Spike Milligan interview - Parkinson One to One (1987)

Spike Milligan interviewed by Michael Parkinson on Parkinson One to One. Some minor issues towards the end of the video. S01E07 - 9th May 1987
Watch in 4K for best quality.
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Software: VHS-Decode commit 159d91dc
Deinterlacer: QTGMC faster w/bob
VCR: Panasonic NV-HD630
RF Capture Device: CX23883-39 w/40msps crystal mod (20mhz/10bit)
RF Amplifier: AD8367
Tape: SP
VHS-Decode wiki: github.com/oyvindln/vhs-decod...
Domesday86 discord: / discord
VHS digitized by me.

[@JROBC80]

My mum wrote to Spike back in '93 after the release of his book about depression. She had written just expressing her feelings about the book and her own experience etc. Spike took it upon himself to find out my mums house phone number and gave her a call to see if she was ok. They ended up chatting on a couple of occasions and my mum sent him a Christmas card every year. Bless the man.

[@darrenjackson3435]

pp

[@paulmead5832]

I wrote to Spike from a psyche hospital in New Zealand in the 1970s. He replied. I was so grateful .

[@JackMachiela]

@@paulmead5832There's a Spike Milligan Memorial corner in the garden outside the Wadestown Library in Wellington. Not sure if that's of interest to you.

[@stevelee4952]

I have spent the last 50 years of my 72 year life reading everything about Spike. I would love to come up with something astounding to say but Spike is just a lovely genius. We miss him now and should have made more of the great man when he was with us.

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Spike Milligan (April 16, 1918 - February 27, 2002), aged 83 And RIP Sir Michael Parkinson (March 28, 1935 - August 16, 2023), aged 88 You both will be remembered as legends.

[@jacktattis]

Wonderful individuals

[@StarlightWorkshop0z]

I didn't even know he was ill

[@Tabish29]

Norm ​@@StarlightWorkshop0z

[@toppertruthio]

Never could stand spike when I was young in. My 20s,now I,m 62 and he made me laugh loads,and I also learned he shares my birthday April 16th.same as charlie chaplain too.rip spike

[@TheMarathonomahos]

Michael died the same day of the year as Elvis

[@619Harv]

I only saw Spike live once. Edinburgh Festival more than 40 years ago. Totally empty stage with one armchair at centre and he came on, sat down and had the full house in stitches for over an hour. I laughed so much I was actually sore most of next day. He was a comic genius from a very different time. Much missed. Thanks for posting this vid.

[@alexandrinapoananga570]

I was in the same audience as you all those years ago!

[@sandymclean1961]

Never ever found him funny

[@68blues]

@@sandymclean1961 …but you've been found on his site. Why would that be?

[@stanbing5]

Your loss.

[@paulsullivan7579]

At Manchester Uni. in mid '70s l used to frequent a small jazz club called The Band in the Wall . One night, the band had a new guy on trumpet dressed like Tom Baker's Dr. Who , with the hat , long scarf etc and at the end of the 2nd song threw the disguised off to reveal Spike !! Nobody believes me ! Can anyone verify this fantastic experience ? Please ??

[@MrDavidlornehammond]

Spike is legendary, I love him for all his quirks, His highs, lows and everything in between.

[@brucenicoll4373]

Parkinson was one of the best interviewers of all time

[@MrDaiseymay]

THEE BEST

[@user-tm1mt2vp5p]

In the eighties Spike would turn up at out Jazz club and sit there with his chicken in a basket just enjoying the ambiance. None of us regulars paid him overly attention and he appreciated that. He would on some occasions get up on stage and play along with the what ever bands were performing .On one occasion someone asked him for his autograph handing spike a beer mat and a pen. Spike obligingly signed his name on the back of the beer mat and passed it back to the chap who then asked "could you sign it to Wally and Enid" Spike grinned asking, " Why don't they know their name He rest now in the grave yard in Winchelsea church . On his grave stone he wanted carved " See I told you I was ill" The church wouldn't allow that so he had it translated into Irish . Weather permitting when passing the Church we pop in a and share a beer with him. He was and still is a NATIONAL treasure. Bless him.

