SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2022

SAT 00:00 Doctor Who (m001g9x3)
The War Doctor

2. The Thousand Worlds

With the high-ranking Time Lord Seratrix behind enemy lines, the War Doctor finds himself assigned to a rescue mission.

But any room for manoeuvre is severely restricted by an area of space known as the Null Zone.

Times have changed on Keska, and a countdown to destruction is beginning.

But who are the Taalyens and what is their part in the great and terrifying Dalek plan?

John Hurt stars as The War Doctor.

The War Doctor …. John Hurt
Cardinal Ollistra …. Jacqueline Pearce
Rejoice …. Lucy Briggs-Owen
Garv …. John Bank
Velkin …. Beth Chalmers
Arverton …. Barnaby Edwards
Bennus …. Kieran Hodgson
The Slave …. Carolyn Seymour
Seratrix …. Alex Wyndham
The Daleks .... Nicholas Briggs

Original music written by Howard Carter.

Artwork by Tom Webster.

Written and directed by Nicholas Briggs for Big Finish in 2015.


SAT 01:00 Lena Marsh, Live and Shticking! (m0001r8b)
She's Big, She's Brash, She's Still Breathing and She's Here!

Lena Marsh is the self-proclaimed, 'Broad of Broadway'. Now in her 90th decade she's in London to record a new Christmas album at the BBC, with the help of her showbiz chums including the legend that is Michael Ball, Olivier Award-winning musical sensation Sharon D Clarke and Kevin Whately.

With a son and daughter who both want their mother dead, what could possibly go wrong in this festive action comedy - full of surprises and twists - from the team behind hit Radio 4 comedy, Incredible Women.

Expect candid conversation, surprise revelations and hilarious action as Incredible Women's Jeremy Front raises the red velvet curtain on Lena Marsh - Live and Shticking!

Starring Rebecca Front as Lena Marsh.

Written by Jeremy Front

With:

Jeremy Front
Samantha Spiro
Jenny Bede
Lewis Macleod
Jason Forbes

Guest cameos by:

Michael Ball
Sharon D Clarke
Kevin Whately

Producer Simon Nicholls

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2018.


SAT 01:45 The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber (b018j6s3)
When the Cornish Village of Mousehole is starving one Christmas, Tom sails out into the storm to fish, helped only by his old cat.

Jon Angove reads Antonia Barber's short story.

Producer: Peter Fozzard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in December 2005.


SAT 02:00 Detective (b04g457y)
Series 2

10. The Point of No Return

DS Dave Brook and DC Blair Maxton get moving on the Kemp case, but are they too late?

Stories of crime and detection in London by Robert Barr.

Starring Ray Brooks as shrewd veteran Detective Sergeant Dave Brook and Christopher Blake as Detective Constable Blair Maxton.

DS Dave Brook …. Ray Brooks
DC Blair Maxton …. Christopher Blake
Chief Inspector Roach …. Stephen Yardley
DC Harrison …. Peter Cleall
Judy …. Jacqueline Tong
DS Kelly …. John Judd
Carson …. Tony Caunter
James Clark …. Gary Cady

Producer: Martin Fisher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1982.


SAT 02:30 The Left-Handed Sleeper (m000q2bl)
5. Domino

The action hots up in Tangier with deals to be done.

But Patrick Cadwall is running out of time...

Starring Christopher Scoular, Richard Pasco and Annette Crosbie.

Gripping conclusion of the spy thriller serial featuring its author Ted Willis.

Patrick Cadwall …. Richard Pasco
Mark Ritchie …. Christopher Scoular
Christine Ritchie …. Annette Crosbie
Sweeney …. Alex Jennings
Bedayev …. Andrew Sachs
Svanidze …. Barry Dennen
Det Chief Supt Dell …. David Daker
David Hume …. Eric Lander
Shirley Graham …. Frances Jeater
Ronald Mills …. Nigel Graham
Mrs Dunning …. Teresa Collard
Marian Brown …. Thelma Whiteley
Narrator …. Ted Willis

Director: Christopher Venning

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1982.


SAT 03:00 Maigret (m0001rzn)
A Maigret Christmas

5. Secrets

On Christmas Day, as the snow begins to fall in Paris, Inspector Maigret receives two unexpected visitors.

A young girl claims to have seen Father Christmas in her room, behaving strangely and cutting a hole in the floor. He agrees to investigate.

What is Madame Martin hiding? And what will become of Colette?

Can Maigret discover the truth?

Sir Derek Jacobi concludes a classic Inspector Maigret mystery by Georges Simenon.

Translated by David Coward.

Abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.

Producer: Mair Bosworth

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.


SAT 03:15 HighLites - Split Ends (b03k2gqj)
5. Tess

It's already been quite a week for bride-to-be, Tess.

Maybe a visit to HighLites is the last thing she needs...

Comedy drama set in and around Bev's hairdressing salon.

Written by Steve Chambers and Phil Nodding.

Bev ...... Lorraine Ashbourne
Shirley ...... Rosie Cavaliero
Tess ...... Priyanga Burford
Nigel ...... John Norton
Ronnie ...... Michael Bertenshaw

Producer: Jessica Dromgoole

Director: Colin Guthrie.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.


SAT 03:30 Josie Long: Romance and Adventure (b077jp15)
Series 1

Episode 4

Josie and Darren go camping but find themselves disastrously ill equipped for the great outdoors.

Comedy drama about a young woman trying to build a more fulfilling life for herself in Glasgow.

Based on characters from the short films "Romance and Adventure" and "Let's Go Swimming" by Josie Long and Douglas King.

Josie ...... Josie Long
Darren ...... Darren Osborne
Margaret ...... Clare Grogan
PCSO Officer ...... Chris Pavlo
The Podcaster ...... Jesse Thorn
Shondra ...... Claudia O'Doherty
Unfeasably Handsome Man ...... John Early

Written by Josie Long.

Producer: Colin Anderson

A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2016.


SAT 04:00 Parsley Sidings (b01p0x1b)
Series 1

The Inspector Calls

The threat of closure from an official inspection calls for desperate measures at the sleepy station.

Starring Arthur Lowe and Ian Lavender.

Jim Eldridge's eponymous series is set in a sleepy railway station.

Horace …. Arthur Lowe
Bert …. Ian Lavender
Percy …. Kenneth Connor
Gloria …. Liz Fraser
Phineas Perkins …. John Graham

Re-created announcements by Keith Skues.

Producer: Edward Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 1971.


SAT 04:30 Winston (b00g1hb2)
Winston at Christmas

Nancy has always had lovely family Christmases. So happy. So loving. So.... But then she discovers Winston filling his pillowcases with all the food from the fridge.

Festive episode of Peter Tinniswood's bawdy comedy series.

Winston …. Bill Wallis
Father …. Maurice Denham
Nancy …. Shirley Dixon
Rosie …. Liz Goulding
William .… Christian Rodska

Director: Shaun MacLoughlin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Christmas Day, 1991.


SAT 05:00 Act Your Age (b00g0nnv)
Series 1

Episode 4

Simon Mayo hosts a three-way play-off to establish which generation of comedians is the funniest.

Captains Jon Richardson, Lucy Porter and Roy Walker are joined by guests Holly Walsh, Justin Moorhouse and Barry Cryer.

Producers: Ashley Blaker and Bill Matthews

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.


SAT 05:30 Bleak Expectations (b00db5bt)
Series 2

A Happy Life Broken and Then Mended a Bit

You're cordially invited to cower before the terrifying spectacle of the Martian invasion, where only Pip and some geese stand between Mr Benevolent's army of long-eared purple space villains and all that is good and true....

The final chapter of the Victorian comic epic, and the whole planet is in terrible danger when Pip's evil ex-guardian Mr Gently Benevolent summons a massive Martian invasion. Is this the end for Pip, Harry and the rest of the human race? And will Pippa's goose sanctuary be all right?

Mark Evans's epic comedy in the style of Charles Dickens.

Chapter the Last: A Happy Life Broken and then Mended a Bit

Sir Philip...........................Richard Johnson
Mr Benevolent........................Anthony Head
Harry Biscuit......................James Bachman
Young Pip..................................Tom Allen
Sternbeater...................Geoffrey Whitehead
Ripely Fecund......................Sarah Hadland
Mr Parsimonious...............Laurence Howarth
Pippa........................................Susy Kane
Sundry learned gentlemen...........Mark Evans

Producer: Gareth Edwards.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2008.


