Jokes

The UK is more divided than ever, and no one seems able to agree on anything. What does it mean to be British? To be a man? To be white or 'of colour', gay or straight, young or old, or none of the above? It seems we can’t see the woods for the trees.What’s needed is a little outside perspective. Enter: Phil Wang – a caustic British-Malaysian comedian who grew up on the island of Borneo. A centrist with a heart; an artist with an engineering degree.In this pilot episode, Phil turns his attention to the British Empire - was British colonialism really one big crime? Modern liberalism would say so, but Phil’s Dad sure misses those prompt British buses: 'I wish they’d come take us over again. Maybe I’d get to work on time!'Written by and starring Phil WangOriginal music by Fauxe. Produced and edited by Matt Stronge. A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2019.

Strength can look like a lot of things and, in this first episode of the stand-up series exploring women's weightlifting, comedian Jessica Fostekew starts at the most dirty, functional end of things - strongwoman. It's where weightlifting meets theatre. You might have seen on the telly at Christmas, the one with Geoff Capes running around with a fridge on his little finger or giving an entire train a tow with his body. Jess talks to four-time Britain's Strongest Woman Andrea Thompson and multiple world-record holder Mayyah Blair to get their take on strength, aesthetic and why the strongest women in the world still have to work part-time. And she tells us about the time she pulled an actual bus. Lets face it, she goes on and on about it. Written and Performed by Jessica Fostekew Producer: Lyndsay Fenner Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd Sound Recordist: David ThomasA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4

In this second episode of the stand-up series looking at women's weightlifting, Jessica Fostekew introduces us to powerlifting - squat, bench press and deadlift. We hear from 'Princess of Iron' Sharon Eggleton (the current second strongest powerlifter in Britain), as well as comedian and fanatical powerlifter Fern Brady, on just how brilliant and grounding it is to feel strong, not enjoying being a team player and how the rise in the female take-up of the sport is beginning to counter the toxic masculinity of the free weights area. Written and Performed by Jessica Fostekew Producer: Lyndsay Fenner Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd Sound Recordist: David ThomasA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4

In episode 3 of Jessica Fostekew's stand up series about strong women, things start getting technical as we look into the world of Olympic Lifting and get familiar with the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. Jess talks to Champion Olympic lifters Emily Campbell and Zoe Smith about dealing with the opinions of others, their route into the sport. and what to eat if you want to get strong (spoiler, the answer is - your dinner). Jess also takes part in an Olympic Lifting competition where she's a very much a newbie but has so much fun!Written and Performed by Jessica Fostekew Producer: Lyndsay Fenner Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd Sound Recordist: David ThomasA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4

In the final episode of Jessica Fostekew's stand up series about big strong girls, we arrive at the most aesthetic and least functional of all the strength sports - bodybuilding. The Schwarzenegger in swimwear one. It's an area in which Jess is way out of her depth, having flirted with the weightlifting movement by accident over the years but never daring to face the gruelling diet. Luckily she's got two brilliant interviewees on hand to help her get deep into the nitty gritty of things - champion bodybuilder Frances Amies-Winter and actor and former bodybuilder Megan Prescott. We also find out about the history of the sport as part of circus tradition, and Jess goes to Fran's gym to train with her on leg day. Yes. She can just about still walk now. Written and Performed by Jessica Fostekew Producer: Lyndsay Fenner Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd Sound Recordist: David ThomasA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4

In this week's show, apart from helping her clients with her patented (patent pending) therapy techniques, Nora also gives tips for de-stressing, getting to sleep and a patented (patent pending) psychometric careers test. Finally, after a busy week, Nora tries to unwind with a trip to an acupuncturist…Nora Meadows ..… Katy Wix Chris and JP van der Voss ..… David Elms Claire ….. Emily Lloyd-Saini Brian ….. Sunil Patel Gwen ….. Shivani Thussu Saz ….. Lorna Rose TreenWritten and directed by Will Farrell and Ben Rowse, with additional material from the cast.Sound design: Marcus Rice Original music: Marcus Rice and Charlie Pelling Producer: Nick CoupeA HatTrick production for BBC Radio 4.

