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Friday 18th June 2021 |
With another huge selection being released in recent and upcoming months we're going to focus on radio comedy this week; but first, we can't miss pointing sitcom fans and those interested in comedy history alike to brand new book Raising Laughter. Focusing on the 1970s, it examines the culture and politics of the decade, together with the huge number of TV sitcoms during the period and their offering of a much-needed escape from every day life.
We've also got a brand new competition: a new box set comprising of four delightful comedy films from the 1950s has been released, and we have three to give away. Stars include Frankie Howerd, Diana Dors, Leslie Phillips, Stanley Holloway, Joan Hickson, John Gregson and many more.
Coming soon
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme - The Complete Series 9
The complete ninth series of BBC Radio 4's award-winning sketch show. John Finnemore returns, but this series is very different to the previous eight. There are still sketches and songs, and it's still written and performed by him and his usual ensemble cast - but with no live studio audience, John has taken the opportunity to try something new.
Each episode in this series of Souvenir Programme consists of scenes from one person's life, played in reverse order. There's no narrative as such - it's still a sketch show - but as we follow the characters back in time, from lockdown Zoom calls to childhood birthdays and funerals, the individual sketches link up to form an overall picture, portraying the sprawling history of an entire multi-generational family.
Life In London
Pierce Egan's renowned 19th-Century comic novel, adapted by Dan Tetsell, is a tour of the sprawling post-Regency Metropolis in the years before the Victorians turned up and made everything boring.
The comedy drama - billed as showing the 'fast life' of Regency London - stars Mark Gatiss, Greg Wise and James Bachman, with Geoffrey McGivern as garrulous author Egan.
North East Of Eden
When Marcia Hulme inherits her uncle's medical practice, she decamps from London to a remote island off the coast of Northumbria. There's not a lot to do in Paradise, other than fish or drink, and Marcia's soon missing her favourite restaurants, cinemas and theatres - and her boyfriend, Clem. But as she plans her escape back to the Big Smoke, she gets drawn into island life and discovers that swapping West End wine bars for the Wind O'Change pub is really not so bad.
In these six episodes, Marcia becomes involved in the Great Pig Race; joins the lifeboat crew on the Bobby Vee; and tries to start an arthouse film club. Meanwhile, the islanders are facing their own challenges, with offshore submarine manoeuvres; a man from the Ministry snooping about; and a mysterious illness that threatens a local parade. Rebecca Front stars as Marcia with Joan Sims as Auntie Annie.
The Small Intricate Life Of Gerald C. Potter
Gerald C Potter is the proud author of Death in the Arboretum, described by the Bournemouth Echo as 'well-written'. He works hard on his books, and worries about every comma, adjective and unfortunate typo: but somehow, he never seems to get very much done. However, his wife and fellow novelist, Diana (aka Magnolia Badminton), is positively prolific - much to his chagrin.
These four series recount his daily activities and struggles for inspiration, as he tries to solve the mystery of his missing briefcase; goes up against his wife as they compete to publicise their new books; takes a holiday abroad that's far from relaxing and receives a double-edged surprise on United Potter Day. Written by celebrated humourist Basil Boothroyd, this "witty, quick, clever sitcom" ran for five years on Radio 4 between 1976 and 1981 and stars Ian Carmichael.
The News Quiz - Vintage Treasures
A brand new collection of previously unpublished episodes taken from the programme's first four decades.
The News Quiz began on Radio 4 in 1977 and continues to be hugely popular to this day. The first host was Barry Norman, and subsequently Barry Took, Simon Hoggart, Sandi Toksvig, Miles Jupp, Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes and Andy Zaltzman have all take the chair. In this vintage collection, hear the comedy guests trawl through news stories big and small to provide comedy, commentary, irony and irreverence - and an insight into how news events of the past were viewed at the time.
Flying The Flag - The Complete Series 1-4
All four series of the Eastern bloc embassy sitcom starring Dinsdale Landen, first broadcast between 1987 and 1992, and written by Alex Shearer.
Set in a British embassy somewhere in Russia as the Cold War draws to a close, this sitcom follows Her Majesty's Ambassador Mr Mackenzie as he navigates the idiosyncrasies of life behind the Iron Curtain.
Alfie Moore: It's A Fair Cop - Series 4 - 6
Ever wondered what sort of a police officer you might make? In Series 4-6 of his radio sitcom, Alfie Moore dives into deeper topics than before.
Along the way Alfie spills the beans on what it's really like to be one of Britain's finest, tells us some great anecdotes about law breakers and makers that he's come across and gets his audience to divulge secrets about their own, sometimes less than strictly law-abiding lives.
A Whole 'Nother Story
All 16 episodes of Amanda Murphy's sitcom about the will-they-won't-they romance between best friends Cassie and Pete.
