Earthanasia

"Earthanasia" is the suspected finale of the award-winning British comedy television series The Goodies.

This episode is also known as "The End of the World Show" and "The End of the World".

Written by The Goodies, with songs and music by Bill Oddie.

Plot

It is very late Christmas Eve and Bill and Graeme are preparing for Christmas. Bill has bought himself a skateboard, while Graeme has bought a skateboard destruction kit (a gun, a hammer and a bomb with a detonator). A carol service on the radio is interrupted by an announcement that the world is going to end at midnight, because the United Nations has decided that this is the best route forward, with the ever-worsening problems of racism, over-population, inflation and pollution. Bill decides to enjoy the last 27 and a half minutes in an orgy of self-indulgence. Meanwhile, Graeme thinks about his accomplishments: Giant Kittens, Monster Cods and Eddie Waring impressions.

Tim arrives wearing a placard stating "The End of the World is Nigh", little realising how accurate the words actually are, and the placard also stating: "Meanwhile, eat at Tim's hot chestnut stall" and "Tim's nuts are nicest" (the word "is" is on a drawer, which holds the chestnuts).

Bill, telling Tim that there is going to be no Christmas Day, "On the other hand as you well know, tomorrow never comes. And do you know why?!" Tim comments: "No." Bill then says: "Because my dewy-eyed Timbalina, TOMORROW WE'LL ALL BE DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! D, E, D, D! DEAD! HAVE YOU GOT THAT?!?!"

As Tim starts to cry, Graeme makes plans to celebrate Christmas at 11:56 PM. It is revealed that Tim's waistcoat covers what he calls an "A-string", which he then explains is "a G-string that's a bit higher up." Graeme decides to try and remove Tim's inhibitions. Bill's attempts to help only make it worse.

After destroying Tim's belief that the Muppets are real, Graeme says: "Ha! I released his inhibitions through anger and violence. My work is at an end, I can die a happy man." Tim comes screaming into the room carrying the oven before smashing it into Graeme. Tim then runs off again as Graeme picks himself up, saying: "You shouldn't 've hit me with that! You've ruined the cake!"

Then the television reports that with 6 minutes left until the end of the world, revellers are gathering at Covent Garden, Harrods is having a closing down sale and the British Royal Family has fled Earth for a new life on Saturn. Graeme tries to book a taxi to join the revellers, but it turns out to be too far away.

The Goodies share their feelings, worst embarrassments and mutual recriminations with the others, leading to complete personality overhauls for both Tim (who changes clothes completely) and Bill (who shaves his beard off, puts a suit on and takes his pet off his head, purely so that Tim can see him for who he truly is). Tim comes back into the room, showing off his bellybutton. Shocked, Bill says: "Cover up your nakedness!" to which Tim replies: "This isn't nakedness. This is my... BELLY BUTTON!!" Bill, even more shocked, says: "Wash your mouth out."

Tim and Bill look anxiously at the clock as it reaches midnight, but there is a surprising final revelation from Graeme, who says that the world wouldn't end at midnight. Tim asks: "What have you done?" to which Graeme replies: "I put the clock forward; only about 1/2 minute." The world then explodes (an explosion sound is played with the white background, followed by a BBC1 ident with the mirror globe spinning until it blows up).

Revelations

• Bill states that he has bought himself a skateboard for Christmas (but as the episode progresses, it becomes clear that he already owns one).
• Bill lists his fantasy women as Jane Fonda, the Three Degrees and Ivy Benson's trumpet section.
• Tim sings part of the famous David Rose composition, the Stripper.
• Bill shaved his beard off for this episode, certain that it would get a laugh, but the audience's reaction is one of shock more than amusement. He also appears bald, but this effect was created by his wearing a bald cap on top of his ordinary hair, and another wig resembling his ordinary hair on top of that.

Cultural references

• The Muppet Show
• The Stripper

DVD and VHS releases

This episode has been released on both DVD and VHS.

References

• "The Complete Goodies" — Robert Ross, B T Batsford, London, 2000
• "The Goodies Rule OK" — Robert Ross, Carlton Books Ltd, Sydney, 2006
• "From Fringe to Flying Circus — 'Celebrating a Unique Generation of Comedy 1960-1980'" — Roger Wilmut, Eyre Methuen Ltd, 1980
• "The Goodies Episode Summaries" — Brett Allender
• "The Goodies — Fact File" — Matthew K. Sharp

External links

• The End of the World Show at the Internet Movie Database

("Earthanasia" is listed under an alternative title at IMDb)