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| Graeme Garden interviewed on BestBritishTV.com |
more from same (The Goodies) |
 A new interview with Graeme appears on the Best British TV website, written by Kieran Kinsella.
http://www.bestbritishtv.com/?p=2360
"Like most people born in the 1970s, I was a huge fan of the Goodies as a kid. My personal favorite was Graeme Garden who I regarded as “the sensible Goodie.” As I grew up, I began to realize that The Goodies was just one highlight in a distinguished career during which the Scotsman established himself as one of Britain’s top comedy performers. While he is a well known entertainer, many people do not realize that Graeme Garden is also a qualified physician. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Graeme and I began by asking him how he made the transition from medical school graduate to TV funny man.
“I appeared in a couple of plays at school, but didn’t start writing and performing until I was a student at Cambridge. I joined the Footlights Club, and after I’d left the university to study at King’s College Hospital, Humphrey Barclay the producer asked me to write for and appear in a radio show (I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again). I jumped at the chance, so by the time I’d finished my medical studies I’d been working on radio for a couple of years. When TV producer Tony Palmer then asked me to work on a TV series (Twice a Fortnight) I put my medical career on hold and jumped again. It’s been on hold ever since.”
Over the years you have collaborated with Bill Oddie on many different projects. How did the the two of you first meet?
“We met at Cambridge, through the Footlights Club. We also had contact when he was drawing cartoons for a student magazine (Ffobia) of which I was Art Editor at the time.”
You are probably best known for your work on The Goodies. What is your favorite memory from working on that show?
“It was always a pleasure to see the big props turned into reality from the written description – the mobile railway station, the cream machine in bunfight, the dodo flying a plane etc etc. The special and visual effects folk did some wonderful work. And of course it was always fun in the studio when the audience laughter came.”
When you started work on The Goodies did you have any idea that it would become a cult classic? and why do you think it proved to be so successful?
“I’m not sure we had cult classics in those days! We certainly didn’t think about the long-term future for the shows. I think it got big audiences because it appealed to a wide age-range in the family. Of course it stopped being successful in the UK after about 1982 when it disappeared from the screens.”
Bananaman is something of a classic for the generation X crowd. What was it like working on that show?
“We didn’t write the scripts but it was fun getting together with the chaps and doing lots of silly voices. Nice to think it has its own little cult following now.”
Away from TV, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue is one of BBC radio’s longest lasting and most popular shows. As a panelist do you ever worry that your mind will go blank when the chairman calls on you?
“Well we try to go in with a bit of preparation to prevent us drying up completely. But I always think half the fun of the show is when the audience see something that doesn’t quite work, or when someone is caught wrong-footed. The trick then is to turn that into a laugh!”
What projects are you currently working on?
“We’re doing a charity performance of our stage version of ISIHAC at the Oxford New Theatre on March 5th and recording the radio series again in May/June. Later in the year we’ll make another series of The Unbelievable Truth for Radio 4 – the latest series is going out at the moment.
We are also working on a TV version of The Unbelievable Truth in Australia, with the Chaser chaps for Channel 7. I’ll be going to Oz in February to help script edit and appear in the show. Meanwhile I’ll be in Bristol Jan 26-29 for the Slapstick Festival, where I’ll be showing the work of Charley Chase, and having an onstage chat about Buster Keaton with legendary film historian Kevin Brownlow. (http://www.slapstick.org.uk/)
Then after short holiday I’ll be at the Laugharne Literary Festival (April 13-15) with Barry Cryer and I’ll also be at the Chipping Norton Literary Festival (April 21) . Meanwhile Jon Naismith and I continue to work on developing new shows at Random Entertainment. So watch this space!”
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Posted by jeffers at 17/01/2012 10:49 GMT |
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| update from Graeme |
more from same (The Goodies) |
Here's an update kindly provided by Graeme Garden:
After Slapstick I'm flying out to Australia. We just recorded 2 TV shows based on The Unbelievable Truth, and are now hoping we get the go ahead to make the rest of the series in February.
