The Good Old Days: Ken Dodd - Best Performance (March 1st 1974)

[@nathelondon3719]

Unprecedented. Unique. Unequalled. RIP Doddy.

[@PeterBrownPianist]

If you never had the privilege of seeing Ken Dodd live, then you missed one of the greatest performances you will ever witness. My wife and I were lucky enough to be part of the audience in a tiny theatre called Theatre in the Forest, in Grizedale, The English Lake District. Doddy came on at 8:00pm and finished at 12:40am, having beaten every member of the audience into total submission with his incredible one-liners, his unending energy, his love of what he did and his unfailing professionalism. We will never see the likes of him again. RIP Sir Ken.

[@seasmacfarlane6418]

My husband and I saw him live twice, and he was kind enough to give us an hour of his time before going onstage at the Princes Theatre in Peterborough (which is now called the New Theatre). He started his show at 7pm, and finished at 1.15 the following morning. It was wonderful, enthralling and we could have sat for another 6 hours easily. He was a lovely, lovely man, and I miss him so very much. God bless you Sir Ken, and I look forward to meeting you once more in Heaven. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@VHKDK]

I was lucky enough to have seen him at The Bournemouth WInter Gardens in the late 60's. No midnight performance then but I can remember enjoying every minute of his show. I fondly remember Sunday lunchtimes listening to his radio show along with the other great names from a wonderful era of entertainement.

[@kennethdrewary1094]

I had the short version, it was 3h 30 mins. Lol

[@stoopidvideoz]

My parents did a little bit before he died and he didn't stop until about 1:30 am at night 😂

[@jackthebassman1]

He loved every minute of making people happy 😃

[@christopherdavies7213]

"She was so thin, one day she swallowed a pickle onion and four lads left the village!" Genuine lols.

[@Nebuloid1]

Absolutely lost it at that one.

[@MatthewPhilip-d6z]

I don't get that one.

[@timdyer5903]

There will never be another comedian like that. Talented at singing, gags, wit, audience mesmerized.

[@suttonelms1]

I saw him when he was well into his 80s; he did four hours, 8pm till after midnight. What an amazing talent. Tears running down our faces; fantastic evening.

[@pixbychris3182]

So lucky to have seen Sir Ken live. Never to be forgotten

[@clivemason-ms8ju]

I only saw him live once, probably around the time he did this Good Old Days performance. I was quite young, so don't remember it that well, only that we were all in fits of laughter. We will never see his like again. Today's so-called comedians could take lessons from him.

[@steve1962]

The volume of material this man had was astounding. Genius

[@davidhall4914]

One of Britain s finest, we will not see the likes of Ken Again.

[@colinmuddell9672]

Sheer genius and not a moment's hesitation as the jokes come thick and fast.

[@mathill6869]

Was out of the country at time this was broadcast March 1974 so really pleased to see this we were blessed with good entertainers then Ken Dodd will be remembered as one of the all time greats which can not be said of today's mediocre bunch.

[@dovidell]

My Mum so loved Ken Dodd , that at her funeral , we were all given Ken Dodd dusters , which we waved as homage to her , and her favourite comedian - more than a decade on , I still have mine

[@annenunney9907]

Bless your mum

[@scotman5212]

I first saw Ken Dodd when my parents took me to see him when I was around 7 years old. I last saw him perform when I took my father to see him when I was in my early 40’s. He made my family laugh for decades, and very much reminds me of happy times with my late parents. A couple of times each year I find myself watching Ken Dodd videos, tonight being one of those nights. I still laugh every time, even though I know what’s coming! Thanks Ken.

[@johnmanning5568]

As a 12 year old boy I was taken by my parents to see him at Blackpool Opera House in 1969. It was in the summer holidays and it was also the time when the Scottish pits closed for a week. Invariably the miners holidayed in Blackpool. As I sat in the theatre before the lights dimmed, I looked around at all the dour, humourless faces that surrounded me. I remember thinking that they’re not going to be easily entertained! The lights dimmed and four hours later as Ken left the stage and the lights came on, all I could see was a plethora of pitmen with tears of laughter literally still rolling down their faces. I’ll never forget that scene.

[@Eric_L456]

What a beautiful day for sticking a cucumber through your neighbour’s letter box and shouting “ look out, the Martians have landed!” One of Doddy’s best jokes but there were so many to choose from.

