Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | Pretending And Sandwiches | 20161115 | 20170613 (BBC7) 20170614 (BBC7) 20191221 (BBC7) 20210704 (BBC7) 20210710 (BBC7) 20210711 (BBC7) 20230515 (BBC7) 20230516 (BBC7) 20170606 20170613 20170614 20191221 20210704 20210710 20210711 20230515 20230516 20170606 (R4) | 
Episode 1 - Pretending and Sandwiches Alexei explores his impulse to pretend and love of sandwiches. Along the way he reveals the little known origin of the prawn cocktail, debunks the myth that the Earl of Sandwich was the first person to put a bit of meat between two slices of bread and discusses the hidden depths of Taylor Swift. Produced by Joe Nunnery Alexei Sayle explores his impulse to pretend and love of sandwiches. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2016. Episode 1 - Pretending & Sandwiches Alexei Sayle delivers stand-up, memoir and philosophy from his Imaginary Sandwich Bar. |
| 01 | 02 | Political Beliefs | 20161122 | 20170620 (BBC7) 20170621 (BBC7) 20191228 (BBC7) 20210711 (BBC7) 20230522 (BBC7) 20230523 (BBC7) 20170613 20170620 20170621 20191228 20210711 20230522 20230523 20170613 (R4) | Episode 2 - Political Beliefs Alexei explores his political beliefs system, looking back at his childhood in a communist house-hold, his career as a drug-dealer and his physical attraction to Boris Johnson. Produced by Joe Nunnery A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2016 Alexei explores his political beliefs system, looking back at his childhood in a communist household, and his career as a drug-dealer. He also ponders his physical attraction to Boris Johnson. |
| 01 | 03 | Careerism | 20161129 | 20170627 (BBC7) 20170628 (BBC7) 20200104 (BBC7) 20210718 (BBC7) 20230529 (BBC7) 20230530 (BBC7) 20170620 20170627 20170628 20200104 20210718 20230529 20230530 20170620 (R4) | Alexei reveals the surprising reason he disappeared from our TV screens in the 1990s. Episode 3 - Careerism Alexei reveals the surprising reason he disappeared from our TV screens in the 1990's, recounts a chance meeting with Ed Miliband, discusses rampant nepotism in most coveted careers and draws a striking comparisons between capitalism and all you can eat buffets. Additional Material from Liam Beirne Produced by Joe Nunnery Alexei reveals the surprising reason he disappeared from our TV screens in the 1990's, recounts a chance meeting with Ed Miliband, discusses rampant nepotism in most coveted careers and draws a striking comparison between capitalism and all you can eat buffets. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2016 He also recounts a chance meeting with Ed Miliband, discusses rampant nepotism in most coveted careers and draws a striking comparisons between capitalism and all you can eat buffets. |
| 01 | 04 LAST | History And The Role Of The Entertainer | 20161206 | 20170704 (BBC7) 20170705 (BBC7) 20200111 (BBC7) 20210725 (BBC7) 20230605 (BBC7) 20230606 (BBC7) 20170627 20170704 20170705 20200111 20210725 20230605 20230606 20170627 (R4) | Alexei explores the role of the entertainer and explains why he will never go on Strictly. Episode 4 - History and the Role of the Entertainer Alexei explores the role of the entertainer. Along the way he explains why he will never go on Strictly Come Dancing, the reason Newsnight needs to be 11 hours long and questions why TV comedy panel shows help rehabilitate the careers of 'war criminals'. Starring ALEXEI SAYLE, JAKE YAPP, NICHOLAS PARSONS and PAUL MERTON Written by ALEXEI SAYLE Additional Material by Sarah Campbell Produced by JOE NUNNERY A BBC Studios Production. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2016. With: |
| 02 | 01 | Britain's Place In The World | 20171109 | 20171116 (BBC7) 20171117 (BBC7) 20200808 (BBC7) 20220119 (BBC7) 20220120 (BBC7) 20220122 (BBC7) 20230918 (BBC7) 20230919 (BBC7) 20171116 20171117 20200808 20220119 20220120 20220122 20191029 (R4) | Episode 1 - Britain's Place in the World Alexei considers Britain's place in the world and discusses his return to stand-up comedy after a 17 year hiatus. Along the way he reveals where all of the Millets shops have gone, discloses the key to reworking old material for a modern audience and offers a compelling argument for Britain losing a war - and soon. Produced by JOE NUNNERY A BBC Studios Production. A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2017. |
| 02 | 02 | The Financial Crash | 20171116 | 20171123 (BBC7) 20171124 (BBC7) 20200815 (BBC7) 20220126 (BBC7) 20220127 (BBC7) 20230925 (BBC7) 20230926 (BBC7) 20171123 20171124 20200815 20220126 20220127 20191105 (R4) | ALEXEI SAYLE considers the causes and fallout of the 2008 financial crash. Episode 2 - The Financial Crash Alexei considers the causes and fall-out of the 2008 financial crash, the appeal of DONALD TRUMP and laments his lack of mainstream success. Written by ALEXEI SAYLE Performed by ALEXEI SAYLE with SEAN BAKER Produced by JOE NUNNERY A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2017. |
