You’re terrible, Muriel
Scott asked listeners for phrases from older films, programmes and adverts that remained part of their everyday speech even when younger relatives had no idea what they meant.
One of the strongest examples was “You’re terrible, Muriel” from the 1994 Australian film Muriel’s Wedding.
A listener used the phrase whenever something went wrong, while Scott admitted saying it after knocking over a glass of water rather than immediately cleaning it up.
He also remembered Muriel pretending to shop for wedding dresses before she actually had anybody to marry.
Other inherited phrases included “Elvis has left the building”, adapted by one dog owner into “Elvis has left the common” whenever a walk began.
The Birthday Game: Ruth
Ruth turned 41 and worked as a practice nurse in a GP surgery.
She planned a relaxed day followed by food with her children and drinks with her husband.
Ruth shared her birthday with Marti Pellow, Chaka Khan, Russell Howard and Sir Mo Farah.
She loved Tina Turner, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Meat Loaf and large power ballads.
Her first spin was Bay City Rollers’ Bye Bye Baby, the biggest-selling UK single of 1975. Ruth liked music from the decade but rejected that particular song.
The second was Shakespears Sister’s Stay, which had spent eight consecutive weeks at number one in 1992.
Ruth recognised it immediately and accepted the power ballad.
Scott did not reveal the unused third selection because listeners agreed that very little could have improved on Stay.
The Music Police
Chloe had spent around 15 years trying to identify a song containing the words “stop laughing at me”.
Her clue consisted of only a short sung fragment.
The first suggestion was Carl Henderson’s Northern Soul recording Please Stop Laughing at Me. It contained the right words but not Chloe’s melody.
The strongest listener suggestion was Sam Beeton’s What You Look For.
Chloe recognised it immediately.
The record had reached number 30 in September 2008 and had once been Scott’s Record of the Week on Radio 1.
Chloe said the mystery had occupied her mind for years and sounded audibly relieved when the case was closed.
Chaka Khan turns 70
Scott marked Chaka Khan’s 70th birthday and promoted Trevor Nelson’s interview with her later that evening.
He played I Feel for You after the Birthday Game and received messages from listeners remembering Shakespears Sister in college jukeboxes and family singalongs.
Handover
Scott handed over to Sara Cox after closing Chloe’s Music Police case.
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