[@PK-yf3hd]

Totally inimitable..the universal British comic ..what a legacy of laughter

[@leplessis8179]

Never bettere, never ever will be.

[@dancedecker]

Met Ken several times and he was not only a comic genius, but also a true gentleman. Lovely, lovely man, kind and always had time for everyone. Obviously a legend at having the longest acts in the history of comedy, with the energy to carry on literally for hours. His like will probably never be seen again and he is sadly, sadly missed. RIP Doddy. How plumtious and tattyfilarious it was to know you

[@Johnny_Seven]

I went to see Ken I reckon it was around 2003. I always knew he was good from seeing him on TV. But when you see him live it is something else. Everyone had tears running down their faces including me. He just kept firing joke after joke at you. So glad I went, if I remember right he started at 7:30, he did have a break at some point, but it was around twenty to one in the morning when we came out. He truly was one of the greatest. Thanks for a wonderful night Ken.

[@gremlinuk1968]

Loved watching these shows from back then when I was a kid in the 70s, born 23rd May 1968 from northern Ireland UK

[@ianmcnamara62]

Doddy at the top of his game..the best and much sadly missed. Thanks for sharing

[@georgeallen7101]

This man was so talented and quick . A comic legend. And he had a good voice ……..

[@sandfly]

Ken Dodd the ultimate entertainer at his wonderful best.

[@christopherfothergil]

I was lucky enough to see him twice and both times i came out crying with laughter. I remember the first time I saw him he said " I hope you have all fetched your sleeping bags" It was going up for One in the morning when he finally came off the stage. Brilliant guy. Rest in peace Ken.

[@suziewade]

Too wonderful for words.still miss him today.

[@tomkent4656]

We'll never see his like again.

[@allanplant8756]

I am 74 years old now, and there are a few people (mostly comedians) who make me feel privileged to have experienced in the time that I've had on this planet. Ken Dodd is one of them. A comic genius! Not so much missed in my mind, but so well STILL remembered and enjoyed. Comics such as Ken Dodd, Eric and Ernie, Tommy cooper, Eric Sykes, Ronny Barker...(ETC.). Well they're not really dead, are they?

[@georgeh1352]

Good ole Ken, a one off, never to be equalled

[@youreright]

This is what made Britain GREAT. Unsurpassed English comedy.

[@stepheng8779]

Owned the stage & the audience from the first minute to the last, genius.

[@angelsone-five7912]

Probably the greatest comedian ever to say nothing of being the longest active, great stuff.

[@Wellygigs]

I.must of.been six or seven when this was being shown and we as a family watched it religiously. Bonkers programme that was a staple of 70s culture.

[@walterchambers9842]

No one comes close to Ken what he his so sadly missed him and Freddie Star the greatest ever God Bless both of u i hope u are entertai ing them as u did us down here ❤️ 😅🎉❤x

[@iscagreen4279]

What a unique talent this man had, so sadly missed. The line 'its what we call in show business a shaft of wit'! 😂

[@MrGerrymagic]

Brilliant Doddy

[@emmacarroll5224]

The maid of the mountain kills me every time 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I swear I can hear my (late) dad laughing along with me 🥰

[@gerryhenderson6442]

Saw him in Glasgow many years ago, only one word " brilliant"

[@Dim4323]

Ken dodd greatest stand up comedian and falled accountant. And proffesor of comedy

[@ColtDee]

Ken Dodd a little gem

[@johntaylor6345]

Best in business. Loved him. Saw him live twice before his sad death. Miss him. Rest in peace Ken

[@777petew]

A 'retrospective breath of fresh air'. What a wonderful man.

[@markduffy3717]

Genius. Saw the gentleman, and he most definitely was, throughout 60 years. A life force, and a wonderful one.

[@mikeblade3095]

Watch and learn modern day comedians. Pure genius. A total one off. Will always be missed.

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Wow just wow never will we see the like’s again loved our Ken national treasure

[@ford5440]

A paramedic colleague of my brother once attended Ken Dodd when he had been taken ill on stage, possible heart issue. In fact he was ok but Ken thanked the paramedic and handed him an envelope and said 'here's a drink for you!'. When he opened it later inside was..... a tea bag!

[@JackMySmack]

@@ford5440 OH, this tickled me under the circumstances! I love stories like these, shows he was a man with a great and humorously improvisational mind, which just makes you respect him more and more! Thank you for this wonderful story and for making me laugh this morning!