A client who won’t open up is at the top of Nora's list this week. She also has to take drastic measures after her offer of an emotional support animal goes wrong. Finally, after a busy week, Nora visits a gong bath to try and unwind…Nora Meadows… …Katy Wix Giles… …Adam Drake Claire… …Emily Lloyd-Saini Sam… …Alexander Owen Benedict Mitchell… …Alistair Green Anthony… …Sunil Patel Nish Hartley… …Mark SilcoxWritten and directed by Will Farrell and Ben Rowse, with additional material from the castProducer: Nick CoupeA HatTrick production for BBC Radio 4

A trust exercise leads to a surprise revelation for a couple this week while Nora also helps a hostage negotiator manage his stress. Finally we get a sneak peek into Nora's own relaxation side-hustle - making ASMR sleep-aids…Nora Meadows… …Katy Wix Claire… …Emily Lloyd-Saini Brian… …Sunil Patel Gwen… …Shivani Thussu Saz… …Lorna Rose Treen Sam… …Alexander Owen Baldacci Fan… …Rory MarshallWritten and directed by Will Farrell and Ben Rowse, with additional material from the castProducer: Nick CoupeA Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

This week, Nora's introduction of a grounding exercise for one of her clients is unfortunately interrupted by an underlying health issue of Nora's own. To locate the source of another client's fear of flying she delves deeper and deeper into their past and, finally, Nora once again squeezes in a bit of self-care to visit a hypnotist in a bid to overcome one of her own long-held fears. Nora Meadows... Katy Wix Chris...David Elms Claire...Emily Lloyd-Saini Sam...Alexander Owen Giles... Adam Drake Brian... Sunil Patel Gwen... Shivani Thussu Hypnotist...Alistair GreenWritten and directed by Will Farrell and Ben Rowse, with additional material from the cast Producer: Nick CoupeA Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

After Nora dramatically re-diagnoses one client’s fear of flying this week, she is then able to sympathise with another's insomnia, all using her patented (patent pending) therapy techniques. A grounding exercise with her last client uncovers Nora’s hidden talent - but also her alma mater. Finally in an act of self-healing, Nora also finds time to challenge herself to be more confident than she’s ever been before - by eating the final crisp in a shared packet of crisps.Nora Meadows ... Katy Wix Giles ... Adam Drake Saz ... Lorna Rose Treen Sam ... Alexander Owen Man in pub ... Sunil Patel Woman in pub ... Shivani ThussuWritten and directed by Will Farrell and Ben Rowse, with additional material from the cast Sound Design, Marcus Rice Original Music, Marcus Rice and Charlie PellingProducer, Nick CoupeA HatTrick production for BBC Radio 4

This week, Nora deals with an imbalance in a relationship, fields questions about her employment history and gets efficiency tips from her business guru. She also decides to get dating again, so visits a dating expert, before throwing herself into a speed dating event with a unique premise...Nora Meadows...Katy Wix Brian...Sunil Patel Gwen...Shivani Thussu Benedict Mitchell... Alistair Green Claire...Emily Lloyd-Saini Oscar Wilkins... Rory Marshall Speed Dating Caller... Lorana Rose Treen Mark...Mark Silcox Kevin...Alexander OwenWritten and directed by Will Farrell and Ben Rowse, with additional material from the cast Sound Design...Marcus Rice Original Music...Marcus Rice and Charlie PellingProducer: Nick CoupeA Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

We have all been in a situation where we don’t know what to say, or how best to support a friend during a major negative life event. When Laura Smyth was diagnosed with breast cancer she was blown away (and highly amused) at how poorly many around her responded to the news. From pulling the wrong face, to offering medical advice sourced on YouTube, to simply panicking and saying nothing at all… we have a tendency to put our foot in it.In this half-hour special, Laura applies her award-winning stand up skills to the world of grieving, sharing funny and poignant anecdotes from her journey with cancer and her interactions with friends, family and strangers.She asks why it is so difficult to say the right thing when trying to support loved ones, explores the sometimes unrealistic expectations that grievers put upon others, and speaks to psychotherapist Philippa Perry to get an expert opinion. There may not be a perfect solution or ideal response, but can we all be better at knowing what to say? Written and performed by Laura Smyth Produced by Sasha Bobak Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Katie Baum An EcoAudio certified productionIt is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4This programme was first broadcast in 2023

