Goon Pod

Hosted by Tyler Adams, this podcast has been produced weekly since May 2021. (there’s a yearly couple of months break after New Year nowadays) If you haven’t listened to it yet, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

In each episode Tyler welcomes a guest to examine an actual Goon Show, a solo Goon project (films, TV, radio, books, albums etc) or practically anything within the Goon universe. They also talk about comedy in general – whatever direction the conversation takes!

To listen to this show, search for ‘Goon Pod’ and subscribe on Spotify, i-Tunes or whichever podcast app you habitually use. If you don’t habitually use any of those, then there are recent episodes at the foot of the page. Alternatively, click on the Goon Pod logo above to be taken to a suitable corner of the web where all the episodes are available.

Tyler is always happy to receive comments, requests or general feedback as it helps improve and develop the show. Goon Pod can be followed and contacted through Facebook and Twitter.

Mr Topaze (1961) – Goon Pod

This week we're discussing Peter Sellers' only directorial feature, Mr Topaze from 1961. Sellers plays Albert Topaze, an earnest, impoverished schoolteacher in provincial France whose rigid honesty ultimately proves his undoing. He teaches under the status-obsessed headmaster Muche (Leo McKern) and is in love with Muche’s daughter Ernestine (Billie Whitelaw). Living modestly with his colleague and friend Tamise (Michael Gough), Topaze supplements his income through private tutoring.His integrity leads to his dismissal when he refuses to falsify a report, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation. He is soon drawn into the orbit of the glamorous Suzy Courtois (Nadia Gray) and her corrupt associate Castel Benac (Herbert Lom), who install him as the front for their fraudulent business dealings. Initially oblivious, Topaze is horrified when he learns the truth, but agrees to continue in order to protect Suzy.Joining Tyler this week to chat about the film's background, themes and ultimate re-evaluation after decades languishing in obscurity is Vic Pratt of the BFI https://www.bfi.org.uk/profile/vic-pratt