Kenneth Williams on Joan Rivers' show - UK - '86 - HQ

[@Lsmootho]

With Kenneth, you don't even need to ask him a single question, he was born ready to just perform. One of the best British characters that ever lived.

[@maxxheadroom6744]

& one whom I had the pleasure to meet quite incidentally when I was a sales assistant in Debenhams Oxford Street, 1976 where I was working in the fitted kitchen department. Along came Mr Williams & his partner who were looking for a table & 4 chairs etc….he asked me a few questions; then after he left, the rest of the staff came over to ask me what Mr William had said to me.

[@barrypotter5751]

@@maxxheadroom6744 I read somewhere he was single from his early forties

[@rnw2739]

@@barrypotter5751 Could have been just a mate.

[@danw1374]

Kenneth was a one man band!

[@rnw2739]

@@danw1374 Apart from when he went on holiday to Morocco, but then everyone is allowed sone respite!

[@petermitchell6348]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!

[@peterd788]

He wasn't just very funny but also extremely intelligent. He could switch to the serious and speak with insight and passion with ease. He was a very rare sort of person.

[@pmc8451]

He was sharp but there’s a few instances on chat shows when faced with quite intelligent guests and / or speaking on serious topics where he really struggles to hold his own. There’s famous one on Parkinson I think it was where he was having a go at striking workers and he was made to look like a complete twerp.

[@smythharris2635]

​@@pmc8451I think that was Jimmy Reid, the Glasgow shipbuilding work--in. Blair buried Jimmy's Labour party forever. Starmer now presides over the remains.

[@charlesdavis7087]

No matter how many times I watch Kenneth Williams on KZbin posts, he makes me laugh again and again. May he be surrounded by joy where ever he is.

[@poppyd4257]

God bless 🙏

[@VAPIDISM]

@Jon Tibbatts Unfortunately that probably means he is surrounded by noisy traffic rather than joy.

[@fernanditaluiz2591]

Poor Kenneth, only he knew the pain he underwent. And yet, he made us laugh at him. RIP Kenneth Williams.

[@pps900]

What pain was he in?

[@chriscook676]

@@pps900 hiding his sexuality suffering for deep depression because of it.

[@davmar5648]

@@pps900 depression, anxiety and loneliness. He wasn't content with his sexuality.

[@Robbie_S]

I think most of Carry On cast were on similar pain and tragedy in their personal life. Charles Hawtery and Joan Sims both went terribly bad and depressed towards the end and died tragically. Nobody even cared about them at all

[@fernanditaluiz2591]

@@pps900 he suffered from multiple health issues, and when his mother passed he suffered from depression. There are reports of him being in pain even on set, yet he gave his best.

[@SleutherStrode]

Kenneth was a wonderful raconteur its a shame he never knew how much we loved him...

[@michaellynn9763]

I’ll never get bored of watching Kenneth Williams, he’s an absolute icon. Unfortunately, the majority of my generation (1990’s) don’t even consider him to be among the top 10 comedians/performers! The elegance of his appearance, sophistication of his demeanour and intelligence of his words will never be rivalled by anyone in the near future! He’s just a tad behind my all time favourite: Tommy Cooper!!

[@danielpujol8266]

Cooper and Willaims are 2 very different planets though. Intellectually, I'd say Williams would 'eat him for breakfast' - and not need a few drinks first to do it.

[@tatuco8]

Brilliant man. Hilariously funny. You don't get chat show guests like this any more. They were common place in the 70's and 80's.

[@colleentaylor109]

Just watching this, randomly, was wonderful, how marvellous he was. The sad thing is that for him to shine so brightly in public, he suffered in his private moments.

[@kevinrestall4467]

Kenneth Williams. Gifted in so many ways. Articulate, Intelligent, Hilarious, Charming, Quick witted. Sharp and Quick thinking. He does so may different voices which i love. He was a legend. RIP xxx

[@James-vv9fr]

There weren't many people that could keep Joan rivers quiet.

[@kevinrestall4467]

@@James-vv9fr What has that got to do with Kenneth Williams and my comment ?

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Can you even imagine having a dinner party with this gent as a guest? Mr. Williams is extraordinarily entertaining.

[@stevefoster6802]

Absolutely fantastic British humour , he is greatly missed.

