The Now Show. Image shows from L to R: Hugh Dennis, Steve Punt. Copyright: BBC
The Now Show

The Now Show

  • Radio comedy / stand-up
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 1998 - 2024
  • 466 episodes (64 series)

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present a mix of stand-up, sketches and songs in this popular topical comedy show for Radio 4. Also features Jon Culshaw, Marcus Brigstocke, Jon Holmes, Mitch Benn, David Quantick and more.

Episode menu

Series 49, Episode 4

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis are joined by Andy Zaltzman, Mae Martin, Luke Kempner, Freya Parker, Greg Jenner and Adam Kay to present the news via topical stand-up and sketches.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 25th November 2016
Time
6:30pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Saturday 26th November 2016 12:30pm Radio 4
Monday 28th November 2016 11:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Tuesday 29th November 2016 9:00am Radio 4 Extra

Cast & crew

Cast
Steve Punt Host / Presenter
Hugh Dennis Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Mae Martin Guest
Greg Jenner Guest
Andy Zaltzman Self
Adam Kay Self
Freya Parker Ensemble Actor
Luke Kempner Ensemble Actor
Writing team
Jon Hunter Writer (Additional Material)
Andy Zaltzman Writer
Adam Kay Writer
Mae Martin Writer
Freya Parker Writer
Luke Kempner Writer
Max Davis Writer (Additional Material)
Liam Beirne Writer (Additional Material)
Jenny Laville Writer (Additional Material)
Laura Major Writer (Additional Material)
Production team
Alexandra Smith Producer

Press

Andy Zaltzman brought out his satirical chops for The Now Show last week. Now into its 49th series, Radio 4's Friday-night political pee-take is a station stalwart. There's much to enjoy about this show. I like its speed and intelligence, its one-liners can be proper zingers and it does that great thing of scattershot, apolitical attack. But. I've never been much of a fan of hilarious songs, and I don't enjoy how it slots in the newbies. (Here's someone you don't know, audience. Laugh a little less than you have been.) There is something about long-serving Radio 4 shows that means they turn into smuggeries. It's a little to do with the regulars, and even more to do with the live audience, which laughs at anything the regulars say and is a bit snotty about everything else. Still, The Now Show has been brave and refreshed its contributors. It needs to shake up its format, too.

Miranda Sawyer, The Observer, 4th December 2016

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