featuring Popeye and The Original Goons Ah shepherd's Pie (Spy) The Genius of Spike Miligna the well known typing error a Prince amongst Goon fans (a proper Charlie)
Spike had not yet recovered from his WWII trauma and was working fifteen hours a day, having PTSD and suffering from manic-depression. Yet he was making people laugh. He gave a wonderful interview about his personal life.
We lived in an old jillaroos cottage with no television but a fantastic stereo system. One day I came inside after chopping wood for our hot water " metal donkey " & my sister had " the goon show playing. So bloody funny. Never heard of them until 1988. Will never forget them.❤️
I was a kid about 6 with a heavy cold lying in bed listening to this on an old valve radio. Every time I heard Eccles I cracked up. My mum told me I looked forward to listening it every Saturday night. Still funny to me.
@@yashroastingshow9956 In my mid sixties , that radio was around for a long time . My folks were huge goons fans so the family would listen to it . We had 1 TV that lasted 18 odd years & was replaced a few months after Australia got colour. We got a colour TV around 1976 & I am guessing . . I still love Eccles , all 3 of them did a perfect Eccles. My folks saw Harry Secombe live & he did most of the character’s absolutely perfectly.
Spike Milligan was a comedic genius. He was undoubtedly the Grandfather of modern comedy. The Goon Show transformed the comedy world and its influence continues to this day. Sadly none are with us now, but their legacy is wonderful.
I mean, honestly. It's one thing to have Sellers tell us the origin story for Bluebottle. But to actually have the man himself? And not just to appear, but to corroborate Sellers' story? Amazing. Just amazing. Even the mere thought of The Goons makes me smile.
I remember listening to the Goon Shows on a Sunday back in the 60's with my parents. Great days. I now have all the Goon shows on digital, and still love them. Spike Milligan was a comic genius that will probably never be overshadowed. RIP Eccles, Bloodnok, Minnie Bannister, Henry Crun, Neddie Seagoon, Moriarty, Bluebottle, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine. Your comedy will live on forever. YEesss!
This is possibly the best of the documentaries about The Goons. Everyone who ever had their ears glued to the radio in their childhood years will appreciate it. Those whose ears were unglued may also like it.
Many people have tried to explain the comic genius of Spike Milligan, not one of them has come close. It just boils down to two words, SPIKE MILLIGAN, GENIUS.
The Goon show helped me through a high stress medical career until I couldnt take it and left. They then became a steady hilarious happy laughing comfort I looked forward to every time I was near the Internet and could load the show. Ive heard every show snd know the plots, but they still make me smile. Im so sorry none of them are alive to keep the world a brighter better place. The sign of excellence is the fact they passed on many years ago, before I even knew about them, but their stellar record follows them to heaven.
During my national service in the RAF ( 1953 - 1955 ) in Morayshire, Scotland, every week whenever possible, most of the lads in the hut, would listen to " THE GOON SHOW " on radio. It was the best comedy show on radio, closely followed by " THE TONY HANCOCK SHOW ". They both brightened up our lives.
I was a teenager in the 90s in Australia, getting up at 5.30am to listen to the goon show on the BBC world service. It inspired me to spend 20+ years working in radio, and to have an absurd sense of humour!
For my 60th birthday my kids gave me a gold pocket watch. The back was engraved with the words "What time is it Eccles"? Priceless. Interestingly, that sketch was used when I was studying surrealism at university so Dennis Norden's words proved prophetic.
My "Goons" records are some of my most cherished records. They were new, the 50's had never heard the like. Their use of language, sound and special effects was never bettered. They were the best.
In 1956 I was in show bussiness and when we were travelling by road we listened to the goon show…..we all took on a caricature it was great ……The youth today have no idea what they are missing. It was great ……..
I read Spike Milligan's war memoir years ago titled: Adolph Hitler: My Part In His Downfall. I had a bunch of his books as a young'un. His poetry was epic. My comedy fantasy would have been to pair up Spike with the 2nd most deranged (but wonderful) comedian in the world, at that time Jonathan Winters. Epic post thanks for sharing.
Spike Milligan was a one off. What an all rounder. My personal favourites are his war memoirs . How did we ever win. The Germans must have been useless at fighting
In the 60s in Toronto a new FM radio station, CHUM FM, would play Goon shows every Saturday morning. One of the most important experiences of my life. “The room was real but the blinds were drawn.”
The Goon Show has been a major part of my life and always will be. I still go to sleep every night listening to one of the 150+ Goon Shows on my iPhone. No wonder I have odd dreams.
I too have 138 goon shows on my phone and listen to them any time of the day or night.Being well versed in goon humour one sees gags reappearing on other comedies ,but they came from the mind of the goon team first!!
I would be rolling around on the floor listening to the GOONS... My kids and the Wife didn't get it.... At 66 I still fall about laughing listening to them... the Wife and kids still don't get it !... their loss!
I'm often told that I'm about 30 or 40 years too young for the Goons. (I was born in the 80s.) I think the fact I love these shows just proves how classic and timeless they are.
I found the Goons about 30 years ago and have been a fan ever since, particularly of Spike Milligan’s genius. I have collected almost all the recorded radio shows over the years, and almost all of Spike’s writings. I listen to a Goon show almost every day and have read Spike’s books over and over again. The comedy of the Goons does not appeal to everyone, but for those that love that irreverent humour, it is priceless. R.I.P. all of those magnificent comics.
