Michael Bentine’s Reminiscences

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Roger Bunce

Anyone wishing the hear the best ever tales of Television Centre, told by the best ever storyteller, must listen to “The Reluctant Jester Strikes Back”, from 1994, re-broadcast 2015 on BBC Radio 4 Extra. It’s the final part of Michael Bentine’s memoirs, with classic references to the BBC, TV Centre and BBC Management.

Alec Bray

The following excerpts are included under provisions of “Fair Dealing” in terms of UK Copyright Law Using copyright works fact sheet from the UK Copyright Service.

The materials are taken from:

  Michael Bentine
  “The Reluctant Jester Strikes Back”
  recorded at The Maltings Arts Centre, St Albans

Live Television from Riverside Studios. ‘Elf and Safety has always been with us: it’s not just a new century invention.

Sound Effects were a vital part of “The Goon Show”

“It’s a Square World” – and the BBC Special Effects team including Jack Kine…

“It’s a Square World” – The End of each series of “It’s a Square World” included a film insert where Michael Bentine did various things to the BBC Television Centre (but nothing like the BBC has managed to do to it in 2015). Michael Bentine’s antics caused the issue of a strongly worded memo:
“Under no circumstances must BBC Television Centre be used for purposes of entertainment.” And now (2015) it won’t be any more …