Hello and welcome to goon pod. Happy New Year.
So let's hope, let's hope that
2023 is just as good as 20:22 has been.
Yeah, in recent months I've been asking lister's to nominate
their favorite goon show episodes and you didn't let me
down. So today on the special show, I
am joined to run down the top 20 listeners.
Favorite gun shows, we have Sean Gaffney all the way from the
United States and and and Mike Haskins from about 40 minutes
down the road. Hello, hello, hello, hello.
Hello, Tyler. So thank you for joining me.
You have both been previous guess.
A couple of times actually and both have acquitted yourselves
excellently. This is such a weird is
excellently. I think so.
Well, there is now. So thank you for joining me to
talk through the this top 20 list.
As we're recording this, the World Cup is still going on and,
you know, in the style of the World Cup.
I don't really watch football, but I know that before, matches
all the pundits, sit around in the television studio and make
predictions. Okay.
So I'd like to ask you both, what do you think you want to
have a stab at what? You think the number one episode
is going to be like, well what do I what I was wondering tither
is has any smart aleck in the voting for this voted for an
episode which just didn't exist at all.
You know, that there's no recording of no script, no
record of whatsoever but still that's my favorite books.
I really wish that I'd done that now.
Yeah. You fool, you all think the
dreaded better putting earlier of Excellency is the best one.
But no, it's Series 2 episode 7 which no one has ever heard.
You might be like that guy. What's his name?
Ian Levine. Is he the guy?
Who's got supposedly all the Doctor Who episodes that are
missing? Oh yeah.
Locked up in his basement. Yes.
Yeah. Really.
Really, that's the rumor. Isn't it.
Who is the house? He got them.
I don't somebody go. There, I do.
But there are I'm sure part. Podcast that can give the
history of Ian Levine, but it's outside of this rubric.
I think it's like you. So seriously now, Mike want to
have a go. What do you think be number one?
Well, you see, I've listened to a few recently and I can tell
you the ones which I think you know, which I can't read what I
voted for. Now the ones I should have voted
for our dreaded best pudding hurler because that is a
fantastic show and The greenslade story.
I found quite delightful as an episode.
Yeah. And the other one, which I
remember talking about with Dawn dredge was called of the West
which I absolutely love and that's a fantastic episode.
Although you know, you're talking to John dredge about it.
You kept saying, I wouldn't play this to somebody as their first
goon show but I think I would like that too.
I think it's superb. So anyway, we will see.
Look see if any or none of those are In the list.
Indeed. And what about you Sean?
What do you reckon? I will be very surprised if
Napoleon's piano is if not number one at least in the top
two. Okay.
Oh God, certainly also better putting hurler.
I expect to be right up there. I mean yeah, I expect the top
gun shows to be the ones that everyone brings up all the time.
I mean, there were not going to be getting a surprise appearance
of personal narrative. Well, the the missing boa
constrictor. No, we're not going to get
those. Although I am fond of that one.
That's one of my favorite underrated gun shows.
Yes, I'm just thinking, Shawn could be the Paul gambaccini of
goonpo with an accent that accent.
Yeah. Yeah, you could be, you know,
Paul gambaccini. Sure, I have no idea.
He is, he's an American person who is been on radio, all sorts
of radio stations for many, many years, and is a great expert on
many things on Obviously singles.
Yes. Yes, that's right.
Okay, so let's crack on because there's a lot to get through,
and by the way listeners, if if right now you're hearing music
bed, which is the pick of the pops music, then it means I've
taken leave of my senses and shouldn't be allowed to operate
a podcast until a fully regain. My wit.
I know Mike is has been putting pressure on me to have that
music. So we'll have to see.
We'll have to see, but let's hope that none of that.
Okay. So let's kick off with number.
20 number 20 is the case of the missing CD plates from Series 6.
Good Heavens. Yes.
One of the one of the first that I've ever heard it was probably
one of the first three or four that I experienced and I've it's
been a firm favourite of mine for well ever since I mean yeah
it well you've already done a gun part on this episode.
It's a classic. Mmm.
It revolves around recent abuses of attic core immunity by
diplomats and their families that had been happening in
Britain in 1955 including yes the son of a diplomat throwing a
piano out a window where it struck a car So it's one of
those cases where you listen to it and you didn't realize how
close it was to real life until you heard the story and then
you're like, wait Spike didn't make that up.
I seem to remember when we did because I did the the did that
Show with Jon rain? You you're quite right.
But I think my research hadn't extended to actually finding out
that that it was based. It was a story torn from the
headlines as they say I didn't realize until after the show
that there was an actual piano. Thrown out of the window.
Well, what are your thoughts on the show?
Mike, well I I'm just dipping into my pile of gun show
Classics LPS, and I see that this was on goon.
Show Classics, Vol 7, and this was released in September 1980.
So what's the relevance of that then?
So this this would have been the first one that they released
after senna's death. Of course, yes, he's got a bit,
it's got a big picture of him on the back, you know, slightly odd
picture with the sort of strange Tartan shirt on.
On and a jumper. This album is dedicated to Peter
Sellers with grateful, thanks for all the pleasure and left
over, which he gave to so many people and it's on the other
side of the band Who Never Was. Yes, the map won't be making a
an appearance in the list. I wonder if possibly that man.
Who'd never was notably was my debut episode for whom God
course he wants. Yes.
The very first one when I was first dipping my toe into the
water and that was it, that was nervous as hell and Cross
probably sounding amateur. Because I haven't, I never go
back and re-listen to these. So God knows what the early ones
online. But the other thing I wanted to
mention about CD plates, we'd been hearing the song on and off
throughout the end of Series 5, beginning of Series 6.
But this is the show for Victor silvestre's recording of your
dancing on my heart, due to the running gag of the, you know,
that is in this show. Meanwhile, in a stench pecking
Factory in Saigon. We return you now to where we
left off, just take that long. Fine.
I'm glad they left it in as
well. You know, they could have easily
just clip that bit out, but they kick, they kept it in so that
was number. 20 number 19 is From Series 7, the flea.
Now, the flea is an episode that I always maintained that it's
well, it's only one of my favorites.
It's in my top three and I think you said about the call of the
West me saying that couldn't be somebody.
You newbies intro episode. Mike.
I think the flea. I always think the flea would be
a perfect introduction to the goons by an amazing coincidence.
It's on another goon show Classics, fine.
But there again, when you think about it, in fact, your top 20
should correspond precisely to everything that's on, the Goon
show Classics LPS, because they were put out as goon show
Classics. So it should be exactly.
The, so either they were Classics and therefore, they
were on the LPS and they must be in the list or people are so
familiar with them from listening to them so often
because they were on the LPS that they have, now become the
ones that people Voted for, it could be either.
I agree. 100%. Yeah, with that, it's giving
nothing away. But to say that this, this list
is very heavily. Weighted towards the LPS, I'd
love to know what the selection criteria were for.
Some of the Guangzhou Classics, including that, that is e, c.
This is the thing. It's all very well for you.
Young people. I don't know how old you are
Shawn, but Tyler is a child. But for me in the 70s, getting
those help ease was basically the only way you could hear.
He sees things and so you got to a year, you know, and this this
this went on because the thing I was telling you before, Tyler
was that I bought the gun shell scripts book that came out.
So when I started secondary school and then you have this
run of goon show Classics, LPS from BBC and that finished when
I left University. So for me, it's that part of my
life many, many years ago, but it did always seem like, why are
they chosen? You know, some of them were
brilliant. Well, I do.
I do sir. Fact, that one of the main
reasons, why the BBC chose better putting her Allure and
plenty of the Elder for the first LP, besides the fact that
they're both fantastic shows. Yes, he is because they were
complete in the archives. They were a full show.
With no Cuts in the archives, they didn't.
It wasn't, but we only have the transcription version or we only
have pick of the goons and they could just put it out as uncut.
That's interesting. Yes.
Because it did just seemed very random the ones that you would
get in those. Days.
And, you know, and there weren't many, they would repeat them
occasionally on the radio but there wasn't much.
So, you know, you you would go or I would go from Sir about the
age of 13 to 18 and to just be, you know, it'd be a handful of
gun shows that you can actually hear.
Whereas now young people have it.
So easy, they're all just out there and you can listen to them
in order. There was absolutely no
possibility of getting any sense that oh yeah, this one is from,
you know, and then it should be this one.
Next you could never Do that. So I've my copy of the Goon show
companion here and as I got them and put them on little
cassettes, I would put a little pencil Mark next to the episode
say that I'd got it. The app Clinic do the hit, that
was the best me to do meteor because I used to collect them.