SAT 06:00 The Nutcracker Christmas (m001ghsh)
It's Christmas Eve in Moscow and Natalia is in trouble for cutting characters out of her picture books. Her family go to the Bolshoi Ballet and she must stay behind.

But left alone with Grandpa Igor, Natalia finds that the story of the Nutcracker can be brought to life at home, with a little help from some abandoned characters and her own imagination.

Starring With Bernard Hepton and Stella Gonet.

Festive drama written by Nicholas McInerny.

Igor .... Bernard Hepton
Anna .... Stella Gonet
Natalia .... Siriol Jenkins
Young Igor .... Ashley Bird
Clara .... Deborah Berlin
Boris .... Patrick Brennan
Dmitri .... Richard Pearce
Victoria .... Melanie Walters
Grigori .... Richard Tate
Drosselmeyer .... Ivor Roberts
Mouse King .... David Bannerman

Tchaikovsky's music realised by Matthew Bailey and Stewart Lucas.

Director: Alison Hindell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1995.


SAT 07:30 Telling Tales (m000cmb2)
Jeremy Dyson

In the run up to Christmas, settle in for some ghost stories and strange tales with the award-winning author, director and screenwriter Jeremy Dyson.

Jeremy talks about the authors who inspired him, not least Robert Aickman, who preferred the term “strange tales” to “ghost stories” and had a deep reverence for things we cannot understand.

Jeremy began writing his own strange tales when he was still working in a Leeds bookshop, scribbling down notes as he came up with ideas, and selling his first short story to a customer.

But then The League Of Gentlemen took off, the comic and occasionally grotesque stage show starring Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, which transferred to radio, and then television - with award-winning results.

He remembers The League Of Gentlemen Christmas Special in 2000, an anthology of spooky stories which deliver drama, comedy and fear. Jeremy considers it the apotheosis of this series, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with three new episodes and another live tour in 2017.

Jeremy talks about his writing and projects away from Royston Vasey. These include Ghost Stories, the long-running stage show Jeremy co-wrote and directed with Andy Nyman, which was adapted for the big screen last year. The production draws upon all the tricks in the book, to conjure fear in the audience, as the stories unfold.

We also enjoy two unsettling short stories from Jeremy’s debut collection, Never Trust A Rabbit, which was published in 2000 and adapted for BBC Radio 4.

Produced and presented by Ali Gardiner for Radio 4 Extra.

First broadcast in 2019.


SAT 08:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
Chatter at the stroke of midnight!

Ian McMillan's magical exploration of Christmas Eve legends from around the world

With contributions from:

Luke Carver Goss
Taffy Thomas
Christine Kenyon-Jones (Kings College, London)
Maddy Pryor
Ben Haggerty

Producer: Viv Beeby.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2006.


SAT 09:00 Life With The Lyons (m001ghsw)
And A Merry Christmas To All

Barbara is newly-married – so where will she spend Christmas Day?

Sitcom with a real-life American family - starring Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon.

Joined by their children Barbara and Richard, the series ran for 260 episodes from 1950 to 1961.

With:

Barbara Lyon
Richard Lyon
Horace Percival
Doris Rogers
Molly Weir
Hugh Morton
Gwen Lewis
Richard Bellaers

Written by Bebe Daniels, Bob Block and Ronnie Hanbury

Incidental music by Arthur Wilkinson.

Music played by the BBC Variety Orchestra conducted by Paul Fenoulhet

Producer: Tom Ronald

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in December 1956


SAT 09:30 Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (b007jqgh)
Bartholomew, Blackmail and Barefaced Lies

An expensive statue lands Bertie Wooster in a pickle.

PG Wodehouse romp starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.

Adapted by Richard Usborne.

Jeeves …. Michael Hordern
Bertie Wooster …. Richard Briers
Gussie Fink-Nottle …. Jonathan Cecil
Sir Watkyn Bassett …. John Le Mesurier
Bartholomew the Aberdeen Terrier …. Percy Edwards
‘Stiffy’ Bing …. Denise Coffey
Major Plank …. Ronald Fraser
Roderick Spode …. Paul Eddington

Producer: David Hatch

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1980.


SAT 10:00 Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking (m000cqdb)
Series 1

3. I'm Sorry I Haven't a Christmas Carol

Sue Perkins finishes off the leftovers as she rounds off her seasonal selection of vintage BBC Christmas comedy:

The last of three festive fun-packed stockings:

* I'M SORRY I HAVEN'T A CHRISTMAS CAROL: From December 2003.

Humphrey Lyttelton makes for a convincing Scrooge in the all-star Clue cast's unique interpretation of the Charles Dickens classic.

Stephen Fry narrates.

With:

Tim Brooke-Taylor
Barry Cryer
Linda Smith
Jeremy Hardy
Andy Hamilton
Sandi Toksvig
Tony Hawks
Graeme Garden.

Producer: Sarah Wade

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2010.


SAT 11:00 The Nutcracker Christmas (m001ghsh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 12:30 Telling Tales (m000cmb2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 13:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


SAT 14:00 Life With The Lyons (m001ghsw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 14:30 Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (b007jqgh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SAT 15:00 Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking (m000cqdb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SAT 16:00 Doctor Who (m001g9x3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:00 today]


SAT 17:00 The Nutcracker Christmas (m001ghsh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SAT 18:30 Telling Tales (m000cmb2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


SAT 19:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


SAT 20:00 Life With The Lyons (m001ghsw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SAT 20:30 Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (b007jqgh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SAT 21:00 Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking (m000cqdb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SAT 22:00 John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (b01mx27b)
Series 2

Episode 3

John Finnemore with another sketch-packed show.

Including a sketch about messengers, a sketch about the history of alchemy and a sketch... Sketch? "Sketch"? Sorry, you know when you repeat a word so often it starts to go weird? "Sketch". Sketch! Ssssssketch. That's got it, better now. Anyway, there's a sketch about that.

Written by and starring John Finnemore.

With:

Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Carrie Quinlan
Lawry Lewin
Simon Kane

Producer: Ed Morrish

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.


SAT 22:30 Britain in Bits with Ross Noble (m0000y9y)
Episode 1

Ross Noble's surreal magazine show featuring celebrity guests and stories from around Britain - the best bits, the worst bits, the fascinating bits and the downright strange bits.

With presenter, author and actress Fern Britton

Piers reports on the new musical about to make a splash in London's West End - Boulangerie du Honte, a prequel to Les Miserables.

We also hear about the rise in pickpockets and how we can protect ourselves, and an amazing story about an unlikely pregnancy in Yorkshire.

Written by and starring Ross Noble.

With:

Emma Sidi
George Fouracres
Hadley Fraser
Summer Strallen

Producer: Matt Stronge

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2018.


SAT 23:00 Danny Robins Music Therapy (b00ft476)
Episode 4

Danny Robins harnesses the power of music to improve the world and solve listeners' problems.

Danny campaigns for bagpipes to be celebrated rather than reviled and tries his hand at writing a 'Winterval' No 1 hit single.

With Isy Suttie and special musical guest rapper Doc Brown.

Producer: Ben Walker

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2008.


SAT 23:30 Radio Shuttleworth (b007wwdf)
Series 2

Peter Purves

John discovers Blue Peter's Peter Purves has always wanted to play a nasty character. Would he audition for the role of Captain Hook in the drop-in centre's production of Peter Pan?

The semi-detached world of aspiring singer-songwriter John Shuttleworth direct from his front room in Sheffield.

Written and performed by Graham Fellows.

With:

Phil Nichol
Milton Jones

Additional material by Martin Willis.

Producer: Dawn Ellis.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2000

SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER 2022

SUN 00:00 John Dickson Carr - Blind Man's Hood (m001ghsp)
A spurned lover finally has occasion to wreak her revenge.

Vintage ghost story by American author John Dickson Carr.

Dramatised by Michael and Molly Hardwick.

Rodney Hunter .... Terence Hardiman
Muriel Hunter .... Liane Aukin
The Hostess .... Jill Bennett
Dr Sutton .... Jonathan Scott
Jeremy Wilkes .... Denys Hawthorne
Pawley .... George Merritt
Mrs Fenton .... Aileen Harte
Mr Fenton ..... Humphrey Morton
Mrs Wilkes ..... Gudrun Ure
Miss Abbott ....Vivienne Chatterton

Producer: Charles Lefeaux

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in April 1963.


