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

Nov 17, 2021 · 56 min
The Phantom Head Shaver (of Brighton)
What can be done about a BBC announcer who has gone over to the dark side? Find out this week as we welcome Heather Wainwright, co-host and beating heart of the ever-popular RetroTube podcast, who popped along to talk about the absolute stone cold classic The Phantom Head Shaver (of Brighton). As Nugent Dirt enters the annals of criminology as the Phantom’s first victim and Wallace Greenslade’s tobacco business begins to thrive, so this taut 30-minute thriller builds to a nail-biting climax with barely a dry seat left in the house. We examine the episode, along the way taking many conversational detours and ask the really BIG questions: What man can tame Minnie Bannister? Was Tom Cruise the Phantom Barber of Mississippi? Why is Seagoon a ‘big div’? Who WAS that heavyset bus driver? How exactly did Ellington the Hamster meet his end? Why did Sellers forget Ruxton Hayward? Just how cuddly is John Thaw? These questions and many others are barely answered in this week’s show – tune in now!
Nov 10, 2021 · 1 hr 5 min
Mark Thomas
Comedian, satirist and writer Mark Thomas has been holding the establishment to account for over thirty years through television, radio, live shows and activism, using comedy to expose often outrageous political and corporate abuses of power and influence. Mark joined Tyler on the pod this week to talk about The Goon Show and Spike Milligan in particular, whose rebellious nature and healthy distrust of authority helped inform his worldview. He talks of first meeting Milligan on the C4 show Saturday Zoo in 1993 where he almost did himself a mischief heaving several bags of books up some stairs for a bemused Spike to sign. He also talks candidly about his dad (a huge Spike fan) with great affection - a strong-willed, larger-than-life patriarch who would often wind down after a long-day’s graft by dropping his trousers to watch comedy like Steptoe & Son on the telly. Mark inherited his love of the Goons from his dad and from the many family friends and local characters who were such an indelible part of his formative years. Goon jokes and catchphrases were staples of everyday conversation and in trying to nail down what it was that made the show so important Mark reveals how listening to the Goons helped him cope with periods of being away from home at a young age. Alongside Goon-related chat Mark talks about: Sneaking into arts venues as a schoolboy to watch contemporary performative dance; cracking up in Kerala; the Art of Devilment; meeting David Amess MP dressed as a giant bear; writing for Dave Allen; Nicholas Soames and his three-tier mahogany buffet with partially reeded slender balustrade upright supports; dancing to Donovan with Nellie Boswell from Bread … And much more! Please follow the podcast on Twitter @ goonshowpod and rate and review on iTunes!
Nov 3, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min
Arena: The Peter Sellers Story (BBC, 1995)
The telly equivalent of a bumper Beano summer special, the 1995 BBC Arena documentary about Peter Sellers was stretched over three episodes and clocked in at nearly three and a half hours. Made up of extensive home movie footage and interviews with most of the key players in Sellers’ life, as well as clips from his career and some wonderfully atmospheric music, it was arguably the second-most important multi-episode popular culture TV retrospective of 1995, behind The Beatles Anthology series. Obvs. And *speaking* of The Fab Four, this week’s guest is Joe Wisbey, a man who spends an awful lot of time chatting to authors of Beatles books (paperback writers, if you will) for his marvellous Beatles Books podcast – available here: https://beatlesbooks.podbean.com/ Joe has probably watched the Sellers documentary more times than is strictly seemly but it holds an enduring fascination for him and he spoke eloquently about how he came to discover it and what it means to him.
Oct 27, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min
The Case of the Missing C.D. Plates
Corps blimey! Live from a stench packing factory is this week’s guest: writer and podcaster John Rain, the man behind the mighty Smersh Pod and author of the recently published Explodobook (available from all good Amazons) John first heard The Goon Show as a young shaver and joins the pod this week to talk about an episode very dear to his heart: The Case of the Missing C.D. Plates from Series 6. Among other things we discuss the irredeemable Denis Bloodnok, the irreproachable Peter Cushing, the irreverent Ruxton Hayward and the irreplaceable Wallace Greenslade (and I apologise in advance!) as well as the delightfulness of extended corpsing, The Man From Laramie, the problems with The Last Goon Show Of All, David Lodge in Cockleshell Heroes and Bill Maynard’s Crumpet Code of Ethics™. All this and much much more!
