Bob Monkhouse... The Million Joke Man

Paul O'Grady presents the first in a series chronicling the career of Britain's most celebrated patter merchant. Having worked as a standup, cartoonist, gameshow host, stage performer and actor, there's a lot of Monkhouse to explore. Luckily, his habit of archiving his work provides enough material to fill an entire channel. There are tough times touched on, too, not least the tale of Bob's partnership with Denis Goodwin, making for a slicker than average comedy retrospective.

Modern comedy's unlikely hero: Bob Monkhouse

From panel shows to stand-up, you'll find imitations of his writing style, his assured but snappy onstage technique, even his work ethic.

Radio Times review

Bob Monkhouse could easily have been the subject of a documentary about obsessive hoarders. He kept everything (scripts, tapes, videos, artwork) from everything he ever worked on (comic strips, radio shows, films, documentaries, game shows). And then there are his treasured 16 leather-bound books filled with handwritten gags. Even his seven-bedroom mansion couldn't contain it all. His daughter wails, "I loved him, but why did he never throw anything away?"

Paul O'Grady has exclusive access to the extensive archive for this affectionate tribute to a Renaissance man of light entertainment -- comic strip artist, writer, actor and producer -- which paints Monkhouse as an obsessively talented man driven to succeed.

Bob Monkhouse the Million Joke Man review: predictable

This documentary, which had access to Monkhouse's personal archive, failed to focus on the details, says Michael Hogan.

Paul O'Grady on Bob Monkhouse

In a new three-part series, Paul O'Grady pays tribute to the extraordinary career of comedian Bob Monkhouse.

Bob Monkhouse's joke book now open to the public

For the first time Bob Monkhouse's legendary joke books are being opened in public.