Goon Pod

A podcast where we talk about classic comedy with particular focus on the work of Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe & Michael Bentine. You'll also hear us discuss the likes of Monty Python, Hancock, Blackadder, the Carry On films, Peter Cook, Steptoe & Son and countless other comedy figures & fixtures from the postwar era.

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246 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes246

Newest first

Mar 16, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
Talking Secombe (with Tony Cross)
All hail the Roly-Poly Regent of Raspberries, the Moon-Faced Monarch of Mirth, the Spherical Sovereign of Song! (Alright, that’s enough – Ed.) This week Tyler is joined by Tony Cross to talk about Harry Secombe, focusing on his two volumes of memoir Arias & Raspberries and Strawberries & Cheam. The emphasis is on the pre-Goons days, particularly his wartime service and post-war pursuit of fame as a fledgling comedian and variety turn. It’s a warm appreciation of the man who would go on to become Ned of Wales and one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers. Features stories such as Jimmy Edwards and a case of mistaken identity, a troublesome kidney stone, that fateful first meeting with Spike, Harry as a young shaver belting out hymns from the outdoor thunderbox and his time touring Italy to entertain the troops. Some honourable mentions along the way for Bill Hall, Peter Sellers, Muir & Norden, Vivian Van Damm, Bruce Forsyth and Tony Hancock. And we ask: Why hasn’t there been a definitive Secombe biography? Check out Tony on Twitter @Lokster71 and his website is https://acrosstime.tv/ As always, check out the podcast @goonshowpod
Mar 9, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
The Silver Doubloons
Stand by thrills, spills and a stereophonic Moriarty as this week we examine the Series 10 episode The Silver Doubloons! Joining Tyler is Graeme Lindsay-Foot who explains why he chose The Silver Doubloons as opposed to one of the more fondly remembered episodes and makes a strong case for it being a classic, despite its chaotic ‘end of term’ atmosphere. There’s a lot of love for Valentine Dyall and some time is spent discussing Harry’s waist measurement but Robert Morley fans should be warned: Tyler goes off on one about the man who has - as Graeme puts it - ‘a face like an affronted egg’. In his youth Graeme was a fully paid up member of the Goon Show Preservation Society and he tells of attending a meal with Spike back in the eighties which was an unforgettable experience. He’s also full of praise for both Max and Ray and explains why he developed a much deeper appreciation for their musical spots within the shows. All this and more – download and listen now!
Mar 2, 2022 · 1 hr 15 min
Talking Goons (with Michael Livesley & Paul Carmichael)
“Stale. Bloody stale!” The meaning behind this bitter ejaculation from a formidable matriarch will be revealed as this week joining Tyler on the show are Michael Livesley and Paul Carmichael, the rum blades behind the hit podcast Nice Things, who pitched up with plenty to say on the subject of… well, everything really, but of course looming over the chat was the long shadow of the Goons. It’s a sprawling and highly entertaining conversation which covers a lot of ground and as well as Milligan & Co they touch on Professor Bruce Lacey, Basil Brush and Freddie Trueman’s glossy syrup. Also: Michael Bentine as a comedy gangster, Leonard Rossiter and a hippo, Leslie Sarony and his comedy stylings, Reg Varney ironing a shirt and the evocative orangey-brown hue of 1972. Tune in your cat’s whisker podcatching device to listen to the general gubbins! Nice Things: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nice-things/id1417286704 Twitter: @goonshowpod @NiceThingsShow
Feb 26, 2022 · 48 min
BONUS! In Conversation with 'Spike' star Margaret Cabourn-Smith
In the second of our extra special bonus episodes in the company of stars from the hit show ‘Spike’ – written by Nick Newman and Ian Hislop – Tyler talks to the wonderful Margaret Cabourn-Smith! Margaret can be seen and heard in so much top British TV, radio and podcast comedy over the last twenty years, such as Miranda, Motherland, Psychoville, John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme & Do The Right Thing, and it was a real delight getting to speak to her. She talks about the play and what it’s like creating sound effects on stage in front of an audience, as well as her career, being a comedy obsessive and the nuts and bolts of performing. Naturally the conversation focuses on Spike and the Goons but it does wander off onto other topics – as it the nature of this podcast – including a quite unnecessary digression upon the American sitcom The Ropers. ‘Spike’ is on at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury until 5th March so catch it if you can! https://www.watermill.org.uk/spike Margaret is also launching a brand new podcast – details on the show. Twitter: @MCabournSmith @goonshowpod
Feb 23, 2022 · 57 min
Talking Spike (with Henry Normal)