We have a charity Clue show at the New Theatre Oxford on March 5th, and then we'll be recording the next series in May - June.
As you may know, "The Unbelievable Truth" was developed by Graeme Garden & Jon Naismith as a series for BBC Radio 4. Here's an article about the filming of the Australian pilot of the series (thanks again to Graeme, who provided this link on Twitter: http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2012/01/14/the-chaser-boys-film-pilot-for-seven/):
Saturday, 14 January 2012. By Lowie.
The Chaser boys film pilot for Seven
The Chaser’s Craig Reucassel is poised to host a new panel-comedy series on Seven, following the filming of a pilot on Thursday.
Titled The Unbelievable Truth, the series will be based on the BBC radio programme of the same name, The Daily Telegraph reports.
The panel programme sees four comedians each giving a lecture on a particular subject, with the majority of the lecture consisting of lies. Each contestant must include five peculiar facts, hoping that the fellow panellists cannot pick the unbelievable truths from the lies.
Joining Reucassel as guests will be fellow Chaser’s Andrew Hansen and Julian Morrow.
News of the series being developed for Seven first surfaced in May last year.
If the pilot is picked up to series, it will likely screen on Seven later this year.
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Posted by lisa at 15/01/2012 04:36 GMT |
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| Bill Oddie & Stephen Moss - Unplucked |
more from same (Bill's Nature Shows) |
 This April Bill will be going on tour to talk about his natural history series. Here are details from his official website: http://www.billoddie.com/bill-oddie-tour-dates.htm
Bill Oddie & Stephen Moss - Unplucked
TV’s favourite wildlife man Bill Oddie takes to the stage with his producer Stephen Moss. Bill and Stephen will share memories and stories from 15 years of some of the most popular natural history series ever made! Illustrated by extracts, some of which were so memorable that they ranked amongst viewers most requested clips from Bill’s ludicrous attempt to swim with seals, to the breath-taking air display of a Starling roost (often copied, but never surpassed!). And of course, although the show is called Un-plucked, it includes all sorts of other wildlife, from Dormice to Whales. Fascinating for all the family!
Unplucked Tour Dates
* 23rd April
7.30pm The Regent Centre
Christchurch
Dorset BH23 1AS
Telephone: 01202 499199
Tickets: http://www.regentcentre.co.uk/
* 24th April
7.30pm The Capital
North Street, Horsham
West Sussex RH12 1RG
Telephone: 01403 750220
Tickets: https://tickets.thecapitolhorsham.com/
* 25th April
7.45pm The Brewhouse Theatre
Coal Orchard, Taunton
Somerset TA1 1JL
Telephone: 01823 283244
Tickets: http://www.thebrewhouse.net/main-house/1260/bill-oddie-un-plucked
* 26th April 7.30pm The Rhodes Arts Complex
Bishops Stortford
Hertfordshire CM23 3GJ
Telephone: 01279 651746
Tickets http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=481982
* 27th April 8.00pm he Wyllyotts Theatre
Darkes Lane, Potters Bar
Hertfordshire EN6 2HN
Telephone: 01707 645 005
Tickets: http://www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk/wyllyotts+theatre/what%27s+on/2012/04/27/Bill+Oddie+%E2%80%93+Un-plucked
* 28th April
7.45pm The Gorden Craig Theatre
Lytton Way, Stevenage
Hertfordshire SG1 1LZ
Telephone: 01438 894901
Tickets: http://www.gordon-craig.co.uk/GordonCraigTheatreWhatsOnShowDetail.aspx?id=275&date=
* 29th April
7.30pm Medina Theatre
Fairlee Rd, Newport
Isle of Wight PO30 2DX
Telephone: 01983 527020
Tickets: https://www.iwight.com/theatrebooking/
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Posted by lisa at 12/01/2012 21:30 GMT |
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| Graeme in "The Unbelievable Truth" Monday (and other shows) |
more from same (British Comedy) |
 Following is a list of upcoming shows that may be of interest to Goodies fans. It's advisable to check your local listings for details & to watch for schedule changes. Let us know if you spot any other shows (this is always appreciated!).