Obviously, got the, I got the cassettes of the LPS collected,
all those. And then I was a member of the
Goon show preservation society and used to get these.
I don't know, semi-legal cassettes of other.
Shows that weren't commercially available, which I want me to.
I had to get the, I got them from the US side of the gun show
preservation Society. Yeah.
And that's where I got trying to Story and six Charlie's, which
was my, my first gun shows that were not commercially released
at the time. I must get back to the flea.
Any of those chaps about this particular show I think Spike
had been reading Samuel peeps, his Diaries.
And in fact, I think he'd been reading them through a lot of
1956 because personal narrative also takes place in that time
period which was a show that was done about six episodes before
this one. Yeah, mrs.
Fitzsimmons by the way it's not in the real simple peeps is
Diaries but she's a great running gag.
Yes. The other thing I observe is
that you got to go out had just come out and this episode
emerged and this Said plugs it heavily to invite ago, he comes,
he's just being home. Yes, it's all the rage.
Now we have these two seats been taken.
No, that's so here a Charlie. But just like, was a Shameless
plug out of his songs in which must have been strictly illegal
on the BBC. Surely they must come down very
hard on on any plugging of commercial.
Other commercial things that you head out.
Yeah, not sure how it worked. But anyway, let us move on.
Swiftly number 18 is from series 9, the call of the West, Mike
the call of the Well, this is the best one.
Do you think? Yes, I would.
Whatever I voted for. Before I take it back, I'm
hurting for call to the West. It's yeah.
Do you not like it? Tyler, it's great, right?
It's one of those that where I got the script booked for a
show. So I'd read the script before I
heard the actual audio and let's put it this way and I love the
carry on Films, but one of the ones I like the least is carry
on cowboy. I don't like the fact they're
doing semi American accent. No eventual but I don't know it
just I like I quite like carrion Cowboy if only because said
Sheamus is playing an actual villain.
I mean he's horrible the room poke egg.
Yep. Know that I knew it first from
the the second book of scripts and I thought it was like the
standout one in that ball. You know there's one or two
standouts. But I think it, I think this is
really good. I really like it because it's a
great gujjar because we're all familiar with cowboy films,
right? And this is what Spike does
best, you know? Once you've got that, you know
the audience does half the work to make the plot because there
isn't any plot but you just got this Panorama of this sort of
cowboy world, all these kind of little scenes and moments and
things going on which you might have seen in.
Various Cowboy films, but you've got these goon characters just
sort of occupying this great sort of expense and you just
move. So you know it is like a great
gun show in that, it doesn't have a story.
It gives the illusion of story because you have these
characters, you know, in this landscape.
Yes, yes. I just think it's full of great
jokes. You know, the the other.
Yeah, it is. It's a bit of a mess, but not in
a bad way. I also think, despite the fact
that I often say I'm more fond of early Moriarty than late
Moriarty, this is, I love Moriarty and call of the West.
He's just possibly at his worst here.
And my favorite bit of all is the I'll be calling you sequence
with Wallace Maxon. Ray is it?
It's three loading means. Come over, we could do it alone,
her centers. I think he's really brilliant in
this episode and his interest because this is the one
following on. Is it from the one episode?
He missed. And so he comes back.
Back. And I think you have this very
strong episode when he comes back.
I'm not sure you mean pink. I guess it was the week before
was who is pink oboe where sellers was Ill, right?
Okay. Yeah, scheduling is cause it's
the one that says, six days before, Larry dies, isn't it for
Mary Stevens dies? We will mention that later.
Zoila is, yeah, yeah. Did you not know he's dead
surprise surprise. Classics Vol 9, the died, the
diversity, preferred the B side, glass of the smoking sea greens,
which was my first show ever. First one ever heard that and
I've just spotted at repo on my cover of goon show Classics Vol
9 where they say Lester the smoking sea green was originally
broadcast on the 28th of January 1959.
Oh it's a muzzle. It was 1970.
And also also the cover is interesting because it's got
sleeve notes by blue bottle. Instead of blue bottles
handwriting. Do you have a copy of this I
don't, I don't, I never had the tape.
Hello, you rotten swine's. If you have not given me this
quarter pound of Dolly mixtures, you would not have got this copy
of goon. Show Classics, Vol 9, he said
not in the voice. Yeah, suspect those liner notes
were not written by Spike. I don't know who's done.
But yeah, it's it's quite nice. It's all just sitting suits,
scribbly scribbly writing and the cover is very nice as well
from Martin honey, set, lovely. Okay, so it's a number 17.
This is, this is the first First surprise, shall we say, it is
much as it is not a goon show which appeared on an LP and it's
become. It's okay.
I'll just tell you, it's the mysterious punch up the conquer.
It's your favorite episode. Tyler is my favorite bit in.
Hmm. What time is it?
Presumably is his assumed this level of greatness because of
that sequence. Yes, because that was a handy
sequence that they could sort of cut out and put on these, you
know, sort of Heroes of Comedy. Sort of programs and on Channel
4 in the 90s, maybe. Yeah, it's a distinct little
bit, which goes on from, you know, for a few minutes and I
mean it's a great sequence. It is really good.
It really. Is it?
I mean it it's It's sort of like the thing.
You the joke, you've heard 87 times where the first time you
hear it, it lays you out, but then you're like, oh yeah.
Grandad let's bring back the joke, it's sort of become the
dead parrot, sketch of the cocoons.
I suppose blue bottle and Echols to handers were something that
spike in Larry wrote throughout Series 5 through like nine.
Yeah but it's like it. Stand apart.
And it's like they Spike had had the idea for that sequence and
almost rate as the sketch and work on, we put it in and and
there is at the end of this episode.
And so yeah, I would say that the rest of the episode isn't
maybe not quite you know at the same level as that as that
routine, I'd like to know how much involvement Larry had in
that sequence and how much my how much might get how much
Spike did I have no involvement in that exact words?
Now, but it'd be interesting. I mean, imagine if it was solely
written by Larry, that bit, for example, and you know, which is,
which is not impossible. We do well, I mean there was
never no things that I ought that I now realize argue no gun
show, classic running gags that were Larry's such as it's all in
the mind, you know, was very Stevens thing.
It's a show that it was not just because of that sequence, I
mean, to be look, the only reason I've got an issue with it
is because it's lazy. A makers use it whenever they
want to illustrate the Goon doing Schumer.
And I haven't listened to the show itself, the whole show for
many years. Actually, it was never one of my
favorites anyway, but enough people seem to like it, so
that's why the number 17. Yeah.
Well, he did get a release on on a gun show Classics cassette in
1992. So maybe that's a have that one.
Yeah. What was that?
Dude. That wasn't part of the
official. You can do you like well you
have official Canon so they stopped the LPS, the vinyl LPS
in 1985 the last one and then they started doing these all
packs. Didn't walk you know you've got
four shows on to. Yes, it's yeah.
And in fact, I think the, when they released the cassette, they
called it. What time is it Eccles the
subtitle of that's, that's right.
Yes, it was such a hit yet. Yeah, but it did.
The plot sort of takes off just through.
You know. They always have that opening
bit of Bend. With with greenslade obey and in
that one it's you know it's this is the BBC like program and then
see you in says you'll get a punch up the Conch wall and he's
just sort of rub that I just got an idea from that and ran with
it. Yes.
I'm just made the whole plot about that.
Yeah, absolutely okay. So number 16, we're up to number
16 now and it is the international.
A pudding. Very good.
I also purchased the following vital equipment, one knee
action, sir precipitating Christmas pudding gun.
One hand painted inflatable Christmas pudding.
Decoy was rub a hole in one portable plastic and Gravel
Road, one long bent thing. With the sort of lump, on the
end. One waterproof cover for the
same one, same 33, boxes vlo, kosher boots, another long. and
on the end, One uncooked Levitt will be with sugar feather.
160-foot exploitable Granite statue of Bessie Braddock with
built-in plunger. Detailed plans of what to do
with long bent thing with sort of lump on the air again.
It was from Ginger Classics, vol 3.
And it's one that again is one of the ones that I heard quite
early on and very fond of it, although it's not One that I
listen to a lot. So it's not burned into my
brain. Quite as much as some of the
others, it's really good. It's one of the first shows that
I heard rather than read the script of possibly its most
important. Its biggest importance is it's
the first mention of Sabrina. Oh right.
The gag might be famous or inFAMOUS but certainly Sabrina
appears in almost every episode of Series 6.
