RADIO FOUR'S 'COMEDY' OUTPUT

[andy-hughes]

I am not a regular R4 listener, but I am often in the car around 18:30 - 19:00 and catch their comedy offerings in this slot.

I would think that to be a Commissioning Editor for Comedy, a sense of humour would be a prerequisite. How therefore do these shows ever get commissioned, never mind broadcast!

I have listened to episodes of the following shows -

'Another Case Of Milton Jones', 'Clare In The Community'. 'Fags Mags And Bags', 'Rudy's Rare Records' and 'The Castle'.

Without exception, I have not only failed to find anything funny in them, I have not even managed to raise a faint smile at any time.

I am futher mystified by the uncontrolled side-splitting reaction from the audience supposedly listening to this guff. I am convinced that the laughter is added on bfore broadcast, because no large group of people could find any of this output that amusing.

My suggesion is that Radio Four abandon these 'comedy' programmes and broadcast what ever the audience was hearing when their laughter was recorded - it's obviously not these shows, and would provide a better fit for a 'comedy' slot funded by licence payers.

Anyone else as similarly baffled as me?

[scotman]

I agree with Chris about 'Cabin Pressure' & 'Hut 33'. Both of these were originally broadcast in the 11:00 am slot and later repeated at 18:30. Both are excellent.
As I said earlier the first 2 series of 'Clare in ...' were good but I think it was carried on too long(as a lot of series are these days). I never really rated 'The Castle'

[roger]

hasn't anybody listened to "clue" - still funny though Humph is greatly missed. Must agree with scotman and buenchico. Just a minute & down the line have me racing for the off switch. Kenneth Horne etc on 4ex are great not to mention Hancock and the Goons

[Buenchico]

As you say, Roger, 'Clue' has survived the loss of Humph remarkably well. (I'm not usually a great fan of Jack Dee's comedy but his dry style fits in well on 'Clue').

As I'm typing this 'Old Harry's Game' is being repeated on R4X. That's another programme in my list of (relatively) modern 'classics'.

[scotman]

I really rate Old Harry's Game. It is repeated regularly. One thing interests me about that show and others such as Cabin Pressure. How do the writers manage to get a part in them as well? In OHG Andy Hamilton has the lead role. What happens if the commissioning editor or producer don't like the idea?