Return of the Goodies

This was basically three programmes in one; a 'Goodies' reunion special ( wasn't it great to see Bill, Tim and Graeme in their old office again? ), a documentary tracing the history of 'The Goodies' television series, and an 'I Love The '70's' style nostalgia fest. The first two were fine, but the third was a waste of time. Who cares what Emma Kennedy thinks? With most of 'The Goodies' currently unavailable on D.V.D., this provided a golden opportunity to see clips from as yet unreleased episodes such as 'Goodies Rule O.K.'. Its easy to forget just how big 'The Goodies' were back in the '70's. I've still got the books and records. Nice that Jim Franklin finally got some credit for his part in the 'Goodies' success story. Welcome though this was, I can't help wondering why it didn't lead to a comprehensive rerun of the series ( aside from the 'Winter Olympics' episode, shown on B.B.C.-2 in January ). It seems odd that B.B.C.-2 can make this, yet won't repeat the series itself. They're a bunch of teapots!

After a newsflash reports the disappearance of the Millennium Dome, it is revealed the BBC used the site as a dumping ground for sets and props from 1970s comedy shows - and this gives the Goodies the chance to look around their old office and relive some of their classic moments. This is the framing device for this one-off BBC2 special, aired over Christmas 2005, which also takes in tributes from fans including Ronni Ancona, Phill Jupitus, David Quantick, Jon Culshaw, Emma Kennedy and Rolf Harris, as well as documentary-like sections detailing the rise to fame of the three members of the team, their troubles with the BBC (dumped to make way for Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - scandalous!) and their various extra-curricular activities, including the famous incident of a viewer who died laughing at one of their shows, their pop career, what they did next and where they are now. It's a real treat for Goodies fans and offers an insight into an unjustly neglected comedy gem from more innocent times, and my advice to you is if you didn't see this, beg, steal or borrow a copy from someone who had the good sense to record it!