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Comedy of the Week

<p>Brighten your week with the latest BBC Radio 4 comedy.</p>

BBC Radio 4

Give us what we want, or else! It’s how small children approach Halloween, and increasingly how everyone else approaches politics - with menace, ultimatums and threats.Comedian Matt Forde convenes a special Halloween Focus Group in front of a live theatre audience and asks if politics is now just one long game of Trick-or-Treat.Joining him to make idle threats and scare the locals are The Spectator’s Isabel Hardman, Malawian-born stand-up Daliso Chaponda and MP Jess Phillips. Together they work out who’s knocking, what they’re after, and whether it’s ever wise to hide behind the sofa and pretend you’re not in.Written and performed by Matt Forde
Additional writing from Karl Minns, Katie Storey and Richard Garvin
Producer: Richard Garvin
Co Producer: Daisy Knight
Broadcast Assistant: Eunice Oshiguwa
Sound Design and Editing: David Thomas
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4

The Matt Forde Focus Group

In this episode we meet a bipedal hominin with a gambling problem, argue with a conspiracy-theorist ostracod and discover the best use for our surprising grip strength.Randy Feltface’s Human Handbook is a groundbreaking four-part stand-up series where Randy fixes his ping-pong ball gaze upon the evolutionary journey of Earth’s most baffling beingsRandy Feltface has been seen on Netflix, ABC, NBC, and has a huge and devoted following across the globe (1m+ social media followers, 1.6m TikTok followers, 833k subscribers, 79m YouTube views). His hour-long specials are YouTube cult classics, his world tours are sold out sensations, and he's the only Radio 4 presenter to be entirely made of felt.With Alex Papps and Chiara GoldsmithProduced and directed by David TylerA Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4

Randy Feltface's Human Handbook

Join Russell Kane as he rummages through nature’s police files, potentially exposing that glossy sinister feathered felon: the Crow.
Let’s face it, Gwyneth Pal-crows have one of the worst reps of all birds. Think about it: Penguins? Lovely. Puffins? Legends! Crows? DEATH.Helping Russell sort the caw-caws from the jackdaws, are comedian Desiree Burch and the Natural History Museum’s Principal Curator of Birds, Dr. Alex Bond.Are Crows ‘Bad News with Wings’ or ‘Feathered Fantastics’? Listen with your ears to find out.Written by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson and Christina Riggs.Additional material: Angela Channell and Catherine Beazley.Researcher: Catherine BeazleySound Recordist: Gareth WoodDigital Editor: Jerry PealProduction Coordinator: Liz TuohyExecutive Producer: Paul SmithProducer: Simon NichollsEvil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Evil Animals - Crows

In this episode, the 2005 General Election inspires Glenn to stand in his school’s own mock election, as the candidate with the most unlikely set of policies ever.Perhaps best-known for his outrageously brilliant one-liners on Mock The Week, Glenn delivers a tale of comic mishaps and extraordinary scenes interwoven with a big event in history – and looks back through his almanac to find out other strange connections to the day as well.Written by Glenn with additional material by Katie Storey (Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, The Last Leg) and produced and directed by David Tyler (Cabin Pressure, Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive, and many more).A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4

General Election

Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101.Kicking off the series, Miles Jupp attempts to banish touchscreens, people who take the aisle seat on a train when the window seat is available, and people who do not park well.To hear more episodes from this series, search "Room 101" on BBC Sounds.Additional material by John Irwin and Suki Webster
Producer: Claire Broughton
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

Room 101 with Paul Merton

Geoff Norcott examines modern masculinity in this stand-up series for Radio 4, by creating the safe space of a working men’s club so he can speak freely about the problems men are facing and how we might go about fixing them in a way that benefits everyone.This week, Geoff looks at men’s reluctance to put on sunscreen. Why not take a simple, basic precaution against the hottest and largest thing in the entire solar system? Vanity? Bravado? Or something else? With the help of his studio audience, Geoff looks at whether this is connected to men’s reluctance to seek medical advice and their habit of dying early.Written and presented by Geoff NorcottRecorded by Richard BiddulphProduction manager: Sarah Wright
Executive producer: Caroline Raphael
Producer: Ed MorrishA Pier production for BBC Radio 4

Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club

Laura Smyth speaks to celebrity guests to find out about the mothers who made them.This week Laura is joined by comedians Sara Barron and Nish Kumar and boy is it the battle of the big personality mums! We hear all about Sara’s mum’s main character energy and her mantra ‘we’re not like other girls’. We learn about Nish’s mum leading her entire family to England aged just 15, and the mic drop way in which she introduces herself to strangers. And we conclude that maybe it makes total sense for all mothers to be a little bit mad?Producer: Sasha Bobak
Assistant Producer: Eve Delaney
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Asha Osborne-GrinterA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Your Mum

