May the 4th be with you
The franchise mash-up we all want to see. Long, long ago, on a radio show far, far away... Starring: HARRY SECOMBE as NEDDIE SKYWALKER...
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The Seagoon Memoirs
Chronicling a 21st century idiot's obsession with a 1950s radio comedy masterpiece.
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Welcome, dear reader - pull up a bollard.
UPDATE: JUNE 2024
I am in the process of transferring this blog to Substack. You'll find me at theseagoonmemoirs.substack.com, where you can read for free and sign up to receive new posts (twice a week) direct to your email.
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On 28 May 1951, four young men took to the airwaves on the BBC's Home Service to launch their unique brand of comedy on an unsuspecting world.
In the mid-1990s, an even younger idiot was introduced to recordings of their broadcasts - and there began a strange obsession crossing decades and generations.
The Seagoon Memoirs is an attempt to channel this obsession into something creative, chronicle the show's history, development and legacy, and in some small way contribute to preserving this masterpiece of British radio comedy.
Listen to me waffle on about the Goons on the excellent Goon Pod here. Alternatively, listen to more interesting people on other episodes of Goon Pod, including Jane Milligan, Al Murray, Dirk Maggs, and the cast of 'Spike!', the new Milligan/Goon-themed play by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.
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I will now swear an oath on the Radio Times
Greenslade: With a small stove, Lord Seagoon set off in hot pursuit in his horse-drawn motor car. The trail of missing teeth led them to...
The House of Teeth
With ‘The Mighty Wurlitzer’ (Series 6 Episode 16), the Goons had demonstrated just how far they could push the BBC’s sound effects...
Ray Ellington seeks new guitarist!
On this day in 1953, the New Musical Express reported a change in staffing for Ray Ellington's quartet. If you haven't applied yet, I...
Ray Ellington
Wallace Greenslade: Ladies and gentlemen, with only two men to carry the battleship, an unexpected time lapse has occurred. To fill it,...
The Jet-Propelled Guided NAAFI
Major Bloodnok (voiced by Peter Sellers) regularly alludes to stealing money from various people. His character, so Sellers and Spike...
Neddie Toulouse-Lautrec
For episode 18 of the sixth series, the Goons travelled to Montmartre in France – taking with them once more Charlotte Mitchell....
Another helping of Christmas pudding adventures
Over Christmas we learned of the origins of the Great International Christmas Pudding, and the Goons’ adventures in tracking it down and...
The Mighty Wurlitzer
The year is 1956, and young Ned Seagoon wants to pursue a career as an organ player – “another Reg the Dixon, another Sandy the...
The Hastings Flyer - Robbed!
On 27 December 1955, the Goons took to the railways to tell of a fiendish plot to rob a train for the 15th episode of the sixth series....
Happy birthday Angela Morley
On this day in 1924, the award-winning composer, arranger and orchestra leader Angela Morley was born. She was musical director and...
Winds light to variable
For the past few episodes in series six, the Goons have been poking fun at announcer Wallace Greenslade for not being tapped up by the...
The Goons Hit Wales
A (slightly belated) happy St David’s Day to Welsh listeners. On this day in 1956, a short Goon Show episode themed around Wales –...
The Lost Year
Dear reader. You may remember the three blogs I wrote about the episode ‘Nineteen-Eighty-Five’. I do – I blathered on for ages. Aside...
Exploding saxophones
I happen to agree wholeheartedly with Spike Milligan that the word “saxophone” is inherently funny. Uncle Oscar (Secombe): Have you seen...
Reclaiming Manhattan for the Empire (kind of)
On 29 November 1955, the Goons journeyed to the United States for episode 11 of the sixth series. Those of you who are reading every word...
Happy birthday, Max Geldray
Harmonica virtuoso Max Geldray was born on this day in 1916. He provided a musical interlude for the Goon Show for almost every show,...
Lost Horizontally
The eighth episode of the Goon Show’s sixth series marked the first time Spike Milligan had embarked upon a literary spoof on his own as...
In Honour Bound
(Or, From Balham to Buenos Aires on a Waterproof Bicycle) The seventh episode of the Goon Show’s sixth series was broadcast on 1 November...
Osian Ellis
Throughout the short life of this blog I've been determined to dig out details and celebrate people connected to the Goon Show. One such...
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