Comedy of the Week: Recent Episodes
BBC Radio 4
We're back with a bang this week with some of our toughest subjects to date. They include my advice for a blind date, I refuse to go back to..., and the last time I made a citizen's arrest. Plus who makes the classic repetition mistake of saying BBC?
This Comedy of the Week features the first episode of series 97 of Just a Minute.
Host: Sue PerkinsPlayers: Paul Merton, Lucy Porter, Rachel Parris, Gyles BrandrethProducer: Georgia KeatingExecutive Producer: James RobinsonProduction Coordinator: Jodie CharmanProduction Manager: Katie BaumSound Editor: Marc WillcoxAdditional material by Angela Channell
An EcoAudio certified production.A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is comedian Michelle Wolf who reflects on home births, Professor Stephen Wallace explains how old plastic bottles can be transformed into a form of Dopamine that can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease, and Dr Matt Clarke demonstrates the power of medical collaboration in helping to identify and treat brain tumours.
Best Medicine is your weekly dose of laughter, hope and incredible medicine. Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, experts and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future.
Each week Kiri challenges a panel of experts and a comedian to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine'. Each guest champions anything from world-changing science or an obscure invention to an everyday treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.
Whether it’s groundbreaking surgery, seaweed underwear, AI glasses to help people with dementia, horse therapy, sports, revolutionary gene therapy for Huntington’s disease or yesterday’s rubbish becoming tomorrow’s medicines - it’s always something worth celebrating.
Hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Featuring: Dr Matt Clarke, Professor Stephen Wallace and Michelle Wolf
Written by Edward Easton, Jordan Gray, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ben Rowse
Producer: Tashi Radha
Executive Producer: Ben Worsfield
Theme tune composed by Andrew Jones
A Large Time production for BBC Radio 4
Lucy Porter is joined by John Tothill, Kyrah Gray and Amy Annette to talk all things current-ish events. Should politicians wear ties? Should children learn to read? And should we all now identify as Spanish?
Hosted by Lucy Porter
Written by Lucy Porter, Ruth Husko and Katie Sayer, with additional material by Mike Shephard
Producer - Katie SayerAssistant producer - Lorna ReaderExecutive producer - Victoria LloydA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Comedian Sunil Patel is trying to make a documentary that young people will like. It’s sexy, it’s vice, it’s Hunter S. Thompson, but he’s already completely blowing it. Listen to Sunil embarrass himself on national radio and be forced to change tack immediately.
This is the first episode of this series. To hear more episodes, search "Sunil Patel: An Idiot's Guide To Living Forever" on BBC Sounds.
Starring Sunil Patel
Featuring Helen Bauer
Written by Sunil Patel, Charlie Dinkin, Em Humble and Benjamin Sutton
Produced by Benjamin Sutton and Laura Shaw
A Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4
The Dead Ringers team train their vocal firepower on the week’s news. This week: Trump turns tricks, Tuchel talks tactics, and Count Binface is unmasked.
Starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey and Kieran Hodgson.
To hear more episodes of Dead Ringers, search "Friday Night Comedy" on BBC Sounds.
Produced by: Jon HolmesExecutive Producer:James RobinsonProduction Co-ordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Tabitha Beckworth is the founder and CEO of globally successful wellness brand, The Whisper. But, like any super driven hyper successful business person she does many different things, all of them to great success - over 3 million subscribers to her YouTube channel is a testament to this. But for this interview, Tabitha found time in her packed schedule to sit down with Alistair to explain more about what The Whisper is and the global community it has created.
This episode featured on Comedy of the Week is titled Wellness guru Tabitha Beckworth. To hear more from the series, search "The Big Idea with Alistair Green" on BBC Sounds.
Alistair would like to take this moment to put it in writing that he doesn’t necessarily endorse the views of the guests.
The Big Idea with Alistair Green is brought to you by Are You Okay? Mental Health. It’s a lot isn’t it?
Written and performed by Alistair Green.
Produced by Alex Burnard.
A Cup & Nuzzle production for BBC Radio 4.
P.O.V. returns for a second series of sketches from the internet's best comedians. This week we hear a sports commentary for the green-fingered, a policeman who is very determined to tell you something, and a trailer for every true crime podcast ever.
Written and performed by Davina Bentley, Jake Bhardwaj, Kylie Brakeman, Stephen Buchanan, Nathan Caton, The Exploding Heads, Rachel Fairburn, Daniel Foxx, Matt Green, Kelechi Okafor, Elaine Owusu and Ed Night and Paddy Young.
Recorded at The Soundhouse Studios and Guilt Free Post, London; Maximum Fun, Los Angeles; and Sonido Studios, Clydebank.
Sound design ... Rich Evans at Synbox Post.
Producer ... Ed MorrishExecutive producer ... Lyndsay Fenner
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
In a world of crossfit and kink-shaming, budgeting and meal prep, John Tothill presents the antidote to self-improvement.
In this episode John tackles the workplace - rejecting the nauseating barrage of self-betterment and productivity, in favour of your worst impulses and transgressions.
Listen, we all have regrets that make us wince to remember and consider booking a one-way ticket to Nepal. But do you know what the biggest killer in the UK is? That's right: shame. So come on in, darlings. Curl up with a lovely big pint of Negroni and share your naughtiest stories. John is here to celebrate your vices and absolve you of your sins. You have nothing to be ashamed of.
Producer: Sasha BobakExecutive Producer: Pete StraussCo-Writer: Eve DelaneyProduction Coordintor: Asha Osborne-Grinter
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Brighty’s holiday in Bath is interrupted by Babs insisting he make amends to his sister, Flan, after he ended her engagement with the entrepreneurial industrialist Mr Poach. Unfortunately the plan to fix the wrong of meddling in his sister’s life, involves more meddling in his sister's life. Meanwhile Churley has to contend with making ‘arrangements’ for an unexpected boxing match.
Lord Christian Brighty used to be the most notorious rake of the Regency. But after a hazing ritual for a new chambermaid led to a self-inflicted cannonball injury, Brighty, compelled by the chambermaid in question - the uneducated but forthright Babigail – resolves to mend his ways. Accompanying him in his quest are Babs (elevated beyond her station to a chambermaid-cum-adviser role), and his butler, Mr Churlington (although Churley would actually prefer everything to stay exactly as it used to be).
Written by Amy Greaves & Christian Brighty
Cast:Lord Christian Brighty ….. Christian BrightyBabs ….. Jessica KnappettChurlington ….. Colin McFarlaneLady Flan Brighty ….. Jodie MitchellLavinia – a boxing trainer ….. Chiara GoldsmithMr Poach – an industrialist ….. David ReedAmelia – a lady at the spa ….. Amy GreavesPierce Egan – a boxing commentator – Jason ForbesBob Gregson – a boxing pundit – Joz Norris
Script Editor ….. David ReedSound & Recording ….. Sonica StudiosPhotographer ….. Will HearleProducer ….. Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4
Christian Brighty and Amy Greaves’ viral sketches based on Bridgerton, Poldark and Jane Austen have catapulted them to viral stardom, securing Christian’s place as the internet’s answer to Mr Darcy and amassing 250 million views across TikTok and Instagram (@brightybuoy). Amy and Christian both have a deep love for the work of Jane Austen, traditional regency romance (not smut), and historical romance set in the regency (smut). The first series of The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty was nominated for Best Radio Show at the Chortle Awards 2025, and listed in The i's Best Radio Comedies Ever.
Frank Skinner and guests Dee Allum, Pierre Novellie, Zoe Lyons and Hasan Al-Habib discuss the tactics of Genghis Khan, the ethics of mousetraps and the morals of forgetting to wear trousers. Also, Swedish sheep wagons.
Everyone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. And our all-star panel have to work out just what they were reviewing – and maybe contribute a few reviews of their own. So if you’re the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as “Very steep and too high”, this show salutes you!
Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter Tellouche
Devised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
Ian Smith is back on his quest for calm. In this episode, Ian is going through one of the most stressful life experiences... moving house. Is he middle class now? How can he keep in touch with his friends? And just how much damage can an entire chickpea cause? Let’s find out together in Ian Smith is Stressed.
Written and performed by Ian SmithAdditional Material from Mike Shephard and Rhiannon ShawFeaturing Stuart LawsAssistant Producer - Em HumbleProduction Manager - Laura ShawProduced by Benjamin SuttonA Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4
A spiritual journey like no other… just with more chaos, queueing, and a missing pair of sandals.
Blending storytelling, stand-up and documentary, comedian Ali Shahalom (aka Ali Official) takes us on a deeply personal comic journey through one of the most important acts of worship in Islam: Hajj. What begins as a sacred pilgrimage becomes a test of patience, endurance, and broadband speed.
From battling the notoriously stressful Nusuk booking system (“depression you pay for”) to convincing his entire family to commit to the trip, Ali charts every step of the journey with warmth, honesty and razor-sharp humour. There are frozen bank accounts, passport panics, and a £40,000 leap of faith - and that's all before he’s even left the UK.
Written and performed by Ali ShahalomScript editor - Laura MajorSound design - Andy GoddardProducer - Victoria Lloyd
A Mighty Bunny Production for BBC Radio 4
Streeting wants in and Starmer styles it out. The multi-award-winning satire is back as Jon Holmes mashes up the news with pop-culture to create a current affairs satirical comedy concept album.
Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
A year ago, Emer Maguire had it all. Now she’s sleeping on the floor of her brother’s student flat in a shady part of Belfast – no girlfriend, no home, no hope. Where did it all go wrong? How did she end up all alone, broken hearted and with only an assistance dog called Dougal for company? Is she the Patron Saint of Bad Luck?
Comedian Emer Maguire recalls how the worst year of her life - including messy break-up, serious medical issues and not one, but two life-changing diagnoses – put her on the path to living her best life. Told with her trademark honesty and songwriting brilliance, Emer’s tale is both heartfelt and uplifting, a laugh-out-loud rollercoaster journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
One of Northern Ireland’s most exciting comedic voices, Emer Maguire (who was dubbed by one critic as the “indie Victoria Wood”) is a double Irish IMRO award-winning presenter and four times TEDx speaker.
Written and performed by Emer MaguireProduced by Anna HindsExecutive Producer: Keith MartinSound: David Walker
A FABEL radio production for BBC Radio 4
This week, Geoff looks at the “angry middle-aged white men” that Gary Neville identified as the source of all division within the UK. Is that fair? If so, why are they angry? And could there be both a deeper reason for their anger and also a better outlet for it?
As ever, these serious points are intercut with “manly hypotheticals”, the sort of question men ask each other to avoid talking about stuff that matters, like - if you’re drinking non-alcoholic beer, are you still obliged to buy a round?
This is episode 2 of Series 2 of Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club. To hear more from this series, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.
Written and presented by Geoff Norcott
Recorded by Sean KerwinProduction manager: Dawn WilliamsExecutive producer: Caroline Raphael
Producer: Ed Morrish
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4
This is episode 1 of the latest series of Brian & Roger, titled Carla.
There’s not much that could quell Roger’s positive mood; he’s got a plan for a very special bonding activity with his teenage son Jamie and Brian may be able to help. There’s romance on the cards too but he'll need some dating advice...
Brian & Roger are friends that met at a support group for divorced men.Both are starting again, both are finding it hard.One of them is nice.
To hear more episodes from this series, search "Brian and Roger" on BBC Sounds.
Written and performed by Harry Peacock and Dan Skinner.Produced by Joel Morris and Sally Harrison.Music by Bach, arranged by Hywel Davies.Hywel Davies (piano), Luke Belcher (bass), Tilly Tremayne (vocals).
Executive Producer: Johnny VegasA Woolyback production for BBC Radio 4
In this episode Sue checks out a fiendish Church-eating fungus, the mad lifecycle of Marine Midges and a potential orgasm fungus.
This is episode 2 of series 5 of Nature Table - Miraculous Marine Midges and Church-Eating Fungus.
‘Sue Perkins’ Nature Table - possibly the funniest “natural science” series, ever.’ Pick of the Week, The Telegraph
Recorded at the Natural History Museum, this episode of Sue Perkins’ ARIA-winning ‘Show and Tell’ wildlife comedy features special guests: comedian Sara Pascoe, the Natural History Museum’s Queen of flies Dr. Erica McAlister and Fungarium Collections Manager at Kew Gardens, Lee Davies.
Nature Table has a simple clear goal: to positively celebrate our planet’s wonderfully wild (and funny) flora and fauna in a fun accessible way... whilst always having a giggle.
Hosted by: Sue PerkinsGuests: Sara Pascoe, Dr. Erica McAlister, Lee Davies and Elizabeth.Written by: Jon Hunter and Jenny Laville.Additional material by: Jade Gebbie.Researcher: Catherine BeazleyExecutive Producer: James RobinsonSound Editor: Jerry PealMusic by: Ben MirinProduction Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls & Caroline BarlowProducer: Simon Nicholls
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This episode we hear Hugh Dennis's word for decision fatigue, Katy Wix's coinage for when you find yourself stuck telling a story in public to break an awkward silence, and Jess Fostekew's word for that nuggety squashed sock you find stuck inside a duvet cover.
Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.
This is episode four from series three of Unspeakable. To hear more from this series, search "Unspeakable" on BBC Sounds.
Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie DentGuests: Hugh Dennis, Jess Fostekew and Katy WixCreated by Joe VarleyWriters: Matt Crosby and James FarmerRecorded by Jerry PealProducer: Jon HarveyExecutive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash Lockmun
A Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4
It's the first every Live Comedy Day, and Live From the UK brings a special, extended episode to the Radio 4 listener.
Angela Barnes is back at the comedy club where she did her first ever gig, the Brighton Komedia. She did a comedy course with comedy guru Jill Edwards, so catches up with her to chat about starting out, and grassroots comedy.
We also tour to all 4 nations of the UK, bringing you insights on a night tour of Edinburgh Zoo, useless stuff you learn in school, nans playing rugby and the dystopian world of fast food restaurants.
Throughout the show, some of the UK's best loved comedians will also pop up to tell you about their first ever gig.
In this episode, you can hear;
Christopher Macarthur-Boyd at the Monkey Barrel in EdinburghEmer Maguire at the Empire Music Hall, BelfastCarwyn Blayney at the Swansea GrandSeann Walsh at Komedia Brighton
Additional Material by Ruth Husko
Recorded by David Thomas, Sean Kerwin and Davy NeilSound design by David ThomasProduction Coordinator: Jodie CharmanExecutive Producer: Pete Strauss
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
We like to think we vote with our heads. But what if we've always voted with our tribe? Top political comedian Matt Forde convenes his Focus Group in front of a live theatre audience with a razor-sharp panel — former Conservative adviser Salma Shah, ex-SNP MP and broadcaster John Nicolson, and stand-up comedian Pierre Novellie — to ask whether tribal loyalty is the secret engine of political life. From parties haemorrhaging members to rivals, to the flag-wrapped contradictions of nationalist politics, to the question of whether multicultural Britain is importing conflicts it never signed up for, this is an episode about belonging, identity - and the ridiculous places both can lead
This featured episode is The Politics of The Tribe from Series 2 of The Matt Forde Focus Group on BBC Radio 4.
Written and performed by Matt FordeAdditional writing from Karl Minns, Ruth Husko and Richard GarvinProducer: Richard GarvinCo Producer: Daisy KnightBroadcast Assistant: Ocean HolderSound Design: David ThomasEditor Chris MacleanAn Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
53 year old Slim looks back on his first proper decade of adulthood.
Driving the buses of London in this period leads Slim to reflect on why bus drivers don't get respect. He's also a father of two at this point, and recalls some of his favourite, and least favourite dad duties, and we also hear about his first time in front of an audience.
This is the third episode from the series Slim's Guide to Life. For more episodes, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.
Written and performed by SlimScript Edited by David AjaoProduction Coordinator: Caroline BarlowExecutive Producer: Pete StraussRecorded at Up The Creek comedy club by Chris Maclean.Sound design by Chris MacleanMusic by Slim
Slim's Guide to Life is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies, and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
Cariad Lloyd, Steen Raskopoulos, Luke Manning, and Emily Lloyd-Saini embark on a new series of improv mayhem. Host Alasdair Beckett-King presides over a series of games full of emotional butchers, a three-headed movie director, and the inner monologue of a spider trapped in the bath.
"No Script. No Prep. No Clue."
To hear more episode from this series, search "Wing It" on BBC Sounds.
Presented by Alasdair Beckett-King
Devised and produced by Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James RobinsonProduction Co-ordinator: Katie BaumAdditional material: Ruth HuskoSound Editor: Chris Maclean
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
Comedian Aurie Styla returns to rampage through the history of technology, through his own experience as a self-confessed tech nerd growing up in the 90s, and various things you thought you’d forgotten.
With his interactive, wildly funny style, tonight the focus is on the role tech has played in our fitness lives: for better or worse
This episode is from the Stand-Up Specials brand on BBC Sounds.
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4.
An audience show in which Colin explores how his bizarre family made him the man he is today. Now, as a 45 year-old dad, he wonders if it’s too late to do anything about it. Based on his hugely successful 2024 Edinburgh show, Colin weaves anecdotes and musings with all too real stories about his early life, featuring a recurring cast of characters: his perennially pessimistic mum, his not-quite-in-reality brothers and his long-suffering Dad who screams ‘why can’t we just be a normal family?’ Colin asks “is it a surprise my neurodiversity was missed?' But growing up in Nottingham we just had a simple phrase that covered everything - ‘he’s not right’. Colin paints a picture of a childhood full of secrets and lies, dominated by Mum’s terror of ending up in the local ‘madhouse’ whilst espousing paranoid conspiracies and pulling out the Ouija board on Christmas Day. Whilst inherently funny, the craziness is recounted with love and sympathy. A brilliant storyteller, Colin intercuts tales of that childhood life with stories about his own contemporary family and how one has been shaped by the other. What does he want to pass on and what does he absolutely not want to? How does he be the best dad he can when his basic understanding of the world is so scrambled? Each episode begins with Colin telling us how he’s, possibly inappropriately, reacted to something mundane that has just happened or been said to him. He’ll unpick the story across the episode tracing his reaction back to his upbringing with other themes, stories and observations along the way. Colin’s stand-up is intercut with childhood and contemporary scenes. Colin plays all his family members, neighbours, distant relatives, postmen, etc.
Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on spiders. Consistently ranked amongst the most creepy and crawly, we ask are spiders abusive arachnids or kooky cuties?
Helping Russell decide whether spiders are evil or genius are top comedian Josh Jones and leading entomologist & England Manager for Buglife, Dr. Karim Vahed.
To hear more from this series, search "Evil Genius" on BBC Sounds.
Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina RiggsResearcher: Catherine BeazleySound Recordist: Gareth WoodDigital Editor: Jerry PealProduction Coordinator: Liz TuohyExecutive Producer: Paul SmithProducer: Simon Nicholls
Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.
A Match Made Inshallah is a fearless, funny show where the 44-year-old, twice-divorced stand-up comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri is looking for love and ready to date - and she wants us all to be her wingman.
Mixing stand-up, commentary, and the actual date itself, we will hear Fatiha’s deepest thoughts, hopes, dreams, and judgements as we join her every step of the way through the dating minefield.
Written and Performed by Fatiha El-GhorriProducer: Laura GrimshawExecutive Producers: Jon Holmes and Carrie Rose
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
In this Stand-up Special Finlay Christie makes his Radio 4 debut in front of a live audience at The Brunswick in Brighton.
He provides insight into how he and his generation have grown into the adults they’re now expected to be. Using new and existing material from his critically acclaimed Edinburgh shows he’ll cover topics like; the expectations of different generations; “pensioners complaining they can’t heat their house. That sounds like a boast – You’ve got a house?!’ ...”
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the differences between the generations; “People say young people are more sensitive, but every generation is sensitive, we’re just sensitive about different stuff. We’re sensitive about pronouns, old people are sensitive about Princess Diana.”
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how his generation feel about the world; "Gen Z are very nihilistic. World’s gonna end in our lifetimes and we don’t care. One girl in Sweden cared and that made the news.”
“TikTok has made me see people who watch films as intellectuals. Ooh, you have a penchant for cinéma?? Ohohoho.”And how it now feels to be a man; “ the difference between Man and Boy - "Landlord bad…. rent boy..nice….” " “It’s a boy” - “congratulations”. “It’s a man” - “allegations.”
At 19, Finlay became one of the youngest ever winners of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny competition, following in the footsteps of Peter Kay, Lee Mack and Sarah Millican. 3 years later, his debut Edinburgh show “OK Zoomer” was nominated for NextUp’s “Best Show” award and was released as a special in October 2023. His material, based around his experience as a Gen Z, led Chortle to describe him as “the voice of his generation.”
Producer: Julian Mayers
Despite a complex childhood, and with her teenage years spent guiding the career of her controversial comedian mother Janey Godley whilst caring for her depressed autistic father, Ashley has just had the most surreal, dramatic, tragic… and successful year of her life.
Her dream job was always in the magical world of TV with all its escapism, justice and happy endings. But the universe has a twisted sense of humour, and just as Ashley finally gets her big break, Janey is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Yay.
In this episode, we jump inside the brilliant and unhinged autistic brain of our “adult perma-child” protagonist and attempt to unspool this tragicomedy with some hilarious digressions en route.
Produced by Julia SutherlandSound Design by Sean KerwinA Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Chris McCausland asks Amy Gledhill and Luke McQueen to take on Angela Barnes and Kiell Smith-Bynoe. The teams must figure out what on earth is being advertised on TV, guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe, and guess what soundscapes their teammates are trying to convey using their mouths alone.
This is the first episode from the third season of You Heard It Here First, titled The Live Disintegration of a Man's Being. To hear more episodes, search "You Heard It Here First" on BBC Sounds.
Producer: Sasha BobakAssistant Producer: Eve DelaneyExecutive Producer: Pete StraussProduction Coordinator: Jodie Charman
A BBC Studios Production.
A satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year, covering local elections, flag fever, Starmer's struggles, Trump's travails, and a very special meeting between King Charles and Pope Leo XIV.
To hear more episodes of The News Quiz, search "Friday Night Comedy" on BBC Sounds.
Written and presented by Andy Zaltzman.
Producer: Rajiv KariaExecutive Producer: Pete StraussProduction Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4An Eco-Audio certified Production
Chloe Slack presents an Anniversary Special celebrating 81 years of Time Of The Week alongside former host Ruth Paul (special guest Ellie White). Plus: items on Tall Sons, viral dances and we answer the question ‘Do women feel storms more than men?’
Sian Clifford stars as self-important journalist Chloe Slack in this comedy series parodying women’s current affairs and talk shows, surrounded by an ensemble cast of character comedians.
Chloe Slack - Sian CliffordRuth Paul - Ellie White
Ensemble cast:Ada PlayerAlice CockayneAruhan GalievaAyoade BamgboyeCaroline ElmsEm PrendergastJodie MitchellJonathan OldfieldLorna Rose TreenMofé Akàndé
Created by Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan Oldfield
Writing team:Alice CockayneJodie MitchellJonathan OldfieldLorna Rose TreenPriya HallWill Hughes
Script Editors - Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan OldfieldPhotographer - Will HearleProducer - Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4
I Don’t Do…Christmas! is a brand new, gloriously mischievous panel show for people who’d, well, rather not.
Julian Clary hosts a yuletide celebration like no other, joined by comedians Jo Brand, Glenn Moore and Fatiha El-Ghorri, with special guest Gareth Malone.
Hosted and Created by Julian Clary
Featuring: Jo Brand, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Glenn MooreSpecial Guest: Gareth Malone
Additional Material: Andrew White
Sound: David ThomasProduction Manager: Laura ShawProducer: Charlie DinkinExecutive Producer: Benjamin Sutton
A Daddy’s Superyacht production for BBC Radio 4
Comedian and folk musician David Eagle (of the three time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winning group "The Young'uns") brings his brand new comedy show to Radio 4. In episode 1 of 'See No Eagle', David's unpacking his childhood, from those memorable moments of his first go at the keyboard, to gracing the stage for the very first time (headlining the Teddy Bears picnic).
Written and performed by David Eagle.
Editor: David ThomasProduction Co-ordinator: Jodie CharmanProducer: Rajiv Karia
Frank & guests Dee Allum, Hasan Al-Habib, Marcus Brigstocke & Bella Hull discuss the most fashionable way to wear a pizza, the most unfashionable way to wear a Tam o’Shanter and the tallest swimming trunks in the world
This is the panel game based on what we all sit down and do at least once a day – shop online and leave a review, as an all-star panel celebrate the good, the bad & the baffling
Everyone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. And our all-star panel have to work out just what they were reviewing – and maybe contribute a few reviews of their own... and more... So if you’re the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as “Very steep and too high”, this show salutes you!
This is the second episode of series three of One Person Found This Helpful. To hear more episodes, just search "One Person Found This Helpful" on BBC Sounds.
Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter Tellouche
Devised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David Tyler
A Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4
Marley wants to join a new gym with a legendary trainer. Unfortunately, he can’t afford the fees. Meanwhile Taylor needs an interesting character to write about – Angie thinks she knows just the person.
Created by Travis Jay, Rum Punch is an award-winning sitcom that follows a multigenerational family as they juggle pursuit of their individual ambitions with their responsibilities to the family business - a Caribbean restaurant in the heart of Lewisham.
Rum Punch cast:
Charlie - Ninia BenjaminDes - Kevin Garry (KG Tha Comedian)Taylor - Kyrah GrayLydia - Letitia HectorMarley - Travis JayAngie - Angie Le MarDelroy - Eddie Nestor
Writer – Travis JayAdditional Material – Danielle VitalisScript Editor – Atlanta GreenSound Engineer – David ThomasEditor – David ThomasProduction Assistant – Sahar Malaika Rajabali, Eunice Oshiguwa, Jessica FatoyeProducers – Daisy Knight and Jules LomExecutive Producers – Richard Allen-Turner and Jon Thoday
An Avalon Television Production for BBC Radio 4
Ever had a text from a non-existent offspring? A call from someone claiming to be from your bank? Or an email from a Nigerian prince….? Cop turned comic Alfie Moore is here to guide you through the modern world of scams.
With him, as always, are his audience of sworn in deputies, who’ll help him pick his way through some true crime conundrums, as part of the BBC’s Scam Safe Week.
Written and presented by Alfie MooreScript Editor: Will IngProduction Co-ordinator: Giulia Lopes MazzuProducers: James Robinson and Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
Tom and Lauren are getting ready to go on holiday together. Unfortunately Tom has never flown with a budget airline before and doesn't realise that suitcases and carry-on are extras. Lauren is struggling to choose which clothes to leave behind, because she's worried about being judged by other women and she refuses to do laundry while she's on holiday.
Tom is mortified to discover that he needs to pay extra for them to be seated together while Lauren is dismayed at the prospect of hours in a middle seat with a giant on one side and chronic B.O. on the other.
Neil drops by to ask Tom to sort out some cardboard that Lauren has left in the bin store because "she's not a great Greta", so Tom asks him to water Lauren's plants while they're away - much to Lauren's horror.
Cast:Tom Machell as TomLauren Pattison as LaurenJulian Clary as Neil
Writers: Tom Machell & Lauren PattisonDirector: Katharine ArmitageRecording Engineer: Philip QuintonSound Design: Philip QuintonTheme Music: ScrannabisProducers: Maria Caruana Galizia & Zahra ZomorrodianA Candle & Bell production for BBC Radio 4
Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby tells the amazing true story of Scott and Jemma Bennett’s infant daughter Olivia and her battle with a rare genetic condition, how she was nearly fatally misdiagnosed and how Scott challenged the hospital to improve their care - by taking his dad’s advice to “Put a tie on”.
First-time parents Scott and Jemma are taken from the apparently idyllic world of having a new-born baby who sleeps through the night and suddenly plunged into months of misguided treatments, genetics, bizarre side effects and private jets.
Recorded in Scott and Jemma’s home town of Nottingham - where the real-life story began - this is an emotional show about a critically ill baby but it’s also a really funny one with a happy and hopeful ending.
Written and Performed by Scott Bennett
Produced by Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4
Jon Long and Dr Tara Shine join forces for more of the hybrid comedy-magazine show that emits jokes and facts that (carbon) capture all things climate to demystify the issues and offer advice on how to make positive choices in our everyday lives.
This week - The Carbon Cost of Tech, The Internet and AI with special guests Chris McCausland and Mike Berners-Lee.
In previous episodes, we’ve covered Food, Travel and Christmas, so what’s next? Well, it turns out that our previous episodes did not solve the climate crisis on their own. So, for this series, we will be looking at the topics of Tech and AI, Waste Management and Recycling, and The Fashion Footprint.
Expect new in-studio guests and on-location experts, more games, more practical advice, more cold hard stats, and the return of Greenwash of the Week to shout out the heroes and villains of the climate crisis.
Presenters: Jon Long and Dr Tara ShineGuests: Chris McCausland and Mike Berners-LeeProducer: Laura GrimshawExecutive Producer: Jon HolmesLive Sound: Jerry PealPost-production Sound: Tony Churnside
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4.
The team look at human hobbies and wonder, what is the point?
Gareth goes on a date, purely for research purposes, and roving reporter Phil is back at the Swindon nest to observe his favourite family...from a safe and morally appropriate distance.
To listen to more episodes from this series, search "Humanwatch" on BBC Sounds.
Written and presented by Marjolein Robertson and Gareth Waugh
With Phil Ellis and Katia Kvinge
Additional voice by Kai Humphries
Produced by Lauren Mackay
Sound by Fraser Jackson
Photographer: Chris Quilietti
A BBC Scotland production for Radio 4.
First stop of the new series is Oakham, nestled in the UK’s smallest county – Rutland.
Rutland has a village that's proudly twinned with Paris (even if the Parisians don’t know), has Europe’s largest man-made lake (which required flooding a local village) and hangs its horseshoes the other way round (so the devil falls out, obviously).
Joining Mark is Clare Balding, who’s also in town to take him on a ramble around Rutland.
This is the 14th series of Mark's award winning show where he travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience. As well as Oakham, in this series, Mark be will also be popping to Wrexham, Cambridge, Lewisham and, Lerwick and Unst in Shetland.
To hear more episodes from this series, search "Mark Steel's In Town" on BBC Sounds.
Written and performed by Mark Steel
Additional material by Pete SinclairProduction co-ordinator Caroline Barlow and Katie BaumSound Manager Jerry PealProducer Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for Radio 4
Paul Sinha tests his audience in Leicester on their knowledge of their home county, Trivial Pursuit-style - with all the colours of questions, from geography to entertainment, getting asked. Can they fill the wedges, and can Paul answer their favourite questions, about crisps, bells and cricket?
To hear more episodes, search "Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz" on BBC Sounds.
Written and performed by Paul SinhaAdditional material: Oliver LevyAdditional questions: The Audience
Original music: Tim Sutton
Recording engineer: Jerry PealMixed by: Rich EvansProducer: Ed Morrish
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
Ken receives some bad news that requires him to spend more time at home and Achi is forced to cover his role with unexpected, rather peculiar consequences. Meanwhile Harriett furiously searches for a way to plug a hole in the charity’s finances.
Garrett Millerick’s ensemble sitcom Do Gooders returns for another series. The show takes us back behind the curtain of fictional mid-level charity, The Alzheimers Alliance, as the fundraising events team continue their struggle for survival. Cue more office feuds, more workplace romances and more catastrophic fundraising blunders – all par for the course when trying to ‘do good’ on an industrial scale.
To listen to more episodes, search "Do Gooders" on BBC Sounds.
Cast
Gladys – Kathryn DrysdaleLauren – Ania MaglianoClive – Garrett MillerickHarriett – Fay RipleyAchi – Ahir ShahKen – Frank Skinner
Writer – Garrett MillerickAdditional Material – Andrea HubertSound Engineer – David ThomasEditor – David ThomasProduction Assistant – Jenny RecaldinProducer – Jules LomExecutive Producers – Richard Allen-Turner, Daisy Knight, Julien Matthews, Jon Thoday
An Avalon Television Production for BBC Radio 4
Former-forensic-scientist-turned-stand-up-comedian Ria Lina examines the gap between the science we’re sold by the wellness industry and the science that’s done in a lab – particularly when it comes to treatments that boast anti-aging effects.
This episode, she’s joined by comedian Geoff Norcott to see if Microneedling can make their faces look any younger.
Featuring Ria Lina and Geoff NorcottWritten by Ria Lina and Steve N AllenProduced by Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4
Comedian Glenn Moore looks in his almanac at world events and what he was doing at the time. In this episode, a deadly spy operation causes Glenn to suspect his completely innocent Russian flatmate who just happens to have a novelty cigarette lighter in the shape of a gun. And not a novelty gun in the shape of a cigarette lighter.
Perhaps best-known for his outrageously brilliant one-liners on Mock The Week , Glenn delivers a tale of comic mishaps and extraordinary scenes interwoven with a big event in history – and looks back through his almanac to find out other strange connections to the day as well.
This is the first episode of the Second series of Glenn Moore's Almanac. To hear more episodes, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.
Written by Glenn with additional material by Katie Storey (Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, The Last Leg) and produced and directed by David Tyler (Cabin Pressure, Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive, etc)
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
2025's instalment of John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme is forty-five minutes of the funniest things John thought of in the last year, performed by John and his regular cast of Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin and Carrie Quinlan, with composer Susannah Pearse at the piano and Sally Stares on the cello.
Please note that listening to these sketches about seahorses, time travel and sirens may cause side effects, unless you're listening to the placebo version of the show.
Written and performed by … John FinnemoreEnsemble … Margaret Cabourn-SmithEnsemble … Simon KaneEnsemble … Lawry LewinEnsemble … Carrie Quinlan
Original music … Susannah PearsePiano … Susannah PearseCello … Sally Stares
Recording … Jerry Peal & Jon CalverEditing … Rich Evans
Production Manager … Katie BaumExecutive Producer … Richard Morris
Producer … Ed Morrish
John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme is a BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
We return to Icklewick one year after the explosive events of Mischief Night. With Amy’s whereabouts still unknown and the rest of the team scattered, Chris has been struggling to keep Icklewick FM on the air from his home studio.
Things are deffo looking bleak until he receives a mysterious call from Mainland Europe...
Icklewick FM is created and written by Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill, with additional material from the cast.
To listen to more episodes from this series, search "Ickelwick FM" on BBC Sounds.
Starring:Amy GledhillChris CantrillMark SilcoxColin HoultJanice ConnollyPhil EllisTom LawrinsonTom BurgessNicola RedmanTai CampbellEm HumbleJames Carbutt
Series Artwork by Sam O'Leary
Music, sound design and additional material by Jack Lewis Evans.Line Produced by Laura ShawProduced by Benjamin Sutton.A Daddy’s Superyacht production for BBC Radio 4
Returning in its original one-to-one incarnation, Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101. This week Paul welcomes Richard Ayoade.
Comedy fans can catch the nominees for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 in this showcase for BBC Radio 4.
Guaranteed to be packed with laughs, this special will be hosted by last year’s Best Comedy Show winner, Amy Gledhill.
The prestigious awards is celebrating its 45th year and is recognising a Best Newcomer and a Best Show. In this gala, hosted by 2024 Best Show winner Amy Gledhill, we'll hear from all the nominees to give listeners around the UK the chance to hear the cream of this year’s Edinburgh crop. The gala was recorded at the Gilded Balloon, one of the Edinburgh Fringe’s iconic comedy venues.
Nominated for Best Show are:Ian Smith, Katie Norris, Ed Night, Sam Jay, John Tothill, Sam Nicoresti, Creepy Boys and Dan Tiernan
Nominated for Best Newcomer are:Molly McGuinness, Toussaint Douglass, Ada & Bron, Elouise Eftos, Ayoade Bamgboye, Kate Owens and Roger O'Sullivan.