Omid Djalili explores a world that's louder, angrier, and stranger than ever.Who gets to decide who we are before we've even opened our mouths? Omid Djalili examines the stereotypes that shape our lives - from growing up as the son of Iranian immigrants to the labels, assumptions and snap judgements we all make about each other. Through stand-up, audience contributions and personal stories, he asks whether comedy can break through prejudice and remind us that people are always more complicated than the boxes we put them in.This is the first episode of the Stand-Up Specials series Omid Djalili: Namaste. To hear more episodes, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Omid Djalili: Namaste

In this episode we hear Jessie Cave’s word for letting your kids explore their canine side, Armando Iannucci's description for excessive false modesty, and Chloe Petts’s coinage for when you need something but you don't want to be a bother.Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie Dent
Guests: Jessie Cave, Armando Iannucci and Chloe Petts
Created by Joe Varley
Writers: Matt Crosby and Katie Storey
Recorded by Jerry Peal
Producer: Jon Harvey
Executive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash LockmunA Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4

Unspeakable

The multi-award-winning satire returns, as Jon Holmes mashes up news with pop-culture into a current affairs comedy concept album. This week - Andy Burnham embarks on his Odyssey, and Harry and Meghan's dog barks at The Gentlemen on Netflix.To hear more episode from this series, search "The Skewer" on BBC Sounds.Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The Skewer

The prestigious Awards turns 46 this year and as always is recognising a Best Newcomer and a Best Comedy Show. In this gala, hosted by 2024 Best Show nominee Catherine Bohart, we hear from the nominees and winners to give listeners around the UK the chance to hear what's hot at the Fringe this year. The Gala was recorded at The Grand in the Pleasance Courtyard, one of the Edinburgh Fringe’s iconic comedy venues.Audible Best Comedy Show winner is Chris Cantrill
Taffner Family's Best Newcomer winner is Marty GleesonAlso nominated for Best Comedy Show are:
Harriet Dyer, Li Jin Hao, Dan Tiernan, Lara RicoteAlso nominated for Best Newcomer are:
Fatiha El-Ghorri, Dom McGovern, Freddie Meredith, Tom Towelling, Underground Monk ShowHost: Catherine Bohart
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Jodie Charman
Edited by Chris Maclean
Recorded by Sean KerwinRecorded at The Pleasance Grand in Edinburgh.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala 2026

It's time for the people to speak. Taking on the headlines, Ian Smith is joined by Harriet Kemsley and Ashley Storrie to work out what is going on, and together with an Edinburgh Fringe audience, solve the biggest problem facing the world right now.Which family member would you send to negotiate with Hamas? How should we help Trump meet his self-imposed deadlines? And how to we protect Andy Burnham from scam phone calls?Written by Ian Smith, Angela Channell, Cameron Loxdale and Katie Storey
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Sound Editing: David Thomas
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Recorded the Edinburgh Fesitval FringeProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production

The People Have Spoken

Kicking off a fifth series, Paul takes his audience in Boston, Lincolnshire, through an ideal range of questions for a perfect pub quiz.He also has rounds inspired by the area, on subjects like suspension bridges, the tallest buildings in the world, and the way in which Boston avenged Lincoln. And he gets asked - again - about the Lincolnshire football club that's had three England captains, Jack Daniels, and the Lincolnshire town that used to be the capital of England.This Comedy of the Week episode features the first episode of the fifth series of Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz. All series are available to listen on BBC Sounds.Written and performed by Paul Sinha
Additional material: Oliver LevyAdditional questions: The AudienceRecorded at the Blackfriars Theatre, Boston, by Jerry Peal at Peal Sound
Mixed by Rich Evans at Syncbox PostProducer: Ed Morrish
Executive producer: Lyndsay FennerA Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4

Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz

We're back with a bang this week with some of our toughest subjects to date. They include my advice for a blind date, I refuse to go back to..., and the last time I made a citizen's arrest. Plus who makes the classic repetition mistake of saying BBC?This Comedy of the Week features the first episode of series 97 of Just a Minute.Host: Sue Perkins
Players: Paul Merton, Lucy Porter, Rachel Parris, Gyles Brandreth
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Production Manager: Katie Baum
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Additional material by Angela ChannellAn EcoAudio certified production.
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Just a Minute

Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is comedian Michelle Wolf who reflects on home births, Professor Stephen Wallace explains how old plastic bottles can be transformed into a form of Dopamine that can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease, and Dr Matt Clarke demonstrates the power of medical collaboration in helping to identify and treat brain tumours.Best Medicine is your weekly dose of laughter, hope and incredible medicine. Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, experts and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future.Each week Kiri challenges a panel of experts and a comedian to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine'. Each guest champions anything from world-changing science or an obscure invention to an everyday treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.Whether it’s groundbreaking surgery, seaweed underwear, AI glasses to help people with dementia, horse therapy, sports, revolutionary gene therapy for Huntington’s disease or yesterday’s rubbish becoming tomorrow’s medicines - it’s always something worth celebrating.Hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLeanFeaturing: Dr Matt Clarke, Professor Stephen Wallace and Michelle WolfWritten by Edward Easton, Jordan Gray, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ben RowseProducer: Tashi RadhaExecutive Producer: Ben WorsfieldTheme tune composed by Andrew JonesA Large Time production for BBC Radio 4

Best Medicine

Lucy Porter is joined by John Tothill, Kyrah Gray and Amy Annette to talk all things current-ish events. Should politicians wear ties? Should children learn to read? And should we all now identify as Spanish?Hosted by Lucy PorterWritten by Lucy Porter, Ruth Husko and Katie Sayer, with additional material by Mike ShephardProducer - Katie Sayer
Assistant producer - Lorna Reader
Executive producer - Victoria Lloyd
A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4

Current-ish

Comedian Sunil Patel is trying to make a documentary that young people will like. It’s sexy, it’s vice, it’s Hunter S. Thompson, but he’s already completely blowing it. Listen to Sunil embarrass himself on national radio and be forced to change tack immediately.This is the first episode of this series. To hear more episodes, search "Sunil Patel: An Idiot's Guide To Living Forever" on BBC Sounds. Starring Sunil PatelFeaturing Helen BauerWritten by Sunil Patel, Charlie Dinkin, Em Humble and Benjamin SuttonProduced by Benjamin Sutton and Laura ShawA Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4

Sunil Patel: An Idiot's Guide To Living Forever

The Dead Ringers team train their vocal firepower on the week’s news. This week: Trump turns tricks, Tuchel talks tactics, and Count Binface is unmasked.Starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey and Kieran Hodgson.To hear more episodes of Dead Ringers, search "Friday Night Comedy" on BBC Sounds.Produced by: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer:James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Giulia Lopes MazzuA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Dead Ringers

Tabitha Beckworth is the founder and CEO of globally successful wellness brand, The Whisper. But, like any super driven hyper successful business person she does many different things, all of them to great success - over 3 million subscribers to her YouTube channel is a testament to this. But for this interview, Tabitha found time in her packed schedule to sit down with Alistair to explain more about what The Whisper is and the global community it has created.This episode featured on Comedy of the Week is titled Wellness guru Tabitha Beckworth. To hear more from the series, search "The Big Idea with Alistair Green" on BBC Sounds.Alistair would like to take this moment to put it in writing that he doesn’t necessarily endorse the views of the guests.The Big Idea with Alistair Green is brought to you by Are You Okay? Mental Health. It’s a lot isn’t it?Written and performed by Alistair Green.Produced by Alex Burnard.A Cup & Nuzzle production for BBC Radio 4.

The Big Idea with Alistair Green

P.O.V. returns for a second series of sketches from the internet's best comedians. This week we hear a sports commentary for the green-fingered, a policeman who is very determined to tell you something, and a trailer for every true crime podcast ever.Written and performed by Davina Bentley, Jake Bhardwaj, Kylie Brakeman, Stephen Buchanan, Nathan Caton, The Exploding Heads, Rachel Fairburn, Daniel Foxx, Matt Green, Kelechi Okafor, Elaine Owusu and Ed Night and Paddy Young.Recorded at The Soundhouse Studios and Guilt Free Post, London; Maximum Fun, Los Angeles; and Sonido Studios, Clydebank.Sound design ... Rich Evans at Synbox Post.Producer ... Ed Morrish
Executive producer ... Lyndsay FennerA Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4

P.O.V.

In a world of crossfit and kink-shaming, budgeting and meal prep, John Tothill presents the antidote to self-improvement.In this episode John tackles the workplace - rejecting the nauseating barrage of self-betterment and productivity, in favour of your worst impulses and transgressions.Listen, we all have regrets that make us wince to remember and consider booking a one-way ticket to Nepal. But do you know what the biggest killer in the UK is? That's right: shame. So come on in, darlings. Curl up with a lovely big pint of Negroni and share your naughtiest stories. John is here to celebrate your vices and absolve you of your sins. You have nothing to be ashamed of.Producer: Sasha Bobak
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Co-Writer: Eve Delaney
Production Coordintor: Asha Osborne-GrinterA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

