Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | Too Many Kids | 20210709 | Comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. In episode one, Ashley considers the downside to having a large family - including a morning routine so challenging it would give Michael McIntyre a heart attack and an almost never ending need to replace phone chargers.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
Ashley Blaker considers the downside to having a large family. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. | |
| 01 | 01 | Too Many Kids | 20210709 | 20230604 (R4) | Comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. In episode one, Ashley considers the downside to having a large family - including a morning routine so challenging it would give Michael McIntyre a heart attack and an almost never ending need to replace phone chargers.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
Ashley Blaker considers the downside to having a large family. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. |
| 01 | 02 | Opt to Adopt | 20210716 | New comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. In episode two, Ashley tells the story of how the Blakers came to add to their already hectic home by adopting a two-year-old girl with Down Syndrome.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
In episode two, Ashley recalls how the Blakers came to adopt a girl with Down Syndrome. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. | |
| 01 | 02 | Opt to Adopt | 20210716 | 20230611 (R4) | New comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. In episode two, Ashley tells the story of how the Blakers came to add to their already hectic home by adopting a two-year-old girl with Down Syndrome.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
In episode two, Ashley recalls how the Blakers came to adopt a girl with Down Syndrome. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. |
| 01 | 03 | The Special Ones | 20210723 | New comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. As a father of two sons with autism and a daughter with Down Syndrome, episode three is dedicated to all parents of children with special needs and goes through the five things Ashley would like everyone else to know about his family and his special children.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
In episode three, Ashley Blaker reflects on raising children with special needs. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. | |
| 01 | 03 | The Special Ones | 20210723 | 20230618 (R4) | New comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. As a father of two sons with autism and a daughter with Down Syndrome, episode three is dedicated to all parents of children with special needs and goes through the five things Ashley would like everyone else to know about his family and his special children.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
In episode three, Ashley Blaker reflects on raising children with special needs. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. |
| 01 | 04 | Lockdown | 20210730 | New comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. In the final episode of the series, Ashley recalls the challenges of parenting during lockdown when he had to home school six children at six very different levels. He also wonders if, despite the hardships, this was actually a golden period to be looked back on with great affection. If nothing else, it was a year mostly without the horror of family trips.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
In the final episode of the series, Ashley Blaker recalls parenting during lockdown. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. | |
| 01 | 04 | Lockdown | 20210730 | 20230625 (R4) | New comedy from stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker about his unusual home life. In the final episode of the series, Ashley recalls the challenges of parenting during lockdown when he had to home school six children at six very different levels. He also wonders if, despite the hardships, this was actually a golden period to be looked back on with great affection. If nothing else, it was a year mostly without the horror of family trips.
Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational documentary, all recorded in the Blakers' unusual home with the voices of his real family, and tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.
The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. That is because as parents of six children, Ashley and his wife Gemma are trying to raise a family in a world that is only really set up for having two. What's more, the Blakers' children are not just any kids. Three have special needs - two autistic boys and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in both raising children with disabilities and adoption.
The series is written and performed by Ashley Blaker - a comedian who has performed on five continents including tours of the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia. His 2018 Off-Broadway run was called a slickly funny stand-up show' by the New York Times and, in 2020, he returned with Goy Friendly which ran at the prestigious SoHo Playhouse.
Ashley is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rosie Holt (online lockdown star with countless viral videos) amd Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy, Still Open All Hours).
Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children: Ami (17), Ophie (15), Simi (13), Soroh (12), Sruly (11) and Bina (7).