SUN 00:30 Charles Dickens (b00wt8ty)
The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton

Gabriel Grubb, a surly grave-digger, is stolen away from the churchyard by goblins.

They out to teach him some valuable lessons about Christmas cheer.

Clive Francis reads Charles Dickens's seasonal tale.

Producer: Rosemary Watts

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1997.


SUN 00:45 Absent Friends - The 7th Dimension (m001ghz9)
Episode 1

Toby Hadoke pays tribute to some of the performers, producers and writers from the world of sci fi, horror & fantasy whom we’ve lost in 2022 - including the vision mixer Shirley Coward, the actor Stephen Churchett and the screenwriter Chris Boucher.

The first of two episodes.

Produced by Moy McGowan

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.


SUN 01:00 The Nutcracker Christmas (m001ghsh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Saturday]


SUN 02:30 Telling Tales (m000cmb2)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Saturday]


SUN 03:30 The Night The Animals Talked (b0077268)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Saturday]


SUN 04:00 Life With The Lyons (m001ghsw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Saturday]


SUN 04:30 Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves (b007jqgh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Saturday]


SUN 05:00 Sue Perkins' Christmas Comedy Stocking (m000cqdb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]


SUN 06:00 Poetry Extra (m001ghyt)
The Hunting Of The Snark read by Alec Guinness

Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's poetry archive and selects The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll.

Alec Guinness reads Lewis Carroll’s epic nonsense poem - a surreal odyssey in which a bizarre group of characters sets off in search of an elusive and mysterious beast.

Producer: Douglas Cleverdon

First broadcast on the BBC Third Programme in December 1963.


SUN 06:30 A Maigret Christmas (Omnibus) (m0001st9)
On Christmas Day, as the snow begins to fall in Paris, Inspector Maigret receives two unexpected visitors.

A young girl claims to have seen Father Christmas in her room, behaving strangely and cutting a hole in the floor.

He agrees to investigate...

Sir Derek Jacobi reads a classic Inspector Maigret.

Written by Georges Simenon and translated by David Coward.

Omnibus of five parts abridged by Lauris Morgan-Griffiths.

Producer: Mair Bosworth

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.


SUN 07:50 HighLites (Omnibus) (b03k6mk9)
Split Ends

Bridgeford is blessed with the meanest hairdresser in Britain, and the stupidest.

An impending wedding looks like a great opportunity for Bev.

The fact that her rival, Anton, has already secured the business is not likely to put her off.

Comedy drama set in and around Bev's hairdressing salon.

Written by Steve Chambers and Phil Nodding.

Omnibus of five parts.

Bev ...... Lorraine Ashbourne
Shirley ...... Rosie Cavaliero
Nigel ...... John Norton
Enid ...... Nicola Sloane
Lois ...... Stephanie Racine
Ronnie ...... Michael Bertenshaw
Liz ...... Christine Absalom
Harriet ...... Carolyn Pickles
Butt ...... Sean Murray
Tess ...... Priyanga Burford

Producer: Jessica Dromgoole.

Director: Colin Guthrie.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.


SUN 09:00 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3r0)
Guy's Hospital, London

Richard Stilgoe and company are admitted to Guy's Hospital in London for sound tests.

Visiting time is 'now', so, pull up a chair, don't eat all the grapes but put on the headphones and hear the result.

With:

Emma Thompson
The Cambridge Buskers

Producer: Mike Craig

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1984.


SUN 09:30 Something to Shout About (m0001rq9)
Series 2

Episode 6

The team finds a novel use for the cake mix they’re supposed to be advertising.

"A light-hearted exposé of the advertising world!".

Set in a London ad agency called Apsley, Addis, Cohen, Barbican, Blythe, Giddy & Partners.

Written by Myles Rudge with Ronnie Wolfe.

Michael …. Michael Medwin
Janet …. Fenella Fielding
Mavis …. Joan Sims
Maggie …. Eleanor Summerfield
Adrian …. Nicholas Phipps
Mr Giddy …. Warren Mitchell.

Producer: Eric Miller

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in February 1961.


SUN 10:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001ghz4)
Lost Gems

Dudley Moore CBE

From Blood, Sweat & Tears to Ludwig van Beethoven.

Comedian, composer, pianist and actor Dudley Moore shares his castaway choices with Roy Plomley.

Born in Dagenham, Essex, Dudley recalls how his gift for music won him an organ scholarship to Oxford's Magdalen College. He left in 1958 as an accomplished jazz pianist, performing with Johnny Dankworth and touring the US for a year with the Vic Lewis band.

On his return, he met the late Peter Cook and was asked to join the Edinburgh Festival comedy revue, Beyond The Fringe in 1960. Also starring Alan Bennett and Jonathan Miller, the extended show went on to run for four years in London’s West End and on Broadway in New York.

Dudley explains how his partnership with Peter led to the creation of their classic characters Dud and Pete for BBC TV. Writing film scores also kept him busy.

Dudley Moore went on to pursue a successful career in Hollywood, starring in a number of hit screen comedies. Most memorably he played alongside Bo Derek in the movie 10 in 1979. His role as a hard-drinking millionaire in 1981’s Arthur won him an Oscar nomination.

By the late 1990s, Moore endured a number of illnesses – developing the rare condition Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He revealed how the affliction sadly robbed him of his greatest pleasure - his ability to play music.

Married and divorced four times, Dudley Moore was awarded a CBE in 2001.

Born in 1935, he died aged 66 in 2002.

DISC ONE: Bach’s Mass in B Minor - Maria Stader and Hertha Topper with the Munich Bach Orchestra
DISC TWO: Blood, Sweat & Tears - Spinning Wheel
DISC THREE: Mahler’s Nun seh' ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen (from Kindertotenlieder) - Kathleen Ferrier with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Conductor: Bruno Walter)
DISC FOUR: Little Miss Britten - Dudley Moore
DISC FIVE: Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue - Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
DISC SIX: Webern’s Bagatelles for String Quartet - Pro Arte Quartet
DISC SEVEN: Lilian Lust (from Bedazzled) - Dudley Moore
DISC EIGHT: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica” Philharmonia Orchestra (Conductor: Otto Klemperer)

BOOK CHOICE - Study of psychology
LUXURY CHOICE - Piano
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE - Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica” Philharmonia Orchestra (Conductor: Otto Klemperer)

Producer: Ronald Cook

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1969.


SUN 10:30 Joe Mahon - A Christmas Story (b09k8v2y)
“Molly's mind raced round the house. The back door was shut and bolted, as was the front door.

All the windows were closed and tightly locked, even the fanlight.

She looked at the fireplace. The fire was nearly out. Well, if he could get down the chimney then he really was supernatural....”

A widower spreads festive cheer in his local, ageing community.

Starring Michael Gormely and Sheila McGibbon.

Festive tale written by Jo Mahon,

Joe ...... Michael Gormely
Miss Kincaid ...... Sheila McGibbon
Narrator ...... Maureen Gallagher

Producer: Maureen Gallagher

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1985


SUN 11:00 Poetry Extra (m001ghyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 11:30 A Maigret Christmas (Omnibus) (m0001st9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


SUN 12:50 HighLites (Omnibus) (b03k6mk9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:50 today]


SUN 14:00 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3r0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 14:30 Something to Shout About (m0001rq9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SUN 15:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001ghz4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SUN 15:30 Joe Mahon - A Christmas Story (b09k8v2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


SUN 16:00 John Dickson Carr - Blind Man's Hood (m001ghsp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:00 today]


SUN 16:30 Charles Dickens (b00wt8ty)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:30 today]


SUN 16:45 Absent Friends - The 7th Dimension (m001ghz9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 00:45 today]


SUN 17:00 Poetry Extra (m001ghyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


SUN 17:30 A Maigret Christmas (Omnibus) (m0001st9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


SUN 18:50 HighLites (Omnibus) (b03k6mk9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:50 today]


SUN 20:00 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3r0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


SUN 20:30 Something to Shout About (m0001rq9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


SUN 21:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001ghz4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 today]


SUN 21:30 Joe Mahon - A Christmas Story (b09k8v2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 today]


SUN 22:00 Electric Ink (b01jyq9c)
Series 2

Episode 3

Struggling print journalist Maddox takes a moral stance with disastrous results.

Starring John Sessions and Alex Jennings.