Host: Amy GledhillProducer: Georgia KeatingProduction Co-ordinator: Caroline BarlowEdited by Giles AspenRecorded by Sean Kerwin
Recorded at The Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh.A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This first episode takes a cheeky look at the costs of end of life care and you might be surprised to find out just how pricey it is to pop your clogs!
When it seems like everything is getting more expensive; comedian, former banker and serial funeral-organiser Stuart Mitchell breaks down the true Cost of Dying. Using his own experience Stuart aims to find out if can we even afford to kick the bucket? You’ll learn so much about the hidden costs of dying, you may well decide not to bother doing it!
To find more episodes from this series, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.
Written and Performed by Stuart MitchellProducer: Lauren MackaySound: Andy Hay and Chris Currie
Oliver Callan hosts a panel show in which comedians from both sides of the Irish border and Britain imagine what a united Ireland would look like if it ever happened.
This week, Oliver Callan is joined by Neil Delamere, Alison Spittle, John Meagher and Ashley Storrie to debate a new national flag, who the head of state might be and the official, national breakfast.
To listen to Part 2: Belfast, search Oliver Callan Bins The Border on BBC Sounds.
Producer: Marc McElroyA BBC Northern Ireland Production for Radio 4.
Live from the UK brings you the best comedy talent from around the country, all from the comfort of your own headphones.
Stand up legend Angela Barnes talks to Glasgow about their swearing, Newcastle about their love of getting starkers on holiday, and Manchester about the rude origins of their city's name.
She brings you acts from all of these places and more, covering topics as far and wide as heatwaves, Gazza, hen dos and the George Foreman grill. How many shows can say that?
This week you can hear;
Mark Nelson at The Stand, GlasgowLouise Young at The Stand, NewcastleHayley Ellis at the Frog and Bucket, Manchesterand headliner Josh Pugh at the Glee Club, Birmingham
Additional Material by Eve Delaney
Recorded by Sean Kerwin and David ThomasSound design by David ThomasProduction Coordinator: Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer: Pete Strauss
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
An EcoAudio Certified Production.
This week, we have a very special guest, Jon Stewart! Jon joins Armando and Helen to discuss whether Trump is the political equivalent of Miles Davis, the quaintness of UK politics compared to the US, Jon does a flawless Margaret Thatcher impression and they answer the age old question... are escalators the most emasculating form of travel?
To hear more episodes from this series, search Strong Message Here on BBC Sounds.
Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk
Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-KingProduction Coordinator - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Pete Strauss
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.An EcoAudio Certified Production.
In this week’s case Alfie investigates an assault on an elderly man at a bus stop. But what could have provoked such a cowardly crime?
Join former-cop turned stand-up comedian, Alfie Moore and his audience of sworn-in deputies as they ask if compassion is a thing of the past.
It's a Fair Cop is the show where you, the audience, help deal with the cases Alfie's unearthed from 20 years of policing experience, to take a comic look at the law.
For more episodes, search "It's a Fair Cop" on BBC Sounds.
Written and presented by Alfie MooreScript Editor: Will IngProduction Co-ordinator: Caroline BarlowProducer: Sam Holmes
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
Can political discussion be funny? Er - yes!
Top political comedian Matt Forde convenes his focus group in front of a live theatre audience with guests comedian Pierre Novellie, Baroness Ayesha Hazarika and former Director of Communications at Number 10, Guto Harri - to see if a few sparks fly as they examine different ways people are pandered to and whether they have ever done any pandering themselves.
To hear more episodes, search "The Matt Forde Focus Group" on BBC Sounds.
Written and performed by Matt FordeAdditional writing from Karl Minns, Katie Storey and Richard GarvinProducer: Richard GarvinCo Producers: Daisy Knight and Jules LomBroadcast Assistant: Jenny RecaldinSound Design and Editing: David ThomasAn Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
We hear Clive Anderson's new word for the mystery of hotel bathrooms, Sindhu Vee's term to measure cuteness, and a nail-biting finish from Ed Gamble.
Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.
To hear more episodes, search "Unspeakable" on BBC Sounds.
Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie DentGuests: Clive Anderson, Ed Gamble and Sindhu VeeCreated by Joe VarleyWriters: Matt Crosby and Katie StoreyRecorded by Jerry PealProducer: Jon HarveyExecutive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash Lockmun
A Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4
Have you ever considered becoming a foster carer?
Multi award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean hadn’t - until a chance radio advert changed everything.
In this heartfelt and inspiring half-hour special, recorded in front of a live audience, Kiri shares the unexpected and deeply personal journey that led her to become a Local Authority foster carer on the Welsh island of Ynys Môn. With her signature wit and warmth, Kiri lifts the lid on the system and offers a moving, candid, and funny account of what it truly means to open your home - and your heart - to a child in need.
First broadcast during Foster Care Fortnight in the UK, this programme shines a timely spotlight on the extraordinary power of ordinary people to make a difference.
Written and performed by Kiri Pritchard-McLeanProducer: Tashi RadhaExecutive Producer : Suzy GrantSound Engineers: Jerry Peal & Jon LastProduction Manager: Sarah Sharpe
A Listen production for Radio 4
The standout satirist of the social media age, Michael Spicer, returns with his sketch comedy show that targets the exponential lunacy of the politics and culture that is overwhelming us.
Apprentice hopefuls are challenged to create the perfect, sustainable planet. Can the boys' team rise to the challenge, or will they be fired directly into a supernova? And our government troubleshooters - all called Tim - solve the immigration crisis once and for all.
The new series of No Room comes after a critically acclaimed first series that built on MICHAEL Spicer's social media output, which took off when he created his Room Next Door government advisor character. His withering takedowns of politicians have amassed more than 100 million views and helped keep his audience sane in fractured times.
Writer, Performer and Co-Editor: Michael Spicer
Composer and Sound Designer: Augustin Bousfield
Producer: Matt Tiller
A Tillervision production for BBC Radio 4
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.
This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week, tonight considering 'hump day' - Wednesday. Wednesday's child, famously, is full of woe. Both Mark and Esther are in this category. Is the woe a real issue or merely a fairy tale? What is the bleakest joke ever told by a four-year-old? And what would Thomas Hardy make of this series?
Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - here, we welcome Esther Manito.
Producer: Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4
Jon Holmes remixes the news into a current affairs comedy concept album. News meets popular culture in a multi-award-winning mash up. This week: Charlie XCX is bumpin' that with Donald Trump, Minecraft Movie vs Russia, and Starmer: Man of Steel.
Producer: Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4
The Naked Week team are back to place satirical news-tariffs on current events with a mix of correspondents, guests and, occasionally, live animals.
This week we mourn the death of globalisation, take a tour of Keir's new theme park, and play a game of BBC Balance Local Elections Naked Week Joke Twister.
From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.
With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears.
Written by:Jon HolmesKatie SayerGareth CeredigSarah DempsterJason Hazeley.
Investigations Team:Cat NeilanLouis MianFreya ShawMatt Brown
Guests: Freya Parker and Alicia Fitzgerald.
Production Team: Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, Katie Sayer, Phoebe Butler.
Executive Producer: Philip AbramsProduced and Directed by Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
The first four episodes of Call Jonathan Pie series 2 are now available on BBC Sounds, subscribe to be alerted when new episodes in the series are released.
Frustrated call-show host Jonathan Pie is back along with his trusted team – Pie’s finding the daily grind difficult and the team have all become as disillusioned with the world as he has. The new series kicks off with a discussion about the BBC licence fee, or at least it was supposed to. It soon becomes clear however that Pie must answer for past mistakes.
Call Jonathan Pie is written and performed by Tom Walker.With additional material by Nick Revell and Daniel AbelsonJules ….. Lucy PearmanSam ….. Aqib KhanRoger ….. Nick Revell.The callers; Adam Byron, Laura Shavin, Daniel Abelson, Sarah Gabriel and Ed Kear
Producers Alison Vernon-Smith and Julian MayersA Yada-Yada Audio Production for BBC Radio 4
Dan Tiernan doesn't just perform stand up - he attacks it. In Going Under, he debuts his unique brand of furious, unpredictable and wildly entertaining comedy on the radio, covering living with dyspraxia, becoming a dinner lady, and his sister's cancer diagnosis.
An exhilarating mix of raw personal chaos, cutting observations, and gloriously queasy gags, recorded live at Backyard Comedy Club.
Written and Performed by Dan TiernanProduced by Ewan McAdam
Production Manager - Laura ShawExecutive Producer - Charlie DinkinA Daddy's SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4.
The secret of the bees, an unusual secret Santa and the secret to a happy marriage all feature in this week’s show, written by the next generation of comedy writers.
DMs Are Open is back for a brand new series. Stevie Martin is your host and she’s brought together an incredible cast of comedy legends: Al Roberts, Charlotte Ritchie, Sunil Patel and Emily Lloyd-Saini.
Written by the public. This week it was written by:
Steve BlairJo BuntingCaitriona DowdenAruhan GalievaBen PopeVicky RichardsChristina RiggsPete Tellouche
Script Edited by Cameron Loxdale and Mike Shephard.
Producer: Georgia KeatingAssistant Producer: Katie BaumExecutive Producer: James RobinsonProduction Coordinator: Sarah NichollsRecorded by David ThomasSound Design by Charlie Brandon-King
Recorded at Up The Creek.
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.An EcoAudio certified production.
More than 13 million people in this country can be classed as disabled, often in ways we don’t think or talk about – sometimes in ways which even they are not fully conscious of. The spectrum of mental and physical disability is far wider than most of us have ever thought about. It’s an elephant in the room - we can all see it (unless we’re visually impaired) but none of us talk about it (unless we have Tourette Syndrome).
If you’re uncomfortable with these jokes, don’t worry, this show isn’t always going to be comfortable. But it will be subversive, celebratory, and absolutely unlike anything else you’ve ever heard on the radio – or, very likely, anywhere else.
Under the stewardship of sassy American import, Spring Day, The 13 Million Club brings together a remarkable range of talents and a collection of fresh perspectives in a smorgasbord of stand-up and spiky consumer pieces.
From dwarfism to Parkinson’s, via cystic fibrosis, hearing loss, Tourette’s, life in a wheelchair and more besides, we laugh at and with our spectacular cast, which includes Paul Sinha, Will Robbins, Esther Manito and Jess Thom. While they laugh at the attitudes of others, and the madness of a world which is struggling to catch up with - let alone accommodate - them.
Produced by Lianne Coop and Mark Watson.An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4.
Stand-up, philosophy and memoir from the godfather of alternative comedy, Alexei Sayle.
In this episode, Alexei recalls his unorthodox upbringing in Liverpool, his subsequent move to London, and a woman called Mrs Cocker who said something that has stuck with him for ever.
Written and performed by Alexei Sayle.
The song was written and composed by Tim Sutton with:
Sophie Creaner - clarinet and saxTom Ellis - acoustic guitarMatt Sharp - cello
Producer - Richard MorrisProduction Co-ordinator - Jodie Charman
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
Frank & guests Laura Smyth, Sunil Patel, Simon Evans & Kyrah Gray discuss googling, goggling, groping, gropping and the correct way to punch yourself in the face.
This is the panel game based on what we all sit down and do at least once a day - shop online and leave a review, as an all-star panel celebrate the good, the bad & the baffling
Everyone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. And our all-star panel have to work out just what they were reviewing – and maybe contribute a few reviews of their own... and more... So if you’re the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as “Very steep and too high”, this show salutes you!
Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Rajiv Karia, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter Tellouche
Devised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David Tyler
A Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4
Fresh from his appearance on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, actor Stephen Mangan finds himself in the kind of trouble where the Bible, the Complete Works of Shakespeare, and his luxury item will be no help whatsoever.
From Bill Dare (Dead Ringers), Jon Holmes (The Skewer) and writers Tom Oxenham and Simon Alcock, actor Stephen Mangan washes up on the actual island from Desert Island Discs, only to discover that he is not alone.
Living among the palms and rocky outcrops and thousands of copies of the Bible lying in the sand are every former guest of the show - and it’s all gone a bit Lord of the Flies.
Through Stephen’s audio diary, we learn that all TV chef Nadiya Hussain wants to do is hunt, that Richard Madeley’s gone feral, and that Sandi Toksvig has the Conch. But there’s something lurking in the forest, and when Stephen suspects foul play in the power struggle to be chief, he soon finds himself making a dangerous enemy.
Can he win over his fellow islanders before it’s too late? What lengths will he go to to survive? And what the hell is he going to do with this useless coffee machine he chose as his luxury item?
Written by Tom Oxenham and Simon AlcockStarring Stephen Mangan as himself
Sound Design: Tony ChurnsideExecutive Producer: Jon HolmesProducer: Bill Dare
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
Nathan Blakely was a popstar. But he was useless, died, and was reincarnated. The comedy about Nathan’s adventures in the afterlife returns for a fourth and final series, starring Daniel Rigby, Ashley McGuire, Freya Parker and Henry Paker.
In this first episode of the final trilogy, Nathan is brought back to life as a rat in a London sewer. As usual, Nathan has a mission to complete - this time he needs to save an abandoned terrapin who's lost in the sewers from the clutches of a disgruntled crocodile. And Nathan also has his own demons to battle - can he come to terms with the failed pop career he had as a human?
Cast:Ashley McGuire - CarolDaniel Rigby – NathanHenry Paker - Terry the TerrapinFreya Parker - CrocodileTom Crowley - Music Manager
Writers: Tom Craine and Henry PakerProducer: Harriet JaineSound: Jerry PealMusic Composed by: Phil Lepherd
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4
Comedian and Broadcaster Sunil Patel invites you to join him in his new get-rich-quick scheme by marrying an Heiress.In this episode, Sunil meets with a premium dating agency, learns how to conduct himself on a date with an etiquette coach and goes on a megadate.
Written and Performed by Sunil PatelWith Additional Material from Charlie Dinkin, Em Humble and Benjamin SuttonFeaturing Helen BauerSound Design and Mix by Andy GoddardProduced by Laura Shaw and Benjamin Sutton
A Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4
The internet's best comedy creators bring you a sketch show that features Colin from Portsmouth, Broken News, Sally In HR, and every Ed Sheeran song ever.
Written and performed by Kylie Brakeman, The Exploding Heads, Rachel Fairburn, Matt Green, Rosie Holt, Charlene Kaye, Kelechi Okafor, Larry & Paul, Morton, Burke & Fry, The Squid, and Ed Night & Paddy Young.
Recorded in London, Manchester, Dublin, Los Angeles, New York and Edinburgh.
Edited by Rich Evans at Syncbox PostProduced by Ed Morrish
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
Sue Perkins challenges Tony Hawks, Ian Smith, Zoe Lyons and Charlotte Ritchie to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation. Subjects include Getting Butterflies, Bottling it, and a Desire for Revenge.
Production Coordinator: Sarah NichollsSound Editor: Marc WillcoxProducer: Rajiv KariaAn EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
Comedian Alison Spittle explores some of her longest and deepest held grudges. The kind of thing most people would be ashamed to still be thinking about 30 minutes later, let alone contemplating exacting retribution decades on.
Studies show that the role you play in the school nativity can affect your life. And Alison is taking those studies very seriously. She was once cast as Mary - big gig - but forced to drop out after the director said she lacked focus. 30 years on, it's still something she thinks about. Can Natalie Cassidy help Alison get closure?
Written by Alison Spittle & Simon MulhollandWith Ian Smith and Natalie CassidyScript Edited by Joel MorrisProduced by Lyndsay Fenner
A Mighty Bunny Production for BBC Radio 4
About Alison:Alison Spittle is an award-winning screenwriter, actress and comedian.
She is the creator, writer and star of the TV series Nowhere Fast which aired on RTE2 to critical acclaim in 2017. Her play Starlet premiered to great acclaim at the Dublin Fringe Festival, garnering 5 stars from The Sunday Times. She can also be heard on The Guilty Feminist and BBC Radio 4’s Wheel of Misfortune.
In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the astronaut Helen Sharman to learn about how humans learned to survive in space - with some diverting conversations about glitter, cat statues, hibernation, and shell suits.
What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie, who will unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest
Dara and Isy unearth stories that are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get. The twist is that Dara and Isy have absolutely no idea how these strange-but-true tales will unfold and we’ll all be trying to figure it out together – or Dara and Isy will just go off on funny flights of fancy that are tangentially related to the story. They will be drip-fed the nuggets of narrative by a special guest expert who might just know something about the subject.
Across the series they will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.
‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Helen Sharman.Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.Producer: Laura GrimshawExecutive Producer: Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4
Inspired by an email from his 74 year-old father, comedian Ahir Shah introduces us to the The Seven Blunders of the World.
In 1925, Mahatma Gandhi published an article in the journal Young India, outlining what he called the Seven Social Sins. They were wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice, and politics without principle.
One hundred years on, the world is a very different place (this was written on a computer, for crying out loud!). Yet, Ahir reckons Gandhi's century-old list of the great societal blunders still feels relevant today. Could they teach us anything going forward?
Join Ahir (and sometimes his dad, who started this whole thing), as he explores these seven blunders through his trademark combination of philosophical inquiry, political vigour and sweet gags.
Created and Performed by Ahir ShahAdditional Material by Glenn MooreCast: Vikram Shah and Meera SyalProducers: Daisy Knight and Jules LomAn Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
Bill Bailey stars as Guy Starling, a middle aged man who, after 45 years, and for reasons quite unknown to him, is suddenly revisited by his imaginary childhood friend, Hennikay.
When Guy’s great business idea – developing a phone-based app designed to stop people using phone based apps – unsurprisingly fails, he needs to find a job. And so he attends a sales seminar with Shining Path, who are apparently, "the number one providers of after-life finance packages in the UK".
