The James Whale Radio Show (1988–1992) User Reviews

The ultimate midnight chat show

[sean_mobile · 8/10 · 8 July 2006]

I tried not to miss an episode. Some funny sh*t. The bands were sometimes impeccable and other times crud, the acts and interviewees were occasionally brilliant and often just plain weird. The odd serious interview was interspersed and sometimes contained people farting and eating/drinking weird stuff (Katey Boil discussed the benefits of urine therapy, yes - drinking your own p*ss). Kooky was a treat. It was a cross between Parkinson, the Tube and Bizarre magazine with a smattering of Fortean Times thrown in for good measure. Great stuff. Who has the complete set and where can I buy it? :)

Seriously, where can I buy it? :)

James Whale Radio Show

[jahlushhead · 7/10 · 5 February 2009]

I used to really look forward to this programme on Friday nights as I'd often be working late or had been out for a few drinks beforehand. There was always something interesting/entertaining to watch. For instance, the lawyer who would help viewers with their legal problems and some lovely ladies on the show too which of course including James Whale's glamorous assistant Kooki. Yes, there was a few bad things on it too but a lot of good stuff more than made up for that. It was fun and to be honest I mainly watched it for Kooki. I often wonder "where is she now?" Would love to get some old tapes of the show or a best of bits on DVD, mainly her of course... What a figure she had...phew! Does anyone own any old copes of the show?

Bad late-night filler TV

[imprator · 2/10 · 15 March 2007]

I really don't remember too many details about this show, other than that it seemed to always be on after the real TV programmes had ended, and that it was pretty downbeat.

James Whale was one of those sardonic, cynical and unfunny type of "humorous" presenters. It was very much his personal show and was the worse for it. I watched short segments of the shows quite often but could seldom endure more than twenty minutes or so. Frankly, I found it depressing.

The only details that I can really remember were guest Cleo Rocas nearly falling out of her dress (James Whale's reaction was gentlemanly) and a great stripper act involving a witch theme, flaming torches and fire breathing. OK, I guess you can see where my mind was... hey, I was young!

I am very surprised to find that the show ran until 1995. Admittedly it did seem to have a run that lasted interminably, but 1995? Perhaps it survived on some ITV networks longer than others.

One thing that doesn't surprise me is the lack of attention this show has received here; as I write this there has only been one other comment, and no action at all on the message board. Such lack of interest is an accurate reflection of the programme. It was just late-night filler TV, cheap and definitely not cheerful.

Great Program - Best of the time

[peabelly2004 · 14 March 2008]

This was the best thing at the time. James Whale was so funny and his guests were great. You have to remember this was ground breaking night time TV. anyone who says it is rude , vulgar, etc should have been in bed asleep Frank Sidebottom came to mainstream here first. Anyone working nights had so much fun Some of the artists were on here first Eiidleweiss. The games were so funny - do i remember it was tits and bums just the actual format was so ground breaking it was worth staying up when nothing else was on at the time.

This was the best thing at the time. James Whale was so funny and his guests were great. You have to remember this was ground breaking night time TV. anyone who says it is rude , vulgar, etc should have been in bed asleep Frank Sidebottom came to mainstream here first. Anyone working nights had so much fun Some of the artists were on here first Eiidleweiss. The games were so funny - do i remember it was tits and bums just the actual format was so ground breaking it was worth staying up when nothing else was on at the time.

Kooki et al

[ilcolonello · 12 February 2008]

The show appeared to be was a good late night time-filler - you know - when you roll in from the bar and want to watch something silly and brainless - It soon developed into a really interesting show with some weird and wonderful guests. There were some regular co-presenters too - the irritating curly haired, waistcoat-wearing blond Tory MP Gerry Hayes - The 30-stone lawyer Gary Jacobs (who eventually died aged 56 in 2002) firing out hard advice on planning disputes, stolen goldfish and noisy neighbors and the like to the butt heads ringing in - Baz Bamigboye, a strange and rather pointless guy from nowhere - and of course the curvy Kooki, a dark-skinned porn-queen with an amazing rear-end....One Christmas Screaming Lord Sutch sang "All Black and Hairy" whilst Kooki gyrated the stage - the irony was not lost on us....