Milligan’s war memoirs are truly brilliant. You get a better idea of the reality of WW2 through them than from all the learned academic tomes that have been produced highly recommended
His 6 part trilogy. Genius My first Spike book was Puckoon. I was a teenage electrical apprentice and on the way in the train to work I would read 'Puckoon'. I could not control, my laughter. One morning someone asked me what I was reading. Wiping tears from my eyes, I told them it was Spikes 'Puckoon'. I tell you no lie, that within 1 month, I heard several others laughing their heads off. They also, were reading Puckoon. As a lad my dad and I would listen to the Goon Show every Saturday at 12 noon. This instilled in me a very twisted sense of humour. Fortunately I have also infected my sons. Spikes type of language gymnastics is EXTREMELY rare these days especially without the poisoning of F-bombs
Two of my heroes. May both gentlemen rest in peace. Many thanks for making this video available. Wonderful recording quality too, to do both gentlemen full justice.
Dueing my early twenties ( 30 yesrs past ) my psychiatrist gave me Spikes autobiography to read . He had always been a favorite of my parents but I had culturally been too young to appreciate him myself but I realised i realky liked him and the reasons for that. The internet although mostly bad had its positives and videos like this and the availability there of are a great thing . Thanks for putting it up .
Brilliantly funny and very talented in many fields. If anyone has never read his book, The Murphy, give it a go. I have never laughed out loud so much when reading a book. I had tears of laughter in my eyes. An absolute gem. Thank you Spike for always putting a smile on my face. 😂👌
I had no idea that Spike could sing so well. He and Harry Secombe might have performed a duet. Harry's voice was so rich and stirring. I play an LP of him from time to time and am always transported back to the wonderful days of The Goons.
This guy and his comedy was way ahead of its time. I mean he even manages to drop a joke about cross dressing. He literally makes jokes on the spot. Very much like a composer of an orchestra. Genuis.
Monkhouse reportedly had a photographic memory. He could hear a word and recall a joke using it. Obviously not all the jokes were totally hilarious but the method was there.
Two of the funniest men in show business! There is NO ONE today who comes even CLOSE to their humour. They BOTH could have people wetting them selves laughing with JUST A LOOK or a movement...All of Spikes anecdotes ARE TRUE but so hilarious.. OMG I have NEVER heard Spike sing - what a wonderful voice. RIP to Bob & Spike todays world needs you.. Do miss them terribly.
my bud fred is about 75 ,he was drinking in a pub on the a4 i think it was the huntercombe arms,spike walked in wearing the whites,he walked up to the bar and ordered two pints saying hurry it up they are coming for me,he downed a pint and supped the other,then the men in white coats came and returned him to the hospital,spike was a legend,
Spike my hero who I had the immense pleasure of been told to “eff off who are you, leave me alone” when I was asked to look after him at a charity event we attended!! Will be held with fond affection in my memory banks for ever!!
Two giants of British comedy who came of age in the post war period not only as performers but also as writers.Their styles were very different but you can bet there was mutual respect. It's a shame this conversation didn't last longer because it would have been fascinating to hear them compare notes on writing. Spike's struggles with bipolar have been well documented. Less well known are the tragedies which befell Bob from parents who were at best cold and undemonstrative towards their only child, a writing partner who took his own life, one child with profound learning disability and another who died from a heroin overdose. His autobiography Crying With Laughter is much less funny than Spike's Towards the end of his life when he knew he was dying from prostate cancer Bob bore the prognosis stoically ( and even tried to use the diagnosis to make men more aware).
Obviously Spike was that brilliant bloke who made GB laugh after such terrible times and war he really did come at the right time. I am a big fan of Bob Monkhouse he was so brilliant at stand up I don't think his like will ever come again. May they both rest in peace.
The Godfather of so many things in postwar Britain. An artistic polymath entertaimer, without whom there would have been no Sellers or Pythons, etc, etc. Dude was so far ahead of his time. And absolutely fearless, in a jovial, friendly kind of way.