On Sunday it’s 20 years since Spike Milligan died and this week Tyler is joined by comedy writer, poet, performer and producer Henry Normal to talk about his memories of Spike and the Goons. Henry, along with Steve Coogan, launched Baby Cow in the late nineties and over the course of 30 years Henry has been closely involved with a wide range of films and television series such as Paul Calf’s Video Diary, Coogan’s Run, Nighty Night, Philomena, 24 Hour Party People, The Mighty Boosh, The Royle Family, Gavin & Stacey, Mid-Morning Matters With Alan Partridge, The Parole Officer and much much more. Henry talks about listening to the Goons growing up and about Spike in particular, and remembers the time he met him - Spike coined a phrase which has haunted Henry ever since. As a teenager he found he could separate Spike Milligan the Goon from Spike Milligan the Poet having discovered his book Small Dreams Of A Scorpion, and this had a major impact upon him which has stayed with Henry to this day. He also talks about his close collaborations with both Coogan and Caroline Aherne, his poetry, writing and performing as well as working alongside the late Linda Smith. And he has a few words to say about dear old Uncle Baz. Find out about Henry’s latest tour, The Escape Plan – details on his website: http://henrynormal.com/
Feb 19, 2022 · 59 min
BONUS! In Conversation with 'Spike' star John Dagleish
In the wake of Storm Eunice a special fun-filled BONUS episode to listen along to as you pick up your roof slates off the lawn and extract next door’s cat from the trellis! Tyler talks with actor John Dagleish, who is currently wowing audiences as the eponymous Spike in Ian Hislop & Nick Newman’s new play which is enjoying packed houses at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury (on until 5th March so book soon!) As listeners to last month’s Nick Newman episode will know, ‘Spike’ explores Spike Milligan’s often fractious relationship with the BBC during the height of his Goon Show fame. John talks about the challenge of bringing such a complex and multifaceted character to life on the stage, discovering the Goon Show as a child, learning to master a tricky musical instrument for the role, the joy of working alongside such talented fellow performers as Jeremy Lloyd, George Kemp and Margaret Cabourn-Smith, and even throws in a funny voice or two. We also discuss his Olivier Award-winning role as Kinks frontman Ray Davies in the hit show Sunny Afternoon and John draws some comparisons between playing Ray & Spike. Normal service (no pun intended) will be resumed on Wednesday with special guest Henry Normal talking about his love of the Goons, Spike and in particular Spike’s poetry. Details about ‘Spike’ here: https://www.watermill.org.uk/spike
Feb 16, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min
The Goon Show Scripts
Comedy series tie-in books used to adorn the floors of many a lavatory and we all remember with fondness the likes of The Goodies Book Of Criminal Records and Janet Lives With Mel & Griff. In 1972 a bright spark named Jeremy Robson hit upon the genius notion of publishing a book of Goon Show scripts. At the time the Goons’ currency was high owing to The Last Goon Show Of All & its resultant publicity and when The Goon Show Scripts was published later that year it was a runaway bestseller. Featuring brand new content written specially by Spike Milligan and a range of new and archival articles about the show itself, as well as being peppered throughout with reproductions of original doodles lifted from the original scripts, the book featured nine shows taken from Series 5 & 6 including The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler, The Canal and Napoleon’s Piano. The question is: just how ‘carefully selected’ were these scripts…? Joining Tyler to lick a finger and leaf through the pages is Mike Haskins, author and scriptwriter, who has done a deep dive into the history of the book and over the course of seventy minutes they touch upon many diverse and interesting titbits, including the mysterious Vera Colin, the Goons breaking Royal protocol and a curious link between the book and The Jimi Hendrix Experience! Mike is on Twitter @MikeHaskins11
Feb 9, 2022 · 1 hr 9 min
The Naked Truth (1957)
When blackmailer Dennis Price threatens to dig the dirt on Peter Sellers, Terry-Thomas, Peggy Mount and Shirley Eaton the four of them do everything in their power to stop him! Wee Sonny McGregor (Sellers) risks irreparable damage to his reputation as a cuddly television personality if his second job as a slum landlord is revealed; Lord Mayley (Terry-Thomas) has been indiscreet in a park and his wife must never find out; author Flora Ransom (Mount) fears book sales will suffer should her wild past in Shanghai be exposed; and model Melissa Right (Eaton)… well, we don’t actually find out what she did but all she wants is the love and affection of her Texan boyfriend! The Naked Truth (1957) was Sellers’ first opportunity to really showcase his talents as a comedy chameleon, assume different personas and build upon his Goon Show reputation as the man of a thousand voices. Written by Michael Pertwee and directed by Mario Zampi it is a wonderful ensemble piece with terrific performances from all the leads, especially Sellers and the formidable Peggy Mount. Joining Tyler to discuss the film is returning guest, podcaster Scott Phipps (Reel Britannia, Talking Pictures TV) whose knowledge of this era of British films makes for a highly entertaining and informative hour or so of chat.