Gary Lawless ps, I found an app on my iPhone which is called radio.net and if you search “goons” on its channels I found that it has two dedicated channels to goon shows. Goon show radio being on which broadcasts nothing but back to back goon shows. I also recorded most from the Australian abc radio when I was a kid onto an 8 track reel to reel which but splitting to L and R tracks I could record 16 tracks of goon shows on each reel. I filled about 4 with nothing but goon shows, please sir and the original science show. Enjoy your silliness from one goon fan to another 😎👍
@@beagle7622 - Yes that is one of my favourite episodes, where they plan to dismantle a gunboat, and then re-assemble it in an oasis in the desert to fight the Arabs. Another is ‘The Fear of Wages’ where Seagoon and Bloodnock fight a war with the Japanese, who are up in a tree on the back of a truck that Seagoon is driving to Headquarters to collect back-wages from the scheming Grip-pipe (I think I got that right?) and Moriarty. Hilarious stuff!
@@garylawless3608 I remember laughing so hard at the gunboat episode. It was British comedy at it best. I haven’t heard them for a while , I must look for a few episodes. Weren’t Sellars & Milligan in the Army together? My parents saw a Harry Seacombe concert , they really enjoyed it but the Interesting he basically did an episode by himself, playing all the characters.The Goon show was on The ABC in Australia for a long time, noon on Saturday. It’s hard to describe their humour but if you did like it and I did, it was just nuts. I miss that type of humour, but was lucky to experience it. Thanks for your comment.
@@beagle7622 - Yes they were in the army in WW2 at the same time but in different units, as was Harry Secombe. If you search CZcams, you should find an interview Spike did for TV, in which he describes how he first met Secombe. Very funny.
I was privileged to be present at the rehearsal/recording, in 1957, of the Last Leather Omnibus show, where Eccles and the "time on a piece of paper" was used. The whole performance lasted about 1.5 hours and was really hilarious, as you can imagine. And the four of them DID go behind the curtains to have a snifter or two of brandy! Some of the jokes were risque and side-splitting and, naturally, were left out of the broadcast recording. A most enjoyable experience, never to be forgotten. Spike is my hero.
Greatest ever Goon Show moment. Was that at the Camden Theatre? I could have kicked myself when I visited London from Australia in 2012 and stayed in Camden Town, only to find out later that the venue now called KOKO was where so many Goon Shows were recorded.
I listened to these as a kid, and I have not been right since, I take two Monty Python daily juust before I wake up in the mornings, it is the only way I can deal with a world that doesn't 'Get' The Goons!
During my school days in India in the 40s, I used to skip the last period once a week to listen to ' The Goon Show' on the BBC. It was pure madness but spellbinding stuff .. and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to three brilliant men - Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Seecombe - who helped me choose a crazy career that kept me going for 40 glorious years - believe me, it's been fun being a cartoonist !! Sudhir Dar
You don't get a reminisces of a wistful veteran indian comic artist in the comment sections of a CZcams video every day - thank you for sharing so much!
The bit that made me bust out laughing non stop for two minutes is at 41:38 where Harry Secombe talks about Prince Charles being a fan of the Goons, Secombe says to Charles, 'If anything happens to your lot (England eliminates monarchy) you can come and join us, you know, Heir today, Goon tomorrow.' Charles replies, "It's very drafty in the Tower this time of year..."
Incredible!!! I was raised on The Goon Show, and Monty Python's Flying Circus, so, this program, for me, is tantamount to discovering The Holy Grail! Thank you so much for making this video available! Spike Milligan was a comedic genius in the same way that The Beatles are/were musical geniuses. They each reinvented their respective medium.
@@NZLatic Martin was also the Beatles record Producer & played instruments on a number of their songs. He was often called the 5th Beatle , not only the Beatles he produced records for many other grips in the UK at that time.
I was reading one of Spike's books, had a hideous cold, and had been prescribed the wrong medicine by a doctor who was barely awake, he was so overworked. I laughed so hard the cold went away.
The Goon Show was the forces favourite week end listening during its long run in the forties and fifties and we would all tune in on a Friday night or catch a repeat on Saturday morning before the one o’clock news, and lifted one’s thoughts from the sometimes humdrum and boredom, especially at a time of National Service and two years away from home. It was also in many ways a two finger salute to the stuffiness and red tape of the time and produced laughter without any smut or crudity. May they all rest in peace.
Vocal alacrity, word play - perfect mix of sound effects and not taking the performance of it all as seriously as you should - perfect ingredients for radio of the era. Love it. They were good on TV too but not nearly the same feel as just the lively audio of radio alone- the visual added just seems to dispel the mystical ability of your won imagination responding to what you are hearing. All great comedy. Things have definitely changed and I'm trying to be nostalgic but this comedy really is great.
Spike signed his book ,”Depression and how to survive it” for me at a book signing in Sydney once.He was a part of everyone’s life and is sorely missed RIP Spike😜
I still remember Mum and Dad listening to this in our home in Australia. Mum loved the silly voices and Dad just laughed and laughed. So what I'm saying is that The Goons were a part of my younger life and for that I thank them.
Stop! Stop! [stops immediately] My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, back from the dead, we present half an hour of continuous radio fighting, in both corners - The Goons!
Probably the best summation of The Goons I've ever seen outside of a book ( and it would be pretty good inside of a book but I don't think there's enough room). Thanks for posting
Well said, Geoff. I started following them in the 50's and still play their cds.if you want a really good laugh, read Spike's books.laughter really is the best medicine and it was so innocent in those days, no smut or bad taste
All I have ever done in a religious vein is to listen to the goons when they used to be replayed on Australia's ABC from the late 60s through to the 80s. We would take a length of wire on our surf weekends down the coast and extend the car aerial with it to listen in. Great days.
A modified version of the joke at 11:26 is considered the funniest joke of all time. I'd heard it was based on something that Milligan had written but had never had confirmation. It was a great moment to finally see it being performed by them. Thanks so much for sharing.