Old hacks meet new media in this satire set in the changing world of the struggling newspaper industry.

Written by Alistair Beaton and Tom Mitchelson.

Maddox ..... John Sessions
Oliver ..... Alex Jennings
Freddy ..... Stephen Wight
Carol ..... Polly Frame
Masha ..... Debbie Chazen

With:

Joanna Monro
Sean Baker
Adeel Akhtar
Henry Devas
Sam Dale.

Producer: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.


SUN 22:30 Party (m0001r7w)
Christmas Special

The group of aspiring political agitators reunite several years on, to reapply their small minds to big problems.

In this Christmas special, how will they take on Donald Trump?

Tom Basden's s critically acclaimed satirical comedy about a political party run by young idealists.

Simon ...... Tom Basden
Mel ...... Anna Crilly
Duncan …... Tim Key
Jared …... Jonny Sweet
Phoebe …... Katy Wix

Producer: Julia McKenzie

A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2018.


SUN 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m001h54v)
Tim Vine 1/2

From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Laura Lexx talks to Tim Vine.


SUN 23:00 Old Harry's Game (b007k078)
Christmas Special 2002

2/2. Knocking on Heaven's Door

Satan's epic quest ends as he meets Death, St Peter and his rottweilers - and Davina McCall.

Conclusion of Andy Hamilton's two-part devilishly funny, festive special set in Hell.

Satan ...... Andy Hamilton
The Professor ...... James Grout
Thomas ...... Jimmy Mulville
Scumspawn ...... Robert Duncan
Hope ...... Claire Skinner

With:

Philip Pope
Felicity Montagu
Michael Fenton Stevens

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2002.


SUN 23:30 4 at the Store (b007jw7y)
Series 2

Episode 1

Christmas flavoured stand-up show from London's Comedy Store.

Hosted by Simon Bligh.

With:

Luke Ponte
Mitch Benn
Ian Moore.

Producer: Helen Williams

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2001.

MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2022

MON 00:00 Poetry Extra (m001ghyt)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Sunday]


MON 00:30 A Maigret Christmas (Omnibus) (m0001st9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Sunday]


MON 01:50 HighLites (Omnibus) (b03k6mk9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:50 on Sunday]


MON 03:00 Stilgoe's Around (b007k3r0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Sunday]


MON 03:30 Something to Shout About (m0001rq9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Sunday]


MON 04:00 Desert Island Discs Revisited (m001ghz4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]


MON 04:30 Joe Mahon - A Christmas Story (b09k8v2y)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Sunday]


MON 05:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001ghzh)
Episode 1

The desperate struggle of an impoverished young painter to win public and critical approval.

Starring Rob Edwards and Tracy Wiles.

Emile Zola's powerful novel based on his friendship with Paul Cezanne - first published in 1886.

Dramatised in two parts by Jane Beeson.

Claude Lantier .... Rob Edwards
Christine .... Tracy Wiles
Narrator .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Sandoz .... Charles Simpson
Young Claude .... Richard Pearce
Young Sandoz .... David Antrobus
Bongrand .... John Baddeley
Dubuche .... Daniel Philpott
Fagerolles .... Jonathan Tafler
Jory .... Paul Panting
Jacques .... Melinda Walker
Concierge .... Zulema Dene

Director: Matthew Walters

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1996


MON 06:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1w35)
Series 1

1. Vanished

A man mysteriously disappears en route from London to start a new secret new job in Leeds. But when detectives Trueman and Riley start to probe, they uncover a deeper mystery...

Starring Robert Daws and Duncan Preston.

Brian B Thompson's detective series about the ill-matched duo is set in Leeds.

DI Trueman …. Robert Daws
DS Riley …. Duncan Preston
Janie Tully …. Amy Robbins
Nick Tully …. John Dougal
The Barmaid …. Rachel Bavidge

The duo began life on BBC Radio 4 in 2002, with DI Trueman called back to work after a nervous breakdown in order to solve a high profile murder case, backed up by Detective Superintendent Riley. This was followed by three crime dramas in 2005.

Director: Toby Swift

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in March 2007.


MON 06:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m0002zcc)
Star Trap

1. Jinx

Charles Paris, bit part actor and amateur sleuth, finally gets the chance to be in a West End musical.

But his suspicions are roused when the number of accidents looks like more than bad luck...

At home, Charles' 'semi-detached' wife Frances is approaching a big birthday and she's drawn up a bucket list of things to do before it's too late.

Bill Nighy returns as the actor-cum-amateur-sleuth.

Simon Brett's novel dramatised in four parts by Jeremy Front.

Charles ..... Bill Nighy
Frances ..... Suzanne Burden
Maurice ..... Jon Glover
Chris Watt ..... Nigel Lindsay
Nina Lamb ..... Clare Corbett
Trevor Rhodes ..... Michael Bertenshaw
Mark Spelthorne ..... Christopher Harper
Izzy ..... Franchi Webb
Ged ..... Ronny Jhutti
TV Announcer ..... Carolyn Pickles

Director: Mary Peate

Producer: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2019.


MON 07:00 Last Christmas (m000ckwp)
1. Deborah Frances White & Steve Ali

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

The writings draw on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance, taking us from Queensland to Pennsylvania to the Black Country and beyond.

More sobering memories come from a small village in Rwanda and London's inhospitable streets.

Greg and Emma introduce stand up comedian and screenwriter, Deborah Frances White.

Deborah writes about being adopted, and re-discovering Christmas in her 20s.

Her essay is paired with Steve Ali's, a Syrian refugee who was taken in by Deborah and her husband when he arrived in England, after fleeing Syria and the Jungle refugee camp in Calais.

Abridged in five parts by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.


MON 07:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qhb)
1. A Plague of Frogs

There’s a plague of frogs, a visitation from an angel and even a miracle - maybe.

The first of five contemporary drama shorts inspired by stories from the old and new testaments.

Good news stories for anxious times written by Katie Hims.

Laura ..... Nadia Clifford
Mr Ventura ..... Michael Bertenshaw
Leila ..... Jayda Pryce
Moses ..... Joseph Nicholas
Amber ..... Ella Purton

Director: Mary Peate

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.


MON 07:30 Dot (b0736pkk)
Series 1

Eenie Meenie Miney... Spy!

Dot and the gals are tasked with an important mission, to monitor the Russian Ambassador, Comrade Pavlenti Lavovich.

But Lavovich seems more interested in singing sensation, Harriet Pertly.

Comic adventures with Dot and the gals from personnel in the rollicking wartime comedy by Ed Harris.

Dot ..... Fenella Woolgar
Myrtle ..... Kate O'Flynn
Millicent ..... Jane Slavin
Peabody ..... David Acton
Comrade Pavlenti Lavovich ..... Nick Underwood
Miss Harriet Pertly ..... Scarlett Brookes
Bomber Johnson ..... Sean Baker

Director: Jessica Mitic

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.


MON 08:00 Brothers in Law (b007k33c)
Series 1

Judgement Summons

Rookie barrister Roger Thursby finds himself defending a fortunate debtor.

Henry Cecil's comic legal novel Brothers in Law was first published in 1955.

Adapted for radio from Frank Muir & Denis Norden's BBC TV scripts by Richard Waring.

Roger Thursby …. Richard Briers
Henry Blagrove …. Richard Waring
Grimes …. John Glyn-Jones
Sally Mannering …. Ann Davies
Judge Perkins …. Thorley Walters
Mr Starling …. John Junkin
Mrs Starling …. Denise Coffey

Other parts played by:

Patricia Gallimore
Alan Barry
John Gabriel
Malcolm Hayes

Audio from restored from BBC Transcription Service tapes - originally edited for sale abroad.

Producer: David Hatch.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1970.


MON 08:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
Series 1

Episode 3

Ken's in a dilemma when he wins an award for an ad campaign he hates.

Starring Martin Jarvis.

Guy Jenkin and Jon Canter’s satire set in the competitive world of advertising.

Ken Handley .... Martin Jarvis
John 'Sandy' Beach .... Christopher Godwin
Freddie .... Lockwood West
June .... Wendy Richard
Sarah …. Sheila Steafel
Sandy …. Christopher Godwin
Mr Sandell …. John Blythe
Barman …. Geoffrey McGivern

Other parts played by:

John Baddeley
Norma Ronald
David Tate
Michael Jayston
Bill Mitchell

Producer: Pete Atkin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1982.