John Tothill Forgives Your Sins

Brighty’s holiday in Bath is interrupted by Babs insisting he make amends to his sister, Flan, after he ended her engagement with the entrepreneurial industrialist Mr Poach. Unfortunately the plan to fix the wrong of meddling in his sister’s life, involves more meddling in his sister's life. Meanwhile Churley has to contend with making ‘arrangements’ for an unexpected boxing match.Lord Christian Brighty used to be the most notorious rake of the Regency. But after a hazing ritual for a new chambermaid led to a self-inflicted cannonball injury, Brighty, compelled by the chambermaid in question - the uneducated but forthright Babigail – resolves to mend his ways. Accompanying him in his quest are Babs (elevated beyond her station to a chambermaid-cum-adviser role), and his butler, Mr Churlington (although Churley would actually prefer everything to stay exactly as it used to be).Written by Amy Greaves & Christian BrightyCast:
Lord Christian Brighty ….. Christian Brighty
Babs ….. Jessica Knappett
Churlington ….. Colin McFarlane
Lady Flan Brighty ….. Jodie Mitchell
Lavinia – a boxing trainer ….. Chiara Goldsmith
Mr Poach – an industrialist ….. David Reed
Amelia – a lady at the spa ….. Amy Greaves
Pierce Egan – a boxing commentator – Jason Forbes
Bob Gregson – a boxing pundit – Joz NorrisScript Editor ….. David Reed
Sound & Recording ….. Sonica Studios
Photographer ….. Will Hearle
Producer ….. Ben WalkerA DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4Christian Brighty and Amy Greaves’ viral sketches based on Bridgerton, Poldark and Jane Austen have catapulted them to viral stardom, securing Christian’s place as the internet’s answer to Mr Darcy and amassing 250 million views across TikTok and Instagram (@brightybuoy). Amy and Christian both have a deep love for the work of Jane Austen, traditional regency romance (not smut), and historical romance set in the regency (smut). The first series of The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty was nominated for Best Radio Show at the Chortle Awards 2025, and listed in The i's Best Radio Comedies Ever.

The Many Wrongs Of Lord Christian Brighty

Frank Skinner and guests Dee Allum, Pierre Novellie, Zoe Lyons and Hasan Al-Habib discuss the tactics of Genghis Khan, the ethics of mousetraps and the morals of forgetting to wear trousers. Also, Swedish sheep wagons.Everyone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. And our all-star panel have to work out just what they were reviewing – and maybe contribute a few reviews of their own. So if you’re the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as “Very steep and too high”, this show salutes you!Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter TelloucheDevised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David TylerA Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4

One Person Found This Helpful

Ian Smith is back on his quest for calm. In this episode, Ian is going through one of the most stressful life experiences... moving house. Is he middle class now? How can he keep in touch with his friends? And just how much damage can an entire chickpea cause? Let’s find out together in Ian Smith is Stressed.Written and performed by Ian Smith
Additional Material from Mike Shephard and Rhiannon Shaw
Featuring Stuart Laws
Assistant Producer - Em Humble
Production Manager - Laura Shaw
Produced by Benjamin Sutton
A Daddy’s SuperYacht Production for BBC Radio 4

Ian Smith is Stressed

A spiritual journey like no other… just with more chaos, queueing, and a missing pair of sandals.Blending storytelling, stand-up and documentary, comedian Ali Shahalom (aka Ali Official) takes us on a deeply personal comic journey through one of the most important acts of worship in Islam: Hajj. What begins as a sacred pilgrimage becomes a test of patience, endurance, and broadband speed.From battling the notoriously stressful Nusuk booking system (“depression you pay for”) to convincing his entire family to commit to the trip, Ali charts every step of the journey with warmth, honesty and razor-sharp humour. There are frozen bank accounts, passport panics, and a £40,000 leap of faith - and that's all before he’s even left the UK.Written and performed by Ali Shahalom
Script editor - Laura Major
Sound design - Andy Goddard
Producer - Victoria LloydA Mighty Bunny Production for BBC Radio 4

Hajj & Seek

Streeting wants in and Starmer styles it out. The multi-award-winning satire is back as Jon Holmes mashes up the news with pop-culture to create a current affairs satirical comedy concept album. Producer: Jon Holmes An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The Skewer: Hard Labour

A year ago, Emer Maguire had it all. Now she’s sleeping on the floor of her brother’s student flat in a shady part of Belfast – no girlfriend, no home, no hope. Where did it all go wrong? How did she end up all alone, broken hearted and with only an assistance dog called Dougal for company? Is she the Patron Saint of Bad Luck?Comedian Emer Maguire recalls how the worst year of her life - including messy break-up, serious medical issues and not one, but two life-changing diagnoses – put her on the path to living her best life. Told with her trademark honesty and songwriting brilliance, Emer’s tale is both heartfelt and uplifting, a laugh-out-loud rollercoaster journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.One of Northern Ireland’s most exciting comedic voices, Emer Maguire (who was dubbed by one critic as the “indie Victoria Wood”) is a double Irish IMRO award-winning presenter and four times TEDx speaker.Written and performed by Emer Maguire
Produced by Anna Hinds
Executive Producer: Keith Martin
Sound: David WalkerA FABEL radio production for BBC Radio 4