Aaahhhh, the great Spike Millington. How glorious those Halcyon childhood Sunday mornings, tuning in the radio for . . The Goon Show. I've not heard this manic, anarchic nuttiness in years. And, yet, it remains timeless. I sit here helplessly curled up in choking laughter, sometimes unable to breathe. Spike, Harry and Peter completely ruined me for any form of sane, logical thought the rest of my life. Long may they reign. Python, bless 'em, were greatly influenced but still pale against The Goons. "Jump into a dustbin and dance!"
You know of which I speak! I am impressed. Was heard once and a vow incurred to use it once, at least, in conversation. (I err on the side of assumption, naturally, that you are speaking tongue-in-cheek. )
+Elas Mobranch I used to get into trouble at the meal table when I was a teenager for for using eccles and bluebottles voices and making my sisters laugh.My mother just didn't seem to understand the goons
This is a joy from start to finish. Thank you so much for the post. The 'What time is it?' joke at 31.40 is just a surreal masterpiece. Denis Nordern in right; they should teach it in schools..!
To be honest I think you can find funnier stuff it their scripts than that piece. I mean it's fine and typical Goon show stuff I just don't think it stands out as special. I always liked the lines ! _and then the rains came, and the couldn't have come at a worse time. Bang in the middle of the monsoon season_ "
Thanks for this, Icepick141. Been a Goons fan for 50 years, my son (22) is fanatical about the Goons. I'm always interested to learn more about the history of the group, and how their humour came to exist. I think Spike is being painfully honest when he says he needed WWII - the insanity of the Goons came out of the insanity of war, and the personal suffering of Spike and Harry, but somehow these geniuses managed to laugh about it, and make us laugh about it.
Loved this. Brought back so many great memories. many thanks!! My nickname at high school was Seagoon because of the goon show. Long may she sail in the collective memories.
What a lovely documentary! I have pretty much all the surviving Goon Shows on my phone, and I wouldn't be without them: they (perhaps ironically) keep me sane. While listening, I've often thought to myself that Spike Milligan might very well be the funniest person who ever lived.
Spike, Harry and Peter were the laughter we all needed. There is not a single entity that calls themselves that today that comes close to raising THIS hilarity. This sad, frightening world gets worse every day without them.......... There should be a bronze erection of the Goons in Trafalgar square............... Spike " DONT put an erection there, you'll get arrested, they'll expect more" Gob Bless guys thank you for the laughter - from another manic depressive.
I know younger folks raised on a diet of moronic TV may have a hard time " getting" the humour, when I was a kid my Dad and older brother would play the goon show records all the time, as I grew up and was educated in the UK I had no trouble understanding that this was new and original. RIP Spike. No wonder these guys were an inspiration for Monty Python and The Young Ones..
In much the same way as it must have been infuriating for composers after Mozart and Beethoven to try to "out-do" their predecessors, so must it have been after the Goons. Gloriously fresh and funny after 60+ years.
I'm innocent I tell you. There I was marching along with the lads, bayonets fixed, the colours flying, the band playing, then suddenly me and the Regimental funds took a wrong turning.
As an American, I adored the Goon Show. When I was a teenager, the public broadcasting station would replay the shows on Sunday nights. Definitely for the cool kids ❤. I remember reading about them and of course watching the career trajectories of Spike, Peter, and Harry, you never lose sight of their origins. A very unique time in history and one I hope future generations will appreciate
You should all just stop adding contentious comments and either go and listen to your vinyls/cassettes or CDs, or go out and buy some. The Goons don't need analysis. After nearly 60 years they're still just very funny... and that's all our sad mad world needs.
As our society slowly deteriates into a drug ridden mess the goons are sadly missed to shed some sunlight on a sad mad violent world. They were brilliant
I don't wish to wholly burst your bubble, but the human race has been a drug addled mess for almost as long as we've been about. But we can both whole heartedly agree that The Goons were pioneers and we as an audience and the world of comedy as a whole owe them a great debt.
I beg to differ. As a PhD in comedy, I find that the analysis of the Goons is trenchant yet pointific. The Hegelian aspect of the Goons, supplanted by the rhythmic tantula of the iambic pentameter, aided by a homo erotic manifestation of goofiness, is paramount to the magnification of their imperialistic tendencies.
Thing is, i am 30.i grew up on the Goons/python etc. it underpins my humour , my dad was a remarkable impressionist and always reminded m of Peter Sellers. Spike was and is a one of a kind comic. used his Bipolar to his advantage, as i have bipolar too he inspired me. Harry was a glorious man too. A hearty Ying tong to ALL. AND NOW....TO MARCH ACROSS THE SUN UNDER THE PACIFIC OCEAN!!
And this video can be yours for only three ronts of quodge and a small boiled chicken (the equivalent in used stamps accepted). What a wonderful tribute to the Goons. Especially delightful was seeing HRH Prince Charles competently playing the part of Timmy Bluebottle.
Malcolm Dale You silly twisted boy , The Goon Show on [BBC] Third Programme NEVER , Home Service yes, Light Programme on occasion, but the BBC Third Programme in the late fourties to the Radio 3 of today classical and jazz music yes , some rather highbrow drama yes but if you were listening to the 'third , not the Goons matie ... now where's me long range under trousers ?
+watlingfen There was comedy on the Third, but it was more the Stephen Potter, Joyce Grenfell style - sophisticated, review style material. The Go On Show never aspired to sophistication!
Was a high school student in the late sixties in South Africa. Nothing better than to have the Goon Show to listen to after pedaling home at 15h00. We had a well worn transistor radio and this was the medium I used to listen to that superlatively unique comedy. One confession - only a good friend of mine shared that glorious humour and, of course, hilarious sound effects. All the other class mates just stared blankly when I asked them what they thought of the show. Aahh, it felt good to be different. Gave me a bit of a superioty complex 😊. Hail the genius of the Goon Show
Introduced to the Goons in the mid-eighties & they've been with me ever since from 2 episodes per tape to virtually every episode on an mp3 player in my pocket today. Never was a fan of Mr Geldray or Mr Elyingtong but appreciate their comic input.
