The Flea

In 1977 BBC Records released Goon Show Classics Volume 4. It became one of their biggest sellers and no wonder: on the A-side was the episode considered the greatest Goon Show of all time (as voted for by people of impeccable taste, breeding and judgement - Goon Pod listeners) - Napoleon's Piano; on the B-side was the show we're talking about today: The Flea. You heard her back in January talking about The Greenslade Story and back by popular demand is Donna Rees, trying to get her head around the plot of this stone cold classic from December 1956 set in 1665. Samuel Pepys, never one to pass up the opportunity to sport with Mrs Fitzsimmons, is the target of a dastardly ruse by Grytpype-Thynne and Count Jim 'Thighs' Moriarty (Minister Without Underpants to the Principality of Monte Carlo), who claims to have been bitten by a flea while lodging with Pepys. With Pepys being sued for damages and the prospect of war, the guilty flea, a lively fellow named Francois, is detained in a prison cell and guarded over by a formidable duo - Eccles and Bluebottle. However, they are easily overpowered by the villains and with a daring switcheroo the nationwide hunt for the fugitive flea is soon on! As well as discussing the show itself other topics include Tony Hancock in The Man Who Could Work Miracles, Charlie Brown and a football, the genius of Peter Cook and a whole lot more... and remember: You Gotta Go Owww!