Friday Night Comedy from 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.

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Andrew Maxwell, Zing Tsjeng, Jessica Fostekew and Pierre Novellie to unpack the upcoming local elections, the Conclave in the Vatican, Trump's planned UK visit, and Yorkshire Gladiators.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Chris Ballard, Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney and Alice Fraser. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4.

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Zoe Lyons, Mark Steel, Athena Kugblenu and Hugo Rifkind to unpack bin workers strikes in Birmingham, pop stars popping to the stars, talks of tariffs, steeling oneself in Scunthorpe, and how Toby took his carvery one step too far.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Christina Riggs, Eve Delaney and Ben Pope. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Production Coordinator: Beanna Olding Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4

The Naked Week team are back to place satirical news-tariffs on current events with a mix of correspondents, guests and, occasionally, live animals.This week we mourn the death of globalisation, take a tour of Keir's new theme park, and play a game of BBC Balance Local Elections Naked Week Joke Twister.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Gareth Ceredig Sarah Dempster Jason Hazeley.Investigations Team: Cat Neilan Louis Mian Freya Shaw Matt BrownGuests: Freya Parker and Alicia Fitzgerald.Production Team: Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, Katie Sayer, Phoebe Butler.Executive Producer: Philip Abrams Produced and Directed by Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4