The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d

British TV series or programme
  • Dave Freeman
  • John Junkin
  • Spike Milligan
  • Terry Nation
  • Eric Sykes
Starring
  • Peter Sellers
  • Spike Milligan
  • Eric Sykes
  • Valentine Dyall
  • Kenneth Connor
  • Graham Stark
  • June Whitfield
  • Patti Lewis
  • Max Geldray
Country of originUnited KingdomNo. of episodes6ProductionRunning time30 minutesOriginal releaseNetworkAssociated-RediffusionRelease24 February (1956-02-24) –
30 March 1956 (1956-03-30)

The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d was the first real attempt to translate the humour of The Goon Show to television. It was made by Associated-Rediffusion during 1956 and was broadcast only in the London area.

It combined elements of a sitcom and sketch comedy with Peter Sellers as the editor of a tatty Victorian newspaper, The Idiot Weekly. The headlines of the paper were used as links to comedy sketches.[1]

Although written mainly by Spike Milligan, there were many contributions from members of Associated London Scripts, the writers' co-operative, including Dave Freeman and Terry Nation. Eric Sykes was credited as the script editor. The series was produced and directed by Richard Lester.[2]

It was followed by A Show Called Fred and Son of Fred.[3] The title was revived by Spike Milligan for his Australian radio series The Idiot Weekly which ran from 1958.

References

  1. ^ Marcus, Laurence. "The Idiot Weekly (Priced 2d)". Television Heaven.
  2. ^ "The Idiot Weekly Price 2d [24/02/56] (1956)". BFI. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Idiot Weekly, Price 2d, The – Nostalgia Central". nostalgiacentral.com. 21 September 2014.

External links

  • BBC Comedy Guide - The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d