Armando Iannucci on Paris and Sony Attacks

Armando Iannucci talks about the Paris and Sony attacks, Rupert Murdoch's tweet and self-censorship fears.

In the 1990s, I used to do a Sunday afternoon show on the late, lamented GLR (now BBC London). There would only be one person on the premises when I turned up and this was a tall, intense cove who unfailingly enquired whether I planned to play anything by the Pixies. This, I discovered, was Chris Morris, laying the foundations of a broadcasting career which would see him repeatedly fired by the very people who are now gathering to celebrate his contribution to British humour in special seasons on Radio 4 Extra and programmes such as Raw Meat Radio (Saturday, 7pm, Radio 4 Extra). The latter features collaborators, admirers and occasional firers such as Armando Iannucci, David Quantick and Matthew Bannister. There's also a repeat of his Radio 1 series Blue Jam on 4Extra at 11pm on Friday. Incidentally, if the powers that be wish to know how they can reproduce the circumstances in which Chris Morris did a lot of his best stuff, they might care to note that he was paid next to no money, given no help, and left the hell alone. I fear there's very little of that in today's BBC.

Armando Iannucci on Peter Capaldi and Doctor Who

There's something about Peter Capaldi. When he came to audition for the role of Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It, I remember him as quiet, humble, reserved and quietly funny. I asked him to fire me, as a minister. I would refuse and he would get cross.

Armando Iannucci: It's funny when Peter Capaldi runs

Armando Iannucci, who made Peter Capaldi a star in The Thick Of It, said the actor is "smart, funny and thoughtful" in Doctor Who - but "always hilarious" when he breaks into a run.

Radio Times review

Where were the court jesters when we needed them? Through the heavy developments of the past few months, we could have done with a few satirical sideswipes from the Have I Got News for You panel to lighten the load. There's nothing like a barb from Ian Hislop or a childish quip from Paul Merton to put recent events in perspective.

Now at least, they're back for a new run, and in the hot seat once again is the unflappable Jennifer Saunders as guest host. Even better, the great Armando Iannucci joins one of the teams, not least to offer a Scottish point of view, while excellent actress and stand-up Sara Pascoe makes her debut.

Armando Iannucci: UK politics doesn't make me laugh

The Veep and Thick of It showrunner suggests he won't be doing a British-based political comedy for a while because he's lost his sense of humour about Westminster.

Armando Iannucci interview

"We have a tradition of being unimpressed by politicians who look like they're trying too hard to impress us."

Armando Iannucci: Veep, the Beeb and I

He lampooned Westminster in The Thick of It, now Washington is loving his White House satire. Here Armando Iannucci tells Sarah Sands how he ticked the box on both sides of the Atlantic.

Armando Iannucci on pushing TV comedy to cliff edge

With Veep's third season debuting on HBO Sunday evening, and Iannucci spoke with TheWrap about his team's writing process, recounting every whirlwind detail with the calm of a 49-year-old British man at the height of his powers.

Armando Iannucci interview

The Alan Partridge writer on turning 50, 'Alanistas' and why Peter Capaldi will make a great Doctor Who.