Starting with this one of Sabrina.
Of course, being a Minor British celebrity well Mike, Mike
migrants. Yeah, my keys to have pictures
of Sabrina pinned on the Barrett room wall.
When I was doing my national service in the in the late
1940s, yes, sir. Sabrina used to be what she she
was like a dolly bird on the Telly with Arthur Esky.
That's right. Yes, I was told.
I think she was supposed to essentially be the dumb blond
character, you know, you like what's-her-name from the 1940s.
Show that sort of thing. Donald Amy Macdonald.
Yes, lovely Amy Macdonald, yes. Okay.
Okay, yeah, and and obviously Spike for some reason took a
great liking to her. Yes, I know that would vanish
just as quickly because as you get into Series 7, he's moved on
to Jayne Mansfield. Of course, it was sort of
similar, sort of image and Diana dors is comes up a lot as well,
doesn't she? Yes the Homegrown version.
Well Sabrina is also homegrown yeah the other interesting.
Ting thing I find about Christmas pudding is that Nettie
comes out pretty well. He loses some money to grid pipe
in Moriarty but it doesn't sound like he's penniless at the end
of it. He's still got plenty of money.
Hmm. Spike set the show in 1843 which
is the same year as Dickens A Christmas Carol.
And I don't think that's accidental.
Nope, it's basically a Christmas episode except that it aired on
November 15th. Yes, and and I got a sequel
which wasn't very good. No, the the sequel is not very
good, you know about that one. Mike know what's the sequel?
Is the raid of? Oh yes, Christmas pudding.
Oh, okay. There's one of the last
officially released gun shows merely because the sound quality
of what remained of it was so poor that Ted Kendall really
needed to work on it before. It could be put on a compendium
number 15. Is from Series 5, the canal
features Valentine dial The Man in Black.
Yes it was clearly written for Valentine dial as opposed to
Valentine tile has appeared in a number of gun shows but there
were basically two that exist that were written specifically
as a vehicle for him. The the canal on the house of
teeth. Yes, his first appearance was
in, In series 3 the tragedy of Oxley Towers which does not
exist anymore. Unfortunately and from what I
believe, that's my favorite episode.
Hmm. So is that is that his first
connection with Spike? And the, I guess they must have
just really got on because and then he's in the bed sitting
room later. Of course, and then much later,
he's in the great McGonagall film.
S. Yeah, so yeah, he is.
And he's in Fred. Yes, of course, if I can, sort
of Warner Brothers cartoon, this isn't it?
This this episode was well, yes, we're going down the cliff
Nettie, and sometimes gonna happen.
Yes. And I do like blue bottle is the
as the man from the insurance company become.
Oh, yes, has to count out the money.
This was one of the shows that was in the Goon show scripts,
which, as I mentioned on my first episode was my
introduction to To the gun show. Yeah, right.
And it had several bits that were cut before airing, such as
blood, knock made an appearance as Nettie's Uncle which was
completely cut from the final surgeon.
Yes, yes, I'm because we've covered this one green bottle.
We discussed that as well member and Reuben Croucher.
Who's the catchment? Which was basically the Lou
character by a different name. He had a more extended scene I
think Shawn, didn't it? Yes.
And Spike also rewrote a lot of stuff in more.
Or goon show scripts, there's lots of scenes that were not in
the original script that Spike added in the 70s, when the book
came out. Oh, really that?
I didn't know, I didn't know that either.
Happy. Yes, he's locked us in never
mind. Will batter the door down with
something with a blunt head? I should charge the door and
smash it down. Good man to match whatever split
each other. Yeah.
Number 14, is the treasure in the lake.
I'm not as tough of methods Neal pynchon father, Commissioners
for old and small bets. Please should know.
I've been instructed to inform you that you are next in line
for the treasures of LED McCool. It's a Heritage saw worth 10,000
won. Well, I'll have to inform the
little Exchange One point saw before you do, you must prove to
me that you are the Scottish Blood Simple.
I'll try him on this a warm black more knick-knack.
Damn it, Robert, the Bruce partick thistle.
Three category, just little PS down with England upon Hoots
prove. Positives are proved positive,
it'll not on the cool, you can go word against the hello.
It's not another LP. I'll tell you that much.
Yeah, it is. I love this one.
Yes. It's we covered it recently.
Ongoing pod with, with Chris Shaw and I mean the lp itself.
Is a thing of beauty in the sense.
Let's look at the cover and also, look at what's on the
other side. Mike easy.
It's going to be the Green State story.
It's the green Side Story. Yes, that's right.
Yes. And there we are.
Yes the nice again. It's a honey set.
Martin honey, set cover, and yeah, depicting, the supposed to
treasure in the lake, there isn't it?
Yes. Landed this, this show.
I absolutely adore the show equals as the dog just never
fails to cheer me up. It's great.
I also I love Harry C comes work in this show.
I think it's one of his best turns is Nettie.
It. Also I going to show
occasionally, went for the lavatory.
I'll gag and most of the time, they're not very good but the
the one in here with, I've got to stop.
Why can't you guess? Hmm, this is probably my
favorite and of course. Yes.
I mean it's a show that is set in Scotland and so we have many,
many opportunities for that lovely.
A running gag of whenever a Scottish character is talking.
They are accompanied by bagpipes bagpipes less.
Okay, moving on. Number 13 is from series 8.
What's it going to be from series 8?
Come on. I'm guessing, it's The Man Who
Never Was The Man Who Never Was. They did indeed which is a
remake of a Series 6 show, much better remake which itself was
an extended remake of sequence from a series 3 show.
I think I'm right in saying, Shalom.
Yeah. This is this is the best version
easily. Yes.
Yeah. And it's I mean let's be honest.
Series 8 is patchy and that's, that's being generous because
they were they were was it every other week there were recording
to shows that we were getting every other week.
They were in vintage vintage guns together with a series 8.
Yes. And usually those weeks you can
sort of tell that because the series 8 episode was recorded
second. Hmm for the most part and
usually you can tell they're probably a little more giggly or
you know they tend to go off script more.
The only other series they have that I'd put up with The Man Who
Never Was is treasure. The treasure in the tower.
Mmm. Yes.
Which is an excellent one, which you mentioned on Twitter the
other day I noticed and yes, I've gotten to that point in my
My idiot grades and his and you mentioned that that book that
you have to sell a vital organ to afford which is what does it
Milligan's accordion something like that, like Milligan's
accordion, it's a one of those academic books for Scholars,
examining the gun show. It's fascinating, get that in,
you know, get I think it gets a few facts wrong that might
irritate. Goon listeners, but I think, in
terms of an academic analysis, it's pretty good.
I don't know whether it's worth 130 pounds or whatever it goes
for. But I'm back to the pack To The
Man Who Never Was which is the episode that actually.
Oh sorry is not the votes? Yes.
Yeah it's also I think I don't know whether this is the only
wartime goon show in the countdown.
I'm sure I will find out but I would say probably one of the
best of the Or time gun shows. If not the best.
Yeah. Yeah.
With a proper ending, a proper big gag Belly Laugh.
Ending, an exact replica of the plan found in the uncooked.
Germany boot The rather ominous part, the only operating
mechanism on this weapon is a small metal handle, okay?
And before we turn it, gentle on me was to take the coffin.
Jordan Sure. Right, hon, gentlemen, I should
be turning the handle five seconds from now 54321 church
but finish Ingenuity a barrel organ.
Don't waste it. Echols up on the top and start
scratching seek him. 15, Mark enough.
We go. That ending was used in the
series 3 episode and for some reason, when they did, they read
a made it for series six, they replaced it and it was not
nearly as good. Yeah, which I think they
gathered because it was back in again for series 8.
Yeah, so this is, this is we would lie reactive Co-written
this or is it just because it's a rewrite that he's my do?
That doesn't seem to bother spiked it sometimes rewriting,
the script. I believe that at this point,
the spike and Larry had had a falling out.
Yeah, cuz this series as well as everything else going on so
loud. When does Larry right?
The army game? Because, because you have this
sort of period in this series where this is early, 1958?
Yeah. So when did the army games this
I want to say 58. Yeah, game as well?
Yeah, because you have this period where, you know, he's
been writing spy Cab in writing with Larry and then they get
this system where one week, it's Larry and Morris Wiltshire and
then the next week is Spike and then the next week is Solarium.
Oh, that's, that's I think that's more down to the fact
that they were trying to work in the rewrites of vintage vintage
goons Andrew big. Sleaze compendium basically had
spiked going to the producers and saying look I cannot write
to shows and Show in two weeks. And so they eventually came up
that one week, Spike would write and the next week Larry and
Amorous wheelchair would write it.