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

Spike Milligan was a wonderful bloke. I remember this brilliant joke of him, he said he was once asked what he would like to have written on his tombstone and he said "I TOLD YOU I WAS ILL!" 😂😂😂

[@user-wc8pm8eu4b]

Dear Spike left us in 2002 - 'Parky' left us just yesterday at the grand old age of 88. Both at the top of their respective games. Spike suffered mentally with the stress of writing single-handedly the Goon show scripts. It must be very difficult for an artiste to fully appreciate how much they are admired and loved form within the bubble in which they live - but i hope that both these wonderful gentlemen did have some inkling of the love and affection their audiences had for them. R.I.P. gentleman. Thank you for the enjoyment you have given me over the decades I that have been listening to you.

[@synthonaplinth5980]

The PTSD from WWII didn't help, either.

[@derrickmurphy9859]

An absolutely genuine legend a great man whos timing and humour was amazing.We all loved Spike.

[@HaydonButton-rx1er]

What a wonderful interview. I had forgotten the humour of Spike Milligan. Very nostalgic and sad to watch all in one.

[@willtricks9432]

I bought my first Milligan book aged 12 and haven't stopped laughing yet. Thanks for this as I didn't see it at the time.

[@malcolmharris5277]

Spike has been one of my heroes since I was a child. Today I am only 6 or 7 years younger than he was when this show was made and feel I can relate to much of his melancholy and how nostalgia was so appealing to him. The show is notable for the fact that Parky managed to bring out the best of Spike and interviewed him when he was in a good frame of mind; genuine, caring and willing to participate in the interview, instead of constantly clowning, for which he was notorious. Oddly, Parkinson himself comes across as a shade more stilted than usual. He seemed to lurch and leapfrog from one topic to the next. In general, he was smoother and more adept at going with the flow. Nevertheless, he still was able to elicit quite a bit of original material from Spike, and for that we are grateful. Thank you for posting such a trenchant reminder that there was so much more to Spike Milligan than the limited picture that so many have of him.

[@TheConscientiousView]

Wonderful comment.

[@cautionTosser]

@@TheConscientiousView do you think it was his first draft?

[@tomconstable93]

Fantastic. And rare to see him so lucid and with so much time to talk.

[@lynnmcquillan2338]

Wow!! How good was this interview- Spike was on fire .. not anyone could interview Spike & get all that Michael Parkinson got out of him here. Wonderful!! R.I.P. Sir Michael Parkinson & Spike Milligan 🙏❤️🙏

[@_indrid_cold_]

Well said! Yes,absolute gold. No-one like him now and probably never will be again.

[@debbiebeardsley7737]

Loved this man he was brilliant witty and eccentric the best

[@relwalretep]

This upload is a true YT gem, thanks!

[@briane5706]

Another example, among many, of the brilliance of Sir Michael Parkinson.

[@juliescholes3203]

Spike was an absolute Comedy genius , nobody can touch him, the world is poorer for laughter without him.

[@tonyfranks9551]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@bpvirgo]

Thank you so much for uploading. One of the best Spike interviews I've seen.

[@sandrapereira5896]

Excellent interview. Love them both

[@brummiejojo]

Spike. I've read his war memoirs numerous times. Wonderful. ❤

[@johnmitchelljr]

So great. Every word worth listening to. Thank you.

[@drabbit61]

62 going on 26 AhtitinThailand What a joy to be able to listen. Thank you for posting

[@bazd]

Spikes war books are brilliant went back and read them again and again over the years..

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

What Spike said about the Australians is spot on. They are wonderful, easy-going, friendly people. The 10 years I spent in Australia (1995-2005) were the nicest years of my life.