MON 09:00 The Food Quiz (b09k9g9q)
Christmas Special 2004

Journalist and food critic, Jay Rayner gives his celebrity guests a festive grilling on their knowledge of food and drink.

With:

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Clarissa Dickson-Wright
Pat Chapman
Jancis Robinson

Producer: Dixi Stewart

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2004.


MON 09:30 Son of Santa (b007jqrz)
Freshly qualified as a management consultant, Santa's son has big plans for the North Pole.

Starring Ron Moody and James Fleet.

Nev Fountain’s festive comedy.

Santa.......Ron Moody
Santa's son...........James Fleet
Miss Berry......Lynda Bellingham
Kidwink........Dave Lamb
Spindle........Ronni Ancona

Producer: Maria Esposito

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1999.


MON 10:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001ghzh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


MON 11:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1w35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 11:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m0002zcc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 12:00 Last Christmas (m000ckwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 12:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qhb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


MON 12:30 Dot (b0736pkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 13:00 Brothers in Law (b007k33c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 13:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 14:00 The Food Quiz (b09k9g9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 14:30 Son of Santa (b007jqrz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 15:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001ghzh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


MON 16:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1w35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


MON 16:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m0002zcc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


MON 17:00 Last Christmas (m000ckwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


MON 17:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qhb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


MON 17:30 Dot (b0736pkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


MON 18:00 Brothers in Law (b007k33c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


MON 18:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


MON 19:00 The Food Quiz (b09k9g9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 19:30 Son of Santa (b007jqrz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


MON 20:00 Radiolab (m000tvp5)
Series 7

The Great Vaccinator

Radiolab explores the work Maurice Hilleman, who created over 40 vaccines, including one for mumps. With Jad Abumrad.

Until now, the fastest vaccine ever made - for mumps - took four years. And while our current effort to develop a covid-19 vaccine involves thousands of people working around the clock, the mumps vaccine was developed almost exclusively by one person: Maurice Hilleman. Hilleman cranked out more than 40 other vaccines over the course of his career, including 8 of the 14 routinely given to children. He arguably saved more lives than any other single person. And through his work, Hilleman embodied the instincts, drive, and guts it takes to marshall the human body’s defenses against a disease. But through him we also see the struggle and the costs of these monumental scientific efforts.

This episode was reported by Matt Kielty and Heather Radke, and produced by Matt Kielty.

From WNYC first broadcast in 2020 on NPR in the USA.


MON 20:55 Inheritance Tracks (b05ql31l)
Meera Syal

Actor and writer, Meera Syal chooses 'Dum Maro Dum' from the film 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and 'A Case of You' by Joni Mitchell.


MON 21:00 The Film We Can't See (m001gj1h)
6. For Sale: Intimacy and Infamy

The sound archive from 1930 is about to be auctioned to mysterious bidders. The sounds are linked to extraordinary film pioneers and an unrealised film that would have changed the world — but today they may be lost again. The Rio Cinema will be forced to give up the archive. Can Adam pitch this to the BBC for a podcast series?

Adam assembles So Mayer, Anton Blake Horowitz and members of the Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest collective to build a community of support for the Rio. But not everything is what it seems. As documentary transforms into imagination, queer artists take over and reveal that truth is more powerful than fact. With daring soundscapes and surprise audio experimentation — challenging everything that a podcast about an unseeable film can be — the series reaches its shocking climax.

Credits

Written, produced and edited by Adam Zmith

With story by So Mayer and Adam Zmith

Starring Anton Blake Horowitz

Music by Courtney Pine

Solo fiddle by Eduardo Lees

Assistant Producers – Tash Walker and Shivani Dave

Researcher — So Mayer

Audio consultant – David Pye

Artwork by Danny Crossley

Production Mentors – Caroline Steel and Andy King

Executive Producers – Khaliq Meer and Leanne Alie

Commissioned for BBC Sounds Audio Lab by Khaliq Meer

Thanks to

Aleks Kolkowski

Andrew Woodyatt and everyone at the Rio Cinema

Peninsula Press

The BFI and the BFI National Archive

Axel Kacoutié

Nikki Meadows

Joseph Herscher

Josefeen Foxter

Orrow Bell

Jose Castejoon

Burley Fisher Books

The Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest collective

This episode contains audio from:

Sound effects from Freesound and BBC

Clip from Monitor interview with Paul Robeson courtesy of BBC


MON 21:30 And the Academy Award Goes To... (b01qgr43)
Series 4

In The Heat Of The Night

It makes for uncomfortable viewing. A Southern policeman insolently challenges Sidney Poitier, a detective from 'up North'.

"So, boy, what do they call you in Philadelphia?"

"They call me Mister Tibbs!"

It's one of the great movie lines in history, from Sidney Poitier's favourite of all his films. But was "In The Heat of the Night" a worthy winner of the Best Picture?

Up against tough competition, including "The Graduate" and "Bonnie and Clyde", it's been suggested that this might have been an Oscar vote carried on a tidal wave of outrage during the peak years of the Civil Rights movement.

In 1967, "In The Heat of the Night" seemed to speak out against an America riven with racial tensions. The Watts Riots had just devastated Los Angeles, close to Hollywood. The film was set in Mississippi, but the crew were forced to choose Illinois in the North as a safer location. The murder of Martin Luther King, and his subsequent funeral, delayed the Oscar ceremony in 1968 by several days - enabling the cast and crew of "In The Heat of the Night" to attend his funeral.

All these stories and more are told to Paul Gambaccini by veteran director - Norman Jewison, and he also hears from his legendary producer - Walter Mirisch - who at the age of 91, still makes his way to his film studios in Hollywood, and takes lunch at Spagos.

Plus the thoughts of one of the world's great cinematographer's Haskell Wexler - who was the first to devise lighting especially for darker skin tones - and sets the scene for Norman Jewison's dramatic reconstruction of a country divided along racial lines that has echoes today.

Producer: Sara Jane Hall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2013.


MON 22:00 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue (m001g92h)
Series 78

Episode 6

Back for a second week at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle, panellists John Finnemore, Pippa Evans, Fred Macaulay and Rory Bremner compete amongst one another, with Jack Dee the unimpressed umpire. Piano accompaniment is provided by Colin Sell.

Producer - Jon Naismith
It is a BBC Studios production


MON 22:30 Lucy Montgomery's Variety Pack (b00w20zg)
Series 1

Episode 1

Meet a masseuse who likes to ensure her clients are relaxed and a cleaning lady who knows her place

Tim Vincent's Mum checks into a hotel - and all the way from Las Vegas, Candi Karmel the 80-year-old diva who can't stop performing.

Characters galore courtesy of Lucy Montgomery.

With:

Philip Pope
Sally Grace
Waen Shepherd
Natalie Walter

Written by Lucy Montgomery, Barunka O'Shaughnessy, Steven Burge, Jon Hunter and Holly Walsh

Script Editor: Dan Tetsell

Music by Philip Pope

Producer: Katie Tyrrell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2010.


MON 22:55 The Comedy Club Interviews (m001h52n)
Tim Vine 2/2

From 10pm until midnight, seven days a week, The Comedy Club has two hours of comedy. And tonight, Laura Lexx talks to Tim Vine.


MON 23:00 Dead Ringers (m001g9mp)
Christmas Specials 2022

Episode 3

Could Theresa May make a comeback? Who could be Twitter’s new CEO? And what will King Charles say in his first Christmas message? All these questions are answered in the final Dead Ringers of the year.

Performed by Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey, Naomi McDonald and Anil Desai

Written by Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Sarah Campbell, Tom Coles and Ed Amsden, Edward Tew, Cody Dahler, Robert Darke, Sophie Dickson, Katie Sayer.

Produced and created by Bill Dare.
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow


MON 23:30 As Told To Craig Brown (b00b71ds)
Episode 4

Eating too much and the end of the world.

Craig Brown introduces a mixture of satire, social observation and nonsense.

Narrated by Juliet Stevenson and Steve Wright.

With:

John Humphrys
Ronni Ancona
Jon Culshaw
Lewis MacLeod
Sally Grace
Ewan Bailey
Margaret Cabourn-Smith

Producer: Victoria Lloyd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2008.