This episode, Olga and ALGO try to agree on what is, and isn’t, fun.Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch returns for a second series of her comedy and STEM stand up show, joined by her sassy digital assistant ALGO (voiced by Tia Kofi).Written by Olga Koch and Charlie DinkinFeaturing Tia KofiAdditional Material From Rajiv Karia, Cody Dahler and Kate DehnertProduction Co-ordinator Katie BaumProduced by Benjamin SuttonA BBC Studios Production

This episode, Olga and ALGO put their heads together to understand intelligence.Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch returns for a second series of her comedy and STEM stand-up show, joined by her trusty digital assistant ALGO (voiced by Tia Kofi).Written by Olga Koch and Charlie DinkinFeaturing Tia KofiAdditional Material From Rajiv Karia, Cody Dahler and Kate DehnertProduction Coordinator Katie BaumProduced by Benjamin SuttonA BBC Studios Production

This week Olga and ALGO try to understand the true meaning of friendship.Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch returns for a second series of her comedy and STEM stand up show, joined by her trusty digital assistant ALGO (voiced by Tia Kofi).Written by Olga Koch and Charlie DinkinFeaturing Tia KofiAdditional Material From Rajiv Karia, Cody Dahler and Kate DehnertProduction Coordinator Katie BaumProduced by Benjamin SuttonA BBC Studios Production

This episode, Olga and ALGO go back to their roots and try to keep things in the family.Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch returns for a second series of her comedy and STEM stand up show, joined by her trusty digital assistant ALGO (voiced by Tia Kofi).Written by Olga Koch and Charlie DinkinFeaturing Tia KofiAdditional Material From Rajiv Karia, Cody Dahler and Kate DehnertProduction Co-ordinator Katie BaumProduced by Benjamin SuttonA BBC Studios Production

After a long career in (and often out) of the spotlight, Jazz Emu has his own radio show.

Jazz Emu sets out to write his friends the most romantic song ever created, in order to save their crumbling relationship and make everything in his friendship group nice again. Digging back into his alternative musical archives, Jazz takes inspiration from Barry White, George Michael and ACDC in order to learn about what makes a song romantic. Armed with misguided understanding and unerring confidence, Jazz is ready to blow some minds. If music be the food of love, it’s lunchtime. Or something like that? Jazz Emu: musician, 70s lothario-type, ex-Hollywood foley artist and internationally renowned idiot. After a long career in (and often out) of the spotlight, he has decided to present a radio show in order to connect with the average Joes (and Janes, and other boring names) and bestow his expert knowledge of Sound upon the universe. Written by Archie Henderson and Adrian Gray Starring: Archie Henderson, Adrian Gray, Emmanuel Sonubi, Lorna Rose Treen, Cody Dahler Produced by Sasha Bobak A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4

Artificial Intelligence puts Jazz’s musical career in jeopardy when a robot clone of Jazz begins storming the charts. Human Jazz must beat his electronic counterpart for a spot in the UK Top 40 and convince the London Palladium that HE is the real Jazz Emu. Jazz Emu: musician, 70s lothario-type, ex-Hollywood foley artist and internationally renowned idiot. After a long career in (and often out) of the spotlight, he has decided to present a radio show in order to connect with the average Joes (and Janes, and other boring names) and bestow his expert knowledge of Sound upon the universe. Written by Archie Henderson and Adrian Gray Starring: Archie Henderson, Adrian Gray, Emmanuel Sonubi, Lorna Rose Treen, Cody Dahler Produced by Sasha Bobak A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4

After being diagnosed with below average testosterone levels (which was probably the error of the thicko lady doctor) Jazz decides to assert his dominance. With the help of the macho social media influencer Aidan Tugg, Jazz learns the art of being a Proper Man. No cucks allowed. Jazz Emu: musician, 70s lothario-type, ex-Hollywood foley artist and internationally renowned idiot. After a long career in (and often out) of the spotlight, he has decided to present a radio show in order to connect with the average Joes (and Janes, and other boring names) and bestow his expert knowledge of Sound upon the universe. Written by Archie Henderson and Adrian Gray Starring: Archie Henderson, Adrian Gray, Emmanuel Sonubi, Lorna Rose Treen, Cody Dahler Produced by Sasha Bobak A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4