"The Goodies" was a consistently very popular show in the UK throughout its run in the 1970s. Because it seemed to appeal particularly to younger viewers, some critics dismissed it as a "children's programme" and juvenile in comparison to the other contemporary UK "alternative" comedy hit, "Monty Python's Flying Circus". Whilst this comparison irritated them, Oddie, Garden and Brooke-Taylor were old university friends of the "Monty Python" cast. They had worked together on several projects, including the Cambridge University's Footlights Club revues, the radio show "I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again", and television shows such as "Broaden Your Mind", "Twice a Fortnight", and a number of the Amnesty International benefit shows.