TUESDAY 27 DECEMBER 2022

TUE 00:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001ghzh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1w35)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Monday]


TUE 01:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m0002zcc)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Monday]


TUE 02:00 Last Christmas (m000ckwp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Monday]


TUE 02:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qhb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Monday]


TUE 02:30 Dot (b0736pkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Monday]


TUE 03:00 Brothers in Law (b007k33c)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Monday]


TUE 03:30 Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful (b00c0c3g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Monday]


TUE 04:00 The Food Quiz (b09k9g9q)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Monday]


TUE 04:30 Son of Santa (b007jqrz)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Monday]


TUE 05:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001gj1r)
Episode 2

Struggling painter Claude Lantier has returned to Paris determined to create a work of genius to establish his reputation.

Starring Rob Edwards and Tracy Wiles.

Conclusion of Emile Zola's powerful novel based on his friendship with Paul Cezanne.

Dramatised by Jane Beeson.

Claude Lantier .... Rob Edwards
Christine ... Tracy Wiles
Narrator .... Geoffrey Whitehead
Sandoz .... Charles Simpson
Bongrand .... John Baddeley
Jacques/Henriette .... Melinda Walker
Fagerolles .... Jonathan Tafler
Jory .... Paul Panting
Dubuche .... Daniel Philpott
Priest/Nicholas .... Robin Browne
Pawnbroker .... Zulema Dene

Director Matthew Walters

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1996.


TUE 06:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1whb)
Series 1

2. Story

A journalist has fallen from a building while working on a story, but was she pushed?

Trueman and Riley get a crash course in internet radio, 'citizen journalism' and fat dogs as they seek to find an answer.

Starring Robert Daws and Duncan Preston.

Brian B Thompson's detective series about the ill-matched duo is set in Leeds.

DI Trueman …. Robert Daws
DS Riley …. Duncan Preston
David …. Anthony Glennon
Harriet …. Jasmine Callan
Aaron …. Paul Richard Biggin

Director: Toby Swift

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in March 2007.


TUE 06:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m00035nj)
Star Trap

2. Break

Charles Paris has got a better part in 'Winnie' the musical - about Winston Churchill, after one of the cast had an accident.

Frances tries to help him with his dance moves for the show.

Bill Nighy stars as the actor-cum-amateur-sleuth.

Simon Brett's novel dramatised by Jeremy Front.

Charles Paris ..... Bill Nighy
Frances ..... Suzanne Burden
Maurice ..... Jon Glover
Chris Watt ..... Nigel Lindsay
Nina Lamb ..... Clare Corbett
Trevor Rhodes ..... Michael Bertenshaw
Kay Walbrook ..... Carolyn Pickles
Ged ..... Ronny Jhutti
Mark Spelthorne ..... Christopher Harper
Evie Robbs ..... Franchi Webb
Bar Staff ..... Sarah Ovens

Director Mary Peate

Producer: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2019.


TUE 07:00 Last Christmas (m000cl42)
2. Greg Wise & Emma Thompson

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

In this episode, Greg recounts his less than happy childhood Christmas experiences.

Then his wife, Emma Thompson, explains how she worked tirelessly to change his perspective in her funny and moving piece on the pitfalls of the festive season, particularly for Greg.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.


TUE 07:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qv3)
2. Eleven 73s

Two women disagree about which of them is a child's rightful mother.

Another contemporary drama short inspired by stories from the old and new testaments.

Good news stories for anxious times written by Katie Hims.

Solly ..... Don Gilet
Carla ..... Lucy Doyle
Jo ..... Saffron Coomber
June ..... Rachel Davies
Passenger 1 ..... Tony Turner
Passenger 2 ..... Jeanette Percival

Director: Mary Peate

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.


TUE 07:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b01gg7g4)
Series 8

Making a Difference

Ed decides to 'Make a Difference' to impress Fiona and as a consequence finds himself becoming 'a voice for the people' when he joins a group trying to change the railways.

As a consequence he finds himself on local radio representing the group and 'channelling grumpy', and astonishingly finds that people agree with his views and find his conversation 'totes legde'.

Thus it is that 'Captain Grumblebum' is created.

The comical world of an author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive e-mail.

Starring Christopher Douglas.

Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.

Ed Reardon ...... Christopher Douglas
Jaz ...... Philip Jackson
Olive ...... Stephanie Cole
Pearl ...... Rita May
Ping/Lisa ...... Barunka O'Shaughnessy
Frank ...... Simon Greenall
Stan ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Mandy Kramer ...... Nicola Sanderson
Cliff/Jonathan ...... Geoff McGivern
Fiona ...... Jenny Agutter
12 year old official ...... Sam Paphilon

Producer: Dawn Ellis

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2012.


TUE 08:00 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
Series 7

The Mystery of the Fake Neddie Seagoons

With the revelation that Neddie Seagoon was once mass-produced, can the original be found?

Groundbreaking, surreal BBC radio comedy written by Spike Milligan and Larry Stephens.

Starring:

Peter Sellers
Harry Secombe
Spike Milligan

First billed as Crazy People, ten series of The Goon Show were recorded between 1951 and 1960, but sadly many of the earliest shows weren’t kept in the archive.

With the Ray Ellington Quartet and Max Geldray.

Orchestra conducted by Wally Stott.

Announcer: Wallace Greenslade

Producer: Pat Dixon

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in November 1956.


TUE 08:30 Little Blighty on the Down (b00tlmwv)
Series 4

Episode 1

Mrs Roberts has fallen from power and Mr Barnum is the new council leader.

‘80s political satirical soap opera set in the strangely familiar village of Little Blighty.

Life here is pretty uneventful, though the humdrum happenings include social turmoil, economic upheaval and vicious political squabbles.

Written by Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Mike Coleman.

Starring:

Jo Kendall
Michael Troughton
John Baddeley
Bernadine Corrigan
Jonathan Kydd
Daniel Strauss

Producer: Lissa Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.


TUE 09:00 Who Goes There? (b007w4f8)
Series 2

Episode 4

Martin Young chairs the quiz looking at lives of the noteworthy and notorious from the history books.

Tackling the biographical teasers are team captains Francis Wheen and Fred Housego.

With guests:

Polly Toynbee
Miles Kington

Producer: Aled Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1998.


TUE 09:30 No Commitments (b007jp0p)
Series 7

The Wedding Party

Victoria is persuaded to hold a party for Charlotte, but will the guest of honour put in an appearance?

Simon Brett’s sitcom about the lives and squabbles of three very different sisters.

Anna …. Rosemary Leach
Charlotte …. Celia Imrie
Victoria …. Angela Thorne
Roger.......Bill Nighy
Emily........Lisa Coleman
Fran........Alison Skilbeck
Chico/Bruno.......Bruce Alexander

Music by Elizabeth Parker of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Producer: Maria Esposito

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2001.


TUE 10:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001gj1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


TUE 11:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1whb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 11:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m00035nj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 12:00 Last Christmas (m000cl42)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 12:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qv3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


TUE 12:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b01gg7g4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 13:00 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 13:30 Little Blighty on the Down (b00tlmwv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 14:00 Who Goes There? (b007w4f8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


TUE 14:30 No Commitments (b007jp0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


TUE 15:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001gj1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


TUE 16:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1whb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


TUE 16:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m00035nj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


TUE 17:00 Last Christmas (m000cl42)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


TUE 17:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qv3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


TUE 17:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b01gg7g4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


TUE 18:00 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


TUE 18:30 Little Blighty on the Down (b00tlmwv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


TUE 19:00 Who Goes There? (b007w4f8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


TUE 19:30 No Commitments (b007jp0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


TUE 20:00 TED Radio Hour (m001gjh2)
Series 9

Late Bloomers

A journey through fascinating ideas based on talks by riveting speakers on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage.

Manoush Zomorodi explores a world which views age as an asset, not a liability. What are the benefits, and drawbacks, of being a late bloomer?

First broadcast in the USA on National Public Radio in 2022.


TUE 20:50 Inheritance Tracks (m001gjh4)
Hugh Bonneville

Actor Hugh Bonneville chooses 'Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma' by Melanie Safka and 'Starman' by David Bowie.


TUE 21:00 Hilarious Histories - What's So Funny About the Past? (m000n0kq)
1. A Cad and a Bounder

Public Historian Greg Jenner embarks on an Arthurian quest to find out how comedy writers make history funny.

Greg is the Historical Consultant to all eight TV series of CBBC’s Emmy and multiple BAFTA award-winning Horrible Histories.

In short, he is both a nerd and a comedy nerd.

