Recorded as part of the BBC's anniversary celebrations 50 years ago this week, The Last Goon Show Of All brought together Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers along with Max Geldray, Ray Ellington, announcer Andrew Timothy, producer John Browell and many of the original musicians from the show's heyday in the fifties for a ripsnorting rambunctious reunion!
On 30th April 1972 at the Camden Theatre in London the Goons recorded a special show which perhaps lacked the spark of the classic series but still served as a kind of aural comfort blanket, resurrecting such well-loved characters as Bluebottle, Eccles, Seagoon and Bloodnok.
Joining Tyler to discuss it is author, playwright and stand-up Ian Billings (who has penned audio plays about Milligan and Sellers) and here's a bunch of questions thrown up during the conversation:
* Why was Little Jim originally referred to as 'Lenin' in the script?
* Would the show have been better without Royal patronage?
* When exactly was that famous Michael Caine catchphrase coined?
* Just how peevish was Andrew Timothy?
* How might Michael Bentine have fitted into the reunion show?
* Did the absence of Angela Morley significantly impact upon the show's sound?
* Was the final 'freak out' better in rehearsal?
* Can you tell the difference between a lump on the head and margarine?
Plus much much more!
Ian is on Twitter @mrianbillings and check his work out on ianbillings.com
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