Almost met him when I was 14yrs old with my mum and sister when we visited London. My mum spotted him looking at a shop window and pushed us to get his autograph. I was too shy. He died 2 weeks later. I can see form these interviews just how magical and deeply sad he was underneath it all. Would love to give him a big long hug. RIP Kenneth
This man was a pure genius well ahead of his time, you can sit and listen to him all day, how he moves from one voice to another as his tells his tale , he was extraordinary talented man
My parents heard this interview when it was originally broadcast and nearly thirty years later we still say “Not without me strawberries” if one of us is about to attempt some task or other.
I love the fact that, even though here Kenneth Williams is getting on and he was in the worst period of his life when he wasn't getting much work and was feeling depressed, he can stil pull out the old magic. Took him a while to get warmed up this time but he definitely gets there...he's such an amazing mimic too...you can really visualise the people Williams mimics...I would be willing to bet the impressions are almost down pat. I'm surprised he never did an act entirely composed of them!
I quite agree. I could listen to him for hiurs. My uncle knew him professionally and met him in Oxford Street the day before he died Ken told him that he was terrified about an impending operation. My uncle knew Tony Hancock as well and stayed at his home in Lingfield while he was writing him a script. Tony was one of my great comedy hero's who died far too soon. I saw Frankie in 1990 at the Greenwich Theatre during the Greenwich Festival. He had become very popular with young people and teeshirts were being printed with " Frankie says titter ye not". I was in the front row with friends and I have never laughed so much. His expressions alone were hilarious. I have seen Ken Dodd in the 2nd row at the Cliffs Pavilion. He also had me in stitches. Comedians, these days, are no where near as funny. Micky Flanagan is the exception, but he is quite dirty. I met Max Wall at a party in South London. He was a delightful man.
He was the most extraordinary complex character you'd ever wish to meet, with his eccentricity and his obsessiveness for cleanliness and germs. He lived a sad private life, and loathed his homosexuality, and found it hard to accept it . A carry-on Legend no doubt , and he was extremely witty and great at ad libbing, and most of his storytelling was simply hilarious and entertaining. But away from the spotlight it was so different, he lived a mostly sad lonely private life, as he wrestled with his many insecurities, that led to depression and ultimately his very sad ending. K.Williams (RIP)
Excelent litergy Chris, Bravo, The whole Carry on crowd sadly missed, a time never to come again, ,,,,,,, Infamy, infamy, ......theyv all got it in for me, !
Hi Chris; I fell in love with Kenneth about 8 years ago. I'm 75 and can hardly stand the fact that I lived in this world and never got to meet him. My heart, deep within my heart there is this madness and furry. Not unlike Kenneth's and his sense of humor. I sense his darkness and fears, and then hear... his laughter. "Can we stand much more?" "I am Robust." Where ever he is, I love him.............. right now. Thank's Chris for sharing your insights. My crep Susette. Blessings. moi
Was he really that obsessed with cleanliness? I read his diaries from cover to cover but will have to read them again. Yes, he had a great melancholy, unfortunately. Shame he wasn't like his pal who got murdered by his lover in the 60s. He totally went for his life with full force and gay abandon ( no pun intended) but K W fraught with his own sexuality but those days were tough regarding LGBT issues.
@@ppuh6tfrz646 I didn't mean shame he didn't get murdered lol, but that he wasn't as outgoing in the same way and enjoyed his sexuality hence his life more.
you just don't get entertainers like this anymore, men and women with richness and experiences in life. Makes them a complete pleasure to watch and listen to
Thankfully, when I visited London some years ago, a friend took me to visit the late Kenneth's flat. Such a modest, unremarkable place, very in keeping with intimate, private person he was when not 'on stage'
I consider, as with many of the comedic greats, Kenneth Williams presented with a very polarised persona; infinitely complex character, but nevertheless, uproariously funny in his anecdotal retelling of everyday events - who would not smile & laugh along with Mr.Williams - R I P, Sir :)
I’ve been reading his diaries on and off for over a year. A naturally funny man but also a deeply unhappy man. Why are the funniest and most entertaining people plagued with so many inner demons?
