The Goon Show
Description
Without these guys, there may well not have been Monty Python or Firesign Theatre yet to much of the world they are just a distant (and very funny) memory. Who are these titans? It's the Goon Show which tickled British comedy fans during the 1950s with comedy that was smart, surreal, and sometimes just plain silly. The core Goons -- Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, and Harry Secombe worked off scripts penned by Milligan, playing a variety of off the wall characters. The voice work was superb and the structure of the shows is best described as avant-garde and four dimensional. Secombe and Milligan went on to successful entertainment careers and Sellers became an international movie star. But it all started with some guys who wouldn't play by traditional comedy rules -- and aren't we glad they wouldn't. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.
Want more Goons?
If you have time, crack open your favorite beverage and enjoy a complete Goon Show, this one from 1955.https://youtu.be/VuVFFNvyUT8?si=Rci_cSflpvqo7lrI
Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers provided some of the favorite character voices for the Goons and this clip from 1954 shows their chemistry. https://youtu.be/clX7FInbQ58?si=xPNBPwV5ZZkyyTh6
While the Goon Show ended it run in 1960, the Goons did reunite for one final blowout for the BBC's 50th anniversary in 1972. It delighted their fans and probably mystified everyone else -- perfection!https://youtu.be/XF745ywyvVY?si=8JxivMO8DSBOielA