Goon Show Companion: A History and Goonography

Roger Wilmut is a great chronicler of 20th Century British comedy. All his books are worth reading, and this one-- a concise, well-written guide to the BBC's peerless Goon Show-- is no exception. Meticulous research and intelligent evaluation all in one package.

I first bought this as a spotty teenage goon fan in the late 1970s. It's still probably the best systematic guide to the show, carefully listing the shows by name, and providing the alternative names when they were not coherently announced. What I particularly enjoyed was his analysis of the characters - the tendency of them to pair up [with the notable exeception of Bloodnok] and the decline of Moriarty as the shows progressed. He also gives due regard to the importance of Secombe/Seagoon in the mix - something ofen overlooked by fans. Wilmut writes well, if a little dryly at times. The book could have done with more anecdotes about the show - a lack which indicates an absence of input from the principal participants. It's now about 20 years since it was first published, and the book probably does need an update. But this is still the most essential guide to a show that revolutionised comedy, even if the humour has now dated somewhat.