However, his attention is constantly derailed by the constant chatter of Hennikay, his imaginary childhood friend, who is still determinedly living in his head. And if that wasn’t enough, he also has to cope with Tony, his old boss, who is also there, competing with him to land a job.
But try as he might, Guy really can’t get enthused by the idea of a career selling pre-paid funeral plans to the people of Maidstone. Was this what he thought his life was going to be, when he and Hennikay were young together, way back in 1976?
Acclaimed comedian - and Strictly Come Dancing champion - Bill Bailey leads a series cast which includes Tony Gardner and Elizabeth Carling in this warm, funny look at childhood, adulthood and some of the follies of modern life, where a man with a confused child in his head might just be the sanest person in the room.
Written by David Spicer
Guy: Bill BaileyHennikay: Max LesterTony: Tony GardnerStacia: Rebecca Boey
Producer: Liz AnsteeA CPL production for BBC Radio 4
In this Christmas special, Frank Skinner and his guests decipher the good, the bad, and the baffling, as they try to work out a mystery item - based entirely on its online reviews. Which traditional panto features an animatronic dinosaur? What’s the worst present they’ve ever received? And is that one star write-up “bit claggy, made me feel sick” a review of some stuffing or Love Actually? Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Rajiv Karia, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer and Peter Tellouche Devised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans, with the producer David Tyler A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
Sarah Mills' comedy guide to dealing with a fallible and embarrassing body.
Since losing part of her bowel, comedian Sarah Mills has used a stoma bag. She might tell you that having a bag attached to her belly to collect her poo has made her unembarrassable - but the truth is she has always been completely shameless. Now, with the assistance of her outrageously candid celebrity guests, she wants to smash the taboos around bodily malfunctions and help us all banish bodily embarrassment for good.
Recorded in her home town of Stevenage, in this this week’s episode, Leaky, Sarah explores bodily spills with comedian and writer Ola Labib.
Created and written by Sarah MillsStarring Sarah Mills with special guest Ola Labib
Recording Engineer and Editor: Jerry PealRecording Assistant: Guy ThomasScript Editor: Zoe TomalinAssociate Producer: Antonia GospelExecutive Producer: Alan NixonProduction Manager:Co- Producers: Gordon Kennedy and Sarah Mills
Recording in front of a live audience at Stevenage Lytton Players Theatre
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4
Additional information on issues in this episode:https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.ukhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/
"No Script. No Prep. No Clue."
Alasdair Beckett-King plays host to a panel of improv comedy all stars in this new spontaneous series, full of ridiculous challenges & completely made up games.
Presented by Alasdair Beckett-King.
Starring Cariad Lloyd, Steen Raskopoulos, Alexander Jeremy, and Emma Sidi.
Devised by Shoot From The Hip
Producer: Sam HolmesExecutive Producer: James RobinsonProduction Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-JeffriesSound Editor: Joe Bayley
A BBC Studios Audio Production
Paul celebrates his 50th stand-up show for Radio 4 with questions about anniversaries, 2011 (the year of his first show on the network), and his home borough of Croydon. In return, his audience tests his knowledge of tax years, anagrams, and the Crystal Palace.
Written and performed by Paul SinhaAdditional material: Oliver LevyAdditional questions: The Audience
Original music: Tim Sutton
Recording engineer: David ThomasMixed by: Rich EvansProducer: Ed Morrish
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is comedian Daliso Chaponda who champions Denial as the best medicine (or does he?). Urology Consultant Mr Bob Yang explains how a pineapple-flavoured UTI vaccine is changing lives, Dr Dana Damian takes Kiri on a journey through the body with tiny swallowable Origami Surgical Robots, and paramedic Thomas Martin teaches Kiri how to stay alive with Defibrillators.
And the panel hear from David, one of the few people in the world who can claim he was brought back from clinical death with a defibrillator - and has also watched the whole incident on video.
Best Medicine is your weekly dose of laughter, hope and incredible medicine. Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, and historians to celebrate medicine’s inspiring past, present and future.
Each week Kiri challenges a panel of medical experts and a comedian to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and each guest champions anything from world-changing science or an obscure invention, to an every-day treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.
Whether it’s origami surgical robots, life-changing pineapple UTI vaccines, Victorian scandal mags, denial, sleep, tiny beating organoid hearts, lifesaving stem cell transplants, gold poo donors or even crying - it’s always something worth celebrating.
Hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Featuring: Daliso Chaponda, Dr Dana Damian, Thomas Martin and Mr Bob Yang
Written by Mel Owen, Pravanya Pillay, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ben Rowse
Producers: Tashi Radha and Ben Worsfield
Theme tune composed by Andrew Jones
A Large Time production for BBC Radio 4
In this second omnibus episode, comedian Stuart Mitchell examines his own cost of living crisis with a move into the high flying world of banking - and just when he thinks he has it all, the world crashes around him. Stuart gives up everything he has worked so hard for in an attempt to be true to his self and is left wondering if his journey was really worth it, when he's scrambling to pay the bills?
Each episode, Stuart looks at a chapter of his own unbelievable, but absolutely true, life story.A working class boy, with huge aspirations, Stuart achieved everything he dreamed of and more. However, he soon came to realise that the cost of having everything was more than he was willing to pay. A morality tale featuring his time working in Westminster, moving to a highly paid job in banking and willingly losing it all to find happiness; Stuart will make us all question the true cost of living.
Written and performed by Stuart MitchellProduced by Lauren Mackay
An omnibus version of Episodes 3 and 4 of Stuart Mitchell's Cost of Living
Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.
This episode we hear Jack Dee’s new word for when you try to sound cool but end up sounding exactly your age, Miles Jupp’s new word for being fed up by a world in which there is an app for everything, and Ria Lina’s new word for something that is damp, limp, a bit pathetic.
Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie DentGuests: Jack Dee, Miles Jupp and Ria LinaCreated by Joe VarleyWriter: Matt CrosbyRecorded by Jerry PealProducer: Jon HarveyExecutive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash Lockmun
A Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4
Ivo Graham brings 2 more celebrity guests to Radio 4, to tell us about their obsessions.
Comedian Fatiha-El Ghorri and Paul Gorton of the hit BBC show 'The Traitors' join Ivo this week. Fatiha El-Ghorri is obsessed with trainers, and judges the audience on theirs while Paul details the hours he spends in his gaming room. Ivo also delves into the audience to find out what their obsessions are, and finally Ivo is joined by a Very Obsessed Person, or 'VOP'. This week, Ailish Morrison comes on to tell us about her unexpected twin passions of cheerleading and Lord of the Rings.
Hosted by Ivo GrahamFeaturing Fatiha El-Ghorri, Paul Gorton and Ailish Morrison
Written by Ivo Graham and Zoe Tomalin
Additional Material by Cody Dahler, Christina Riggs and Peter Tellouche
Recorded at the Marylebone Theatre by Duncan HannantSound edited by Charlie Brandon-KingProduction Coordinators: Katie Baum and Jodie CharmanExecutive Producer: Pete Strauss
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies, a BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4
An EcoAudio certified productionShow image: Matt Stronge
In the first of two US election specials Pie (Tom Walker) is tackling the thorny issue of democracy and is quickly derailed. As he takes his usual balanced (not) approach to the US presidential candidates Jules (Lucy Pearman) dangles a juicy carrot. There’s a big gig in the offing; if only he can stop ranting about one of the candidates. Can you guess which one?
Written and performed by Tom Walker.Additional material by Daniel Abelson and Will Franken
Jules …. Lucy Pearman.Sam ….. Aqib KhanRoger ….. Nick RevellCallers ….. Rosie Holt, Ellile Dobing, Daniel Abelson, Will Franken and Ed KearOriginal Music ....Jason ReadVoiceover .... Bob Sinfield.Producer ….. Alison Vernon-SmithExecutive Producer ….. Julian MayersProduction Co-Ordinator ….. Ellie DobingA Yada-Yada Audio Production for BBC Radio 4
This show was first broadcast in June 2023, as Janey faced a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Last week, Janey revealed she is now receiving end-of-life care.
This is another chance to hear Janey's powerful personal story of strength and survival, all told in her brutally honest, brutally funny signature style.
In this episode, Janey does what she’s always done: turning her own dark and difficult experiences into laugher, as she paints a vivid picture of life in the East End of Glasgow in the 60s, and recounts a childhood steeped in poverty and abuse. As she faces her own mortality, she and daughter Ashley Storrie talk, laugh and cry as they unpick some of the experiences she shares onstage.
Relentlessly authentic, she's also had to face up to her own mistakes - taking responsibility and apologising both publicly and onstage, as well as sharing the shame of being ‘cancelled’ and the very dark place that took her to.
Then, just months later…. the hand grenade of a cancer diagnosis forced her to start fighting for her life.
Now, after finally admitting that after everything she’s been through in life, maybe she‘s not “fine”, and with a terminal diagnosis, she’s submitted to the ultimate ‘C bomb' for many men and women of her generation - counselling.
And as a result of this insight, she’s more hilarious and compelling onstage than ever.
Janey’s experienced a life of extremes but has come out the other side with rare insight, still able to make light of all its trials and tribulations in her signature dark and uncompromising style.
Recorded live in front of an audience in her hometown, Glasgow.
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Randy Feltface is done with us ruining the earth beneath our feet whether we’re digging it up, setting fire to it, or tipping it into the sea so with the help of an irritable duck, a fictional French coal miner and a sexy earthworm he works out the best way to just get the whole destruction business over and done with.
This head-on charge into possibly the most important subject facing humanity comes to you via a show where you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh again between the learny bits and most of all, you’ll be able to say “I was there when Radio 4 decided to have a show hosted by a puppet”.
The full series is available now. Just search 'Randy Feltface's Destruction Manual' on BBC Sounds.
Randy Feltface has been seen on Netflix, ABC, NBC, and has a huge & devoted following across the globe (1m+ social media followers, 1.6m TikTok followers, 833k subscribers, 79m YouTube views). His hour-long specials are YouTube cult classics, his world tours are sold-out sensations, and he's the only Radio 4 presenter to be entirely made of felt.
With Margaret Cabourn-Smith & William Hartley
Produced & directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
Follow the Rabbit is a new comedy series following Chris Relish, an amateur paranormal investigator and podcast maker who is on a mission to prove the existence of supernatural forces after claiming he's had a romantic experience with a ghost.
In his new case, Chris strays from the ethereal path in search of extra-terrestrial life. Local farmer Robert tells Chris the story of his very unusual encounter with an alien. He says a silver craft got too close to his farm and an alien fell out of it into the field below. Robert claims this experience revealed the reason why aliens visit Earth. It's not to study us or harvest us for food... it's because they fancy humans.
CastChris Relish: Tom LawrinsonRobert: Steve BrodyKathleen Relish: Jo EnrightMarco: Owen CooperDog Woman: Chelsea Halfpenny
Written and produced by James Boughen
Executive Producers: Simon Mayhew Archer and Michelle Farr-Scott
Original music by Sam O'Leary and Jacob Howard
A Motif Pictures production for BBC Radio 4
Challenged by Babs to find a single person he’s never wronged, Brighty’s search leads them to Cornwall and to best friend Russ Blackshark. Whilst Brighty and Babs re-run Russ’s stag do, Churlington gets into a spot of bother auditing the family tin mine.
Lord Christian Brighty is the talk of the Regency 'Ton' - a celebrated libertine, a heartthrob and a hero to many. But close-up, he is a spoilt, impetuous, life-ruining bastard… Or at least he was. Because his carefree life of infinite privilege has been upended by an encounter with his new chambermaid - the uneducated but forthright Babigail - who became the first person to tell him the unvarnished truth about his selfish behaviour. Overnight, his lifelong trust that everyone loved him had been replaced with a gnawing fear that Babs was right.
So now, with his narcissism collapsing and a need to prove to Babs he is actually a good person, Lord Brighty is determined to fix all his past wrongs. And by extension all the ills of Regency society. Accompanying him in his quest are Babs (elevated beyond her station to a chambermaid-cum-adviser role), and his butler, Mr Churlington. Although Churley would prefer everything to stay exactly as it used to be (as would all Brighty’s friends, family and the entirety of high society).
Written by Christian Brighty & Amy Greaves
Cast:Lord Christian Brighty ….. Christian BrightyBabs ….. Jessica KnappettChurlington ….. Colin McFarlaneRuss Blackshark ….. David ReedReticent Tom ….. Nimisha OdedraBriny Briony ….. Chiara GoldsmithGareth Hornpipe ….. Joz Norris
Script Editor ….. David ReedSound & Recording ….. David ThomasPhotographer ….. Will HearleProduction Assistant ….. Katie SayerProducer ….. Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4
Christian Brighty and Amy Greaves are award-winning comedians. Their viral sketches based on Bridgerton, Poldark and Jane Austen have catapulted them to viral stardom, securing Christian’s place as the internet’s answer to Mr Darcy and amassing 150 million views across TikTok and Instagram (@brightybuoy). Amy and Christian both have a deep love of the work Jane Austen, traditional regency romance (not smut), and historical romance set in the regency (smut).
Lauren forgets about an important charity fundraiser for work and hurriedly tries to get ready. Tom returns home from work covered in face paint, after his class craft day gets a bit out of hand. Their efforts to make the fundraiser are further hampered by a coy Neil, who appears to have intercepted a parcel intended for Lauren. Special guest appearance by Julian Clary as Neil. Cast: TOM MACHELL as Tom LAUREN PATTISON as Lauren JULIAN CLARY as Neil Writers: Tom Machell & Lauren Pattison Director: Katharine Armitage Recording Engineer: Tom Glenwright Sound Design: Philip Quinton Theme Music: Scrannabis Producers: Maria Caruana Galizia & Zahra Zomorrodian A Candle & Bell Production for BBC Radio 4
Radio 4 brings you the spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe this August. Host Mark Watson takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the city, capturing the buzz of the festival, taking us with him to the Edinburgh Comedy Awards and showcasing some of the most exciting comedy talent from this year. Acts this week include Hannah Platt, Marjolein Robertson, Ania Magliano and Huge Davies.
Additional Material: Christina Riggs
Production Coordinator: Katie Baum
Sound Recordist: Sean Kerwin
Sound Editor: Charlie Brandon-King
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Assistant Producer: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Produced in Edinburgh by Gwyn Rhys Davies
It was a BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Scott was disappointed there was nobody waiting for him when he died. In this episode he ponders whether someone was in fact watching over him and tells the most unbelievable funeral story of all time. With an unexpected apology from his mum, a trip to get measured for a suit and rolling down a hill chased by a bunch of OAPs - this is an episode packed with anecdotes and revelations.
The final episode in a trilogy of tales that gets into the gritty and grim goings on that nearly saw Scott pushing up the daisies. Each episode is far from a forlorn fable, but rather is bursting with colourful, lively stories of the people who have shaped Scott's life and helped him along the way.This is more than just a life story, this is Scott's death story.
A stand up series, written and performed by Scott AgnewProduced by Lauren MackayAudio recorded by Chris Currie and Niall Young
It's their big break, and the Lovely Boys are determined to be successful, no matter what it takes. Expect life coaching and alpha instructions from Branch Power, an Uber ride from the greatest sideman in videogame history, and Benny's fashion choices pushing Willy one step too far.
Written and performed by Ben Cohen and Will Robbins
Sound Design: Peter DuffyTheme Music Composer: Matty HutsonProduction Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-JeffriesProducer: Rajiv Karia
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
Comedian Ian Smith is constantly stressed and in this series he is looking for any means to calm the hell down. In this episode Ian explores how being Northern has made him more stressed and attempts a new wellness fad that’s sweeping the fields of England, cow-hugging.
A new stand-up series from Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated comedian Ian Smith.
Written and Performed by Ian Smith
Additional Material from Rhiannon Shaw, Max Davis and Charlie Dinkin
Assistant Producer: Ewan McAdam
Produced by Benjamin Sutton and Laura Shaw
A Daddy’s SuperYacht production for BBC Radio 4
Garrett Millerick’s Do Gooders is a new ensemble sitcom that takes us behind the charity curtain and mines the numerous frustrations that come with trying to ‘do good’ on an industrial scale. With Frank Skinner, Fay Ripley, Lisa McGrillis, Ahir Shah and Ania Magliano.
The series follows the exploits of the fundraising events team at a fictional mid-level charity, The Alzheimers Alliance. Fundraising for this kind of mid-table organisation comes with its own unique set of challenges, be it setting up eye catching events, courting celebrity endorsement or juggling the inter charity politics.
And while certainly not languishing on the lowest rungs of the charity league table, Alzheimers hasn’t got the dazzling sheen or the pulling power of a cancer charity, nor does it capture the public’s sympathies in the way lifeboats or guide dogs do.
If Cancer Research is Coca-Cola, Alzheimers Alliance is Lilt. A cracking drink, but they’ve got to work hard to remind people they exist - or face total extinction.
Episode One - The Team PlayerClive has one day to prove to Harriett that he can be a team player, or risk losing his status as a manager. Lauren and Ken battle it out over the new hot desking arrangements and Gladys introduces the new hire Achi to the peculiarities of life at The Alzheimers Alliance.
Cast:Lauren – Ania MaglianoGladys – Lisa McGrillisClive – Garrett MillerickHarriett – Fay RipleyAchi – Ahir ShahKen – Frank Skinner
Writer – Garrett MillerickSound Engineer – David ThomasEditor – David ThomasProduction Assistant – Jenny RecaldinProducer – Jules LomExecutive Producers – Richard Allen-Turner, Daisy Knight, Julien Matthews, Jon Thoday
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
Geoff Norcott examines modern masculinity in this stand-up series for Radio 4, by creating the safe space of a working men’s club so he can speak freely about the problems men are facing and how we might go about fixing them in a way that benefits everyone.
This week, Geoff looks at men’s reluctance to put on sunscreen. Why not take a simple, basic precaution against the hottest and largest thing in the entire solar system? Vanity? Bravado? Or something else? With the help of his studio audience, Geoff looks at whether this is connected to men’s reluctance to seek medical advice and their habit of dying early.
