Of course, SOME of us knew this already.

There's a lot of it on, Nev, I grant you that. I've been a radio comedy listener for 20 years, since I got hooked on HitchHikers and (don't laugh, I loved it) The Grumbleweeds. But, even if quantity is high, the quality...

An awful lot of what's under the 'comedy' banner these days is either panel games (cheap and, other than Just A Minute or I'm Sorry, not worthy of a comedy description), comedy-dramas that are neither (most things on at 11.30am, frankly), and sketch shows that aren't very good. To be honest, the only new things I've really enjoyed on radio in the past few years are The Sunday Format, Blue Jam, People Like Us... Oh yeah, Sean Lock was quite good. That's about it, though. Call me negative, cynical, bored. I wish there *was* more to inspire me...

Forgot Audio Diaries, which was variable, but pretty good at its best. And I'd like to hear Saturday Night Jack, because I still think Jack Docherty's perfectly OK, badly-received C5 show or not. Mark & Lard on Radio 1 are still the funniest thing on air at the moment, and given it's pretty much the same every single day, that doesn't say a lot for most of the rest of it.

I remain a huge radio fan, though. Might not sound it, but I am.

Even so, that sounds like a pretty good comedy hit-rate. A bit better than telly, don't you think?

Don't forget Dominic Holland's Small World, That Reminds Me, News Quiz, that have all been on very recently, all v popular.

Having written out the listings, i'm more than a little pissed off that i'm working on stuff all day tomorrow and won't get a chance to listen to Douglas Adams and Jeremy Dyson...

Mike & Sue was alright a few years back but I can't abide The Way It Is or The Now Show.

My memories of the genius of 'Delve Special' will always be with me...

Speaking of which, what does Tony sarchet do nowadays?

>Having written out the listings, i'm more than a little pissed off that i'm working on stuff all day tomorrow and won't get a chance to listen to Douglas Adams and Jeremy Dyson...

Now you see mulitply that by 365 and that's the frustration of the deskbound masses that form a large part of the forum. Why don't tape decks have a program feature like VCRs? Never could work that out.

Thanks for the listing Nev, there's been a few nice words directed at Sean Lock on here lately, so I'll try and give that a go (in between demands for food and drink from the family grrrwhydon'ttheymaketheirownsoddingteaandleavemealonethegits...)

Chris Moyles is genuinely funny. Not intentionally, sadly, as he is shallow, self-aggrandizing, Budweiser-promoting, sexist buffoon.

>Chris Moyles is genuinely funny. Not intentionally, sadly, as he is shallow, self-aggrandizing, Budweiser-promoting, sexist buffoon.


AAGH! And I am a purveyor of badly typed invective.

Here's that missing indefinite article.



a




Thank you.

Hello radio lovers.
I am the *only* 15 year old radio four comedy listener who lives in south england and has 4 radios in her bedroom.

Yes i'm in the minority again.

Anyway I love most radio comedy(admittedly it has it's ups and downs) but the live stuff is best especially if you go and see it. Most of the time you can meet the cast afterwards as well which is cool, and they are All really nice. Well I've said my piece. replys are welcome if nice and friendly.

I was a 15-year-old R4 comedy fan, but I got older.

I once saw an ep of "At Home With The Hardys" being recorded at the Paris Theatre. But that would have been when you were 4, so you won't have heard of it.

People like Stephen Fry did a lot of radio before they were on TV, and shows like Red Dwarf grew out of radio series. I say it was better in the old days.

Anyway, you have exams to do next year, so you should be revising.

Funnily enough, i've just done some radio with Stephen Fry. He's in the cast of 'Death Comes To Time' the Dr Who radio pilot, and extremely fluffy and lovely he is too!

Stephen does like to keep his wireless credits warm. Only last year he hosted another series of his own radio chat show, 'Saturday Night Fry' which was fantastic.

As the Corpses argued, the original SNF (a sketch-based comedy show) was brilliant and much more interesting than his later chat-based version. Also, it did a lot of humour exploiting radio formats, and so hardly any of it got re-used when he went on to do the Fry&Laurie TV series.

A case of being hopping mad at the frogs I think.

You remember it too, Sam?

you're right I was 4, I don't remember but you're maths is approximately right.
You're not Jon Holmes are you?
If you are I'm probably taller than you, but not by much.
If that came out as an insult I apologise in advance.

I'm not Jon Holmes.

good

I think

Okay everyone, another gentle prod in the direction of the woofer and the tweeter...
--------------------------------------------
THUR 26TH OCT.

RADIO 2 89.0 fm

9.30pm THE NEWS HUDDLINES.

Roy Hudd, June Whitfield and Chris Emmett with their own special brand of satirical double-entendres.


RADIO 4. 93.5 fm

3.30pm. NEVER TRUST A RABBIT.