It doesn't last very long though, that that, that would
seem like a sentence will set up a at anytime to have firm for
two teams racing this, you know, because turning out half an hour
of this stuff every week for however, long 26 weeks a year,
that is that's a lot for anyone to do.
It is for that is just it. Incredibly difficult and so
obviously Spike needs somebody to help him with it.
But also, you think he's the sort of person where he wants to
do, what he wants to do. Somebody else is not going to be
whoever they are, they're not going to be quite on the same
wavelength and see him and but yeah, I mean that as so, it's
also around here where he sends a letter about wanting to get
what day free moment and all sorts of other people, then to
write the show and Valentine dial into place sellers parts.
That's that's somewhere. Yeah I think well isn't it?
I think, basically Spike wanted a strong writing partner, who
would push back against him, but eventually do whatever he
wanted, which is hard. Well, yeah, I don't hate, yes, I
don't know, really what he wants to write it himself but it is
too much for one person even for Spike to do all this himself,
you know, you just can't hear you.
You need some way of somebody. Assisting, it's interesting, you
know, that the person who are supposedly works with for
longest in his Career is Niels end on the Q Series.
Mmm. Yes.
Really Niche and is he's not a, he's not a structure purse.
Neither is he, he's a kind of one liner gag person.
From sort of David Frost. I was about to say, I recognize
the name from David Frost Series.
Yeah. And so he became spikes
co-writer for years on all of the queue.
Seriously, I might happen to the into the 80s or spikes TV stuff
but it's just interesting, you know, that he always seemed so
down on. On Larry or we, you know, yeah
comments afterwards and maybe you know, it's because Larry was
not contributing the so you want to spot would really like, is
another spike in the room. He's just contributing the same
sort of mad ideas with Larry is probably trying to impose a
little bit of structure all the unkindly quilty.
Say what did he say Shawn about Mary's?
The highest-paid typist in the business of yeah.
Blech literally everybody else says spike is wrong and I think
that it I think we're finding that a lot of the more beloved
goon show gags as we get more research into the show are not
Spike, but Spike and co-writers. Yes, right?
Yeah, and you see this sort of thing especially in the
pre-internet age where people play up their accomplishments in
order to get the recognition. They think they deserve.
You got this with Warner Brother cartoons as well, Bob Clampett
and Chuck Jones famous. Leslie did not get on and each
of them told their own version of who created Bugs, Bunny, and
that sort of thing because it was their way of getting out
there and getting noticed because they weren't in being
invited on chat shows or anything.
Hmm. Good.
Okay. Alright.
So that's number 30. So number 12 is Wings Over
dagenham, another classic, you talked about another podcast
this year to do yes with with Eddie Robinson.
And it's again, it's from you can say Eddie Redmayne, but
never been a good booking. That be happy with Eddie 8
channels with it. It's ongoing checklist for
number six, with the rent collectors.
Which, actually, I prefer the rent collector slightly.
I love both. But the red collectors edges at,
for me based was one of the First episodes where I had to do
goon show research because when I first heard it, I had no idea
what Lyle Street was. No, yes yeah.
Famous red light area wasn't in so nervous and it's got the The
Marvelous Cameo of George Chisholm from the band as
mechanism and thoroughly enjoyable.
Show with that very memorable line.
I just saw the Earth very memorable.
Yes, I'm just trying to think just all the Earth through the
clouds. Did it look around?
Yeah. But I don't think it's all me.
Yeah, I think I thought you were going to say he's fallen in the
water. But oh well, unofficial parents
was not first appearance. Yes.
I think it was just sort of muttered and because they
recorded Wings over dagenham and the rent collectors on the same
evening. I believe.
Yes. Because there was something
about they wanted Christmas off. So they had to double a bunch of
Series 7. It's yes, lots of good money.
Equals helping Go reverse. The truck.
Now figuring the the scene in any Hall and possibly possibly
my favorite moment in it, right? Is is the pause when that when
the calls that bluebottle the pores before bluebottle speaks,
it's just sort of perfect you know, just sellers just playing
the or who's it going to be and oh it's him calling beef.
Are calling B 4. Hello.
Control calling B4. Hello, Captain,
is that you'll be for ya? Why did you answer me before?
So that didn't hear you before and the petrol driven violin of
course, that you mentioned in the podcast?
That's yes, but it's yeah. It's an old plot, isn't it?
Because you think it's creepy. One thing you think it's going
to be the history of Aviation? Action.
And it's sort of not. But there's this, this plenty.
Well, how do you in heaven? It hadn't yet.
What just opened or Heathrow? Just opened one of those.
At the time, this was written, right?
So Croydon airport, and what this becomes Gatwick does it or
not? He throw, I think Ridin was
closing maybe, right? Okay, yeah.
All right, again, if it was, it was as I said before, torn from
the headlines Spike, keeping an eye on what's going on in the
world and getting inspiration. Operation from it.
Okay, number 11 is from Series 6, again, the fear of wages,
please remove that false bald woman never very well.
I sentence you to the highly esteemed goon show today.
Presenting, what is cream? Steven is dating announcement
entitled Luis, Alejo, That Pearl meaning the wages of fear or in
England, that's fear of white. Jesus.
Two things on this. Hmm.
Because I would have sworn blind that this was on one of the part
of phone records and is not know.
And the other. The other thing that I would
assume it is, obviously, reconstructed.
In my mind, the film that I thought that it was based on.
I just thought it was like a sort of 1950s, Humphrey, Bogart
film. So I've just always had a
picture of At feel and of course it's not, it's a French films,
it was French for your wages. It was Majors a fare, you well
your scores wages of fear but who wasn't caught, he would have
had a French title, wouldn't it? But yes.
Yes, I come out now. I can't remember what the french
title is. But we made a sorcerer.
Yes, freaking. And who did the music?
Because I remember that came out in the 70s because it was
Tangerine Dream, hoot music. Wonderful soundtrack.
How are you familiar with the work of Tangerine?
Dream. Sean, I am not a mostly from the
mid-70s because yes, as always I think, well I'm just going to
start listening to their catalog and I get about five help ease
in and I realize I've got 180 to go and I start to drop off.
They were like a sort of, you know, old synthesized, a group
before anyone was doing that. But But they weren't really sort
of Gloria Gaynor disco Giorgio moroder sort of Music where they
were, they they were different there anyway, but we covered the
show, never fear of wages only about a month ago, so go back
and listen to that. If you haven't already bet it
spikes favorite show. Yes.
It's very much a case of a gun show.
That is gained popularity. Recently part of this may also
be because spike said, it was his favorite and one in one
interview. Yeah.
And 2001 29th of May As a new one on goons night on Radio to
did, he didn't say it again. Why did he say that is?
Why was this suddenly his well, they probably putting together
the essential Spike Milligan which has this script, oh I see.
Okay. And also the Goon show 20 which
also has the Sahara Desert statue.
My favorite Go and show has the fear of wages and that came out
in 2002. Yeah.
Okay. Mmm.
But as I said on that show, it's probably this this to me, this
should have been on one of those goons are Classics.
LP's in the 70s. I agree.
I think perhaps the heavy use of Japanese caricature might have
put people off. True true.
So they held it up until much later to put it out and more
people. Yes.
Because the big dramatic idea in the film is is driving or
certainly the sorcerer is so driving along with all this sort
of Explosive material on the track.
Yes. And that lasts for all of what?
About 15 seconds on this just doesn't drive off.
Does he turns out? He hasn't driven and very good.
Not, it's also a great show for if you like sound effect, guys.
This is a really sound effect driven show, easy, just me the
explosions. They have, they don't sound as
powerful as they should. They sound a bit muted?
Or, is that just me listening to Ooh, them.
Hmm. When that truck goes up it's
sort of like if it's meant to be in the distance meant to be very
far away though. Hmm physicals is driving it off
blue actually it turns out nobody's driving it off.
Yes blue bottles in the back and that annoys me because he's not
because he says he's not dead. Yes a big forgotten early in the
script already I know yeah okay moving swiftly on number 10 so
we're into the top ten now number ten is Tales of old
Dartmoor. Oh well there is 0.
So that is side. One of the best of the Moon
shows the one vinyl LP that was put out that I don't have that I
didn't have at the time. Yeah, yeah.
That's yeah. So that was a very good, very
good episode. They also had it on that.
You know, I mentioned I had that record of 50 years of the BBC.
