"Topical" Comedy on Radio 4
Discussion
This is an interesting article:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-t...
I agree with pretty much everything, including the author's comments on John Finnemore. I disagree, with his comments on Bleak Expectations - I still think it was great!
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-t...
I agree with pretty much everything, including the author's comments on John Finnemore. I disagree, with his comments on Bleak Expectations - I still think it was great!
dxg said:
This is an interesting article:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-t...
I agree with pretty much everything, including the author's comments on John Finnemore. I disagree, with his comments on Bleak Expectations - I still think it was great!
Care to quote? Unless you subscribe, you can't read it.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-t...
I agree with pretty much everything, including the author's comments on John Finnemore. I disagree, with his comments on Bleak Expectations - I still think it was great!
The top 20 shows as judged by the panel. I'm surprised there's no I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, or Old Harry's Game.
Re Finnemore:
Finnemore’s is the rare modern success. His much-loved sitcom Cabin Pressure (2008) comes in at 8, while his sketch show, John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme (2011), is at 10. Both rely on a blend of expert wordplay and innocent tomfoolery, with a dash of the surreal; both could have been made 50 years ago. This is a compliment
1) I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue
2) Hancock’s Half Hour
3) Round the Horne
4) On the Hour
5) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
6) The Goon Show
7) Mark Steel’s in Town
8) Cabin Pressure
9) Blue Jam
10) John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme
11) Ed Reardon’s Week
12) Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show!
13) The Shuttleworths
14) The Kenny Everett Show
15) The News Quiz
16) Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge
17) Dead Ringers
18) Hello Cheeky
19) Ladies of Letters
20) The Ricky Gervais Show (with Karl Pilkington)
Re Finnemore:
Finnemore’s is the rare modern success. His much-loved sitcom Cabin Pressure (2008) comes in at 8, while his sketch show, John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme (2011), is at 10. Both rely on a blend of expert wordplay and innocent tomfoolery, with a dash of the surreal; both could have been made 50 years ago. This is a compliment
1) I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue
2) Hancock’s Half Hour
3) Round the Horne
4) On the Hour
5) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
6) The Goon Show
7) Mark Steel’s in Town
8) Cabin Pressure
9) Blue Jam
10) John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme
11) Ed Reardon’s Week
12) Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show!
13) The Shuttleworths
14) The Kenny Everett Show
15) The News Quiz
16) Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge
17) Dead Ringers
18) Hello Cheeky
19) Ladies of Letters
20) The Ricky Gervais Show (with Karl Pilkington)
Regarding the above list, I agree that I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue should be at the top of the list, and I'm glad to see the excellent Mark Steel's In Town is up there, as well.
However. I have sat through a few editions of Round The Horne, as it was recently broadcast on Thursday lunchtimes, just before Yes, Minister, and it really is the most appalling, execrable rubbish, and I can't imagine why it might have been considered funny, even in the light of the changing of times and tastes. It represents the very nadir of British broadcast comedy, or what passed for light entertainment.
Other views are no doubt available.
However. I have sat through a few editions of Round The Horne, as it was recently broadcast on Thursday lunchtimes, just before Yes, Minister, and it really is the most appalling, execrable rubbish, and I can't imagine why it might have been considered funny, even in the light of the changing of times and tastes. It represents the very nadir of British broadcast comedy, or what passed for light entertainment.
Other views are no doubt available.
AdeTuono said:
dxg said:
This is an interesting article:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-t...
I agree with pretty much everything, including the author's comments on John Finnemore. I disagree, with his comments on Bleak Expectations - I still think it was great!
Care to quote? Unless you subscribe, you can't read it.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-t...
I agree with pretty much everything, including the author's comments on John Finnemore. I disagree, with his comments on Bleak Expectations - I still think it was great!
MC Bodge said:
It's not topical comedy, but "Conversations from a long marriage" on Radio 4 is quite amusing. Probably moreso for people in long-term relationships.
I think it's great. The casting helps, but it's very well written and performed.Oddly enough, the other day, when watching Call My Agent, my wife said "That's not Roger Allam, is it."
Anyone listening to "The Skewer"
Brutal at times.
Very dark.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m000czyb
Brutal at times.
Very dark.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m000czyb
55palfers said:
Anyone listening to "The Skewer"
Brutal at times.
Very dark.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m000czyb
it is great.Brutal at times.
Very dark.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m000czyb
I am enjoying https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007k4b8 Anything by Peter Tinniswood does it for me.
Sorry not really topical, more timeless.
Sorry not really topical, more timeless.
Edited by teecee on Thursday 4th February 00:05
Doofus said:
MC Bodge said:
It's not topical comedy, but "Conversations from a long marriage" on Radio 4 is quite amusing. Probably moreso for people in long-term relationships.
I think it's great. The casting helps, but it's very well written and performed.Oddly enough, the other day, when watching Call My Agent, my wife said "That's not Roger Allam, is it."
Nimby said:
1) I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue
2) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
3) Hancock's Half Hour
4) The Kenny Everett Show
5) The Goon Show
6) On the Hour
7) Mark Steel’s in Town
8) Cabin Pressure
9) Blue Jam
10) John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme
11) Ed Reardon’s Week
12) Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show!
13) The Shuttleworths
14) Round the Horne
15) The News Quiz
16) Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge
17) Dead Ringers
18) Hello Cheeky
19) Ladies of Letters
20) The Ricky Gervais Show (with Karl Pilkington)
edited for accuracy. 2) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
3) Hancock's Half Hour
4) The Kenny Everett Show
5) The Goon Show
6) On the Hour
7) Mark Steel’s in Town
8) Cabin Pressure
9) Blue Jam
10) John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme
11) Ed Reardon’s Week
12) Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show!
13) The Shuttleworths
14) Round the Horne
15) The News Quiz
16) Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge
17) Dead Ringers
18) Hello Cheeky
19) Ladies of Letters
20) The Ricky Gervais Show (with Karl Pilkington)
Glad to see neither The Now Show!
or Clare In The Community 
made it in. 
niva441 said:
Yes I've just remembered its on, but that Nish Kumar is hosting. Hopefully the guests will be speaking more, but unfortunately I suspect not
The ubiquitous Nish Kumar; BBC-speak for 'Move along; nothing funny to see here.'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WI9AXPxWLk
Agreed, some of those others quoted (esp. Old Harry's Game and People Like Us) were superb. Replacing Nicholas Parsons on Just a Minute was always going to be difficult. They did fine with Jack Dee on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (and JD got it and does a great job) but who, reasonably, could replace NP?
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