But between the Goons - a purely radio show - and Monty Python - which was purely television - there was 'Round the Horne'. (Ooo 'ello. My name's Julian and this is my friend Sandy.) And quite a long time after that was; 'I'm sorry, I'll read that again.' (ISIRTA) Which was also BBC Radio 4 by that time and featured; Tim Brooke-Taylor John Cleese Graeme Garden David Hatch Jo Kendall Bill Oddie (At this point we wanted to feature a few words from our producer, Humphrey Barclay, but he's rather tied up - we always keep him like that while we're doing the show.) So there were Pythons, years before Python. In fact, ISIRTA was 'The Goons' brought up to date, without the 'in' military jokes the Goons inevitably used. The regular feature sketch was the serial; 'The Curse of the flying wombat' - "Help me up on deck, I'm covered in mosquito bites!" "Ah, Lady Constance, so you're coming up to scratch?" But it is certainly true the Goon Show ( Now then, Mr Secombe, what's all this Go On show?) was pretty much the progenitor of them all and the amazing thing is, I can still remember many of the jokes. I was between 7 and 9 while the Goons were current and I'm 73 now! Bless them, I'll never forget.
Yeah... Loved the Goons and all their characters. My absolute faves are Eccles, Bluebottle, Neddy Seagoon and Minnie Bannister. Love 'em all really! When I listened to them in the 1970's I always liked to munch on a handful of Eccles Cakes while sipping a hot coffee.
It was a great mix or even a cocktail ! Spike was Irish, Harry was Welsh and peter was a Tyke .The BBC released some recordings on cassette in lots of four. I don't know if they are still available..I'm half Irish on my mother's side.
Please Sir , digitize and share . You'd have many very greatful friends , not just in Britain or the Common Wealth , nope : all over the world wars will cease because the gunmen and what-have-yous will be too busy laughing their arse out . There might even be a Nobel Peace Prize in it for you Sir ! So please make haste and share , for it's 5 to 12 . I know for it says so on my piece of paper .
Spike had not yet recovered from his WWII trauma and was working fifteen hours a day, having PTSD and suffering from manic-depression. Yet he was making people laugh. He gave a wonderful interview about his personal life.
We lived in an old jillaroos cottage with no television but a fantastic stereo system.
One day I came inside after chopping wood for our hot water " metal donkey " & my sister had " the goon show playing. So bloody funny. Never heard of them until 1988. Will never forget them.❤️
I was a kid about 6 with a heavy cold lying in bed listening to this on an old valve radio. Every time I heard Eccles I cracked up. My mum told me I looked forward to listening it every Saturday night. Still funny to me.
Damn how old are you now sir?
@@yashroastingshow9956 In my mid sixties , that radio was around for a long time . My folks were huge goons fans so the family would listen to it . We had 1 TV that lasted 18 odd years & was replaced a few months after Australia got colour. We got a colour TV around 1976 & I am guessing . . I still love Eccles , all 3 of them did a perfect Eccles. My folks saw Harry Secombe live & he did most of the character’s absolutely perfectly.
@@beagle7622 any tips for younger generation on
What is life?
Or how we should live it?
Spike Milligan was a comedic genius. He was undoubtedly the Grandfather of modern comedy. The Goon Show transformed the comedy world and its influence continues to this day. Sadly none are with us now, but their legacy is wonderful.
I mean, honestly. It's one thing to have Sellers tell us the origin story for Bluebottle. But to actually have the man himself? And not just to appear, but to corroborate Sellers' story? Amazing. Just amazing.
Even the mere thought of The Goons makes me smile.
Agreed. When I discovered they actually had an interview with Bluebottle himself I fell through the floor. Scoop of the Century!
Omg I checked it out. It was bluebottle. Lol😂
I feel blessed to have grown up with the Goons. My humour has been my saving grace at so many dark moments. RIP the Goons.
Funny. I started with minty python and have now come back to the goons. My dad loved the goons so I must have become old or simply damp in the heed
Love ‘em.
Same, thankfully my father shared it with me and we shared a love of the show. Influenced both of our humours :)
whatwhat _what?_
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I remember listening to the Goon Shows on a Sunday back in the 60's with my parents. Great days. I now have all the Goon shows on digital, and still love them. Spike Milligan was a comic genius that will probably never be overshadowed. RIP Eccles, Bloodnok, Minnie Bannister, Henry Crun, Neddie Seagoon, Moriarty, Bluebottle, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine. Your comedy will live on forever. YEesss!
This is possibly the best of the documentaries about The Goons. Everyone who ever had their ears glued to the radio in their childhood years will appreciate it. Those whose ears were unglued may also like it.
I'm 32 and just becoming a fan
Instantly loved Spike
The Goon Show was classical, brilliant. The finest rubbish that ever was written for radio or television. I love it now and always will.
Many people have tried to explain the comic genius of Spike Milligan, not one of them has come close. It just boils down to two words, SPIKE MILLIGAN, GENIUS.
I like what you did there.😄
hilarious - czcams.com/video/C0n88tZQc4Q/video.html
The Goon show helped me through a high stress medical career until I couldnt take it and left. They then became a steady hilarious happy laughing comfort I looked forward to every time I was near the Internet and could load the show.
Ive heard every show snd know the plots, but they still make me smile.
Im so sorry none of them are alive to keep the world a brighter better place. The sign of excellence is the fact they passed on many years ago, before I even knew about them, but their stellar record follows them to heaven.
