Showing results by author "BBC" in Arts & Entertainment

Brian Cox and Robin Ince present a witty, irreverent look at the world according to science. The Infinite Monkey Cage has become one of BBC Radio 4’s most popular science-based programmes. In each episode, physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince delve into a particular field of science, with the help of guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment. These 25 episodes feature subjects ranging from music to Frankenstein, from particle physics to the science of sleep, and from astronauts to insects. Also included are the 2016 and 2017 Christmas Special episodes.

In these series, Rhod Gilbert and Chris Addison introduce a line-up of the best and brightest stand-ups, inviting fresh faces and old hands onstage to display their comic talents. Each programme features three different stars - a newcomer who performs the opening act, an established comedian or double act offering up sketches, musical numbers or character pieces and a final headline artist. There’s some top-notch comedy from the compères, too, as they showcase their funniest routines.

The story of the Second World War told by former BBC newsreader Richard Baker, with original recordings from the BBC. From Neville Chamberlain's historic declaration of war on Germany in 1939 to the sounds of rejoicing crowds on VJ Day in August 1945, the BBC - regarded at home and abroad as the very voice of Britain and the world's most trusted broadcaster - brought the full picture to an attentive nation.

This six-part comedy series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1988. Hosted by Stephen Fry, accompanied each week by Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Emma Thompson, and a selection of guests including Phyllida Law, Robert Bathurst, Julia Hills, and Alison Steadman, the show takes the form of a roundtable discussion, interspersed with sketches that veer tangentially from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Another bumper collection of classic fun and games from one of BBC Radio 4's best-loved and most enduring comedy panel games. The inimitable Humphrey Lyttelton is in the chair for these 25 hilarious editions (including the very first episode from 1972) plus two volumes of vintage 'Live' recordings (ad libs, retakes, warm-ups and all), a 35th anniversary special edition, and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Desert Island, in which famous fans Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Germaine Greer choose their favourite 'Clue' moments.

The Now Show is a much-loved stalwart of radio comedy. Featuring some of the best and brightest contemporary comedians, this award-winning show takes a satirical look at the news through a mix of stand-up, songs and sketches, as well as interview segments in which experts in their field explain the facts behind the headlines. In these three series, hosts Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis are joined by special guests.

It’s the 100th series of The News Quiz – let the centennial celebrations commence! To mark the occasion, each of these eight episodes is presented by a different guest host from the world of comedy, who keeps the chair warm in their own inimitable style (and with their cushion of choice). Zoe Lyons, Angela Barnes, Patrick Kielty, Andrew Maxwell, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Andy Zaltzman, Phil Wang and Nish Kumar lead a panel of guests as they dissect the latest political machinations and round up news stories both big and small. 

In this selection of episodes, the entertaining players brave enough to employ their wits and ingenuity against both the clock and their competitors are Paul Merton, Julian Clary, Sheila Hancock, Josh Widdicombe, Gyles Brandreth, Fern Britton, Jenny Eclair, and Kerry Godliman.

The News Quiz once again recruits the sharpest comedians and commentators to tear a strip off the headlines.Lining up to make satirical sense of current affairs are Hugo Rifkind, Andrew Maxwell, Simon Evans, Zoe Lyons, Andy Hamilton, Ayesha Hazarika, Tim Shipman, Lucy Porter, Frankie Boyle, Mark Steel, Jen Brister, Helen Lewis, Katy Brand, and Geoff Norcott.

A further delightful collection of 12 episodes of the ever popular BBC Radio four-panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967. In this collection the players are at their players at their cleverest and funniest. With episodes taken from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s this collection is a must-have for old and new fans alike!

The complete 99th series from the long-running topical BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show, hosted by Miles Jupp, with special guest hosts. Eight more episodes featuring a panel of comedy guests who trawl through news stories big and small to provide comedy, commentary, irony and irreverence.

