Scradje is the penultimate show of Series 6 and a classic example of Grytpype-Thynne and Moriarty conspiring to fleece Neddie Seagoon, much as they did in Lurgi Strikes Britain. This time, the nation is suffering from a mysterious shortage of 'scradje', the substance that apparently prevents people's boots from exploding.

There's the welcome return of John Snagge, who pops up as the Home Secretary, advising the British public to walk backwards holding gas stoves above their heads.

Seagoon leads an expedition party to the North Pole in search of scradje and we get a number of references to Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, plus a rather surprising amount of heat and pyramid activity for the Arctic. Eventually, Seagoon discovers that the whole business is a gigantic hoax, confronts the dastardly duo in Monte Carlo and secures their confession – before Bluebottle makes one final, rather unfortunate mistake.

Meanwhile returning guest Brian Phillips brings his immense knowledge of fifties popular culture to discuss Alma Cogan, David Whitfield, Elvis Presley, Lee Lawrence and much besides. He and Tyler also revisit Footo, the Wonder Boot Exploder.

Is Scradje a bona fide Goon Show classic or does it suffer from general cast weariness, not to mention Spike returning to the well? You be the judge!

Cars, hotels, cigarettes, breakfast cereal, airlines, petrol stations, banks, department stores, milk, newspapers, even nuts - there was seemingly nothing that the former members of the Goon Show wouldn't promote should an advertising executive show a bit of leg and wave a fat cheque under their nose.

Spike Milligan in particular was always game for a telly commercial, endorsing products with his own particular brand of humour and the faintest hint of 'I'm getting PAID to do this?' - everything from Kelloggs cornflakes to a Norwegian soft drink (in which he appeared with Marty Feldman).

Peter Sellers notably advertised TWA and Barclays Bank in the seventies and early eighties, right up to his death, and of course he and Milligan had collaborated on the popular commercial for Benson & Hedges, the back story of which has to be heard to be believed.

Harry Secombe likewise would pop up between programmes pushing some product or service, from Woolworths to Goodyear tyres, but didn't seem to do quite as many as his erstwhile colleagues.

This week Tyler and guest Chris Oakley look into the murky world of commercials and consider the Goons' relationship with television admen.

Coming soon!

A new monthly podcast where we examine the ninth episode of classic – and not-so-classic – British sitcoms to see what it represents and tells us about the series as a whole.

https://open.spotify.com/show/6XUWFZTUFZTrxGZZ9buOp3

By the ninth episode most sitcoms have got into their stride and the audience at home have got to know the different characters; the sit is well-enough established and the com is strong enough that viewers are engaged and entertained. Well, that’s the theory anyway.

Episode one is out next week where Tyler Adams & Chris Diamond examine Open All Hours!