Wind Turbines, Reading

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:50:00 GMT

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Hour 1

James is flabbergasted that the RSPCA has spent £330 000 prosecuting foxhunters in David Cameron's constituency (as The Guardian would like us to refer to it) and secured a prosecution that resulted in a £6800 fine plus costs.
James wants people who think this was money well spent when there are animals that could have done with the money.
As usual, "animal lovers" call in to claim that this is a victory and they'll up their contributions to RSPCA to help their coffers.

Hour 2

Wind turbines. James finds them aesthetically pleasing and would like people who object to them to call in and explain their objections.
Midway though the hour it emerges that UKIP is opposed to the idea because Europe told us to do it.
People with big brains call in to essentially say that it's still an emerging technology that should be explored, but commensurately. (At least that's what I understood. These were very learnered people with posh accents)

Hour 3

The National Literary Trust has revealed that 32.9% of today's dads don't give their kids reading encouragement.
James covers the show's hardy perennial and re-emphasises the importance of books and invites calls from former children and parents.
James announces that Mystery Hour will take place tomorrow instead of Thursday as usual.

17/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - Americans and guns, Parental dislike, Plebgate

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:58:00 GMT

Credit: Robert Kriegseis ‏@wb9vgo

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Hour 1

In the wake of the Sandy Hook, Connecticut shooting James explores the relationship Americans have with guns.

Hour 2

More calls about guns
A documentary claims that Queen Victoria didn't like her children very much. James wants to know what it's like to be a parent who doesn't like their children or vice versa.

Hour 3

More parenting calls
James proves, once again, that he's a cut above the rest when he handles a call from Louise, a despondent caller There'll be a clip here later.

listen to ‘This Poignant Call Had More Reaction From Listeners Than Any Other This Year’ on Audioboo

Plebgate: James thinks the police officer who was on the receiving end of Andrew Mitchell's alleged abuse should be punished.
In closing, James thanks us all for the messages of condolences for his dad's passing last week.

New No Pressure To Be Funny Podcast

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:42:00 GMT

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Seeing as we won't have Mystery Hour this week, here's the latest No Pressure To Be Funny podcast that was recorded on Sunday, the 9th December.

Along with the co-creators of No Pressure to be funny, Alistair Barrie and Nick Revell, James welcomed guests Robin Ince, Matthew Norman, Sara Pascoe, Pete Johansson and James Sherwood punctuated the proceedings with hilarious music. They cover everything from the Royal prank call to happiness. And you get to hear James say naughty words.

You can listen to previous episodes here

10/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - Decriminalising Drugs, Gay Children, Australian Prankers

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:37:00 GMT

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Hour 1

If you're anti the legalisation of drugs you are effectively a cheerleader for the criminals. Do you agree? Call @mrjamesob 0845 6060 973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) December 10, 2012

Conservative eyecandy MP, Zack Goldsmith tweeted a link of a film on drugs narrated by previous guest, Morgan Freeman.

Hour 2

Following David Davies' claim that most parents don't want their children to be gay, James explores the Conservatives' (and their mousy wives) fascination with homosexuality.
James agrees and then invites callers opinions and experiences.

David Davies says most parents wouldn't want their children to be gay. Do you agree with him? Call @mrjamesob on 0845 6060973
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) December 10, 2012

Hour 3

James provides a rational point of view to the lynch mob that has descended on the Australian DJs that pranked the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated in a story that culminated in the death of the nurse who answered the call in an apparent suicide.
Predictably, people short on rationality and high on rhetoric call in to disagree and promptly have their arguments dismantled.

Cultural References

The film about drugs narrated by Morgan Freeman

The phone call by Australian DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian of 2Day FM the whole world is talking about.

07/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - Child Maintenance, NHS, Leftover Food

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Fri, 7 Dec 2012 12:59:00 GMT

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Hour 1

After bloviating on the story of estranged fathers being faced with pay hike, James reiterates his strong held position that has seen him clash with a Premiership footballer in the past. He then invited calls from people who disagree with him.

Hour 2

James is suspicious of the government's rhetoric around the NHS and after going into one of his Marxist monologues before contending that a lot of people who darken the door of A & E have no business being there. He then invites callers who have personal experience in A & E and they call in in droves.

