Just A Minute

 
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Brief But Memorable - Peter Cook

Messages in this topic: 1
BobbyJan 22, 2010
 

 
Someone who definitely made an impact in Just a Minute in a brief span of time was the late Peter Cook. He appeared only 3 times in 1979, and he definitely made his presence felt in all three appearances.

One of the most memorable moments came during his very first appearance, when in the first two seconds of the first subject 'My Other Self' he challenges Kenneth Williams for the possibility of deviation.

He was witty, cheeky, surreal and fit right into the show exceptionally well, able to pick up on the transgressions of the rules and also able to make humorous challenges for the sake of comedy.

Its a shame that Peter Cook didn't appear more often, but perhaps Mr. Cook didn't wish to run the risk of 'overstaying his welcome', who knows.

I know that Peter Cook was an exceptional comic actor and writer, and was one of the most influential comedians, especially during the start of the 'satire boom' in the 1960's. According to wikipedia, his was a style of comedy that was very much anti-establishment. He forged a great comic partnership with the late Dudley Moore, which culminated in the creation of a hugely popular (although sadly lost) TV series called 'Not Only... But Also'.

He appeared in numerous films, but his stock and trade was very often writing his own material, which very often would come about on recordings, in fact one of his last comic performances was on a recording that he had done with Christopher Morris, in which Chris was interviewing Peter Cook (with Cook taking on the persona of one of his characters Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling).

Peter Cook sadly died at the age of 57, due apparently to internal hemoragging, probably due to the fact that he had started drinking heavily shortly after the death of his mother.

Not only was his presence felt on JAM during his three appearances, but his whole body of work (that which is still in circulation) exemplifies the sheer talent and brilliance of the man himself. God bless him.

 
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