Written and presented by Geoff Norcott
Recorded by Richard Biddulph
Production manager: Sarah WrightExecutive producer: Caroline RaphaelProducer: Ed Morrish
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4
It’s Listeners’ Week! Host Chloe Slack (Sian Clifford) is listening to the listeners who have suggested things to listen to, including vaping, the maths of parenting and murder.
Sian Clifford stars as self-important journalist Chloe Slack in this comedy series parodying women’s current affairs and talk shows, surrounded by an ensemble cast of character comedians.
Chloe Slack - Sian Clifford
Ensemble cast:Ada PlayerAlice CockayneAruhan GalievaEm PrendergastJodie MitchellJonathan OldfieldLorna Rose TreenMofé AkàndéSara Segovia
Additional voice: Etta Treen
Created by Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan Oldfield
Writing team:Alice CockayneCatherine BrinkworthJodie MitchellJonathan OldfieldLorna Rose TreenPriya HallWill Hughes
Script Editor - Catherine BrinkworthPhotographer - Will HearleProduction Coordinator - Katie SayerProducer - Ben Walker
A DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4
Comedian and farmer Jim Smith is a proud teuchter. What is a teuchter? Well, Jim will tell you.
Me and the Farmer is a stand up show chronicling Jim's life as a working farmer in rural Perthshire. This isn't an act. By day, Jim works the land and looks after his sheep and by night he performs stand up to sold out venues across Scotland.
In each episode, Jim tells anecdotes about life on his family farm to a live audience in his nearest city of Perth. This is an honest, behind the scenes look at what it takes to be a modern farmer.
Written and Performed by Jim SmithProduced by Lauren MackaySound by Andy Hay and Barry JacksonPhoto credit: Chris Quilietti
Having endured weeks of impossibly restrictive BBC election guidelines, Jonathan Pie is looking forward to election day and an end to all the madness. But first he has to persuade an apathetic Sam that not 'all parties are the same' and to actually go out and vote.
Written and performed by Tom Walker
Cast:Jonathan Pie ….. Tom WalkerSam ….. Aqib KhanCaller ….. Ellie Dobing
Producers …. Alison Vernon-Smith and Julian Mayers
A Yada-Yada Audio production for BBC Radio 4
The hit Radio 4 series Fags, Mags & Bags returns with a 11th series with more shop-based shenanigans and over the counter philosophy, courtesy of Ramesh Majhu and his trusty sidekick Dave.
In this fourth episode of the series, Alok-Pocalyse, Ramesh must contend with nonplussed members of the Lenzie Local Traders Association who call for an immediate meeting to try and clean up the mess being caused by Danny and Alok’s stag and hen party business.
Set in a Scots-Asian corner shop and written by and starring Donald McLeary and Sanjeev Kohli, the award winning Fags, Mags & Bags has proved a huge hit with the Radio 4 audience. This brand-new series sees a return of all the show’s regular characters, and some guest appearances along the way.
CastRamesh: Sanjeev KohliDave: Donald McLearySanjay: Omar RazaAlok: Susheel KumarMalcolm. Mina AnwarDanny: Kulvinder GhirBishop Briggs: Michael RedmondMr Hepworth: Tom UrieBra Jeff: Steven McNicolKyle: Pierce HigginsNathan Laser: Gavin Mitchell
Producer: Gus Beattie for Gusman ProductionsA Comedy Unit production for BBC Radio 4
Mark Steel's In Town - Margate
“...a nice spot not vulgarised by crowds of literary people...” Oscar Wilde
In this first episode Mark visits the lovely seaside town of Margate in the Thanet district of Kent.
A magical place where T.S Eliot wrote a verse of The Wasteland, J.M.W Turner painted views of the Harbour, Tracy Emin spent her formative years and Pete Doherty has his name on a wall of fame in a cafe for eating a "mega breakfast" in under 20 minutes.
Mark visits Dreamland and its 100 year old rollercoaster, the famous Crab Museum and the historic Walpole Hotel before perfoming his show in the Cliff Bar and snooker hall under the iconic Lido Tower.
This is the 13th series of Mark's award winning show where he travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.
As well as Margate, in this series, Mark be will also be popping to Stoke on Trent, Malvern, East Grinstead and Coleraine in Northern Ireland.
Written and performed by Mark Steel
Additional material by Pete SinclairProduction co-ordinator Katie BaumSound Manager Jerry PealProducer Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4
In this first episode of a new series, ducks’ super vaginas and a meteorite that’s the key to how life on Earth started wow the team.
For this new series of Sue Perkins’ ARIA-winning ‘Show and Tell’ wildlife comedy, Team Nature Table have recorded at the Natural History Museum, Kew Gardens – for some botanical specials – and London Zoo.
Starting the series off, we’re at the Natural History Museum. Sue is joined by special guests: comedian Desiree Burch, science writer Jules Howard and the NHM’s curator of meteorites Dr. Natasha Almeida.
Our varied subjects include: Dogs, a meteorite that can explain how life started on Earth, Ducks’ vaginas (with Sue studying one up close courtesy of a VR headset) and moon rock.
Nature Table has a simple clear brief: to positively celebrate and promote the importance of all our planet’s wonderfully wild flora and fauna in a fun and easily grasped way... whilst at the same time having a giggle.
Hosted by: Sue PerkinsGuests: Desiree Burch, Natasha Almeida & Jules HowardWritten by: Catherine Brinkworth, Jenny Laville & Jon HunterAdditional material by: Christina Riggs & Pete TelloucheResearcher: Catherine BeazleyExecutive Producer: Richard MorrisSound Recordist & Editor: Jerry PealMusic by: Ben MirinProduction Coordinator: Sarah NichollsProducer: Simon Nicholls
An EcoAudio certified productionA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
In this episode, Chloe begins her journey exploring her own relationship with the toilet. From the revelations in primary school, to the best friends you make in the night club toilet, right up to what her experience is like in present day.
To help Chloe on this historical journey of the loo, she is joined by a new travel companion, the Ghost of Sir Thomas Crapper - who also bears quite a resemblance to comedian, Ed Gamble.
Written and Performed by Chloe PettsAdditional material from Adam DrakeThe Ghost of Sir Thomas Crapper performed by Ed GambleProduced by Daisy KnightSound Designer - David ThomasEditor - Peregrine AndrewsExecutive Producers - Jon Thoday, Richard Allen Turner and Rob AslettAn Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
This year's show is all about the village John has moved into since last year's show - and the very big, collective decision that they made last night.
Written and presented by ... John FinnemoreEnsemble ... Margaret Cabourn-SmithEnsemble ... Simon KaneEnsemble ... Lawry LewinEnsemble ... Carrie Quinlan
Original music composed by ... Susannah PearseTheme tune arranged by ... Susannah PearseTheme tune performed by ... Susannah Pearse & Sally Stares
Studio managers ... Chris Maclean & Jon CalverSound design ... Rich EvansProduction coordinator ... Katie BaumExecutive producer ... Richard MorrisProducer ... Ed Morrish
An EcoAudio certified productionA BBC Studios Audio production
Chris McCausland asks Donna Preston and Jon Long to take on Glenn Moore and Sara Pascoe. Sara Pascoe finds a child's description of a famous film scene impossible to decipher. The two teams must figure out what on earth is being advertised on TV, guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe, and work out the age of members of the audience from their voice alone.
Producer: Sasha BobakAssistant Producer: Becky Carewe-JeffriesExecutive Producer: Richard MorrisProduction Coordinator: Dan Marchini
A BBC Studios Production
An EcoAudio certified production
A long overdue enquiry into an ill advised away-day. Episode 5 in the original series. May contain strong language.
No Room features an up to the minute take on current events, alongside character-filled sketches which brilliantly capture everything that provokes us - culture, politics, work...and other people.
Michael is famous for his Room Next Door government advisor character whose withering take downs of politicians have amassed more than 100 million views and helped keep his audience sane in fractured times.
Writer, Performer and Co-Editor: Michael Spicer
Composer and Sound Designer: Augustin Bousfield
Producer: Matt Tiller
Stand-up comedian Aurie Styla, a 90s nerd, takes an autobiographical journey through technology history.
We begin in the early 90s, with the tinny sound of the Nintendo Game Boy and his first 13-inch television which only worked if asked very nicely, and he re-wired to show all the channels available - in total, four.
A technology lover since those days of that 13-inch TV and his first console, the Sega Master System – featuring ‘Alex Kidd In Miracle World’, the most frustrating video game of all time – Aurie has seen technology transform in a manner that would have been hard to believe in the 90s.
This show charts his personal relationship with machines, looking at the past (computer games that you had to load from cassette tapes), the present (houses that are lit and warmed via apps on your phone, cars that drive themselves without you) and the future (AIs that tell you how to dress and what to eat for dinner, and superior intelligences that command your every move whether you want to object or not).
Technology has moved on rapidly, from being a fun sideshow to the bedrock of our understanding of human life. Aurie guides us through this landscape with infectious wit, taking time to remember the awkward interface of MSN Messenger while also negotiating the modern culture of having to check with a virtual assistant before you turn your lights off. A warm, human show about the way the world has become less and less warm and human, celebrating the march of tech while being appropriately terrified of it.
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4
Stand-up comedy from Glaswegian comedian Gary Little, who hilariously shows there’s always two ways of looking at things.
Growing up in the second poorest area of Scotland, Gary’s life seemed inevitably set to be marred by depression, addiction or incarceration.
The violence and social deprivation in Glasgow’s Springburn boiled down to survival of the fittest, where Gary’s honed wits kept him alive and prosperous.
But dodgy childhood deals led him to darker places - selling drugs to his friends, then their friends, and then… everyone’s friends.
In this episode, Gary reflects on the lies he swallowed as a child, including Uncle Elvis, and how being a people pleaser ultimately led to trouble he couldn’t talk his way out of, and eight years inside.
More true criminal than true crime, this series gives a different perspective on life before, behind and beyond bars.
Written and performed by Gary Little.Produced by Julia SutherlandA Dabster production for BBC Radio 4.
In this week's case Alfie turns bounty hunter and goes on the hunt for a wanted man (an infamous bike thief).
Join Alfie and his audience of sworn-in deputies as they decide how to get their man.
Written and presented by Alfie MooreScript Editor: Will IngProduction Co-ordinator: Katie BaumProducer: Sam Holmes
An EcoAudio Certified ProductionA BBC Studios Audio Production
Star of Mock The Week, Milton Jones ends up in prison for committing a True Crime podcast and asks the question “Sound effects and soundproofing - which came first, the chicken or the eggbox?”
Complete with his unmissable jokes and a fully-working cast.
“The best one-line merchant in British comedy...” - Chortle"King of the surreal one-liners" - The Times“Milton Jones is one of Britain’s best gagsmiths with a flair for creating daft yet perfect one-liners” – The Guardian
Written by Milton Jones, James Cary and Dan Evans
Starring Milton Jones, Tom Goodman-Hill, Josie Lawrence, Dan Tetsell and James Akka
With music by Guy Jackson
Produced and directed by David Tyler
A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4
Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101, as well as the one item they cannot live without.
In this episode, Hannah Fry tries to convince Paul to send complicated toilet flushes and exams to Room 101, and discusses her particular devotion to a daily ritual that she cannot live without.
Additional Material: John Irwin and Suki WebsterProduced by Richard WilsonA Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4
The poetry show (without the poetry) returns for more comic chaos, with guests Stephen Merchant and Lolly Adefope.
This is a poetry programme like no other – over the course of 6 series Key has performed magic, music, cookery and witchcraft; he’s delivered a baby, gone underground, up the Shard and into space.
And sometimes he finds time to read poems.
This series, regulars Tom Basden and Katy Wix are joined by guest stars Stephen Merchant, Lolly Adefope, Mike Wozniak, Sam Campbell, Simon Armstrong and Morgana Robinson.
Written and presented by Tim Key
Produced by James RobinsonA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
Drawing on various elements of his own life, Travis Jay’s new sitcom Rum Punch is a family comedy about love, friendship and aspiration. Set in Lewisham and following the multi generational Campbells as they struggle to keep their Caribbean restaurant afloat.
Travis Jay is one of the most exciting up and coming comedians in the country. He has supported Dave Chapelle and Kojo Amin on tour, and has appeared on screen in shows for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Comedy Central and Netflix.
Cast:Travis Jay - MarleyKevin Garry - DesEddie Nestor - DelroyMaureen Hibbert - AngieLetitia Hector - LydiaKevin J - Nicholas@FaceintheNews - Taylor
Producers - Jules Lom and Daisy KnightSound Designer - David ThomasExecutive Producers - Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
In each episode of Paul Sinha’s Perfect Pub Quiz, the quizzer, comedian and Rose d’Or winner Paul Sinha invites the audience to tell him their favourite quiz questions, before offering up not just different and surprising questions, but also the fascinating stories behind the answers. It’s facts, jokes, stories and puns – just the way you like them. This episode is full of things that have changed since the previous series, including new British cities and a new British Prime Minister, and was recorded in front of a live audience in Brighton. Written and performed by Paul SinhaAdditional material: Oliver Levy Additional questions: The Audience Original music: Tim Sutton Sound engineer: David Thomas Producer: Ed Morrish A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4.
My Teenage Diary returns for a new series, with Rufus Hound meeting six more celebrities who will read from the diaries they kept during their formative years.The series opens with Ivo Graham reading from the diary of his last year at university. And he's not your average student - he reads Martin Amis in an adult bar, he eats bruschetta for brunch and he takes up pipe smoking.Host: Rufus HoundGuest: Ivo GrahamSound Production and Design: Jerry PealProducer: Harriet JaineA Talkback production for BBC Radio 4
Radio 4 brings you a live showcase spotlighting some of the best comedy acts at the Edinburgh Fringe this August. Hosted by David O'Doherty with performances from Dan Rath, Kuan-wen Huang, Micky Overman, Pierre Novellie, Lou Wall and Adam Rowe.
Produced by Sasha Bobak Production Coordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Award-winning comedian Sarah Keyworth returns with their Radio 4 series Are You a Boy or a Girl?. Since the first series aired in 2020, the debate around gender has exploded and taken on a life of its own, all culminating with one question ‘should I be allowed to decide who I am?’. Sarah has recently come out as non-binary (a subtle soft-launch in the Guardian newspaper) and is ready to share some more of their own brand of mx-information. That’s gender non-conforming information, the cool non-binary cousin of misinformation.
In this first episode, Sarah talks us through how their gender is perceived throughout their daily life; from when they walk out the door, to being in a changing room, to getting a coffee; and we find out why they sometimes have to hum 'call me maybe' in a public toilet.
Written by and starring Sarah Keyworth with additional material from Ruby Clyde.
Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries Sound Engineer: Paul Brodgen Editor: Joshan Chana Photo credit: Matt Crockett
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
"This was meant to be a story about Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 but seems to have turned into one about when the Dalai Lama told me to eff off."
Master storyteller and satirist, Nick Revell returns to BBC Radio 4 with a remarkably believable (no, really!) story about one man and his time traveling tea towel.
We find out how Bonnie Prince Charlie became a cruise ship entertainer and meet celebrities from the past, present and future as the story wends its way from The Fox and Gynaecologist (Islington's last remaining traditional boozer) around the world, through time - and back to the pub.
Hold on tight because it's a funny, fast-paced ride through Nick's imagination and out the other side with original music and sound design by contemporary composer, Paul Clark.
Written and read by Nick Revell Music and sound design by Paul Clark Producer: Steve Doherty A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4
The BBC's new content delivery system, the BBC AiPlayer, is here. Headset strapped on, Damien Slash enters his details and chooses which options of content available. But what happens when you select all?
The system goes haywire, spitting out sketches, characters and songs. We hear Rick Stein on a tour of the M25 in an Eddie Stobart lorry, Football commentators enjoying a meal out, and Bob Dylan's latest hit single. To unlock more content, you have to sit through ads for the Flat Earthers World Tour, an AI Dog Collar Translator and a new romcom starring an unlikely Prime Minister.
Written and performed by Daniel Barker Additional Material from Tom Savage Guest voice appearances from Natasia Demetriou
Sound design by Rich Evans Production Coordinator - Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Author of several plays, television dramas, works of non-fiction, letters to the BBC about the pitiful decline in standards of literature and grammar, and master of the abusive email – Ed Reardon is back.
Ed is still living in his superb, stylish capsule urban living unit (i.e., small office conversion), and conducting his part-time relationship with Maggie. However, the means to finance a decent living as always eludes him. His agent, Ping, is not forthcoming with any major offers of work but his nemesis and best friend, Jaz, is keen for Ed to ghost-write his new memoir, ‘I, Jaz’.
Ed would rather focus on trying to secure a spot on local radio and is busy ‘self-taping’ his audition piece berating the art of ‘Storytelling’, which proves a little difficult as his daughter, Eli, has decided she is going to pursue a new career as a ‘Storyteller’ and asks Ed to support her.
And with Pearl having gone to join the silver workforce as a store detective, Ed has a new student in his University of the 3rd Age writing class which allows him the opportunity to introduce a superior command of the narrative art to a new audience in the form of his classic ‘Tenko’ episode.
The series is dedicated to Andrew Nickolds, who sadly passed away mid-way through writing the series.
The regular cast this series are joined by Ellen Thomas and Sally Grace along with guests Robert Powell, Helen Monks, Rachel Atkins and Joe Thomas.
Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas Ping - Barunka O’Shaughnessy Jaz Milvain - Philip Jackson Eli - Lisa Coleman Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead Olive - Sally Grace Winnie - Ellen Thomas
Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas Produced by Dawn Ellis Production Co-ordinator Katie Baum Sound Jon Calver
Brian Cox and Robin Ince tackle one of the most important questions posed by science: which is better, bees or wasps? To defend bees, ecologist Dave Goulson joins the panel, while entomologist Seirian Sumner comes to the defence of wasps. Although both species are known to deliver a nasty sting, Seirian and Dave battle to show why their species should be loved, not swotted, and how we unknowingly rely on them. Comedian Catherine Bohart takes on the role of judge. Which will she ultimately choose: bees or wasps?
