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Radio Roundup
Jul. 6th, 2015 05:02 pmIt's been ages since I've done one of these, but the Beeb has been so generous this last couple of weeks I am honour-bound to throw a bunch of radio links at you.
In their great generosity, the BBC has extended the time things are available online from a week to a month, so if you like any of the things I've linked, you will likely find a link to another episode or three on the program page.
COMEDY
Just a Minute is back! If you want to boggle at how quick-witted people can be off the cuff, this is Boggle Central.
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme - More genius from the writer and co-star of Cabin Pressure – with songs!
The News Quiz - Sandi's last episode in the (high) chair. O waily waily! Strangely anticlimactic, but this extended edition has a poem in her honour.
The Now Show - Sandi Toksvig has left Radio Roundup's regular favourite Friday Night Comedy, but a new series of The Now Show has swept in with a fresh batch of topical snark.
Cowards - your common or garden surreal and darkish Radio 4 sketch comedy. It cuts off 5 minutes from the end for reasons unknown.
The Consultants - More surreal and darkish Radio 4 sketch comedy from a group whose name starts with C, but different, and with songs.
99p Challenge - There's a lot of competition but this is undeniably my favourite completely barmy panel game and doesn't get rerun nearly enough.
Safety Catch - First there was a sitcom starring Satan. Then there was a sitcom starring an arms dealer. He feels bad about it. (Most of the time.)
Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive - Now the satirical genius produces Veep for HBO, but he started on BBC radio! This was topical back in the day; now it's a wry look back at a world where Bush was president, Cameron was an up-and-comer, and The Sopranos was on TV. Oh, you crazy crazy 2007.
DRAMA
Falco: Iron Hand of Mars - I am well familiar with Anton Lesser from radio, but the only thing I've ever seen him in is Wolf Hall, which has unexpectedly messed with my mind's eye radio-wise. In this show, Thomas More has a hot young girlfriend! And is also an ancient Roman detective sent to privately-investigate a dodgy legion out on the fringes of the Empire. (I got over it. It's good.)
Wind, Sand, and Stars - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is most famous for writing Le Petit Prince, which starts with a pilot crash-landing in the Sahara. He himself crash-landed in the Sahara: this is that story.
NONFICTION
A Short History of the Fork - Yep, you read that right. If you think that sort of thing is interesting you are reading the right blog!
A Strange, Enchanted Boy - The song "Nature Boy" is famous enough even I have heard it (thanks, Moulin Rouge), but did you know it was written by a man who lived behind the first L of the Hollywood sign?
Perfectionism - Richard Herring investigates some common bad habits.
Words and Music - Adam Gopnik on telling a story through song, with insights that I think are relevant to everyone involved in the making of animated films. Also available in a text version if you prefer reading to hearing.
In their great generosity, the BBC has extended the time things are available online from a week to a month, so if you like any of the things I've linked, you will likely find a link to another episode or three on the program page.
COMEDY
Just a Minute is back! If you want to boggle at how quick-witted people can be off the cuff, this is Boggle Central.
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme - More genius from the writer and co-star of Cabin Pressure – with songs!
The News Quiz - Sandi's last episode in the (high) chair. O waily waily! Strangely anticlimactic, but this extended edition has a poem in her honour.
The Now Show - Sandi Toksvig has left Radio Roundup's regular favourite Friday Night Comedy, but a new series of The Now Show has swept in with a fresh batch of topical snark.
Cowards - your common or garden surreal and darkish Radio 4 sketch comedy. It cuts off 5 minutes from the end for reasons unknown.
The Consultants - More surreal and darkish Radio 4 sketch comedy from a group whose name starts with C, but different, and with songs.
99p Challenge - There's a lot of competition but this is undeniably my favourite completely barmy panel game and doesn't get rerun nearly enough.
Safety Catch - First there was a sitcom starring Satan. Then there was a sitcom starring an arms dealer. He feels bad about it. (Most of the time.)
Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive - Now the satirical genius produces Veep for HBO, but he started on BBC radio! This was topical back in the day; now it's a wry look back at a world where Bush was president, Cameron was an up-and-comer, and The Sopranos was on TV. Oh, you crazy crazy 2007.
DRAMA
Falco: Iron Hand of Mars - I am well familiar with Anton Lesser from radio, but the only thing I've ever seen him in is Wolf Hall, which has unexpectedly messed with my mind's eye radio-wise. In this show, Thomas More has a hot young girlfriend! And is also an ancient Roman detective sent to privately-investigate a dodgy legion out on the fringes of the Empire. (I got over it. It's good.)
Wind, Sand, and Stars - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is most famous for writing Le Petit Prince, which starts with a pilot crash-landing in the Sahara. He himself crash-landed in the Sahara: this is that story.
NONFICTION
A Short History of the Fork - Yep, you read that right. If you think that sort of thing is interesting you are reading the right blog!
A Strange, Enchanted Boy - The song "Nature Boy" is famous enough even I have heard it (thanks, Moulin Rouge), but did you know it was written by a man who lived behind the first L of the Hollywood sign?
Perfectionism - Richard Herring investigates some common bad habits.
Words and Music - Adam Gopnik on telling a story through song, with insights that I think are relevant to everyone involved in the making of animated films. Also available in a text version if you prefer reading to hearing.