Hour 3

After being mugged off his £2.50 at a posh toy shop yesterday, James invites calls from people who have also been duped by unscrupulous merchants in the past.
A government minister has urged celebrity chefs to give us leftover menus to cut food waste. James invites callers to persuade him that he's not a bad person for not being keen on leftovers for dinner.

Mystery Hour Podcast 06/12/2012

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 6 Dec 2012 22:00:00 GMT

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

06/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - Autumn Statement, Alternative Medicine, Mystery Hour

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 6 Dec 2012 13:08:00 GMT

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Hour 1

After yesterday's Autumn Statement, James wants to knowa what the phrase "we're all in this together" actually means.

Hour 2

A mother who ran away with a seven year old son to avoid him getting cancer treatment has been found and is still refusing to allow doctors to treat him. James asks if she's guilty of child abuse.

Hour 3

There's a free podcast for this hour

What key is the Big Ben bell and does it change when weather conditions change?
If Prince William were to adopt a child, would they have a claim to the throne?
What are the origins of the domesticated Christmas tree?
Why does garlic smell so bad the day after consuming it?
Why do we close one eye when we look down
Why do we talk about a "round of toast"?
Why is it that tight, curly hair confined to people of colour?
Why is "salary" also called "wages"?
National lottery numbers - do they come up during a rehearsal?
What are the origins of "cold turkey"?
Why is there always that one "rogue" nasal hair that looks nothing like the others?

05/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - N-word, Fertility, Autumn Statement

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Wed, 5 Dec 2012 12:58:00 GMT

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Hour 1

James discusses the story of a man who was cleared of racism for shouting "n-word" to a black man because he claimed to be a hip hop fan and he used it as a term of endearment.

Hour 2

Following the news that male fertility has fallen sharply in the past two decades, James shares his own experience on this subject.
James asks why men are so reluctant to submit to the tests and why they're so embarrassed to talk about fertility treatment.

Hour 3

More calls on infertility.
George Osborne's autumn statement.

04/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - Royal Baby, Debt, Cheating Partners

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Tue, 4 Dec 2012 13:01:00 GMT

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Hour 1

What's your reaction to the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child? @mrjamesob
— LBC 97.3 (@lbc973) December 4, 2012

James takes calls from Royalists who are ecstatic at the news

Hour 2

Following the tragic story of a debt-ridden young man who killed himself, James wonders how people can have the same amount of debt and one of them just get on with life and not worry and the other be crippled by worry.

Hour 3

After discussing this bust up, James wonders whether it's possible to confront a cheating partner and retain your dignity.
We learn that James used to be a player

Notes

a caller tried to crowbar a plug for his book, Money, money, money, during the second hour of the show.
James serenades us with this classic

03/12/2012 James O'Brien Show - Knife crime, Israel, Corporation Tax

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Mon, 3 Dec 2012 12:59:00 GMT

Credit: BBC

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Hour 1

After it was announced that Chris Gayling will reveal that people wielding knives in public will go to prison, James takes calls from Londoner to get their reactions.

Hour 2

James re-visits the Israeli-Palestine debacle again after reports that Binyamin Netanyahu plans mass building on illegally occupied territories just a week after a peace agreement. James wants to know what you think Netanyahu is playing at.

Hour 3

More Israel/Palestine calls
After Margaret Hodge's call to investigate the tax arrangements of multinationals like , Starbuck, E-bay, Amazon and the like, James wants to know where the popular refrain that "if we ask them to pay tax, they'll move abroad" comes from.

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:59:00 GMT

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:05:00 GMT

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:02:00 GMT

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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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:15:00 GMT

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:05:00 GMT

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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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:20:00 GMT

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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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:59:00 GMT

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 14:15:00 GMT

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:06:00 GMT

Click here to download the podcast (subscription required)

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:01:00 GMT

Click here to download the podcast (subscription required)

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:59:00 GMT

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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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:05:00 GMT

Click here to download the podcast (subscription required)

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 21:15:00 GMT

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:19:00 GMT

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

james@lbc.co.uk (LBC 97.3) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:07:00 GMT

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?