During my national service in the RAF ( 1953 - 1955 ) in Morayshire, Scotland, every week whenever possible, most of the lads in the hut, would listen to " THE GOON SHOW " on radio. It was the best comedy show on radio, closely followed by " THE TONY HANCOCK SHOW ". They both brightened up our lives.
I was a teenager in the 90s in Australia, getting up at 5.30am to listen to the goon show on the BBC world service. It inspired me to spend 20+ years working in radio, and to have an absurd sense of humour!
The Goons enriched my life for the last 60 years and they are still at it .Milligan was a genius without any doubt
For my 60th birthday my kids gave me a gold pocket watch. The back was engraved with the words "What time is it Eccles"? Priceless. Interestingly, that sketch was used when I was studying surrealism at university so Dennis Norden's words proved prophetic.
How fitting to open up with Cleese introducing the Goons. He must have been CHUFFED to be working with his idols!
Oh my gosh, it took me a second to realize that was a young Prince Charlie doing Bluebottle and brilliantly. 😁😂😂
My "Goons" records are some of my most cherished records. They were new, the 50's had never heard the like. Their use of language, sound and special effects was never bettered. They were the best.
I’m nearly 78 yrs old - loved the “Goon Show” on the Radio - NO Television then.👵🍀🍁🎭🎄
In 1956 I was in show bussiness and when we were travelling by road we listened to the goon show…..we all took on a caricature it was great ……The youth today have no idea what they are missing. It was great ……..
I read Spike Milligan's war memoir years ago titled: Adolph Hitler: My Part In His Downfall. I had a bunch of his books as a young'un. His poetry was epic. My comedy fantasy would have been to pair up Spike with the 2nd most deranged (but wonderful) comedian in the world, at that time Jonathan Winters. Epic post thanks for sharing.
Spike Milligan was a one off. What an all rounder. My personal favourites are his war memoirs . How did we ever win. The Germans must have been useless at fighting
In the 60s in Toronto a new FM radio station, CHUM FM, would play Goon shows every Saturday morning. One of the most important experiences of my life. “The room was real but the blinds were drawn.”
The Goon Show has been a major part of my life and always will be. I still go to sleep every night listening to one of the 150+ Goon Shows on my iPhone. No wonder I have odd dreams.
I too have 138 goon shows on my phone and listen to them any time of the day or night.Being well versed in goon humour one sees gags reappearing on other comedies ,but they came from the mind of the goon team first!!
I would be rolling around on the floor listening to the GOONS... My kids and the Wife didn't get it.... At 66 I still fall about laughing listening to them... the Wife and kids still don't get it !... their loss!
I'm often told that I'm about 30 or 40 years too young for the Goons. (I was born in the 80s.) I think the fact I love these shows just proves how classic and timeless they are.
I discovered them in 1973 when I was 12 and was given a copy of The Goon Show Scripts.
I discovered the Goons in 1978, while stationed at Bergen-Hohne, Germany. BFBS broadcast repeats and I became hooked.
“That’s because the humour is abstract.” - Spike
Jonathan Miller's the only person I can think of who can explain why a joke is funny without ruining why the joke is funny.
I found the Goons about 30 years ago and have been a fan ever since, particularly of Spike Milligan’s genius. I have collected almost all the recorded radio shows over the years, and almost all of Spike’s writings. I listen to a Goon show almost every day and have read Spike’s books over and over again. The comedy of the Goons does not appeal to everyone, but for those that love that irreverent humour, it is priceless.
R.I.P. all of those magnificent comics.
Gary Lawless ps, I found an app on my iPhone which is called radio.net and if you search “goons” on its channels I found that it has two dedicated channels to goon shows. Goon show radio being on which broadcasts nothing but back to back goon shows. I also recorded most from the Australian abc radio when I was a kid onto an 8 track reel to reel which but splitting to L and R tracks I could record 16 tracks of goon shows on each reel. I filled about 4 with nothing but goon shows, please sir and the original science show. Enjoy your silliness from one goon fan to another 😎👍
Remember a battleship in the desert. I think it was again as I kid , it was such a crazy show.
@@beagle7622 -
Yes that is one of my favourite episodes, where they plan to dismantle a gunboat, and then re-assemble it in an oasis in the desert to fight the Arabs.
Another is ‘The Fear of Wages’ where Seagoon and Bloodnock fight a war with the Japanese, who are up in a tree on the back of a truck that Seagoon is driving to Headquarters to collect back-wages from the scheming Grip-pipe (I think I got that right?) and Moriarty.
Hilarious stuff!
@@garylawless3608 I remember laughing so hard at the gunboat episode. It was British comedy at it best. I haven’t heard them for a while , I must look for a few episodes. Weren’t Sellars & Milligan in the Army together? My parents saw a Harry Seacombe concert , they really enjoyed it but the Interesting he basically did an episode by himself, playing all the characters.The Goon show was on The ABC in Australia for a long time, noon on Saturday. It’s hard to describe their humour but if you did like it and I did, it was just nuts. I miss that type of humour, but was lucky to experience it. Thanks for your comment.
@@beagle7622 -
Yes they were in the army in WW2 at the same time but in different units, as was Harry Secombe. If you search CZcams, you should find an interview Spike did for TV, in which he describes how he first met Secombe. Very funny.
I was privileged to be present at the rehearsal/recording, in 1957, of the Last Leather Omnibus show, where Eccles and the "time on a piece of paper" was used. The whole performance lasted about 1.5 hours and was really hilarious, as you can imagine. And the four of them DID go behind the curtains to have a snifter or two of brandy! Some of the jokes were risque and side-splitting and, naturally, were left out of the broadcast recording. A most enjoyable experience, never to be forgotten. Spike is my hero.