Frankie was very different on talk shows though. Kenneth was able to talk and talk, whereas Frankie had to always have the host interact and to counter act against. With Frankie it was like a battle between the host and guest. With Kenneth the host can sit back and let Kenneth proceed knowing they were in safe hands.
Norman, if you're listening...we still love you....the net means your many artistic highpoints live on & on......you are a character's character cubed.....intersecting realities elegantly performed.......
I have a feeling that the anecdotal man was saying, "Not with my strawberry!" to indicate he had a weak heart. Strawberry is rhyming slang (strawberry tart). But nevertheless, the delivery and timing is flawless. He was such an engaging man.
At 4:46 the quip was of the plural "strawberries" which was answering the misheard "Let's be 'avin you" and then "Do you want to make anything of it?" _and as said answered by "Not without mi strawberries"_ suggests there's some camp interchanging reference to gay sex going on where the strawberries refer to (plural) male testicles. Remember this is an anecdote theatrically delivered by Ken Williams who was unashamedly and gloriously camp. But, then Ken admits in whimsical manner not knowing what 'strawberries' meant ~ or so we are led to believe, as he certainly wouldn't have been able to be so literal at that time on TV but could hide, as he does, with clever innuendo and double entendres.
he mentioned piles here....on the joan rivers show he mentioned that he had a bowel problem and had the operation....piles maybe...? such a wonderful character...love to hear him talk on and on and on, Amazing how here he imtitates voices
What people don't realise about people Like Kenneth was is that this was their only way of healing themselves while educating others in a self healing process.....breed love not hate !
When I get back to working, soon hopefully, I'm just going to HAVE to buy any of his books that are available! What an absolutely fascinating character!
They invited him to compare a day time T.V. Show in Australia He broke all viewing records and had to invite him back for a week. he didn't follow the script and ad-libbed with the Audience. guest's didn't get to go on as they ran out of time
I think Kenneth showed up to most of these shows drunk..... what a show man he was a true funny man could stand in a room full of ppl say nothing and have them in stitches....
The sad thing about this interview is that it was after this point he started to get ill and it was the beginning of the end.If you see him in other interviews from 83 and 4 he starts to look iller and iller.
I hate the fact that later Carry ons ( i got as far as Carry on Loving, but im sure the rest are even worse) absolutely delight in exploiting his fear of relationships . He always has some sex starved woman ( Hattie J or Joan S) chasing him while he is trying desperately to escape.
A great comedic actor on the silver screen but not a very entertaining person away from it imo. Had the Russell Brand motor mouth style of communication which he probably used to cover up his insecurities. Charles Hawtrey seemed a far more interesting person off screen but was interviewed very rarely.
@@WillScarlet1991 If you mean 'amplified', well, yes, of course it's amplified - that's why you can hear it. I don't know why you're convinced the laughter isn't generated by the studio audience though.
There will never be another Kenneth Williams.
Thank goodness!
David Ralphs why listen to a genius if you dont appreciate it?
Almost met him when I was 14yrs old with my mum and sister when we visited London. My mum spotted him looking at a shop window and pushed us to get his autograph. I was too shy. He died 2 weeks later.
I can see form these interviews just how magical and deeply sad he was underneath it all. Would love to give him a big long hug. RIP Kenneth
This man was a pure genius well ahead of his time, you can sit and listen to him all day, how he moves from one voice to another as his tells his tale , he was extraordinary talented man
I loved Willo the Wisp as a kid and what a great Comedian he was. Captivating Charisma.
(guest)
Kenneth seems to go into memories/ imagination, and seems so easily to re- live each anecdote vividly.
I have great respect for this man. His talent is abundant. 🇦🇺💕💐
My parents heard this interview when it was originally broadcast and nearly thirty years later we still say “Not without me strawberries” if one of us is about to attempt some task or other.
