Peter Cook is, hands down, the greatest English speaking comedic actor. His dead-pan delivery during the "down the mines" (rather than take the judging exam) skit is furiously funny. As Greta Garbo, shouting through a megaphone: "Leave me Alone!" he is outrageous. Off his F***ing head! Loved him. May he rest in peace.
[Anon], July 2006
Pete and Dud back together at last - what more could heaven ask for, two great comics gone before their time . Gone but never forgot, see ya in heaven lads
Christine, May 2005
The funniest man that ever lived. Peter along with Dudley and rest of Beyond the Fringe team took comedy by the scruff of the neck and made serious subjects funny without him acts like Monty Python and people like Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson Wouldn't be were they are today. The word 'genius' is tossed around a lot nowadays but if your looking for a definition of a genius in comedy then look no further. As John said it's a real shame he's being appreciated 10 years after his death. RIP Pete. Derek & Clive Rule!
Gavin, May 2005
Comedy is always looked upon as a lesser art, which is a shame, because a lot of people think, 'Yeah, he wrote a lot of sketches and stuff, but he wasn't in any great films was he?' So? Cook was a genius, but a flawed one. But who isn't flawed? He was a brilliant sketch actor, wit, and a brilliantly clever man. Yes he had his faults, but he made up for them with his talent. And he said 'c***' loads, too
Rob, April 2005
Peter Cook was a genius anyone who would acomplish a lifetime's worth of achievments before the age of 30 simply has to be a genius, he did for comedy what Mozart did for music, and just because he didn't sell out and make rubbish films people think he wasted his life, I'd watch Peter in anything, but only watch Dudley Moore with peter. It's a shame he is only appreciated years after his death.
John Rain, December 2004
There is not a British comedian alive who he hasn't influenced directly or indirectly. A true original R.I.P.
Tony Morewood, December 2004
Was Peter Cook really that good though? Does anyone like much of his stuff anymore? His work was pioneering 40-odd years ago but then he virtually vanished into obscurity. And can anyone really laugh at "Beyond the Fringe" these days? He couldn't really do comedy acting or stand-up at all. Essential he was a sketch writer/performer and a dated one at that. His best work was "Why Bother?" with Chris Morris (not bad); the Clive Anderson interviews (a mere 20 minutes), and Derek and Clive (his only under-rated material). Great bloke and very funny in person, I'm sure, but it is the myth of Peter Cook, not his material, that has made seem like such a comedy God for this generation. A bit like why people like Morrissey, who's also a bit lacking but holds people in his affections so effectively.