Feb 2, 2022 · 1 hr 9 min
1985
It’s good to be alive in 1985! Joining Tyler this week - after finishing his shift operating the pornograph machine in the Forbidden Records Dept – is Sean Gaffney, who was keen to talk about the Goons’ celebrated take on Orwell’s 1984 which had been dramatized for BBC Television merely weeks earlier. 1985 was received so warmly by listeners that it was swiftly followed by a restaged episode but the show we will be focusing on is the first (and best) version. We talk about how closely it follows the narrative of the source material, how its overwhelming topicality did not hinder the laughs and speculate as to the reasons for some script and performance decisions – what happened to the Ben Lyon gag? Was the old antique shop owner meant to be Crun or not? Plus we find out about Ronnie Waldman, Maurice Winnick, Len Hutton and Issy Bonn. Available in the usual places – please rate & review on iTunes! Sean is on Twitter @Toukochan GoonPod: @goonshowpod
Jan 26, 2022 · 58 min
'Spike' - the new play by Ian Hislop and special guest Nick Newman
A new play about Spike Milligan opens on Thursday 27th January at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury. Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman (The Wipers Times, Trial By Laughter) SPIKE stars John Dagleish, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Jeremy Lloyd, George Kemp and Stephen Fry. Focusing on arguably Spike’s most consistently creative period of his career – the 1950s and The Goon Show – the play examines his somewhat fractious relationship with the BBC drawn from reams of often hilarious correspondence which passed between Milligan and Corporation executives over the course of the show’s run and to which the writers were given exclusive access. There were very often threats and fireworks but it wasn’t always one-sided – sometimes BBC producers could give as good as they got. Joining Tyler to talk about the play is co-writer Nick Newman, who also talks about his history with The Goon Show – he grew up listening to it in Singapore – and contrasts this with Ian’s relatively limited knowledge of the show prior to embarking upon the project, which significantly changed as he became more immersed in the material. There’s also some stuff to be said about Spike’s relationship over the years with Peter Cook and with Private Eye magazine and much much more. As you’d expect from writers of their pedigree the play promises to be ‘an absurdly funny new play that delves into the inner workings of one of our most unique and brilliantly irreverent comedy minds’. Details here: https://www.watermill.org.uk/spike Twitter: @goonshowpod
Jan 19, 2022 · 55 min
The Mummified Priest
During Series 8 of The Goon Show the team also recorded a dozen or so remakes of episodes which originally went out in 1954 and these were gathered together into a series especially for Transcription Services called Vintage Goons. Apart from a handful which were broadcast immediately ahead of the start of the ninth series the rest of the shows were not broadcast in the UK until the 80s & 90s, and in one case, 2008. This episode returning guest John Dredge discusses the first of these, The Mummified Priest, from 1957. It centres around unprincipled gadabout Ned Seagoon, whose ruthless determination to discover a tomb full of untold riches sees him hotfoot it to Egypt upon a thrilling adventure! Check out John and what he gets up to on Twitter @johndredge Also: @goonshowpod
Jan 12, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min
The Bed Sitting Room (1969)