| 02 | 03 | Death And Travel | 20171123 | 20171130 (BBC7) 20171201 (BBC7) 20200822 (BBC7) 20220202 (BBC7) 20220203 (BBC7) 20231002 (BBC7) 20231003 (BBC7) 20171130 20171201 20200822 20220202 20220203 20191112 (R4) | ALEXEI SAYLE considers travel to places both real and imaginary. Episode 3 - Death and Travel Alexei considers travel to places both real and imaginary. Along the way he reveals why Radio 4 is a staple for Merchant seamen, how to get a cheap drink in the centre of Paris and the impulses he must fight when on holiday. Written by ALEXEI SAYLE with additional material from BEN PARTRIDGE. Performed by ALEXEI SAYLE with IAN SMITH Produced by JOE NUNNERY A BBC Studios Production. Along the way he reveals why BBC Radio 4 is a staple for Merchant seamen, how to get a cheap drink in the centre of Paris and the impulses he must fight when on holiday. A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2017. Written and performed by the Godfather of Alternative Comedy, Alexei Sayle. |
| 02 | 04 LAST | La Vie Moral | 20171130 | 20171207 (BBC7) 20171208 (BBC7) 20200829 (BBC7) 20220209 (BBC7) 20220210 (BBC7) 20231009 (BBC7) 20231010 (BBC7) 20171207 20171208 20200829 20220209 20220210 20191119 (R4) | Alexei considers how one might live an ethical life. Alexei considers how one might live an ethical life, recounts the difficulties he faced when tracking down his lost cat and pays penance for a feud with another performer. Written by ALEXEI SAYLE Performed by ALEXEI SAYLE Produced by JOE NUNNERY Written and performed by the Godfather of Alternative Comedy, Alexei Sayle. Episode 4 - La Vie Moral |
| 03 | 01 | Corbyn And The Left | 20190912 | 20190919 (BBC7) 20190920 (BBC7) 20220302 (BBC7) 20220303 (BBC7) 20220305 (BBC7) 20231120 (BBC7) 20231121 (BBC7) 20190919 20190920 20220302 20220303 20220305 20200219 (R4) | Alexei Sayle offers his thoughts on Jeremy Corbyn and the left and laments the decline of small business. And what can the 1997 film Starship Troopers teach all of us? Written and performed by the Godfather of Alternative Comedy, Alexei Sayle. Music and Lyrics by Tim Sutton. Alexei offers his thoughts on Jeremy Corbyn and the left and laments the decline of small business. From September 2019. Alexei offers his thoughts on Jeremy Corbyn and the Left, laments the decline of small business and explains what the 1997 film Starship Troopers can teach us all. Written by ALEXEI SAYLE Performed by ALEXEI SAYLE Produced by JOE NUNNERY A BBC Studios Production, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019. |
| 03 | 02 | Santa Claused Faced Old (...) | 20190919 | 20190926 (BBC7) 20190927 (BBC7) 20220309 (BBC7) 20220310 (BBC7) 20231127 (BBC7) 20231128 (BBC7) 20190926 20190927 20220309 20220310 20200226 (R4) | Alexei tells the story of a long lost tin of pâté, and offers his thoughts on the gig economy. He also reveals what he believes to be the secret war being waged by the old on the young... Alexei Sayle tells the story of a long lost tin of pâté and offers his thoughts on the gig economy. From September 2019. Alexei tells the story of a long-lost tin of pâté, offers his thoughts on the gig economy and reveals what he believes to be the secret war being waged by the old on the young. Written by ALEXEI SAYLE Produced by JOE NUNNERY A BBC Studios Production, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019. |
| 03 | 03 | Rage And Resentment | 20190926 | 20191003 (BBC7) 20191004 (BBC7) 20220316 (BBC7) 20220317 (BBC7) 20231211 (BBC7) 20231212 (BBC7) 20191003 20191004 20220316 20220317 20200304 (R4) | Alexei considers the roots of his rage and resentment. He explores the dangers of magical thinking and contemplates what the philosophies of Bertholt Brecht could offer Premier League football. Alexei Sayle ponders what Bertholt Brecht's philosophies could offer the Premier League, and the root of his rage. From 2019. Alexei considers the roots of his rage and resentment, explores the dangers of magical thinking and contemplates what the philosophies of Bertholt Brecht could offer Premier League football. Written by ALEXEI SAYLE Produced by JOE NUNNERY A BBC Studios Production, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019. |
| 03 | 04 LAST | Kings Of Comedy | 20191003 | 20191010 (BBC7) 20191011 (BBC7) 20220323 (BBC7) 20220324 (BBC7) 20231204 (BBC7) 20231205 (BBC7) 20191010 20191011 20220323 20220324 20200311 (R4) | Alexei outlines his problem with Morecambe and Wise, and discusses his issues with the Trade Unions. Plus he offers a fable taught by the Zen Master Wudang mountains in China. A BBC Studios Production, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2019. Alexei Sayle outlines his problem with some of comedy's sacred cows, plus his issues with the Trade Unions. From 2019. |