In the first of three programmes, Greg grapples with the big questions over accuracy and ethics

With the help of:

Comedian-turned-classicist Natalie Haynes
‘Horrible Histories’ Head Writer Ben Ward
‘Austentatious’ improvisers Cariad Lloyd and Andrew Hunter-Murray.

Featured programme:

‘Austentatious: A Cad and a Bounder’ [BBC Radio 4 18/06/2017]

Producer: Anne-Marie Luff

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in February 2019.


TUE 22:00 The Cold Swedish Winter (m000q8ym)
Series 5

Lagom Lockdown

Adam Riches returns in The Cold Swedish Winter, Danny Robins' series of comedy and culture shock.

Recorded partly on location in Stockholm, and at times simultaneously between three countries, this romantic comedy features a line-up of some of Sweden’s best known comic actors.

British comedian Geoff has settled with his Swedish partner, Linda (Sissela Benn), in the frozen north in the tiny, unpronounceable town of Yxsjo. This year he's up against British and Swedish views of viruses, his mother's (Mel Hudson) endless calls, cross country skiing, a predatory American cousin and, of course, his redoubtable in-laws, Sten and Gunilla (Thomas Oredsson and Anna-Lena Bergelin).

We join his family as spring breaks and Sweden faces lockdown, taking a very different path to its European neighbours.

Full Cast
Geoff ..... Adam Riches
Linda ..... Sissela Benn
Sten ..... Thomas Oredsson
Gunilla ..... Anna-Lena Bergelin
Jean ..... Mel Hudson
Ian ..... Danny Robins
Henning ..... Thomas Eriksson
Soran ..... .Farshad Kholgi
Customs Guy ..... Fredrik Andersson
John ..... Harry Nicolaou

Written by Danny Robins
Directed by Frank Stirling

A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 22:30 Cabin Pressure (b00lmcyc)
Series 2

Helsinki

Carolyn and her sister haven't spoken for 15 years. Which is why Arthur has invited her to a party on board, together with 500 Euros-worth of smuggled orchids...

Meanwhile, Martin gets tangled up in some karate and a fishcake.

Starring Stephanie Cole, Benedict Cumberbatch and Roger Allam.

John Finnemore's sitcom about the pilots of a tiny charter airline for whom no job is too small, but many, many jobs are too difficult.

With special guest Alison Steadman.

Carolyn Knapp-Shappey ...... Stephanie Cole
1st Officer Douglas Richardson ...... Roger Allam
Capt. Martin Crieff ...... Benedict Cumberbatch
Arthur Shappey ...... John Finnemore
Ruth Gregson ...... Alison Steadman
Kieran Gregson ...... Matt Green
Milo ...... Simon Greenall

Director: David Tyler

A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2009.


TUE 23:00 My Teenage Diary (m000jg9x)
Series 9

Jan Ravens

Rufus Hound with more honest, intimate and hilarious interviews, with famous guests reading from their genuine teenage diaries.

In this episode, Rufus picks the lock on the diaries of comedian and impressionist Jan Ravens, and finds out about teenage crushes, slow dances and new year's resolutions.

Producer: Harriet Jaine

A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2020.


TUE 23:30 The Celebrity Voicemail Show (b08csrhw)
Series 2

Sadiq Khan

Kayvan Novak imagines what it might be like to hear the answerphone messages of the rich and famous.

This time, listen in to the voicemail of the new London Mayor - Sadiq Khan.

Entirely fictitious comedy show written and improvised by Kayvan Novak.

Producer: Matt Stronge

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2017.


TUE 23:45 Guy Browning's Small Talk (b0076d5r)
Series 1

How to Poach an Egg

"Eggs are no different from most people. Drop them into hot water and they go to pieces".

Some surreal food for thought.

Written by and starring Guy Browning.

Producer: Jonquil Panting

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.

WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2022

WED 00:00 Emile Zola - His Masterpiece (m001gj1r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 on Tuesday]


WED 01:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j1whb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 on Tuesday]


WED 01:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m00035nj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 on Tuesday]


WED 02:00 Last Christmas (m000cl42)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 on Tuesday]


WED 02:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001qv3)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 on Tuesday]


WED 02:30 Ed Reardon's Week (b01gg7g4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 on Tuesday]


WED 03:00 The Goon Show (b007jnq8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 on Tuesday]


WED 03:30 Little Blighty on the Down (b00tlmwv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 on Tuesday]


WED 04:00 Who Goes There? (b007w4f8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Tuesday]


WED 04:30 No Commitments (b007jp0p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Tuesday]


WED 05:00 Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair (m000qydl)
A fast-moving comic double love story charting the involvement of Irish penny-whistle player Sean Hennessy and his fiddler father in the machinations that eventually lead to married bliss for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Starring Paul Rhys and Andrew Scott.

Written by Michael Butt.

Mozart ...... Paul Rhys
Sean ...... Andrew Scott
Father ...... Tony Rohr
Maria ...... Samantha Spiro
Constanze ...... Sophie Roberts
Aloisia ...... Ella Smith
Mother ...... Carolyn Pickles
Leopold Mozart ...... Gerard McDermott

Director: David Hunter.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2005.


WED 06:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j2510)
Series 1

3. Bond

Suspicion erupts at a James Bond convention as Trueman and Riley go in search of a stolen ring.

Tracy's ring, as worn by Diana Rigg, in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' is the 'holy grail' for collectors.

But exactly what are they prepared to do to get it?

Starring Robert Daws and Duncan Preston.

Brian B Thompson's detective series about the ill-matched duo is set in Leeds.

DI Trueman …. Robert Daws
DS Riley …. Duncan Preston
Karen …. Rachel Bavidge
Bill …. Paul Rider
Gerard …. Mark Straker
Jane …. Christine Kavanagh
Receptionist …. Anthony Glennon

Director: Toby Swift

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in March 2007.


WED 06:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m0003d75)
Star Trap

3. Suspicions

When there's yet another accident involving a member of the cast of Winnie The Musical, Charles is determined to find out what's going on.

Bill Nighy stars as the actor-cum-amateur-sleuth.

Simon Brett's novel dramatised by Jeremy Front.

Charles Paris ..... Bill Nighy
Frances ..... Suzanne Burden
Maurice ..... Jon Glover
Chris Watt/Winston ..... Nigel Lindsay
Nina Lamb ..... Clare Corbett
Kay/Clemmie ..... Carolyn Pickles
Ged ..... Ronny Jhutti
Mark ..... Christopher Harper
Abbie ..... Sarah Ovens

Director Mary Peate

Producer: Sally Avens

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2019.


WED 07:00 Last Christmas (m000cl31)
3. Aimee Mullins & Bill Scanlon

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas - drawing on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance.

In this episode, American athlete, actress and speaker, Aimee Mullins, reflects on childhood Christmases spent with her large family.

Then Bill Scanlon explains how - after a successful career - he fell on hard times, and how things changed.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.


WED 07:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001r7r)
3. Song of Solomon

Bus driver Solly is a good bloke, but there's one area of his life where he's less than perfect...

Another contemporary drama short inspired by stories from the old and new testaments.

Good news stories for anxious times written by Katie Hims.

Solly ..... Don Gilet
Marsha ..... Saffron Coomber
Leila ..... Jayda Pryce
Lloyd ..... Alex Lanipekun
Carys ..... Alexandra Constantinidi

Director: Mary Peate

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.


WED 07:30 Relativity (m00025f9)
Series 2

Episode 4

Ken turns to his grandchildren for help with his technological challenges, while Chloe goes into early labour as Ian frets about his bag for life going to waste.

Drawing on his own family, Richard Herring’s comedy drama, builds on the warm, lively characters and family dynamics of the first series.

His affectionate observation of inter-generational misunderstanding, sibling sparring and the ties that bind will resonate with anyone who has ever argued with their dad about who the current Pope is.

Amid the comedy, Richard broaches some more serious highs and lows of family life.

Margaret …… Alison Steadman
Ken …… Phil Davis
Jane …… Fenella Woolgar
Ian …… Richard Herring
Chloe …… Emily Berrington
Pete …… Gordon Kennedy
Holly …… Tia Bannon
Mark …… Fred Haig
Nick …… Harrison Knights
Billy …… Danny Kirrane

Writer Richard Herring is a comedian, writer, blogger and podcaster and the world's premier semi-professional self-playing snooker player.

Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore

Produced by Polly Thomas
Executive Producers: Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner

An Avalon Television production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2019.


