The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d

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The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d
Written by
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes6
Production
Running time30 minutes
Original release
Network Associated-Rediffusion
Release24 February (1956-02-24) 
30 March 1956 (1956-03-30)

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.

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References

  1. Marcus, Laurence. "The Idiot Weekly (Priced 2d)". Television Heaven.
  2. "The Idiot Weekly Price 2d [24/02/56] (1956)". BFI. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018.
  3. "Idiot Weekly, Price 2d, The – Nostalgia Central". nostalgiacentral.com. 21 September 2014.