Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 - podcast cover

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4www.bbc.co.uk

Download the best satirical comedy from Radio 4, every Friday. Features The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, The Naked Week and Too Long; Didn't Read.

Episodes

The News Quiz: Ep 6. Big Deals

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...

May 30, 202528 min

The News Quiz: Ep 5. An Island of Strangers

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...

May 23, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 4. Conclave Concluded

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...

May 16, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 3. Power Outrage

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 Coordinat...

May 09, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 2. Elections (Local and Papal)

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 Willcox A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4....

May 02, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 1. Space, Steel and Strikes

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 Oldin...

Apr 25, 202529 min

The Naked Week: Ep6. Tariffs, Theme Parks, and Twister.

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 a...

Apr 18, 202529 min

The Naked Week: Ep5. Tariffic Trump retaliation, and Woop Woop - it's the sound of the Thought Police.

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 'woop woop' at the sound of the Thought Police, enjoy a spot of 'tariffic' retaliation, and bang a gong for the local elections. 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 wr...

Apr 11, 202529 min

The Naked Week: Ep4. Performing, Potholes, and Paddington.

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 Spring (Statement) into action with a timely tune for - and by - Rachel Reeves, explore a pothole that's opened up in the programme, and accidentally get added to Radio 4's Group Chat. 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 i...

Apr 04, 202529 min

The Naked Week: Ep 3. Benefits, Borders, and a game of Truss or Towers.

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 apply for a job in the parliamentary Work and Pensions office, play a game of 'Liz Truss or new ride at Alton Towers', and make a military incursion into Ambridge to steal territory from The Archers. 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...

Mar 28, 202529 min

The Naked Week: Ep 2. Brick Walls, Dead Wood, and Charlie.

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 use a housebrick to explain what's happened with the Reform Party, carve literal dead wood to explain what's happening with the civil service, and explain more news with haikus. 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 aroun...

Mar 21, 202529 min

The Naked Week: Ep 1. Oval arguments, awful algorithms, and a game of Top (Donald) Trumps.

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 fail to wear a suit, dance around the problems with TikTok like no one's watching, and guest correspondent Rosie Holt radicalises some children. 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 ...

Mar 14, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep8. Mr. Starmer Goes To Washington

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Scott Bennett, Sara Barron, Alex Massie and Lucy Porter for The News Quiz recorded from Scarborough. In the last of the current series, the panel unpack the Prime Minister's Washington visit, aid cuts and defence pastes, silent albums and AI-generated essays. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Simon Alcock, David Duncan, Laura Major, Christina Riggs and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator:...

Mar 07, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep7. Lying and Reassurance

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Zoe Lyons, Ian Smith, Laura Lexx and Hugo Rifkind as they unpack Trump and Putin in talks in Saudi Arabia, the solutions to prison overcrowding, and the Welsh solution for parliamentary empty promises. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Simon Alcock, David Duncan, Laura Major, Christina Riggs and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc Willcox A BBC Studios Au...

Feb 28, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep5. Tariffs, Tabloids and Typewriters

On The News Quiz this week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Ayesha Hazarika, Susie McCabe, Geoff Norcott and Pierre Novellie to discuss Britain's attempts to court the US and the EU, Trump's tariff turmoil, new report cards from Ofsted, and Starmer's uncovered voice coaching. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Alex Kealy, Christina Riggs and Stuart McPherson. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: M...

Feb 14, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 4. Gear shifting and Shoplifting

This week on The News Quiz, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Simon Evans, Athena Kugblenu, Susie McCabe and Hugo Rifkind to unpack the week's new stories. In the week Keir Starmer set his sights on growth, the panel looked at backing of a third runway at Heathrow, a shoplifting epidemic, and the decline of urban chess in the streets of Nottingham. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Cameron Loxdale, Sascha LO, Meryl O'Rourke and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Produ...

Feb 07, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 3. The Donald and The Dons

This week on The News Quiz, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Andrew Maxwell, Val McDermid, Jay Lafferty and Stuart Mitchell to unpack the week's new stories. Recorded from the Gardyne Theatre in Dundee, the panel look into Donald Trump's first week of his second term, Prince Harry's legal victories, Scottish Health Minister Neil Gray's sporting excursions, and the honour of the Glaswegian accent. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Rebecca Bain, Cody Dahler, Alexandra Haddow and Pet...

Jan 31, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 2. Unconditional Discharge In Charge

This week on The News Quiz, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Nish Kumar, Sara Barron, Glenn Moore and Zing Tsjeng to unpack the week's new stories. The panel look into Donald Trump's unconditional discharge and his looming inauguration, as well as Keir Starmer's unleashing of AI, and Tulip Siddiq's resignation. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Christina Riggs, Mike Shephard and Ben Pope. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator:...

