My next idea for a sketch inspired by the A215 audio CDs is likely to be open to accusations of leaving behind the realms of parody and just being a bit of comedy.
Partly for this reason, and for others, I have decided to recast the milieu in which all this nonsense is set in a new institution. From now on, there will be no references to the OU (other than by mistake). We will instead follow the doings and sayings of the academics and students at the Social Public University Enterprise, or SPUE.
Here is an extract from some of this institution's publicity material. It is a transcript of a speech by the eminent Reader, Cuthbert Dry-Monotone.
"Since SPUE started in the 1960s, it has grown from strength-to-strength. Lampooned all those decades ago as a mere intellectual curiosity, it has now become part of the economic sinews of the nation, as well as a major contributor to its intellectual and cultural life.
"As both a former student and a full-time member of the academic staff, I want to project SPUE in new directions. I think that SPUE should be visible in as many households as possible throughout the UK. I want to see SPUE not just in every household, but in every room in the house: SPUE in the bathroom, SPUE in the kitchen, SPUE in the sitting room, and SPUE in the hall."
[Jenny Artydrone, slightly off-mike.] "Like after your last undergrad party, you mean?"
[End of extract.]
In keeping with my determination to get the most out of A215, I now embark on my first ever marketing exercise. I have already written Part 4* of this series, but I don't intend to post it in return for nothing. Part 4 will only appear if it receives at least 5 votes (in the form of comments posted under this message).
*This is not true, but I have some very good ideas.