[@pneron2032]

So is British humour...

[@klyvemurray]

@@pneron2032 British humour is alive & well right there in your comment/quip

[@lorenzomagazzeni5425]

Too bad that Joan was probably more inclined toward Jewish humour.

[@charlesdavis7087]

God bless Kenneth where ever he is. I only wish we had more film clips of him on KZbin.

[@DUCATEA]

Broke the mould with this one....genius pure genius 👏

[@davejordan7272]

This man was years ahead of his time, his story telling and play on words was brilliant, and they way he alters his voice through his story telling, absolutely fantastic, the guy who as a genius

[@rhythmandblues9302]

Perfect. The best of a bygone era, and never replaced.

[@colinadams5390]

Kenneth Williams pure gold dust!

[@davidwhyberd7612]

I could listen to him for hours. Such an erudite and very funny man with a sad personal life. My uncle, who knew him professionally, met him in Oxford Street the day before he died. He told him that he was to have an operation and was terrified. I feel so sad that he was so tortured in his personal life. My uncle also knew Tony Hancock who was another comedy great who left us far too soon. "Hancock's Half Hour" with Ken making an appearance still makes me laugh to this day. "Round the Horne" and the Carry on Films. Thank you so much for the laughter that you have given me during my lifetime Ken. I will never forget you. You were and still are, greatly loved.

[@Mike1960s-teenager]

Kenneth at his best, brilliant, Joan Rivers who can be totally explosive was perfect, showing respect and she looked so lovely.

[@andrewtongue7084]

Absolutel class - no-one tells an anecdote like Mr. Williams... 😀

[@ianbradley2153]

Love Kenneth Williams, absolute genius, he's sooo watchable, RIP Kenneth, gone but never forgotten

[@dazdiver2222]

I love this I'm a big Kenneth fan, you can see Joan appreciated and liked him to.

[@Steinwaygrande]

Such a genius with his dry sense of humour and quick wit and repartee. Always enjoy watching Kenneth Williams.

[@michaelahern9883]

A true legend. We will never see his like again.

[@ianborrows6860]

I absolutely loved his character. His, to me, genuinely unique voice which I could discern from a crowd. Sparkling wit, on and off the camera. His facial expressions as he acted through different kinds of scenes for me were priceless and set him apart. His kind of character does not exist anymore and is a huge loss!

[@netwrkguy]

You absolutely right. Kenneth Williams was indeed truly 1 of a kind. He was an amazing communicator and exploiter of the English language.

[@NowFunStarts]

I watched this show when it aired, and i got to say that back in the 70/80s we were totally spoiled with great talent and humour...Dudley Moore, Peter Cook and Kenneth Williams, to me these men are the Gods of British humour.

[@goodtimetone]

all gone to a better place now eh?

[@elissaschornstein9399]

Funny beyond belief. I always loved this man. An absolute British gem. I miss you Kenneth you were so marvellous.

[@dobber2905]

If you're a Kenneth fan, read his diaries. Great book and a great insight.

[@davefoster3918]

Well said I agree we sadly won't ever see their standard again, they didn't need to swear to make people laugh

[@petermills542]

Dave Foster. You obviously have'nt heard any "Derek & Clive" then!!! (pete & dud)

[@al201103]

+Peter Mills - I wanted to write a quote for you, but there are just too many. "Myyyy mum came into my roooom...."

[@danielappel1368]

@Rex makepeace I disagree. Joan was every bit a comic genius as well as a trailblazer. She only got better as she got older.

[@KevinSmith-wp9qs]

Great interview filled with love & warmth, the admiration Joan has for Ken is palpable.

[@themirrorsofmymind]

I've only recently discovered Kenneth Williams and he's *amazing*! While he's hysterically funny here, this short clip is bittersweet for me because Joan Rivers' smile is so pretty and charming that it makes me profoundly sad that she was *so* overcritical of her personal appearance that it cost her her life...

[@Mike1960s-teenager]

She really was so beautiful on this programme, what a complex lady.

[@antitheist7453]

Eh? She died at 81 man

[@maries8059]

Yes. But she was renowned for having excessive amounts of plastic surgery, presumably in a desperate attempt to stave off the inevitable aging process.

[@myknittingblog]

She died because a doctor made a mistake fixing her vocal cords, it had nothing to do with her personal appearance. You need to check your facts.

