Claim OwnershipListen Very Carefully - The ’Allo ’Allo! Podcast
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Description
The podcast for people who love everything ’Allo ’Allo! – hosted by Kim Hartman (Helga), Guy Siner (Lieutenant Gruber) and Richard Gibson (Herr Flick). Each podcast looks at an episode of the series, and will include the chance for listeners to message the show, and after the initial pods, there will be guest chats with other actors from ’Allo ’Allo!, and other people associated with the series.
35 Episodes
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Kim and Richard begin by suggesting that this was not the best episode ever. Guy challenges them robustly, and after finding plenty to talk about, the tripod agrees that it is pretty good after all. René and Edith reminsce about their early romance, and how she was the most beautiful girl in the town – in fact, the only girl in the town. There is the capture of René by the Communist Resistance, and the wedding that he is obliged to make to their leader, the fearsome Denise Laroque – which gives cause for the entire cast to assemble in the church in the usual range of disguises – Monsieur Leclerc as the organist, Crabtree as the priest and Flick and Helga as choirboy and choirgirl. Gruber, as best man, is distracted by grief at the propect of René’s maririage.
Crabtree is is caught up in the demolition of the town convenience, and we are treated to a glimpse of an evening at home with the Flicks. Phoebe Scholfield, who usually plays Henriette – stalwart member of the Maquis Resistance – seems to have changed sides, and appears this week with the Communists. The production team do not seem to have noticed… The airman have some solid scenes this week, which leads the trio to lament that they didn’t have more to do in the series over all. Kim recounts an explosive moment on stage.
Much to enjoy this week. Kim marvels at the pace of Gorden’s opening monologue, and declares it an example of dynamic playing for all actors. She also pretends not to get excited about the numbering of the podcasts. Kim and Guy notice for the first time that this episode marks the beginning of a romance between Helga and Gruber that will eventually result in marriage and children. Boohoo Herr Flick… In the real world, Kim is spotted in a cinema in which she is appearing, and Ron Hartman – better known as the illustrious actor, John Nolan, whose eminence is often overlooked, even in his own kitchen – treats viewers and listeners to the reading of a letter, as well as some choice storytelling.
Despite the fact that his episode is entitled Dinner with the General, there is very little talk either of Dinner or the General. Instead the chat covers a range of topics, loosely around the making of 'Allo ‘Allo! – including a fire practice at the studio with the cast of Doctor Who, and the madness of working on the tv series by day and onstage in the West End by night. Guy proves himself to be a cat whisperer, and we are treated to the reading of a letter by the head of the studio, Ron Hartman – sometimes known as the distinguished actor, John Nolan.
What better setting for an episode about a potato than Kim's kitchen? The usual fun and laughter, as the trio are joined by Ron Hartman for vital insights. Gruber is surprised in his bath by René, as Helga lets down her hair for Herr Flick. Kim tells of her first theatre job as a smoke squirter and mouse puller, and Richard and Guy discuss their first encounters with the paparazzi. Meanwhile, Edith gets a goosing from Monsieur Alphonse.
Now also on video at: https://www.youtube.com/@HelgaGruberFlick/videos
See Kim, Guy and Richard in The Listen Very Carefully live show at:
Guildford Yvonne Arnaud – 11 October 2025 (Matinee)
Salford, Lowry Theatre – 12 October 2025 (Matinee)
Shrewsbury, Severn Theatre (Evening)
Book now at Fane.co.uk
Following the success of the first Listen Very Carefully season, this episode introduces the much-awaited Season 2. While the podsters talk about the Desperate Doings in the Dungeon, Kim’s kitchen transitions into a studio, as the pod launches for the first time on video as well: https://www.youtube.com/@HelgaGruberFlick/videos
Viewers are treated to the sight of both René and Herr Flick chained to a dungeon wall, dressed in the undergarments of a woman of the opposite sex. Gruber looks fetching in a black leather trenchcoat, and Helga is in top scheming mode. There is plenty of talk about other pressing 'Allo 'Allo! matters, including backstage capers during the stage show.
