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The Seagoon Memoirs

Chronicling a 21st century idiot's obsession with a 1950s radio comedy masterpiece.

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A digital
time capsule

Welcome, dear reader - pull up a bollard.

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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The Sinful Savage Tigers

On 17 June 1952, Home Service listeners experienced episode 21 of the second series in all its glory. The Radio Times listing is here....

Crazy Rhythm

A tune that I will always associate with The Goon Show is ‘Crazy Rhythm’. It was often played by Max Geldray and the orchestra at the end...

That’s nice!

At a time when there was not much ‘popular’ music on radio, or at least not as we would know it, Ray Ellington’s weekly slot on The Goon...

Two honorary Goons

I was alerted by this tweet from the Goon Show Preservation Society (GSPS) of the passing earlier this year of two honorary Goons. Marcel...

The Stargazers

The 15th episode of the first series was broadcast on 6 September 1951 and can be found on page 28 of the Radio Times. The same issue...

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