[@pauljeavons4350]

@@myknittingblog I believe she was murdered. Check some facts yourself.

[@PaulMappud]

The spark had gone from his eyes here, RIP Ken.

[@robstammers7149]

Simply a Legend, I've been listening and watching Kenneth since the 1950s, his radio and film presence through his unique voice characters and his intellectual razor sharp wit was and still is a joy to behold. Superb.

[@steveboyce1485]

One of the Very Best , there won't ever be talent's like Kenny's around any more , feel lucky to have grown up in the era people like him & various others were around .

[@monicabrowne-smith8009]

Kenneth Williams was an Ambassador of Comedy and Theatre on radio, TV and films. He really was a genius, gifted and talented author and actor. Kenneth did a few "Carry On" movies, theatre work and "Audience With" series as one man show on TV, which was so hilarious and was hugely popular. He always wanted to be regarded as more than an "Comedic Actor", but in terms of as a "Thespian Actor", which he really was and successfully achieved this in leaps and bounds. He so loved the arts. As he demonstrated so eloquently in regalling events and imitating different level of characters voices with precision, effortless comedic ease and delivery. Although his own personal ife was sad, his greatest generosity and gift was by giving joy, laughter and happiness to his audience and close friends, wherever he went. One of his most valued and best friends was Dame Barbara Windsor, whom he also worked with. Dame Barbara was an exceptional actress in films, theatre stage and TV drama. She was always so generous with her fans in making time to meet and greet them, wherever she goes. Her most iconic role was as Peggy Mitchell in ""EastEnders". Sadly she recently, passed away. We shall miss her. RIP.

[@perrin6]

my god how I miss him. It's so sad that when he was being perfectly serious about some of the tragic aspects of his life, people still laughed.

[@ClassicWorld19]

Yes. You could see his pain

[@Mania28]

Such a shame Kenneth and Joan have gone. Both comedy legends.

[@jamesbyersmusic]

With Phil Collins being the only one left, make of that what you will...

[@eastender1862]

Good old Kenneth..didn’t need any interviewer...he just rolled along happily on his own.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Kenny looking awfully frail here...My first memories of Ken was when he would read on Jackanory. Wonderfully witty man with a mind as sharp as a razor.

[@theenglishman9596]

You have just reminded me regarding Kenneth's long association with Jackanory, great orator, must do a search to try and find him reading on Jackanory. Anyone have a clue where I can listen to some of his stories.

[@kllwc7772]

He was so talented but he became * trapped * by his caricatures that he himself admitted in his diaries 😊Sometimes after he appeared on a talk show he would regret how he behaved ☺️I was fascinated to find out he& joe orton were friends.Orton was SO sexually free and Kenneth was so uptight/ unsure .RIP ken 💔 RIP Joan RIP Dudley 💔 Phil is still alive but a tad frail ...

[@truthteller4689]

Not really. He looks good for his age I'd say.

[@kllwc7772]

Truth Teller who?

[@StringSun]

Truth Teller I agree. He looks fantastic

[@LeeMills-ml9jm]

I never tire of seeing Kenneth in Interviews and The Carry On's - a true one off

[@davidhull1481]

As an American I find myself listening very carefully to understand him, but it’s worth it.

[@renaissance6745]

Comic genius i am still listening to the old Round The Horn recordings His like will never walk our way again R.I.P

[@MrCrowebobby]

From the 'Mutiny on the Bounty' sketch: "Were you dragged up on desk?" "Oh, no, we was dressed quite casually."

[@shack7631]

He was an utterly unique and very funny man. We will never see the likes of him again.

[@shaunigothictv1003]

Agreed. Thanks for being honest.

[@alwaysblake148]

Just found this clip of the great Kenneth Williams. The term "genius" can be overused..But this man was a genius.

[@cryptohunt2552]

I met him twice just walking in London. He was such a small man, but always had a smile for his fans (who he hates sometimes).

[@WisdomWeaverBitcoinBruv]

Peter Cook and Kenneth Williams on the same line-up. Daaaamn son!

[@graemeglasgow4596]

Wonderful man, sadly missed.

[@MsKerryanne]

What is so good about Kenneth is he was never trying to be funny, he just was without even trying..