What hurt bob & the series was that critics thought he was his usual persona of being smarmy & insincere but he interviewed tommy cooper & bob hope & his other heroes, & was no more suck up than american talk show hosts today.
@@johntate5722 It was when he brought out his book "Crying with Laughter" that all of a sudden certain celebs saw him as more than a game show host. I knew long before when my Dad told me how he saw Bob on stage and was blown away especially with the give him a starting word and end word and how he would tie them up into a masterpiece which was a mainstay of his "On The Spot" show on BBC1 as well his final piece on "An Audience with...."
Truly a enduring genius who was ad lib to the max, to live in his head would have been akin to crossing a insanely busy road ❤❤❤😂R.I.P i told you i was ill 😂😂😂😂
Alan Clare - he played a song on piano on an old Q prog of Spikes and it was great - have looked for any LPs of his ever since but he didn't seem to have recorded anything sadly. All I can find under albums is 'Holland Park' which is where he grew up.
He was very talented, and very intelligent. No he didnt have "funny bones" like tommy cooper, frankie howerd or those geniuses, and it seems he felt he wasnt seen as part of the elite of national comedy treasures. A mate of mine said he was more of a comedy technician than a natural. But no one worked harder...he was more of the american style of wisecracking gags, along lines of bob hope. And his knowledge of the whole game was massive.
Yes Spike. No one comes close to your genius. Never heard you sing, so that was a treat. My Spike book was sat next to to Koran at one point which is funny in itself. I'll have to go find it and have another read.
I bought that length of hairy string from Bonham's in the 90s if you're interested. Unfortunately, the years have been unkind. It is now completely bald.
This was the attempt from the BBC to replace the Parkinson show after Parky left to join TV AM. It didn’t work as it Wasn’t Bob’s bag, Bob was a writer a stand up and presenter, he wasn’t a chat show host.
Those were the days aye, remember when British people use the Laugh 😂. None existent now. Either people are brainwashed by the TV, and have been made to take life extremely seriously. What a nightmare we're in presently. No one 😢 laughs in case they might offend or hurt someone's feelings aww bless...
I am Australian male 72 y and I know his humour is on 8:08 ly pure Woy Woy not English not Irish...so time for great cultural praise for our culture and wit Barry humphries all our prime ministers who pissed in the queens pocket
@@sophiafakevirus-ro8cc You'll notice I didn't question your contention. Just the incorrect spelling of his surname. If I wish to find out more I'll consult an expert on the topic of this relationship.
Mainstream? Really, you might want to check some of Bob's stand up routine also the British Comedy Guide or Wikipedia for reference on Bob and then get back to us with a revised statement. Also, Bob along with Denis Goodwin used to write jokes & sketches for national & international stars during the 50s & 60s.
![Robin Williams - Parkinson interview [2002]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4LaJDOD5cJI/mqdefault.jpg)
Milligan’s war memoirs are truly brilliant. You get a better idea of the reality of WW2 through them than from all the learned academic tomes that have been produced highly recommended
Re-re-re-re-reading them now!
His 6 part trilogy. Genius
My first Spike book was Puckoon.
I was a teenage electrical apprentice and on the way in the train to work I would read 'Puckoon'. I could not control, my laughter. One morning someone asked me what I was reading. Wiping tears from my eyes, I told them it was Spikes 'Puckoon'. I tell you no lie, that within 1 month, I heard several others laughing their heads off. They also, were reading Puckoon.
As a lad my dad and I would listen to the Goon Show every Saturday at 12 noon. This instilled in me a very twisted sense of humour. Fortunately I have also infected my sons.
Spikes type of language gymnastics is EXTREMELY rare these days especially without the poisoning of F-bombs
I've heard this story 3 or more times, on different shows, but still love it and Spike himself
There was and could only ever be one Spike Milligan.
Poet Musician and Actor Comedian. Spike was really Talented. Bless him
Two of my heroes. May both gentlemen rest in peace. Many thanks for making this video available. Wonderful recording quality too, to do both gentlemen full justice.
