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 Peter Cook
 Bio     On the Web     In the News    

"Peter Edward Cook" (November 17, 1937 - January 9, 1995) was a British satirist, writer and comedian who is widely regarded as the father of the British satire boom of the 1960s. He is closely associated with an anti-establishment style of comedy that emerged in the late 1950s in the depths of the Cold War.

Cook was one of the leading lights in British comedy during the 1960s, starting in the stage show, ''Beyond the Fringe''. Working with others such as Eleanor Bron, John Bird, and John Fortune, he broadened the scope of television comedy and pushed out the hitherto restricted boundaries of the BBC. His partnership with Dudley Moore, created some of the funniest television ever in ''Not Only... But Also'', with a sparsity of props previously rare on television. Some of the style of Pete and Dud was taken to ruder excess on long-playing records whereon the names "Derek and Clive" were used. Perhaps Cook's most enduring comic character is the static, dour, and monotone E. L. Wisty, created in this period.

Later, both Peter Cook and Dudley Moore became film stars, and Cook worked with Moore in such films as ''Bedazzled'' (with Eleanor Bron) and ''The Wrong Box'', but with Cook the emphasis was always on a rather sinister and larger-than-life comic persona. The physical and vocal contrasts between Pete and Dud always added to the humour of their sketches, and one could never watch one without being reminded of the other. Cook was deeply disturbed when Moore ended their partnership to go to Hollywood.

Peter Cook also started and became the proprietor of the satirical magazine, Private Eye, and financed the publication through a number of difficult periods, particularly when the magazine was punished financially in the wake of a number of libel trials.

Cook was an avid media follower, reading nearly all the British news papers every day and following TV and radio programmes with vigour. He even gained a regular slot on a night-time London radio programme, where he would phone in using a pseudonym and entertain listeners with his complaints and musings.

Cook is an acknowledged influence on an apparently never-ending stream of comedians who have followed him from the amateur dramatic clubs of British universities to the Edinburgh festival and from thence to the radio and television studios of the BBC. Together with Spike Milligan, Cook broke so much new ground in the 1950 to 1965 period, that some feel that later comics had relatively little ground left to break.

UK chart singles:-

*"Goobye-ee" (1965)

*with Dudley Moore: "The Ballad Of Spotty Muldoon" (1965)


This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. See http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html for details. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Peter Cook.
 Peter Cook in the News

1000  USATODAY.com
Feb 27, 2004 ... 91. Peter Nicholas, Massachusetts, 63, $4.70, medical devices. 91. Francois Pinault, ... 147. - William Cook, Indiana, 72, $3.20, medical devices. 147. Ananda Krishnan, Malaysia, ... www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/general/20 04-02-26-forbeslist1.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/injuries/collegebasketball.htm  (USA Today)

1000  Park, Cook claim title
Former ice hockey great Brad Park and his partner Peter Cook fired a final round 68 to hold off a late charge by a group of players to lift the net division in the annual Founder's Trophy golf tournament at Mid Ocean Club yesterday.
http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040228/SPORT/1022801...   (AltaVista News)

1000  The diminutive star: Dud's last 'Goodbye'
(03.27.2002)Dudley Moore was a pint-size comic who achieved world-wide stardom for his 1960s partnership with the late Peter Cook and a brief career as one of Hollywood's most unlikely leading men.
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17610&a...   (CNN)

975  Actor Dudley Moore dies at 66
(03.27.2002)British comedian and actor Dudley Moore has died at age 66 at his home in the United States after a long illness.
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17610&a...   (CNN)

972  The Winners
(Variety) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, producers; a Wingnut Films production (New Line)
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/variety/20040301/va_ne_al/the_winners_1  (AltaVista News)

950  USATODAY.com - 'The Passion': A primer
Feb 23, 2004 ... Who's who in the final hours. Peter: A leader among Jesus' many followers ... Dayton - (Ohio), a Catholic college; William Cook, associate professor of New Testament ... www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004- 02-23-passion-primer_x.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-02-23-passion-primer_x.htm  (USA Today)

950  Oklahoma City bombing trial
(11.26.1997)Transcripts | Overview | The Players |The Bombing | CNN Stories
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17610&a...   (CNN)

