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New book, celebrates the radio show, and 50 years of the Goon Show Preservation Society

By John Freeman on June 15, 2024 • ( 0 )

The team at the Goon Show Preservation Society have dug deeply into their newsletter archives and chosen a selection of articles to present in the form of Goon Show News, a new book celebrating the iconic radio series.

Aware of the fact that The Goon Show Preservation Society has been going since the year of The Last Goon Show of All, broadcast in 1972, three heads got together and realised that over the years the regular GSPS newsletters have contained interviews, analyses and general articles from and about many of the leading lights involved in The Goon Show.

A wealth of expertise and stories about the leading and directing of this particular facet of British post-war radio comedy and preserving it for those that come to it later.

Published with the assistance of Bear Manor Media, currently only available from Amazon, this new book highlights the changes in recording practices and abilities, production techniques, social attitudes and the need for a post-war laugh that lasted and lasted. This feast of interest for any fan of The Goons – and the comedy that they gave birth to.

Running to 300-pages, Goon Show News includes interviews with many of the team responsible for the 1950s BBC radio show and their relatives: the stars themselves, writers, producers, sound engineers, agents, and more. Keen fans and supporters are also represented – and help create this font of knowledge.

Crammed with facts, details, and fascinating opinions, there’s a wealth of information and insight included.

Plus, it’s packed with cartoons by Hunt Emerson, who also provides the cover, Roger Langridge, Tim Leatherbarrow, and others.

The articles included stretch from the very beginnings of the GSPS in 1972 to the present day and also include some analysis of the show, memories and commentaries from the society’s members.

The Goon Show was the ground-breaking 1950s BBC radio series which revolutionised comedy and has influenced comedians ever since. The Goon Show Preservation Society (GSPS) is a national society based in the UK, with satellite branches across the world.

The society was formed in 1972 by fans who’d attended “The Last Goon Show of All”, a reunion performance made to celebrate the BBC’s 50th Anniversary.

• Buy Goon Show News from AmazonUK here

• Check out the Goon Show Preservation Society at goonshow.org

• You can listen to a Goon Show four times every Tuesday on BBC Radio 4 Extra

• Want a quick Goon Show fix?
It’s never been easier to listen. You can stream shows from BBC Sounds or Spotifyor iTunes

• The Goon Pod: The weekly podcast about
all things Goon related

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.