Emer Maguire: Patron Saint of Bad Luck

This week, Geoff looks at the “angry middle-aged white men” that Gary Neville identified as the source of all division within the UK. Is that fair? If so, why are they angry? And could there be both a deeper reason for their anger and also a better outlet for it?As ever, these serious points are intercut with “manly hypotheticals”, the sort of question men ask each other to avoid talking about stuff that matters, like - if you’re drinking non-alcoholic beer, are you still obliged to buy a round?This is episode 2 of Series 2 of Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club. To hear more from this series, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.Written and presented by Geoff NorcottRecorded by Sean Kerwin
Production manager: Dawn Williams
Executive producer: Caroline RaphaelProducer: Ed MorrishA Pier production for BBC Radio 4

This is episode 1 of the latest series of Brian & Roger, titled Carla.There’s not much that could quell Roger’s positive mood; he’s got a plan for a very special bonding activity with his teenage son Jamie and Brian may be able to help. There’s romance on the cards too but he'll need some dating advice...Brian & Roger are friends that met at a support group for divorced men.
Both are starting again, both are finding it hard.
One of them is nice.To hear more episodes from this series, search "Brian and Roger" on BBC Sounds.Written and performed by Harry Peacock and Dan Skinner.
Produced by Joel Morris and Sally Harrison.
Music by Bach, arranged by Hywel Davies.
Hywel Davies (piano), Luke Belcher (bass), Tilly Tremayne (vocals).Executive Producer: Johnny Vegas
A Woolyback production for BBC Radio 4

Brian & Roger

In this episode Sue checks out a fiendish Church-eating fungus, the mad lifecycle of Marine Midges and a potential orgasm fungus.This is episode 2 of series 5 of Nature Table - Miraculous Marine Midges and Church-Eating Fungus.‘Sue Perkins’ Nature Table - possibly the funniest “natural science” series, ever.’ Pick of the Week, The TelegraphRecorded at the Natural History Museum, this episode of Sue Perkins’ ARIA-winning ‘Show and Tell’ wildlife comedy features special guests: comedian Sara Pascoe, the Natural History Museum’s Queen of flies Dr. Erica McAlister and Fungarium Collections Manager at Kew Gardens, Lee Davies.Nature Table has a simple clear goal: to positively celebrate our planet’s wonderfully wild (and funny) flora and fauna in a fun accessible way... whilst always having a giggle.Hosted by: Sue Perkins
Guests: Sara Pascoe, Dr. Erica McAlister, Lee Davies and Elizabeth.
Written by: Jon Hunter and Jenny Laville.
Additional material by: Jade Gebbie.
Researcher: Catherine Beazley
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Sound Editor: Jerry Peal
Music by: Ben Mirin
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls & Caroline Barlow
Producer: Simon NichollsA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Nature Table

This episode we hear Hugh Dennis's word for decision fatigue, Katy Wix's coinage for when you find yourself stuck telling a story in public to break an awkward silence, and Jess Fostekew's word for that nuggety squashed sock you find stuck inside a duvet cover.Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.This is episode four from series three of Unspeakable. To hear more from this series, search "Unspeakable" on BBC Sounds.Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie Dent
Guests: Hugh Dennis, Jess Fostekew and Katy Wix
Created by Joe Varley
Writers: Matt Crosby and James Farmer
Recorded by Jerry Peal
Producer: Jon Harvey
Executive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash LockmunA Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4

It's the first every Live Comedy Day, and Live From the UK brings a special, extended episode to the Radio 4 listener.Angela Barnes is back at the comedy club where she did her first ever gig, the Brighton Komedia. She did a comedy course with comedy guru Jill Edwards, so catches up with her to chat about starting out, and grassroots comedy.We also tour to all 4 nations of the UK, bringing you insights on a night tour of Edinburgh Zoo, useless stuff you learn in school, nans playing rugby and the dystopian world of fast food restaurants.Throughout the show, some of the UK's best loved comedians will also pop up to tell you about their first ever gig.In this episode, you can hear;Christopher Macarthur-Boyd at the Monkey Barrel in Edinburgh
Emer Maguire at the Empire Music Hall, Belfast
Carwyn Blayney at the Swansea Grand
Seann Walsh at Komedia BrightonAdditional Material by Ruth HuskoRecorded by David Thomas, Sean Kerwin and Davy Neil
Sound design by David Thomas
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Executive Producer: Pete StraussProduced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.