[@peterharris38]

I came to Australia in 1988 for a 6 month holiday and I'm still here today, you are correct it's a fantastic place and though I have at times missed England I have never regretted my decision. 😊

[@MERISI001]

Spike was a national hero and treasure. A comic genius.

[@pedroadro3043]

Brilliant absolutely brilliant. A national treasure. The new comics don't hold a candle to him.

[@terryjones6504]

When Adolf Hitler, My part in his downfall was first released I read it on holiday in Dorset. I remember well sitting on the cliffs in hysterics, passers by thought I was mad. R,I,P Spike you are still the greatest.

[@stevenrichardson1843]

Anyone who hasn't read Puckoon, find a copy, laugh until you cry, then pass it on.

[@billbonnington7916]

Never seen this before - excellent. Spike is an all time hero, and Parky one of the best, great combo...

[@user-Zeppelin-007]

Legend, and a gentleman

[@michaeljames87]

This is amazing

[@user-tm1mt2vp5p]

We were truly blessed having both of these great character' living amongst us. They won't be making anymore like these two guys. God bless um.

[@KevinLJ-Photography]

Thanks so much for sharing this video. Spike is incredible. I grew up listening to reruns of the Goons with my mum on Sunday afternoon radio 1YC in New Zealand

[@Creteliz]

Parky was the Master of Chat shows. 😢

[@christopherlee7166]

This has made my day, bloody brilliant

[@csjrogerson2377]

I used to work with a man, Ralph Pickett, RIP, who was in the same Artillery Regiment during WW2 - the 7th Heavy Artillery. Spike was 4 guns down the line. Ralph said he was an absolute lunatic in those days. His books, 'Hitler and my part in his downfall' and 'Rommel, Gunner who?' had me in stitches.

[@jgjfaulkner]

My Dad had those books . I read them when i was 12 ish in the mid 80 s . Loved them , very funny ..... amazing they were about his part in WW2. I had no clue who he was , that he was a well known entertainer etc till youtube started .

[@user-kk9zf4fx9t]

Best I've seen spike. THanks Guys x

[@anEyePhil]

He grew to love Australia, Barry Humphries, and Woy Woy North of Sydney where his parents lived. Australia loved him, the Goon Show (ABC National, midday every Sunday), and everything else about him.

[@joelawrence56]

and the neighbouring kiwis!

[@anEyePhil]

@@joelawrence56 Yes of course, our cousins over the Ditch. Love you Kiwis. One day you may learn to play Rugby Union well 😎

[@johnbrosnan3577]

Entertaining, witty and trying to raise a warning about the abuse that has since come out! Gotta love Spike, a true genius

[@robchard908]

This is so enjoyable to watch!! Thank you for posting , brilliant understanding between Parkinson and Spike

[@PompeyBoy66]

I've never seen Spike Milligan so funny as here.

[@neilfernandez6519]

My god he is so good .my insides are hurting me with laughter.god bless you

[@stewartchristie3408]

Spike is one of my all time comedy heroes along with Michael Palin and Rik Mayall. Only one left. Long live Mike!

[@calwalker3895]

Spike was unique. We will never see his like again!

[@rassilontdavros3004]

VHS-decode is one of the hugest technological advances the media preservation community has seen, and I'm incredible grateful to those who put in the work to develop it.

[@videodumpchannel]

I agree, it's a great project! 🙂

[@JakePurches-Base2music]

Very good - thanks for uploading.

[@kted252]

Marvellous entertainment…… thanks Spike ..!! 😉👍

[@gregorpreac3735]

What a funny guy. The best British humor. Good reason to learn English.

[@kevc6115]

1st play I was ever taken to was Puckoon back in the eighties. I wtill laugh out loud when I think of it. I come from Donegal, bordering northern Ireland. I have been in the pub believed to be the inspiration for it. I cannot recommend this highly enough for anyone who wants to just laugh at absurdity Miss you Spike!