See Kim, Guy and Richard in The Listen Very Carefully live show at:
Guildford Yvonne Arnaud – 11 October 2025 (Matinee)
Salford, Lowry Theatre – 12 October 2025 (Matinee)
Shrewsbury, Severn Theatre (Evening)
Book now at Fane.co.uk
We present a special bonus episode, sent to us by Christopher Beswick, of a full-length interview he conducted with Gordon Kaye in 1991, when he had returned to work following his life-threatening accident.
This episode marks the end of Season One, and we celebrate with a surprise guest and a “guess the mystery voice” game. Although this episode is called the Jet-Propelled Mother-in-Law, no one can decide what the episode is actually about – as we encounter the people from the café treading grapes, and various other antics around Nouvion – as well as von Smallhausen savouring his rare moments of revenge.
The podders attempt to keep track of the sausages. After the first twenty they give up, exhausted. Kim entertains with a tale of pranks on tour. Christian Dyall gets a bit of worship for his imaginative and lavish costumes. But where is the real painting of the Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies? Did the writers even know?
As Mimi takes to the skies as an airborne nun, it is an astounding week for cast impressions. Guy treats us to a Bertorelli, as well as a Michelle of the Resistance, and Kim delivers a terrifyingly realistic von Smallhasuen. A double disguise for Herr Flick – first as a gypsy playing the fiddle with gloves on – then into Helga's uniform to fool no one as Frau Kinkenrotten. Kim entertains with a tale of trying to fly a box kite with her dad.
This week, despite distractions from Alexa, a photographer called Rowan and a bottle of Prosecco, Kim, Guy and Richard maintain their usual level of sober professionalism while discussing the episode in which the new characters of Captain Bertorelli and Mimi la Bonq are introduced.
Is there such a thing as an episode-numbering nerd? Or geek? Or both? Question: Who literally cares which season or blinkin' episode this is? Answer: Kim, as well as some of the show's most militant archivists. Anyway, this is Pod 24, and the fun starts long before we unveil our literally special guest. Tune in and meet her/him/them. The series says farewell to Sam Kelly as Hans, as he is catapulted over the wire, and Francesca Gonshaw as Maria, who is posted to Switzerland in a parcel. For a change, iced tea is served in Kim's kitchen.
The committee starts to get strict about overuse of the word "wonderful" – which is likely to have little effect. More fun and frolics in the prison camp, and the trio celebrate the rare privilege of seeing Richard Marner do the Can Can, Gruber dressed as a nun, and Helga singing a long-overdue Lili Marlene.
Amid panto reminiscences from our pod trio (tripod), we discover that Fanny's pet name for her lover van Gogh was Bobby. While Guy and Richard get all knowing about the McGuffin device in detective stories, Kim insists it is a burger chain meal deal. They discuss the lengths that some performers will go to in order to secure a close-up, including gaining access to the camera scripts (some of them dummies created by the production team to throw them off the scent). Meanwhile, Kim, Guy and Richard protest too much at the suggestion they would ever chase a close-up.
British airmen dressed as ladies of the night; Maria and Yvette disguised as ancient crones; a melodramatic fake murder scenario during a flamenco performance by Edith in the café; a plan to smuggle the airmen into the prison camp via a tunnel from the mortuary; a priceless van Gogh that has been hanging unnoticed in the café and turns out to have been a gift from the painter to Fanny during a passionate affair. Busines as usual in Café René. Back in Kim's kitchen, our hosts question the story that Carmen grew up on a banana plantation in Canada.
More nuggets from Kim’s kitchen, as the trio mull over the events of the double-length Christmas Special – involving attempts from all sides to bump off General von Klinkerhoffen. Sam Kelly receives a well-deserved round of applause from the studio audience for his virtuoso speech about “the pill in the till, the drug in the jug and the Gateau from the Chateau”. There is talk of a crashing air balloon, screwing down a billiard table, and Gorden’s graceful handling of props. A mischievous prank by Kim and Richard at the George Hotel backfires badly on them.
Now that René has recovered the painting, Michelle plans to catapult the airman away in a glider, using elastic from men's braces. But collecting them in the dead of night presents yet another problem for the long-suffering café owner. A runaway steamroller flattens Herr Flick's staff car, which is only insured third-party. As the village clock chimes eight outside Kim' cottage, it's time for our hosts to crack open the gin.