That impression of Noel Coward was incredibly good...he completely changes for those seconds
Absolutely fantastic, sir you were and always will be a brilliant human being god bless you and your soul u will be always missed!🥺❤🙏
What a fascinating character this guy was.
Was so lucky to have met him at the Barbican in 1986! What a character!
you could listen to him talk and never get bored. absolute star.
I love the fact that, even though here Kenneth Williams is getting on and he was in the worst period of his life when he wasn't getting much work and was feeling depressed, he can stil pull out the old magic. Took him a while to get warmed up this time but he definitely gets there...he's such an amazing mimic too...you can really visualise the people Williams mimics...I would be willing to bet the impressions are almost down pat. I'm surprised he never did an act entirely composed of them!
wonderful
him and Frankie Howard were two of the funniest men that ever lived
I quite agree. I could listen to him for hiurs. My uncle knew him professionally and met him in Oxford Street the day before he died Ken told him that he was terrified about an impending operation. My uncle knew Tony Hancock as well and stayed at his home in Lingfield while he was writing him a script. Tony was one of my great comedy hero's who died far too soon. I saw Frankie in 1990 at the Greenwich Theatre during the Greenwich Festival. He had become very popular with young people and teeshirts were being printed with " Frankie says titter ye not". I was in the front row with friends and I have never laughed so much. His expressions alone were hilarious. I have seen Ken Dodd in the 2nd row at the Cliffs Pavilion. He also had me in stitches. Comedians, these days, are no where near as funny. Micky Flanagan is the exception, but he is quite dirty. I met Max Wall at a party in South London. He was a delightful man.
He was the most extraordinary complex character you'd ever wish to meet, with his eccentricity and his obsessiveness for cleanliness and germs. He lived a sad private life, and loathed his homosexuality, and found it hard to accept it . A carry-on Legend no doubt , and he was extremely witty and great at ad libbing, and most of his storytelling was simply hilarious and entertaining. But away from the spotlight it was so different, he lived a mostly sad lonely private life, as he wrestled with his many insecurities, that led to depression and ultimately his very sad ending. K.Williams (RIP)
Excelent litergy Chris, Bravo, The whole Carry on crowd sadly missed, a time never to come again, ,,,,,,, Infamy, infamy, ......theyv all got it in for me, !
Hi Chris; I fell in love with Kenneth about 8 years ago. I'm 75 and can hardly stand the fact that I lived in this world and never got to meet him. My heart, deep within my heart there is this madness and furry. Not unlike Kenneth's and his sense of humor. I sense his darkness and fears, and then hear... his laughter. "Can we stand much more?" "I am Robust."
Where ever he is, I love him.............. right now.
Thank's Chris for sharing your insights. My crep Susette. Blessings. moi
Was he really that obsessed with cleanliness? I read his diaries from cover to cover but will have to read them again. Yes, he had a great melancholy, unfortunately. Shame he wasn't like his pal who got murdered by his lover in the 60s. He totally went for his life with full force and gay abandon ( no pun intended) but K W fraught with his own sexuality but those days were tough regarding LGBT issues.
@@gaskellr44 'Shame he wasn't like his pal who got murdered by his lover'...
@@ppuh6tfrz646 I didn't mean shame he didn't get murdered lol, but that he wasn't as outgoing in the same way and enjoyed his sexuality hence his life more.
"Not without me Strawberries" love that line.
SADLY TAKEN FROM US ALL, WHAT HOPE OF REPAYING HIM FOR ALL THE LAUGHTER HE GAVE US, LOVE YA KEN..GOD BLESS.
you just don't get entertainers like this anymore, men and women with richness and experiences in life. Makes them a complete pleasure to watch and listen to
A very beautiful human being.
Kenneth spectacular, Gloria, what a beauty.
There should be at least another hour of this.. could listen to him all night.
Me too.
Thankfully, when I visited London some years ago, a friend took me to visit the late Kenneth's flat. Such a modest, unremarkable place, very in keeping with intimate, private person he was when not 'on stage'
Such a legend! 💔
Would love to have met him. He was such a tragic character behind closed doors and was suffering greatly.