Yes, and that's the extract they use and they use the extract
where, you know, the, you know, the In is getting restless, we
had to take them on holiday, you know, between grit pipe and and
see good. So that's the little
representation of the Goon show on the 50 years, the BBC record.
But yeah, so good. That did you hear Harry Hill's
life on egg series, more recently on a media for?
It's quite similar, but I mean, it's a hill, so, he's very good.
But yeah. Well, I'd like to get Harry Hill
on the show and put that to it. That he's a plagiarist.
No, he's not a plagiarist at all.
That's not what I'm saying at all.
It's sort of, he's running a prison, he's the governor all
sorts of crazy things happen. And, yeah, this would not have
been out of place in that Siri is so that that that's the thing
with some of these episodes, you could turn them into into entire
series, can you? It's because I actually heard
this one very late because I had I would I deliberately avoided
listening to the Emi shows for a long time because I am such a
big fan of Ray and Max I did. Not want to hear shows without
the musical numbers. So I don't think I heard Tales
of old Dartmoor until it was released on the compendium and
of course, you know, after hearing it you're like, oh yes,
that's why it was chosen. As one of the first gun LP, it
must literally be the best of the Moon shows because it's side
what, but it has got some very corny jokes in.
It, it has to be said, because you've got the made myself
appear and your job will be in Jeopardy.
Don't want to go. And convict equals folding in a
bucket wet cement. Becoming a hardened criminal.
They get the digging their way out of a floating prison.
Joking twice, once early on and then as the finale of the show,
basically saying that, yes, which also gives us a wonderful
example of grit pipe completely panicking, which you rarely hear
ya to me as well. This this this is a special show
is one of the again it's one I heard quite early on, but I said
before the first game show ever heard in its Gertie was the last
smoking Siegen, but I'd kind of heard this show by osmosis my
dad, when I was very young would be quote chunks of the show
without without attributing it, you know, he would just say
lines and I didn't know what the hell, you know, they did, but
they were just funny lines. He was saying or funny gags that
he was saying, and we didn't have this LP in the house, so he
must have had it when he was heard it when he was much
younger. You know, when it, when it came
out memorized it but it's special to me for that, you
know, it's the show that my dad would would quote
I should've said that sooner. Okay, so number nine we have
from Series 7 the histories of Pliny, the Elder well.
It's very, very good. And yet from this Lagoon shows,
volume, 12 ginjo Classics. Vol 1.
And it's the other side, isn't it from the The classic show.
Yeah, yeah, it takes bits of history from not only plenty of
the Elder but Spartacus and correct it is say or karateka.
Say, well, shiftin, there's also this is one of those that I
listened looked at the script on the encyclopedia gunas and there
was a quite a bit cut by the producer before the show went on
the air. At one point Spartacus hides in
the lava territory which They decided was perhaps a bit
possibly a bit too stupid. Still they did include apia
pipe, but they also had see. Go and saying, I know a Welsh
MP, who'll do anything for publicity right now.
Like, this came out in 1957, I can't figure out who that is
nigh. Bevin, maybe, mmm, probably MMD.
I don't know that. That's the part of the problem
with these first of all, I'm American, but secondly, you Lee
had to have been living in March of 1957 to get some of these
topical references that just go by.
I'm trying to think of Welsh politicians publicity-hungry was
Limpet OPEC around in 1957. Was he was he?
Well, she even even before The Cheeky Girls were born, goodness
me this terrible. Anyway, it's a very but it sort
of reminded me at the time, the other thing which I used to
enjoy very much at the same time in my childhood, which was all
the s tricks book. Mmm.
Oh, I love it. Yeah.
And this is a similar thing of, you know, here's these
characters and you put them into a slightly different setting
each time. But yeah, this this was this one
was just great with the either the the football team in the
beginning and then you know the sort of a human being on the
bill at the Kaaba. See him and wow and also I'm
very fond. I shouldn't be shouldn't be but
I'm very fond of. I've got a soft spot for the
character, flowered you and flower.
You flowered you, as a, this is pretty even of his best.
This Send the Cannell. Yeah yeah this thing the canal I
think it is to stand out. Appearances quiet till you came
along. Gonna say that a sailor's.
Don't care. Everybody.
I'm gonna plan will overpower the God, right?
I'll take my boots off. It's funny.
You say that because this is probably my one of my He rinses
of William William has that monologue that almost reads,
like, it could be taken from one of Spike stand-up routines about
like police brutality in the United Kingdom because it's, you
know, with the whole that's a nasty lump on your bonce.
I didn't, they got away with it being on the show because this
took place in ancient Rome. Yeah, yeah, and nicely as well.
I like the fact that the end credits, they actually credit
the technical guys as well. Reduction guys.
Yes, you just was okay. It was right near the end of the
series I believe it was emotional episode of yeah.
Okay, so number eight, we're at number eight now, and it is from
Series 6, the jet-propelled guided Nephi, the Lord
That's why they killed him. But they satirical little
beginning, isn't it? In fact, it's sort of quite
appropriate at the beginning because it sort of it sort of a
waste of public money. Yes, we've covered this show on
Green Pod and, and yeah, the the idea occurred to spike, based on
a telegraph. Yeah.
So it's out. Yeah, it sounds like a genuine
news story that they just leave how to the beginning and yeah,
yeah, it's funny enough. It's ongoing sure Classics,
volume to the other side. Is a show that is gets a lot of
stick from Fast. W it go shop.
Stick from me. I did not care for it.
Well, it's just that AE Matthews bit at the end.
I just found it very confusing. I love that.
Yeah, see you. All right, thank you.
Somebody agrees with me. No, I read and write you can't
stand it. Yeah, because to me, it just the
show goes along. It's such a pay normally and
then it hits this moment where the guy you know, Amy Matthews,
who we don't Edie. Remember, do we particularly
now? Only only only for anything.
Is this story? He's in a film.
I saw think it's called The Million Pound open.
Anytime. No with Gregory.
Peck is it? Yeah, I think he's in that and I
know from obviously he's a great old actor but his father is not
an actor like John gielgud or somebody like that is not bad.
Yeah. But of that ilk I guess but I
mean he was on there because it was his new story.
That's right. Yeah.
And so they actually put it into the show, but he would not do an
actual script. He wanted to just make up his
lines, is that I think it was more that they didn't write.
They didn't bother to give him a script because they knew he
wouldn't stay on it a bit like Spike, when he was an older man.
Well yeah, but then I don't know, it just sort of spoil the
pace of the show, so it might be excellent up to that point, I
can't remember. But yeah, they put that on the
other side of Jim propelled, guided Nephi jet-propelled that
Garden. He has a very nice cover by Bill
tidy. Yes, it does.
It's just which makes it look very exciting.
Yeah. I mean it's a fantastic episode
taught me what the navi was frankly.
Yeah. I always I always enjoy
occasionally shouting out. I resign.
Oh yes. And the number 7, right?
Number seven now and it is the B-side of tales of old Dartmoor.
It's Dishonored again. Series 9, Obviously basically
toilet, you've been running this podcast for what nearly two
years now but still everyone's favorite episodes are no matter
what you put out, they still like the ones on these LPS.
Yeah yeah. Well it's another very good.
Very good episode. It's right in the middle of all
the scripts in the second. Yeah, basically groups and it's
left out of it. What happened is Spike had been
suffering from mental Dress at this time, the call of the West,
which was the episode. Just before this one had barely
been turned in on time, right? And so, the BBC turned to Larry
Stevens to write a script but he was unwell.
And as it turned out the night, this was recorded was the night.
He died. Mmm.
So eventually, what they did is, they allowed us bike to remake
an old episode from the fifth series, which was technically
written by Spike and Eric. But I think most people knew it
was just Spike and Eric Sykes, his name was not on the Remake.
So I don't think the BBC would have allowed that if it wasn't
pretty much Spike script. Yeah, just want to point
something out, by the way. And a lot of people voted for
this and a lot of people just refer to it as Dishonored,
right? And I went, I had to go back to
some of those people and say, do you mean Because I assume they
meant this series 9 remake but a couple of people insisted that
they did mean the series five white Regional.
Yeah. So it may well be that this
actually should be further down the list if you know what I mean
in terms of its ranking but I just I made the assumption that
most people were talking about this show but I'm just yeah
yeah, this is it's actually more Rewritten than I thought.
There's a lot of new and changed gags between Series 5 S and
series nines green. Slade's, two, four, six, eight.
Who do we appreciate gag? Is cut?
Because, of course, that was very much, a series 5 running
gag. Yes.