New episodes are released on Saturdays. If you're in the UK, listen to the full series first on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3K3JzyF
Producer: Caroline Steel Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Jonathan Pie (Tom Walker) is roped in last minute to host BBC radio's most popular phone-in show. Basically there's no one else available. Out of his depth and up to his neck in it, Pie manages to just about hold it together. He muses on the state of the BBC and in one breath is singing its praises and in the next he tears into it with his usual gusto.
Jonathan Pie ..... Tom Walker Jules ..... Lucy Pearman Sam ..... Aqib Khan Roger ..... Nick Revell Agent ..... Daniel Abelson Voiceovers ..... Bob Sinfield and Rob Curling Callers ... .Daniel Abelson, Adam Byron, Bryony Corrigan.
Writer ..... Tom Walker Script Editor ..... Nick Revell Producers ..... Alison Vernon-Smith and Julian Mayers Production Coordinator ..... Ellie Dobing Original music composed by Jason Read Additional music Leighton James House
A Yada-Yada Audio Production.
Stand-up comedian Maisie Adam presents her stand-up special where she discusses her love of football and her experience of the women’s game ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.
For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn’t a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn’t pass to girls “because they’ll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.
But It’s a game where all you need is players and a ball. That’s it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.
In this first episode of the series, Maisie looks back on where it all began when she was a kid. She discusses what it was like being the 'girl' football fan, how her school didn't offer any opportunities for girls to play, and when she started to realise that ultimately football was an absolute sausage fest.
Written by and starring Maisie Adam
Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini Sound editor: David Thomas Photo credit: Matt Crockett
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
In its original one-to-one incarnation, Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101.
In this final episode of the series, Julian Clary's choices include wild swimmers and Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh.
Additional material John Irwn and Suki Webster Produced by Richard Wilson A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4
Janey Godley doesn’t know how long she’s got left, so she’s telling ALL the jokes! This is her extraordinary story. Fearless and unflinching, yet life affirming stand-up at its very best.
In this episode, we hear how Janey became an unlikely teen bride for a shy autistic 16 year-old who dressed like insurance salesman, and how a mixed marriage that seemed doomed before it even began, has lasted for over 43 years. Oh, and there’s that time they met Prince.
With added insight from Janey’s daughter Ashley Storrie, who helps her mum remember the stories of their life together with humour and love.
Relentlessly authentic, she's also had to face up to her own mistakes - taking responsibility and apologising both publicly and onstage, as well as sharing the shame of being ‘cancelled’ and the very dark place that took her to.
Then, just months later, the hand grenade of a cancer diagnosis forced her to start fighting for her life.
Now, after finally admitting that after everything she’s been through in life, maybe she‘s not “fine”, and with a terminal diagnosis, she’s submitted to the ultimate ‘C bomb' for many men and women of her generation - counselling.
And as a result of this insight, she’s more hilarious and compelling onstage than ever.
Janey’s experienced a life of extremes but has come out the other side with rare insight, still able to make light of all its trials and tribulations in her signature dark and uncompromising style.
Recorded live in front of an audience in her hometown, Glasgow.
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Having been each other's best men, Jason Manford and Steve Edge discuss what this ancient and honourable task that dates back centuries, truly entails.
The pair retell one another's stag do's and wedding days including the pressures of delivering a best man speech in front of a room full of comedians along with the moment Steve accidentally set fire to his speech.
They are also joined by Lee, who travelled all the way to Australia to perform his best man duties and whose speech took an unexpected turn when he decided to include a last minute poem.
Series 2, Episode 1 of the sitcom starring Claire Skinner, Mark Steel, Elliot Steel and Ivo Graham. When working-class Tony falls in love with upper middle-class Imogen, their sons are forced to live under the same roof and behave like the brothers neither of them ever wanted.
Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch returns for a second series of her comedy and STEM stand up show, joined by her sassy digital assistant ALGO (voiced by Tia Kofi). This episode, Olga and ALGO try to agree on what is, and isn’t, fun.Written by Olga Koch and Charlie DinkinFeaturing Tia KofiAdditional Material From Rajiv Karia, Cody Dahler and Kate DehnertProduction Co-ordinator Katie BaumProduced by Benjamin SuttonA BBC Studios Production
Jayde Adams and her guest DJ Nick Grimshaw dive into the world of community apps and messageboards.This week - a fart in a Carlisle supermarket, Grimmy's neighbours turn paparazzi at a time of crisis, and a found treasure of the Templar is not all it’s cracked up to be.Producer: Cornelius MendezAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4
Is it socially acceptable to leave a play if you're not enjoying it? Did Laura Smyth win big on The Grand National? And why does Michelle De Swarte have beef with Margate?Find out the answers to all the above in another cracking episode of Bang On It.Producer: Pete StraussExec Producer: Rich MorrisProduction Co-Ordinator: Katie BaumEditor: Calum SampleA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
Sue Perkins challenges Paul Merton, Felicity Ward, Ivo Graham and Josie Lawrence to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation.The long-running Radio 4 national treasure of a parlour game is back for a new series with subjects this week ranging from The Letter Q to Chaise Longue.Production co-ordinator: Caroline BarlowSound editor: Marc WillcoxProducer: Rajiv KariaA BBC Studios Production
In this second series, blind stand-up comedian Jamie Macdonald playfully deconstructs some of the pre-conceptions of his disability, challenges stereotypes and takes a hilarious trip down memory lane to see how far things have come.He tells his side of the Have I Got News for You story that needlessly outraged half of social media, and he shows that, even in hospital, the best of intentions can be misguided.Written by Jamie MacDonaldScript guidance from Laura LexxProduced by Julia SutherlandA Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Dawn French and Edward Rowe star in a new sketch show with a Cornish flavour. Park the clichés and open your eyes to the reality of this wondrous funny and feral land.Visit Rick Stein's Cornwall (he's got planning permission for it), meet LJ and Jess, the low energy Gen-Z receptionists at the Royal Hotel, and find out just how important shanty singers are to the Cornish economy.Recorded in front of an audience at the Acorn Theatre in Penzance, Wosson Cornwall? is a sketch show celebrating everything that makes real contemporary Cornwall a culturally rich and funny place - its people, its history and its modern way of life.This is the first episode in a four part series with an entirely Cornish cast and writing team.The cast includes Dawn French (Vicar of Dibley / French and Saunders), Edward Rowe (star of Bafta-winning film BAIT and HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon), Tamsyn Kelly (ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show, BBC New Comedian of the Year Award finalist 2021), Joanna Neary (Channel 4 sitcom Man Down and Gary Oldman film The Darkest Hour), Anna Keirle (award-winning Cornish stand-up, actress and writer) and award-winning actor Ciaran Clarke.Written by James Henry, Morwenna Banks, Catherine Beazley, Max Davis, Jane Harvey, Tamsyn Kelly, Jo Neary, and Alex Smith.Script Editor: James HenryMusic: The Jolly StrumpetsProduction Co-ordinator: Tamara ShilhamSound Design: David ThomasProduced by Simon NichollsA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Rob Delaney opens with a spirited attempt to get Shaun to visit his birthplace in Eastern Massachusetts, USA, selling it on the basis that as New England is quite like England anyway, it’ll be no bother for Shaun…Your Place Or Mine is the travel podcast that isn’t going anywhere. Join Shaun as his guests try to convince him that it’s worth getting up off the sofa and seeing the world, giving us a personal guide to their favourite place on the planet. With resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence on hand to share facts, each week a familiar face will try to persuade Shaun that jetting off to their favourite destination is worth the hassle.Your Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.Producers: Becca Bryers & Hannah Hufford
Ellie Taylor welcomes you to "Safe Space", a place where anyone can offload their controversial opinions without fear of judgment.This week she wants to abolish the Internet, arguing that the online world isn't real and as a society we're far too reliant on it. Joining Ellie to help prove her point is regular sidekick Robin Morgan.With special guest: Author, Filmmaker and Co-Host of MTV's Catfish UK, Oobah Butler. Oobah's best known for creating The Shed at Dulwich, a fictional restaurant which in 2017 became the top-rated venue in London on TripAdvisor, despite having never served a dish. He chats to Ellie about how he used the Internet to create his fictional restaurant and why he thinks people are too ready to trust what they read online.Written by and starring Ellie Taylor and Robin Morgan.Producer: Georgia KeatingExecutive Producer: James RobinsonProduction Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-JeffriesSound editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios production for Radio 4
Strength can look like a lot of things and, in this first episode of the stand-up series exploring women's weightlifting, comedian Jessica Fostekew starts at the most dirty, functional end of things - strongwoman.It's where weightlifting meets theatre. You might have seen on the telly at Christmas, the one with Geoff Capes running around with a fridge on his little finger or giving an entire train a tow with his body.Jess talks to four-times Britain's Strongest Woman Andrea Thompson and multiple world-record holder Mayyah Blair to get their take on strength, aesthetic and why the strongest women in the world still have to work part-time. And she tells us about the time she pulled an actual bus.Lets face it, she goes on and on about it.Written and Performed by Jessica FostekewProducer: Lyndsay FennerExecutive Producer: Victoria LloydSound Recordist: David ThomasA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Chris McCausland asks a panel of comedians to live in an audio only world, deciphering brainteaser sound cues for points and pride whilst trying not to muck about too much along the way.In this episode, contestants try to figure out what on earth is being advertised on the TV, guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe, and work out the age of women based solely on the sound of their voice.The competing comedians are Rhys James and Donna Preston, taking on Alasdair Beckett-King and Ria Lina.Producer: Sasha BobakExecutive Producer: Pete StraussProduction Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-JeffriesSound editor: Jerry PealTheme music ‘Colour me Groovy’ by The Rich Morton SoundRecorded at the Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green
Steph McGovern asks some seriously funny minds to offer definitive answers to the great questions of our age. Or not.Welcome to the world's most devious game of Would You Rather? With guests Zoe Lyons and Dane Baptiste.Host: Steph McGovernGuests: Zoe Lyons and Dane BaptisteDevised and written by Jon Harvey & Joseph MorpurgoWith additional material from Laura MajorResearcher: Leah MarksRecorded and mixed by Jerry PealProducer: Jon HarveyExecutive Producers: Ed Morrish and Polly ThomasA Naked production for BBC Radio 4
Darren Harriott, Helen Bauer and Sara Barron on the weird and wonderful founder of pop art. And for the first time, one of the panellists falls violently in love with the subject during the recording and won't hear a word against himProducer: Beth O’DeaEvil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
It’s cold and it's grey out there right now, so time to start planning your holiday... welcome to Shaun's mini travel guides, to warm you up before Series 2. In this guide Shaun shares some seriously fab festivals, from Burning Man to the world's biggest food fight.Your Place Or Mine is the travel podcast that isn’t going anywhere - not until guests can convince Shaun Keaveny it’s worth getting off the sofa for. Each week a familiar face will try to persuade Shaun and resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence that jetting off to their favourite destination is worth the hassle.Your Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.Producers: Becca Bryers and Hannah Hufford
Series 2 episode 1 - "...I don't want to go..."From filmmaker Jason Wingard and set and recorded on location in a car in Manchester, 'Where To, Mate?' is a semi-improvised comedy following our drivers Bernie, Ben and Saj as we eavesdrop on their taxi journeys around the North West.Bernie picks up a couple on their way to the airport. Ben picks up a guy who doesn't want to go to a job interview.Featuring local voices and character actors/comedians from the North.Dialogue is improvised by the cast based on ideas by Jason Wingard and Carl Cooper.Ben ..... Peter SlaterBernie ..... Jo EnrightJo ..... Nina GilliganJoe ..... Andy SalthouseNige ..... Keith CarterSaj ..... Abdullah AfzalController ..... Jason WingardController ..... Abdullah AfzalAdditional voices and material by the cast and crew.Director: Jason WingardProducer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4
John Lloyd and Anna Ptaszynski welcome entrepreneur Bill Liao, actress Miriam Margolyes OBE and comedian Chris McCausland to the first episode of a new series of The Museum of Curiosity. Inspiring questions such as: What is the best record? What would your favourite, long dead, author write about now? And how could a fruit fly save your life?This series of The Museum of Curiosity has been recorded remotely.The Museum’s exhibits were catalogued by Mike Turner, Mandy Fenton and Lydia Mizon of QI.Exec Producer: James RobinsonProducer: Sam Holmes & Leying LeeProduction Co-ordinator: Sarah NichollsSound: David ThomasA BBC Studios production.
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - we kick off with Jayde Adams.This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week, starting here with Monday. Why are we so attached to traditional wisdom like 'Monday's child is fair of face'? Why do so many of us dread the start of each week? And what is the biggest pig ever to be born?Producer: Lianne CoopAn Impatient production for BBC Radio 4
Sue Perkins challenges Gyles Brandreth, Lucy Porter, Ria Lina and Rhys James to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation.The long-running Radio 4 national treasure of a parlour game returns this week with subjects ranging from Rap Battles to Prawn Cocktail.Production co-ordinator: Caroline BarlowSound editor: Marc WillcoxProducer: Rajiv KariaA BBC Studios Production
Last year Tudur Owen brought us 'Where on Earth is Anglesey?', a Radio 4 series that introduced us to his homeland, Ynys Môn and hinted at the rather unconventional goings-on there. One such eccentric event is the incredible but true story of how he and his family somewhat unwittingly became the owners of what the News of the World would go on to describe as “The Worst Zoo in Britain”.Join Tudur for an engrossing caper about a corrupt animal wrangler, a family on the brink and a climactic wallaby chase across the Menai Strait.All the events in this story are almost true.Written and performed by Tudur OwenScript Editor: Gareth GwynnAdditional voices: Lisa-Jên Brown and Fergus CraigSound Engineering and Design by David ThomasProducer: Richard MorrisA BBC Studios Production
Series 2, Episode 1 of the anarchic sitcom about a man desperate to succeed in a world he does not fully understand. When Phil discovers Parbold is hosting the World Pinball Championships, he sees a way to solve his money troubles by winning the big cash prize. But it's not just him who wants the money, as Phil's past catches up with him. Meanwhile, Polly starts a pet-walking business as a sideline.Written by Phil Ellis and Fraser Steele.Starring:Phil Ellis as PhilJohnny Vegas as JohnnyAmy Gledhill as PollyTerry Mynott as Barry BeanKatia Kvinge as Ellie/BarberSunil Patel as Announcer/Bear ownerand with special guest star Sean Lock as The DragonProduced by Sam MichellA BBC Studios production
Stevie Martin, Rachel Fairburn and Johnny Cochrane ask how super the superhero really is. Is the caped crusader the sexiest superhero of all? Or a weirdo in a cave who makes it all worse, actually? Producer: Beth O’Dea Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Growing up surrounded by gangsters and a dysfunctional family, this is the story of Ashley - a tall comedian who loves William Shatner and hates textured fabrics.Glasgow's nightlife in the early 1980's was still flying the flag for disco, bell bottoms and oversized lapels, and it was outside the local club in Shettleston where Ashley's parents met for the first time, starting the story that led to an unexpected marriage and a family feud that was never resolved.A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4Written by Ashley StorrieProduced by Julia Sutherland
Room Next Door Man, Michael Spicer, charts his real-life progress to global internet stardom. However, this rags to riches story is still lacking in riches so Michael has accepted a promotion at work and continues to plug away on Twitter.We re-join the story in December 2019 on a family swimming trip that is as damp and disappointing as Michael’s comedy career to date, but the impending general election coverage provides an opportunity for media attention.Meanwhile, an office workshop led by Conservative-supporting, communications guru Benjamin Cruz (Sanjeev Bhaskar) provides extra stress. Cruz thinks Michael's comedy should be more politically balanced, something the BBC echoes by interrupting the episode to ensure Michael is performing with total impartiality.To further fuel Michael's anxiety, his wife Roberta wants him to stuff the day job and go on tour - with her as his full-time manager.Can Michael seize the day while also holding onto the job that pays his mortgage?Cast: Michael Spicer with Ellie Taylor, Joanna Neary, Jamie Borthwick, Alison Ward, Greig Johnson, Jason Forbes, Peter Curran, and guest starring Sanjeev BhaskarWriter: Michael SpicerProducer: Matt TillerA Starstruck and Tillervision Production for BBC Radio 4
The comic and intrusive chat show, in which Stephen Mangan interrogates celebrity penitents about their stories of shame, guilt and embarrassment.Each week, Stephen entices a different eminent guest into his virtual confessional box to make three confessions of sins, peccadilloes, misdeeds and idiocies - anything really that will make us laugh, shudder, blush or cringe at their expense.In this episode, Stephen's guest is reluctant national treasure Dame Sheila Hancock - actor, singer, director, novelist and writer. Together they discuss inappropriate behaviour, snobbery and flagrant rule-breaking.Other guests in this series are Jessie Cave, Neil Dudgeon, Maisie Adam, Lady Antonia Fraser and Ben Bailey Smith aka Doc Brown.Presented by Stephen ManganAdditional material by Nick DoodyProduced by Frank StirlingA 7digital production for BBC Radio 4
Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Emily Bell and Mike Wozniak to find out what Christmas was like with Charles Dickens. We take a walk through the many Christmases of the renowned Victorian author. You can listen to the extended version in the 'You're Dead To Me' feed on BBC Sounds.From elephants walking on ice to the family Christmas punch recipe, we take a closer look at the factors that may have influenced some of his most famous works and try to unpick what the phrase Dickensian has come to mean over the years.Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg JennerProduced by Emma Nagouse and Greg JennerAssistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-GoodfellowResearcher: Jessica WhiteProject Management: Isla MatthewsAudio Producer: Steve HankeyThe Athletic production for BBC Radio 4
Granny Kumar is back. After a very successful first series Meera Syal’s glorious comedy creation returns, with her great granddaughter Maya (Ambreen Razia) and arch nemesis “frenemy” Geeta (Harvey Virdi), to chat with the sisters.