Live from the UK: Live Comedy Day

We like to think we vote with our heads. But what if we've always voted with our tribe? Top political comedian Matt Forde convenes his Focus Group in front of a live theatre audience with a razor-sharp panel — former Conservative adviser Salma Shah, ex-SNP MP and broadcaster John Nicolson, and stand-up comedian Pierre Novellie — to ask whether tribal loyalty is the secret engine of political life. From parties haemorrhaging members to rivals, to the flag-wrapped contradictions of nationalist politics, to the question of whether multicultural Britain is importing conflicts it never signed up for, this is an episode about belonging, identity - and the ridiculous places both can leadThis featured episode is The Politics of The Tribe from Series 2 of The Matt Forde Focus Group on BBC Radio 4.Written and performed by Matt Forde
Additional writing from Karl Minns, Ruth Husko and Richard Garvin
Producer: Richard Garvin
Co Producer: Daisy Knight
Broadcast Assistant: Ocean Holder
Sound Design: David Thomas
Editor Chris Maclean
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4

53 year old Slim looks back on his first proper decade of adulthood.Driving the buses of London in this period leads Slim to reflect on why bus drivers don't get respect. He's also a father of two at this point, and recalls some of his favourite, and least favourite dad duties, and we also hear about his first time in front of an audience.This is the third episode from the series Slim's Guide to Life. For more episodes, search "Stand-Up Specials" on BBC Sounds.Written and performed by Slim
Script Edited by David Ajao
Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Recorded at Up The Creek comedy club by Chris Maclean.
Sound design by Chris Maclean
Music by SlimSlim's Guide to Life is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies, and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Slim's Guide to Life

Cariad Lloyd, Steen Raskopoulos, Luke Manning, and Emily Lloyd-Saini embark on a new series of improv mayhem. Host Alasdair Beckett-King presides over a series of games full of emotional butchers, a three-headed movie director, and the inner monologue of a spider trapped in the bath."No Script. No Prep. No Clue."To hear more episode from this series, search "Wing It" on BBC Sounds.Presented by Alasdair Beckett-KingDevised and produced by Sam HolmesExecutive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Katie Baum
Additional material: Ruth Husko
Sound Editor: Chris MacleanA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4

Wing It

Comedian Aurie Styla returns to rampage through the history of technology, through his own experience as a self-confessed tech nerd growing up in the 90s, and various things you thought you’d forgotten.With his interactive, wildly funny style, tonight the focus is on the role tech has played in our fitness lives: for better or worseThis episode is from the Stand-Up Specials brand on BBC Sounds.An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4.

Aurie Styla: Tech Talk

An audience show in which Colin explores how his bizarre family made him the man he is today. Now, as a 45 year-old dad, he wonders if it’s too late to do anything about it. Based on his hugely successful 2024 Edinburgh show, Colin weaves anecdotes and musings with all too real stories about his early life, featuring a recurring cast of characters: his perennially pessimistic mum, his not-quite-in-reality brothers and his long-suffering Dad who screams ‘why can’t we just be a normal family?’ Colin asks “is it a surprise my neurodiversity was missed?' But growing up in Nottingham we just had a simple phrase that covered everything - ‘he’s not right’. Colin paints a picture of a childhood full of secrets and lies, dominated by Mum’s terror of ending up in the local ‘madhouse’ whilst espousing paranoid conspiracies and pulling out the Ouija board on Christmas Day. Whilst inherently funny, the craziness is recounted with love and sympathy. A brilliant storyteller, Colin intercuts tales of that childhood life with stories about his own contemporary family and how one has been shaped by the other. What does he want to pass on and what does he absolutely not want to? How does he be the best dad he can when his basic understanding of the world is so scrambled? Each episode begins with Colin telling us how he’s, possibly inappropriately, reacted to something mundane that has just happened or been said to him. He’ll unpick the story across the episode tracing his reaction back to his upbringing with other themes, stories and observations along the way. Colin’s stand-up is intercut with childhood and contemporary scenes. Colin plays all his family members, neighbours, distant relatives, postmen, etc.

The Making of Colin Hoult

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on spiders. Consistently ranked amongst the most creepy and crawly, we ask are spiders abusive arachnids or kooky cuties?Helping Russell decide whether spiders are evil or genius are top comedian Josh Jones and leading entomologist & England Manager for Buglife, Dr. Karim Vahed.To hear more from this series, search "Evil Genius" on BBC Sounds.Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs
Researcher: Catherine Beazley
Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood
Digital Editor: Jerry Peal
Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Producer: Simon NichollsEvil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

Evil Animals - Spiders

A Match Made Inshallah is a fearless, funny show where the 44-year-old, twice-divorced stand-up comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri is looking for love and ready to date - and she wants us all to be her wingman.Mixing stand-up, commentary, and the actual date itself, we will hear Fatiha’s deepest thoughts, hopes, dreams, and judgements as we join her every step of the way through the dating minefield.Written and Performed by Fatiha El-Ghorri
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producers: Jon Holmes and Carrie RoseAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4

