A look back on some of the best bits of News Quizzing from 2023 In this compilation episode Andy Zaltzman casts his satirical eye over the highs and lows of the year, in which the UK managed to hold of a Prime Minister for more than a year (well done us), The Economy moved about as erratically as a paper plane in a snow storm, and there were some events in the Middle East that made doing a light-hearted topical news show a bit of a challenge at times... Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman. Produ...
Feb 02, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jon Culshaw and Jan Ravens join Bill Dare, the long time producer and creator of Dead Ringers, to look back at the last ten years of the programme on Radio 4. Their focus is party leaders – the ones they most want to remember. We’ll hear a selection of the funniest party leader sketches going back to 2014 when Dead Ringers returned to radio and David Cameron vs Ed Miliband was the main show in town. Jon, Jan and Bill will whizz through the next decade giving us a behind the scenes glimpse of how...
Jan 26, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Topical satire, featuring all the people you’d least like to have Christmas dinner with. There are debut appearances from Baroness Mone, Katherine Jenkins and the new Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa. Sunak and King Charles give their end of year speeches, and there is a surprise guest on Naked Attraction. This episode was written by: Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Robert Darke, Rachel E Thorn, Joe Topping, Alex Bertullis-Fernandes and Chris Dono...
Jan 19, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Topical comedy as everyone's favourite impressions show returns... with a festive twist. This episode features the Rwanda migrant crisis, Tory factionalism, Sir Kier Starmer’s latest policy and troubling times for The Wombles. This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Lewis MacLeod, Jan Ravens, Jess Robinson and Duncan Wisbey. This episode was written by: Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Robert Darke, Peter Tellouche, , Sophie Dickson, R...
Jan 12, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. Featuring Geoff Norcott looking in the proposal of a Minister for Men, Harriet Kemsley on Kim Jong Un's pleas to North Korea, and an original song from Peter Rugman. The show was written by the cast with additional material from Adrian Gray, Miranda Holms, Rajiv Karia, Cameron Loxdale and Laura Major. Voice Actors: Daniel Barker and Chiara Goldsmith. Producer: Rajiv Karia Production Coordinator: Katie Baum A BBC Studi...
Jan 05, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They're joined by David Eagle unpacking the Advent, Jessica Fostekew looking into the repeal of the New Zealand smoking ban, and an original song from Archie Henderson, performed with Becky CJ. The show was written by the cast with additional material from Alex Garrick-Wright, Jade Gebbie, Rhiannon Shaw, Miranda Holms and Cody Dahler. Voice Actors: Jason Forbes and Lola-Rose Maxwell. Producer: Rajiv Karia Production C...
Dec 29, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They're joined by Ria Lina looking into changes in the NHS, Fin Taylor on the Royals, and with an original song from Ed MacArthur. The show was written by the cast with additional material from Rachel E Thorn, Aidan Fitzmaurice, Joe Bates and Cody Dahler. Voice Actors: Joz Norris and Gemma Arrowsmith. Producer: Rajiv Karia Production Coordinator: Katie Baum A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4...
Dec 22, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They are joined by Zoe Lyons, with some news of recent rare sightings, Pierre Novellie, exploring the latest in middle class crazes, and Jess Robinson, singing about the real stalwart of 10 Downing Street. The show was written by the cast with additional material from Mike Shephard, Tasha Dhanraj, David Duncan and Cody Dahler. Voice Actors: Jason Forbes & Roisin O'Mahony Producer: Sasha Bobak Production Coordinato...
Dec 15, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They are joined by Alasdair Beckett-King who mourns his political heroes, Desiree Burch with a deep dive on fast fashion, and Huge Davies gives us his musical take on why AI might not be so bad after all. The show was written by the cast with additional material from Mike Shephard, Zoe Tomalin, Christina Riggs and Cody Dahler. Voice actors: Daniel Barker & Gemma Arrowsmith Producer: Sasha Bobak Production Coordina...
Dec 08, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They are joined by Ken Cheng who uses air fryers to help explain his frustration with the housing market, Helen Bauer arguing why school uniforms need to remain affordable, and Rachel Parris gives her musical take on what truly scares us at Halloween. The show was written by the cast with additional material from Cameron Loxdale, Tasha Dhanraj, Jules Garnett and Cody Dahler. Voice actors: Roisin O'Mahony & Ed Jone...
Dec 01, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. Providing the answers, hopefully, are Ian Smith, Ria Lina, Hugo Rifkind, and Robin Morgan In this final episode of the series Andy and the panel discuss some problematic protests, the looming general election, and BRITS IN SPACE! Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Cody Dahler Mike Shephard and Adam Greene Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Editor: Marc Willcox A BBC Studios P...
Nov 24, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. Providing the answers, hopefully, are Ian Smith, Lucy Porter, Anushka Asthana, and Simon Evans In this episode Andy and the panel discuss the language of war, our crumbling infrastructure, and massive rats! Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Jade Gebbie, Simon Alcock and Cameron Loxdale Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Editor: Marc Willcox A BBC Studios Production...
Nov 17, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. Providing the answers, hopefully, are, Alex Massie, Simon Evans, Alice Fraser, and Rachel Parris. In this episode Andy and the panel deconstruct a Grey Wall, celebrate some Nobel achievements, and get ready for Halloween with the world's largest pumpkin. Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Peter Tellouche and Cameron Loxdale Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Editor: Marc Willco...