[@GpoppaJohn]

There will never be another.

[@martinhankinson7945]

Oh Ken, how much we miss you.

[@williamewing5509]

I used to watch this TV series of Leanard Sachs was the host and he had a large mallet as Ken Dodd was one of the top acts at the top of the bill as the TV series was called The Good Old Days I am dedicating this TV series to my old school friends who are both sisters and I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris and Hester from Billyxxx

[@venividiviking]

Damn, i had totally forgot this (the good old days) . I remember it, from when i was a kid, watching it in tv, with mom and dad, saturday evening. What a nice trip down the memory lane 😁👌💪 Thanks a lot for uploading this.

[@langdale55]

If you watched it on a Saturday, you must have watched in on catch-up? I remember it was on TV on an early week night, probably Monday or Tuesday at 9pm. I recall, it was a bit marmite and didn’t get massive viewing figures, we watched a lot of documentaries on BBC 2 when it was on, so it was kept away from the prime weekend slots. It wasn’t going to compete with Eric and Ernie or Kung Fu!

[@venividiviking]

@@langdale55 I'm not from UK, maybe that's the explaintion. In Denmark, it was in tv on saturday, i'm pretty sure. Back then, there was few live programs in tv, unless it was from danish tv or some sport. I'm talking about early 70s or first half of 70s. I remember, my dad was there as well, and he wasn't home monday to friday.

[@jhill74893]

that must be around 1970 and Ken Dodd was still doing some of the same jokes 45 years later but still as funny. I saw him live 5 times. He is sadly missed.

[@johntaylor6345]

Me too John

[@johnferguson40]

I wish I'd have seen him live. It came late on to me that Ken Dodd was a genius.

[@pblackburn13]

He certainly reworked his jokes but they were still always funny. Saw him several times. The man was a legend.

[@TheA8lee]

If Roald Dahl was going to write a character who was a stand-up comedian, it would be this guy.

[@stephenhill8790]

Saw him live and sat at the front we became a but of his jokes for 5 minutes ran over time for Three hours he was a human dynamo

[@richardmcmahon7466]

DODDY NUFF SAID

[@tobyaughnotobi3919]

Seen this great man live twice. Without doubt the greatest English stand up comedian of all time.

[@pixbychris3182]

Brilliant comic lucky enough to see him a few times. Skegness pier before it washed away.

[@andrewdale9246]

Put quite simply , that’s how you do it 😁

[@adammoore442]

doddy is and was the best

[@HaveyLevene]

Th title of STAR in the true sense deserved.

[@lengerrard3810]

Just once in a lifetime..wot a special comedian

[@Gwalion]

Thank you, again, Mr Happiness!

[@melbeasley9762]

Rest In Peace Ken. Gone but not forgotten.

[@jolawler8849]

A school friend worked for a while as a liftboy in Liverpool's John Lewis store. One day, the lift broke down for 48 minutes between floors, leaving him and about 2 dozen passengers trapped with Ken Dodd, who immediately went into full-on performance mode . . .

[@jennybettles7680]

Best 48 minutes of his life I would think

[@maxbacon4828]

Sounds like bliss.

[@gailcrook2687]

What luck

[@therealisation5500]

Fucking nightmare

[@stevev3664]

They were lucky. People who went to his shows were in there until after midnight before they could get out. 😜

[@tietjenuk]

Oh, Wow! Just WOW! That takes me back! Wonderful! Thank you soooo much! Always loved dear ol' Doddy!

[@jamesbyrne9312]

That blonde with the beautiful Yorkshire smile.

[@Subfightr]

I love the aesthetic. I love this idea of everyone dressing up in a classic dress like this, brilliant. He very much seems like what I imagine a talented 16th century court jester to have been like. A lot of "silly billy willy dilly" nonsense, complete with fart and finger in your bum hole jokes.

[@jasonhudson4209]

“Don’t go down to the coal shed Dad, there’s enough slack in your trousers”!

[@GARYINLEEDS]

Thanks for sharing, shared.

[@MARKETMAN6789]

Most of the cast and audience are not alive today ,so sad ,

[@garryellison]

What an entertainer he truely was.