Fatiha El-Ghorri: A Match Made Inshallah

In this Stand-up Special Finlay Christie makes his Radio 4 debut in front of a live audience at The Brunswick in Brighton.He provides insight into how he and his generation have grown into the adults they’re now expected to be. Using new and existing material from his critically acclaimed Edinburgh shows he’ll cover topics like; the expectations of different generations; “pensioners complaining they can’t heat their house. That sounds like a boast – You’ve got a house?!’ ...”- the differences between the generations; “People say young people are more sensitive, but every generation is sensitive, we’re just sensitive about different stuff. We’re sensitive about pronouns, old people are sensitive about Princess Diana.”- how his generation feel about the world; "Gen Z are very nihilistic. World’s gonna end in our lifetimes and we don’t care. One girl in Sweden cared and that made the news.”“TikTok has made me see people who watch films as intellectuals. Ooh, you have a penchant for cinéma?? Ohohoho.”
And how it now feels to be a man; “ the difference between Man and Boy - "Landlord bad…. rent boy..nice….” " “It’s a boy” - “congratulations”. “It’s a man” - “allegations.”At 19, Finlay became one of the youngest ever winners of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny competition, following in the footsteps of Peter Kay, Lee Mack and Sarah Millican. 3 years later, his debut Edinburgh show “OK Zoomer” was nominated for NextUp’s “Best Show” award and was released as a special in October 2023. His material, based around his experience as a Gen Z, led Chortle to describe him as “the voice of his generation.”Producer: Julian Mayers

Finlay Christie Is Younger Than You

Despite a complex childhood, and with her teenage years spent guiding the career of her controversial comedian mother Janey Godley whilst caring for her depressed autistic father, Ashley has just had the most surreal, dramatic, tragic… and successful year of her life.Her dream job was always in the magical world of TV with all its escapism, justice and happy endings. But the universe has a twisted sense of humour, and just as Ashley finally gets her big break, Janey is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Yay.In this episode, we jump inside the brilliant and unhinged autistic brain of our “adult perma-child” protagonist and attempt to unspool this tragicomedy with some hilarious digressions en route.Produced by Julia Sutherland
Sound Design by Sean Kerwin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4

What's the Story, Ashley Storrie?

Chris McCausland asks Amy Gledhill and Luke McQueen to take on Angela Barnes and Kiell Smith-Bynoe. The teams must figure out what on earth is being advertised on TV, guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe, and guess what soundscapes their teammates are trying to convey using their mouths alone.This is the first episode from the third season of You Heard It Here First, titled The Live Disintegration of a Man's Being. To hear more episodes, search "You Heard It Here First" on BBC Sounds.Producer: Sasha Bobak
Assistant Producer: Eve Delaney
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie CharmanA BBC Studios Production.

You Heard It Here First

A satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year, covering local elections, flag fever, Starmer's struggles, Trump's travails, and a very special meeting between King Charles and Pope Leo XIV.To hear more episodes of The News Quiz, search "Friday Night Comedy" on BBC Sounds.Written and presented by Andy Zaltzman.Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes MazzuA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production

Best of The News Quiz 2025

Chloe Slack presents an Anniversary Special celebrating 81 years of Time Of The Week alongside former host Ruth Paul (special guest Ellie White). Plus: items on Tall Sons, viral dances and we answer the question ‘Do women feel storms more than men?’Sian Clifford stars as self-important journalist Chloe Slack in this comedy series parodying women’s current affairs and talk shows, surrounded by an ensemble cast of character comedians.Chloe Slack - Sian Clifford
Ruth Paul - Ellie WhiteEnsemble cast:
Ada Player
Alice Cockayne
Aruhan Galieva
Ayoade Bamgboye
Caroline Elms
Em Prendergast
Jodie Mitchell
Jonathan Oldfield
Lorna Rose Treen
Mofé AkàndéCreated by Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan OldfieldWriting team:
Alice Cockayne
Jodie Mitchell
Jonathan Oldfield
Lorna Rose Treen
Priya Hall
Will HughesScript Editors - Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan Oldfield
Photographer - Will Hearle
Producer - Ben WalkerA DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4

Time of the Week

I Don’t Do…Christmas! is a brand new, gloriously mischievous panel show for people who’d, well, rather not.Julian Clary hosts a yuletide celebration like no other, joined by comedians Jo Brand, Glenn Moore and Fatiha El-Ghorri, with special guest Gareth Malone.Hosted and Created by Julian ClaryFeaturing: Jo Brand, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Glenn Moore
Special Guest: Gareth MaloneAdditional Material: Andrew WhiteSound: David Thomas
Production Manager: Laura Shaw
Producer: Charlie Dinkin
Executive Producer: Benjamin SuttonA Daddy’s Superyacht production for BBC Radio 4