Jan 24, 202529 min

The News Quiz: Ep 1. Checked Facts & Unfettered Fictions

This week on The News Quiz, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Geoff Norcott, Paul Sinha, Angela Barnes and Anushka Asthana to unpack the week's new stories. The panel look into Donald Trump's international ambitions, Keir Starmer looking ahead to the not-too-distant, yet not-too-close future, and the relentless interjections to British politics from Elon Musk. Written by Andy Zaltzman. With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Christina Riggs Mike Shephard, and Angela Channell. Producer: Rajiv Karia Ex...

Jan 17, 202528 min

Best of The News Quiz 2024

A satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year. Covering international tensions, a UK General Election, and of course the question on everyone’s lips, what exactly was a ‘Brat Summer’? With Andy Zaltzman in the chair, full of whimsical animal metaphors and cricket stats, we’ll hear highlights from the crème de la crème of British and international comedy and journalism to dissect the news. It's a chance to return to, and revel in, some of 2024's funniest moments, starring Ian S...

Jan 10, 202528 min

The Naked Christmas Week: Books, Trump, and When Is Bins?

Landing slap-bang in the no-man’s land between Christmas and New Year, the Naked Week team will be heading out of the trenches to challenge the news to a game of football. This week, we find out which of the year's political memoirs passes our special test, and we ask the big Christmas question 'When Is Bins?' Expect festive advice, guests full of joy and wonder, and a little drummer boy (budget depending), as the show sticks its hand into all the Christmas current affairs, pulls out a bag of ne...

Jan 03, 202529 min

The Naked Week: Ep4: Spies, Uncanny Ghosts, and Christmas Crackers

The team give the news a hard stare as they try to recruit a spy and steal some of the Uncanny podcast's listening figures by contacting Nigel Farage with a ouija board. From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes 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. Host Andrew Hunter Murray and chief correspondent Amy Hoggart will strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also the way the news is packaged and ...

Dec 27, 202429 min

The Naked Week: Ep 3. Prisons, Syria, and Kemi's Catchphrase.

The team look at the week's news and, while trying understand how rebels took Syria so quickly, a military strategist helps us to take the Warwickshire stronghold of Nuneaton. Plus Rupert the Jorkiepoo helps solve the prison overcrowding crisis. From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes 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. Host Andrew Hunter Murray (No Such Thing As A Fish, QI Elf, Private Eye) and chief correspondent...

Dec 20, 202428 min

The Naked Week: Ep2. Spin, Milestones, and Monopoly (Qatar edition)

We interrogate how many milestones make a mission, look at how some MPs fund their offices and with all the Gregg Wallace unpleasantness we put a crisis management expert under pressure to give celebrities tips on how to apologise. Host Andrew Hunter Murray, Chief Correspondent Amy Hoggart, The Skewer's Jon Holmes and The Naked Week team deliver a topical news-nude straight to your ears. The Naked Week team strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also the way in which ...

Dec 13, 202429 min

The Naked Week: Ep1. Lobbying, art, soup, and farms

The team look at the week's news and pull back the curtain on the dark arts of lobbying. Plus, to draw attention to climate change, an art critic throws Michelangelo's David at a pyramid of tomato soup tins. It's like Just Stop Oil's tactics, but in reverse. The Skewer’s Jon Holmes 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. Host Andrew Hunter Murray and chief correspondent Amy Hoggart strip away the curtain and...

Dec 06, 202429 min

Dead Ringers: Ep4. Revolting Farmers

Jeremy Clarkson and Nigel Farage weigh in on the new land tax, Rachel Reeves defends her CV and Donald Trump talks turkey. This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Duncan Wisbey and Katia Kvinge. The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickson, Angela Channell, Christina Riggs and Joe Topping. Executive Producer: Richard Morris Produced and created by Bill Dare Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlo...

Nov 29, 202429 min

Dead Ringers: Ep 3. New World Disorder

Donald Trump makes some surprising new additions to his team, there’s an unexpected guest at COP29, Nigel Farage accepts that climate change is real, and Justin Welby explains the real reason for his resignation. This week's impressionists are Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey and Jason Forbes The episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Joe Topping, Christina Riggs, Pravanya Pillay with additional material by Lizzy Man...

Nov 22, 202429 min

Dead Ringers: Ep 2. America Went There

What really swung it for Donald Trump and how did Joe Biden really react to the result? Kemi Badenoch’s first decision as Tory leader, and Nigel Farage’s Trump victory podcast. This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson and Duncan Wisbey. The episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Cody Dahler, Joe Topping, Peter Tellouche, Duncan Wisbey with additional material by Jennifer ...

Nov 15, 202429 min

Dead Ringers: Ep1. Budget Politicians

What was Rachel Reeves’ real inspiration for her budget? What advice is Kamala Harris giving to Joe Biden, and what exactly is a ‘working person’? JD Vance and Tim Walz make their first appearances on the show and Rishi Sunak probably his last. This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson and Jason Forbes. The episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Cody Dahler, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickson...

Nov 08, 202428 min
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