What The Future?. Kirsty Wark. Copyright: BBC
What The Future?

What The Future?

  • Radio sketch show
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2014
  • 4 episodes (1 series)

What is the future? How does it work? We may never know. But we can make stuff up. Because it's all in the future. Stars Kirsty Wark, Alistair McGowan, Nadia Kamil, Geoffrey McGivern and Kieran Hodgson

Key details

Genre
Sketch Show
Broadcast
2014
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
4 (1 series)
Stars
Kirsty Wark, Alistair McGowan, Nadia Kamil, Geoffrey McGivern and Kieran Hodgson
Writers
Steven Burge, Madeleine Brettingham and Dale Shaw
Producer
Victoria Lloyd
Company

"None of this has happened yet. But it might. And if it might, then it probably will." - Kirsty Wark

What is the future? How does it work? Will it be shiny? How can we exploit it for money? We may never know. Or can we? No, we can't. But we can make stuff up. And no one can sue us. Because it's all in the future.

What The Future? plunges into the world of tomorrow and investigates how decisions and actions concerning the current topics of today could have massive repercussions on our later lives. Dealing with issues ripped from the headlines, torn from the news agenda and hacked to shreds from Facebook feeds, WTF investigates how a single alteration now could create a chain reaction that permanently compromises the future for all.

Hosted by Kirsty Wark, each week the show will investigate a different hypothetical situation such as 'What if bees become extinct?' or 'What if the elderly outnumber the young?' As we learn, the effects can be radical, featuring giant bees that outwit leading scientists Brian Cox and Brian May. Driverless cars becoming sentient and banishing all human life from the nation: except for James May. Danny Baker being sent to the moon and Twiggy advertising soluble ham. Horrible, truly horrible.

Starring Alistair McGowan, Nadia Kamil, Geoffrey McGivern, Kieran Hodgson and, of course, Kirsty Wark, through a series of sketches, reconstructions and sound effects, the future is cracked open like an old crab, scooped out like a damaged lobster and smeared in your terrified faces like soft prawns. You may never leave your bungalow again.

Additional details

Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Tuesday 11th November 2014 at 11pm on BBC Radio 4
Most recent repeats
  • Friday 23rd September 2022 at 11:00pm on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 4
  • Friday 16th September 2022 at 11:00pm on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 2
  • Friday 9th September 2022 at 11:00pm on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 3

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