My Dad and I went to see Spike at Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide, way back in the late 70's I think, and it was Spike's birthday on the night. When he made his appearance from behind the stage curtain, the entire theatre stood up, clapped, cheered, and we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Spike. He stood on stage and was very humbled, and I think a bit shocked. We all showed how much we loved Spike. It was a wonderful moment in life I will never forget.
In the 90s, i would frequent the BBC radio offices near Oxford Circus and wait outside the Hallam Street entrance collecting autographs. On my first day there, i had the pleasure to meet Sir Alec Guinness and Spike Milligan. They both kindly signed and, as a fan of The Goons, I asked Spike if he could sign it to Mike (so I'd have 'To Mike from Spike'). He wrote To, then stopped, looked at me and asked "You know who you are, don't you?" I said yes, i think so and laughed. He left it blank and signed his name underneath, so all I have on the page is: 'To........Spike Milligan'. Such a genius and funny man! One of my other comedy legends is Bob Monkhouse. I met him in the exact same place in 1996 and he was one of the nicest, politest and charming entertainers I've ever met. Posed for a photo, signed several times and chatted briefly.
Those are super memories to have to share. Bob Monkhouse was a comedy genius. We are a lucky nation in having a tradition that seems to grow talent. I loved his crack that starts "I want to die quietly in my sleep like my father..." I guess fans can finish that one🤣
I met Spike at a book signing and he was brilliantly savage. A hippie-type woman stood up and asked him in the most cringily annoying voice: "Spiiiike, what's the meaning of liiiiife?" He paused, staring at her, and replied "I think it's got something to do with not being six foot under."
I actually walked into Spike Milligan in Oxford Street one time and knowing who he was, instantly began emulating Eccles. ''You are the corpse formerly known as Spike Milligan and I demand my Five Pounds!!'' And he said, ''**** off'' and then asked me if I knew where Ronnie Scott's was. I replied that I did, and then asked him if it was lost and needed directions? I must have said something right because he was kind enough to buy me a drink there and chatted with me for two hours. It was an insane experience, but knowing his history (having read his war diaries) got on with him like a house on fire, but he did say, ''You're stealing all of my best material! If you're not careful I'll have you paying me Royalties.'' He was pure class.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful story. I'm Irish myself and I know very well what Spike means when he describes the Irish as "Thinking Sideways" what a complete one off genius of comedy.
People on this talking about political correctness obviously forgetting that the British went to war against Hitler to defend freedom of speech, religion and movement. Of course Spike, or any other normal person, isn't going to just abandon those ideals because of a few people who can't take a joke or get offended by the slightest thing
I met Spike back in the day while he was touring in Australia. I was about 17yo and myself and my brothers were playing squash when he came up to us between games and spoke freely and he seemed quite a good bloke. We were respectful and quite reserved as good lads were in those days. I didn't really get his sense of humour. Shortly after we went for a swim and I dived in and smacked my nose on the opposite side of the pool. I quickly came to the surface as you do..blood colouring the water and I happened to look up at the window...a big viewing thing..and I saw him looking down laughing his head off. I couldn't help but laugh as well. I can honestly say that I made Spike Milligan laugh. PS: I had a broken nose and still smile to myself at the memory.
The genius of Spike is that I just watched 5 seconds of the start of Spike on Q here and I was laughing. He had not delivered a line and I was laughing. My older brother brought me to him via his war memoirs. My mum found I was reading them and gave me hell. I was 11. I broke my arm I was sat in A and E and I had Rommel Gunner Who? with me she got bored waiting and began to read. She cried laughing. If you are young and have never read Puckoon, please please do, it is the work of a true genius, not only a comedy genius but a literary and plot developing genius. The mind that developed the plot of Puckoon is nothing short of incredulous. Deny that and you are a fool, and…you have no soul.
In 1961 I was 22 and just arrived in England from the US. I was living with an English family near Canterbury and every week we would all sit around the radio and listen to the Goon Show. I had never heard humor like that and spent the entire show rolling on the floor laughing. The last show I remember was about moving the Dartmoor Prison.
I have loved Spike’s humour, in book form, radio, and his TV shows, since I first found his book ‘Puckoon’ many years ago. I have an MP3 disc with about 90 Goon Show episodes on it, that resides in the player in my car, and I listen to nothing else while I am driving. I have probably heard every show 50 times, but I always get a laugh. A comedian and comedy writer that was one of a kind.
I’ve had FOUR copies of Puckoon. I’m keeping number four under lock and key! Why,you may ask?Because,if you lend it to someone else,YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BACK! You can pick it up,open it at ANY page,and within moments you are smiling,giggling,or even laughing out loud,even if you have never read the rest of the book.That is the mark of a great humorist.Anarchic humor at it’s very best.
Spike was a working-class lad who enjoyed his base Irish family and colonial roots, whereas a lot of comics chose to be middle-class and remain dreadfully politically correct, and they disliked Milligan for his popularity amongst the supposed lower orders who should be listening to radio and not enjoying themselves watching telly. Spike was one of the few post-war comics who beat the system before trying to beat the system became a popular past-time long after the end of the war.
I had the chance, opportunity, pleasure and honour to see this legend at our local theatre back in the 80s. He was totally brilliant live; got everyone giggling after ten seconds on stage and the audience never stopped from then on. I will never forget that night. I have been a Goons / Spike fan since forever so it was the total icing on the cake for me.