Another of Jeremy 'League of Gentelman' Dyson's short stories. 4. The Maze. Carver's quest for a childhood memory takes him on a strange journey.


6.30pm SIMON FANSHAWE GETS TO THE BOTTOM OF...HEALTH.

4. TB or not TB, that is the congestion. With Anne Bryson and Peter Gunn.


11.OOpm. THE BIGGER ISSUES.

1. Homelessness. New comedy series in which Keith Daniels attempts to change the world through drama. With Dave Lamb, Jim North, Nick Walker and Richie Webb.


Put t' remote down mother, and haste away t' wireless knob!

Hurrah for Dave Lamb.

Throughly nice chap.

>You remember it too, Sam?


I do. It was my favourite thing for ages.

>Speaking of which, what does Tony sarchet do nowadays?

He has written a TV sitcom starring Richard Wilson and Jack Sheppard which is being recorded at the moment.

>I'll try and give that a go (in between demands for food and drink from the family grrrwhydon'ttheymaketheirownsoddingteaandleavemealonethegits...)

Boki, you are Anthony Royle.

>Mike & Sue was alright a few years back but I can't abide The Way It Is or The Now Show.
>
>My memories of the genius of 'Delve Special' will always be with me...


What's your problem with The Now Show? Not being whiny or defensive, would really like to know. Got a new run in February and some CONSTRUCTIVE crit might be useful. It's me, isn't it? You hate my bits, don't you? Waaaah, nobody loves me...

Um... I can't remember much of it, to be honest. I just have general impressions of switching on and hearing quite dull topical comedy, that didn't interest me.

>Um... I can't remember much of it, to be honest. I just have general impressions of switching on and hearing quite dull topical comedy, that didn't interest me.

"Can't abide" was a bit strong then wasn't it?

>>Um... I can't remember much of it, to be honest. I just have general impressions of switching on and hearing quite dull topical comedy, that didn't interest me.
>
>"Can't abide" was a bit strong then wasn't it?
>
Oop. Forgot to put me name in the box. Me again.
>

Well, it made me switch the radio off rather than continue listening to it. Which is the same effect that Chris Evans and Zoe Ball's radio shows have. So I'd say it was in the non-abidement category.

Are you someone who sings songs on the show? I've never heard your bits, so don't take it all personally.

"The Very World Of Milton Jones" was good when it was on. That's the most recent R4 thing that I liked that I can think of. But I don't really bother anymore.

Oh, I liked the 99p thing, the few that I heard.

"Beaton generation" was terrible, actually much worse than "Weekending".

Yeah that's me. Been semi-regular since spring 99 and full regular this year.
Like I said, wasn't taking anything personal, just interested in what people think of the show. I'm rather proud of it, which is important to me. I have a lot of friends involved in TV or radio shows which they hate. Never could figure that one out.

Oh yeah, and right with you on Milton's show. Bloody brilliant.

Mitch - I liked your Gordon Brown/James Brown song. The rest of the show was a little lame, didn't make me laugh heaps, had some good bits every so often though. Actually I only heard that episode.

I thought your bits were pretty dandy. Not as good as Holmes and Hurst, but I would say that (I am the webmaster of the 'official' site). Punt and Dennis are just a tad annoying though. Somewhat akin to a nail in the head, at times.

Thank you kindly. Might as well get a plug in for "It's Been A Bad Week", the other show I do with P&D. Starts again end of Nov, if you can bring yourself to listen to Radio 2...

What official site?

Jonathan Holmes and Andrew Hurst. http://www.poorquality.co.uk

I don't mind The Now Show.

I don't mind The Now Show.

I think the Now Show has improved greatly under Ashley Blaker's stewardship. Before it was rather indisciplined and unfocussed, but the last series was very tight.

Mitch: I love you!
Jake's site is excellent, I thoroughly recommend it to everyone.
(Is that alright, Jake?)

TNS:Emma Clarke gets on my nerves, but Laura Shavin is good.

Ta.

Friday the 27th of October, for your delectation...
---------------------------------------------
RADIO 4.

11.30 am. THE ATTRACTIVE YOUNG RABBI.

Jewish comedy set in Hillfield, with Henry Goodman, Jonathan Kydd and Tracey-Ann Oberman.

3.30 pm NEVER TRUST A RABBIT.

The last in a series of short stories by Jeremy 'League of Gentleman' Dyson. 5. All in the Telling. Fletcher finds himself in a seedy club, with the urge to tell a story.

6.30pm THE NEWS QUIZ.

The satirical quiz show that spawned HIGNFY, now in its 25th year. Andy Hamilton, Alan Coren, Linda Smith and Edwina Currie dissect the week's news.

You see, this is the advantage that The News Quiz has over HIGNFY: the guests they book actually tend to
(a) be aware of the news
(b) have something interesting to say
and (c) and this is the clincher: aren't there simply to get stitched up by the host.