I consider, as with many of the comedic greats, Kenneth Williams presented with a very polarised persona; infinitely complex character, but nevertheless, uproariously funny in his anecdotal retelling of everyday events - who would not smile & laugh along with Mr.Williams - R I P, Sir :)
I’ve been reading his diaries on and off for over a year. A naturally funny man but also a deeply unhappy man. Why are the funniest and most entertaining people plagued with so many inner demons?
Read his Diaries. Fascinating read.
“I don't know what's worse: to not know what you are and be happy, or to become what you've always wanted to be,and feel alone.” Daniel Keyes.
"No, not without me strawberries!"
lol, unfathomable.
I love that line. It does not make any sense, but is funny.
@pocketjohnson I meant " not without my strawberries". I believe that it is a cockney term for boxing gloves.
He was a master sadly missed
Not without me strawberries, wtf? London is nuts always will be, kind of love it
One of the great raconteurs and guests together with the late, great Frankie Howerd.
Frankie was very different on talk shows though. Kenneth was able to talk and talk, whereas Frankie had to always have the host interact and to counter act against. With Frankie it was like a battle between the host and guest. With Kenneth the host can sit back and let Kenneth proceed knowing they were in safe hands.
R.I.P. KENNETH WILLIAMS.YOU GAVE US SUCH HAPPINESS IN ALL YOUR FILMS!!SAD YOU HAVE GONE!!FROM(U.K.)
Our Ken'!
His "Diaries" is a fascinating read.
Thank you so much The talented Mr Williams.RIP
Norman, if you're listening...we still love you....the net means your many artistic highpoints live on & on......you are a character's character cubed.....intersecting realities elegantly performed.......
What a fantastic man God loved 2 have meet him
I have a feeling that the anecdotal man was saying, "Not with my strawberry!" to indicate he had a weak heart. Strawberry is rhyming slang (strawberry tart). But nevertheless, the delivery and timing is flawless. He was such an engaging man.
That's brilliant - I'm sure you're right.
@@medievalist Now it makes sense.
Very clever.That makes perfect sense.
At 4:46 the quip was of the plural "strawberries" which was answering the misheard "Let's be 'avin you" and then "Do you want to make anything of it?" _and as said answered by "Not without mi strawberries"_ suggests there's some camp interchanging reference to gay sex going on where the strawberries refer to (plural) male testicles. Remember this is an anecdote theatrically delivered by Ken Williams who was unashamedly and gloriously camp. But, then Ken admits in whimsical manner not knowing what 'strawberries' meant ~ or so we are led to believe, as he certainly wouldn't have been able to be so literal at that time on TV but could hide, as he does, with clever innuendo and double entendres.
I never actually seen Gloria Honeyford on telly before.
he mentioned piles here....on the joan rivers show he mentioned that he had a bowel problem and had the operation....piles maybe...? such a wonderful character...love to hear him talk on and on and on, Amazing how here he imtitates voices
It is believed the had stomach ulcers and possibly stomach cancer. He was told he needed an operation, and I feel he felt the operation would kill him
What people don't realise about people Like Kenneth was is that this was their only way of healing themselves while educating others in a self healing process.....breed love not hate !
He can't help doing all his voices...
The Posh one
The Snide One
The "Stop Messing About" One
Same old stories, same old jokes. He really hit a creative wall toward the end. It was sad to watch.
He's still... intensely present... upon the air.
loved to have met him
Me too 😩💔
Small point, but (judging from his diaries), this show was most likely recorded on 8 September 1982.
He is my latest obsession and the more footage I see of him the more I wonder if perhaps he was on the spectrum. He really avoids eye contact.
Very talented bloke.
We have known the days...
Most complex character ever,probably why he was so brilliant.
I have no doubt that Robin Williams is Kenneth incarnate!