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

Spike Milligan had a strange absurdist take on things. His next door neighbour once hailed him over the garden fence and said : Hey Spike. I've just seen you on the TV. Later the neighbour was at home and someone knocked on his door. He opened the door and it was Spike. And Spike said, Oh hello, I've just seen you in the garden.

[@davidcross884]

😂👍

[@marksharman8029]

I read his complete series of books, WW2. I could not stop crying ...

[@dingopisscreek]

An absolute gentleman. He went through Hell writing the Goon Show. Truly one of the comic geniuses of our time. R. I. P. Spike Milligna - the well known spelling error

[@dingopisscreek]

God bless Spike. The originator of The Goons. Writing the vast majority of the scripts and the pressure eventually sending him 'over the edge'. He will forever be remembered for The Goons and the effect they had on future generations of comedians. R.I.P. A well deserved rest.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Simply brilliant!!!!!!!!

[@Chief_Brody]

If you've never read Spike's : "Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall" I strongly urge you to. The funniest book that I've ever picked up. And RIP to Parky. A fantastic interviewer.

[@keithrose6931]

I remember reading it in bed in the 70s just before going to sleep. It made me laugh out loud and much to my mum's annoyance in the next bedroom.

[@richardsharpe2966]

There is only one word for Spike genius. Also loved his remark about training to become Oliver Reed

[@bullit-edd]

Spike was one of the best

[@paulworthington8666]

Two really great fellas fom a much better time.

[@paulhayes6920]

Better time? I think his offensive language and bizarre views on Australian immigration suggest it wasn't all good.

[@keithrose6931]

​@@paulhayes6920oh shut up !

[@patriciasanderson2171]

Of course you do, there there have a lie down.

[@MyZxcvb12]

As a small boy I ❤him and still do RIP. Spike.

[@sacredgeometry]

Wonderful interview

[@martinplatt5928]

Without doubt a comic genius. Being a mere 65 now, I can remember so well my father emulating the goons with his friends back in the 1960s. His favourites were Spike's Eccles and Minnie Bannister. Interestingly, talking of the Goon Show, I always loved Peter Sellers as he was so clever at doing voices. I started to learn from Sellers' ability to take on other people's voices. Spike was different. He went off the rails slightly with his 'Q Series'. However, the Pakistani Dalek sketch was hilarious. I have a particular fondness for Spike not only for his great books i.e. 'Adolf Hitler: My part in his Downfall' and 'Puckoon' and many more but his beautiful poetry and love for animals. The Sketch where he played the part of an Indian in a pub with Alf Garnett was priceless. RIP to a wonderful man.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Put it in the curry!!!

[@brigittegeorg]

That was BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED that, thank you. ❤

[@user-eh3ou7oq4w]

Milligan was childlike. He had an innocence about him.

[@maxmoore9955]

I Read one of his books MY HELP IN HITLERS DOWN FALL. One of the Funniest books I've ever Read ..made me Laugh out Loud.

[@GT380man]

I can see where Leonard Rossiter’s mannerisms derived from. Check Spike around 17.30. I can just imagine him saying “good evening, Miss Jones”. Loved Rising Damp. We had many brilliant character comedians in the 60s and 70s.

[@BenDedopulos]

So that was Spike, in 1987 burning Savile. Willing to talk about what was the known secret ahead of anyone else. Spike!

[@brynteelingtheriverthieves3266]

What an incredible piece of film. Amazing man

[@davidtaylor9043]

Spike was one of a kind, pure genius.

[@Panigale67]

Awesome! And Facebook won't let me share this !

[@YorkieLad]

Watched Spikes show as a kid with my Dad, he would have us in tears of laughter. Absolute legend of comedy, the crazy kind just like the Python team.

[@maxmoore9955]

The Last bit I agree with I think Parky and Spike were Last of a breed .