There seemed to be a time on HIGNFY last year when every guest was getting some minor error from their past dredged up to provide a couple of chortles and something for Merton to hang his coattails of surrealism on. You don't get that on TNQ, even with people like Currie.

Yes, but they get straight to the point and get the questions right. Where's the fun in that?

So you're saying comedy is the new news?

yep, and often enough the punchline is funnier, especially on channel 5, where they don't really have a clue who anyone is.

Re Nev's point -- yes, I thought this latest series of TNS showed a massive improvement. Obviously it's not jaw-dropping avant-garde radio, but it can hold its head up properly as a decent general-audience topical show. Most of the earlier series were noticeably weak. (You might well ask why, when it had a producer, format, delivery style and half its personnel in common with The Mary Whitehouse Experience, it fell flat on its face. Well, I've got absolutely no idea. Just a problem of chemistry I suppose).

Mitch -- yeah, your stuff was good. It fitted in far better than Dan and Nick used to: I know they have thousands of screaming Radio 4 fans and everything, but I never thought they were the right choice for that show. For me, the wilfully stupid bits (Noel Coward singing about Mad Dog Adair etc) worked better than the straightforward chart parodies.

Holmes and Hurst -- some of their stuff is very good, but their performances on TNS were a bit scary. I know I keep pointing out their Lee and Herring influences (and note that, unlike some, I don't see this as a hanging offence -- everybody has influences of one sort or another): but in a couple of the shows it was almost as if they *were* L&H: the structures of the routines, and even the intonations, were uncannily close. Or is it me (again?)

You're right, James, but we still love them.
The Holmes and Hurst fan club (patent pending)

Yes, Holmes and Hurst (even though Jon and Andy is more common), comparisons between them and L&H are common. Maybe you should check out some of their more off the cuff stuff, from Power FM and CTFM. Guess where you can find just such material (audio and transcripts)? http://www.poorquality.co.uk
How did you guess?

Jake what is running total for plugs you have made for your site now?
I have only made two.
Maybe we could try subliminal-GO TO THE DAMN SITE ALREADY- messaging?

Can I ask if anyone has old radio show/tv comedy I can beg for?
In exchange I have loads of The Way It Is, old The Now Shows, 99p Challenges, The Big Booths, er what else Dominic Holland, Man of Soup ( abit skanky, but I like Welsh accents) and probably loads of other stuff...

>Can I ask if anyone has old radio show/tv comedy I can beg for?
>In exchange I have loads of The Way It Is, old The Now Shows, 99p Challenges, The Big Booths, er what else Dominic Holland, Man of Soup ( abit skanky, but I like Welsh accents) and probably loads of other stuff...

Quite interested in this 99p Challenges thing what I has never heard of. In exchange I can do a copy of the unbroadcast pilot of Watershed Down.
If your intersted, you know the e-mail.

And how many times have I plugged http://www.poorquality.co.uk? Too many to count.

"And how many times have I plugged http://www.poorquality.co.uk? Too many to count."

Still haven't been there yet though. Try again..

SATURDAY THE 28TH OF OCTOBER....
---------------------------------------------
RADIO 2.

1.00pm. THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN.

Clip show in which Jo Brand re-charts the seven ages of man. With clips from Peter Cook, Pam Ayres, Tom Lehrer and the Fast Show.


1.30pm THE NEWS HUDDLINES.

Repeat from thursday's show.


9.00pm SATURDAY NIGHT JACK.

Jack Docherty presents a series featuring music, reviews, interviews with celebrities and an alternative events guide. With Pete Baikie.

---------------------------------------------

RADIO 4.

12.30pm THE NEWS QUIZ.

Repeat from friday's show.


6.15pm LOOSE ENDS.

Comedy, music and chat with Ned Sherrin.

Back again in an overpriced netcaff...
Radiator Head Child... I love you too! Buy my album.
All these comparisons between J&A and L&H are interesting... I've never really followed L&H so it's hard for me to comment. J&A always put me im mind of the sort of Pete & Dud / Mel & Griff head-to-head dynamic.

You have an album! Pray tell where is it?
Cannot live without your music!

>You have an album! Pray tell where is it?
>Cannot live without your music!


Mail me at mitchbenn@hotmail & we'll sort you one out. It's a couple of years old now & I'm working on another one. Hope to have it out early next year.

>
>
>Mail me at mitchbenn@hotmail & we'll sort you one out. It's a couple of years old now & I'm working on another one. Hope to have it out early next year.
>

Oh for fuck's sake. The programme took it upon itself to underline all that. Suffice it to say my address is [email protected]

oh why do I recognise the name Nev Fountain? It is bugging me, someone explain who he/she/it/they is!
Now!

Anyone heard The Bigger Issues? V.good.