[@truthteller4689]

Absolutely 100% wrong. It takes a lot of skill to look this effortless when being funny.

[@truthteller4689]

@Cymro 65 Were you there when they were writing their jokes and perfecting their act? Have you met Tommy Cooper on his night off? (Grumpy alcoholic). To be this spontaneous requires years of treading the boards and practice. To their credit they can fool people like you. It's called performing.

[@truthteller4689]

@Cymro 65Yes. Tommy Cooper had a funny voice and got very annoyed when people laughed at it on his day off. True. Saw it on a documentary. Don't mind my ascerbic tone. It's just how I write.

[@davidadams2395]

@@truthteller4689 So true, Truth Teller. Kenneth's seemingly effortless humor would have been honed through practice. Sure, he was a witty person, but these stories were stories told for years.

[@juliescanlan6958]

I love the Emma Chisit (how much is it) story. It's absolutely hilarious.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I watch various clips of Williams every year or so. Golden.

[@superstubes]

Kenneth - hilarious and on form.

[@AJLangford]

They think he's joking about his stance on relationships, but now we know he was actually serious. So sad really.

[@blueskye6372]

True. 📑📓

[@nigel2093]

Yes very. He became really uncomfortable when Joan started on that subject, his whole demeanor changed.

[@Wayner71]

@@truthteller4689 Exactly. Why is it sad? For him it's normal and the alternative is sad.

[@maries8059]

It's sad, because he he lived most of his life ion an era when most people in the public eye felt compelled to hide their homosexuality and being "outed" could mean death to one's career and general ostracism. Even in the UK, homosexual acts between consenting adults were illegal until he was 41 (in 1967). When AIDS claimed the life of its first major celebrity, cinema heartthrob Rock Hudson, it was headline news, because his homosexuality became public knowledge. And that was in 1985 - merely a year before this interview. In my opinion, to be gay in an age when it was a cause for ridicule, censure, or even imprisonment, was not just sad - my heart breaks for them all.

[@williamneumyer7147]

@@maries8059 But he spoke plainly enough about his need for privacy and his distaste for "relationships." Why not credit him with knowing his own mind?

[@cardiffbear]

A tortured soul, but by God what a man - I idolised (still do) Kenny

[@huepix]

I remember as a kid listening to Kenny on "just a minute" on the wireless. Hysterical.

[@sensimania]

His latter years was a big part of my childhood. I had a smile on my face throughout this video. Thanks for uploading!

[@johnd1466]

When I was around 10 I used to love Willow the wisp he was the narrator was amazing. Then as I got to understand & watch adult chat shows I would make sure to watch anything with Kenneth I loved his droll sense of humour, many think he is an Etonian type because of his Knowledge of English but quite the contrary he is of the working class much like me born outside of & grew up in London

[@sensimania]

@@johnd1466 OMG! Will-o'-the-wisp! That's a blast from the past. I completely forgot about that. I need to see if any of those episodes have been uploaded on here. Yes, I saw a video where he took us through his childhood neighbourhood, showed school photos and spoke of his background.

[@ianjames8794]

Timeless. What a brilliantly funny genius. 😢

[@kateelderson]

Kenneth has given a great deal of pleasure and this interview shows his great charm.

[@kerryevans5892]

I adore Kenneth what a true gent he was, such a fabulous actor and friend to many ❤

[@neilewart4347]

Very clever man with a totally unique style. Outrageous but very entertaining.

[@barney42bbswb]

What a line up of guests here. Great to see Rivers trying to stifle her giggles, as the rest chuckled away. Williams deserved to have been as happy he made his audiances. A one off... Gone well before his time sadly. RIP Great Sir.

[@bobcairns7239]

A rare character, fascinating, like looking at the sky at night, the harder you look the more you think what is it.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

And then you realise you are looking at a rare star :)

[@MrPoupard]

My goodness .... what style he had.

[@johnnywires943]

He was brilliant.An absolute genius.I rate him up there with the best such as another favourite of mine Robin Williams.

[@williefinn4932]

that great list of unique british comics...all different..all magnificent...spike milligan, peter cooke, peter sellers, tommy cooper, les dawson, kenneth williams, eric sykes, eric morecambe etc. etc.