If this week’s guest and I were to find ourselves in a post-apocalyptic dystopian wasteland in which only twenty or so people survived, and podcasts didn’t exist anymore, we’d no doubt agree that our lives no longer had any purpose and head off to ask Nurse Marty Feldman for a couple of death certificates. On our way we’d be careful to avoid uxoricidal Shelter Man Harry Secombe, bewhiskered GPO Man Spike Milligan and barber-for-hire (& rubber fetishist) Roy Kinnear. Above all we’d make sure to KEEP MOVING! Yes, this episode Adam from RetroTube joins Tyler to talk about Richard Lester’s big screen adaptation of Milligan and John Antrobus’s acclaimed stage play, surreal Cold War satire The Bed Sitting Room (1969) featuring Milligan, Secombe, Kinnear and Feldman as well as Peter Cook & Dudley Moore, Ralph Richardson, Michael Hordern, Arthur Lowe, Rita Tushingham and Frank Thornton (as “The BBC”) The Third World War was the shortest war in history at 2 minutes 28 seconds in duration and left 40 million dead but almost everyone left in London is trying to put a brave face on it. Everyone, that is, apart from Lord Fortnum. He’s convinced he’s turning into a bed sitting room. What follows is a bewildering but often hilarious series of events, at times veering off towards some pretty bleak moments. Did Tyler enjoy it? Did Adam? Tune in to find out! Adam is co-host of the all-conquering RetroTube podcast and can be found on Twitter @retro_tube Tyler is @goonshowpod yuf5dqZl6Rk7AbsKPwAy
Jan 5, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min
The Magic Christian (1969)
If you want it, here it is, come and get it! This episode, the first of 2022, looks at the hugely ambitious if not entirely successful 1969 film adaptation of Terry Southern’s satirical novel The Magic Christian, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr and a cast of familiar faces including Spike Milligan, Hattie Jacques, John Cleese, Richard Attenborough, Patrick Cargill, Roman Polanski, Raquel Welch and even Fred Emney! Joining Tyler on the pod this week, having just done several laps of a vat full of animal waste, is the writer Jem Roberts whose latest book Fab Fools examines the Beatles and comedy and has recently been released as an audiobook. Jem has also written books on Blackadder, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue/ISIRTA, Douglas Adams and Fry & Laurie. We found a lot from the film to talk about and it was a highly enjoyable and entertaining conversation. Jem’s website: www.jemroberts.comand he’s on Twitter @JemRoberts
Dec 31, 2021 · 41 min
BONUS EPISODE! Behind The Peter Sellers Story with Joe Wisbey & director Peter Lydon
Well now, here’s a thing – a Goon Pod Bonus Episode for New Year’s Eve! Back in early November, with special guest and host of the Beatles Books podcast Joe Wisbey, we examined the landmark 1995 BBC documentary The Peter Sellers Story (see episode 24) Now Joe has been talking to the director of that documentary, Peter Lydon, exclusively for Goon Pod and the resultant conversation is here. Peter shares plenty of insights into the making of the Sellers documentary with its predictable (and unpredictable) challenges and general behind-the-scenes hoopla. Many thanks to both Peter and Joe and thanks to everyone who has supported the podcast during its first six months or so – here’s to an even better 2022!
Dec 29, 2021 · 1 hr 10 min
The Scarlet Capsule (with Toby Hadoke)
This week actor, writer and comedian Toby Hadoke guests on the show to talk to Tyler about the Nigel Kneale-influenced Goon Show episode The Scarlet Capsule, which aired the week after the final instalment of Quatermass & The Pit was shown on BBC Television in 1959. Toby talks about his career and enthusiasms while also discussing the Goons and British comedy in general. We discover that The Scarlet Capsule is in some ways a faithful parody of its source material while in other respects departs entirely from the plot – lawks, imagine a Goon Show doing such a thing – and remains one of the most fondly remembered episodes of the show thanks in no small part to its inclusion on the 1960 Parlophone release The Best Of The Goon Shows Number 2 (see last week’s episode of Goon Pod for more information) Toby was a very warm and generous guest and it was a delight to speak with him – he even found time to play a short round of “How Many Characters Were Called [insert christian name here] In Doctor Who?” We hope you enjoy the conversation too.