Dueing my early twenties ( 30 yesrs past ) my psychiatrist gave me Spikes autobiography to read . He had always been a favorite of my parents but I had culturally been too young to appreciate him myself but I realised i realky liked him and the reasons for that.
The internet although mostly bad had its positives and videos like this and the availability there of are a great thing .
Thanks for putting it up .
Lovely to hear Spike singing, I'm in tears...
Brilliantly funny and very talented in many fields. If anyone has never read his book, The Murphy, give it a go. I have never laughed out loud so much when reading a book. I had tears of laughter in my eyes. An absolute gem. Thank you Spike for always putting a smile on my face. 😂👌
I miss TV like this.
Me too.
Two different styles of comedy but both kings of their craft..absolute genius
Exactly. And it's lovely to see how much Bob respects Spike.
A great video - many thanks for uploading!
I think he is the funniest man in The world ❤❤❤
I had no idea that Spike could sing so well. He and Harry Secombe might have performed a duet. Harry's voice was so rich and stirring. I play an LP of him from time to time and am always transported back to the wonderful days of The Goons.
2 geniuses of British comedy, bob as fast as Eric morecambe and Spike mad as a hatter ! with his Q series.
Two great comics love them
Spike was one of the best of all time.Period.
This guy and his comedy was way ahead of its time. I mean he even manages to drop a joke about cross dressing. He literally makes jokes on the spot. Very much like a composer of an orchestra. Genuis.
Monkhouse reportedly had a photographic memory. He could hear a word and recall a joke using it. Obviously not all the jokes were totally hilarious but the method was there.
There will never be another man like spike, he was a brilliant comedian.
thank god cus hes about as funny as a fire in an orphanage 😴😴😴
@@TheRedleader01 and you pal are as funny as heart attack.
@@TheRedleader01 yeh and you are either a cop or a traffic warden or a border control plamth
@@stansalmon9531 i aint your pal.
@@joemaguire5575 lol
Two of the funniest men in show business! There is NO ONE today who comes even CLOSE to their humour. They BOTH could have people wetting them selves laughing with JUST A LOOK or a movement...All of Spikes anecdotes ARE TRUE but so hilarious.. OMG I have NEVER heard Spike sing - what a wonderful voice. RIP to Bob & Spike todays world needs you.. Do miss them terribly.
Most excellent!!
Glad to see this. Brilliant styles of comedy from both legends in their craft. Not seen before either 🎉😊
Absolute genius. Sat listening with headphones on laughing my head off while the wife looks on pityingly. 😂
Must get Spike's war memoirs
His audio books are free on TH-cam, narrated by Spike.
Thank you YT . Magic.
Spike was immersed in humour and walked around with it, he didn't let it escape him, so on any show it was like turning on a light bulb.
Two very funny men together. Made my day.
I didn't know Milligan could sing...!
Neither did he...
@@TheEllawayShow😂😂😂
He was a crooner in dance bands before the war. He made quite a few recordings. Will I Find My Love Today is worth a listen.
Aww i didnt know that
Never saw this before but how wonderful . Fabulous
Loved the free masterclass Bob Monkhouse did for aspiring comics, in a very small intimate setting. It was his last performance.
my bud fred is about 75 ,he was drinking in a pub on the a4 i think it was the huntercombe arms,spike walked in wearing the whites,he walked up to the bar and ordered two pints saying hurry it up they are coming for me,he downed a pint and supped the other,then the men in white coats came and returned him to the hospital,spike was a legend,
This is a masterclass in polar opposite comedy…. The eclectic and the clinical.
Two legends !
Absolutely beautiful on all counts
Lovely song.
An old cliche but so true they don’t make them like that anymore. God bless Bob and Spike and thanks for all the laughs. 😂
Hilarious and pure magic.
Spike my hero who I had the immense pleasure of been told to “eff off who are you, leave me alone” when I was asked to look after him at a charity event we attended!! Will be held with fond affection in my memory banks for ever!!