Rene is busy in the cellar, bricking up the painting, while Flick and Helga have their first date in the back room. But this episode is well out of order – it was the third one of the series, instead of the 18th, but who really cares anyway? The Big Boobies get their first mention, accompanied by an on-air mime, and the team are impressed by the modest grace of Carmen's movement.
Maria is sent to Gruber's quarters at the chateau with the real Fallen Madonna for him to copy, but is intercepted by von Klinkerhoffen. René and Edith, and the Colonel and Hans infiltrate the chateau to steal back the painting, and a suit of armour with a distinctive limp joins the trail. Helga performs the strip of a lifetime – causing Kim to put her back out.
Monsieur Alphonse’s ransom loan is repaid in notes forged by Monsieur Leclerc, as the Resistance smuggle out the motor from General von Klinkerhoffen's lawn mower in Madame Fanny's wheelchair. Gruber’s little tank makes its debut with its feeble little horn, while its owner is delivered to Herr Flick’s cellar rolled up in a carpet. Anna Stubley gets a special mention for her magnificent costumes, Sherry Louise Plant makes her debut as Lisette, and Guy remarks on the quality of Gorden’s opening.
Rene delivers his opening monologue from the bath, Monsieur Alfonse slurps his soup and passes out, Madame Fanny fits four in her bed, and Paul Cooper makes his debut as Herr Flick’s tailor. When the knockwurst is snatched by Gruber’s dog, the chase turns into one of the most outlandish horizon shots of the series.
Once again, the team claims this as a favourite episode. The classic dungeon scene features Herr Flick on his mighty organ, as Helga lets down her hair and turns the wheel to bring the ceiling down on their captives. Gorden supplies a severed head in the rehearsal room, and John D Collins knocks himself out and breaks both ankles. Meanwhile, Monsieur Alphonse’s wooing of Madame Edith continues unabated.
More fun and laughter as we discover Edith selling tickets to the duel between Rene and Monsieur Alphonse, Helga trying to eat peas while handcuffed, share tales of von Smallhausen’s beginnings in a strip club, and hear of the origins of a famous catchphrase.
This week’s pod introduces our first surprise guest – guaranteed to entertain.
Monsieur Alphonse challenges Rene to a duel, Monsieur Leclerc nicks knickers, and a cow rides by on a tandem.
This week’s round-table discussion brings news of a famous fan, while Guy pulls a face for the listeners and the King calls Kim a ghastly creature.
The talk this week around Kim's table turns to the three Fallen Madonnas and all their attributes, and Edith's search for a new husband. Tribute is paid to Secret Army, on which 'Allo 'Allo! was based.
As this week's chat takes in a rare sighting of Rene's back passage and Kenn Oldfield's inspired choreography, the whereabouts of the Fallen Madonna begins to get complicated.
Welcome, once again, to Kim's kitchen, where the convivial chat covers subjects as diverse as the Colonel's vanishing pistol and Marie Antoinette's bosom.
This week's pod brings more stories and observations about Episode 5. Kim laughs at Richard being pranked in the now classic clods of earth scene, and the team fan worship Kenneth Connor – not for the last time.
Kim, Guy and Richard bring plenty more chat, stories from the 'Allo 'Allo! coalface, and some extra content in reply to a listener's message about Rose Hill and her singing. If you enjoy it, please encourage your friends to follow us.
Kim, Guy and Richard pay tribute to the composer and musical director, Roy Moore, celebrate the arrival of Hilary Minster as General von Klinkerhoffen and a flying tailor, and enjoy some exploding chickens.
Kim is joined in her kitchen once again by Guy and Richard, and an appearance by her husband, John, brings with it a special bottle of gin...
In this second podcast, Kim, Guy and Richard talk about the pilot episode, and share their favourite moments and observations on the other members of the cast, the set, the costumes, and their hopes for the future of the series.
This first podcast, hosted by Kim, Guy and Richard gives an introduction to the series, how it came to be made, and how we all came to be in it. We will be launching a new pod each week, in which we will look at another episode, and talk about anything that comes up. There may even be the occasional laugh.
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Absolutely delightful. I have loved this show and these characters for so many years, and to hear them all together again, sharing such warm memories (and repeating famous lines! ❤️) is just bliss. What lovely people.