Four more extended episodes from the award-winning BBC Radio 4 series, specially compiled by producer Jon Naismith. Another collection of episodes from the famous antidote to panel games now in its 18th edition. Jack Dee challenges regular panellists Tim Brooke-Taylor, and Barry Cryer, with a series of silly games against which to pit their wits. In tribute to Jeremy Hardy, a long-running guest panellist on the show who passed away in 2019, he features in every episode.

In this complete collection of episodes from series 83 of Just a Minute, Nicholas Parsons invites guests to try to speak for 60 seconds on a variety of subjects. With panellists including Paul Merton, Tony Hawks, Josie Lawrence, Gyles Brandreth, Angela Barnes, Sheila Hancock, Josh Widdicombe, Julian Clary and Lee Mack, this series shows just why Just a Minute has been entertaining generations of listeners since its first series in 1967. Who can talk for one minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the subject? Find out as we play Just a Minute!

For over 40 years The News Quiz has graced the Radio 4 airwaves with an irreverent sideways look at the headlines. Having first appeared in 1977, it boasts a tantalising archive of episodes to remind us of the news from yesteryear, refracted through the satirical gaze of regular panellists including Alan Coren, Andy Hamilton, Mark Steel, Francis Wheen and Jeremy Hardy. Among the many guest panellists featured here are Boris Johnson, Nigella Lawson, Jo Brand, Eddie Mair, John Sergeant, Linda Smith and Roy Hattersley. 

The complete 97th series from the long-running topical BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show, hosted by Miles Jupp, with special guest hosts including Jo Brand, Bridget Christie, Susan Calman and Lucy Porter. Eight more episodes featuring a panel of comedy guests who trawl through news stories big and small to provide comedy, commentary, irony and irreverence.

It's not what you know but who you know that matters...and, indeed, how well you know them. The show is a bit like ‘Mr and Mrs’, except that it's not played by husbands and wives. Instead, panellists can pick anyone they like: dad, cousin, best friend, mother-in-law. What is Bridget Christie's worst fear? Or Ainsley Harriott's worst habit? Or Seann Walsh's worst gig? All these burning questions, and more, will be answered in this BBC comedy panel show hosted by Miles Jupp, where panellists are tested on how well they know their nearest and dearest.

Four of the funniest episodes from the bitingly humorous BBC Radio 4 quiz, chaired by Miles Jupp. The News Quiz returns to take a sideways look at the headlines, with the help of some up-to-the-minute comedians and commentators. Jostling for a byline in this sparkling collection are Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton, Angela Barnes, Susan Calman, Andrew Maxwell, Fern Brady, Desiree Burch, Michael Deacon, Kerry Godliman, Holly Walsh, Andy Zaltzman and Helen Lewis. 

In this complete collection of episodes from series 82 of Just a Minute, Nicholas Parsons invites guests to try to speak for 60 seconds on a variety of subjects such as George V, favourite breakfast eateries, canals, bad apples and pasta. With panellists including Paul Merton, Sheila Hancock, Jan Ravens, Tony Hawkes, Gyles Brandreth and Zoe Lyons, this series shows just why Just a Minute has been entertaining generations of listeners since its first series in 1967. Who can talk for one minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the subject? Find out as we play Just a Minute!

A hilarious collection of BBC broadcasting blunders presented by John Inverdale. There are no gaffes like sporting gaffes. In the excitement of the moment, and live on air, commentators and sports personalities can say the most amazing and silliest things. This complication includes slips-of-the-tongue and scrambling of words which produce gales of laughter from the commentary box - and those listening in.

Welcome to Bigipedia - the omniscient friend you know from your computer and laser watch takes over your PC for 30 minutes in a unique experiment in broadwebcasting.... Launched on an unsuspecting public, Bigipedia is a massive mash-up of Google, Microsoft, Apple, Wikipedia, My Space, Yahoo and Amazon, all vying for your attention, love, money and occasionally vital organs.