[@anonUK]

@Dave Coyle The only one still alive who could hold a candle to any of them is John Cleese- and he hasn't been funny for over 30 years.

[@johnknow4097]

@@anonUK I would have thought John Cleese was of a later generation not that of Kenneth Williams who like his contemporaries honed his skills entertaining the forces during world war two. Perhaps you should have said Stanley Baxter who as far as I'm aware is still alive and kicking.

[@anonUK]

@@johnknow4097 I didn't say he was of that generation- I was saying that he was among the best comedians still alive and, at his best (1979), was one of the few who could be compared to those mentioned above.

[@johnknow4097]

@@anonUK Point taken and accepted.

[@DeNFlix...]

@@johnknow4097 Stanley Baxter and Kenneth Williams were very close friends throughout their lives.

[@disparatedan]

He was an institution in Britain. It helps you appreciate him if you'd grown up with him.

[@AlanCrouch]

Sorely missed..Kenny was a genius..never tire of watching these clips and films...

[@Mike1960s-teenager]

Kenneth at his best, brilliant. Joan was the perfect host, it was great to see her soft side, she really was a beautiful lady.

[@mariefraser2859]

Its quite sad how so many very talented and funny people who have the ability to make the rest of us laugh live such tragic and tortured lives themselves. A great personality who was quite simply brilliant and a constant source of side aching laughs.

[@EdwardEdge672]

Absolutely fabulous raconteur and truly gifted comic performer Kenneth Williams was - you can see very clearly how much Joan Rivers adored him, I’ve never seen her laugh so much when interviewing a guest- today there are lots of celebrities doing road trip shows- A Kenneth Williams and Joan Rivers road trip show would have been sensational ❤

[@biggusunitus]

After watching fantabulosa the other week started reading his diaries. Extraordinary.

[@rael1999]

There were few finer raconteurs than Kenneth....an amazing talent ! Fry I feel is the only person who comes close to him these days....RIP Kenny you 'ol bugger You !

[@mr.coolmug3181]

Stephen Fry? are you taking the piss?

[@degsbabe]

Anybody fancy a trip to Tangiers?Williams enjoyed his trips over there.But was paranoid about hygiene in his own abode. Hypocrite.

[@joppadoni]

You cant see the S. Fry parallels? Simply different comedic generations, otherwise very similar, very much as talented and clever and as endearing.

[@tgmolmmovies]

What talent does Fry have?

[@RobertSeviour1]

Fry, endearing? Jellied eels, haute cuisine?

[@laddersman]

Kenneth Williams true comedy genius . we will never see likes of him again . R.I.P .

[@emperorsdragon]

When Kenneth was on form, as he is here; no one could compete.

[@garysinglewood6369]

Simply the best Kenneth God love you x

[@greaterbayareahero1401]

Kenneth is so funny. Made my day! May he RIP.

[@raadiodaysyt]

Absolutely adore this man! Watched him in the "Carry On" movies when I was in junior high. So wish he was still here! Has influenced me in my own character acting! Love you, Kenny!

[@BlytheWorld1972]

oh what a man i just hope he knows now how much he was very very loved

[@johnking5174]

Oh Kenny how we miss you! This April 2017 will be the 29th anniversary of his death.

[@englishmaninfrance661]

Brilliant . I grew up with this humour , it's still genius

[@bridgetchapman5985]

Thank you for sharing! ❤️ xx

[@kennyhagan5781]

Carry On Up The Khyber is my favorite Carry On movie, and Kenneth Williams was the absolute BEST in it. His aristocratic tone made his lines so awfully funny that I hurt myself laughing the first time I watched it. I'm certain that he's making the other actors in Heaven laugh that same way.

[@ideaphile]

Wow! Kenneth Williams AND Derek & Clive on the same show!

[@paulspydar]

Oh how I miss Kenny, Aww Bless. RIP 2019 & not forgotten,

[@tixie1895]

Love Kenneth Williams, loved reading his diaries. Incredibly funny but a very tortured soul who was often unhappy and in pain. Wish he was still here ❤

[@malcolmgeorge1180]

He's one of the few made Joan Rivers quiet, less mad.

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

That's because she knew how to interview him to get the most entertainment from it.

[@solace16]

Carry On's wouldn't the same without him. He was brilliant on every appearance. My favourite has to be the 'constipated cow' incident where he, being a bachelor, was caught giving some marital advice to a couple.