Nov 10, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. With him to find the answers to all our problems Daliso Chaponda, Susie McCabe, Bethany Black, and Hugo Rifkind This week, Andy and the panel discuss the cancellation of the world's most delayed train, a very awkward work event, and the most patient guide dog (such a good boy). Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Alice Fraser Cody Dahler and Caroline Mabey Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Co-ordinator: Dan Ma...
Nov 03, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. With him to find the answers to all our problems Andrew Doyle, Athena Kugblenu, Felicity Ward and Hugo Rifkind. This week, Andy and the panel discuss Suella's desire to ditch conventions, Sunak laughing all the way to the Rosebank, and the thrills and spills of the Lib Dem conference. Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Alice Fraser Ben Clover Cody Dahler and Miranda Holms Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Executive Producer: Richard Morris Produc...
Oct 27, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. Providing all the answers Ria Lina, Ayesha Hazarika, Chris McCausland, and Alasdair Beckett-King. In this episode Andy and the panel discuss Rishi rowing back on net zero, Wales slowing down, HS2 grinding to a halt and Starmer's European sojourn. Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Cody Dahler Mike Shephard Rhiannon Shaw and Miranda Holms Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Sou...
Oct 20, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lucy Porter, Tom Ballard, Anushka Asthana, and Mark Steel joined Andy Zaltzman to quiz the week's news. In this episode Andy and the panel search for the world's most obvious spy, the world's most awkward train ride, and the UK's worst road. Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Cody Dahler Mike Shephard and Christina Riggs Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Co-ordinator: Katie Baum Sound Editor: Marc Willcox A BBC Studios Production...
Oct 13, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. Providing the answers, hopefully, are, Ian Smith, Lucy Porter, Hugo Rifkind, and Zoe Lyons. In this episode Andy and the panel test the state of schools, the resiliance of a reshuffle, and value of vets. Written by Andy Zaltzman With additional material by Cody Dahler Mike Shepard and Eleri Morgan Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Editor: Marc Willcox A BBC Studios Production...
Oct 06, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The sixth of our satirical specials this summer. 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) will strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also at the way in which the news is packaged and presented. From award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in...
Sep 29, 2023•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast The fifth of our satirical specials this summer. 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 of the week, alongside journalist James Ball and roving correspondent Sunil Patel. Catherine has fast become one of the most sought-after comedians in the UK and Ireland. She co-hosted the BBC Sounds Podcast and Radio 4 show You’ll Do and has appeared on multiple radio s...
Sep 22, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The fourth of our satirical specials this summer. Ria Lina heads up a crack team of international comics including: Daliso Chaponda, Heidi Regan, Urooj Ashfaq and Ignacio Lopez to discuss the big stories making the news at home and around the world. You'll get an outsider's view on the news affecting you and also a peek behind the headlines from our comedians' homelands. We show them ours and then they show us theirs. The United Nations of News: proof that comedy really is universal.
Sep 15, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The third of our satirical specials this summer. In a topical mash-up of prank calls, interviews and features, Dom Joly offers his mischievously surreal take on the people and stories that are hitting the week's headlines. As Dom attempts to get to the bottom of the biggest stories of the week, he challenges experts and makes calls to the wrong people about the wrong thing, often at the wrong time. Best known for Trigger Happy TV which reinvented the hidden camera format, Dom actually has a degr...
Sep 08, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hosted by Rhys James (Mock The Week, The Now Show), ‘What Are You Talking About?’ investigates the major issues of the week before solving them perfectly forever. Rhys will be joined by a gaggle of comedy’s fastest rising stars, including Alasdair Beckett-King and Celya AB, to look at the news and ask ‘Why?’, ‘How come?’ And ‘Why though?’
Sep 01, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The first of our satirical specials this summer. The Newsmakers is an interview show where host Rachel Parris will deliver her views on the week's news and then talk to the people at the centre of those stories, from journalists to MPs to yacht-attacking orcas - all of whom are fictional, and played by comedians. Presented by Rachel Parris Guests: Rosie Holt Sam Pamphilion Michael Spicer Bilal Zafar Nim Odedra Additional material: Gareth Gwynn & Robin Morgan Recorded and edited by David Thom...
Aug 25, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The series finale featuring many talented voices.
Aug 18, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The penultimate episode of the current series.
Aug 11, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast What did Humza Yousaf and King Charles really say to each other when they met in Edinburgh? What is Sir Kier Starmer’s secret plan for after the election, and who first coined the word Aardvark? Answers to these questions and so much more. This episode was written by: Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Edward Tew, Robert Darke, Joe Topping, Sophie Dickson, Sarah Campbell, Peter Tellouche, and Toussaint Douglass. Produced and created by Bill Dare Product...
Aug 04, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hear brand-new satire on the Friday Night Comedy podcast from BBC Radio 4 with six Summer Specials. Including Rachel Parris, Dom Joly, Catherine Bohart, Rhys James, Ria Lina and Andrew Hunter Murray. If you're in the UK you can listen to latest episode first on BBC Sounds before anywhere else.
Jul 31, 2023•47 sec•Transcript available on Metacast The series continues with this week's impressionists.
Jul 28, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast featuring the voices of Jon Culshaw, Duncan Wisbey, Jess Robinson, Jason Forbes and Jan Ravens.
Jul 21, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