Oct 20, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min
Talking Goons (with Martin Holmes)
It’s another general chat about the Goons and much else besides with podcaster Martin Holmes this week! The conversation took so many twists and turns that I confess I got quite giddy but we managed to squeeze into an hour or so’s chat a lot of Goon-related nattering. Martin briefly adopted an Australian accent at one point during a conversation about British sitcoms Down Under and it was so convincing Tyler briefly thought that Paul Hogan himself had walked in the room. The poetry of Milligan has affected us both in different ways and we talk a bit about that as well as Tony Hancock, Associated London Scripts and even, briefly, the 1983 series The Black Adder. Martin can be heard at Vision On Sound here https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/vision-on-sound/id1535571103 yuf5dqZl6Rk7AbsKPwAy
Oct 13, 2021 · 1 hr
The Starlings
In 1954 the Goons produced a special show without an audience which is considered by many to be an absolute classic, but by others as a rather muted curio. The Starlings preceded the start of the fifth series of the Goon Show by a month and in some ways showcased the direction the show was to take. A satire based on actual attempts by local councils across the country to rid their public buildings and spaces of starlings, it was presented as a radio play but lacked some of the wilder excesses that Goons fans would come to expect. On the podcast this week is Jeremy Phillips, host of the Cinema Limbo podcast, who joined Tyler to discuss The Starlings. As well as asking if the show works without an audience (no spoilers), we look at some of the slight departures from character continuity and examine the ‘controversial’ scenes that had BBC executives at the time fanning their armpits with fury. Also: Ray Ellington on an errand of mercy, Seagoon vs Pureheart, Happy Holidays featuring Peter Sellers… and we almost come to blows over whether it was Secombe or Bentine who was touring with Sellers in late 1954. Please follow Jeremy @cinema_limbo and Goon Pod @goonshowpod on the appropriately named Twitter
Oct 6, 2021 · 1 hr
Rentadick
It’s Milligan and Bentine back together again! (sort of!) Joining Tyler this episode it’s the welcome return of former guest, writer and film academic Dr Adrian Smith, who has written the viewing notes to accompany the recent release on blu ray of the 1972 British film Rentadick. A film which strains every sinew to be a sex comedy but never quite pulls it off, Rentadick qualifies for inclusion on this podcast because both Spike and Mike appear! With the original concept devised by Cleese & Chapman we look back at the film’s protracted and difficult journey from script to screen and find out how an Oscar winner came to direct it; inevitably there is talk about Python, including their involvement with Birdseye peas; we also give three hearty cheers for the appearance of Richard Briers in the movie, who offers much in the way of comic relief; naturally we examine the two former Goons and where they fit in - plus we mull over the acting chops of your dad’s old favourite Julie Ege, scratch our heads over a grown man in a mouse costume and discover that one of the film’s stars is currently appearing in the latest Marvel movie! Adrian is the co-host of two film podcasts, Second Thoughts and Wild Wild Podcast, details of which can be heard at the end of this week’s episode and he is on Twitter @retroramblings
Sep 29, 2021 · 1 hr 10 min
Peter Sellers: There Used To Be A Me (with Barnaby Eaton-Jones)
Joining the pod this episode is Barnaby Eaton-Jones – celebrated writer, producer and actor – to talk about the much lauded and garlanded audio drama There Used To Be A Me, starring the mighty Alfred Molina as Peter Sellers, Peter Sellers and Peter Sellers (and, er, Peter Sellers). Written by Ian Billings and directed by Barnaby it is a rambunctious and at times moving reimagining of the life and inner thoughts of the former Goon as he contemplates his mortality. Along the way Barnaby talks about his rather short-lived stint as an ersatz Harry Secombe, his triumphal revival of I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again and audio releases including the return of The Goodies and some up-to-the-minute breaking news about Chelmsford 123! Plus much more besides! There Used To Be A Me: Peter Sellers is available in most places you get audio books but maybe try these guys because I think they need the business: https://www.amazon.co.uk/There-Used-Be-Me-Sellers/dp/B095XHZ531
Sep 22, 2021 · 1 hr
Napoleon's Piano
Have a gorilla! Napoleon’s Piano is one of the most loved Goon Shows of all time and joining Tyler this week to talk about it is Angie Budd. Angie has a lot to say about the show and among other things we discuss Wallace Greenslade’s ripe French accent, the art of piano leg sawing, Anthony Eden and the Cambridge Spies, the ubiquity of Maurice Ponk, Britain claiming ownership of a final piece of soil (well, rock), the launch of Associated-Rediffusion and the technical pitfalls of performing a Goon Show in a pub – not to mention the Goons getting nuked! Please follow on @goonshowpod and rate & review in the right places!