Forgive my language but both fucking genius! cant be replaced ....EVER
😂😂
BOB AND SPIKE PERFECT BOTH GENIUS XXXXXXXXXXXX
Two giants of British comedy who came of age in the post war period not only as performers but also as writers.Their styles were very different but you can bet there was mutual respect. It's a shame this conversation didn't last longer because it would have been fascinating to hear them compare notes on writing. Spike's struggles with bipolar have been well documented. Less well known are the tragedies which befell Bob from parents who were at best cold and undemonstrative towards their only child, a writing partner who took his own life, one child with profound learning disability and another who died from a heroin overdose. His autobiography Crying With Laughter is much less funny than Spike's Towards the end of his life when he knew he was dying from prostate cancer Bob bore the prognosis stoically ( and even tried to use the diagnosis to make men more aware).
Obviously Spike was that brilliant bloke who made GB laugh after such terrible times and war he really did come at the right time.
I am a big fan of Bob Monkhouse he was so brilliant at stand up I don't think his like will ever come again.
May they both rest in peace.
Thanks.
Brilliant.
The Godfather of so many things in postwar Britain. An artistic polymath entertaimer, without whom there would have been no Sellers or Pythons, etc, etc. Dude was so far ahead of his time. And absolutely fearless, in a jovial, friendly kind of way.
I owned a small booklet on tying knots, it had a Milligan quote in it ,rope is thicker but string is quicker.
What hurt bob & the series was that critics thought he was his usual persona of being smarmy & insincere but he interviewed tommy cooper & bob hope & his other heroes, & was no more suck up than american talk show hosts today.
That's hardly a reference.
In this series he also did a wonderful interview of a young Ben Elton who grew into a great writer like Bob.
After Bob died all those critics and comics who started back peddling and say how great he was. The funny thing was I didn't need them to confirm it!
Yes i agree - they did it too late, shouldve been done well before he died. Tbh you dont know what you've got till its gone
@@johntate5722 It was when he brought out his book "Crying with Laughter" that all of a sudden certain celebs saw him as more than a game show host.
I knew long before when my Dad told me how he saw Bob on stage and was blown away especially with the give him a starting word and end word and how he would tie them up into a masterpiece which was a mainstay of his "On The Spot" show on BBC1 as well his final piece on "An Audience with...."
Truly a enduring genius who was ad lib to the max, to live in his head would have been akin to crossing a insanely busy road ❤❤❤😂R.I.P i told you i was ill 😂😂😂😂
That song at the end was surprisingly nice.
Two amazing comedians
'How did you join the army?' - 'they wrote to me'. Haha. The men of these days were something else.
2 comic legends r.i.p
I've been a family of Milligan's for decades but had no idea what a fine singer he was.
Well he would admit that some of the notes were in the same key
Two of my favs❤
Alan Clare - he played a song on piano on an old Q prog of Spikes and it was great - have looked for any LPs of his ever since but he didn't seem to have recorded anything sadly. All I can find under albums is 'Holland Park' which is where he grew up.
Amazing intelligence and humor.
A cunningly invitation to get killed what a line lol
6:39 I don't know who that interviewer was but I can tell he had class ... wipes nose with right hand and unloads it onto chair.
Easy job for Bob. Light blue touch paper and retire.
Two geniuses of comedy and comedy writing together in the one room.
Which is also the method of all good interviewers.
A lot of people wished he would! (I know, but It's What He Would Have Wanted).
2 of the greats😊
Genius ♥️
Love and miss this great man, when comedy was comedy eh!
They is only one word for Spike genius
He was very talented, and very intelligent. No he didnt have "funny bones" like tommy cooper, frankie howerd or those geniuses, and it seems he felt he wasnt seen as part of the elite of national comedy treasures. A mate of mine said he was more of a comedy technician than a natural. But no one worked harder...he was more of the american style of wisecracking gags, along lines of bob hope. And his knowledge of the whole game was massive.
His work with Peter Sellars and Harry Viewjizz was hilarious.
Yes Spike. No one comes close to your genius. Never heard you sing, so that was a treat. My Spike book was sat next to to Koran at one point which is funny in itself. I'll have to go find it and have another read.