[@christinewhitfeld7939]

Irreplaceable ❤

[@jeanettedevereux7664]

Genuinely fun

[@tkimoro4541]

Superb

[@shirleyrook7111]

ONE of the best entertainers ever

[@hawkeyepierce3863]

I wholeheartedly agree with the previous comment. We saw Soddy at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth. We thought ahead. Booked a room in a guest house literally around the corner as we had heard his shows went on. And on and on. I've never laughed so much. It's a great shame that his style of comedy has more or less died with him Three weeks after Doddy passed away I was down at the local tip and found 2 of his albums: 1 was a greatest hits released in the 80's the other from the 1960's recorded in mono The whole album was in superb condition I played it once recording it onto a mini disc. The album is carefully wrapped and stored and I have a copy which will last several lifetimes. My thanks to the kind person who posted this clip. A rare treat indeed . My best wishes to one and all and whenever possible take a leaf out of Doddy's book a Nd spread some happiness.

[@gordonbennet1094]

Great singer - great man ... great comedian ...

[@spmoran4703]

I needed this .

[@kevintrace5396]

A genius top Ken brill

[@grahamcmusic]

A genius

[@therookpiece]

"Quick, they're in... lock the doors.'

[@StephenLyons-tl8ie]

Fabulous!!

[@leeder92]

Sur called "comedians " t'dear cannat hurld a candle to wor Kenneth man.

[@michaelmcmullan2300]

Fantastic

[@View2Go]

Ked Dodd-😂Absolute comedy Genius 👌

[@nouseforaname5378]

I love how everyone dressed up back then

[@lomax343]

The tickets were free - but the audience all made the effort. No-one told them to, but it became a tradition.

[@vaslav030547]

Irreplaceable comic genius.

[@k4tgames212]

Funny personified

[@bexsta9175]

Imagine cancelling This fella 😳 😍

[@momeara7482]

Why?

[@DCI-Frank-Burnside]

Apparently Dodd's comedy mentor, when he was starting out, was Brian "Limmy" Limond.

[@elliottg.1954]

"Made of moggies"; even harmless Ken the greatest comedian of them all would be lynched by the wokists now. Good job we have KZbin and these old clips because the world would be a terrible place without them.

[@ruudvandiermen8747]

I hate the wokie,s,they are a bunch of idiots. Ruud from the netherlands

[@Sjmby95]

Another comic genius gone

[@Subfightr]

Wow. Quite the talented singer. :) did he ever sing seriously? Anything y'all suggest I look up by him if so?

[@chrisball864]

His biggest song was "Tears" in 1965. A million seller in the UK, and was the best selling single that year. It was also the 4th best selling single of the entire 1960s. only outsold by 3 Beatles hits.

[@Dowager66]

Newly 50 years ago now 💔💔

[@odettewiddicombe4583]

He said when he passaway bbdo nt be sad bebbhapppy 😮

[@johnrandall9488]

The guvnor . Funniest ever

[@isabella15704]

LMFAO 😂

[@niptodstan]

Where did Britain go?

[@sychambers5440]

Pure genius - saw Doddy many times with his Diddymen at the theatre at the end of Blackpool pier. I even had an 8x10 autographed photo of him for many years until hard times hit...and I sold it to a keen collector of all things comedy related based in Palm Springs. How I wish I never had to sell it... I would dearly love to have it back.

[@patgriffiths9399]

4:31

[@alicequayle4625]

A shaft of wit.

[@danwoodhouse9290]

Transpose the S.H and W and you get something else

[@GedTheRed]

Comic Genius

[@tango6nf477]

Back then I never understood this man, I didn't find him even slightly funny but people laughed like he was the funniest thing around. Watching this again 40 years on and I'm still mystified at his popularity.

[@JackMySmack]

Goes to show that not all share the same type of humour, which is a good thing in the grand scheme of things. Variety is key.

[@gailcrook2687]

Not funny here, but his show with a celebrity audience was hilarious

[@MARKETMAN6789]

Saw him first when I was 10 I'm 74 now and saw him many times ,alot of his material was the same but still as funny the first time hape told it as the last time ,He only had to walk on stage and bang his big base drum and he had me in stitches ,one of the greatest comedians of all time , GOOD CLEAN FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT ,DIDNT NEED TO SWEAR , OR TALK FILTH ,TO GET A CHEAP JOKE ,HE WAS A TRUE COMEDIAN WHO WAS VERY FUNNY ,

[@johnm9845]

You're still alive then?

[@scotman5212]

It’s impossible for a comedian to be universally popular, same goes for tv shows and movies, or any form of entertainment.