Alexei Sayle's Alternative Take
- Radio documentary
- BBC Radio 2
- 2007
- 6 episodes (1 series)
Alexei Sayle looks at the evolution of satirical, hard-hitting "alternative" comedy and its impact on Britain's arts and culture.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1
One of the original comics of conscience and integrity, Alexei Sayle looks at the evolution of satirical, hard-hitting "alternative" comedy and its impact on Britain's arts and culture. This first edtion looks at everything from nuclear issues to race relations.
Further details
Alexei charts the rise of what became known as alternative comedy, from artists such as Sayle himself and his blunt class war message through comics with a conscience, such as Jim Barclay and Tony Allen. They actively used issues like nuclear disarmament and race relations in order to get laughs to campaigners.
Their contemporaries are comics such as Mark Thomas and Robert Newman. With contributions from Mark Steel and Jeremy Hardy.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Saturday 25th August 2007
- Time
- 1pm
- Channel
- BBC Radio 2
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
| Alexei Sayle | Host / Presenter |
| Jim Barclay | Self (Archive Material) |
| Tony Allen | Self (Archive Material) |
| Mark Thomas | Self (Archive Material) |
| Mark Steel | Self (Archive Material) |
| Eddie Large | Self (Archive Material) |
| Jeremy Hardy | Self (Archive Material) |
| Rob Newman (as Robert Newman) | Self (Archive Material) |
| Rik Mayall | Self (Archive Material) |
| Adrian Edmondson | Self (Archive Material) |
| Ben Elton | Self (Archive Material) |
| Rory Bremner | Self (Archive Material) |
| Andy Parsons | Self (Archive Material) |
| Robin Ince | Self (Archive Material) |
| Glenn Wool | Self (Archive Material) |
| Imran Yusuf | Self (Archive Material) |
| Mitch Benn | Self (Archive Material) |
| Andy Foster | Producer |
| Phil Critchlow | Executive Producer |