[@TehXzeLFX]

That was Carry On loving

[@philbee56]

That's SO SWEET, Charlotte - I was a young man in Ken's heyday......I feel he's left us with an extraordinarily entertaining/intellectual/comic/complex presence that latterday so-called 'wits' cannot hold a candle to. Bless you, & seek out his Edith Evans anecdote......ab priceless!!!

[@jrgboy]

Kenneth met his match on Parkinson with shipyard union leader Jimmy Reid, Kenny was trying to impress by quoting rare poetry , Jimmy just looked at him & quoted some back, Kenny looked quite moved and said it was beautiful and asked who wrote it, Jimmy said ' I did!!' Kenny was totally speechless... Unfortunately the video of this was erased - the story is quoted in several Kenneth Williams biographies..

[@MichaelSmith-ui5zs]

+jrgboy did Kenny mention it in his diaries I wonder?

[@afritimm]

jrgboy I have seen it on KZbin. Can’t say where.

[@Norfolk250]

Well, captioning (bless its heart) juhhhhhhst couldn't get a leg over!!

[@brucedanton3669]

I remember this series on BBC2 at the time. I don't think we ever saw it though, but I know in the Radio Times listings then in the one he was on it said something about him and the other guests asking are they virgins-indeed so too?! I know that the now late Joan Rivers did this talk show here in Britain; although when this aired in early 1986 I think it was the only series that she did here though, before going back to the USA later on. It was on a Monday night at 9.30pm then if I remember rightly so too. Thank you though too!

[@brucedanton3669]

And of course too Kenneth Williams certainly knew what he was on about; as well as all the old Carry On films he was in before that too! A shame that he died when he did though, although I am sure we read later on that he took his own life though alas too.

[@brucedanton3669]

I think that too the series was slated later on because of her manners or styles, which is why there was not another series of hers. But I am not too sure though?

[@disparatedan]

He did quite a bit of Parky - and I THINK it was on that show that he met his MATCH - I believe it was Desmond Morris. The thing is, Kenny was a highly intelligent man who felt more comfortable if people treated him as a jester. But Desmond saw right through that and challenged him to admit he was actually an intellectual (not something many would be CHALLENGED with!) It TOTALLY threw Kenny! On the one hand, to admit he was a genius would have invited emotional INVASION, while to claim... [more]

[@jozefserf2024]

From a time when huge talent was routinely taken for granted.

[@elizabethcurtin4468]

So fantastic what a man of the spoken word RIP Kenneth Williams.

[@Laurawhittz]

fantastic, 2 comedy greats :)

[@jimisi7424]

And that is how it is done! Remarkable

[@charlesdavis7087]

Thank you You Tube for bring us Kenneth Williams. He was... and is so outrageous. I just discovered him via You Tube... for which I am truly grateful. Thanks again.

[@disparatedan]

Echo that! The show has been running for 45 years with dear old Nic Parsons (now 88 - NOT kidding) and although I'm now retired to the Orient, my son sends me the disks. I myself am now 60 (I was 15 when Nic started it) and it bends my brain JUST as much as it used to in Kenny Williams' time!

[@anonUK]

He was always "Nicholas", rarely "Nick" and certainly never "Nic". Did you know him personally? Anyway he died last month.

[@None-zc5vg]

In the '60s, Parsons may well have been "Nick" during his time with comedian Arthur Haynes (d. 1966).

[@lPinkRainn]

i hate to think, that he seems so normal and such a happy man on tv but when you read his diaries you realise that so much was wrong with him. i was thinking about it last night and it just doesnt seem real because he just seems so happy like nothing gets him down. i may be only 16 and born long after his death. but i wish he was still around. and ido miss him loads. hes such a beauitiful amazing man. always loved R.I.P Kenny, 23 years ago this friday. :/ x

[@eleanorwalmsley635]

The most funny people are usually masking something very dark.... And are in a lot of pain and anguish.

[@frankiewilliams]

Thanks for uploading this, am a huge Kenny W fan. I wish Kenny could of had his own chatshow in the 1980s, even though he did step in for Wogan in 1986. He looks about in his 80s here even though he was only 60.

[@ElvarMasson]

Who's Kenny W ?