Producer: Steve Doherty
In the final episode of the series, Ashley Blaker recalls parenting during lockdown. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. |
| 02 | 01 | Labels | 20230804 | Are your children Coldplays' or Zappas'? In the first episode of comedian Ashley Blaker's new series about raising children with special educational needs, he addresses labels, including his own terminology to differentiate between his kids. Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational recording featuring the voices of Ashley's real family. The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. Three of Ashley's children have a diagnosis - two boys with autism and ADHD, and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in raising children with disabilities. Ashley Blaker is a comedian who has performed two Off-Broadway shows, tours on five continents, and is author of Normal Schmormal: My occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs'. He is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and now known to all for his online parody of The Crown), and Rosie Holt (another star of lockdown who has put out many viral videos, most often as her character, The Woman). Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children - Adam (19), Ollie (18), Dylan (15), Zoe (14), Edward (13) and Bailey (9). Written and performed by Ashley Blaker Also starring Shelley Blond, Kieran Hodgson, Rosie Holt, as well as Adam, Ollie, Dylan, Zoe, Edward and Bailey Blaker. Produced by Steve Doherty A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 New series of the comedy about raising kids with special educational needs. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. | |
| 02 | 02 | School | 20230811 | Do your children do their homework or would they rather spend the evening inflating latex gloves with water and bursting them in the bath? In episode two of the new series of stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker's show about raising children with special educational needs, Ashley considers the many issues around sending his kids to school. These include dealing with countless meetings, judgy parents and children who want to use the school's computer room to google some very strange search terms! Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational recording featuring the voices of Ashley's real family. The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. Three of Ashley's children have a diagnosis - two boys with autism and ADHD, and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in raising children with disabilities. Ashley Blaker is a comedian who has performed two Off-Broadway shows, tours on five continents, and is author of Normal Schmormal: My occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs'. He is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and now known to all for his online parody of The Crown), and Rosie Holt (another star of lockdown who has put out many viral videos, most often as her character, The Woman). Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children - Adam (19), Ollie (18), Dylan (15), Zoe (14), Edward (13) and Bailey (9). Written and performed by Ashley Blaker Also starring Shelley Blond, Kieran Hodgson, Rosie Holt, as well as Adam, Ollie, Dylan, Zoe, Edward and Bailey Blaker. Produced by Steve Doherty A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 The comedy show about raising kids with special educational needs A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. | |
| 02 | 03 | Time | 20230818 | Toiletgate' and Disimpactiongate' are just two of the ways comedian Ashley Blaker's time is wasted in episode three of his new series about raising children with special educational needs. Ashley reflects on the many issues around time and how he never has enough of it. This isn't surprising considering the countless hospital appointments, misuse of the family WhatsApp group, and visits to the supermarket to find meals acceptable to his children. Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational recording featuring the voices of Ashley's real family. The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. Three of Ashley's children have a diagnosis - two boys with autism and ADHD, and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in raising children with disabilities. Ashley Blaker is a comedian who has performed two Off-Broadway shows, tours on five continents, and is author of Normal Schmormal: My occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs'. He is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and now known to all for his online parody of The Crown), and Rosie Holt (another star of lockdown who has put out many viral videos, most often as her character, The Woman). Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children - Adam (19), Ollie (18), Dylan (15), Zoe (14), Edward (13) and Bailey (9). Written and performed by Ashley Blaker Also starring Shelley Blond, Kieran Hodgson, Rosie Holt, as well as Adam, Ollie, Dylan, Zoe, Edward and Bailey Blaker. Produced by Steve Doherty A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 Comedy show about raising kids with special educational needs. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. | |
| 02 | 04 | Leisure | 20230825 | If you thought your family holidays are hard work, you need to hear about the Blaker family's vacation! In episode four of Ashley Blaker's new series about raising children with special educational needs, he ponders the topic of leisure, including family days out, trips to the park, and one very challenging flight to Greece. Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children is a mix of stand-up and observational recording featuring the voices of Ashley's real family. The series brings a whole new perspective to the subject of parenting. Three of Ashley's children have a diagnosis - two boys with autism and ADHD, and an adopted girl with Down Syndrome - and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children sensitively finds the funny in raising children with disabilities. Ashley Blaker is a comedian who has performed two Off-Broadway shows, tours on five continents, and is author of Normal Schmormal: My occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs'. He is joined by Shelley Blond (Peep Show, Cold Feet and the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), Kieran Hodgson (Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and now known to all for his online parody of The Crown), and Rosie Holt (another star of lockdown who has put out many viral videos, most often as her character, The Woman). Also appearing as themselves are Ashley's own children - Adam (19), Ollie (18), Dylan (15), Zoe (14), Edward (13) and Bailey (9). Written and performed by Ashley Blaker Also starring Shelley Blond, Kieran Hodgson, Rosie Holt, as well as Adam, Ollie, Dylan, Zoe, Edward and Bailey Blaker. Produced by Steve Doherty A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 Comedy about raising kids with special educational needs. A mix of stand-up and documentary about his unusual home life from comedian Ashley Blaker. |