From Panto to Python (do-over, ep. 174)

Episode • Dec 7, 2021 • 40m

From music hall to Red Dwarf, pantomime to Absolutely Fabulous, we look at the history of British comedy, the names, shows, and historical events that made it what it is today.

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Music: Kevin MacLeod, Steve Oxen, David Fesliyan. .

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Links to all the research resources are on the website.

“The story so far: In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.” Thus begins Douglas Adams’ Restaurant at the End of the Universe, sequel to his culture touchstone The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. That’s the book that gave us the answer to life, the universe and everything, though not the question. Welcome to episode number 42, which I have decided to devote to [drumroll] the history of British comedy. That means we’re going to try to cram hundreds of years, thousands of performers, and a dozen mediums into a half-hour show. But don’t panic. My name’s Moxie and this is your brain on facts.

Sources:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/truth-behind-keep-calm-and-carry-on

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/feb/17/the-five-stages-of-british-gags-silliness-repression-anger-innuendo-fear

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goon_Show

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Wisdom

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hancock%27s_Half_Hour

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/apr/17/gender.filmnews

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_the_Horne

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/1011109/index.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Monty-Pythons-Flying-Circus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galton_and_Simpson

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/fawltytowers/