944  New film enters the private world of Pete and Dud, the warring kings of British satire
Rhys Ifans, the actor best known for his portrayal of Hugh Grant's slob flatmate in the movie Notting Hill, will play Peter Cook in a "warts and all" Channel 4 film about his up-and-down relationship with fellow comedian Dudley Moore.
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/media/story.jsp?story=496239  (AltaVista News)

925  USATODAY.com - Sports
... N L 5-11 190 03/03/1981 Hibbing, X Flache, Peter GRV C Y R 6-5 210 03/04/1982 ... N R - 5-11 171 01/23/1978 Superior, X Cook, Dennis LBH G N 21 Ganga, Nick LBH RW N ... www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/echl/ros ters.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/echl/rosters.htm  (USA Today)

925  Royal honour for Dudley Moore
(11.16.2001)Former Hollywood actor and British comedian Dudley Moore has travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive a honour from the Queen.
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17610&a...   (CNN)

917  New Zealand News - - The Return of the King rules them all
Director Peter Jackson (C) is flanked by Fran Walsh (L) and Philippa Boyens as they hold their Oscar statues. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King has won top honours at the Oscars today.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?reportID=57547&storyID=3552215  (AltaVista News)

900  petercook.net
The life and comedy of Peter Cook, Britains funniest and most influential - comedian and satirist. history | comedy | articles | photos ... Description: Fan site dedicated to the life and comedy of Peter Cook. History, articles and photos included.www.petercook.net/
http://www.petercook.net/  (USA Today)

900  Inside Politics Interview Stuart Rothenbeg, Charles Cook
(03.26.1998) THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17610&a...   (CNN)

889  Jackson lords over the Oscars
New Zealand director Peter Jackson has won the coveted Oscar for best picture and best director for his third and final installment of the fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King .
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1056477.htm  (AltaVista News)

875  Green Cafe Live Internet Broadcast Guide
A Voice For Artists & Greensters Everywhere. All content and webcasts on - this website copyright www.greencafe.com. All Rights Reserved, 2000. ... chicago.greencafe.com/
http://chicago.greencafe.com/  (USA Today)

861  Jackson lords over best director
New Zealand director Peter Jackson has won the coveted Oscar for best director for his third and final installment of the fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King .
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1056421.htm  (AltaVista News)

851  Yahoo! Directory Comedians > Peter Cook
Comedians > Peter Cook Directory > Entertainment > Comedy > Comedians > Cook, Peter, ... SPONSOR - RESULTS. Peter Cook on eBay Find peter cook items at low prices. ... dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Comedy/Comed ians/Cook__Peter/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Comedy/Comedians/Cook__Peter/  (USA Today)

850  Illinois Primary Results
(03.19.1998)nHelpIllinois Primary Results By Congressional Quarterly CandidateHometownAgeOccupation VotesGOVERNORGlenn W. Poshard DMarion52U.S. congressman354,83638.1Roland W. Burris DChicago60Former state attorney general279,25230.0John R....
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17610&a...   (CNN)

834  Old flyers to run Point Cook for the nation
The world's oldest continuously operating military airfield and the birthplace of the Australian air force, Point Cook, will be kept in public ownership and managed by a non-profit trust for the next 49 years.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/28/1077677017493.html  (AltaVista News)

826  : Basic People
... Basic People, Cook, Peter Born: 1937-11-17 Died: 1995-01-09 British satirist, writer - and comedian. ... Congreve, William Connors, Jimmy Cook, Peter Coolidge, Calvin ... www.basicclassics.com/people/people.php? aid=856
http://www.basicclassics.com/people/people.php?aid=856  (USA Today)


 Peter Cook on the Web

1000  Wiley - Cook/Nuclear Structures - Home
Principles of Nuclear Structure and Function ... Peter R. Cook. About The Author Preface. About the Author...
http://www.wiley.com/legacy/products/subject/life/feature/Cook/index.html  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

975  Establishment, The
The new online prescence from the Peter Cook Appreciation Society. Includes news, muti-part biography, discography and history.
http://www.stabbers.org/  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

951  Nuclear Structure and Function Research Group
The web pages of Peter Cook and his group at The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology in the University of Oxford...
http://www.path.ox.ac.uk/prc  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