A great memory true. Sadly wokism wouldn't have given you the chance to be in the audience these days as he would've been "cancelled", the wokists (as usual) just wouldn't have been able to understand the intelligence behind his humour nor his satirised life-experience contained therein. Spike inspired the careers of pub-cabaret comedians which grew as a way of fighting Thatcherism, Spike being a life-member of the Green Party which has, for me sadly, now become "woke"! Do we have *any* comedy now? In today's Wokeworld Spike certainly *could never have come back to life*, it surely would've been *great* to see him standing for parliament as a member of the, what was a sensible, Green Party 🤔
@@jimstrainsandstuff9539 Even today (2023) when Radio 4 Extra (BBC) repeat The Goon Show on Tuesdays, they coyly apologise for "the langauge and humourof the times" - perhaps people were just more grown up and tolerant between 1951-1960 when the series ran. All the shows from 1954 onwards were preserved and tbhey are rerun on Tuesdays at 0800, 1300, 1800 hours with a further repeat on Tuesday morning at 0400
His comedy was not only funny, it was extremely thought provoking, in so many ways. "Genius", a word used much too often these days, perhaps is a bit much to describe Spike; but that word is not far from the mark. I would rather call it "magnificently intellectual comedy", that leaves no one out of the equation...........or the laughs. Bless his soul
Spike Milligan wrote his military memoirs the most hilarious books I have ever read, God Bless you Spike I'm sure you are making the Heavenly host crack a smile.
I share your hopes for Spike, albeit me being atheist, & we need comic & political (him being a Green Party, animal welfare & Vegetarian Society activist) who can satirise the decay our civilisation is falling in to & pp with the ever-pervasive rise of wokism which would have had Spike "cancelled" (even as a writer) before he even got started! On a religious note he was catholic but pro-contraception on the grounds of the human overpopulation of the Earth & seemed to find it relatively easy to be given an "audience" with the Pope(s) on the subject, just to take the simple decision to allow catholics to use condoms. Spike is very sadly missed & the British gov & establishment should hang its collective head in shame for not allowing him UK citizenship (being born & raised in India in a British army family) which even being a friend of Prince Charles didn't help! Spike was One of a Kind & in these days no one would be *allowed* to step into his shoes! "I'm not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens" 😂
I would love to get everything he did on DVD, I remember the 'Q' series and to this day I still howl with laughter. The PC brigade can go Foxtrot Oscar, Spike was a hero of comedy in all that he did. God bless him.
The Poms like Spike Milligan, the Goons Monty Python,Goodies were the genius of comedy 😃. Never ever surpassed . Thank you for making light when things were dark.
Dark times for me in the army back in the mid 80's but his books brightened things up enormously, I remember lying on my bunk curled up laughing when nobody else was.
As a young man , growing up in England during the 1970/80,s Will forever remember him saying quote ............................... "Im not afraid of Dying , but dont want to be there when it happens" Proper
I'm inclined to watch Life Of Brian every now and then. When dear old Spike makes his appearance, these days at least, I well up a bit. He really was a special kind of funny. Good to see Bob at the beginning and Tim Brook Taylor in there too. Strong childhood memories. Rest peacefully, gentlemen.
I think Spike was a demented genius, his head must have been an amazing place to live, he saw humour in the darkest corners where the sane daren't look. . . I loved him . . . I cried the day he died.
Quite a few seen here have gone. Secombe & Clive James, as well as Tim & Bob. One of our biggest losses recently is the wonderfully underappreciated Barry Cryer.
@@glenblake3021 Russell Brand is about as funny as Covid 19. As if it isn't enough that we have to suffer what he calls 'wit'' he decided to shove his ridiculous political views at us. I would seriously like to punch him.
Spike was a comic genius! He wouldn't be allowed near TV today because he was totally un-pc. But bravo Spike, bring on the un-pc humour any day compared to the shite we have to endure these days. I salute you sir!
By 'shite' you mean stuff that isn't racist and offensive to millions of people. But no, what's more important is that you can still laugh at them. Try looking at it from their perspective just for once.
@@neilinely Actually, no. By 'shite'' I mean the humour we have to endure these days which isn't actually humour at all. It relies on bad language and shock value to get laughs. What's being said isn't funny at all, it's the fact that it's being said that makes people laugh. That's not humour to me.
@MeganInStarlight The thing is that, in those days, people understood that humour was just that. It was a laugh, poking fun, a dig at someone different to us. It was understood as such, and it worked both ways. Men made jokes about women and vice versa. Whites made jokes about blacks and vice versa. The point is that back then, very few people were offended by the humour, they took it at face value and laughed at it. Nowadays society has become so paranoid about prejudice and racism that people lose their careers and relationships simply for one innocent comment taken out of context. This is insanity; bring back the old days where we all laughed at each other and only extremists were offended.
I was introduced to Spike's comedy in the 60s and I still read his brilliant Army books. He was a gifted and kind man and also brought my attention to the plight of caged hens some 30 years ago . A great man and his like won't come along again, especially in this PC pox-ridden country.
His commentary on working class America was a3-d Chess snapshot. What a guy, Pinballem Gottlieb. It is among the best writing I have seen. It shaped my thinking. Brilliant.
Spike always seemed 100% authentic. He never looked all that comfortable on TV because he wasn't a TV person, he was his own self. No-one understood what he was doing, which was exactly how he wanted it. Even now, there is no category to put Spike Milligan in, other than the Spike Milligan category.
When I grew up at 12pm Saturday ABC (Australia) "The Goon Show." was on, I was old enough to understand the jokes. All I wish I could do is thank great comedians like Spike, Tommy Cooper, Dave Allen, Monty Python crew for giving me my off beat humor I now have.
My late father put that on our cassette tape of Christmas music. People who came over to our house would be like, "What the hell is this?" while smiling and laughing!
Thanks for posting this. I'm with Spike all the way, and as somebody pointed out, his experiences in North Africa in the army would have been enough to send anybody over the edge, comedy saved him. Spike was a trail blazer and his humour inspired so many into the world of anarchic comedy and the alternative comedians of the 80's and 90's.
I agree totally, the likes of Alexei Sayle, Ben Elton & Richard Curtis all said this, plus the burgeoning rise in pub-cabaret comedians in the 1980's owed much to Spike's courage in not being afraid of "upsetting" weak-minded members of the audience & unlike many of the new American-style comedians he never set out to get "shock laughter" from the audience, his humour was intelligent & based on his life-experience, he was also a great writer which is overlooked as was his active membership of the Green Party & support for animal welfare (also being vegetarian). He did notably well for a man suffering from shellshock & true manic depression (unlike Stephen Fry & his invented mental illness). Today, in "Wokeworld" & not being an old Etonian, he would have been "cancelled" & shunned & now, more than ever, we NEED comic geniuses like Spike to make sense of a Human civilisation which appears to be coming to an end.