The piece of paper is a true comedic masterpiece, which draws you in more and more...still so funny today...
HE`S MINE TOO
Tutti Frutti
@@shaughnfourie304 Me three .... :)
Greatest ever Goon Show moment. Was that at the Camden Theatre? I could have kicked myself when I visited London from Australia in 2012 and stayed in Camden Town, only to find out later that the venue now called KOKO was where so many Goon Shows were recorded.
I listened to these as a kid, and I have not been right since, I take two Monty Python daily juust before I wake up in the mornings, it is the only way I can deal with a world that doesn't 'Get' The Goons!
What a wonderful film. Thank you forever to the Goons and their wonderful zany humor.
During my school days in India in the 40s, I used to skip the last period once a week to listen to ' The Goon Show' on the BBC. It was pure madness but spellbinding stuff .. and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to three brilliant men - Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Seecombe - who helped me choose a crazy career that kept me going for 40 glorious years - believe me, it's been fun being a cartoonist !!
Sudhir Dar
It was just funny. Seems like you've had a good time!
You don't get a reminisces of a wistful veteran indian comic artist in the comment sections of a CZcams video every day - thank you for sharing so much!
I think you mean the 1950's. Spike was in the army in the 1940's (WW2) He was a prisoner of war in the far East.
If that comment was from the real Sudhir Dar then he died soon after making it as he died in Nov 2019... RIP
The bit that made me bust out laughing non stop for two minutes is at 41:38 where Harry Secombe talks about Prince Charles being a fan of the Goons, Secombe says to Charles, 'If anything happens to your lot (England eliminates monarchy) you can come and join us, you know, Heir today, Goon tomorrow.' Charles replies, "It's very drafty in the Tower this time of year..."
Incredible!!! I was raised on The Goon Show, and Monty Python's Flying Circus, so, this program, for me, is tantamount to discovering The Holy Grail! Thank you so much for making this video available!
Spike Milligan was a comedic genius in the same way that The Beatles are/were musical geniuses. They each reinvented their respective medium.
The Beatles were great Goon fans as well as was their producer, George Martin. He actually produced some of Peter Sellers albums.
@@NZLatic Martin was also the Beatles record Producer & played instruments on a number of their songs. He was often called the 5th Beatle , not only the Beatles he produced records for many other grips in the UK at that time.
I was reading one of Spike's books, had a hideous cold, and had been prescribed the wrong medicine by a doctor who was barely awake, he was so overworked. I laughed so hard the cold went away.
The Goon Show was the forces favourite week end listening during its long run in the forties and fifties and we would all tune in on a Friday night or catch a repeat on Saturday morning before the one o’clock news, and lifted one’s thoughts from the sometimes humdrum and boredom, especially at a time of National Service and two years away from home. It was also in many ways a two finger salute to the stuffiness and red tape of the time and produced laughter without any smut or crudity. May they all rest in peace.
Vocal alacrity, word play - perfect mix of sound effects and not taking the performance of it all as seriously as you should - perfect ingredients for radio of the era. Love it. They were good on TV too but not nearly the same feel as just the lively audio of radio alone- the visual added just seems to dispel the mystical ability of your won imagination responding to what you are hearing.
All great comedy. Things have definitely changed and I'm trying to be nostalgic but this comedy really is great.
No matter how times I hear a Goon Show episode it's still funny. Their genius will live on forever.
Spike signed my book of his, ‘Depression and how to survive it’,at Sydney’s Glebebooks.It’s a precious gem….
Spike signed his book ,”Depression and how to survive it” for me at a book signing in Sydney once.He was a part of everyone’s life and is sorely missed
RIP Spike😜
Ive been listening to the goons since the late 70’s and still to this day no comedy even comes close to these 3 lads. The very best ever!!
There has never been a comedy genius like Spike and a character like Bloodknot.
I still remember Mum and Dad listening to this in our home in Australia. Mum loved the silly voices and Dad just laughed and laughed.
So what I'm saying is that The Goons were a part of my younger life and for that I thank them.
Who can forget those immortal words of Wallace Greenslade THIS IS THE BBC HOME SERVICE
It's a shame he didn't get a mention on this. he was a big part of the show.
"This is the BBC and here is a picture of me saying it "
Stop! Stop! [stops immediately] My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, back from the dead, we present half an hour of continuous radio fighting, in both corners - The Goons!
Superb doc. Every single aspect of their humour was covered with love and enthusiasm. The best comefy troupe ever.
Probably the best summation of The Goons I've ever seen outside of a book ( and it would be pretty good inside of a book but I don't think there's enough room). Thanks for posting
"An Englishman, an Irishman, a Welshman & half a Peruvian walked into a pub. ...."
Anything with an opening like that has to be very good.
Really?
The Peruvian was Michael Bentine, who was half-Peruvian. True!
Well said, Geoff. I started following them in the 50's and still play their cds.if you want a really good laugh, read Spike's books.laughter really is the best medicine and it was so innocent in those days, no smut or bad taste
All I have ever done in a religious vein is to listen to the goons when they used to be replayed on Australia's ABC from the late 60s through to the 80s. We would take a length of wire on our surf weekends down the coast and extend the car aerial with it to listen in. Great days.
Yes.
A modified version of the joke at 11:26 is considered the funniest joke of all time.
I'd heard it was based on something that Milligan had written but had never had confirmation.
It was a great moment to finally see it being performed by them.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Aaahhhh, the great Spike Millington. How glorious those Halcyon childhood Sunday mornings, tuning in the radio for . . The Goon Show. I've not heard this manic, anarchic nuttiness in years. And, yet, it remains timeless. I sit here helplessly curled up in choking laughter, sometimes unable to breathe. Spike, Harry and Peter completely ruined me for any form of sane, logical thought the rest of my life. Long may they reign. Python, bless 'em, were greatly influenced but still pale against The Goons. "Jump into a dustbin and dance!"
