Peter Sellers. Is it just me?

The death last week of Sir George Martin reminded us that before he produced all The Beatles’ records, he produced comedy hits for Peter Sellers. But, well, thing is, I’ve never found Peter Sellers particularly funny. There, I’ve said it. I’ve almost ruptured myself trying to laugh at The Goons but can only conclude that he was the wrong era for me. His humour comes from a time when Indian doctors with (un)funny accents and hapless French police inspectors who pronounced “bomb” like “bum” were considered the height of hilarity. Like Steve Martin, Sellers also carried a very visible vanity. Beneath a veneer of good humour, there seemed to be a man who took himself far too seriously. That said, I’ve always found this the best of his repertoire of racial stereotypes. Especially on St. Patrick’s Day.