Midway through his show at the Wellington Opera House sometime in the 1970s, Spike suddenly stopped and pointed at something high above. “Look!” he shouted, “a finger!”
The one time I literally almost choked to death laughing was that one comedy awards where Spike was recieving some lifetime achievement thing or other. The Prince Of Wales had given a very complimentary speech, recounting how he loved the Goons as a boy, etc. Spike comes on and calls the heir to the throne a "crawling bastard".😂💀
Love Spike, one of the only books I've read his War Time Experiences and the Looney where I was in hysterics whilst on this coach for 8 hours. The disapproving looks I got were a picture, didn't bother me. 1939:- Spike and his dad sitting in the kitchen watching his mother digging the Anderson Shelter. Dad:- she's a wonderful little woman. Spike:-....and getting shorter by the minute.
First time I watched his Fresh Fruit Song, I couldn't get to sleep for laughing, and getting up 3 times to watch it again. Finally got to sleep at 2am. Love him.
Along with all the other great comments and observations from everyone else, which are all excellent, Danny Baker's really hits the nail on the head for me... 👌
@@billfranklin9443 Bullshit, you can still say whatever you want, make whatever joke you want, look at the morons in charge of the UK and the US right now. "PC" is a fascist dogwhistle.
@@theothertonydutch"You can still say whatever you want, make whatever joke you want" Count Dankula being arrested and League being pulled from Pedoflix are just 2 examples of 100% proof to the contrary. Oi commie m8, you have a loicense to be this moronically ignorant to the cancel culture and pandering that's been permeating the last decade or so?
....and we all marched the streets in anger at this affront and demanded he be cancelled or even imprisoned and...oh..wait a minute,none of that happened,we just laughed like everyone else.
Having been born in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa in 1943, I remember The Goons on the radio, channel BBC. If I were away from home on a Sunday evening, i needed no provocation to be home by 6pm. when The Goon Show began! I remember the very last show, involving the then Prince Charles, but it was nothing like the shows of the past! Somehow, the advent of TV has done nothing for the Goons, in my mind, because the magic of radio forced the listener to IMAGINE the character! This made the Goons what they are and what they remain to be in my mind. I have a few of Spike's Books, and they never age nor lose their magic! What a team!
If you want to read a very different view of WW2 his diaries are an absolute must. Humorous but with a great feeling of pathos. One of the few times a book has brought me to tears.
Having heard the loony tales of my Grandad, Nan and Great Aunt first--hand regarding their antics during the war, Milligan put it all into perspective on paper. That's what made it all worthwhile, I reckon.
I saw Spike do a one man show in the eighties in Leeds. Definitely a genius, I felt privileged to be at that show, he was unbelievably funny. Being a past member of the Goons Show Preservation Society I have long been an admirer of the Goons and the joy they brought to those who understood their humour
Thanks for uploading. Absolute genius. I've have nearly all his books, still remember Beachcomber and Q from when I was a schoolboy. I still quote 'The man died suddenly after being run down by a steamroller.' Peter Sellars used to tell a story about going round to Spike's house and knocking on the door. Spike had no idea who was there and opened the front door wearing only a pair of army boots, PS fell on the floor, cracked up. RIP Spike 'I told you I was ill'.
His genius was that he recognised how ridiculous we are as a species and wasn't afraid to point it out. He wouldn't be allowed near TV today because now the world is full of po-faced humourless wokes who can't laugh at themselves.
You are correct! I love how these woke 21 century "comedians" have to make excuses for some of his jokes by reminding people of the time in which he made the joke. They have to explain context to the easily offended sheep of today. This crop of spineless hacks have killed comedy. Why? Because satire is an effective weapon against bullshit. Love Spike!
Spikes earliest 'Q' series (made in the 1960's) have been lost forever - deliberately erased by a BBC executive who hated Spike. This happened before the common use of video recorders so not even home video copies survive. Sadly, Spike is gone, but the ideological spawn of that narrow-minded BBC boss now thrive everywhere. At least his later 'Q' shows are preserved.
someones always gotta make it about left/right politics, both sides are doing a pretty shit job of it. Here you are being outraged by people being outraged, nobodies talking about the more serious things going on in the world
Most of what came out of Spikes mind was so "Out there" a lot of people couldn't understand it. Spike made his own rules, and the world is a better place for it. RIP Spike.
Oh my god.."In 1970, the Irish entered the Moon Race in an attempt to escape the Irish race." Ha! I don't know much about Spike Milligan, but I'm going to learn more!
@@derekwilliams7901 Actually Frank Skinner is funny but Baddiel isn't, I'm not certain how he ever became famous. Probably got a leg-up from the north London Jewish community - that's what usually happens.
I was in the ATC as a boy.One of our sergeants lived on Spikes road as a young lad and he told me that he was chased down the road by Spike wielding his shot gun ! Nobody hurt but what a story! Spike was and still is the best. Miss his influence.Top guy.
I haven't heard the words thrupany bit (threepenny bit) four many many years and it took me strait back to infant school. Milligan was a genius, funny then and still funny now, rest his soul.
In tears with laughter can't watch anymore not watched spike in ages still as funny as first time I seen him don't make them like spike anymore one in a hundred million
I read all his books in my youth and I was impressed by his humility and humanity and of course his humour that was never targeted or hateful. We miss that these days.
One of the few men who got funnier as he got older. The sight of him creasing up with laughter before he even said a word was brilliant. You just knew he was about to say something to make ofcom start sweating.
