Showing results by publisher "BBC Audio" in Comedy & Humour

Once upon a time, there was a struggling writer named Woodhouse Carton, who tried to make his name as an author while simultaneously running his own creative writing class. Over 12 episodes, we follow the frustrated scribe's fruitless search for fame and fortune as, supported by his long-suffering wife, Gila, and feckless sidekick Seamus, he tries to write the definitive biography of philosophical novelist Wolf Heinrich Graubart - or compose the hit song that will set him up for life.

Angus Dry has no friends, no job and still lives at home with his mum. But he's quite happy to spend his time taking bubble baths, splashing his dole money on a motorised water laser and recapturing the joys of childhood. His busy mother has an international career as an arms dealer and a string of lovers. He feels terribly sorry for her. In these eight episodes, unambitious Angus tries to reconnect with his old schoolfriends, agonises over the death of a bee, steps out of the confines of his sheltered life to go on a date and writes a requiem to himself.

Sally and Bea have been friends since school, but life always threatens to push them apart, whether it's about family and relationships, or work and money - or the thousands of other issues that come up in adulthood. They meet whenever they can for coffee and a catch-up, and each time discover new issues that will decide if their friendship is just one more thing, they wish they could ditch, or whether it's exactly what they need for many more happy decades.

Graham Carpenter has big dreams of being a serious journalist, but he doesn’t quite have the skills to match. Starting a new job as local cub reporter for the Butterthwaite newspaper is Graham’s big chance. With pad and pencil in hand, he’s willing and ready - what could possibly go wrong? Follow Graham’s (mis)adventures as he tries to land the ultimate scoop. In the first week of the job he gets a lucky break and an unexpected story lead when there’s whispers of royalty coming to town, but can he get the front page?

Stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, TV presenter: Lenny Henry is a multi-talented Renaissance man with a wide range of interests. But there are a few things (and people) he just doesn't get, despite their iconic status - and in What's So Great About...?, he explores them to find out what makes them so appealing. 

When 60-something musician pals Roy and George attend the funeral of an old bandmate, they realise that since they stopped performing, they've got stuck in a rut. Retirement's all well and good, but they seem to spend most of their time in front of the TV, or propping up the bar at the Hen & Pewter. Believing that jazz players should keep swinging while they've still got rhythm, the duo decide it's time to recreate the good old days, and start a new band. 

Meet the sinister, pipe-smoking dog who’s looking for a master, find out what’s on Morgan Freeman’s bucket list, witness Ian McEwan in a parallel universe as a grime artist. There’s the erudite, articulate troll who regards his work as performance art, Automated David the troubled man behind automated phone systems, and the Masterchef contestants serving up superinjunctions and making mountains out of molehills. Gamblers, gamers, music execs, and tech-CEOs seeking immortality.

A hilarious comedy by Daniel Thurman, first broadcast in the BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play slot. 'Cleaner...only dirtier' is a slogan unlikely to be used by your average domestic cleaner. But Rita is anything but your average domestic cleaner, as an unfortunate former mayor is about to discover. Starring Geoffrey Whitehead as Fawcett, Anne Reid as Mrs Randle, and Janet Dibley as Rita, with Piers Wehner and Emerald O'Hanrahan. Directed by Toby Swift.

Sir Ralph Stanza, a hip London poet, is determined to communicate the people's hopes and fears through his verse. Whether they like it or not…These comedy series about a poet with a passion feature a special guest appearance from none other than (actual) poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. A perfect listen for anyone looking for the lighter side of life, culture and laughter.