Kenneth Williams' Stop Messing About (Classic BBC Radio Comedy)

Oct 1, 2024 5:38 AM

Author:Myles Rudge,Kenneth Williams,Hugh Paddick,Joan Sims

‘Stop Messing About - the first all-nude radio show. Nervous listeners are advised to keep their eyes closed... and it’s forbidden to take photographs.’ Taking over the mantle of 'Round the Horne', 'Stop Messing About' carried on the comedy tradition, which reunited Kenneth Williams with his 'Carry On' co-star Joan Sims and Hugh Paddick. These four episodes include the story of a young politician, who can put his hand to anything. It also features the Homey Secretary and his friend Black Rod (who bear a bona similarity to Julian and Sandy), and whose performances on the floor of the House leave a lot to be desired... There’s also a dirty wartime romp and the tale of a naughty gnome. We’re introduced to Varda Marvello the Mind Reader, and a movie spoof called '2002: A Space Oddity'. Featuring Douglas ‘Hot Lips’ Smith and 'Crackerjackanory With Mother', 'Stop Messing About' is packed with outrageously funny sketches, parodies and saucy songs. Join Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick and Joan Sims as they go beyond 'Round the Horne'.

Reviews

Serpent Crest: Aladdin Time is a jolly romp with a little tongue in cheek humour for good measure

—— Andy Howells , https://suite.io

A droll account of Kermode's rise to becoming the most prominent, and extravagantly quiffed, movie pundit in Britain

—— Stephen Dalton , The Times

Bubbles with gleeful obsession

—— Reader's Digest

Breezy, entertaining ... certainly made me laugh

—— Independent

In an industry where serious film criticism is increasingly marginalised, we're lucky to have him

—— Ali Catterall , Word

Scrapes, star encounters, filmic fixations and irreverent cinematic asides

—— Venue

Definitive.

—— Under the Radar

The myth-making that surrounds the memory of Bob Marley has largely obscured the contribution of his fellow Wailers, Neville "Bunny" Livingston (later Bunny Wailer) and Peter Tosh. I and I restores these two to their rightful position

—— New Statesman

Grant...is skilled at peeling away layers of history

—— Observer

There are illuminating details and fresh revelations

—— Independent

This intelligent study...offers something more than the usual story of rags-to-riches and ganja-fuelled Rasta-speak. This book is full of...insights and revelations

—— James Ferguson , Times Literary Supplement

The three pillars - Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer - occupy equal roles in this illuminating study from the cross-roads of music and society

—— Boyd Tonkin , Independent, Books of the Year

Utterly riveting

—— Rob Fitzpatrick , Sunday Times

Vivid biography...This brilliant book is not just about Jamaica, but also about ourselves, no longer the country of The King's Speech but a post-imperial nation, many of whose citizens have a buried history of slavery

—— Maggie Gee , Guardian

Masterful biography...It is utterly riveting, taking in, as it does, true crime, West African folk magic and deeply corrupt politics

—— Rob Fitzpatrick , Sunday Times

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