"This entertaining anecdote-packed show... creating a party vibe that brings out the best in her female guests." The Observer
"It treads a fine line between the earnest and the rip-roaringly funny... It's the intimacy that makes it" Radio Times
Ummi Kumar gathers together her favourite extraordinary women at Wembley Community Centre, aided by her millennial great granddaughter Maya and her arch nemesis “frenemy” Geeta, leader of the local Asian Ladies Silver Bats community group.
The show is a women only party, where they share stories, laugh loads and chew the fat/dish the dirt/eat the laddoos… A blend of sitcom, silliness and improvised chat, led by the best kind of interviewers who know how to make anyone talk - two really nosey old Indian women.
This series, we’ll be inspired and entertained by
Episode 1: Casualty and Ackley Brisge star Sunetra Sarker, and BBC Breakfast presenter and journalist Naga Munchetty
Episode 2: Multi Olivier award winning actress Sharon D Clark, and stand-up comedian Shazia Mirza
Episode 3: Playwright and novelist Bonnie Greer, and We Are Lady Parts breakout star Anjana Vasan
Episode 4: Vigil and Sarah Jane Adventures star Anjli Mohindra, and musician and presenter Myleene Klass
Cast:
Ummi Kumar – Meera Syal
Geeta Bhandari – Harvey Virdi
Maya Kumar – Ambreen Razia
Written by Meera Syal
Music by Sanjeev Bhaskar
Producer: Liz Anstee
A CPL production, licensed by Hat Trick Productions, for BBC Radio 4
Granny Kumar is back. After a very successful first series Meera Syal’s glorious comedy creation returns, with her great granddaughter Maya (Ambreen Razia) and arch nemesis “frenemy” Geeta (Harvey Virdi), to chat with the sisters.
"This entertaining anecdote-packed show... creating a party vibe that brings out the best in her female guests." The Observer
"It treads a fine line between the earnest and the rip-roaringly funny... It's the intimacy that makes it" Radio Times
Ummi Kumar gathers together her favourite extraordinary women at Wembley Community Centre, aided by her millennial great granddaughter Maya and her arch nemesis “frenemy” Geeta, leader of the local Asian Ladies Silver Bats community group.
The show is a women only party, where they share stories, laugh loads and chew the fat/dish the dirt/eat the laddoos… A blend of sitcom, silliness and improvised chat, led by the best kind of interviewers who know how to make anyone talk - two really nosey old Indian women.
This series, we’ll be inspired and entertained by
Episode 1: Casualty and Ackley Brisge star Sunetra Sarker, and BBC Breakfast presenter and journalist Naga Munchetty
Episode 2: Multi Olivier award winning actress Sharon D Clark, and stand-up comedian Shazia Mirza
Episode 3: Playwright and novelist Bonnie Greer, and We Are Lady Parts breakout star Anjana Vasan
Episode 4: Vigil and Sarah Jane Adventures star Anjli Mohindra, and musician and presenter Myleene Klass
Cast:
Ummi Kumar – Meera Syal
Geeta Bhandari – Harvey Virdi
Maya Kumar – Ambreen Razia
Written by Meera Syal
Music by Sanjeev Bhaskar
Producer: Liz Anstee
A CPL production, licensed by Hat Trick Productions, for BBC Radio 4
Bill Bailey stars as Guy Starling, a middle aged man who, after 45 years, and for reasons quite unknown to him, is suddenly revisited by his imaginary childhood friend, Hennikay.
After closing the biggest deal in the history of Maidstone, Guy’s boss decides to reward him with an adventure-based, corporate team-building day out, which has him running around the woods shooting paint pellets at middle managers.
Not only does Guy have to deal with his scheming, back-stabbing co-workers, desperate to ruin his career and steal his glory, he also has to cope with Hennikay, his imaginary childhood friend who has turned back up in his life and is stubbornly refusing to leave, running riot in the woods with a paint gun.
But as the paint splatters and the deals sour, Guy soon discovers that in the cut-throat world of grown-up business, the only person who he can trust is the 11-year-old boy he invented back in 1976.
Acclaimed comedian (and Strictly Come Dancing champion) Bill Bailey leads a cast which includes Dave Lamb and Elizabeth Carling in this warm, funny look at childhood, adulthood and some of the follies of modern life - where a man with a confused child in his head might just be the sanest person in the room.
Written by David Spicer
Guy ..... Bill Bailey
Tony ..... Dave Lamb
Marika ..... Elizabeth Carling
Kallie ..... Hollie Edwin
Simon ..... Alistair McGowan
Hennikay ..... Max Pattison
Producer: Liz Anstee
A CPL production for BBC Radio 4
Kat Sadler’s Screen Time is a fun guide/cautionary tale of how young people today live their lives through their phones and social media. Kat (daily screen time 8hrs 49 mins) meets Abbie (daily screen time 1 hr 26 mins) and starts a relationship, but will their obsession with how the relationship comes across online lead to its downfall?
Ensuring no listener is left behind by the indecipherable terminology and online etiquette of the under 30s, Kat is joined by extremely offline Alex MacQueen who will stop Kat and make her explain things like the ‘For You Page’ and ‘Soft Launching’.
Cast
Kat Sadler - Kat Alex MacQueen - Alex Abbie Weinstock - Abbie Emily Lloyd Saini - Various Jason Forbes - Various
Written by Kat Sadler and Cameron Loxdale
Script edited by Jon Hunter
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production
Nathan Blakely was a popstar. But he was useless, died, and was reincarnated. The comedy about Nathan’s adventures in the afterlife returns for a third series, starring Daniel Rigby, Ashley McGuire and guest-starring Mike Wozniak.
In the first episode of the new series, Nathan is brought back to life as the leader of a wolf pack. But there’s a catch - his pack are rubbish and aren’t brave enough to kill anything. Can Nathan transform them into ruthless hunters? And will he ever it make it back to human again?
Cast: Ashley McGuire - Carol Daniel Rigby – Nathan Hammed Animashaun – Bull Elk Tom Craine – Sniffly Ian Henry Paker – Lupo Freya Parker – Wolverina Mike Wozniak – Wolmenides
Writers: Tom Craine and Henry Paker Producer: Harriet Jaine Sound: Jerry Peal Music Composed by: Phil Lepherd
A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4
Alexei considers the role of the police force, discusses his own involvement in the ‘spy cops’ scandal, draws comparisons between President Assad and a beloved British comedian and details his seven stages of grief post the 2019 general election.
A mixture of stand-up, memoir, and philosophy from behind the counter of an imaginary sandwich bar.
Written and performed by Alexei Sayle.
With original music and lyrics from Tim Sutton.
Produced by Joe Nunnery
A BBC Studios Production
Marian Keyes is a multi award-winning writer, with a total of over 30 million of her books sold to date in 33 languages. Her close friend Tara Flynn is an actress, comedian and writer. Together, these two friends have been through a lot, and now want to use their considerable life experience to help solve your biggest - and smallest - of their listeners' problems.
From dilemmas about life, love and grief, to the perils of laundry or knowing what to say at a boring dinner, we’ll find out what Marian and Tara would recommend - which might not solve the problem exactly, but will make us all feel a bit better.
In their first episode, Marian and Tara tackle a problem pink flamingo, a messy daughter and a contested will.
Recorded in Dublin with emails received from listeners around the world, the hosts invite you to pull up a chair at their virtual kitchen table as they read and digest their inbox.
Got a problem you want Marian and Tara to solve? Email: marianandtara@bbc.co.uk.
Producer: Steve Doherty. A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
In a hilarious blend of stand-up and sketches, multi-award-winning comedian Rob Newman addresses the challenges of an international marriage, describes his disastrous attempt to replace conversation with indexed cue-cards, and depicts an epic clash between The Frowning Man and the Cosmic Smile. Co-star: Claire Price.
Written by and starring Rob Newman With Claire Price Original music by Boo Hewerdine and Chris Pepper Recorded by David Thomas Produced by Jon Harvey and Eloise Whitmore Exec Producer: Polly Thomas
A Naked Production for BBC Radio 4
The Dream Factory is the towering global monopoly which has been responsible for the manufacture and distribution of humanity’s hopes, fantasies and nightmares since the night before the dawn of time.
Due, presumably, to an admin error, The Dream Factory’s UK regional management have recently appointed the worst possible person to the delivery team - cheerful blockhead, Joz Norris. It’s now his responsibility to get the right dreams into the right heads at the right time. His life of well-meant but foolhardy failure, buoyed by friends and family, has been mostly harmless – until now.
Overnight, Joz has attained power over the dreams and fantasies of his friends and family. In no time he makes so many mistakes that the inner worlds of everyone he knows have been turned upside-down. His stunning ineptitude jeopardises all his significant personal relationships as he starts inadvertently messing with the contents of his friends’ heads. It also infuriates his bosses, and he risks losing his job, just as he’d finally found some stable work.
He is utterly inept, but cheerfully enthusiastic to the last, always assuming he can bluff his way out of any situation, no matter how rarely that seems to be true.
Written by Joz Norris and Miranda Holms
Cast JOZ: Joz Norris PAULA: Desiree Burch ANNA: Stevie Martin MEG: Roisin O'Mahony SUSIE: Chiara Goldsmith OGRE 1: Kiell Smith-Bynoe OGRE 2 and JIM: Ben Targét With other parts played by members of the cast
Producer: Steve Doherty A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4
Gemma Arrowsmith has a new sketch show on Radio 4, but will she be able to host it herself?
In the first episode, Paterson Joseph who has been drafted in to host by execs Theo and Cleo, who hope he will boost ratings. Gemma has to work out how to wrestle back control of her show, full of sketches about the Pemberley Cinematic Universe, a Musical Theatre news bulletin, and we find out who banksy really is.
Performed by: Gemma Arrowsmith, Kudzanayi Chiwawa, Dan Starkey & Thomas Nelstrop Guest host: Paterson Joseph
Written by: Gemma Arrowsmith Script Edited by: Tasha Dhanraj
Sound design: Neil Goody at Premises Studios Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
The Producer was Gwyn Rhys Davies, a BBC Studios Production.
Professional dancer and TV presenter Janette Manrara was born and raised in The Sunshine State of Florida, specifically Miami. With the beach on its doorstep, the sounds of salsa music throughout the streets and the smell of Cuban coffee in the air, you would think Shaun wouldn’t need convincing to visit this little corner of heaven. But having had one particularly traumatic visit to Miami many years ago, Janette will have her work cut out for her.
Your Place Or Mine is the travel podcast that isn’t going anywhere - not until guests can convince Shaun Keaveny it’s worth getting off the sofa for. Each week a familiar face will try to persuade Shaun and resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence that jetting off to their favourite destination is worth the hassle.
Across the series listeners will be able to figuratively globe-trot to a new destination, as guests share a personal guide to their favourite place on the planet. Iszi will be on hand to check out the facts during the podcast’s metaphorical tour of its visitors’ much-loved locations.
With all the missed travel these past two years, Your Place Or Mine will explore whether getting back on a plane is too much for our wallets and limited carbon budgets, or if seeing the world and experiencing global cultures is something we can’t afford to miss.
Your Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Producer: Proinsias O’Coinn
Mark Steel is back with the 12th series of his award winning show that travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for a local audience.
In this second episode Mark travels to Tring in Hertfordshire, home of the Natural History Museum, former private museum of Walter Rothschild, where he goes to see the exhibit of fleas dressed as Mexicans.
In this series, Mark will also be popping to Nottingham, The Isles of Scilly, Salisbury, Newport and Paris. And for the first time, there will be extended versions of each episode available on BBC sounds.
Written and performed by Mark Steel
Additional material by Pete Sinclair Production co-ordinator Sarah Sharpe Production co-ordinator Katie Baum Sound Manager Jerry Peal Producer Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4
The self-care and mindfulness trend is booming. With the popularity of apps like Calm, Headspace, and Breethe, the well-being meditation genre is ripe for satire. Misguided Meditations is a loving spoof of the popular guided meditation sleep stories.
So breathe in…then breathe out…and enjoy each episode led by our narrator Mina Anwar that will take listeners on a delightfully surreal late-night adventure that descends into a total nightmare cringe-fest. A trip to the enchanted forest might result in someone naked in front of their entire class having forgotten their homework. A midnight dip in the mermaid lagoon might be ruined by an encounter with the cursed starfish of procrastination. Oh, and we couldn't miss Fluffy Bunny Island – whose inhabitants ask hard-hitting questions about your life choices.
Written by Joanne Lau. Starring Mina Anwar. Produced by Gus Beattie. A Gusman production for BBC Radio 4.
A recording for BBC Radio 4's gala show spotlighting the nominees for the 40th Edinburgh Comedy Awards. The prestigious awards recognise a Best Newcomer and a Best Show, and in this gala, hosted by 2010 Best Show winner Russell Kane, we'll pack in as many of the nominees as possible to give listeners around the UK the chance to hear the cream of this year’s Edinburgh crop. The gala was recorded at the Pleasance, one of the Edinburgh Fringe’s iconic comedy venues
Nominated for Best Show are Alfie Brown, Colin Hoult, The Delightful Sausage, Jordan Gray, Josh Pugh, Larry Dean, Lauren Pattison, Liz Kingsman, Seann Walsh & Sam Campbell.
Nominated for Best Newcomer are Amy Gledhill, Emily Wilson, Emmanuel Sonubi, Josh Jones, Lara Ricote, Leo Reich & Vittorio Angelone.
Hosted by Russell Kane Additional Material by Jade Gebbie Production Coordinator - Caroline Barlow Recorded by Sean Kerwin and edited by Chris Maclean Assistant Producer - Sasha Bobak Producer - Gwyn Rhys Davies A BBC Studios Production
A sitcom, written by Moray Hunter and starring Angus Deayton, Abigail Cruttenden, Pearce Quigley, Kate Isitt and Bennett Arron, about five, mainly single, middle aged neighbours living in flats in a converted house in North London.
Mitch (Angus Deayton) is a widower and part-time therapist who is looking to put his life back together now that he is single and living with Will (Pearce Quigley), his younger, more volatile half-brother. Mitch is currently in a new relationship with Ellie (Abigail Cruttenden) who is a somewhat shy, nervous and sensitive schoolteacher. Overly honest, frustrated actress Louisa (Kate Isitt), and socially inept IT nerd Morris (Bennett Arron) complete the line-up of mis-matched neighbours.
In the series opener, Best Upstairs Neighbour Ever, Mitch and Ellie are trying to work out ground rules for their relationship, with matters such as the frequency of present-giving, meeting up and overnight stays on the agenda. Morris meanwhile fancies a group Sunday roast, if someone else will cook it, and Will and Louisa are just trying to get used to the fact that Mitch and Ellie are now a thing.
Cast: Angus Deayton - Mitch Abigail Cruttenden - Ellie Pearce Quigley - Will Kate Isitt - Louisa Bennett Arron - Morris
Written by Moray Hunter Directed by Moray Hunter and Gordon Kennedy Script Edited by Ian Brown and James Hendrie Edited and Studio Managed by Jerry Peal Production Manager - Sarah Tombling Production Runner - Kareem Elshehawy Recorded at The Shaw Theatre, London Based on an original idea developed in association with Dandy Productions Producer - Gordon Kennedy
An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4
In the first episode of Your Place or Mine, comedian and writer Sarah Kendall joins Shaun Keaveny to try and convince him to go on a trip to her hometown, the coal-mining city of Newcastle, Australia. The cafe culture and oceanside bathing pools sound tempting - but will Shaun actually commit to the day-long flight?
Your Place Or Mine is the travel podcast that isn’t going anywhere - not until guests can convince Shaun Keaveny it’s worth getting off the sofa for. Each week a familiar face will try to persuade Shaun and resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence that jetting off to their favourite destination is worth the hassle.
Across the series listeners will be able to figuratively globe-trot to a new destination, as guests share a personal guide to their favourite place on the planet. Iszi will be on hand to check out the facts during the podcast’s metaphorical tour of its visitors’ much-loved locations.
With all the missed travel these past two years, Your Place Or Mine will explore whether getting back on a plane is too much for our wallets and limited carbon budgets, or if seeing the world and experiencing global cultures is something we can’t afford to miss.
Your Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Producers: Proinsias O’Coinn and Jen Whyntie
Jayde Adams and guest James Acaster dive into the feisty world of community apps and messageboards, sifting through the angry neighbourhood bins to find disgruntled comedy gold.
From biggest beefs to weirdest news, Jayde discovers a hotbed of (largely unintentional) hilarity with graffiti-daubed wheelie bins, stray cats, e-scooters and more.
Jayde and the production team would like to hear about what's riling up the neighbours around Britain. Are your groups kicking off? Listeners can submit screenshots of the funniest and freakiest posts and threads to welcometotheneighbourhood@bbc.co.uk.
Presenter: Jayde Adams Producer: Cornelius Mendez
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
Comedian Tom Mayhew is joined by his mate Sian Davies to talk about cheap dates, love and relationships as Tom’s stand up explores sexuality and feelings among the working class.
Tom Mayhew Is Benefit Scum is an autobiographical stand-up series where the comedian shares stories about his life growing up working class and his time on benefits. The show takes a wry, sideways look at the prejudices that people have towards benefits claimants and turns those assumptions on their head.
Written and Performed by Tom Mayhew Featuring Chris Cantrill and Sian Davies Additional Material – Olivia Phipps Production Coordinator – Katie Baum Producer – Benjamin Sutton A BBC Studios Production.
Steph McGovern leads a pair of seriously funny minds through some devious Would You Rather dilemmas, to find definitive answers to the great questions of our age. Or not.
In this episode, comedians Russell Kane and Ria Lina step up to the plate, with their fates to be decided by the wise and all-powerful studio audience, who will make the ultimate choice.