[@keep_it_tidy56]

Love his comments about modern comedians, and that was 1987! What would he have to say now?

[@paulcochrane1028]

War diaries by Milligan are the best ever!

[@donaldjohnrobinson6531]

What a legend.

[@GT380man]

I had a book by Spike as a child. I found his writing mysteriously fascinating. I liked his daft jokes. Seen on a gravestone: “I told them I was ill”. Apparently it’s his headstone! Lol. In Irish.

[@andymeakin4263]

One evening in the twilight gloom A butterfly flew in my room Oh what beauty Oh what grace Who needs aliens from out of space? The butterfly by Spike Milligan...

[@billybobkingston5604]

RIP both

[@KandMe1]

He’s a gem. Spoilt me for most modern comedians. I was really young but in New Zealand we had the goon show on radio, repeats for years. I remember they came on tv, the telegoons. Then another show came on tv and spike was on at the end of each show dressed in a nightgown slippers and a noddy hat. He was hilarious, just sat in a chair by himself and had us in stitches. He was the best, they were all on that show, John Cleese and all, I think it was called Monty Pythons Flying Circus but spike was the best. The telegoons was good but it didn’t last long, really the script was written for radio not mud puppets. I would watch Monty Pythons just to see Spike at the end of the show.

[@acampbell8614]

I was in NZ 1975/76 age 11 when I discovered the Goons radio repeats by accident. Saturday afternoons I would record them on cassette and learn them word for word. I still have some of them. Came back to the UK in 1976 but it was a few years before the BBC caught on and began Goon Show repeats.

[@sandrakennedy4049]

Brilliant man ! Love listening to his life story

[@alanbarnes2920]

Just fabulous, thank you for posting..the man was a genius imho.

[@johnlynch4356]

Well said!!

[@mikeh5431]

Utterly brilliant

[@andymcneil7085]

2 legends bouncing off each other. Superb.

[@davidharness1507]

This is what brilliance looks like.x God bless him.

[@Kingmick58]

Howdy from Rockhampton Queensland Australia. I read Spikes triology of books years ago. I was laughing me guts out. The wife came in and said "What r u laughing At?" Him i said, him. Spike. Jooly good reading i tell you. Ta da.

[@pointless_walks-te4zm]

Spike plays this one relatively straight, which is a compliment to his host (with whom I've had my own issues over his career), Parky managing to strike a balance here with a notoriously tricky customer, and it all comes off rather well, a fascinating *_and_* amusing half hour.

[@keitht2045]

That was Spike at his best bloody marvelous 😂😂😂

[@JeffGatto]

"I told you I was ill", I wish Spike lived forever, he was so much a part of family life

[@paulrashid6529]

Ok just a brilliant interview

[@stepheniecopping7165]

Great men both of them ❤❤

[@GT380man]

I remember enjoying the Goon show more in my schoolmates repetitions of the sketches than them doing them. I had one friend who could do all the voices, brilliantly.

[@paulcochrane1028]

Brilliant

[@onlybugwit]

A tragic loss to the world when he died.

[@gregellis9995]

Oh God,, I am So Lucky to born in 1954 and be so Lucky to appreciate Good times throughout My Life,, Thanks to All, That Came Before Me. Good People, Hard Work, Wonderful Music of Every Genre, And Comedic Genius, Too Many, To Mention.. Also, Lucky enough to live in Australia,,,, Yes, and because of Our Heritage, have had some input too..(modern comedy is No laughing matter)

[@northdevonpictures826]

England's Treasure was Spike. Back in 1987 Spike mentioned those horrible, endemic offences (at 33:06). Worse was to come and unfortunately nobody heeded him. Pity there were very few willing to stop it and too few with enough guts.

[@34hedgehog]

'ENGLAND's' treasure???

[@AdamTurnbull-xd3nf]

don't think i ever seen this interview cheers

[@Macca-rb5ok]

The godfather of British comedy, a national treasure...and not even British.