Sep 15, 2021 · 1 hr
David Quantick
Comedy writer, novelist and Goon Show fan David Quantick is Tyler’s guest this week. With Spike Milligan being one of David’s earliest influences as a writer he was keen to explain how, for him, the Goons had more of an impact than the Pythons and helped sharpen his comic sensibilities, along with the likes of absurdist playwright NF Simpson. As well as general Goon chat there are conversational meanderings such as: Meeting Spike on Saturday Zoo; the brilliance of Barry Cryer; bringing back Dangermouse; Chris Morris on ‘aardvark comedy’; John Cleese; The Beatles (for a change); David freaking out his mother with his first typewritten script; Sabrina in Stoke Newington and noddin’ along to Val Doonican on Pam & Tony’s old Dansette record player. Please follow the show on The Twitters @goonshowpod and rate & review on iTunes!
Sep 8, 2021 · 1 hr 10 min
A Century Of Secombe!
On the 8th September 1921 Harold Donald Secombe entered the world and the world was never quite the same again! To mark his centenary Tyler and comedy writer Mike Haskins present this special episode of Goon Pod as a tribute to the multi-talented Ned of Wales whose legendary voice, infectious giggling, kindness to others and unfailing good humour held him high in the public’s affection for over five decades. We touch on pretty much every aspect of his career post-war and take a more detailed look at some of his seventies television appearances; along the way we find time to talk about his family and friends, contrast his life with his fellow Goons and there’s a fairly in-depth examination of his starring feature film debut Davy (1958). It’s 70 minutes of Secombe and we hope you come away having maybe learned a few things about Harry you didn’t know before – if not then (raspberry)! Please follow @goonshowpod and @MikeHaskins11
Sep 1, 2021 · 58 min
Michael Bentine's Potty Time
This week we remove our legs from the vulgar gaze of public and refuse to have a haircut as we pay tribute to the quite wonderful Michael Bentine’s Potty Time! First there was the Goon Show, then The Bumblies, then It’s A Square World and then, erm, Rentadick, but after that there was Michael Bentine’s Potty Time which enchanted children and adults alike in the 1970s with Potty adaptations of classic works of literature and famous events from history. Guesting on the show this week are Andrew Trowbridge and Lisa Parker, hosts of the ever-popular retro television podcast Round The Archives, who joined Tyler (who’s actually seen episodes of The Gnomes of Dulwich on New Zealand TV don’t you know) with tales to tell of Potty Time and the semi-Peruvian polymath. Please follow on the Twitters @goonshowpod – Lisa and Andrew can be found @lisacartman and @Roundthearchiv1
Aug 25, 2021 · 59 min
Queen Anne's Rain
This week Tyler welcomes a senior scoundrel to the pod in the shape of Tilt Araiza, who popped along to talk about the Series 9 episode Queen Anne’s Rain and much more besides. This episode includes: Tilt’s relationship with and occasional astonishment at the Goon Show, the rhythm of jokes and the art of building audiences up to a state of comic ecstasy, the wonderful Wal Greenslade and his unique contribution to the show, Ray Ellington doing Goon impressions on vinyl, BBC Christmas tapes, the Marx Brothers, Ken Dodd and even Sabrina! Tilt is co-presenter of The Sitcom Club and Jaffa Cakes For Proust podcasts, details of which can be found on this episode!
Aug 18, 2021 · 1 hr 10 min
Talking Sellers (with Mark Cousins)
This week Tyler chats to writer and comedy historian Mark Cousins about Peter Sellers and some of the lesser-known aspects of his career. Mark has neared completion of a sizeable Sellers chronology which has been years in the writing and he has advised on and contributed to several radio and television documentaries on the life of the former Goon. Sellers’ radio, television, film and stage work is all under discussion and during the course of the conversation such topics arise as Sellers on Sykes, the influence of Ted Ray, the Goons on vinyl, his friendship with Irene Handl, the ‘lost’ Peter Sellers shorts and, intriguingly, Dudley Moore as ‘The Ferret’!