Dec 22, 2021 · 1 hr 7 min
The Tale of Men's Shirts (with Mike Fenton Stevens)
Despite him being officially The Hardest Working Man in Podcasting, the Goon Pod production team begged, bribed and eventually blackmailed the magnificent Mike Fenton Stevens and he agreed to appear on the show! Mike looks back at some interesting highlights from a career on TV, radio and the stage spanning more than forty years and he explains how the Goons informed his early development in terms of performing comedy business in front of a crowd. We discuss the episode The Tale of Men’s Shirts which was the A-side of the 1960 Parlophone LP The Best Of The Goon Shows No.2 - one of many comedy records in the house as Mike grew up. There’s plenty to talk about and as is customary the conversation veers off in all directions… it will be of interest even to those who have never heard The Goon Show but love British comedy in general. And yes, we do tackle the topic of exactly who it was who first came up with the “Ringo’s not even the best drummer in the Beatles” canard! Mike is the host of the popular podcast My Time Capsule: https://linktr.ee/mytcpod and can be found on Twitter @fentonstevens Follow Goon Pod @goonshowpod
Dec 15, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min
Ill Met By Goonlight
In March 1957 the Dirk Bogarde second world war film Ill Met By Moonlight was released and little over a week later the Goons successfully parodied it with their own version. The Goons relished doing send-ups of WWII movies and some of their greatest shows included The Man Who Never Was, I Was Monty’s Treble, Rommel’s Treasure and, of course, the episode we’re covering today: Ill Met By Goonlight. Phil Cannon is co-host of the long-running Doctor Who podcast Who’s He? and also a self-confessed Goon – and especially Spike – addict. He guests today to discuss Ill Met By Goonlight and remembers first hearing the show when it was included in a bunch of repeats on BBC radio in the early eighties. Among other things we big up the often overlooked Jim Spriggs, marvel at Sellers’ vocal gymnastics, lift the lid on Sellers’ connection with the director Michael Powell even briefly mention war memoirs, a topic which would later feature heavily in a very fondly-remembered Goon Show (see next week for more details!) Thanks to Phil - the Who’s He? podcast is available here: https://www.whos-he-podcast.co.uk/ Follow the show on Twitter: @goonshowpod
Dec 8, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min
Murder By Death (1976)
In 1976 a Neil Simon-scripted movie called Murder By Death was released which cleverly spoofed the detective fiction genre and featured one hell of a cast, including Peter Sellers, Alec Guinness, Peter Falk, David Niven, Maggie Smith and Truman Capote. Five world-famous ‘tecs accept an invitation to stay at the crazy house of the mysterious Lionel Twain and over dinner are informed that someone will be murdered! Hilarity ensues! While there may be some content which hasn’t exactly aged well there are also genuine laughs to be had and joining Tyler this time round to discuss the film is Jon Morris - cartoonist, writer and one-half of the Just One More Thing podcast, which is all about Columbo and incredibly funny. Download and listen now! Check out Jon’s website: http://www.calamityjonsave.us/ Just One More Thing podcast: http://thecitydesk.net/justonemorething/ Twitter: @goonshowpod @calamityjon
Dec 1, 2021 · 55 min
The Spectre of Tintagel
Timed to go out exactly a month too late for Halloween, this week’s episode details the saga of the dread Spectre of Tintagel and joining your genial host is another ex-pat Kiwi now living in Blighty – cartoonist and comic book writer Roger Langridge. The Spectre of Tintagel is not one of the better-remembered Goon Shows yet it remains powerfully atmospheric (well, as atmospheric as a Goon Show can get!) with some wonderful twists and turns and a winning performance by Mr. Valentine Dyall, AKA The Man In Black, as ‘The Butler’. Join Tyler and Roger as they talk about growing up listening to Badjelly the Witch, Roger reminisces about ‘unlocking the Goon Show code’ and seeing Spike on stage in the early 80s, as well as Liberace laughing all the way to the bank, the unworkability of a notional Goon Show cartoon series, subverting catchphrases and, er, Roger’s feelings about the musical numbers (Paddington hard stare) Check out Roger’s work here: http://hotelfred.blogspot.com/ Please follow on Twitter @goonshowpod and @hotelfred (spot the GS reference folks!)
Nov 24, 2021 · 58 min
Talking Milligan (with Darrell Maclaine)
We’re on a slightly more literary tip this week as actor, composer & voiceover artist (and YouTube sensation!) Darrell Maclaine steps into the pod to talk about growing up on a steady diet of Spike, such as A Book of Milliganimals and his books & poetry in general, and how it helped him ignore his draughty portacabin classroom & nurtured his comedy sensibilities. He also talks about Spike the man and how he perceived him as a child of the nineties. There’s also a chance to hear Darrell’s stirring clarion call for the preservation and championing of the past, which is in part a demand that our cultural heritage not be easily dismissed because it’s ‘old’ - a rousing declamation which I’m sure will swell in the breast of every dedicated tapehead, archive enthusiast and listener to this podcast. All this and much more! Check out Darrell’s wildly inventive and eerily convincing videos – TV Themes Go Pop! – here: https://www.youtube.com/c/darrellmaclaine