Claim OwnershipFriday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
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Topical comedy from the sharpest satirical minds in the business. Listen first on BBC Sounds, every Friday.
Is the news driving you up the wall? You’re not alone. Let the comedians take the strain and work out what’s been funny this week. Features BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, The Naked Week and Too Long; Didn’t Read.
Listen on BBC Sounds, seven days earlier than anywhere else, and subscribe to make sure that you don’t miss an episode.
257 Episodes
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Andy Zaltzman is joined by Daliso Chaponda, Susie McCabe, Geoff Norcott and Ash Sarkar to break down the week in news. Expect discussion on the Labour Deputy Leader Election, the return of the Mandelson, strikes on Qatar, Russian drones in Poland and telepathic Google searches. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Simon Alcock, Carwyn Blayney, Ruth Husko and Alex Kealy. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow Sound Editor: Marc Willcox A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
3Andy Zaltzman is joined by Alasdair Beckett-King, Andrew Maxwell, Lucy Porter and Coco Khan to break down the week in news. Topics include Angela Rayner skipping out on stamp duty, Xi Jinping's summit, the decline in cement, a new leader for the Green Party, and the rapid multiplication of St George's flags. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Rebecca Bain, Milo Edwards, Ruth Husko and Mike Shephard. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc Willcox A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
Is AI taking over? And if so, how should we treat our new robot overlords? Catherine Bohart investigates, with the help of Olga Koch, Professor Kate Devlin, and our regular roving correspondent Sunil Patel.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Rose Johnson and Pravanya Pillay
Producer: Alison Vernon Smith
Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
With UK-US relations in the spotlight, Catherine Bohart wants to know just what the special relationship means in 2025. With the help of Felicity Ward, Amb. John Bolton and our regular roving correspondent Sunil Patel, Catherine's asking what makes the special relationship 'special'? Are the US and the UK really exclusive? And does anyone have the number of that nice girl, the EU?Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Catherine Brinkworth and Priya HallProducer: Alison Vernon Smith
Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
With unemployment on the rise, Catherine and friends want to know why Britain isn't working. Is it AI? Is it older workers taking early retirement? Or is there something bigger going on?To find out why, Catherine is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Isabel Berwick, and roving correspondent Sunil Patel - and they've got their work cut out...Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Georgie Flinn and Christina Riggs.Producer: Alison Vernon Smith
Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Why does Britain have so many new parties? And why are none of them the fun kind? Catherine Bohart investigates the rising challengers to the two-party system, with the help of Zoe Lyons, Ian Dunt and roving correspondent Sunil Patel.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Gareth Gwynn and John Tothill.Producer: Alison Vernon Smith
Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Wealth tax - no brainer or non starter? Catherine Bohart unpicks the arguments raging about the mooted solution to Britain's infamous financial black hole with plenty of silliness thrown in. With Baroness Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Sunil Patel and tax expert Dr Emma Chamberlain OBE.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Tom Neenan and Pravanya Pillay.Producer: Alison Vernon Smith
Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Columns. Analysis. The Guardian's Long Read. Who has time? Catherine Bohart, that's who - and she's going beyond the headlines to give you the lowdown on one of the biggest stories this week, with the help of Phil Wang and our regular roving correspondent Sunil Patel.This week, there's something in the water as Catherine & co investigate the regulation of the water industry, with the help of Helena Horton, environment reporter at The Guardian.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Tom Neenan and Pravanya Pillay.Producer: Alison Vernon Smith
Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd
Sound Design: David Thomas
Production Co-ordinator: Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their vocal firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions.This week: Super-injunctions, superheroes, Epstein files and, er, Diane Abbott.Cast: Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis Macleod, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey.This episode was written by: Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Tom Coles, Toussaint Douglass, Sophie Dickson, Joe Topping, Jon Holmes, Lizzy Mansfield, Rachel E, Thorn, Davina Bentley, Alice Bright, Phoebe Butler, Declan KennedyCreated by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their vocal firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions.This week: A Salt Path surprise, a Man of Steel (tariffs), and Postman Pat deals with the Post Office Inquiry Report.Cast: Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey.This episode was written by: Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Toussaint Douglas, Peter Tellouche, Edward Tew, Jon Holmes, Katie Sayer, Davina Bentley, Lizzy Mansfield, Rachel E. Thorn, Jennifer Walker, Cooper Mawhinny-Sweryt, Alex Buchanan, Chris BallardCreated by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Production Co-ordinator: Jodie Charman
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their vocal firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions.
This week: The Government’s welfare woes, the BBC’s chant chastisement, and Netanyahu, Trump and Putin play Just A Minute.The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Sophie Dickson, Toussaint Douglass, Peter Tellouche, Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Jon Holmes, Davina Bentley, Vicky Richards, Ali Panting, Pete Redfern, Declan Kennedy.Cast: Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey.Created by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Production Co-ordinator: Jodie Charman
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their vocal firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions. This week: Trump drops the F-Bomb, Lammy drops another clanger, and money saving expert Martin Lewis drops into NATO.Cast: Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey and Kieran Hodgson.The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Tom Coles, Sophie Dickson, Toussaint Douglas, Peter Tellouche, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Jon Holmes, Alice Bright, Katie Sayer, Davina Bentley, Rachel E Thorn, Chris Ballard and Pete RedfernCreated by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their vocal firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions.This week: Iran plays host to a surprising WMD Inspector, Laura Kuenssberg is de-escalated, and Ross Kemp on Grooming Gangs.Cast: Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey and Kieran Hodgson.The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Tom Coles, Sophie Dickson, Toussaint Douglas, Rob Darke, Cody Dahler, Edward Tew Jon Holmes, Davina Bentley, Katie Sayer, Alice Bright and Chris DonovanCreated by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their vocal firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions.This week: Greta Thunberg floats her boat at Rachel Reeves, Trump and Elon couple up on Love Island, and Gary Lineker tries something new.Cast: Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw, Jess Robinson, Kieran Hodgson and Duncan Wisbey.The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Edward Tew, Tom Coles, Rob Darke, Sophie Dickson, Toussaint Douglas, Jon Holmes, Nicky Roberts, Jennifer Walker, Phoebe Butler, David Whitehead, Rachel E. Thorn, and Davina Bentley.Created by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Glenn Moore, Felicity Ward, Athena Kugblenu and Marie Le Conte to break down the week in news. The panel discuss Musk and Trump's messy break up, getting Britain ready for a war and why children shouldn't be trusted to do town planning.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Eve Delaney, Jade Gebbie, Cameron Loxdale and Alexandra Haddow.
Producer: Pete Strauss
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Armando Iannucci, Ria Lina, Ian Smith and Cindy Yu for more topical comedy quizzing. This week they explore Trump’s tariff turmoil, the King’s Canadian holiday, mixed messages in the Middle East and how the Department of Justice is having trouble finishing its sentences.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Peter Tellouche, Sascha LO and Eve Delaney.
Producer: James Robinson
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Andrew Maxwell, Ian Smith, Alex Kealy and Times columnist, Cindy Yu. They cover a triumph or a surrender (depending on who you ask) as well as reflecting on where you're most likely to spot a billionaire in the wild and the death of the semi-colon.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Christina Riggs, Laura Major and Christian Manley.
Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Alasdair Beckett-King, Sara Barron, Daliso Chaponda and ITV Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana. Discussion points include this week's immigration White Paper, tighter controls on international students looking for gainful employment, the elusive definition of a 'skilled job', chimpanzees utility in medical emergencies, and the returns policy on a returns hub.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Samira Banks, Catherine Brinkworth, and Cody Dahler.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Geoff Norcott, Ria Lina, Ava Santina and Alasdair Beckett-King to break down the week in news. The panel discuss the results of the UK local elections, the reaching of a US-UK trade deal, the storm of online misinformation surrounding the India-Pakistan border stand-off, the statutes of statues, and the conclusion of the Conclave as we meet the world's first American Pope.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Eve Delaney, Jade Gebbie, John Tothill and Peter Tellouche.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Geoff Norcott, Lucy Porter, Ed Byrne and Marie Le Conte to unpack the week in news. Topics include the loss of power in the Iberian Peninsula, the gaining of power in the Canadian election, the US-Ukraine mineral deal, cyberattacks on M&S, and the medical benefits of Champagne.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Ruby Clyde, Eve Delaney, Cameron Loxdale and Laura Major.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.
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It was 10 o'clock already and was sleeping until that time since she said you have achieved nothing. what a quote
Used to be comedy quiz. Now its about bashing anyone who isnt hard left. The BBC wonder why no one wants to pay them for thus privalage.
Quite possibly the least funny episode yet.
Trump living rent free in their heads. Yet not one bit of criticism for the worst British Prime Minister on living memory. Disgusting out of touch waffle.
ts4
I think I could like this pod cast without the laugh track. I'm out..
Stupid leftist TDS twaddle!!!
good....now....live
the sound on this episode is complete bollocks. can't hear anything
poor sound on the Jan 31 episode 3
have they forgotten this is meant to be comedy?
Oh if the Now Show Mark 2. Angry people ranting and not being funny.
not funny
Wow this aged like milk. Would like to know what they think of free gear/2tier starmer and Labour now.
what BS. from start to finish, biden didnt step down from the non because he wasn't the non, no she is not all over the map her opinions are very clear, she is a trained prosecutor so yeah....prison it was lit her job . why on earth are we listening to anyone from the spectator this the paper that employed Boris Johnson ,
What a load of shit this has become. It is just not funny at all.
Jon Holmes being back reminds me of when the show could be entertaining.
The Now Show really needs to be put out of its misery.
Shrieking moaning woman. This isn't comedy.
Looking forward to when this looney left garbage comes to an end and we can listen to some intelligent humour for a change.