Radio Roundup
Oct. 5th, 2015 08:11 pmJust a short one this week, as I've only had the weekend's work over which to catch up ...
COMEDY
Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better - this episode is about the virtue of Patience, via an annoying American song and a Gandhxemplum.
Mitchell & Webb continue to delight with their special quality of sketch comedy. It says episode 4 of 5 but it's the last they're airing; ep 5 was an 'outtakes' episode so I guess they're not obliged to repeat it?
League of Gentlemen - Before they made the TV show about Royston Vasey, they had a radio show about Spent. It is interesting to note the differences (not just in placename). There are some sketches and characters that only work on radio, for example.
99p Challenge - Always good for a smile, chuckle, and/or guffaw
Skivers - Yet more sketch comedy. ... I like it?
Saturday Night Fry Little baby Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent and Julia Hills make a radio show. From 1988! How they've grown.
SERIOUS COMEDY
A Beginner's Guide to Pakistan - I thought this was going to be one of those shows where the information and laughs are juggled with awkward self-consciousness, but it turned out to be really good and I definitely recommend a listen.
Newsjack - It cuts out a few minutes before the end, but the rest of the show proves again that Newsjack is becoming a serious contender in the Weekly Topical Comedy world.
The Brig Society: Feminism - Marcus Brigstocke pretends to be a woman for a week. This isn't as tasteless as it sounds. In fact the male perspective helps freshen up what has become a rather stale rote conversation, if you've been spending any time online ...
DRAMA AND A DRAMATIC READING WITH COINCIDENTAL RELIGIOUS OVERTONES
A Canticle for Liebowitz - A novice monk finds a trove of relics from his order's founder, in a nuclear bunker in the Utah desert. It's the 26th century and a lot of things have happened in the meantime.
God's Revolution - The Puritans are winning the English Civil War but there is dissent in their ranks. I've long thought that to understand America you really need to understand the Puritans, so I look forward to listening to more episodes of this.
REALLY IMPORTANT
Do you love the BBC? I said DO YOU LOVE THE BBC? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!! Try shouting it into the Charter Review! As you probably know, Our Beloved Auntie Beeb is being menaced by brigands! Let them know what you think, either by filling out this survey or sending a strongly (or kindly) worded email to BBCCharterReviewConsultation@culture.gov.uk. I have just completed the survey, which I admit did take me an hour, but I had a lot to say! (I can tell you are surprised.) You can probably do it in less. I also plan to write an email but I have work to do tonight. I will probably write it tomorrow because it doesn't count after Thursday.
THE CHARTER REVIEW CLOSES THIS THURSDAY. THAT'S 4PM PACIFIC TIME. RESPOND BEFORE THEN, PLEASE. If you are feeling uninspired, let Armando Iannucci fill you with fire!
COMEDY
Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better - this episode is about the virtue of Patience, via an annoying American song and a Gandhxemplum.
Mitchell & Webb continue to delight with their special quality of sketch comedy. It says episode 4 of 5 but it's the last they're airing; ep 5 was an 'outtakes' episode so I guess they're not obliged to repeat it?
League of Gentlemen - Before they made the TV show about Royston Vasey, they had a radio show about Spent. It is interesting to note the differences (not just in placename). There are some sketches and characters that only work on radio, for example.
99p Challenge - Always good for a smile, chuckle, and/or guffaw
Skivers - Yet more sketch comedy. ... I like it?
Saturday Night Fry Little baby Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent and Julia Hills make a radio show. From 1988! How they've grown.
SERIOUS COMEDY
A Beginner's Guide to Pakistan - I thought this was going to be one of those shows where the information and laughs are juggled with awkward self-consciousness, but it turned out to be really good and I definitely recommend a listen.
Newsjack - It cuts out a few minutes before the end, but the rest of the show proves again that Newsjack is becoming a serious contender in the Weekly Topical Comedy world.
The Brig Society: Feminism - Marcus Brigstocke pretends to be a woman for a week. This isn't as tasteless as it sounds. In fact the male perspective helps freshen up what has become a rather stale rote conversation, if you've been spending any time online ...
DRAMA AND A DRAMATIC READING WITH COINCIDENTAL RELIGIOUS OVERTONES
A Canticle for Liebowitz - A novice monk finds a trove of relics from his order's founder, in a nuclear bunker in the Utah desert. It's the 26th century and a lot of things have happened in the meantime.
God's Revolution - The Puritans are winning the English Civil War but there is dissent in their ranks. I've long thought that to understand America you really need to understand the Puritans, so I look forward to listening to more episodes of this.
Do you love the BBC? I said DO YOU LOVE THE BBC? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!! Try shouting it into the Charter Review! As you probably know, Our Beloved Auntie Beeb is being menaced by brigands! Let them know what you think, either by filling out this survey or sending a strongly (or kindly) worded email to BBCCharterReviewConsultation@culture.gov.uk. I have just completed the survey, which I admit did take me an hour, but I had a lot to say! (I can tell you are surprised.) You can probably do it in less. I also plan to write an email but I have work to do tonight. I will probably write it tomorrow because it doesn't count after Thursday.