Comedy of the Week

Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101, as well as the one item they cannot live without.In this episode, Hannah Fry tries to convince Paul to send complicated toilet flushes and exams to Room 101, and discusses her particular devotion to a daily ritual that she cannot live without.Additional Material: John Irwin and Suki Webster Produced by Richard Wilson A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

The poetry show (without the poetry) returns for more comic chaos, with guests Stephen Merchant and Lolly Adefope.This is a poetry programme like no other – over the course of 6 series Key has performed magic, music, cookery and witchcraft; he’s delivered a baby, gone underground, up the Shard and into space.And sometimes he finds time to read poems.This series, regulars Tom Basden and Katy Wix are joined by guest stars Stephen Merchant, Lolly Adefope, Mike Wozniak, Sam Campbell, Simon Armstrong and Morgana Robinson.Written and presented by Tim KeyProduced by James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4

Drawing on various elements of his own life, Travis Jay’s new sitcom Rum Punch is a family comedy about love, friendship and aspiration. Set in Lewisham and following the multi generational Campbells as they struggle to keep their Caribbean restaurant afloat.Travis Jay is one of the most exciting up and coming comedians in the country. He has supported Dave Chapelle and Kojo Amin on tour, and has appeared on screen in shows for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Comedy Central and Netflix.Cast: Travis Jay - Marley Kevin Garry - Des Eddie Nestor - Delroy Maureen Hibbert - Angie Letitia Hector - Lydia Kevin J - Nicholas @FaceintheNews - TaylorProducers - Jules Lom and Daisy Knight Sound Designer - David Thomas Executive Producers - Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-TurnerAn Avalon production for BBC Radio 4

Despite her diagnosis of terminal cancer in 2021, Janey’s defiantly not dead yet, and as hilarious as ever, even in the face of online haters who seem to think she’s not dying quickly enough.In this mix of stand-up and chat, Janey and her daughter and fellow comedian Ashley talk about why having cancer is like having an extramarital affair and what it’s like to be told you’re dying, and she takes to the stage to tell tales of loudmouths in hospital wards and the unlikely benefits of chemotherapy!Janey shared her extraordinary life story in the first series - exposing all the abuse, poverty, and trauma she’d experienced in her trademark darkly comic style.Now, with death chasing her down like a runaway bus, she’s still compelled to get up onstage and fearlessly poke fun at every escapade, encounter and event she’s experienced on her own journey with cancer, and make sure she goes out in the same way she’s lived - with nothing left unsaid.Recorded live in front of an audience in her hometown, Glasgow.Produced by Julia SutherlandA Dabster production for BBC Radio 4

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

Ashley documents the ups and downs of trying to make friends while being ‘weird’ - or an undiagnosed autist.Relating more to wizards, aliens and ghosts since childhood, Ashley has developed her own unique ways of seemingly 'fitting in’, despite the confusing world of human relationships.After a childhood full of failed attempts, Ashley spent years obsessing over how to solve the problem of making friends in the only way she knows how - using strategies and methodical research within her peer group.Now she shares her findings, as well as the epiphany she reached at the end of her study.Expect niche cultural references, streams of consciousness and a healthy dose of Harry Potter references.With Rosco McClellandProduced by Julia Sutherland Sound Design by Sean KerwinA Dabster production for BBC Radio 4

Frank & guests Simon Evans, Jessica Fostekew, Amy Gledhill and Ahir Shah find out what you think about mead, Poirot and a stinky brontosaurus.This 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 baffling.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... 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!Written by Frank Skinner, Catherine Brinkworth, Sarah Dempster, Jason Hazeley, Rajiv Karia, Karl Minns, Katie Sayer & Peter TelloucheDevised by Jason Hazeley and Simon Evans with the producer David TylerA Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4