[Mark McDonnell]

For non-Brits here, Frank Skinner was (still is, I think) an English stand up comedian — always on TV in the 90s and 00s, working class, doing jokes about drinking, football and awkward dating encounters.

He seems to have reinvented himself as a poetry critic, or really more as a joyful poetry enthusiast. He has a podcast. I think it's really charming and really good and an exemplar of how poetry might reach that mythical "mass audience" beyond those beautiful people with Instagram accounts. Here is the episode on Gerard Manley Hopkins, with links to the rest of the series. It isn't full of jokes. Have a listen (hope it works).

https://planetradio.co.uk/podcasts/f...isten/2029873/

[W T Clark]

and here is a review:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52403782
I had a faint knowledge of Skinner's interest through an oxford lecture in which Geoffrey Hill savaged one of his (admittedly terrible) poems.
I'll check this out.
Regards,
Cameron

[Mark McDonnell]

an oxford lecture in which Geoffrey Hill savaged one of his (admittedly terrible) poems.

I wasn’t aware of him having written or published any poetry. He doesn’t mention it on the podcast, where he comes across as more of a reader, a fan. Are you sure you didn’t dream this?

[W T Clark]

Originally Posted by Mark McDonnell

I wasn’t aware of him having written or published any poetry. He doesn’t mention it on the podcast, where he comes across as more of a reader, a fan. Are you sure you didn’t dream this?

Quite possibly, but I do remember Geoffrey Hill reading (then critiquing) a poem by a famously working-class comedian, that contained the lines "the plot thickens" and something about "mittens". The podcasts are all available to listen to as Proffessor of Poetry lectures. I would link, but I do not know which one, and they are all an hour long.
I look forward to listening to this podcast, Mark.
Regards,
Cameron

[Mark McDonnell]

Ha. Mystery solved. I recognised the lines! That'll be Mike Skinner, of the very English rap group The Streets. Here's the song (not poem) from 2002 with the lyrics that so offended grumpy Mr Hill.

"Critics, ready with your pot shots, the plot thickens
Put on your mittens for these sub-zero conditions"

Great song! Miserable old bugger (Hill not Skinner).

https://youtu.be/QOddpk8jOtU

[W T Clark]

Ha, ha! My mistake!
The plot did indeed thicken.
Regards,
Cameron

[Martin Elster]

I just heard the podcast, Mark, and it was great. I enjoyed it.

[Joe Crocker]

Thank you so much for the Frank Skinner link. I have just listened to his Larkin podcast and was captivated. I always thought Skinner had a sharp way with words but was bowled over by his perception and literacy enthusing over The Whitsun Weddings.

I'll get stuck into his other explorations.

[Mark McDonnell]

Cool! Good innit? Glad you both enjoyed it. He doesn't just stick with the obvious Larkin, Hopkins etc. There are a couple of great episodes on poets I'd never heard of (Caroline Knox and Donna Stonecipher). His unaffected fan's enthusiasm and personal engagement is very infectious and a nice change from some of the drier, more industry, poetry podcasts like the New Yorker and The Poetry Society. Though I like listening to those too.

[Steve Bucknell]

I’ve been a big fan of these podcasts through the summer. I haven’t found another poetry podcast as delightful. His enthusiasm reminds you about being open to, and enjoying poetry. Some of the London Review of Books podcasts are worth a listen. On a less literary note, I’m enjoying Timeghost from Armstrong and Miller, while I’m on my exercise bike!

And I’m enjoying Frank Skinner with Denise Mina doing their “Boswell and Johnson's Scottish Road Trip“ which I get on Freeview on Sky Arts. It sends you straight off to delve back into Boswell and Johnson, and to escape to Scotland if you can.