This two-part look back at radio comedy met with an underwhelmed review in The Stage. James Green (7th January 1988) wrote:
"Like Bob-the-smile Monkhouse I belonged to a youthful generation captivated and influenced by radio shows. So even if some 60 per cent of Britain today knows nothing and cares even less about the golden age of steam, at least I was predisposed towards Wogan's two-part tribute to the old fashioned wireless. Regretfully and soporifically it came across as one of 1987's deliberate mistakes.
No doubt there is a series or documentary to be made about the shows that were the country's main source of entertainment, especially during the war years. But this hobble down nostalgia lane was as dated as last year's calendar and taking the nickname from Richard Murdoch was a "Stinker". The abiding interest as past shows were recalled with clips, by photographs, or music, was deciding how many of the cast had died and who was still around to offer the antique anecdote. Wogan helped in the latter cause by parading a line of former radio times performers such as The Bradens, Deryck Guyler, Harold Berens, Cardew Robinson, Percy Edwards, Max Jaffa, and Noel (Dick Barton) Johnson. He introduced them as fond favourites from vintage radio and softened that double-edged compliment by quickly adding how well they had worn."
"Like Bob-the-smile Monkhouse I belonged to a youthful generation captivated and influenced by radio shows. So even if some 60 per cent of Britain today knows nothing and cares even less about the golden age of steam, at least I was predisposed towards Wogan's two-part tribute to the old fashioned wireless. Regretfully and soporifically it came across as one of 1987's deliberate mistakes.
No doubt there is a series or documentary to be made about the shows that were the country's main source of entertainment, especially during the war years. But this hobble down nostalgia lane was as dated as last year's calendar and taking the nickname from Richard Murdoch was a "Stinker". The abiding interest as past shows were recalled with clips, by photographs, or music, was deciding how many of the cast had died and who was still around to offer the antique anecdote. Wogan helped in the latter cause by parading a line of former radio times performers such as The Bradens, Deryck Guyler, Harold Berens, Cardew Robinson, Percy Edwards, Max Jaffa, and Noel (Dick Barton) Johnson. He introduced them as fond favourites from vintage radio and softened that double-edged compliment by quickly adding how well they had worn."