The Nest of Vast Neon Wolf

I might not be old enough to remember The Goon Show being broadcast live, but I do wake up early enough (5:30am) to hear it every Friday morning. ABC Radio National has an amazing selection of classic comedy in that time-slot from the late 60s.

I’m currently in love with Just a Minute. The object of the game is for panellists to talk “for just a minute” on a given subject, “without repetition, hesitation or deviation”. Sounds dull right? Wrong. It contains some of the wittiest improv comedy I’ve heard in… well forever.

Now what makes it so funny is the cast, Nicholas Parsons is the host and his guests, like Linda Smith, Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo and Peter Jones.

Now what I’m wondering is, why are these kinds of shows no longer popular? Are they too cerebral? Is the thought of someone being clever too much for the average Joe?

I don’t think so, shows like Spicks and Specks & Never Mind the Buzzcocks have loyal followings, willing to watch repeats from a month before just so they can get their fix. I think that as a nation we are ready to stand up and shout, “We like inteligent gameshows! Shows that are funny and witty, not just another version Wheel or No Deal with a fresh coat of paint on the sets so the punters won’t recognise it.”