Published: 29/05/2009 00:00 - Updated: 21/07/2009 09:12

A brilliant 48 hours in Brighton

BY SIMON HUTCHINSON

A Bank Holiday weekender in Brighton was a must for any mod or rocker in the 1960s but now anyone is invited.

With gorgeous sunshine predicted the seaside had to be calling, but in all honesty I was going for a completely different reason come rain or shine.

Several months ago I discovered a podcast called The Perfect Ten which is made by comedian Phill Jupitus and his friend, journalist and former BBC 6 music breakfast show co-presenter (before the duo left under a cloud...of bees apparently) Phil Wilding.

The basis for the show is simple – two men, ten subjects, 30 minutes, a bell, an upturned hat and Stephen Fry.

It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Phill and Phil take a random assortment of questions, queries and subjects from the hat and discuss them in a 30 minute time slot ringing the bell after each is covered, never to return and Stephen Fry introduces them while a ukulele plays.

It just so happened that on May 23 the duo were performing two live podcasts for the very first time as well as screening the film Anchorman and everyone was invited so myself, web editor James Cunliffe, sub editor Tom Leech and our better halves all set off for the south coast.

Brighton is a great place for a weekend away and with day return train tickets available from Bedford Tourist Information for just 14 quid there is no need to break the bank.

There is also plenty to do. The Brighton Tourist Board describes it as ‘cosmopolitan, compact, energetic, unique, fun, lively, historic, young, exotic and free-spirited, it’s a city like no other’ and that hits the nail on the head.

Whether you want to compete in the Dolphin Derby on the pier, shop in the quaint Lanes area or sample many of the fine cafés and restaurants, it really is the place for you.

Having done all of the above it was time to start preparing for the main event of the weekend. We knew that questions would be required and that we had to come up with a corker.

Two and a half hours later in one of Brighton's finest hostelries we had exactly what we wanted.

Bundled into taxis we made our way to the fantastic Grade II listed Duke of York’s Picture house where the fun was set to begin.

What happened over the next four to five hours can only be described as superb.

The duo entered the cinema with Jupitus strumming his instrument while Wilding threw out his favourite ‘Laffy Taffy’ sweets to the crowd.

Before the complaints arrive it should just be pointed out that this podcast really isn't recommended for children as the choice of language and subjects could offend… but for those old enough to drink it is fine.

Dyson hand dryers, Jordan and Peter, being Super Mario, dying in Merthyr, favourite jokes and the worst place you've ever been sick were just some of the topics for the opening half and hour.

I had barely stopped laughing when 94 minutes of Will Ferrell at his best kicked in and after a couple of beers, and the infamous Perfect Ten drinking game, the laughs are even louder.

I can't remember exactly when the second podcast started but this time the questions came directly from those in attendance and after Phill and Phil had run through a list of topics that they wouldn't be covering we thought that we were in with a chance.

About 28 minutes later all looked bleak and a couple in our group were struggling to keep their eyes open, when all of a sudden we heard (this may not have been exactly as it was read): “I am loving the old-fashioned word poppycock at the moment and the way Dizzee Rascal has brought back the word bonkers. What word would you like to see back in use and why?”

The cheer from our six seats was immense, but for the life of me I couldn’t tell you the answers although I'm sure the word beasting was mentioned. With the podcasts and film all done it was time for a DJ set which was met with delight before returning to the seafront for a club (at my age!).

There are two recommendations to take from this piece.

First - visit Brighton. Second - download the Perfect Ten.

It really is better than brilliant.