Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HALLOWEEN | Case #124, Against The Grain | 20161027 | 20161103/04 (BBC7) 20210916 (BBC7) 20210918 (BBC7) 20210919 (BBC7) 20161103 20161104 20210916 20210918 20210919 20161031 (R4) | Acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan return as incompetent private detectives for hire in a Halloween Special of their gag-packed crime caper sitcom. Thrown out of their office by unhinged landlord Malcolm McMichaelmas, a holiday with Ivan's anthropologist uncle on the remote Isle of Sudley seems to be the perfect solution. However, things quickly go awry as the boys get mixed up in a sinister underworld of murder, human sacrifice and sand. Written by and starring Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez A Retort production for BBC Radio 4. Acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan return as incompetent private detectives for hire. Thrown out of their office by unhinged landlord Malcolm McMichaelmas, a holiday with Ivan's anthropologist Uncle Cornelius (Mark Heap) on the remote Isle of Sudley seems to be the perfect solution. However, things quickly go awry as the boys get mixed up in a sinister underworld of murder, human sacrifice and sand. Cast: Max....Max Olesker Ivan....Ivan Gonzalez Dr Cornelius Cornelius....Mark Heap Narrator / Malcolm McMichaelmas....Lewis MacLeod Griselda / Sharon the Tourism Lady / Creepy Twin....Jessica Ransom Keane / Scared Man / Coffin Maker / Susan / Other Creepy Twin....David Reed Produced by Ben Walker MARK HEAP joins Max and Ivan as their holiday gets too 'human sacrifice-y' for comfort. Max......................................Max Olesker Ivan......................................Ivan Gonzalez Dr Cornelius Cornelius............Mark Heap Malcolm McMichaelmas..........Lewis MacLeod Creepy Twin.........................Jessica Ransom Other Creepy Twin................David Reed Thrown out of their office by unhinged landlord Malcolm McMichaelmas, a holiday with Ivan's anthropologist Uncle Cornelius on the remote Isle of Sudley seems to be the perfect solution. However, things quickly go awry, as the boys get mixed up in a sinister underworld of murder, human sacrifice and sand. Max.................................................Max Olesker Ivan.................................................Ivan Gonzalez Malcolm McMichaelmas.........Lewis MacLeod Creepy Twin.................................Jessica Ransom Other Creepy Twin.......................David Reed A Retort production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2016. Uncle Cornelius, Max and Ivan go on holiday, but things take a sinister turn. From 2016. | |
| NEWYEAR | Case #524, New Year's Evil | 20191231 | 20200107/08 (BBC7) 20200107 20200108 20211229 (R4) | Acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan return one last time as incompetent private detectives for hire. It's New Year's Eve, but any plans for celebration are put on ice as Max and Ivan are tasked with investigating fearsome crime family matriarch, Mama Shanks - played by special guest KATHERINE PARKINSON. Word on the street is that she has something big planned for this very evening but, in a plot that takes in vaping, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and 10,000 bees, can Max and Ivan find out what it going down before it is too late? Cast: Max.... Max Olesker Ivan.... Ivan Gonzalez Martha Shanks....KATHERINE PARKINSON Narrator / Malcolm McMichaelmas.... Lewis MacLeod Lumpy.... Jessica Ransom PC Gribble.... David Reed Written by Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez Original music by Huw Olesker and Samuel H James Produced by Ben Walker A Hare and Tortoise production for BBC Radio 4 Max and Ivan investigate fearsome criminal matriarch Mama Shanks (KATHERINE PARKINSON). Acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan return one last time as incompetent private detectives for hire. It's New Year's Eve, but any plans for celebration are put on ice as Max and Ivan are tasked with investigating fearsome crime family matriarch, Mama Shanks - played by special guest Katherine Parkinson. Word on the street is that she has something big planned for this very evening but, in a plot that takes in vaping, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and 10,000 bees, can Max and Ivan find out what it going down before it is too late? Cast: Martha Shanks - Katherine Parkinson Narrator / Malcolm McMichaelmas - Lewis MacLeod Lumpy - Jessica Ransom PC Gribble - David Reed Written by Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez Its New Years