I met spike in his home in 1998. We were cleaning his chimney. I was kneeling in front of the fire place when he came in and said " Say one for me while you're down there " I was only 17 , and I couldn't stop laughing. His wife told us a fantastic story . One day there was a knock at the door . They ignored it. Whoever it was knocked again and again. So she looked out the window and saw Paul McCartney ( his neighbour and friend)there with George and Ringo. She said to spike " The beatles are at the door " His response was" what the hell do those little shits want " and they were literally in . 🤣🤣. They were filming for the beatles anthology I believe
After watching the video I realise that from time to time I still do something similar to the opening and closing of his hands at times that Spike Milligan would do during a pause in his performance when he was considering what his next move would be. It is a habit I picked up as a child watching him, I had honestly forgotten where I picked it up from lol
@@Britonbear Yes and it is in Latin because the folks running the churchyard thought it was a little too over the top. Carving it in Latin was a compromise. That is the story that I read. Love Spike, wish I could have met him!
When I was little my dad and I watched spike and mum hated it, her discomfort made it all the funnier. My dads 74 now and we still ref some of the scenes in conversation.
My Dad and I went to see Spike at Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide, way back in the late 70's I think, and it was Spike's birthday on the night. When he made his appearance from behind the stage curtain, the entire theatre stood up, clapped, cheered, and we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Spike. He stood on stage and was very humbled, and I think a bit shocked. We all showed how much we loved Spike. It was a wonderful moment in life I will never forget.
In the 90s, i would frequent the BBC radio offices near Oxford Circus and wait outside the Hallam Street entrance collecting autographs.
On my first day there, i had the pleasure to meet Sir Alec Guinness and Spike Milligan.
They both kindly signed and, as a fan of The Goons, I asked Spike if he could sign it to Mike (so I'd have 'To Mike from Spike').
He wrote To, then stopped, looked at me and asked "You know who you are, don't you?" I said yes, i think so and laughed. He left it blank and signed his name underneath, so all I have on the page is: 'To........Spike Milligan'.
Such a genius and funny man!
One of my other comedy legends is Bob Monkhouse. I met him in the exact same place in 1996 and he was one of the nicest, politest and charming entertainers I've ever met. Posed for a photo, signed several times and chatted briefly.
Those are super memories to have to share. Bob Monkhouse was a comedy genius. We are a lucky nation in having a tradition that seems to grow talent. I loved his crack that starts "I want to die quietly in my sleep like my father..." I guess fans can finish that one🤣
@@Telthecelt’unlike his passengers who were screaming’? Actually didn’t know that was a BM gag but had heard it not too long ago 😂
How can anyone not love Spike? The idea is simply incomprehensible to me. You will live forever Spike!
I met Spike at a book signing and he was brilliantly savage. A hippie-type woman stood up and asked him in the most cringily annoying voice: "Spiiiike, what's the meaning of liiiiife?" He paused, staring at her, and replied "I think it's got something to do with not being six foot under."
😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂legend
Genius reply
Brilliant ,
Brilliant!!!! The only true answer!
I actually walked into Spike Milligan in Oxford Street one time and knowing who he was, instantly began emulating Eccles. ''You are the corpse formerly known as Spike Milligan and I demand my Five Pounds!!'' And he said, ''**** off'' and then asked me if I knew where Ronnie Scott's was. I replied that I did, and then asked him if it was lost and needed directions? I must have said something right because he was kind enough to buy me a drink there and chatted with me for two hours. It was an insane experience, but knowing his history (having read his war diaries) got on with him like a house on fire, but he did say, ''You're stealing all of my best material! If you're not careful I'll have you paying me Royalties.'' He was pure class.
Thank you for that message, I, my family, friends, children, just love this man.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful story. I'm Irish myself and I know very well what Spike means when he describes the Irish as "Thinking Sideways" what a complete one off genius of comedy.
Great story. 😀
People on this talking about political correctness obviously forgetting that the British went to war against Hitler to defend freedom of speech, religion and movement. Of course Spike, or any other normal person, isn't going to just abandon those ideals because of a few people who can't take a joke or get offended by the slightest thing
🥹🥹💫😅🎉🎉🎉🎉
Plus he fought against Hitler
Don't get so offended by people's reactions.
@@simonshiels1 His Part in Adolf's Downfall. That and Musso and his parts.
Put him in the Curry.
A thousand likes for Spike and a thousand for dear Bob Monkhouse.
So many of them are no longer with us. Spike, Bob, Tim, Terry, Clive...
I met Spike back in the day while he was touring in Australia. I was about 17yo and myself and my brothers were playing squash when he came up to us between games and spoke freely and he seemed quite a good bloke. We were respectful and quite reserved as good lads were in those days. I didn't really get his sense of humour. Shortly after we went for a swim and I dived in and smacked my nose on the opposite side of the pool. I quickly came to the surface as you do..blood colouring the water and I happened to look up at the window...a big viewing thing..and I saw him looking down laughing his head off. I couldn't help but laugh as well. I can honestly say that I made Spike Milligan laugh.
PS: I had a broken nose and still smile to myself at the memory.
now that IS a claim to fame!!!!!
Now days people need to by offended by something and find the nearest cuddle room , God bless you Spike, you were a genius.
Spike is funnier now than ever.
Boy , does this po-faced world need it.
Sad to think there are those who would cancel this genius out of history
funny old world where comedians today are more po faced than the maiden aunt's of old .
Indeed
The woke weirdo's can go screw themselve's, this is comedy gold.
@@jonathancook9600 And some of them retorically commenting about him on here that are as funny as paint drying ,yes you know who.
"I'm not gonna thank anybody, because I did it all on my own."
What an absolute legend.
On his gravestone.
“I told you I was sick”
@@man.inblack He wanted that it wasn`t allowed apparently.
@@pooooornopigeon IHe wasn't allowed it in English, instead it's written in Gaelic.
@@MephitisUK I know.
Utter genius.
His wartime diaries remain among my favourite ever reads.
Yes I've read and reread them all since the first one came out over 50 years ago.
