The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d
| The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by | 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 origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes per episode |
| Release | |
| Original network | Associated-Rediffusion ITV |
| Original release | 24 February – 30 March 1956 |
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
- ^ Marcus, Laurence. "The Idiot Weekly (Priced 2d)". Television Heaven.
- ^ "The Idiot Weekly Price 2d [24/02/56] (1956)". BFI.
- ^ "Idiot Weekly, Price 2d, The – Nostalgia Central". nostalgiacentral.com. 21 September 2014.