Oh God...yes! And I miss him too :(
This guy could only have come from England. And people say that there's no such thing as a native British culture 🙄
LOL! It looks like the Blue Peter set, except for the colours.
{:o:O:}
I own a copy of the book mentioned, "Back Drops". It's thoroughly enjoyable.
When I get back to working, soon hopefully, I'm just going to HAVE to buy any of his books that are available! What an absolutely fascinating character!
Does he ever pause for breath? If his voice was a bit lower and slower he’d sound like Alan Rickman.
Kenneth Williams had at least 6 different voices.
They invited him to compare a day time T.V. Show in Australia He broke all viewing records and had to invite him back for a week. he didn't follow the script and ad-libbed with the Audience. guest's didn't get to go on as they ran out of time
Not without me strawberries
Unique
I think Kenneth showed up to most of these shows drunk..... what a show man he was a true funny man could stand in a room full of ppl say nothing and have them in stitches....
Seriously? If you read his diaries, he was like this all the time, it's called being 'eccentric'.
The sad thing about this interview is that it was after this point he started to get ill and it was the beginning of the end.If you see him in other interviews from 83 and 4 he starts to look iller and iller.
Agreed. In the Michael Aspel interview in 1986 he looked so much older and frailer.
Easy to interview .... Just have to say ladies and gentlemen ... Kenneth Williams... and thats it... off he goes.
Lived opposite madam Tussaud’s in London
Kenny ..Kenny.. Kenny..
Top hole!
Tipper loves Kenneth
I wonder if that reference he made e was to Boxing Gloves? :)
I read that it is cockney slang for boxing gloves.
im related to gloria
how?
Amber The Fangirl ...he is the son of Gloria's stalker...
ohhh...
I hate the fact that later Carry ons ( i got as far as Carry on Loving, but im sure the rest are even worse) absolutely delight in exploiting his fear of relationships . He always has some sex starved woman ( Hattie J or Joan S) chasing him while he is trying desperately to escape.
@frankiewilliams I bet ''not without me strawberries'' means boxing gloves.
Now that makes sense. I never knew that. Thanks.
Another generations Stephen Fry...
Bianca del Rio granddad.
@mozarttheraver123 Be sure to join the KW Facebook :)
Facebook - The Kenneth Williams Fan Club
He talks very fast
He is a cockney at heart, and so he spoke very fast
‘7’75
no kiss ?
Evil Edna incarnate lol
EVIL EDNA!!
asexual?
Is he a homosexual?
Yes he was. But he hated being Homosexual and never engaged in any Homosexual activity with anyone. He was disgusted by it.
WOW!!
Jasper Van Der Blint dont you mean was homosexual keep up with the program
+Lee That would make him asexual, not homosexual. From what I understand he was repelled by all intimacy, regardless of sex.
MTCason he was bisexual when he was younger when he got older he was homosexual when he was really old he was asexual
Why all the canned laughs? = Not funny,
hunford crap
A great comedic actor on the silver screen but not a very entertaining person away from it imo. Had the Russell Brand motor mouth style of communication which he probably used to cover up his insecurities. Charles Hawtrey seemed a far more interesting person off screen but was interviewed very rarely.
I respectfully take on board you're opinion friend, Same as you i'm merely shooting the breeze, Both very talented im sure we agree?
@@ricjones5749 under age boys? The only book on him I could ever find, which I read said young men. And Sailors.
@@ricjones5749 he did a lot of Panto after films, saw him in quite a few.
God awful canned laughter
He’s in front of an audience who are laughing.
@@bluesheep6 There's canned laughter mixed in.
I don't see how you can know that, or why it would even be necessary given there's literally a laughing audience right there. @@WillScarlet1991
@@bluesheep6 Yes, but if you think their laughter is what you hear, then you're very much mistaken. It's canned AMPLIED laughter.
@@WillScarlet1991 If you mean 'amplified', well, yes, of course it's amplified - that's why you can hear it. I don't know why you're convinced the laughter isn't generated by the studio audience though.
‘7’75