The genius of Spike is that I just watched 5 seconds of the start of Spike on Q here and I was laughing. He had not delivered a line and I was laughing. My older brother brought me to him via his war memoirs. My mum found I was reading them and gave me hell. I was 11. I broke my arm I was sat in A and E and I had Rommel Gunner Who? with me she got bored waiting and began to read. She cried laughing. If you are young and have never read Puckoon, please please do, it is the work of a true genius, not only a comedy genius but a literary and plot developing genius. The mind that developed the plot of Puckoon is nothing short of incredulous. Deny that and you are a fool, and…you have no soul.
Spike Milligan the Genius behind the writing, the best comic that ever lived, RIP Sir Spike your memory lives on.
Gosh , imagine if Spike was still around today , I wish he was
In 1961 I was 22 and just arrived in England from the US. I was living with an English family near Canterbury and every week we would all sit around the radio and listen to the Goon Show. I had never heard humor like that and spent the entire show rolling on the floor laughing. The last show I remember was about moving the Dartmoor Prison.
In my memory they were moving it across the Channel and lost one of the prisoners who tried to tunnel out.
The one time "laughing in the aisles" was true - his performance in Cape Town literally had me laughing out of my seat. RIP Spike.
I’ve had more laughs watching this short video than I’ve had all year. Spike was brilliant. RIP Eccles.
I have loved Spike’s humour, in book form, radio, and his TV shows, since I first found his book ‘Puckoon’ many years ago. I have an MP3 disc with about 90 Goon Show episodes on it, that resides in the player in my car, and I listen to nothing else while I am driving. I have probably heard every show 50 times, but I always get a laugh. A comedian and comedy writer that was one of a kind.
I’ve had FOUR copies of Puckoon. I’m keeping number four under lock and key! Why,you may ask?Because,if you lend it to someone else,YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BACK! You can pick it up,open it at ANY page,and within moments you are smiling,giggling,or even laughing out loud,even if you have never read the rest of the book.That is the mark of a great humorist.Anarchic humor at it’s very best.
It's amazing that so many moderate comedians have the temerity to critique a genius that was Terence Milligan.
Spike was a working-class lad who enjoyed his base Irish family and colonial roots, whereas a lot of comics chose to be middle-class and remain dreadfully politically correct, and they disliked Milligan for his popularity amongst the supposed lower orders who should be listening to radio and not enjoying themselves watching telly. Spike was one of the few post-war comics who beat the system before trying to beat the system became a popular past-time long after the end of the war.
I had the chance, opportunity, pleasure and honour to see this legend at our local theatre back in the 80s. He was totally brilliant live; got everyone giggling after ten seconds on stage and the audience never stopped from then on. I will never forget that night. I have been a Goons / Spike fan since forever so it was the total icing on the cake for me.
A great memory true. Sadly wokism wouldn't have given you the chance to be in the audience these days as he would've been "cancelled", the wokists (as usual) just wouldn't have been able to understand the intelligence behind his humour nor his satirised life-experience contained therein. Spike inspired the careers of pub-cabaret comedians which grew as a way of fighting Thatcherism, Spike being a life-member of the Green Party which has, for me sadly, now become "woke"!
Do we have *any* comedy now?
In today's Wokeworld Spike certainly *could never have come back to life*, it surely would've been *great* to see him standing for parliament as a member of the, what was a sensible, Green Party 🤔
@@iggyb1033 yes, well put
@@jimstrainsandstuff9539 Even today (2023) when Radio 4 Extra (BBC) repeat The Goon Show on Tuesdays, they coyly apologise for "the langauge and humourof the times" - perhaps people were just more grown up and tolerant between 1951-1960 when the series ran. All the shows from 1954 onwards were preserved and tbhey are rerun on Tuesdays at 0800, 1300, 1800 hours with a further repeat on Tuesday morning at 0400
His comedy was not only funny, it was extremely thought provoking, in so many ways. "Genius", a word used much too often these days, perhaps is a bit much to describe Spike; but that word is not far from the mark. I would rather call it "magnificently intellectual comedy", that leaves no one out of the equation...........or the laughs. Bless his soul
Spike Milligan wrote his military memoirs the most hilarious books I have ever read, God Bless you Spike I'm sure you are making the Heavenly host crack a smile.
His 7 part war trilogy is a work of art. I've read and reread them.
I share your hopes for Spike, albeit me being atheist, & we need comic & political (him being a Green Party, animal welfare & Vegetarian Society activist) who can satirise the decay our civilisation is falling in to & pp with the ever-pervasive rise of wokism which would have had Spike "cancelled" (even as a writer) before he even got started!
On a religious note he was catholic but pro-contraception on the grounds of the human overpopulation of the Earth & seemed to find it relatively easy to be given an "audience" with the Pope(s) on the subject, just to take the simple decision to allow catholics to use condoms. Spike is very sadly missed & the British gov & establishment should hang its collective head in shame for not allowing him UK citizenship (being born & raised in India in a British army family) which even being a friend of Prince Charles didn't help!
Spike was One of a Kind & in these days no one would be *allowed* to step into his shoes!
"I'm not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens" 😂
@@iggyb1033 and don't forget what he suggested for his epitaph - "I told you I was ill!"
Spike, a shy, sensitive and kind man with definite genius threads of eccentricity. Pity today's efforts are so base and sterile 🙏🙏❤️
The tide has gone out,
It'll come back in again!
I would love to get everything he did on DVD, I remember the 'Q' series and to this day I still howl with laughter. The PC brigade can go Foxtrot Oscar, Spike was a hero of comedy in all that he did. God bless him.
"The PC brigade can go Foxtrot Oscar"
Amen to that, Sweet Powers !
The Poms like Spike Milligan, the Goons Monty Python,Goodies were the genius of comedy 😃. Never ever surpassed . Thank you for making light when things were dark.
Dark times for me in the army back in the mid 80's but his books brightened things up enormously, I remember lying on my bunk curled up laughing when nobody else was.
Me too but different army in the 1970's in South Africa
I loved Puckoon
Me too. The beginning of a life sentence in prison in 84 when I got Puckoon.
