Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.10 $; site uicsl
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uicsl!gooley
From: gooley@uicsl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Subject: Re: More Meta-humor
Message-ID: <6000008@uicsl>
Date: Mon, 16-Dec-85 11:04:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uicsl.6000008
Posted: Mon Dec 16 11:04:00 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 18-Dec-85 03:12:50 EST
References: <8042@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Lines: 23
Nf-ID: #R:ucla-cs.ARPA:8042:uicsl:6000008:000:1189
Nf-From: uicsl.UUCP!gooley    Dec 16 10:04:00 1985


The Goon Show was indeed rich in "meta-humor".  John Snagge, incidentally,
was (is? He may still be alive) a famous BBC newsman, analogous, I suppose,
to Edward Murrow or Walter Cronkite. He was a great fan of the Goon Show
and saved it from cancellation several times.  Wallace Greenslade, though 
officially only the show's announcer, was often the deliverer or butt of
meta-jokes:
BILL [nickname for Greenslade]: And now we present the only program dedicated
to the downfall of John Snagge.
HARRY [Secombe]: He refers, of course, to The Highly Esteemed Goon Show!
Or again:
BILL: ...Listeners will excuse the festive spirit, but it IS the holiday
season, so, whoopee! [Finger wobble in mouth.]
HARRY: Mr. Greenslade! Stop taking those naughty elderly men's get-fit hormones!
BILL: Get knotted, little Welsh bum!
HARRY: Whatwhatwhatwhat? [A Secombe trademark, delivered at incredible speed]
Have a care, large bloated announcing-type gentleman, or I'll knock you one
on that greasy fat nut of yours!
BILL: Don't speak to me in those tones. I'll have you know that I was at
death's door last month.
HARRY: [dryly] Why didn't you knock?

(These quotes are from memory: no flames, please.)