Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Comedy was an aspect of The Beatles’ personas that came through loud and clear from day one. In this milestone episode, Richard and Robert discuss the comedic influences on the group that manifested themselves in the Beatles’ presence, songs and in John’s books.
Comedians include Ted Ray, Ken Dodd and Stanley Unwin.
Find Robert’s books here.
Find Richard’s books here.
Find their Playboy interview here.
Enjoyable as ever, although I wouldn’t say that The Goon Show came “completely out of left field”. It owes something to the wartime series ITMA, and the clip you played actually featured an ITMA character, the permanently sozzled Colonel Chinstrap, guesting on the show. Also interesting to note is the fact that most of the comedians you featured, including ITMA’s Tommy Handley, did not sound notably Liverpudlian – before the change in social attitudes spearheaded by the likes of Look Back in Anger in the 50s regional comics had been obliged to soften their accents for national acceptance.
Wow! 100 episodes not out!
Thanks for all of the insights and thought-provoking chat, guys.
Sincere thanks to everyone involved in producing the best Podcast out there!
Here’s to the next 100!
CHEERS!
Great. Love the real and authentic research into this side of the Beatles. The only quibble I’ve got is the origins of Liverpool humour: there’s not enough credit given to the welsh (“ten miles from Liverpool” according to Paul M) contribution – the use of dry, deadpan sarcasm – which acts as a counterpoint to Irish surrealism.
Congrats boys on yet another great cast, keeping up your almost universally high standard over the course of 100 shows. Here’s to 101-200.
As it is the 100th episode of your excellent podcast and the subject matter is humour, I was searching my dome for something incredibly witty to toss into your celebratory gumbo but came out dry as a dinosaurs dump. I was going to try some wormplay like what Ron Bennon nicked offa Unwin, but fought better (and thus won).
So I decided to wait for episode 200, which I know shall be reason enough for you both to keep chatting. Fine motivation which will pay off later (as I do with all my debts).
On an unrelated note, I would like to say that you have inspired me into an act as rank as it is foolhardy. As you may recall from my many missives, I is, was and will be a Beatlefan. I knew what I knew and was happy as such. I knew the outtakes and the offcuts, but never got into the offal. You taut me rigidly that I didn’t know nowt.
So, upon a happy happenstance I come across all these solo stuffs that what never grazed my ears till now and going there later.
I realised that I had a good knowledge of John solo avec ono, but could never stand to listen to much of Paul and George outside the obvious. I never heard Ram in full, Cloud Nine in fall or Ringo barely at all. So you are to blame entirely for my next endeavour, which is a weekly first listen and live with awhile look at all the solo stuff. Every week I will be doing an album by each Beatle chronologically, starting with the first and not finishing until I am done. I will discover Wings beyond Band on The Run, Extra Texture and no doubt want to die at times as I embrace the mediocre with extra exuberance.
I will hold you both responsible and possibly in contempt.
I have never heard solo Ringo, ‘cept the singles. I look forward to gems and the gutter alike. I will also be composing a blog which will start when I do of reviews and things these inspire. It will be written in some sort of English I imagine.
So, there you have it. Your dastardly fireside snifters (how I hope you do this) have compelled me into a voyage. Your voices will become drowned in a cacophony somewhere in England.
And when I am in need of recovery, from the upcoming Macca missteps, I will tune in and listen to you guys remind me how it should be done and will smile as I do each Sunday habitually.
Thanks guys and keep down the good wine. (or up the good work)
Peace
Congratulations! I echo the comment about Welsh influence in Liverpool, a mix of Lancashire, Irish, Welsh, Chinese and Caribbean etc all part of the melting pot. There even used to be a small part of the population that still spoke Welsh at least into the 1980s.
Congrats on your centennial.
Congrats on turning 100.
You don’t look a bit over 45.
Thank you two for 100 great episodes. I look forward to this show every week!
You are a bit harsh on McCartney in relation to his comedy skills. He featured in three of the best comedy moments –
1- when interviewed by posh presenter-Oct 16, 1963 “we can’t all speak like you posh BBC (types)”
2- Day Tripper/Norwegian Wood-interview 1966 SFO “we were just trying to write songs about prostitutes and lesbians”
3- when recording We Can Work It Out – Lennon was trying to get him to crack up laughing while creating a “professional” video, and it worked. Arguably THE best Beatles moment of them all.
We thought we did call him out for special notice, with that dialects clip. We’re saving the ’66 press conference exchange for another show; if we wanted to put every funny press conference exchange into a single show, we’d still be working on it.
Shame the recently deceased Brian Matthew didnt a mention
He’ll be getting his own show, Martin. But we did mention it on our Facebook page.
Indeed congratulations for 100 episodes of facts, opinions, myths, music and humor. I think I mentioned this already in a previous post, the strengh of your podcast is,the fact, that is just you of two, both in the same booth, having the upmost respect for each other and having interesting topics and guests.
If I would have any criticism, it would be that I would wish for more interaction with your listeners. I wrote several emails, without any reply and in the Compiling Paul McCartney Episode some of us were asking for the 5 disc version Robert compiled, which was never published.
Other than that, keep up the good work. Especially if it is such a labour of love.
And remember … every day is a Beatle-day.
Warm musical greetings from The Netherlands
Maurice
Stanley Unwin had another big impact on 60s British rock with his mindblowing guest appearance on side 2 of the Small Faces album Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake.
I first read the quote “They don’t have to rely on off colour jokes about homos for their fun”, 35 years ago. In 1963, was that a common way for celebrities to have fun? I still have a hard time comprehending that comedians were having a laugh with such a topic, given that homosexuality was illegal.
Anyway, I’m sure Brian appreciated them not publicly using his situation for their own amusement!
Check this out, James, and see if it answers your question:
http://ukjarry.blogspot.com/2009/07/fifty-years-of-comedy-queers-1960s.html
Good effort at trying to explain the Carry On films to an American. On a par with outlining to them the rules of cricket! Always found amusing the Beatles versions of Help and Please Please me during the Let it Be sessions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey-0Z5S46Fs