Also, Blue Bottle is no longer dead every week.
So when it leads up to that, he actually comes in units taught
in that lock again, because it hasn't happened in a while.
Also. Yeah, because I have to do one
nerd out this episode. I just to run through the
medley. So this episode we get rule
Brittania by Thomas aren't generally considered to be the
Royal Navy signature tune. Hmm anchors away the US.
Navy signature tune written by Charles A Zimmerman sailor's
hornpipe which is a traditional Navy song, best known for
starting the Popeyes sailor, cartoons a life on the ocean
wave which is the signature tune of the Royal Marines, by Henry
Russell, what shall we do with a drunken sailor, which is a
traditional sea shanty, we saw the sea, which is from the 1836
Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers musical follow the fleet by
Irving Berlin, and Ship, Ahoy all the nice girls.
Love a sailor is a 1908 Music, Hall song written by Bennett's
got an A Jae Millz warmer close to that attack.
I'm turning the Navy. Join the Army.
It's too damn lazy in the Navy. Yes, that's that's wonderful.
Wonderful. Meanwhile he starts Orchestra
just pulling it out of them. It's just an amazing.
Yes. Yes.
I also think it's got one of the best plots.
You don't normally think of the Goon show for its plots.
I mean, Spike tended to wander off of them, but this is
well-plotted from beginning to end.
I think. Yes, yes.
Yeah, with the lovely. Pay off at the end.
Yeah. It's it's obviously got the, the
skeleton of the series 5 show, hasn't it so it's oh yeah.
For the most part, it's the series 5 show with with the
occasional added gags. Yeah.
Dad, along Henry, and mini intro
in that sort of thing. Yeah.
Okay. Speaking of Series 5, we get to
number six on the list and it is 1985.
It must me, mmm, which aisle shone's Sean's.
Debut episode on gumad. Yes, I find it.
One of my favorites. I mean, I'm especially pleased
at how it's made this list, given how specific the parity
is. Mmm.
This is I mean, it really is the Peter Cushing 1984 scene by
scene. Yeah.
Because they just been on the Telly.
Not long before three weeks before, right?
Right. Let's meet somewhere.
The moon alone, we can clasp each other to each other and
then it's good to be alive in 1984 now, darling, we're
somewhere where no one is. Listening another place home
service 8:30 Tuesday night. You mean the Forbidden goon
sector? Yes.
Wait, but Belcher All wearing, that's the anti-sex league belt.
Hmm. Well I don't think I'll come no
no. You two are wearing the anti-sex
league belt. I was forced to why my trousers
kept falling down Sherm. I'm sure that its popularity
amongst the GamePad blisters is heightened by the episode that
we did on it. That can I have it was real?
Yeah, we're basically fantastic. It was on the last.
It was on the last LP was that it was fun.
Um 11 yeah, 1985 and that yesterday.
But yeah, they didn't do one in 1984 as far as I can make out.
So and then they came back in 1985 and then that was it for
vinyl the Goon show. Yeah.
You didn't have to go back and
ask people if they meant this one or the 15 weeks later.
Did you, oh God, no, never occurred to me to do that,
obviously, it's based on, I mean, Spike was friends.
And with Nigel kneale who adapted, 1984 for the BBC,
television. All right, which neatly brings
us on to number five on our list, which is, can you guess is
it the Scarlet capsule? Is the Scarlet capsule from
series 9. Well, that's the other standout
one for me in that second book of moon, Chae scripts, the
Scarlet capsule. In fact, my memory of that one
is that so I knew the script That is also we've now moved on
to best of the Goon chose volume to having way because it's that
one, it's Scarlet capsule and tells them in church.
So, so I knew it from that and I knew the script and then on the
Telly one evening, they showed, I think it's in the 1967 film of
quetta Messin it. Mmm, so I watched that and I
thought, oh, this is funny because they've stolen the plot
of this from the Goon show. You see?
Because I didn't rely knew about the original.
Quite a mess. But I didn't realize that they'd
been done other quatermass series with different story and
so it's from its from that, isn't it?
But yeah, the interesting thing quatermass in the pit had aired
in December 58 and January 59. And this goon show came out on
February, 2nd of 59 however Tony Hancock got there first because
Tony Hancock did a TV parody of quatermass on the 30th of
January. So that seems to be Be spikes
leg. Doesn't it over about a month
after the things been on? Yes, 1984.
Yes, about a month or so. And then the and then the thing,
turns up sober, it's burnt into his mind.
All these seeds mentions, the script.
This is this is what I was talking about earlier where the
script and more goon show Scripps, has added B written by
Spike in the 1970s, these that are not present.
In the original type written script in the archives from 1900
sort of bits with those, those be You're putting me on the spot
here. I'd have to research it.
I just wrote down. There were different.
Yeah, yeah. That that's interesting.
That isn't it. So we don't know if he did that
in the first. I wish you a script.
I wish you hadn't done that. I really wish you hadn't done
that with those. Another book of scripts in the
80s called was it lost gunshot? Yes, lost 1-0 script.
And he admits in that one that he's Jolly them up or something,
doesn't he? So yeah, yeah.
It is like, you know, well that words with real Writing his
earlier poems, isn't it? And sometimes they were more
transcripts I've mentioned before I was always very annoyed
when I got more goon show scripts, looking at who is pink
oboe because I expected the original script with Peters
roles because of course you getting in all the others was
very last minute. Yes yeah, you're right.
Hmm. Yeah.
Yeah yeah. This comic captured, by the way,
not one of my favorites but I remember it distinctly getting a
secondhand copy of the lp. She's number two and much, but
much prefer entails a men's shirts, but the Scarlet capsule.
I played my best friend at the time was a guy called Clint and
I played this to Clint cuz I cuz he like sci-fi.
I wasn't particularly sci-fi fan but he likes Wi-Fi and I was
hoping I was. So hoping glad no friends who
were asked to stop at. They had no friends.
I had friends but now we know friends that I wanted to or that
I felt I could share my goon show obsession with but I
thought I'll try and see if this will were lower Clint into, you
know, into the world. Am I doing even better off with
the fireball of Milton Street? Yeah, wow, it went down like it
hungry but see it's okay. I think it really depends on the
audience having just seen yeah, mass in the pit.
Yeah, in my opinion, these scars are addressed by the Germans in
1943, unexploded German skulls, I hadn't thought of that.
Elephant soup with Squad spuds. I hadn't thought of that other
Sabrina in the bath. I do have some spare time.
I think she has gentlemen. It also has Andrew Timothy who
makes I think his only appearance in this countdown.
Yes you're right. Oh spoiler is there I'm so weak.
So now we know that the last going sure walls not going to
Gyor. 01, I did. But I was actually supposed to
be Peter, Peter Sellers in a scripted, as Peter Sellers doing
a, John snag sort of voice, right?
But I guess maybe they decided, maybe Peter decided he was doing
too much, or they couldn't do it.
Or they Andrew just happened to walk by, who knows?
Yeah, it's pre-recorded clearly, but he do.
He does it in the same way that he announced the early gun
shows, which is to say, sort of slight lead our yes yes, yeah.
Okay, alright, so number four, number four is drumroll the
dreaded better putting her of Excellency, only number for MMA.
I think one of the things that strikes me about it is it's so
stayed compared to later goon shows you really a particularly
hairy is almost under playing it.
It really reads like an early goon show because it's not as
raucous as you'd expect. I think it's just full of really
great. Funny moments.
I, you know, and I suppose it's just Ultra familiar, isn't it?
Because it's the first one in the Goon Triscuits book and then
it is it is therefore the first goon show I was ever exposed to
so I love it to bits. Beyond these clips, meaning what
a nice summer evening. Typically, the rain is lovely
and warm. I think I'll take one of my
shower. West is off, you devil, you.
Yeah, Mimi node. My elephant gun idea, I don't
know what you brought it for you.
You can't shoot. It's in England Unit and why not
wear active season. The other thing I thought
listening to these again recently is that you get so many
different sorts of jokes. It's not just remember when he
rushed in one serving. A, I'm sorry, I haven't a clue.
You know, people like it because you get so many jokes, you know,
you get more jokes per minute in this show than in any anything
else that's on at the moment. I think the Goon shows sort of
provides that. But it's it's not the fact that
you just have so many jokes. There's so many different sorts
of Ex you know, you get corny jokes, always plenty of those
and then you get Jokes which is sort of come from nowhere, you
know, think about it who could have thought of that, you know,
just sort of these Brilliance of Spike Milligan Concepts.
