Peter Cook in His Own Words

Michael Palin presents a four-part series devoted to comedy icon Peter Cook, as heard on BBC Radio 4.

Peter Cook was an exceptional talent - verbally witty, surreally inventive and a true original.

The father of modern satire and alternative comedy, he was voted the top comedian of all time in the Channel 4 show "The Comedian's Comedian".

In this series, Michael Palin trawls Peter Cook's back catalogue for his funniest and silliest moments, including much rare archive material never been previously broadcast.

Covering Peter Cook's 36-year career, it features all the best interviews, monologues and sketches, including conversations with Michael Parkinson, David Dimbleby and Clive James as well as extracts from "Beyond the Fringe", "Not Only...But Also..." and "Goodbye Again".

There are monologues from the immortal E. L. Wisty and excerpts from Cook and Moore's taboo-breaking 'Derek and Clive' dialogues.

Here too are clips from panel games, chat shows, radio phone-ins and "The Secret Policeman's Ball".

We also hear Peter Cook discuss school days, writing comedy at Cambridge University, his first encounter with Dudley Moore, and his involvement with "Private Eye". Insightful and irresistible, this is a fascinating exploration of the life and career of a seriously funny man.