Episode 59: Flywheel Rides Again (featuring Mark Brisenden)
The 1990-1992 BBC Radio series Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, which recreated the 1930s show of the same name starring Groucho and Chico, remains one of the most beloved Marx Brothers revivals. Starring Michael Roberts as Groucho and Frank Lazarus as Chico, the series was adapted by comedy writer Mark Brisenden, who joins us this episode to talk about the series’ genesis, production, and reception. (The reception was excellent because of those new antennas.)
Note for Patreon subscribers: This month’s Bonus Segment will be available later this week on our Patreon page.
Brisenden, Coniam, and Diamond recording Episode 59
Official description: “The lost 1932 Groucho/Chico radio series Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel has long been a white whale for Marx fans. While the scripts were discovered in 1988, and a few tantalizing recordings have turned up (with more coming soon), it was the 1990-1992 adaptations by Mark Brisenden for the BBC which allowed new generations of fans to enjoy the series.
“Mark joins us for an oral history of the project, starting with becoming a Marx fan at age six, getting his feet wet writing comedy, and eventually landing at the BBC…where persistence made the Flywheel revival a reality. We’ll hear about Mark’s encounters with original writer Nat Perrin, as well as the legendary Spike Milligan, who was not only a fan of the show, but made a guest appearance.”
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Footnotes
Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel on the BBC website | Amazon (CDs) | Audible | Google Play
Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel (1988 book of scripts)
Marx and Re-Marx by Andrew T. Smith
