Yet another superb Comedy Chronicle from Graham McCann, the comedy historian who I have, for a number of years now, hung onto his every word, whenever he appears in some television review/look back etc. The man is a mine of comedy information.
This time, it is in my own back yard of The Goon Show, with a potted history of The Last Goon Show of All, which I remember well going out on radio and TV, both of which I have recordings of.
Lots there in his piece I didn't know about how the show took a very long time to come to fruition, especially with Spike blowing hot and cold, and the number of people trying to get him to commit. It's wonder it ever got off the ground, and am so glad it did.
AND, I'm glad it was finally pointed out what I'd been saying for years on this forum, that Michael Bentine had no right to appear in the masthead photograph for The Goon Show thread, as one of Milligan's conditions was that Bentine was to have nothing to do with this final broadcast - it certainly would have ruined the evening.
AND, Aaron ? I can't tell you how pleased I was to see "my" choice of the best Goons photo was used to head Graham's tribute (see above). I'm sure you wouldn't deny me that mention, and (I sincerely hope I don't regret this) have one last reconsider, having now seen Mr McCann's choice of photo being the same as mine.
runs away and hides............