Country of origin United Kingdom Running time 30 minutes per episode Final episode date 30 March 1956 | No. of episodes 6 First episode date 24 February 1956 Number of episodes 6 | |
Starring Peter Sellers
Spike Milligan
Eric Sykes
Valentine Dyall
Kenneth Connor
Graham Stark
June Whitfield
Patti Lewis
Max Geldray Original network Associated-Rediffusion
ITV Original release 24 February – 30 March 1956 Networks ITV, Associated-Rediffusion Written by Dave Freeman, John Junkin, Spike Milligan, Terry Nation, Eric Sykes Cast Peter Sellers, Eric Sykes, Kenneth Connor, June Whitfield, Graham Stark Similar The Telegoons, Oh In Colour, Q, The World of Beachcomber, Curry and Chips |
The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d was the first serious 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.
Although written mainly by Spike Milligan, there were many contributions from members of the writers' co-operative Associated London Scripts, including Dave Freeman and Terry Nation, with Eric Sykes credited as the script editor. The series was produced and directed by Richard Lester.
It was followed by A Show Called Fred and Son of Fred.
The title was revived by Spike Milligan for the Australian radio series The Idiot Weekly.