Spike Milligan
Discussion
The unseen archive. An hour and a half prog on him on Sky Art, based around the house and all his memorabilia, library, etc
Interesting prog, quite sad at times but a worthwhile watch if you remember him and his humour..
Separate prog on BBC on Wednesday.
Interesting prog, quite sad at times but a worthwhile watch if you remember him and his humour..
Separate prog on BBC on Wednesday.
Edited by Skyedriver on Wednesday 11th January 09:02
There's plenty of interesting things on Sky Arts. Sadly I have cancelled my Sky contract so can't watch this show.
I did, last year, read the abridged version of his wartime memoirs which was very good. (He suffered from what we would call PTSD these days but at the time was somewhat dismissed as 'battle fatigue')
I did, last year, read the abridged version of his wartime memoirs which was very good. (He suffered from what we would call PTSD these days but at the time was somewhat dismissed as 'battle fatigue')
"I told you I was ill" a documentary about his life-story is well worth a watch.
Not sure if it is actually true but the story of when he met Harry Secombe while chasing a 25 pounder down a hill asking "has anyone seen a gun?" is hilarious - well to an old fogie like me anyway. :getmecoat
Not sure if it is actually true but the story of when he met Harry Secombe while chasing a 25 pounder down a hill asking "has anyone seen a gun?" is hilarious - well to an old fogie like me anyway. :getmecoat
I think the entertainers that emerged from WW2 were the real stars of a golden era in TV, an era that has sadly passed but which created stars like we will never see the likes of again - Forsyth, Monkhouse, Milligan etc. Working their way through the war, then after being demobbed performing in clubs and theatres & radio before becoming famous on TV. Quite the opposite of todays reality celebs.
I've read a few autobiographies from some of these stars and most of them refer to starting in the entertainment section of the army and performing to troops, or getting into entertainment straight after the war. Some even admit to doing it to avoid going into battle.
I've read a few autobiographies from some of these stars and most of them refer to starting in the entertainment section of the army and performing to troops, or getting into entertainment straight after the war. Some even admit to doing it to avoid going into battle.
Edited by Big Stevie on Wednesday 11th January 14:07
Punctilio said:
Very funny man, but some of his TV sketches using stereotypes from
Ireland, Pakistan and India and his character in Johnny Speight's Curry and Chips
will mean his genius will somewhat fall foul of modern sensibilities.
Why this is relevant for you to post, I can't imagine? Are you going to judge all previous comedians or actors, portraying Asian/African/Scottish/Irish/Welsh, etc., characters by 'modern sensibilities'?Ireland, Pakistan and India and his character in Johnny Speight's Curry and Chips
will mean his genius will somewhat fall foul of modern sensibilities.
Spike was one of life's natural comedians, not by modern standards, but one of the first to attempt abstract comedy rather than the music hall stage comedians of previous era's, and should be revered for doing so, IMHO.
pequod said:
Punctilio said:
Very funny man, but some of his TV sketches using stereotypes from
Ireland, Pakistan and India and his character in Johnny Speight's Curry and Chips
will mean his genius will somewhat fall foul of modern sensibilities.
Why this is relevant for you to post, I can't imagine? Are you going to judge all previous comedians or actors, portraying Asian/African/Scottish/Irish/Welsh, etc., characters by 'modern sensibilities'?Ireland, Pakistan and India and his character in Johnny Speight's Curry and Chips
will mean his genius will somewhat fall foul of modern sensibilities.
Spike was one of life's natural comedians, not by modern standards, but one of the first to attempt abstract comedy rather than the music hall stage comedians of previous era's, and should be revered for doing so, IMHO.
d on live TV and pretty much everyone, including Prince Charles simply laughed. If anyone has kids, do them a great favour and buy them Spike's book, "Silly verse for kids".
"It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
"It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
Legmaster said:
If anyone has kids, do them a great favour and buy them Spike's book, "Silly verse for kids".
"It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
It's stuff like this I don't get."It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
How can anyone read that verse and give it anything other than the mildest of smile? It's not remotely funny, it's just a rhyme.
Legmaster said:
If anyone has kids, do them a great favour and buy them Spike's book, "Silly verse for kids".
"It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
When we were kids we had a tape of him reading these. Use to play it in the car on journeys."It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
In the land of the ning nang nong was my favourite
pequod said:
Punctilio said:
Very funny man, but some of his TV sketches using stereotypes from
Ireland, Pakistan and India and his character in Johnny Speight's Curry and Chips
will mean his genius will somewhat fall foul of modern sensibilities.
Why this is relevant for you to post, I can't imagine? Are you going to judge all previous comedians or actors, portraying Asian/African/Scottish/Irish/Welsh, etc., characters by 'modern sensibilities'?Ireland, Pakistan and India and his character in Johnny Speight's Curry and Chips
will mean his genius will somewhat fall foul of modern sensibilities.
Spike was one of life's natural comedians, not by modern standards, but one of the first to attempt abstract comedy rather than the music hall stage comedians of previous era's, and should be revered for doing so, IMHO.
RobbieTheTruth said:
Legmaster said:
If anyone has kids, do them a great favour and buy them Spike's book, "Silly verse for kids".
"It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
It's stuff like this I don't get."It's hard to lose a friend when your heart is full of hope,
But it's worse to lose your towel when your eyes are full of soap."
And many other gems
Thank you Spike for making me giggle like a 5 year old over 50 years since I was 5.
How can anyone read that verse and give it anything other than the mildest of smile? It's not remotely funny, it's just a rhyme.
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