| 04 | 01 | A Monopoly Of Violence | 20221020 | 20221027 (BBC7) 20221028 (BBC7) 20251103 (BBC7) 20221027 20221028 20250204 (R4) | Alexei considers the role of the police force, and discusses his own involvement in the ‘spy cops' scandal. Plus, he draws comparisons between President Assad and a beloved British comedian and details his seven stages of grief post the 2019 general election. A mixture of stand-up, memoir, and philosophy from behind the counter of an imaginary sandwich bar. Music and lyrics by Tim Sutton. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2022. Alexei considers the role of the police force using stand-up, memoir and philosophy. Alexei considers the role of the police force, and discusses his own involvement in the ‘spy cops' scandal. From 2022. Alexei considers the role of the police force, discusses his own involvement in the ‘spy cops' scandal, draws comparisons between President Assad and a beloved British comedian and details his seven stages of grief post the 2019 general election. With original music and lyrics from Tim Sutton. Produced by JOE NUNNERY |
| 04 | 02 | The Revolving Door | 20221027 | 20221103 (BBC7) 20221104 (BBC7) 20251110 (BBC7) 20221103 20221104 20250211 (R4) | Alexei contemplates the revolving door between politics and big business and makes a case for becoming the UK's defence minister. A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2022. Alexei discusses the revolving door between politics and big business and ponders becoming the UK's defence minister. From 2022. |
| 04 | 03 | The Way We Live Now | 20221103 | 20221110 (BBC7) 20221111 (BBC7) 20251117 (BBC7) 20221110 20221111 | Alexei discusses the motivations of the rich and considers a historic counter-factual involving a young Jacob Rees Mogg. A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2022. Alexei discusses the motivations of the rich and considers a historic counter-factual with a young Jacob Rees-Mogg. From 2022. A mixture of stand-up, memoir, and philosophy from behind the counter of an imaginary sandwich bar. Produced by JOE NUNNERY. |
| 04 | 04 LAST | Repetition. Repetition. Repetition | 20221110 | 20221117 (BBC7) 20221118 (BBC7) 20251124 (BBC7) 20221117 20221118 | Alexei explores the place that repetition holds in our culture, discusses his time as an author on the arts centre circuit and debuts a new slam poem entitled “I Hate Keir Starmer??. A mixture of stand-up, memoir, and philosophy from behind the counter of an imaginary sandwich bar. Additional material by Tom Whyman. Produced by Joe Nunnery. Alexei explores the place that repetition holds in our culture, discusses his time as an author on the arts centre circuit and debuts a new slam poem entitled “I Hate Kier Starmer??. A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2022. Alexei explores repetition, discusses his time as an author on the arts centre circuit and debuts a new slam poem. From 2022. |
| 05 | 01 | The Sense Of An Abrupt Ending | 20250301 | 20250312 (BBC7) 20250305 (R4) | Alexei Sayle returns for a new series of stand-up, philosophy and memoir as he welcomes made-up customers to buy illusory snacks in his imaginary sandwich bar In this first episode, Alexei reflects on changes of government, global power struggles and the time he made up gossip for a living. Producer - Richard Morris Production Co-ordinator - Jodie Charman Changes of government, global power struggles and making up gossip for a living In this first episode, Alexei reflects on global power struggles, changes of government and the time he made up gossip for a living. |
| 05 | 02 | What Is This Place You Have Brought Me To Roger? | 20250301 | 20250319 (BBC7) 20250308 20250308 (R4) 20250312 (R4) | In this episode, Alexei recalls his unorthodox upbringing in Liverpool, his subsequent move to London, and a woman called Mrs Cocker who said something that has stuck with him for ever. The song was written and composed by Tim Sutton with: Sophie Creaner - clarinet and sax Tom Ellis - acoustic guitar Matt Sharp - cello Producer - Richard Morris Production Co-ordinator - Jodie Charman Liverpool, Vietnam and a song about a man called Roger. |
| 05 | 03 | Jumping The Shark | 20250301 | 20250326 (BBC7) 20250315 (R4) 20250319 (R4) | Alexei Sayle returns for a new series of stand-up, philosophy and memoir as he welcomes made-up customers to buy illusory snacks in his imaginary sandwich bar In this episode Alexei ponders sequels, the pursuit of inspiration and how you can tell if you're old or not. Written and performed by Alexei Sayle with additional material by Tom Whyman Producer - Richard Morris Production Co-ordinator - Jodie Charman |
| 05 | 04 LAST | Unsweet Charity | 20250301 | 20250402 (BBC7) 20250322 (R4) 20250326 (R4) | Alexei Sayle, the godfather of alternative comedy, delivers his inimitable blend of stand-up, philosophy and memoir as he welcomes made-up customers to buy illusory snacks in his imaginary sandwich bar In this last episode of the current series, Alexei reflects on the nature of charity, our ultimate life quests and a strange house plant that refused to die. Producer - Richard Morris Production Co-ordinator - Jodie Charman |