927  Green Cafe Live Internet Broadcast Guide
Broadcast Guide to Arts, Music, Entertainment & Events...
http://www.petercook.com/  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

903  Cook, Peter
Fan site dedicated to the life and comedy of Peter Cook. History, articles and photos included. Award-winning website dedicated to the life and...
http://www.petercook.net/  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

879  Peter Cook
Peter Cook - Filmography, Awards, Biography, Agent, Discussions, Photos, News Articles, Fan Sites...
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Cook,+Peter  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

855  The Official CompuDudes Web Site
...on WXPN 88.5 FM ended October 9, 2001 Thanks for 12 years of fun on the radio, television and in print. Peter Cook & Scott Manning...
http://www.compududes.com/  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

831  PETER COOK AND DUDLEY MOORE
PETER COOK AND DUDLEY MOORE...
http://www.britishcomedy.org.uk/comedy/petendud.htm  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

807  Peter Cook International 2002
Welcome to the Peter Cook International website. Please click the logo to explore our comprehensive online catalogue.
http://www.peter-cook-int.co.uk/  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

783  The Independent Sunday : Fashion Special How We Met: Emma Cook & Peter
Preview this article and search all eLibrary sources like Time, Fortune and 100s more. Free 7-day trial with credit card required for full articles.
http://ask.elibrary.com/  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

735  John Entwistle's Peter Cook Custom Fender Bass
John Enwistle's Peter Cook Custom Fender Bass. Model Number: L/6NC. Serial Number: 2001-26. Year of Manufacture: N/A.
http://www.rockmine.music.co.uk/Ox2.html  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

711  Peter Cook - Wooden Puzzle Box With Secret Compartment
Peter Cook...
http://www.ausart.asn.au/anniversary/img0038.html  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

687  peter cook interview
...peter cook / archigram : experimental british design and architecture 1961-1974
http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/cook.html  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

663  COOK, PETER, WORLD OF PETE AND DUD UK, CD #K01361
$ 58.95 COOK, PETER WORLD OF PETE AND DUD UK NM/NM U.S UK PA 311 MONO DECCA "BEST OF. If this is not what you're looking for, please check here!
http://www.cd-choice.com/cds/K01/K01361.htm  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

639  biblio.com - The Antique Buyer's Handbook by Cook, Peter: Details
The Antique Buyer's Handbook by Cook, Peter Book Item Details...
http://www.biblio.com/books/2882397.html  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

615  MessageTalk Directory - Arts : Performing Arts : Comedy : Comedians
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (1999) Cook, Peter - Fan site dedicated to the life and comedy of Peter Cook. History, articles and photos included.
http://www.messagetalk.com/directory/Top/Arts/Performing_Arts/Comedy/Comedians/S...   (AskJeeves/Teoma)

591  @InterMall: Arts Performing Arts Comedy Comedians Stand Up C Cook,
Arts, Performing Arts, Comedy, Comedians, Stand Up, C, Cook, Peter now available at @InterMall! Online Shopping Was Never Easier with our huge online...
http://www.1mall.com/ODP/Arts/Performing_Arts/Comedy/Comedians/Stand_Up/C/Cook,_...   (AskJeeves/Teoma)

567  biblio.com - Complete Book of Sailing, The by Cook, Peter and
Complete Book of Sailing, The by Cook, Peter and Barbara Webb, Ed Book Item Details...
http://www.biblio.com/books/198849.html  (AskJeeves/Teoma)

543  Wiley-VCH - Cook, Peter / Spiller, Neil / Allen, Laura / Rawes, Peg
Cook, Peter / Spiller, Neil / Allen, Laura / Rawes, Peg (eds.) The Paradox of Contemporary Architecture Contemporary Architecture...
http://www.wiley-vch.de/publish/dt/books/newTitles200103/0-471-49685-5/reviews/?...   (AskJeeves/Teoma)

519  AskWebHosting.com: Web Hosting directory -
Cook, Peter - Fan site dedicated to the life and comedy of Peter Cook. History, articles and photos included.
http://www.askwebhosting.com/webhostingdir/Arts/Performing_Arts/Comedy/Comedians...   (AskJeeves/Teoma)  


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