Aug 11, 2021 · 1 hr 10 min
Talking Goons (with Richard Usher)
This week Tyler chats with Richard Usher, actor, performer and voiceover artist, who as a member of the Fred Theatre Company has brought the magic of The Goon Show to new audiences, appearing as part of The Birmingham Comedy Festival. Richard has taken on the role of Peter Sellers in a number of sell-out live Goon Show performances in recent years (staging such shows as The Phantom Head Shaver of Brighton and The House of Teeth) as part of a highly-skilled troupe and he talks about the highlights and challenges involved in such an undertaking! How did he manage to master the likes of Bluebottle and Bloodnok? He also explains how he came to discover the Goons in the eighties and there’s some marvellous tales of meeting the Goons in the flesh, including being invited to Spike’s house for a cup of tea and being a hedonistic teenager attending Harry Secombe concerts. Richard also speaks warmly about Michael Bentine and how he had a real influence and impact on Richard’s life growing up. It’s an all-too-short conversation with a fascinating man and Richard’s website can be found here: www.richardusher.co.uk
Aug 4, 2021 · 52 min
The Whistling Spy Enigma
Pull up a chair and cock an ear to the latest episode of Goon Pod! This week Tyler is joined by Paul Abbott of the Head Ballet and Big Beatles Sort Out podcasts to rhapsodise about one of the best-known and most fondly remembered Goon Shows of all time: The Whistling Spy Enigma from 1954. We explore the show itself, the characters and gags and acknowledge how this show marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Goons. As Paul is a huge music enthusiast we naturally spend some time talking about Ray, Max and the orchestra and we even at one point stray dangerously close to a proper conversation about football! There’s also an intriguing insight into how American children reacted to hearing the Goon Show for the first time! Please follow on Twitter @goonshowpod and rate and review on iTunes to help spread the good word!
Jul 28, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min
I Was Monty's Treble
Well, we know what it is, we know who done it but for heaven’s sake tell us where it is! This episode of Goon Pod we’re joined by Scott from the Reel Britannia & Talking Pictures podcasts (among others) to cast an ear over the Series 9 episode ‘I Was Monty’s Treble’ which is a near as damn it faithful scene-by-scene tribute to the 1958 John Mills feature film I Was Monty’s Double (not really!) Along the way we discover just what the Goons mean to Scott and how Adrian Juste changed his life! What we cannot promise is an answer to the burning question of the moment: Who is Eccles?
Jul 21, 2021 · 1 hr
The Great Bank Robbery
New episode - cunningly disguised as the 7:20 train to Bradford! Joining me on the pod this week is motorsport commentator and presenter Jake Sanson who has a deep and enduring love for the Goons and his enthusiasm is really infectious. We had a great conversation about one of his favourite Goon Show episodes (and mine), “The Great Bank Robbery” from series 7. Along the way we touched on such topics as A Show Called Fred/Son of Fred, Sheila Van Damm, Victor Meldrew and even Superman III. Attach the zeppelin hooks to the horsehair-stuffed podcast and haul away!
Jul 14, 2021 · 59 min
The Muppet Show
An episode of Goon Pod where we’re talking about puppets? Can only be The Telegoons right? WRONG! There was a time when Hollywood A-listers would be queuing around the block for the opportunity to sing a duet with a bit of coloured felt with ping-pong ball eyes. The Muppet Show was one of the biggest TV successes of the 1970s and today we welcome guest Manning Krull to the pod where we will be talking about how a pair of Goons appeared with Kermit & Co: Peter Sellers in 1978 and Spike Milligan in 1979. It’s safe to say the two episodes could not be more different! Also, as he’s from the other side of the pond and therefore a damn foreigner Manning had never experienced The Goon Show before and having now heard a handful he shares his thoughts – was he baffled or bewitched? Or bemused? Or something else beginning with B? It's time to put on make up, it's time to dress up right, it's time to raise the curtain on the, erm, Goon Pod! Download and listen now! (Warning: contains references to cigareets)
Jul 7, 2021 · 1 hr 8 min
Peter & Sophia (LP, 1960)
Let the needle drop on the latest episode of Goon Pod as Tyler chats to writer and broadcaster Tim Worthington about Sellers’ and Loren’s 1960 collaboration on vinyl: “Peter & Sophia”. We discuss Tim’s relationship with the record and Sellers’ LPs in general (step forward George Martin), with conversational forays taking in that mucky pup Serge Gainsbourg, The Last Goon Show Of All and a certain popular sketch show from the nineties. We examine each track on the album and find time to address some obvious issues – if you have even a passing interest in comedy on record then this episode is a must listen!