I Don’t Do… with Julian Clary

Comedian and folk musician David Eagle (of the three time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winning group "The Young'uns") brings his brand new comedy show to Radio 4. In episode 1 of 'See No Eagle', David's unpacking his childhood, from those memorable moments of his first go at the keyboard, to gracing the stage for the very first time (headlining the Teddy Bears picnic).Written and performed by David Eagle.Editor: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Jodie Charman
Producer: Rajiv Karia

David Eagle: See No Eagle

Frank & guests Dee Allum, Hasan Al-Habib, Marcus Brigstocke & Bella Hull discuss the most fashionable way to wear a pizza, the most unfashionable way to wear a Tam o’Shanter and the tallest swimming trunks in the worldThis is the panel game based on what we all sit down and do at least once a day – shop online and leave a review, as an all-star panel celebrate the good, the bad & the bafflingEveryone has an online life, and when the great British public put pen to keyboard to leave a review, they almost always write something hilarious. And our all-star panel have to work out just what they were reviewing – and maybe contribute a few reviews of their own... and more... So if you’re the person who went on Trip Advisor to review Ben Nevis as “Very steep and too high”, this show salutes you!This is the second episode of series three of One Person Found This Helpful. To hear more episodes, just search "One Person Found This Helpful" on BBC Sounds.Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter TelloucheDevised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David TylerA Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4

Marley wants to join a new gym with a legendary trainer. Unfortunately, he can’t afford the fees. Meanwhile Taylor needs an interesting character to write about – Angie thinks she knows just the person.Created by Travis Jay, Rum Punch is an award-winning sitcom that follows a multigenerational family as they juggle pursuit of their individual ambitions with their responsibilities to the family business - a Caribbean restaurant in the heart of Lewisham.Rum Punch cast:Charlie - Ninia Benjamin
Des - Kevin Garry (KG Tha Comedian)
Taylor - Kyrah Gray
Lydia - Letitia Hector
Marley - Travis Jay
Angie - Angie Le Mar
Delroy - Eddie NestorWriter – Travis Jay
Additional Material – Danielle Vitalis
Script Editor – Atlanta Green
Sound Engineer – David Thomas
Editor – David Thomas
Production Assistant – Sahar Malaika Rajabali, Eunice Oshiguwa, Jessica Fatoye
Producers – Daisy Knight and Jules Lom
Executive Producers – Richard Allen-Turner and Jon ThodayAn Avalon Television Production for BBC Radio 4

Rum Punch

Ever had a text from a non-existent offspring? A call from someone claiming to be from your bank? Or an email from a Nigerian prince….? Cop turned comic Alfie Moore is here to guide you through the modern world of scams.With him, as always, are his audience of sworn in deputies, who’ll help him pick his way through some true crime conundrums, as part of the BBC’s Scam Safe Week.Written and presented by Alfie Moore
Script Editor: Will Ing
Production Co-ordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu
Producers: James Robinson and Carl CooperA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4

It's a Fair Cop: Scam Special

Tom and Lauren are getting ready to go on holiday together. Unfortunately Tom has never flown with a budget airline before and doesn't realise that suitcases and carry-on are extras. Lauren is struggling to choose which clothes to leave behind, because she's worried about being judged by other women and she refuses to do laundry while she's on holiday.Tom is mortified to discover that he needs to pay extra for them to be seated together while Lauren is dismayed at the prospect of hours in a middle seat with a giant on one side and chronic B.O. on the other.Neil drops by to ask Tom to sort out some cardboard that Lauren has left in the bin store because "she's not a great Greta", so Tom asks him to water Lauren's plants while they're away - much to Lauren's horror.Cast:
Tom Machell as Tom
Lauren Pattison as Lauren
Julian Clary as NeilWriters: Tom Machell & Lauren Pattison
Director: Katharine Armitage
Recording Engineer: Philip Quinton
Sound Design: Philip Quinton
Theme Music: Scrannabis
Producers: Maria Caruana Galizia & Zahra Zomorrodian
A Candle & Bell production for BBC Radio 4

Tom & Lauren Are Going OOT

2025's instalment of John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme is forty-five minutes of the funniest things John thought of in the last year, performed by John and his regular cast of Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin and Carrie Quinlan, with composer Susannah Pearse at the piano and Sally Stares on the cello.Please note that listening to these sketches about seahorses, time travel and sirens may cause side effects, unless you're listening to the placebo version of the show.Written and performed by … John Finnemore
Ensemble … Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Ensemble … Simon Kane
Ensemble … Lawry Lewin
Ensemble … Carrie QuinlanOriginal music … Susannah Pearse
Piano … Susannah Pearse
Cello … Sally StaresRecording … Jerry Peal & Jon Calver
Editing … Rich EvansProduction Manager … Katie Baum
Executive Producer … Richard MorrisProducer … Ed MorrishJohn Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme is a BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.