Did you ever read THE MURPHY? Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Puckoon!
As a young man , growing up in England during the 1970/80,s
Will forever remember him saying quote ...............................
"Im not afraid of Dying , but dont want to be there when it happens"
Proper
His book, Puckoon, is one of my favourite reads.
I'm inclined to watch Life Of Brian every now and then. When dear old Spike makes his appearance, these days at least, I well up a bit. He really was a special kind of funny. Good to see Bob at the beginning and Tim Brook Taylor in there too. Strong childhood memories. Rest peacefully, gentlemen.
I think Spike was a demented genius, his head must have been an amazing place to live, he saw humour in the darkest corners where the sane daren't look. . . I loved him . . . I cried the day he died.
I loved Spike Milligan, a great comidean.
Don't forget George Harrison too! Without him the film wouldn't have been made.
Quite a few seen here have gone. Secombe & Clive James, as well as Tim & Bob.
One of our biggest losses recently is the wonderfully underappreciated Barry Cryer.
@@marmitesmate
I'm glad I was around when Spike was alive. He would never be allow near a TV camera these days.
This is a ridiculous comment, of course he would - we still put fucking Russell Brand on TV.
SAY WOT? So very true
@@glenblake3021 You get these stupid comments from Brunts on all the old TV shows from the '70's.
English Gentleman ....Russell Brand. What a ghastly creature. ☹️
@@glenblake3021 Russell Brand is about as funny as Covid 19. As if it isn't enough that we have to suffer what he calls 'wit'' he decided to shove his ridiculous political views at us. I would seriously like to punch him.
Spike was a comic genius! He wouldn't be allowed near TV today because he was totally un-pc. But bravo Spike, bring on the un-pc humour any day compared to the shite we have to endure these days. I salute you sir!
By 'shite' you mean stuff that isn't racist and offensive to millions of people. But no, what's more important is that you can still laugh at them. Try looking at it from their perspective just for once.
@@neilinely Actually, no. By 'shite'' I mean the humour we have to endure these days which isn't actually humour at all. It relies on bad language and shock value to get laughs. What's being said isn't funny at all, it's the fact that it's being said that makes people laugh. That's not humour to me.
@MeganInStarlight The thing is that, in those days, people understood that humour was just that. It was a laugh, poking fun, a dig at someone different to us. It was understood as such, and it worked both ways. Men made jokes about women and vice versa. Whites made jokes about blacks and vice versa.
The point is that back then, very few people were offended by the humour, they took it at face value and laughed at it. Nowadays society has become so paranoid about prejudice and racism that people lose their careers and relationships simply for one innocent comment taken out of context. This is insanity; bring back the old days where we all laughed at each other and only extremists were offended.
I was introduced to Spike's comedy in the 60s and I still read his brilliant Army books. He was a gifted and kind man and also brought my attention to the plight of caged hens some 30 years ago . A great man and his like won't come along again, especially in this PC pox-ridden country.
His book ,the little pot boiler ,had me in tears,loved him!
His commentary on working class America was a3-d Chess snapshot. What a guy, Pinballem Gottlieb. It is among the best writing I have seen. It shaped my thinking. Brilliant.
Here it is four years later.
Still pox ridden and not getting any better.
@@markneedham8726 I used the cream on mine and now it's wonderful
I used to watch The Telegoons on a Saturday afternoon whilst visiting my grandparents in the 60's.
That's when I got hooked.
Spike always seemed 100% authentic. He never looked all that comfortable on TV because he wasn't a TV person, he was his own self. No-one understood what he was doing, which was exactly how he wanted it. Even now, there is no category to put Spike Milligan in, other than the Spike Milligan category.
a Genius who made my life a happier place to live in and still does......bless the bugger
Amazing, the clip sketch with the senior police officer, Spike looks like an elderly Johnathan Ross 😂
When I grew up at 12pm Saturday ABC (Australia) "The Goon Show." was on, I was old enough to understand the jokes. All I wish I could do is thank great comedians like Spike, Tommy Cooper, Dave Allen, Monty Python crew for giving me my off beat humor I now have.
In this crappy year, "I'm walking backwards for christmas."
My late father put that on our cassette tape of Christmas music. People who came over to our house would be like, "What the hell is this?" while smiling and laughing!
Across the Irish Sea, perchance.
Spike Milligan was one of the best comedians/writers we will ever see.
Spike tapped into the Eccentric British Humour , complete bonkers and as a kid i pissed myself watching him with my Dad , Legend .
That'd the IRISH in him! Mighty Craic!
@@trishameenaghan8982 he wasnt irish. he wasnt funny at all. the sort of person who's consensually funny. he never had it. He just wasn't funny
God knows where English Humour would be now if it weren't for Spike.
God bless him !
@Wallace Carney
"hatched in India!"
And still never learned how to make a decent curry ! Even genius has its limitations, I suppose.
@Wallace Carney Still Irish, English.
Proper British humour is almost gone , what with the recent death of Sean Locke and 🐂💩 pc it is almost completely extinct
Thanks for posting this. I'm with Spike all the way, and as somebody pointed out, his experiences in
North Africa in the army would have been enough to send anybody over the edge, comedy saved him.
Spike was a trail blazer and his humour inspired so many into the world of anarchic comedy and
the alternative comedians of the 80's and 90's.
I agree totally, the likes of Alexei Sayle, Ben Elton & Richard Curtis all said this, plus the burgeoning rise in pub-cabaret comedians in the 1980's owed much to Spike's courage in not being afraid of "upsetting" weak-minded members of the audience & unlike many of the new American-style comedians he never set out to get "shock laughter" from the audience, his humour was intelligent & based on his life-experience, he was also a great writer which is overlooked as was his active membership of the Green Party & support for animal welfare (also being vegetarian). He did notably well for a man suffering from shellshock & true manic depression (unlike Stephen Fry & his invented mental illness). Today, in "Wokeworld" & not being an old Etonian, he would have been "cancelled" & shunned & now, more than ever, we NEED comic geniuses like Spike to make sense of a Human civilisation which appears to be coming to an end.