WED 08:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jyyw)
Series 1

Cinderella Hancock

Bill bans the Lad from the National Film Ball, but then there's a knock at the door.

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's classic comedy about the life and times of Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock.

Starring Tony Hancock.

With:

Moira Lister
Bill Kerr
Sidney James
Dora Bryan
Paul Carpenter
Kenneth Williams

Theme and incidental music written by Wally Stott.

Music recorded by the BBC Revue Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.

Producer: Dennis Main Wilson

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in January 1955.


WED 08:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b007jq4v)
Series 1

Shopaholics

Mike and Sue take a look at shopaholics and dangerous ducks.

Starring Robert Duncan and Julia Hills.

Bill Dare's daytime sofa-based sitcom.

Mike ...... Robert Duncan
Sue ...... Julia Hills

With:

Debbie Isitt
Lee Cornes
Martin Hyder

Music by Mark Burton.

Producer: Pete Sinclair

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1996.


WED 09:00 The Write Stuff (b00vcpf4)
Series 14

Marcel Proust

James Walton takes the chair for the game of literary correctness.

Team captains John Walsh and Sebastian Faulks are joined by Philip Kerr and Sue Limb.

Author of the week and subject for pastiche is Marcel Proust.

Reader: Beth Chalmers

Producer: Sam Michell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2010.


WED 09:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00mzslp)
Series 2

Episode 6

When a vain footballer client throws a party, events take a chaotic and violent turn.

Stars Neil Pearson.

Andy Hamilton's comedy about an honourable sports agent in a dishonourable world.

Trevor …. Neil Pearson
Sammy …. Paul Reynolds
Meryl.........Claire Skinner
Toby.........Matthew Thomas
Ralph …. Michael Fenton Stevens
Theresa …. Rosalind Ayres
Heidrun …. Cosima Shaw
Barry …. Abdul Salis
Samantha.......Amber Sainsbury
Other parts........Philip Pope and Gina Yashere

Written and produced by Andy Hamilton

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2006.


WED 10:00 Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair (m000qydl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


WED 11:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j2510)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 11:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m0003d75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 12:00 Last Christmas (m000cl31)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 12:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001r7r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


WED 12:30 Relativity (m00025f9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 13:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jyyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 13:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b007jq4v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 14:00 The Write Stuff (b00vcpf4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 14:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00mzslp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 15:00 Michael Butt - The Piper's Chair (m000qydl)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:00 today]


WED 16:00 Trueman and Riley (b00j2510)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]


WED 16:30 A Charles Paris Mystery (m0003d75)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:30 today]


WED 17:00 Last Christmas (m000cl31)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:00 today]


WED 17:15 Good News Stories by Katie Hims (m0001r7r)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:15 today]


WED 17:30 Relativity (m00025f9)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:30 today]


WED 18:00 Hancock's Half Hour (b007jyyw)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]


WED 18:30 Life, Death and Sex with Mike and Sue (b007jq4v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:30 today]


WED 19:00 The Write Stuff (b00vcpf4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


WED 19:30 Trevor's World of Sport (b00mzslp)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 today]


WED 20:00 Archive on 4 (m000mhxh)
Raise Your Game

Jay-Ann Lopez is a serious gamer - first-person-shooters a speciality. But across the gaming landscape, she sees a dominant culture which is not geared towards her: male, white and macho, with games, characters and narratives to match.

Despite some games being targeted at women since the 1980s and independent gaming companies challenging the status quo for decades, this culture has remained mainstream.

She ask why that particular gaming culture has remained so resilient, and what shaped it. And what part it plays in the misogyny and racism facing many gamers today.

Using the treasures of the BBC archive she transports us back to defining moments in our relationship with video games. She watches Pong, Manic Miner, Lara Croft and Fortnite working their magic and climbing inside our minds. And watches the industry grow: today gaming is bigger than music and movies combined. Jay-Ann debates the tensions and opportunities in this vast landscape with sociologists, psychologists and gaming industry insiders.

Producer: Melvin Rickarby

A BBC Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2020.


WED 21:00 Hilarious Histories - What's So Funny About the Past? (m000n5dh)
2. Blackadder & Brian

Public Historian Greg Jenner continues his Arthurian quest to find out how comedy writers make history funny.

Greg is the Historical Consultant to all eight TV series of CBBC’s Emmy and multiple BAFTA award-winning Horrible Histories.

In short, he is both a nerd and a comedy nerd.

In the second of three programmes, Greg grapples with the big questions over accuracy and ethics

With the help of:

Comedian-turned-classicist Natalie Haynes
‘Horrible Histories’ Head Writer Ben Ward
‘Austentatious’ improvisers Cariad Lloyd and Andrew Hunter-Murray

Featured programmes:

‘Desert Island Discs: Terry Jones’ [BBC Radio 4 1983]
‘Reel Histories: The Life of Brian’ [BBC Radio 4 2004]

Producer: Anne-Marie Luff.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in February 2019.


WED 22:00 Henry Normal: A Normal... (m001g987)
Home

"Shove up National Treasures. We need to make room for Henry Normal" Simon O'Hagan - Radio Times

Join Henry Normal for the tenth instalment of his acclaimed, occasional series in which the acclaimed, occasional writer tackles those subjects so big only radio can possibly contain them.

So far Henry has covered ‘Family’, ‘Life’, ‘Love’, ‘Imagination’, ‘Nature’, ‘The Universe’, ‘Communication’ ‘Ageing’ and ‘Community’; and this latest episode is all about ‘Home’. Through poetry, stories, jokes and quotes, he will be examining how 'home' is more than just a place and talking about what it really means to us.

Recorded in Rye, East Sussex, where Henry now calls home.

Henry Normal is a multi-award-winning writer, producer and poet. Co-writer of award-winning TV programmes such as The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, Coogan’s Run and Paul Calf, and producer of, amongst many others, Oscar-Nominated Philomena, Gavin and Stacey and Alan Partridge.

He’s published eight collections of poetry including his most recent ‘The Beauty Within Shadow’. Plus his memoir written with Angela Pell ‘A Normal Family’ everyday adventure with our autistic son.

Praise for previous episodes in this series:
-"It's a rare and lovely thing: half an hour of radio that stops you short, gently demands your attention and then wipes your tears away while you have to have a little sit down"
-"It's a real treat to hear a seasoned professional like Henry taking command of this evening comedy spot to deliver a show that's idiosyncratic and effortlessly funny"
-"Not heard anything that jumps from hilarious to moving in such an intelligent, subtle way as Henry Normal's show"

Written and performed by Henry Normal
Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
Sound manager - Jerry Peal
Produced by Carl Cooper

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4


WED 22:30 ReincarNathan (m001g9j0)
Series 3

Snowshoe Hare

Nathan Blakely was a popstar. But he was useless, died, and was reincarnated. The comedy about Nathan’s adventures in the afterlife returns for a third series, starring Daniel Rigby, Ashley McGuire and guest-starring Elis James as Gary Grape.

In the season finale, Nathan is brought back to life as a Showshoe Hare in the Rocky Mountains. And this time he’s got a friend - a hare called Gary Grape, a reincarnation of Nathan’s arch nemesis from his human days. Can Nathan get Gary to forgive him for being such a terrible human being and finally get to Elysium? Will he ever learn to do the right thing and make it back to human again?

Cast:
Ashley McGuire - Carol
Daniel Rigby – Nathan
Elis James – Gary Grape

Writers: Tom Craine and Henry Paker

Producer: Harriet Jaine

Sound: Jerry Peal

Music Composed by: Phil Lepherd

A Talkback production for BBC Radio 4


WED 23:00 The Million Pound Radio Show (m001gjh0)
Series 5

Episode 4

The World Bigotry Championship and jingoistic famine relief.

Sharp-edged topical humour in the most expensive show on radio.

Written by and starring Andy Hamilton and Nick Revell

With:

Jasper Jacob
Felicity Montagu

Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1991.


WED 23:30 Radio 9 (b041yb36)
Series 1

Episode 4

Dull Dave gets down with the kids, and a drastic diet inspired by the suffragettes.

Delve into the recesses of a twisted comedy brain.

Written and performed by Johnny Daukes and Hils Barker.

With:

Sarah Walton
John Stevenson
Stefan Frank
Janice Vee
Matt Wilkinson
Michelle Gomez

Producers: Johnny Daukes and Katie Marsden

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.