* Friday, 13 Jan - Bill appears in a repeat of "Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on Challenge at 13:00.
* Friday, 13 Jan - "Holby City" on Sony Entertainment TV at 18:45 (repeated later in the day and again on Mon, Jan 16th and Tues, Jan 17th) is a repeat of the episode "Best Laid Plans" with Graeme.
* Monday, 16 Jan - Graeme makes a second appearance in the new series of "The Unbelievable Truth" on BBC Radio 4 at 18:30, to be repeated the following Sunday at noon (and then again on BBC Radio 4 Extra the Monday the following Monday).
* Tues, 17 Jan - "What the Dickens?" on Sky Arts 1 is a repeat of the 2008 episode with Graeme.
* Mondays - "Hamish & Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea" - the second series is being repeated on BBC Radio 4 Extra at 23:45 (with additional airings Tuesday mornings).
* Mondays - "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" repeats of older episodes on RTE Choice at 09:06.
Please note: BBC RADIO SHOWS listed below can be heard online via each station's website (www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 or www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra) and then for a week after broadcast from the BBC iPlayer (aka Listen Again), www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer. Radio shows on the iPlayer should be available for listening worldwide.
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Posted by lisa at 12/01/2012 20:53 GMT |
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| two Bill articles (honouring NHS staff & opening exhibition) |
more from same (Bill's Nature Shows) |
1. The Camden New Journal website at http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2012/jan/bill-oddie-honours-nhs-staff-mental-health-heroes-receive-awards-work-st-pancras-hospi has a photo of Bill presenting mental health service awards to NHS staff at St Pancras Hospital
2. The RSPB website (http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/guildford/news/301290/) mentions the Bill opened an exhibition at the Watts Gallery:
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Bill Oddie at the Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey.
G F Watts, the celebrated Victorian artist, painted a picture of an angel weeping over the wings of slaughtered birds, to show his outrage at the destruction of birdlife for fashion, which was having a devastating effect on wildlife even threatening extinction of species such as the great crested grebe.
Bill Oddie and Roger Kerswell opened a special exhibition at the Watts Gallery which showcases this G.F. Watts painting called 'A Dedication: to Beauty and Innocence'. Watts dedicated the painting "To all those who love the beautiful and mourn over the senseless and cruel destruction of bird life and beauty". Watts completed this painting to show his support for the campaigners against the fashion for wearing feathers, who united to form the Society for the Protection of Birds in 1891. The picture has been adopted by HK Associates (UK) Limited, a consultancy owned by RSPB members Roger & Heather Kerswell.
The exhibition runs until 18th March 2012.
Mike Grimshaw, Group Leader, and local group members attended the opening of the exhibition at the Watts Gallery in support of the RSPB.
Details of the exhibition can be found at -
http://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/news
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Posted by lisa at 12/01/2012 19:56 GMT |
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| reminder: Slapstick 2012 (Jan 26-29) in Bristol, England |
more from same (The Goodies) |
A reminder that Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, and Bill Oddie each will be participating in the Slapstick 2012 Festival, to be held in Bristol, England from January 26-29. Python Terry Jones will also be on hand Saturday evening to introduce a special screening of "Life of Brian". The full event listing and booking information can be found on the festival website (http://www.slapstick.org.uk/index.htm).
Please note that a Bristol Silents Membership costing £5 for one year) will entitle you to discounted ticket prices for many of the festival events. Memberships can be obtained online from http://www.bristolsilents.org.uk/supporters.php
Following is a cut & paste of the events with a Goody taken from http://www.slapstick.org.uk/events.htm .