Midway through his show at the Wellington Opera House sometime in the 1970s, Spike suddenly stopped and pointed at something high above. “Look!” he shouted, “a finger!”
There has never been anyone more wacky than Spike, A bloody legend
Loved everything he ever did. The most brilliant comedian ever. Sadly he wouldn’t be allowed to do it now.
Indeed, he was wonderful.
it's ok that some comedy wouldnt be allowed now. It's called evolution. But you'll be ok.
Dear spike, you filled parts of my life with laughter and made me feel great, thank you god bless.mega thank you
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PARTS--DON'T LEAVE IT LIKE THAT
Apologies for this utterly random question David, but did you go to Blairgowrie High in SA?
I've been searching for the sketch at 6:21 for about the last twenty years! Thanks so much for this post
I have so many great memories with my father as we both listened to Spike and the Goon show.
Same - was big here in Australia.
I miss him. He's needed now more than ever
This is why I love the pure English humor so much
There are not enough superlatives to describe just how good Spike was.
The man is a legend. Between him and the rest of the comedians at that time, he was so ahead of his time.
The one time I literally almost choked to death laughing was that one comedy awards where Spike was recieving some lifetime achievement thing or other. The Prince Of Wales had given a very complimentary speech, recounting how he loved the Goons as a boy, etc.
Spike comes on and calls the heir to the throne a "crawling bastard".😂💀
Well. He is a crawling bastard. Like his bestie, Nicholas Witchell.
What are you two on about? He said grovelling not crawling.
It's well known that Prince Charles loved The Goons.
No, it was 'Shovelling Mustard'
No, it was 'Curdling Custard'
His Dad once woke him up in the middle of the night and said, 'I've never shot a tiger'.
Love Spike, one of the only books I've read his War Time Experiences and the Looney where I was in hysterics whilst on this coach for 8 hours. The disapproving looks I got were a picture, didn't bother me.
1939:- Spike and his dad sitting in the kitchen watching his mother digging the Anderson Shelter.
Dad:- she's a wonderful little woman.
Spike:-....and getting shorter by the minute.
First time I watched his Fresh Fruit Song, I couldn't get to sleep for laughing, and getting up 3 times to watch it again. Finally got to sleep at 2am. Love him.
Bob was a comedian, Spike was a genius.
I met spike in woy woy where he lived. We still walk backwards for Christmas in his honour.
I'm 74 ,,, always listened to the Goon show but I've never seen any of these sketches ,,,,,. must look for more.
#
Even his face makes me laugh. Brought joy to millions .
The Pakistani dalek is my favourite sketch ever. Inspired
Oirish astro'nauts.
And, if you really get it, it's actually anti-racist.
"Now you know what's wrong with the country."
I showed that to my 22 to nephew....he said"racist"....ffs,the brainwashing worked.
Mine too, if ever your feeling down watch it
I agree, it's hilarious 😂
His books on his time in uniform are hilarious
I was reading one of spikes memoirs, I thought I was going to die, I couldn’t breathe from laughing so much, absolutely a brilliant man.
He's a absolute genius in comedy it's a fine line between genius and madness
Well done posting this. Excellent tribute to a wonderful, anarchic genius.
Along with all the other great comments and observations from everyone else, which are all excellent, Danny Baker's really hits the nail on the head for me... 👌
Glad pc never stopped Spike...pity we will never get the like of him again.
The PC brigade have won, for now.
@@billfranklin9443 Bullshit, you can still say whatever you want, make whatever joke you want, look at the morons in charge of the UK and the US right now. "PC" is a fascist dogwhistle.
@@theothertonydutch"You can still say whatever you want, make whatever joke you want" Count Dankula being arrested and League being pulled from Pedoflix are just 2 examples of 100% proof to the contrary. Oi commie m8, you have a loicense to be this moronically ignorant to the cancel culture and pandering that's been permeating the last decade or so?
@@zenksren8206 Yep, British jails are full of people who make racist remarks online 😆
Yep, who could possibly be offended by Spike's "Paddy O'Paki"? 😀
“Whilst in 1972 the Scots launched their own programme to put a man in space” Almost laughed myself to death at that bit
....and we all marched the streets in anger at this affront and demanded he be cancelled or even imprisoned and...oh..wait a minute,none of that happened,we just laughed like everyone else.
This page belongs to Spike, but let's not forget the late John Bluthal who worked with Spike on many shows. A very talented support comedy actor.
And Bob Todd
@@adb9231 Did Todd work with Spike? I know he a regular on Benny Hill.
Also David lodge,I think his name was who worked on the pink panther films with sellars.
Having been born in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa in 1943, I remember The Goons on the radio, channel BBC. If I were away from home on a Sunday evening, i needed no provocation to be home by 6pm. when The Goon Show began! I remember the very last show, involving the then Prince Charles, but it was nothing like the shows of the past! Somehow, the advent of TV has done nothing for the Goons, in my mind, because the magic of radio forced the listener to IMAGINE the character! This made the Goons what they are and what they remain to be in my mind. I have a few of Spike's Books, and they never age nor lose their magic! What a team!
If you want to read a very different view of WW2 his diaries are an absolute must. Humorous but with a great feeling of pathos. One of the few times a book has brought me to tears.
Having heard the loony tales of my Grandad, Nan and Great Aunt first--hand regarding their antics during the war, Milligan put it all into perspective on paper. That's what made it all worthwhile, I reckon.
@@RobertLocksley385 Too true. Some of the things that happened to members of my family were often laced with dark humour and tragedy.
Spike was one in a million, Dave Allen. Look what we got now......DRIPS
I saw Spike do a one man show in the eighties in Leeds. Definitely a genius, I felt privileged to be at that show, he was unbelievably funny. Being a past member of the Goons Show Preservation Society I have long been an admirer of the Goons and the joy they brought to those who understood their humour
Thanks for uploading. Absolute genius. I've have nearly all his books, still remember Beachcomber and Q from when I was a schoolboy. I still quote 'The man died suddenly after being run down by a steamroller.' Peter Sellars used to tell a story about going round to Spike's house and knocking on the door. Spike had no idea who was there and opened the front door wearing only a pair of army boots, PS fell on the floor, cracked up. RIP Spike 'I told you I was ill'.
