Videology

One of my favorite comedy sketches is "The Frog and Peach," from Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.  It's an interview with a character of theirs who I love, Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling, who first appeared in their great sketch about teaching ravens to fly under water.  Both were done originally on their BBC TV series, Not Only...But Also. This performance however comes later from a live stage production, the fundraiser, The Secret Policeman's Ball.  Both of the "Sir Arthur" pieces are adaptations of their classic sketch from Beyond the Fringe, known as "The Great Train Robbery," an early incarnation of the character being interviewed as the head of Scotland Yard.

There were 22 episodes made of Not Only...But Also, but thanks to the unfortunately-common practice of erasing tapes, only eight remain.  They were released on on VHS and now DVD under the wonderful title of The Best of What's Left of Not Only...But Also.  Fortunately, the audio of many of the sketches survive on two great albums, Not Only Peter Cook...But Also Dudley Moore, and its follow-up, Once Moore with Cook.

But this, for all your foodies out there, is about a new restaurant the good fellow has opened.