Cassie's 30, single, and miserable. All her friends are getting married - even Ugly Paula (albeit to someone on a life sentence in a Kentucky prison) - but nobody loves her. Except for Pete. And he's her best mate, so he doesn't count ... or does he? Over the course of three series, we follow Cassie and Pete as they attempt to answer that critical question, and sort out their complicated feelings for each other. Joining a dating agency, they begin to suspect that they could be each other's perfect match - but it's only when they both start seeing other people that they realise how much they really mean to each other. Should they risk their lifelong friendship to take a chance on love?
Debra Stephenson (Spitting Image, Dead Ringers) stars as Cassie in this funny and relatable comedy drama, with Dave Lamb (Come Dine With Me) as Pete.
Heated Rollers
Three top female actors show off their comedic talents in the very first all-women sketch show written for BBC Radio 2. In these six episodes, Lynda Bellingham, Gwyneth Strong and Joanna Monro present a feast of skits and music with a distinctly feminist flavour. Highlights include the 'Classic Serial' strand, featuring strangely familiar titles such as Madame Ovary, Lady Chatterbox's Lover and Donna Karenina, and 'The History of Feminism', in which we learn the truth about Florence Nightingale, suffragettes, women drivers and Boadicea. Voyage into space with the Starship Menopause, boldly going where no middle-aged woman has gone before; thrill to the adventures of special agent Jane Blonde, as she takes on evil gynaecologist Coldfinger; and don't miss consumer report show Whichdog's probing investigations into faulty relationships and alien abductions.
HighLites
All six series of the BBC radio comedy centred around a village hairdressing salon - plus pilot episode.
Based in the little town of Bridgeford, High-Lites salon boasts the most misanthropic hairdresser in Britain: sharp-tongued, mean-minded Bev. With the help of her soft-hearted (though slightly dim) assistant, Shirley, she tends to the tresses of a motley crew of local characters. As she cuts their hair, she finds out everything that's going on in their lives - and wastes no time in spreading some gossip of her own...
I, Regress - The Complete Series 1 & 2
All 10 episodes of the dark, surreal comedy featuring Matt Berry's twisted regression therapist.
Unorthodox, unpredictable and verging on the unprofessional, Dr Berry is a deeply disturbing hypnotherapist. His experimental regressive technique is both strange and terrifying and involves taking unsuspecting clients on unsettling journeys through their subconscious. Each episode sees him dealing with a patient who needs treatment for a particular problem. There's Karen House-Water, who's aquaphobic (and therefore afraid of half her own name); Ray Highknock, a smoking addict who wants to kick the habit; a pair of East End twins with unexpected past lives; and a man who's scared of everything about cats (including the musical). As the doctor puts them into a trance, we take a trip into the deepest recesses of their minds, experiencing alongside them the dreamlike - or nightmare-like - situations that their brains (and Dr Berry) have created.
Mark Steel's In Town - Series 9 & 10
In these two series of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show, comedian Mark Steel is on the road again, visiting places that have nothing in common but their uniqueness. Along the way, he delves into the history, heritage and culture of each town, before going on to write and perform a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents.
His stops include Hastings, King's Lynn, Carlisle, Aberystwyth and the Forest of Dean.
Gilbert Without Sullivan
Ten comic dramatisations based on the stories and plays of WS Gilbert.
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert is best known for his operatic collaborations with Sir Arthur Sullivan, which captivated 19th-Century audiences and continue to delight today. But he also created numerous solo works, among them these 10 pieces, dramatised for radio by Stephen Wyatt and featuring Jonathan Coy as Gilbert.
For more, see our full list of new releases and products coming soon.
Out now
Beyond Our Ken - The Collected Series 1-4
All 60 surviving episodes from the first four series of the forerunner to Round The Horne - plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years. An irresistible mix of sketches, songs, puns and double entendres, Beyond Our Ken kept the nation laughing over seven series and 123 episodes between 1958 and 1964.
Beyond Our Ken - The Collected Series 5-7
The complete Series 5-7 of the legendary BBC radio comedy. One of the most popular series on radio between 1958 and 1964, Beyond Our Ken delighted audiences nationwide throughout its seven series. Packed with sketches, songs, catchphrases and innuendo, it mixes silliness, satire and sophistication to superb effect, and continues to make us laugh today.
Written by Eric Merriman, these "wonderful, whimsical shows" star Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee.
The Now Show - Series 56 - 58
Three more series of the flagship topical comedy show presented by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis. The Now Show is a much-loved stalwart of radio comedy. Featuring some of the best and brightest contemporary comedians, this award-winning show takes a satirical look at the news through a mix of stand-up, songs and sketches, as well as interview segments in which experts in their field explain the facts behind the headlines.