* BUSTER KEATON : Brownlow and Garden
THURS 26 JAN 1740hrs £7.20/£5.60, Venue: Watershed, Cinema 1
The first of two exceptional events dedicated to "The Great Stone Face", hosted by Oscar-winner Kevin Brownlow, here in conversation with fellow-enthusiast Graeme Garden (of The Goodies and Sorry I Haven't a Clue). Rare film illustrations recall Brownlow's meetings with Keaton in the 1960s, his restoration of The General, and collaboration with David Gill on the definitive Keaton documentary, A Hard Act to Follow.
Book: 0117 927 5100
Book Online: http://www.watershed.co.uk/
* GRAEME GARDEN ON CHARLEY CHASE
SAT 28 JAN 1100hrs Venue: Arnolfini £7/£5.50
To say Charley Chase is one of the comic greats of all time is no exaggeration: this brilliantly inventive and prolific comedian contributed to over 300 films as writer, director, or actor (sometimes as all three) before his untimely death at the age of 46. Chase worked with almost every major name in early film comedy including Chaplin, Arbuckle, Lloyd, Laurel & Hardy, and the Three Stooges. Chase made many comedy shorts in the twenties as a hugely popular comic/performer in his own right. Chase admirer, Goodie and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue panellist, Graeme Garden selects his favourite shorts from this period to reveal Chase at his finest and funniest.
With live piano accompaniment by John Sweeney.
Book: 0117 917 2300
Book Online: http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/films/details/1217
* Bill Oddie's Top Comedy Moments in conversation with Chris Serle
SAT 28 JAN 1600hrs Venue: Watershed, Cinema 1 £7.20/£5.60
Whose first records were produced by George Martin, and who had two singles banned by the BBC? Who earned rave reviews on Broadway for his dancing? Who rode on the back seat of the Goodies' tandem? Who has been called 'Britain's best-known birdwatcher?' The answer to all of the above is...... Bill Oddie.
A national treasure, Bill Oddie was one third of UK's top comedy hit of the 70s - The Goodies and the UK's favourite wildlife presenter regularly fronting Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
Witty, Candid and unconventional Bill invites you to join him as he recounts his working relationships with some of the greatest comic talents of his generation, including John Cleese, Jonathan Miller and fellow Goodies whilst delighting us with his top onscreen comedy moments from the last century. You can expect some Laurel & Hardy but otherwise Bill is not giving anything away in advance, and we don’t blame him! A fascinating insight into the comic influences of this unique comic performer.
Book: 0117 927 5100
Book Online: http://www.watershed.co.uk/
* BUSTER KEATON: YOUNG KEATON (U)
SUNDAY 29 JAN 1400hrs Venue: Arnolfini £8.00/£6.00 Concs & Bristol Silents Members
Between 1919 and 1922 Buster Keaton completed 22 comedy shorts. Many feel this was the most prolific and productive period of his life and festival patrons and Keaton admirers Bill, Tim, Barry and Ian have each selected a short to reveal Keaton at his freshest, most spontaneous and inventive. Films include THE BOAT (1921) and THE SCARECROW (1920). Featuring live musical accompaniment by silent film maestro and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Horne.
Book: 0117 917 2300
Book Online: http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/films/details/1221
There's also a chance that one or more Goodies will be part of the Friday night gala (although this is only a guess on my part). Here are the details about that event:
* GRIFF RHYS JONES: SILENT COMEDY SPECTACULAR
A star-studded evening of classic comedy featuring Buster Keaton’s masterpiece The General (1926)
Special guest host Griff Rhys Jones
FRI 27 JAN 1930hrs Venue: Colston Hall £18/£16/£8
Slapstick festival's annual silent comedy gala presents three comic masterpieces celebrating the great silent comedians of yesteryear. Hosted by the inimitable comic actor and writer Griff Rhys Jones plus ‘master of ceremonies’ Chris Serle.
