First of two programmes in which Paul Merton tells the story of the famous London theatre. As well as onscreen contributions from those who worked in the Palladium, there are also archive clips from acts including The Crazy Gang, Judy Garland, Danny Kaye, Larry Grayson, Tommy Cooper, Max Miller, Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Laurel and Hardy, Spike Milligan and Frankie Howerd.