The Quanderhorn Collexion
Meet the mercurial genius Professor Quanderhorn (James Fleet) - a maverick scientist with absolutely no moral compass. Join him and his rag-tag crew on their frontal-lobe-knotting escapades. And what a crew they are: Q's part insect son, Troy, reputedly a 'major breakthrough in Artificial Stupidity' (Freddie Fox); eager young test pilot and recovering amnesiac, Brian Nylon (Ryan Sampson); brilliant scientist Dr Gemini Janussen with her half-clockwork brain (Cassie Layton); captured Martian hostage Guuuurk (Kevin Eldon); sinister janitor Jenkins (John Sessions); and synthetic-voice-commentator-later-inserted-into-diving-suit, Dolores (Rachel Atkins).
Includes both series of the BBC Radio 4 sci-fi comedy, plus 10 never-before-heard deleted scenes and interviews with the cast and crew.
A Brief History Of Timewasting
All 12 episodes of the sitcom written by and starring the late and much-missed Linda Smith, featuring her eccentric East London escapades.
Linda lives in her East London home, where her daily routine involves dozing through Thought For The Day, filing and cross-referencing the pizza leaflets that come through her door, and updating her limited edition 'Songbirds of Great Britain' porcelain collection. That is, when she's not managing the chaos caused by her flamboyant, sugar-loving live-in builder Chris; dealing with the demands of her morbid, crumbly-boned Welsh neighbour Betty; or taking regular jaunts chauffeured by Worra, the philosophical Nigerian cabby.
Paperback Hell
Paperback Hell takes a wry look at well-known genres riding high in the publishing charts and mercilessly lampoons them to "hilarious" effect. Featuring choice chapters culled from titles that bear a striking resemblance to something you've read before, it's the book show that seems determined to destroy the good name of literature.
These 16 episodes showcase a selection of inexplicably popular best sellers by imaginary authors, including Romany Cleff's debut chick-lit novel Shopping for Mr Wrong; Edith Plunger's medieval monastic murder mystery A Posset Full of Death; radical film-maker Chuck Morris's account of his trip to the Hay and Wye literary festival, You Suck Bush; and Jack "Sunglasses" Ramsey's not-entirely-true memoir of life in the 1960s criminal underworld, Stop the Dodgems, I Want to Throw Up. Written by Danny Robins and Dan Tetsell (The Museum Of Everything), this "witty, entertaining send-up" stars Michael Fenton Stevens, Rebecca Front, Mel Hudson, Alex Lowe and Dan Tetsell.
Jack & Millie - Complete Series 2
Jack & Millie is the brainchild of Jeremy Front who, with his sister Rebecca Front, had been improvising these two characters for years - and now they've been brought to life for BBC radio.
An older couple who are fully engaged with contemporary life whilst being at war with the absurdities of the modern world, the series also features Millie's frenemy Shirley - played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, Jack's all-too-easygoing friend Harry (Nigel Lindsay), their high-pressure son Melvin (Harry Peacock) and their high-maintenance (and Catholic) (and French) daughter-in-law Delphine (Jenny Bede).
The Hauntening - Complete Series 3
Modern technology is terrifying. The average smartphone carries out three-point-three-six billion instructions per second. The average person can only carry out one instruction in that time. Stop and think about that for a second. Sorry, that's two instructions; you won't be able to do that.
But what if modern technology was...literally terrifying? What if there really was a ghost in the machine? Travel through the bad gateway in this modern ghost story as award-winning writer and performer Tom Neenan (The Mash Report, Spitting Image) discovers what horrors may lurk in our apps and gadgets... With a full cast including Nina Sosanya (W1A), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing), Andy Nyman (Campus), Freya Parker (Lazy Susan) and Georgie Glen (The Thick Of It).
Street And Lane
Johnny Street is a university dropout and would-be writer and his worker-of-the-world mate Arthur Lane are an unlikely pairing of Yorkshire builders. In their white van, they battle out their partnership and their future under a plethora of unusual situations as they go about household repairs. When financial irregularities threaten the business, can the unlikely duo save it?
Starring Nick Lane, Fine Time Fontayne and Shaun Dooley.
Tom Allen Is Actually Not Very Nice + The Correspondent
All four episodes of Tom Allen's BBC Radio 4 show - plus two series of The Correspondent - eight bittersweet comic monologues charting Tom's professional and domestic misadventures. From handling the frustrations of his horrible job to coping with his family at Aunt Leslie's funeral, Tom's life is just one long round of miserable mundanity. But there are welcome distractions with the discovery of a new mystery friend in the workplace, and the possibility of finding love online.
Bookcases
The complete Series 1 and 2 of the historical sitcom about an embattled Victorian publishing company.
London, 1853, and the sedate religious publishing house of Spavin and Spavin is about to experience a radical shake-up. Vivacious actress Cordelia is on the hunt for a husband and has her eye on Gerald, one of the firm's partners, while her son Primus has ambitions to take over the firm. And when he does, it'll be out with the Bibles and in with the best sellers...
For more, see our full list of new releases and products coming soon.
Thanks for reading
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British Comedy Guide
www.comedy.co.uk
