After the ‘big yawn’ of the latest around of Award Shows which were so predictable, totally unfunny (except for Chris Rock) and full of tedious speeches thanking countless executives who none of us have ever heard off (and hardly care about) comes a perfect example of how to really accept an Award properly.
It’s British (of course) and from 1994 when actor/comedian/playwright and something of a National Treasure, Spike Milligan was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Comedy Awards. Milligan was best known for being the co-creator, main writer and a principal cast member of The Goon Show the most successful radio show in the UK in the 1950’s and in many ways a precursor to the Monty Python gang who also specialized in absurdist and eccentric British humor.As Milligan accepted the Award he refused to thank anyone as he said he achieved it all on his own, and then Jonathan Ross the Presenter went on to read a special note of congratulations from a very important fan who couldn’t attend the festivities. Halfway through listening to all this praise being heaped on him, Milligan butted in and called the writer ‘the little groveling bastard’ which immediately brought the house down. The letter had been written by none other than HRH The Prince of Wales, who we sure would have loved this response too. (Milligan later faxed the prince, saying “I suppose a knighthood is out of the question now?”)
Of course we Brits always know how to make people remember that we are real ‘old-school’ stars at Award Ceremonies, even when we may have had a little (!) too much to drink before we come on to the stage to announce the winner. And who could possibly be annoyed with Elizabeth Taylor the very epitome of Hollywood Royalty when she got confused. After all, as she reminded us, she was more used to winning Awards than handing them out to others.