You get all the sound effects staff, you get things that play
around with, you know what, you know what you think you're
looking at, and then it turns out to be something else and,
you know, it's just getting the mix of those if you just did the
same thing over and over again. People just get wise to It, I
think but no, you know. And when seeking bumps into
Moriarty, putting his off another, you know, say that it's
a match for the has gone out. I can't spend time waste time
looking at talking to him. God would again find the the
dreaded better putting her and, ya know, I love it.
It's that great at home and Moriarty just goes So rich.
Yes, that's such a nice little understated gags, throwaway
gags. I love that.
The audience is often overlooked.
Yeah and also the fact that you've just you know that match
idea which plays right through and that there's in so many
other shows. There's almost like this sort of
catchphrase for the day or you know, this is the thing that
they just keep repeating through each episode and you know, so
you've got minion Henry's sort of, you know, with the the match
on the cliff top, you know, they don't, you can't light it.
During the the blackout and I'll go to German match curse the
British you know, but they had a lot cut from the aired version
which you can see in the gun show scripts which unlike later
books actually is the original script such as where they're all
throwing each other out of the boat and offering money for a
place in the boat and all of that is in the script, but did
not make this episode when they did a Reaper performance of it.
It when Spike was absent one time and they redid it with
Peter doing all the voices, they did include that scene,
excellent. If the ship sinking only below
the sea, we must try and save the ship.
Help me get it into the Lifeboat.
Okay. All right.
Tennessee. It's no good.
The ship won't fit in the Lifeboat.
Well, that ghastly oversight by the designer.
Never mind. It leaves room for one more in
the boat. I am willing to fill that
vacancy. How did you get back on board?
I was molested by a lobster with a disgusting habit.
I'd but not do your duty Women & Children.
First Blood, not take the dummy out of your mouth.
It was also very popular judging by the fact that you had to have
Wallace step in the next week to say.
Please stop. Sending us, better puddings.
Okay? That was in the Phantom head
shaver episode, which I'll spoil it.
Now, that doesn't make it into the top three, although I think
it should have done. Mmm.
Yeah, there's just too many good shows.
Yes. Yes.
Let's let's, let's get into the top three.
Okay? So any predictions at this
point, what are we got left? What happened we had yet.
So we've got the greenslade store, it Napoleon at the piano
is coming up shortly. Okay.
Well, number three is Logie, striped, Britain.
No one morning in May I was going through an old Espeon when
my velvet announced a visitor. Well Musa, right, heads down,
Put my lunch back in the Dustbin and sending me this really hot
lady dog. Is he gonna allow me my car?
My car, my car snap and now my friend to business, my name is
Count. Moriarty.
Have you ever heard of Dougie? There's no one of that name
here, such Christie pump. It listen to me while I tell you
a tale in. 1296, on the I love you were.
I love you. I love you too.
Shall we dance? I don't wish to know that and
most people agree now that it's not written by Spike or at least
mostly not written by Spike. Yes right?
Yes. Most people think this is pretty
much entirely Eric's work. This was the first goon show
co-written quote by them. Mmm yeah and and there's a
there's a line where there's a scene where Oldham Royal
infirmary is referenced and obviously Eric was born in
Oldham, wasn't he? So So I didn't promoting this to
clear indication to me that you know he was driving the script.
Yeah I've said before that I think this is a fantastic
introduction to the Goon show for new listeners.
Also I think it's beloved simply because of the clergy entering
the vocabulary of Britain. I think the word liturgy had
been in the Goon show since the very first episode of series 1.
You can see it in the The script that was published.
That's right. But I think most of it most of
the early scripts used it as just a silly word like Yankovic
akka. I don't think it was used as a
malady until the greatest mountain in the world.
But this was the show that really You know, made it.
What it is? Mmm, I'm wondering if we're he
was a benteen word because if you look at the early scripts
that feature the word, they all tend to be Pure, Heart sketches,
right? Could it be?
Could it be inventing? Would I'm sure it probably came
from the Army like almost everything.
Yeah. That you can track down about
their sense of humor. Yes, yes.
Okay. So with reached the final two So
it can only be numbers, no drama anymore.
We don't know what they are. That's your order of a in.
All right, well, number two is the greenslade story.
Do it. Well, it's a lovely episode,
isn't it? And yeah, it's really, it's just
absolutely brilliant. And, you know, just the thought
that, you know, this other character in this that you don't
even notice and what if we just put him sort of, you know,
Center Stage. Age and yet, just to the green
stage story, like The Glenn Miller story.orchestra the kind
of films that would have been around but yeah, absolutely,
lovely and just totally ridiculous.
And the scene with them when John snake goes around to see
greenslade, neither of them are the world's greatest actors
though. He's just unveiling a small
bronze statue of himself. As I think it's absolutely
wonderful well to stag had been pre-recorded in the Goon show
several times but I think This is the only time he's actually
in the studio with them. Yes, right.
Okay. And it's be also basically,
again, sort of a timely reference in that ITP was
poaching. The BBC staff?
Yeah. When one of the things, I mean,
Peter Sellers is on particular form for the, for this episode.
The voices. The range of voices that he
doesn't I didn't count them, but he does the Alva love if it's
Alvin Liddell's, Secretary of the female voice.
He does El Valle Del himself. Well, he's called mr.
Liddell. The the Pampas BBC official that
internal battle scene. I don't know if this is how I
sounded because I've never heard him but if it is if you'll
pardon the phrase and exquisite parody, not missed Greensleeves.
Can I can I hear you say something?
Certainly Winds like, two variable by jove you couldn't
have picked a more appropriate frizz.
Oh, it was nothing. Come.
Come say it again, say it again, with a smile.
And of course. Hmm, winds light to variable
Delicious, cut and chanting. No, no, they say it as though it
were a national catastrophe, winds light to variable, They're
touching, I think you have it in this green slip, you can start
work at one, get me a BBC announcer.
And and also Lou is wonderfulness Lou, the the
slightly problematic now, Jewish character but he's amazing in
this. So as I mean, you, I think
Andrew Timothy is underrated personally, but you I could
never imagine the Andrew Timothy Story, the way you get the green
light story here. How did anyone done this before
with the amount of Sir done? This sort of loud, humility
greenslade had been the villain before in the Phantom head.
Shaver yeah, he'd gotten the girl before in you Bandit of
Sherwood Forest, right? But this was this was the first
episode I know Andrew Andrew. Timothy also had occasional B in
the Goon show, where he talked about his Fan club.
So that did not originate with Wallace greenslade because it's
this was clearly designed around him.
Well, yes, once you've seen these people and what they can
do and then you were right for that person and, you know,
obviously they'd had him involved her quite a Time by
this and by this point. But yeah, I mean, just having
the announcer is, is an odd thing to us now that it's like a
standard thing in the in these shows.
And I suppose later on you've got Douglas Smith in the horn
and it's a sort of similar. I'm going on there.
You know, the leaves like the authority figure, but you can
take the Mickey out and then much later in dead.
Ringers, whether sending up Bryan, Perkins and all this sort
of thing? Well, you could argue David
hatch also sent. Oh, yeah, the idea of
announcers. Well, that's right.
He sort of takes on that role, doesn't he know, I'm sorry that.
Yeah, there's like later episodes where he's like is, you
know, using his authority to get say that John Cleese sits on a
wasp and that sort of thing. Yeah, I do also this one who's
got the, the Echols buying at? I had came Which shape which
like the Belgian the yeah. Doesn't know what meant show
doesn't. Yes, he's that a few times.
Yeah it's a wonderful wonderful episode which again you know it
wouldn't be anyone's introduction to the Goon show
because it's got so many in jokes and topical references but
it's it's a great send up of celebrity, isn't it?
As if the thing about it is the absolute nonsense of it.
And yeah just under half of it how celebrities can be forgotten
the next day? Yeah.
Oh maximize. Yes.
Yes.
Girls who whatever happened to Morgan and white now.
Okay. So so we're now at the number
one point and there's no great surprise coming up, I don't
think but I wanted. So next week, show the next show
after this is going to be, we're going to cover the greenslade
story. The reason I'm not covering the
number one show, it's because we've covered it previously on
goon pod and it is. The number one show is
Napoleon's piano. My goodness me.
Ah, hold on to your hats, it's a near-perfect gun show.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I did.
It's a great simple hook isn't and do you think he'd actually
seen an advert to this effect? You know, like we have the Daily
Telegraph story before, you know it seems like the sort of thing
that you would have seen. And you got to move a piano from
one room to another. Mmm.