Spike [in character]: "I know all about Arabs... I seen what they could do to the side of a road..."
I wonder what that string would sell for on Ebay today.
I bought that length of hairy string from Bonham's in the 90s if you're interested. Unfortunately, the years have been unkind. It is now completely bald.
Imagine an evening with Spike and Robin Williams
The sad thing about modern comedy is that a all time great WOULD be cancelled. What the fuck happened to us?
The silliest man of all time. I laughed out loud and I don't mean lol.
Lovely
Two of my all time favourite comedy heroes. Both are genius and I do not use that word lightly. Seriously. I only have 3 comedy heroes.
Dave Allen number 3?
I hope so...love dave allen...but i feel it isnt him
He is right up there. A lovely man and gifted....@@MikeEvers555
Bob voiced the mr hell show.
He could turn his hand to almost anything
Remember Sam Torrance saying the underpants/train story on a chat show as well.
Bob monkhouse discovered Davy Graham who paved the way for the British folk blues boom, Bert jansch John renbourne, Ralph mctell etc
Two overly intelligent comical geniuses. What a class video here.
I saw Bob live. He was so fast and hilarious
Every other sentence makes you laugh!
Two legendary genius' of comedy
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Gold dust, Spike is sadly missed.
Two absolute naturals.
Joy , pure 100% Joy, I’ve gotta say it, if you don’t get it ? it took me a while ………
Spike mental as anything
Tell younger folk nowadays about the sexcapades, the alleged sexcapades of Bob Monkhouse. Magazine shoots were so, so tame.
Hope you’re listening to Tom waites
So he had more talents than I knew of, the bloke was a genius!
... " I think he was, Rob...Bob...".
Spike was an absoutely peerless interpreter of the human condition.
This was the attempt from the BBC to replace the Parkinson show after Parky left to join TV AM. It didn’t work as it Wasn’t Bob’s bag, Bob was a writer a stand up and presenter, he wasn’t a chat show host.
**that** Alan Claire?
Those were the days aye, remember when British people use the Laugh 😂. None existent now. Either people are brainwashed by the TV, and have been made to take life extremely seriously. What a nightmare we're in presently. No one 😢 laughs in case they might offend or hurt someone's feelings aww bless...
Rick Gervaise used the last joke in one of his stand ups.
Ah yes, another brilliant Irish comedian..
I am Australian male 72 y and I know his humour is on 8:08 ly pure Woy Woy not English not Irish...so time for great cultural praise for our culture and wit Barry humphries all our prime ministers who pissed in the queens pocket
Excellent. But why did this country produce him?
Rev Dobson wasn't in love with a little girl, he may have felt love for her but he wasn't in love.
Dodgson.
@@smythharris2635 my statement still stands
@@sophiafakevirus-ro8cc You'll notice I didn't question your contention. Just the incorrect spelling of his surname. If I wish to find out more I'll consult an expert on the topic of this relationship.
@@smythharris2635 I am a scholar of Dobson
He told us he was ill
Didn't realise he had a good voice
Good point, canned laughter never very good
Not canned, there's an audience their.
Looks like youre right - or rather, sounds like youre right
Sorry, I thought it was Richard Harris.....
3.15 t 4.00 is the funnist 45 secs in comedy ever period!!
Caw said the crow...
… Balls, said the Milligan.
@@timboyd2313 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ricky gervase stole the man on train sketch maybe your not so original mr G 😕
I remember billy Connolly saying the same story in the 1990's
The 'it's bean soup' joke that spike uses is also an oldie too - can be found in this old book from 1884! :)
th-cam.com/video/uoyCL1yt-9w/w-d-xo.html
Monkhouse was too mainstream for Spike's humour.
Mainstream? Really, you might want to check some of Bob's stand up routine also the British Comedy Guide or Wikipedia for reference on Bob and then get back to us with a revised statement.
Also, Bob along with Denis Goodwin used to write jokes & sketches for national & international stars during the 50s & 60s.
Nice move by Bob to deflect Spike’s confirmation that Lewis Carroll was a paedo 🤦
Spike stolethe shooooo