I met Spike a long time ago. He was a complete gentleman. And funny.
I absolutely love this.
Blessings and kindest regards David from Melboure Australia.
🌏
🙄☝️
Bob Monkhouse ! A great comic - miss him. Spike Milligan a genius !
His genius was that he recognised how ridiculous we are as a species and wasn't afraid to point it out.
He wouldn't be allowed near TV today because now the world is full of po-faced humourless wokes who can't laugh at themselves.
You are correct! I love how these woke 21 century "comedians" have to make excuses for some of his jokes by reminding people of the time in which he made the joke. They have to explain context to the easily offended sheep of today. This crop of spineless hacks have killed comedy. Why? Because satire is an effective weapon against bullshit. Love Spike!
Spikes earliest 'Q' series (made in the 1960's) have been lost forever - deliberately erased by a BBC executive who hated Spike. This happened before the common use of video recorders so not even home video copies survive. Sadly, Spike is gone, but the ideological spawn of that narrow-minded BBC boss now thrive everywhere. At least his later 'Q' shows are preserved.
Kevin that`s ok,WE can laugh at them.
@@every1665 i
someones always gotta make it about left/right politics, both sides are doing a pretty shit job of it.
Here you are being outraged by people being outraged, nobodies talking about the more serious things going on in the world
Most of what came out of Spikes mind was so "Out there" a lot of people couldn't understand it. Spike made his own rules, and the world is a better place for it. RIP Spike.
I was fortunate enough to grow up watching this genius and I still share his humour today and screw anyone who tells me what’s funny and what isn’t
Oh my god.."In 1970, the Irish entered the Moon Race in an attempt to escape the Irish race." Ha! I don't know much about Spike Milligan, but I'm going to learn more!
I've been listening to the "Goons" since the '60s and have 180 plus episodes on MP3!!!
If you didn't have copywrite problems, you could sell that as a cd or dvd for big money.
David Baddiel, one of the greatest non-events this country ever produced.
Same goes for Frank Skinner and that idiot Michael macintyre amongst others.
@@derekwilliams7901 checked out Baddiel giving a critique on Spike. Unbelievable. He is as funny as syphilis.
@@andrewmurdoch6116 You two should get a room and watch Love Thy Neighbour together.
@@mrmyloc I preferred Ain’t Half Hot Mum.
Incredible sitcom.
@@derekwilliams7901 Actually Frank Skinner is funny but Baddiel isn't, I'm not certain how he ever became famous. Probably got a leg-up from the north London Jewish community - that's what usually happens.
I was in the ATC as a boy.One of our sergeants lived on Spikes road as a young lad and he told me that he was chased down the road by Spike wielding his shot gun ! Nobody hurt but what a story! Spike was and still is the best. Miss his influence.Top guy.
My side's are now sore,love Spike and the "Goons".God bless,brilliant.
I haven't heard the words thrupany bit (threepenny bit) four many many years and it took me strait back to infant school. Milligan was a genius, funny then and still funny now, rest his soul.
In tears with laughter can't watch anymore not watched spike in ages still as funny as first time I seen him don't make them like spike anymore one in a hundred million
Absolutely agree
I read all his books in my youth and I was impressed by his humility and humanity and of course his humour that was never targeted or hateful. We miss that these days.
Have always been in awe of Spike from Goons till present recordings
I cannot imagine what the Great British comedy greats would have made of the year 2020, well i can actually...
He was 83 when he died. If he had lasted another year he would have been 84. Makes you think.
makes you think about what?
If he'd have lived another million years he would have been 21.
***** About it.
Samuel Feynman Tribute page i'm thinking about moving to another country right now...
***** See? Told you.
One of the few men who got funnier as he got older. The sight of him creasing up with laughter before he even said a word was brilliant. You just knew he was about to say something to make ofcom start sweating.
pissed my self laughing always got his mad humour RIP Spike Love the legacy , x
I met spike in his home in 1998. We were cleaning his chimney.
I was kneeling in front of the fire place when he came in and said " Say one for me while you're down there " I was only 17 , and I couldn't stop laughing.
His wife told us a fantastic story .
One day there was a knock at the door . They ignored it. Whoever it was knocked again and again.
So she looked out the window and saw Paul McCartney ( his neighbour and friend)there with George and Ringo.
She said to spike " The beatles are at the door " His response was" what the hell do those little shits want " and they were literally in . 🤣🤣.
They were filming for the beatles anthology I believe
My favourite sketch he ever did was Pakistani darlek
After watching the video I realise that from time to time I still do something similar to the opening and closing of his hands at times that Spike Milligan would do during a pause in his performance when he was considering what his next move would be. It is a habit I picked up as a child watching him, I had honestly forgotten where I picked it up from lol
When the Goon Show came on the radio all my friends would come to my fathers hotel and sit round our very big kitchen table and listen to it.
A local radio station in the eighties played the goon show once a week. We planned our lives around it...lol
Oh thank God, I always wondered what David Baddiel thought of Spike Milligan.
You don't want to know what I think of Baddiel
His tomb stone says" I told you I wasn't well" !
I think it's 'I told you I was ill'.
@@Britonbear Yes and it is in Latin because the folks running the churchyard thought it was a little too over the top. Carving it in Latin was a compromise. That is the story that I read. Love Spike, wish I could have met him!
@@andrewlake9699Sounds feasible. I think there are rules as to what you can or can not put on a headstone in most cemeteries.
@@andrewlake9699 it's written in gaelic
@@s8nke Thanks for the info!
When I was little my dad and I watched spike and mum hated it, her discomfort made it all the funnier. My dads 74 now and we still ref some of the scenes in conversation.