Buster Keaton's The General (1926) is considered an undisputed masterpiece of cinema. Set in the American Civil War, Buster Keaton plays Jonnie Gray unable to enlist in the Confederate army because he is needed as a railroad engineer. His sweetheart, who thinks he's a coward, won't talk to him until he's in uniform. Plus Laurel & Hardy in The Finishing Touch (1928) and Charlie Chaplin in The Adventurer (1916).
The World Premiere of a new score for The General will be conducted by Guenter A Buchwald and performed by The European Silent Screen Virtuosi and Bristol Ensemble. Plus music from The Matinee Idles (featuring Paul McGann).
Book: 01179223686
Book Online: http://www.colstonhall.org/news/slapstick-festival-2012
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Posted by lisa at 11/01/2012 04:19 GMT |
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| Daily Mail article about Bill Oddie: "Me and my school photo" (6 Jan 2012) |
more from same (The Goodies) |
The following article appears online at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2082578/Bill-Oddie-remembers-answering-school-eventually-prefect.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Me and my school photo: Bill Oddie remembers answering back and eventually becoming a prefect
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 6th January 2012
Wildlife TV presenter and former Goodie Bill Oddie, 70, lives in London with his wife Laura. They have three daughters, Bonnie, Kate and Rosie.
This photo shows me sitting proudly as captain of the King Edward’s School (KES), Birmingham, rugby team. I’m holding a ball with 1959/60 written on it, so I was 18. I was captain of virtually every team I played in from Under-14s up.
I took and passed the 11-plus when I was only nine, so I left primary school for Halesowen Grammar School, but was then about 18 months younger than most of the other kids, which was a disadvantage for me at sport, the thing I enjoyed most.
 Rugby captain: Bill Oddie (centre) writes, 'I'm holding a ball with 1959/60 written on it, so I was 18'
But when I was 12, my dad, who was trying to give me the education he never had, got me to take the exam for KES, the best school in Birmingham, and I was offered a place. I knew this move meant forsaking the presence of girls, but since I was very young and hadn’t got very far in that direction, it didn’t really matter. Anyway, King Edward’s Girls’ School was over the road.
KES was my whole life throughout my time there. That’s against the background of my home life, which was boring and sometimes upsetting, because my mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and put in a mental home within a year of my joining the school. Sometimes I visited her, which was horrible.
Some teachers I got on well with, others I had an amiable bit of friction with, and one or two absolutely hated me, including the chief master, because I’d answer back.
I still have a report in which I’m described as ‘idle and insolent’, but this was countered by my housemaster who said, ‘I don’t recognise that person at all. Bill is extremely energetic and industrious and helpful.’
Legend has it that, the night before the Queen was due to pass by on a Royal visit to the city in 1955, some of the other boys and I went out and rearranged the traffic cones so the convoy would be diverted through the school grounds. I don’t remember doing that but it’s become an urban myth, like the one about The Goodies beating up John Peel in a nightclub, or my hitting John Craven over the head with a tripod in an argument over a cup of tea.
I don’t think punishments included canes and rulers; it was usually detention. But the chief master’s way of punishing me was to not make me a prefect when all my friends were. It was vindictive and most people were shocked. But when I became rugby captain he had to make me a prefect – it came with the job. School productions were integral to my life and I wrote the school revue in my final year.
Bill thought he'd go on to do something with natural history, but showbusiness took over
I was offered a place at Pembroke College, Cambridge, a year before I was due to go there, so I protracted my last year at KES, prompting one teacher to write in a report: ‘I’ve seen nothing of him at all this term – I presume he’s playing rugby!’ I went on to study English at Cambridge, thinking I’d go on to do something with natural history – I intended to spend a year doing voluntary wardening on a bird observatory. But none of these things happened as showbusiness took over.
Bill’s new stage show, Bill Oddie: Un-Plucked, starts on 25 April at the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton, Somerset, www.thebrewhouse.net
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Posted by lisa at 10/01/2012 03:14 GMT |
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