+Ross McArthur Spike Millington... The well known printing error
You know of which I speak! I am impressed. Was heard once and a vow incurred to use it once, at least, in conversation. (I err on the side of assumption, naturally, that you are speaking tongue-in-cheek. )
+Ross McArthur Of course! 'Hear, feel & hit Spike Millington"
That's Spine Millington to you, sir!
@@Slashkamr Spike Milligna .....
Absolutely brilliant, My whole family used to raptly listen to the Goon show every week when I was a child. Thanks for the uploads.
+Elas Mobranch I used to get into trouble at the meal table when I was a teenager for for using eccles and bluebottles voices and making my sisters laugh.My mother just didn't seem to understand the goons
Grand wonderful memories of my childhood - what a trip down nostalgia lane. Thanks so very much.
Always will be the builder of modern humor - what a legacy.. Perfection.
I instantly loved Spike Milligan.
Wherever his soul is now...
...That's where I hope to one day be 💜
This is a joy from start to finish. Thank you so much for the post. The 'What time is it?' joke at 31.40 is just a surreal masterpiece. Denis Nordern in right; they should teach it in schools..!
To be honest I think you can find funnier stuff it their scripts than that piece. I mean it's fine and typical Goon show stuff I just don't think it stands out as special. I always liked the lines ! _and then the rains came, and the couldn't have come at a worse time. Bang in the middle of the monsoon season_ "
Are you high? This is utter garbage!
The "what time is it, Eccles?" sketch is pure genius.
DON’T HIT THAT CHILD LIKE THAT!!!
Hit him like THIS!!
They had brilliant humour that was so fast. Long live the Goons :)
Thanks for this, Icepick141. Been a Goons fan for 50 years, my son (22) is fanatical about the Goons. I'm always interested to learn more about the history of the group, and how their humour came to exist. I think Spike is being painfully honest when he says he needed WWII - the insanity of the Goons came out of the insanity of war, and the personal suffering of Spike and Harry, but somehow these geniuses managed to laugh about it, and make us laugh about it.
Loved this. Brought back so many great memories. many thanks!! My nickname at high school was Seagoon because of the goon show. Long may she sail in the collective memories.
What a fantastic sight it would be to see the goons playing Dungeons & Dragons
What a lovely documentary! I have pretty much all the surviving Goon Shows on my phone, and I wouldn't be without them: they (perhaps ironically) keep me sane. While listening, I've often thought to myself that Spike Milligan might very well be the funniest person who ever lived.
Spike, Harry and Peter were the laughter we all needed. There is not a single entity that calls themselves that today that comes close to raising THIS hilarity. This sad, frightening world gets worse every day without them..........
There should be a bronze erection of the Goons in Trafalgar square...............
Spike " DONT put an erection there, you'll get arrested, they'll expect more"
Gob Bless guys thank you for the laughter - from another manic depressive.
Spike was my All time Comedy HERO.
The British Robin Williams a genius
I know younger folks raised on a diet of moronic TV may have a hard time " getting" the humour, when I was a kid my Dad and older brother would play the goon show records all the time, as I grew up and was educated in the UK I had no trouble understanding that this was new and original. RIP Spike.
No wonder these guys were an inspiration for Monty Python and The Young Ones..
Before the Goons, there were the Crazy Gang and ITMA. Prince Charles was a huge fan of the Goons and his grandfather loved the Crazy Gang.
Half of me wishes the goon show had been on tv the other half is glad I can imagine Sellers & the boys having a laugh!
In much the same way as it must have been infuriating for composers after Mozart and Beethoven to try to "out-do" their predecessors, so must it have been after the Goons. Gloriously fresh and funny after 60+ years.
I remember people gathering around the radio gripping each other so no murmur might obscure the next word
I'm innocent I tell you. There I was marching along with the lads, bayonets fixed, the colours flying, the band playing, then suddenly me and the Regimental funds took a wrong turning.
As an American, I adored the Goon Show. When I was a teenager, the public broadcasting station would replay the shows on Sunday nights. Definitely for the cool kids ❤. I remember reading about them and of course watching the career trajectories of Spike, Peter, and Harry, you never lose sight of their origins. A very unique time in history and one I hope future generations will appreciate
You should all just stop adding contentious comments and either go and listen to your vinyls/cassettes or CDs, or go out and buy some. The Goons don't need analysis. After nearly 60 years they're still just very funny... and that's all our sad mad world needs.
As our society slowly deteriates into a drug ridden mess the goons are sadly missed to shed some sunlight on a sad mad violent world. They were brilliant
Don't forget Harry Secombe!
He was dangerously hooked on Songs of Praise towards the end.
I don't wish to wholly burst your bubble, but the human race has been a drug addled mess for almost as long as we've been about. But we can both whole heartedly agree that The Goons were pioneers and we as an audience and the world of comedy as a whole owe them a great debt.
I beg to differ. As a PhD in comedy, I find that the analysis of the Goons is trenchant yet pointific. The Hegelian aspect of the Goons, supplanted by the rhythmic tantula of the iambic pentameter, aided by a homo erotic manifestation of goofiness, is paramount to the magnification of their imperialistic tendencies.
Thing is, i am 30.i grew up on the Goons/python etc. it underpins my humour , my dad was a remarkable impressionist and always reminded m of Peter Sellers. Spike was and is a one of a kind comic. used his Bipolar to his advantage, as i have bipolar too he inspired me. Harry was a glorious man too. A hearty Ying tong to ALL. AND NOW....TO MARCH ACROSS THE SUN UNDER THE PACIFIC OCEAN!!