And then you come up with the Jo, what is there in two
different countries? You know How can I now use that
joke? But yeah really.
And you know, the nice distinct settings all the way through.
It's always, you know, I've always loved the the map folding
sequence. This is the Mac plan of the
Louvre and the surrounding streets.
Now you take one end of this map.
It's big, isn't it? Good Heavens, you're miles away.
Walk straight up that street. Take the second on the left and
I'll be waiting for you. I took a taxi it was too far and
and back Twila screens. Like he gets quite a chunky role
in this as well as various French characters.
Yeah, yes. And with his amazing acting
um-hmm, even the tossed off lines in this.
Like when Greek pipe says, this is the exact piano that Napoleon
played at Waterloo and Moriarty is just like the what do we lost
witch? Just in itself is a great idea,
is like the fact that at the Battle of Waterloo Napoleon,
taking a piano along to play, you know.
Yes. Also showing showing my
american-ness. I had never heard of kippers
until I heard this episode. Hmm, you missing out?
No, not really no, but again, it's just this great mix of very
corny but also very brilliant jokes.
You know, the ending is again a very current event as As a rock
or rock all was very much in the news.
Absolutely look. It's everyone's heard it.
Everyone loves it. It's it was on gunshot Classics,
Vol 4 with the flea. And yeah, I'm very, very fond of
it. I think the standout gag is, is
the piano leg. Sorry.
So, yes, won't why do I keep falling down it?
And it has the gorilla running gag, is one of my favorite show
length, only running gags in the Goon show.
Yes, especially With the Capper of I only smoke baboons.
Good show. Yes, baboon show.
That's great. That's great.
You know you know he knows he's got a good pun when he cues in
the audience Applause. Funny, sfx, yes, okay, so chats.
So with grace through this list but what are your what are your
observations? What are your thoughts?
Is it fair? Is it, is it a fair
representation? Do you think I know it's
completely wrong. So it wouldn't be my top 20
necessarily spell. It allowed the would be but
yeah, next year Tyler is going to come on and give you his top
20 and tell everyone why they got it.
Cool completely wrong and know. There's some great episodes that
there's always good stuff in every episode, isn't that?
But some of these are just absolutely superb.
Napoleon's piano is superb. The green Side Story is superb,
dreaded better putting her call to the West I think is superb.
No matter what you say, so yeah, lots of Wonderful.
Things. It's not a surprise that the
shows that God here are the shows that everybody knows.
I mean, it's what everyone grew up with.
It's what everyone's played over and over again and so it's
obviously going to be you're going to get Napoleon's piano
and you're not going to get the Space Age.
Yes, yes, yes. Well, let me just just just
quickly the fun while they're wood.
Lots and lots and lots of different shows.
Voted for obviously the five that didn't quite Like make the
list, I just want to quickly run through with it, we don't
comment on them, but the Tuscan salami Scandal, which is
wonderful, which is brilliant show.
China story, rather oddly, I thought but Tales of Montmartre
because you covered it on the podcast was about to say have
you just done the podcast and possibly?
Not sure I mean Jake Stanton joke, that that wouldn't make
that because I mentioned we're doing this list.
They said all this won't make anyone's best.
Stuff. But the quite a few people voted
for that. The affair of the loan banana
which is great and shifting Sands, right?
I love shifting, Sands with Jack train with Jack train, who fits
perfectly into the show. Yes, nut.
No House of teeth then. Know it.
Well, it was voted for, but no, I mean, I think the canal is
probably the better episode. Yeah.
Yeah, true. Yeah.
So I just a few gambaccini style, statistics here, Eight of
the top 20 with from shows from Series 6.
Okay. For from Series 5 or 4 from
series 73 from series 9 and 11 sole representative show from
Series 8000 series 8. Well, it does show you know,
that run series 10. Yeah, well the most popular from
series 10 was Tales of men's shirts rather unsurprisingly
which is on another LP. But yeah, it just shows the
series 5 in Series 6, really, you know?
He does seem to be the Golden Era, doesn't it?
Yeah, I probably am most fond of Series 6 & 7.
Yeah, ghostly just to round It Off.
By the way, the most popular show voted for from the Vintage
goon series again unsurprisingly because it was on an LP.
Missing number 10 Downing Street, which is on the very
best of the Goon. I mean that should have been in
the disk has the very best, the very best at gun shows volume 1.
We still await Volume to do. Yeah.
We with that awful folk at phone carrier phase with out that that
was actually released after the first goon show classic sell
Peaks as part of a list of thoughts are.
Yeah we got to get back on this. I would I would argue that if I
were going to pick a vintage goons episode, it would be the
mummified priest, which I think is the best of the series.
By the way, the most popular show from series 4.
That was voted for. Can you guess the greatest
mountain in the world? Correct.
If that's which I adore II. Think I probably would have had
it in my top 10. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's it's wonderful. There were no, just on the Goon
show Classics, LPS. There were no showings at all.
For goon show Classics. Vol 8, which had World War, one
and nasty Affair at the bahrami Oasis on it.
And we're now showings from guntur classics, volume 10,
which had the whistling spy Enigma and I was Monty's
trouble. Nothing from what else?
Do we got goon, but not the Gotham.
What was on that one? All the other EMA shows here.
No, there wasn't there wasn't any of those, a China story was
in the top 25 Noma creaky Rising.
Now, that's not very good show anything, but it's familiar.
It's on the record. Like, seacams, classic
performance is Moriarty. I mean series, 9 is.
Well, we represent because if you think it's only 17 episodes
in Syria, Schneider's well represented on this list and
call of the West Dishonored again and Scarlet capture were
all sequential as well. January February 1959.
Yes, there were twelve scripts in the top 20 that accredited
solely to spike, 62 Spike and Larry and to, to spike and Eric.
And Peter eaten is the best represented producer with 10
shows under his belt there. Interesting.
Hmm. So any final thoughts chaps.
Well, when you say, you know, that most of them are Spike.
Only scripts, may be people who love the spike only ones
because, you know, there was a certain thing that certainly the
script books are strike only, it's so yeah.
Yeah, I mean, two of the, I think two of the shows were in
the essential Spike, Milligan from this list, Fair wages.
And what was the other one mysterious?
Of the Conqueror, was it? I think so.
Yes, right. So those are both spiking
narrating, aren't they? Yes, they are.
Actually aren't they? Yes, fear of wages is Larry as
well as knit. Yes.
Mmm. But Spike Planes.
Full credit don't you know out of course.
It is his shirt off. Yeah.
I mean Ed you're the reason you may be seeing so many Spikes.
All those groups is because these are the ones that Spike
pushed in the BBC pushed and they tried acting on LP.
I mean it would also see is going to spike and saying, which
ones would you like to do next? He's probably going to remember.
Were the ones he did. Yeah, but also they are really
good, you know? Yeah, that's that's what I made.
You do that. So the name 20 more.
But yeah, well, you've given me a great idea, Mike.
I think I actually will next this time next year, I think I
will put out my top 20, I know, and what I'll do is the real
will be that. I can't include any that are on
this list. I mean, that might make it a
bit. Know what I was about to say.
Your top. 20 doesn't have the flea?
Yeah, okay, well, I'll have to think about that, but it would
be good. Nice idea.
Some might I might I might do that and then if the show is
broadcast, is still going good guard in three years time, or
whatever. Both of you could come back and
have your top hat. Has a good is shown any, any
final thoughts at all or observations?
No, I think it's an excellent representative list.
If there's one thing, that surprised me, I am surprised
that the greenslade story was so high.
I know it's become very popular in recent years, but I hadn't
realized how popular I thought that Pliny the Elder would be
much higher than it was. I mean, it's top 10 but I
thought it was going to be top three because it I'm pretty sure
I seem to remember that it was the gun show preservation.
Society did a poll in the early 80s and I'm pretty sure that
Logie strikes. Britain was number one and I
think Pliny the Elder was the number two.
Something like that, but tastes change.
Okay? All right.
Listen Shawn Mike. Thank you so much for joining
us. Having to get up a ridiculous
hour of the morning because you're in that America.
Yeah. But this hour so yeah, and
perhaps, as I say, if we, if we do do the top 20, Tyler shows
next year, I could get you back again to to mull over those and
we can we can do believe them over your shoulder.
At the same time like blue bottle you can do that.
Yeah I'll give you the script. All right, chaps would listen
Happy New Year to you both and happy New Year time.
Other happy New Year, everybody. And, and let's uh say let's
let's look forward to a wonderful 2023.