Is Mitch Benn (or "Are you" if your name is Mitch Benn) the guy who did comedy songs at Reading/Leeds on the UK Play tent this year?

If so then he (or "you") was pretty good.

That is all.

>oh why do I recognise the name Nev Fountain? It is bugging me, someone explain who he/she/it/they is!
>Now!

Check the Forum Who's Who, Radiator, i've put stuff in that i'm working on at the moment, that might help you...

Real Nev Fountain, this forum is really weird.
From what I've heard you are very funny, so you've got a new fan, happy now?
Oh do you know Simon Evans?

I'm afraid I don't Radiator, I'm wasn't really involved with 'The Way It Is'. It started while Tom and I were working on 'The Nualas'. However,I do know Laura Shavin, who worked on TWII through working on 'The Treatment'.

I know other TWII stalwarts Jon Holmes and Andy Hurst very well. Tom and I had a great time working with them and Simon Blackwell on 'Dead Ringers', it had a really good 'team atmosphere', and hopefully we can all find some time to work on the third series when it starts in November.

Be looking out for that new series, interesting to see who knows who. Have you been to poorquality yet?
Sorry, Jake'll kill me if I don't plug it again.

>Be looking out for that new series, interesting to see who knows who. Have you been to poorquality yet?
>Sorry, Jake'll kill me if I don't plug it again.

Frankly, I don't particularly care anymore (note: lie). And that address in full once more (it's a public service kinda thing) is:
http://www.poorquality.co.uk
or, if you want
http://www.jonandandy.com
and I think this works too
http://www.jonholmes.net
and also
http://jonandandy.cjb.net

Yes, there are too many redirects. Never mind.

why so many addresses?

Well, they just developed. When it was on GeoCities, I used the .cjb.net for ease of use, then I moved it to poorquality, and Jon and Andy decided to register jonandandy.com, and Jon registered jonholmes.net. There. And that's quite enough about my sodding website, as I'm sure you'll all agree.

Sorry Jake, I've only just caught up. What was your website address again?

Radiator Head Child. I am taller than you.

Mitch - haven't seen you since you went off to get married. How was it?

Regards to all

Jon.

Although Jon claims to be taller you are not: you are cute and short.
Adore The Way It Is, am not keen on 11 OCS, but worth the watch to see your lovely face, and remember lovely is a very subjective thing, anyway Lots of love.

>Sorry Jake, I've only just caught up. What was your website address again?

Sarcastic fuck.

In future, can people refer to Jon Holmes as either JH or Jon Holmes, but not as Jon, because it confuses me to be criticised for things I haven't done.

>Is Mitch Benn (or "Are you" if your name is Mitch Benn) the guy who did comedy songs at Reading/Leeds on the UK Play tent this year?
>
>If so then he (or "you") was pretty good.
>
>That is all.

Yeah, that was me. It was okay, considering I was about 25 yards away from the main stage while Slipknot were on...

And hello Big Jon! Good to see you're still prepared to associate with lowly radio types, you romping legend you. Let's talk: [email protected]

>>Is Mitch Benn (or "Are you" if your name is Mitch Benn) the guy who did comedy songs at Reading/Leeds on the UK Play tent this year?
>>
>>If so then he (or "you") was pretty good.
>>
>>That is all.
>
>Yeah, that was me. It was okay, considering I was about 25 yards away from the main stage while Slipknot were on...
>
>And hello Big Jon! Good to see you're still prepared to associate with lowly radio types, you romping legend you. Let's talk: [email protected]
>
> Oh bollocks. Hit send without putting me name in.

You comedians are short of a few compulsory electrolytes aren't you?

get more laughs though don't they?

>You comedians are short of a few compulsory electrolytes aren't you?

OK, lost now. In my electrolyte was a brand of vacuum cleaner.

lol, fof, sms!
Hmmm... this thread's gone a bit off track, perhaps with the lack of Nev? Where are you Nev?

Re: Title of the thread
See Bigger Issues Thread.

Here I am...

Just to remind everyone, it's the last 'News Quiz' of 2000 tonight, R4, 6.30. I went to the recording and it was a cracking show. On it's present form it's miles better than HIGNFY in every respect.

sob! last one, what will it be replaced by oh wise one?

What else? Dead Ringers!

goody, have never heard this before and am looking forward to it, oh this is your show isn't it?
Oh forget it, I'll listen anyway...

Jon and Andy have been involved in previous series. I'm not actually sure if the same can be said about this one. Nev - any insight? Who's involved now?

Jake, do you know why they stopped working on TWII?

Jon's still going to be involved as much as he can for this series...

I don't think Andy's involved in this series but he actually didn't really do all that much for the last series, as he's never been that interested in sketch-writing.

hmmm interesting, maybe I can take his place next to the very attractive Mr.Holmes then...
I missed the News Quiz (d'oh) have to catch the repeat now.