And this video can be yours for only three ronts of quodge and a small boiled chicken (the equivalent in used stamps accepted). What a wonderful tribute to the Goons. Especially delightful was seeing HRH Prince Charles competently playing the part of Timmy Bluebottle.
I remember when the Goon Show started on the Third Programme and I found it loved it then. Happy days! Thanks for the upload!
Malcolm Dale You silly twisted boy , The Goon Show on [BBC] Third Programme NEVER , Home Service yes, Light Programme on occasion, but the BBC Third Programme in the late fourties to the Radio 3 of today classical and jazz music yes , some rather highbrow drama yes but if you were listening to the 'third , not the Goons matie ... now where's me long range under trousers ?
+watlingfen There was comedy on the Third, but it was more the Stephen Potter, Joyce Grenfell style - sophisticated, review style material. The Go On Show never aspired to sophistication!
@@dogstoerd Never ....... ROFL!
In the 50's in Detroit we listened by way of the CBC. When MAD comic book began it seemed ery much akin to the Goon Show,
Excellent , nostalgic, and wonderfully remeniscing!
wow - we get to see the real Ruxton Heywood
god bless Spike, Mike, Harry, Pete, and Eric and all the rest who tought us how to laugh at ourselves
When we become tired of laughing at ourselves we tire of life.
Was a high school student in the late sixties in South Africa. Nothing better than to have the Goon Show to listen to after pedaling home at 15h00. We had a well worn transistor radio and this was the medium I used to listen to that superlatively unique comedy. One confession - only a good friend of mine shared that glorious humour and, of course, hilarious sound effects. All the other class mates just stared blankly when I asked them what they thought of the show. Aahh, it felt good to be different. Gave me a bit of a superioty complex 😊. Hail the genius of the Goon Show
Spike Milligan is nuts ! But in an endearing way !
Bloodnock's music announce his entry, loud explosions heard and then "Quick nurse, the screens."
I roll on the floor laughing.
Jon908584. "Quick nurse! The screens! It's happened again!"
Thank you for uploading this.
thanks for uploading this it is wonderful
Wonderful. I used to love listening to the Goons. Still do !
I'm 26 and my dad raised me on this and python and I'm so happy he did.
Sweet memries , great doc , good to relive these golden moments
Introduced to the Goons in the mid-eighties & they've been with me ever since from 2 episodes per tape to virtually every episode on an mp3 player in my pocket today. Never was a fan of Mr Geldray or Mr Elyingtong but appreciate their comic input.
Before there was Monty Python, there were the Goons.
And I think before The Goons there were the Marx Brothers.
Who? Abbott and Costello perhaps, but definitely not the brethren...
But between the Goons - a purely radio show - and Monty Python - which was purely television - there was 'Round the Horne'. (Ooo 'ello. My name's Julian and this is my friend Sandy.) And quite a long time after that was; 'I'm sorry, I'll read that again.' (ISIRTA) Which was also BBC Radio 4 by that time and featured;
Tim Brooke-Taylor
John Cleese
Graeme Garden
David Hatch
Jo Kendall
Bill Oddie
(At this point we wanted to feature a few words from our producer, Humphrey Barclay, but he's rather tied up - we always keep him like that while we're doing the show.)
So there were Pythons, years before Python. In fact, ISIRTA was 'The Goons' brought up to date, without the 'in' military jokes the Goons inevitably used. The regular feature sketch was the serial; 'The Curse of the flying wombat' - "Help me up on deck, I'm covered in mosquito bites!" "Ah, Lady Constance, so you're coming up to scratch?"
But it is certainly true the Goon Show ( Now then, Mr Secombe, what's all this Go On show?) was pretty much the progenitor of them all and the amazing thing is, I can still remember many of the jokes. I was between 7 and 9 while the Goons were current and I'm 73 now! Bless them, I'll never forget.
Memories of my childhood!
And great harmonica , I love this stuff.
Yeah... Loved the Goons and all their characters. My absolute faves are Eccles, Bluebottle, Neddy Seagoon and Minnie Bannister. Love 'em all really!
When I listened to them in the 1970's I always liked to munch on a handful of Eccles Cakes while sipping a hot coffee.
When I listened to them in the 1970's I always did it disguised as Mrs Ethel Cringe 34 Laburnam walk Colchester , Lunatic.
I loved them in my youth and still have some recordings .
Eltae42 holy shit you remember the original recordings.... me dad does aswell!
Respect from Ireland sir!
It was a great mix or even a cocktail ! Spike was Irish, Harry was Welsh and peter was a Tyke .The BBC released some recordings on cassette in lots of four. I don't know if they are still available..I'm half Irish on my mother's side.
Please Sir , digitize and share . You'd have many very greatful friends , not just in Britain or the Common Wealth , nope : all over the world wars will cease because the gunmen and what-have-yous will be too busy laughing their arse out .
There might even be a Nobel Peace Prize in it for you Sir !
So please make haste and share , for it's 5 to 12 . I know for it says so on my piece of paper .
Thank you for putting this up!
This is thefirst time I've heard of the Goon Show. Brilliant.......
jeffrey gray Welcome to the fan club Jeff, I have been a fan since I was a boy. Cheers from John, Australia.
+jeffrey gray It's an incurable affliction. Well done!
You poor boy .....
There is much to be discovered for you. Many years of Goons.
What a wonderful journey you are beginning.
Timeless unmatched comedy
That was great, thank you so much for uploading it!
wherever these guys are now, they will never die in our hearts and thoughts.
Brilliant, thank you for posting this!
I have fond memories of sitting around the old radio listening to the goon show. It came on at 7 o’clock once a week
How do you know? " It was written on a piece of paper!"