Starring Steph McGovern, Russell Kane and Ria Lina Devised by Jon Harvey and Joseph Morpurgo Mixed by David Thomas Production Support: Leah Marks Associate Producer: Joseph Morpurgo Produced and edited by Jon Harvey Executive Producer: Ed Morrish
A Naked production for BBC Radio 4
Escaping the confines of The Infinite Monkey Cage, comedian Robin Ince takes us on a journey through his Reality Tunnel in this two-part stand-up show, recorded specially for Radio 4.
Performing in front of a live audience in Manchester, Robin examines the brain’s relationship with reality and over the two episode series, he looks at the difference between the inner and the outer self and considers how we put together our picture of the world.
Written and performed by Robin Ince Produced by Carl Cooper
Sound Manager - Jerry Peal Sound Editor - Joshan Chana Production Coordinator - Katie Baum Picture by Steve Best
This was a BBC Studios production
Radio 4 favourite Ken Cheng returns for the third series of his brilliant show Chinese Comedian. In the first of the series, Ken takes on the biggest story since his last series and talks all things Coronavirus in the episode Chinese Virus.
Written by Ken Cheng Produced by Rajiv Karia A BBC Studios Production.
Sudden Death is written by and stars the multi-talented writer/performer/producer Jon Harvey (credits include The Thick of It, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and What On Earth? With Count Binface). It tells the story of how he embarked on the sporting odyssey of a lifetime, to see as many of the world's great sports events as possible within one year, in tribute to his late brother.
Recorded at the Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham.
Written and performed by Jon Harvey
Additional material by Laura Major
Recorded and edited by David Thomas
Produced by Ed Morrish
Executive Producer: Polly Thomas
A Naked production for BBC Radio 4
The world is on fire and we're all going to die lol.
Recorded in his hometown of Melbourne, Solastalgia is the first Radio 4 stand-up special from award-winning Millennial Australian comedian Tom Ballard. It’s his terrified, emotional and hilarious response to the climate crisis - what it means, how it makes us feel, what if anything we can do about it, and whether any of it is funny.
He’ll even tell you what Solastalgia means.
Tom was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer in 2015 and for the main prize in 2016, and hosted his own daily late-night comedy show for ABC, Tonightly with Tom Ballard. He can be heard regularly on the smash-hit satirical podcast The Bugle, and his work is "unrelenting and uproarious" (Chortle), "brave, biting, ballsy and ultimately, brilliant" (Time Out), "multi-dimensional and multi-layered, adding twist upon twist and full of little parcels of surprises" (Beyond The Joke), and "engaged, conscientious and consistently, archly funny, Ballard is precisely the sort of political commentator the world needs" (The Scotsman).
Written and performed by Tom Ballard
Recorded by Kristina Miltiadou
Post production by Rich Evans
Produced by Ed Morrish
Recorded at Comedy Republic, Narrm/Melbourne – on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and self-effacing national treasure Josie Long returns to the R4 airwaves to turn her sharp but affectionate eye on the state of the nation – and world, and planet – as we begin to emerge from two years of upheaval.
‘What’s Next?’ was a slogan stencilled all over major cities by climate change campaigners during the pandemic. It’s a fair question. In this stand-up masterclass – adapted from one of the most lauded Edinburgh Fringe shows in recent years – Josie considers the responsibility we have to our children with the planet in the parlous state it is.
She has become a mother herself (the first person ever, to her knowledge, to have not one, but two babies) and, through the prism of new parenthood, there is a lot to be alarmed about - corrupt governments, melting icecaps, health-food entrepreneurs making unsubstantiated claims about dates. And yet, in among all the existential crisis of the world in 2022, Josie finds hope and humanity.
A memoir of life-altering experiences broadened out into a manifesto for the direction we take now, post-pandemic, What’s Next deals surehandedly with both the personal and the global, showcasing the talents of a comic with an unusual and much-cherished ability to straddle the playful and the profound.
She may not have all the answers to our many societal crises, but nobody poses the questions in quite such an impassioned and entertaining way.
Written and performed by Josie Long
Produced by Siren Turner and Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4
Revelations, reflections and laughs abound in this touching performance from the legendary comedian, who is undergoing cancer treatment and reeling from recent controversy.
Janey Godley is a force of nature across the country, particularly in her hometown of Glasgow.
This performance, her first live appearance in over six months, is a landmark moment in her life and her career. Time in recovery and isolation has given her a new perspective on how she lives her life, how fragile people can be, and that maybe she does care about what others think of her.
Recorded live in Glasgow at Websters Theatre.
Written by Janey Godley Produced by Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Why has such a large swathe of the population started plunging into freezing-cold water, in a country whose climate is pretty obviously ill-suited to wild swimming, or arguably any sort of swimming away from a spa resort?
Jen Brister might seem, at face value, an unlikely candidate to ask. In her critically-acclaimed stand-up she has never been noted for suffering fools – or fads – gladly. Yet amid the bedlam of the past two years, as the mother of young twin boys suddenly finding herself a full-time nurse, teacher and a lot of other jobs she never signed up for, Jen has found refuge in the unlikely setting of the sea off Brighton, where she lives.
Armed with the unusual combination of wetsuit and microphone, she takes us on a personal odyssey in this unique comedy special, which sees her shuttle between the stage and the less familiar performance space of the deep ocean.
In a counterweighted series of stand-up segments and waterbound philosophical passages, Jen tries to piece together what it is about (sometimes dangerously) cold water that has helped reunite her with her sanity. Swimming in the elements promotes mindfulness, enhances our sense of self, and allows us to think our thoughts with a clarity that is often elusive. But what does a comedian do with this enhanced self-awareness?
With her customary sharpness of tongue – admittedly, a little mellowed by all the wholesome exercise – and precision of thought, one of the most exciting comedians in the country finds waves of inspiration both on dry land and in the milieu she has started to regard as a second home.
Actually, maybe a first home if the kids get any noisier.
Written and performed by Jen Brister Produced by Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4
This week, DMs Are Open sees show hosts Athena Kugblenu and Ali Official dissecting the big stories alongside Akafi Ali, Abi Clarke and Stuart Laws. Tune in for sketches, one-liners and voice notes about the Love Island pre-occupied with recycling, football louts in a board meeting, and how opera singers take on video game classics.
Written by: YOU, the public! Script Editors: Catherine Brinkworth & Nathan Darcy-Roberts Producers: Sadia Azmat and Rajiv Karia Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Editor: Sean Kerwin Sound Engineer: Neil Goody - Premises Studios
A BBC Studios Production
In a desperate bid to become rich, comedian and broadcaster Sunil Patel attempts to live off cryptocurrency alone. In this episode, Sunil tries to pay for everything only using cryptocurrency, and ends up having to travel to El Salvador to get his big shop done.
Including interviews with academic Patrick Shortis and the performing talents of Christopher Biggins.
Written by and Starring Sunil Patel Featuring Helen Bauer and Christopher Biggins Additional Material from Charlie Dinkin
Assistant Producer - Ewan McAdam Production Manager - Laura Shaw
Producer - Benjamin Sutton
A Daddy’s SuperYacht production for BBC Radio 4
Mike Bubbins is a good bloke, a good husband and a good Dad, but he never quite feels like he fits in. Not in an odd way, he's keen to point out. It's just he dresses like he lives in the 70s, his house looks like a 70s film set, and he drives a 70s Ford Cortina.
So yeah, in other words, in an odd way.
He's not done bad for a lad who failed his A-Levels, became a PE teacher (see 'failed his A-levels’), worked as an Elvis impersonator, and then signed up for a writing course but got the wrong day and turned up for a stand-up comedy course instead. Because it was raining, and his wife had already dropped him off, he decided he might as well stay.
Eleven years later, he presents his debut Radio 4 show.
We've all been through a lot, emotionally and psychologically, with the extraordinary events of the pandemic. In the middle of the biggest crisis the world has witnessed since the war, we all had to assess who we were, what our priorities were, what our core relationships are and how robust they really are.
Luckily, Bubbins isn't interested in any of that. He wasn't even involved in the pandemic. Because he lives in the 70s. In this show, he aims to take us back to a time before Covid and other complexities - a much simpler time.
Written and performer by Mike Bubbins, recorded at Mach Festival, 2022. Produced by Siren Turner and Lianne Coop. An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4
Stephen Bailey is a lightweight boxer who lost a fight to Conor McGregor, he's an investor with £84 million in the bank, he's Axel Rose's stepfather and if you keep scrolling, he's also a comedian from Manchester.
Stephen is seriously contemplating changing his name in 2022, as he believes being Stephen Bailey is hindering his success - after all, a name change is one of the oldest tricks in showbiz. If the name maketh the man, it's made a lot of Stephen Baileys and the rest of them are always doing something more newsworthy than our Stephen.
This is a bespoke stand-up special about identity, where Stephen will work out whether you can change your whole life, just by changing your name.
Written and performed by Stephen Bailey Production Coordinator: Katie Baum Produced by: Georgia Keating and Hayley Sterling
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4.
Athena has a conservatory (it came with the man). But what does that tell us about her identity? She’s got an aluminium hooded extractor fan and uses fabric conditioner. But does the quilted toilet roll in both of Athena’s toilets signify a working class girl done good? Or does it say that the rigid way we look at class might need a rethink? This stand up show tackles these questions and gives Athena the courage to finally live her truth as an upwardly mobile individual.
Producer... Leila Navabi Production Coordinator... Caroline Barlow A BBC Studios Production
Following a much-publicised split, legendary Norwegian dance music icons Lars Larsson and Ulrik Untersson have reunited on the airwaves. Accompanied by producer Pete Santini, they’re taking up their roles as BBC Radio Four’s Heads of Electronic Music. But can they put their differences aside and come together to host a banger of a show? No. No they cannot.
A brand new sitcom created and written by Barney Fishwick and Will Hislop. Starring Barney Fishwick, Will Hislop, Arnab Chanda, Emma Sidi, Rob Carter and Sophie Bentinck. Original songs produced by Jack Martin.
Producer - Pete Strauss Production Co-Ordinator - Katie Baum Executive Producer - Julia McKenzie
BBC Radio Fjord is a BBC Studios Production.
Surreal, silly vibrations from the flatlining, radio desert somewhere near the Irish Border.
First picked up by lorry drivers trying to find a signal in the flatlining radio desert of the Irish border, Parish Is Burning is a wild, silly and surreal sketch show. A genuine metaphysical anomaly, a mysterious broadcast from an alternative universe (near Omagh) with that uniquely warped, unpredictable, big-hearted, Northern Irish whiff and featuring new comedy talent from all over Ireland.
In this pilot episode, visit Mo Farragh’s Ostrich Farm, eavesdrop on the parish helpline, find out if Sergeant Gerry Rafferty can crack the case of the man beaten to death with his own kettle, experience Rural Fury at the Parish youth club and catch up on Belfast soap opera Van Dad.
Parish Is Burning is created by Michael McCullagh and Phil Taggart, and stars Michael Fry, Ciara Knight, Michael Stranney, Hannah Mamalis, Mary Flanigan and Peter McGann.
Producer: Keith Martin Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd
A Fabel production for BBC Radio 4
Chris McCausland asks a panel of comedians to live in an audio only world, deciphering brainteaser sound cues for points and pride whilst trying not to muck about too much along the way.
In this pilot episode, contestants try and figure out exactly what it is that they’re watching on the tele and which celebrity is talking to them with a mouthful of cake.
The competing comedians are Mark Maier, Amy Gledhill, Marlon Davis and Eleanor Tiernan.
Producer: Richard Morris Production co-ordinator: Beverly Tagg Sound editor: David Thomas
Theme music 'Colour me Groovy' by The Rich Morton Sound
Recorded at the Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green
Sue Perkins challenges Lucy Porter, Shaparak Khorsandi, Julian Clary and Paul Merton to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation.
The long running national treasure of a parlour game is back, with subjects this week ranging from My Drag Name to Bringing a Plus One.
Production co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow Sound editor: Marc Willcox Producer: Hayley Sterling
A BBC Studios Production
Maureen Lipman’s unique collection of musings, monologues, duologues and amusing anecdotes about her life and popular culture. This second programme includes a frustrating experience at an airport and the return of Hester from the Home Counties. For this second series, recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre, Maureen is joined by Oliver Cotton. Together they give life and opinions to various animals.
Written and performed by Maureen Lipman with a special guest performance from Oliver Cotton.
Produced and Directed by Tracey Neale
A new Sunday night stand-up special from celebrated comedy star, George Fouracres (Daphne, Pls Like, Raised by Wolves) who tells his story of growing up living with his Grandad and brothers in Wolverhampton.
Expect tales of wearing a bowtie on childhood trips to McDonalds (always dress for dinner), being woken up at 4:30am by his Grandad’s screeching mynah bird in the kitchen and really really wanting to become a priest. This is the story of George's love for the Black Country and how his eccentric upbringing has made him a true Black Country ‘Gentlemon’.
Producer: Richard Morris Production co-ordinator: Beverly Tagg
A BBC Studios Production
Simon Rich is a one-man comedy phenomenon, described by The Guardian as "the funniest man in America" and with credits including The Simpsons, Pixar movies and Saturday Night Live. He created the hit sitcom Miracle Workers starring Steve Buscemi and Daniel Radcliffe, and his debut movie An American Pickle was released in 2020, starring Seth Rogen.
Now Simon returns to Radio 4 with a third series of his charmingly absurd stories, performed by a top-drawer British cast. Featuring parenting pirates, a baby detective, an unlikely retelling of Beauty And The Beast, and a super monster being promoted into management, this is unlike anything else you’ll hear this year.
Starring Mat Baynton, Ed Eales-White, Kieran Hodgson, Cariad Lloyd, Claire Price and Adjani Salmon Produced by Jon Harvey and Clarissa Maycock Editor: David Thomas Executive Producer: Polly Thomas A Naked production for BBC Radio 4
Bed-bound wit and story telling from Patrick Marber and Peter Curran.
Their special guest is chef, broadcaster and host of The Great British Menu, Andi Oliver. She sings an ancient lullaby and the trio discuss a shared mistrust of dolphins.
A Foghorn Company production for BBC Radio 4
Sue Perkins challenges Dane Baptiste, Stephen Fry, Sheila Hancock and Paul Merton to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation.
The long running Radio 4 national treasure of a parlour game is back for a new series with subjects this week ranging from sausages to submarines.
Production co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow Sound editor: Marc Willcox Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production
After the death in January of the legendary comedian and writer Barry Cryer, Jack Dee introduces a tribute to the much-loved and respected man.
Featuring memorable clips from Barry's long career and recollections from his friends and fellow comics including Sandi Toksvig, Stephen Fry, Graeme Garden and many more.
Producer: Richard Morris Production co-ordinator: Katie Baum Script: Jon Hunter
With thanks to Jon Naismith for Clue archive and additional production support.
A BBC Studios Production
In 1978 a Japanese film crew came to 11-year-old Tudur Owen’s farm on Anglesey to make a programme about his life for a TV show called Children of the World. Then a Patagonian gaucho turned up. As did a man claiming to be a geology student called Hector. But were they all what they seemed?
Written and narrated by Tudur Owen with additional voices from Lisa-Jên Brown, Richard Harrington, Gwenno Hodgkins and Yuriko Kotani.
Script editor: Gareth Gwynn Production co-ordinator: Katie Baum Sound design: David Thomas Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production
The Godfather of British stand-up, John Moloney, returns to the live stage to share his musings on helpful neighbours and no quibble policies. Jokes, surprises and a few special guests feature along the way.
Written and performed by John Moloney Produced by Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Creators of the hit Radio 4 Sci Fi comedy Quanderhorn, Rob Grant (Son of Cliché, Spitting Image, Red Dwarf) and Andrew Marshall (Burkiss Way, Whoops Apocalypse, 2point4children) invite you back for a deeper glimpse into the steaming primordial swamps of their hideously contorted imaginations, known only as The Nether Regions.
Trapped with them in the dank basements of their fetid minds are sparkling young talents Helen Cripps, Edward Rowett and Holly Morgan.
The Nether Regions is our dystopian present – it’s now, but not now, and then, but now. Not.
Past, present and future merge into one writhing tortured tangle, where the Naked Truth climbs out of the window, because Fake News has come home unexpectedly early.
Continuing the mirth, mayhem and something else beginning with M of the highly acclaimed pilot show. Scream in terror. Then listen to the show. Then scream in terror again, as you witness:
Germany’s most efficient fast food sausage establishment The recently rediscovered classic, Jane Austen’s Love Island Thinking dogs for the stupid The tortured souls who are addicted to being Alan Bennett.
These and other mind-munching experiences await the unwary listener. Make sure you book a return ticket.
Created and Written by Rob Grant and Andrew Marshall Performed by Rob Grant, Andrew Marshall, Helen Cripps, Edward Rowett and Holly Morgan Studio Engineered and Edited by Jerry Peal Original Music Composed by Pete Baikie Programme Managed by Sarah Tombling Recorded at The Shaw Theatre, London
Produced and Directed by Gordon Kennedy, Rob Grant and Andrew Marshall An Absolutely production for BBC Radio 4
In this week’s instalment, Marian and Tara tackle a badly-dressed boyfriend, a weighted blanket, the problem with noisy eaters and much more.
Marian Keyes is a multi award-winning writer, with a total of over 30 million of her books sold to date in 33 languages. Her close friend Tara Flynn is an actress, comedian and writer. Together, these two friends have been through a lot, and now want to use their considerable life experience to help solve your biggest - and smallest - of their listeners' problems.
From dilemmas about life, love and grief, to the perils of laundry or knowing what to say at a boring dinner, we’ll find out what Marian and Tara would recommend…which might not solve the problem exactly, but will make us all feel a bit better.
Recorded in Dublin with emails received from listeners around the world, the hosts invite you to pull up a chair at their virtual kitchen table as they read and digest their inbox.
Got a problem you want Marian and Tara to solve? Email: marianandtara@bbc.co.uk.
Producer: Steve Doherty. A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds