

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 21, 2022 • 28min
News Quiz 21st January 2022
Andy Zaltzman and the News Quiz satirise the week's news from the UK and beyond.This week Andy is joined by Alice Fraser, Chris McCausland, Daliso Chaponda and Hugo Rifkind. They try to make sense of a week of big dogs, pork pies and red meat.Chair's Script: Written by Andy Zaltzman
Additional Material: Written by Heidi Regan, Cameron Loxdale, Stephen Buchanan and Tasha Dhanraj.
Production Coordinator: Katie Baum
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: James RobinsonA BBC Studios Production

Jan 14, 2022 • 28min
News Quiz 14th January 2022
Andy Zaltzman presents a look back at the week's headlines, in a tough week for the Prime Minister.Joined by a panel of Ayesha Hazarika, Paul Sinha, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Simon Evans, Andy looks back over the events of 20th May 2020 with Sue Gray-like focus. As well as Downing Street parties, the panel discuss rising energy bills, pig heart transplants, space telescopes and Michael Gove being trapped in a lift.Chair's Script: Written by Andy Zaltzman
Additional Material: by Alice Fraser, Mike Shephard, Celya AB and Rajiv Karia
Production Coordinator: Katie Baum
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies.A BBC Studios Production.

Jan 7, 2022 • 28min
News Quiz 7th January 2022
Andy Zaltzman and the News Quiz return to satirise the weeks news from the UK and beyond.This week Andy is joined by Alice Fraser, Chris McCausland, Katie Perrior and Ahir Shah. They look at the smallprint on Keir Starmer's 'contract with Britain', rate Boris Johnson's new look, and discuss Novak Djokovic's double fault.Chair's Script: Written by Andy Zaltzman
Additional Material: Written by Simon Alcock, Nathan D'Arcy Roberts, Alice Fraser, Rajiv Karia and Hannah Platt
Production Coordinator: Katie Baum
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Gwyn Rhys DaviesA BBC Studios Production

Dec 31, 2021 • 28min
News Quiz: Best of 2021
Andy Zaltzman raids the 2021 archive to remember amongst other things, a man in a horned helmet running around the Capitol Building, the leader of the opposition not being allowed into a pub and Britain's favourite alpaca.Producer: Richard Morris
Production co-ordinator: Katie BaumA BBC Studios Production

Dec 24, 2021 • 43min
Dead Ringers - Christmas Specials 2021 - The Multiverse Special
A "Today programme" special which takes a satirical look back at recent events in alternative earths around the multiverse. There are worlds in which England attempts to break free from the yoke of Scottish rule, the most serious pandemic is Man Flu, Love Island is an important world power, Ronnie Corbett is worshipped as a god and TV series Succession is also wildly popular - but not as you would know it.Performed by Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson and Duncan Wisbey.Written by Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickinson, Rob Darke, Dan Audritt and Kat Butterfield, Cody Dahler, and Duncan Wisbey.Producer... Bill Dare
Production Coordinator... Caroline Barlow
Sound Designer... Rich Evans
A BBC Studios Production

Dec 17, 2021 • 28min
Dead Ringers - Christmas Specials 2021 - Episode 2
For the first time broadcast live, from the BBC Radio Theatre, London on Friday. This live show will feature Professor Sir Chris Whitty as you’ve never seen him before, Boris Johnson seeks the help of The Repair Shop, there's guidance on how to have fun without the office party and the epic quest to get a booster jab.With, Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson and Duncan Wisbey.Written by: Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickson, Rob Darke, Cody Dahler and Rachel Ethorn.Producer: Bill Dare
Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Dec 10, 2021 • 25min
Dead Ringers - Christmas Specials 2021 - Episode 1
The team delve into what really happened at Downing Street last Christmas, the real source of the Omicron variant, and follow Boris and Carrie’s baby’s first day at her new job.Performed by Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson and Duncan Wisbey.Written by
Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Rob Darke, Natasha Dhanraj and Cody Dahler.Producer: Bill Dare
Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4

Dec 3, 2021 • 28min
The Now Show - 3rd December - feat Janine Harouni, Jamie MacDonald, Tim Sutton and Sooz Kempner
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches in front of a remote audience - and all from their own home!Joining them for the final episode of the series and all from a safe distance is Janine Harouni, Jamie MacDonald with music supplied by Tim Sutton and Sooz Kempner.Voice Actors: Kieran Hodgson and Nimisha Odedra.Producer: Rajiv Karia
Production Co-Ordinator: Sarah SharpeBBC Studios Production

Nov 26, 2021 • 28min
The Now Show - 26th November - feat Athena Kugblenu, Geoff Norcott, and Huge Davies
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches in the BBC's Radio Theatre in front of a remote audience.Joining them from a safe distance is Athena Kugblenu taking on MPs wages, and Geoff Norcott on must-see TV. This week's music is supplied by Huge Davies.Voice Actors: Emma Sidi and Jason ForbesProducer: Rajiv Karia
Production Co-Ordinator: Sarah SharpeBBC Studios Production

Nov 19, 2021 • 28min
The Now Show - 19th November ft Ria Lina, Josh Pugh and Beardyman
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches in front of a remote audience - and all from their own home!Joining them from a safe distance is Ria Lina taking on back-seat scientists, Josh Pugh pondering on dinosaur discoveries, and Beardyman playing us out with a jazzy ode to staying calm.Voice Actors: Luke Kempner and Natasha Hodgson
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Production Co-Ordinator: Sarah SharpeBBC Studios Production