Eve, but any plans for celebration are put on ice as Max and Ivan are tasked with investigating fearsome crime family matriarch, Mama Shanks - played by special guest Katherine Parkinson. Acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan return one last time as incompetent private detectives for hire. Its New Years Eve, but any plans for celebration are put on ice as Max and Ivan are tasked with investigating fearsome crime family matriarch, Mama Shanks - played by special guest Katherine Parkinson. Word on the street is that she has something big planned for this very evening but, in a plot that takes in vaping, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and 10,000 bees, can Max and Ivan find out what it going down before it is too late? Cast: It?s New Year?s Eve, but any plans for celebration are put on ice as Max and Ivan are tasked with investigating fearsome crime family matriarch, Mama Shanks - played by special guest Katherine Parkinson. | |
| 01 | 01 | Case #10, Perfect 10 | 20150407 | 20150414 (BBC7) 20190402 (BBC7) 20150414 20190402 20170519 (R4) | June Whitfield joins Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez to solve a crime at a beauty pageant. British Comedy legend June Whitfield makes a guest appearance as a beauty pageant judge. Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider. In this case, they investigate why 10-year-old Ophelia Hamilton always comes last in the beauty pageants her mother enters her for. Cast: Max....Max Olesker Ivan....Ivan Gonzalez Dame Celia....June Whitfield Malcolm....Lewis MacLeod Crosby....David Reed Sandra....Jessica Ransom Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small.....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Max..................Max Olesker Ivan.................Ivan Gonzalez Dame Celia......June Whitfield Malcolm............Lewis MacLeod Crosby.............David Reed Sandra.............Jessica Ransom Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider.JUNE WHITFIELD joins Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez to solve a crime at a beauty pageant. British Comedy legend JUNE WHITFIELD makes a guest appearance as a beauty pageant judge in this new sitcom. Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider. In this case, they investigate why 10-year-old Ophelia Hamilton always comes last in the beauty pageants her mother enters her for. Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small.....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider. In this case, they investigate why 10-year-old Ophelia Hamilton always comes last in the beauty pageants her mother enters her for. |
| 01 | 02 | Case #19, Screen Test | 20150414 | 20150421 (BBC7) 20190409 (BBC7) 20150421 20190409 20170526 (R4) | Matt Lucas joins Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez as they investigate a showbiz mystery. Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Matt Lucas joins them to solve a showbiz mystery. Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider. In this case, the mysterious disappearance of film impresario Bernie Goldfinkelrubenstein's leading man. Cast: Max....Max Olesker Ivan....Ivan Gonzalez Bernie....Matt Lucas Malcolm....Lewis MacLeod Norman....David Reed Lizzie....Jenny Bede Produced by Victoria Lloyd Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small......Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Matt Lucas joins them to solve a showbiz mystery. Max...............Max Olesker Ivan..............Ivan Gonzalez Bernie...........Matt Lucas Malcolm.........Lewis MacLeod Norman.........David Reed Lizzie............Jenny Bede Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small.MATT LUCAS joins them to solve a showbiz mystery. |
| 01 | 03 | Case #25, Different Class | 20150421 | 20150407 (BBC7) 20150414 (BBC7) 20150428 (BBC7) 20150429 (BBC7) 20190416 (BBC7) 20150407 20150414 20150428 20150429 20190416 20170602 (R4) | Jessica Hynes joins Max and Ivan as they investigate a spate of sporting injuries. Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Jessica Hynes joins them as they investigate a spate of sporting injuries at a sink school. Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider. In this case, they investigate a suspicious pattern of injuries affecting a school sports team, days before they are due to meet their bitterest rivals in sporting competition. Cast: Max....Max Olesker Ivan....Ivan Gonzalez Mrs Sampson....Jessica Hynes Malcolm....Lewis MacLeod Joculo....David Reed Receptionist....Jessica Ransom Produced by Victoria Lloyd Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small......Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Jessica Hynes joins them as they investigate a spate of sporting injuries at a sink school. Max....................Max Olesker Ivan...................Ivan Gonzalez Mrs Sampson.....Jessica Hynes Malcolm..............Lewis MacLeod Joculo................David Reed Receptionist......Jessica Ransom Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small.JESSICA HYNES joins them as they investigate a spate of sporting injuries at a sink school. British Comedy legend JUNE WHITFIELD makes a guest appearance as a beauty pageant judge in this new sitcom. In this case, they investigate why 10-year-old Ophelia Hamilton always comes last in the beauty pageants her mother enters her for. Dame Celia....JUNE WHITFIELD Crosby....David Reed Sandra....Jessica Ransom |
| 01 | 04 LAST | Case #32, Haunted Bookshop | 20150428 | 20150505/06 (BBC7) 20190423 (BBC7) 20150505 20150506 20190423 20170609 (R4) | REECE SHEARSMITH joins Max and Ivan as they investigate ghoulish goings on in a bookshop. Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. REECE SHEARSMITH joins them as they investigate ghoulish goings on in a condemned bookshop. Driven by their love of truth, justice (and the need to pay off their terrifying landlord, Malcolm McMichaelmas), they take on crimes that no-one else would consider. In this case, they investigate a ghostly apparition that might save a condemned bookshop. Elliott....REECE SHEARSMITH Pat Cooper....David Reed Luna....Jessica Ransom Produced by Victoria Lloyd Elliott..............Reece Shearsmith Luna..............Jessica Ransom Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small.REECE SHEARSMITH joins them as they investigate ghoulish goings-on in a condemned bookshop. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 2015. REECE SHEARSMITH joins Max and Ivan as they investigate ghoulish goings-on in a bookshop. Max and Ivan are private detectives for whom no case is too small....Sorry, for whom no fee is too small. Reece Shearsmith joins them as they investigate ghoulish goings-on in a condemned bookshop. |
| 02 | 01 | Case #96, Community Disservice | 20171001 | 20171006/07 (BBC7) 20201227 (BBC7) 20201228 (BBC7) 20211130 (BBC7) 20211201 (BBC7) 20240116 (BBC7) 20240117 (BBC7) 20171006 20171007 20201227 20201228 20211130 20211201 20211123 (R4) | The return of acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan as incompetent private detectives for hire. Joanna Lumley guest stars. The detectives investigate a series of mysterious thefts which threaten the very future of Nunhead Community Centre. Assisted by the permanently tired caretaker Gerry, they track the chief suspect, washed-up former B-Movie actress Lavinia Moncrief and eventually have to go undercover to infiltrate her bizarre acting classes. Also featuring bell ringers, hypnotism and a mutant komodo dragon. Lavinia Moncrief - Joanna Lumley Gerry Glossop - David Reed Andromedo - David Reed Battle re-enactor - David Reed Soulless property developer - Lewis Macleod Janet from the council - Lolly Adefope Bell-ringer - Lolly Adefope Producer: Ben Walker A Retort production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2017. Joanna Lumley guest stars in an investigation into multiple thefts at a community centre. A second series featuring acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan as incompetent private detectives for hire. Joanna Lumley guest stars. The detectives investigate a series of mysterious thefts which threaten the very future of Nunhead Community Centre. Assisted by the permanently tired caretaker Gerry, they track the chief suspect, washed-up former B-Movie actress Lavinia Moncrief and eventually have to go undercover to infiltrate her bizarre acting classes. Also featuring bell ringers, hypnotism and a mutant komodo dragon. Produced by Ben Walker A Retort production for BBC Radio 4. A second series featuring acclaimed double-act Max and Ivan as incompetent private detectives for hire.JOANNA LUMLEY guest stars. Max.... Max Olesker Ivan.... Ivan Gonzalez Lavinia Moncrief....JOANNA LUMLEY Gerry Glossop.... David Reed Andromedo.... David Reed Battle re-enactor.... David Reed Narrator.... Lewis Macleod Malcolm McMichaelmas.... Lewis Macleod Soulless property developer.... Lewis Macleod Janet from the council.... Lolly Adefope Bell-ringer.... Lolly Adefope Detectives investigate some unexplained thefts threatening the future of a community centre. Stars Joanna Lumley. From 2017. |
| 02 | 02 | Case #47, Crime Writing Doesn't Pay | 20171008 | 20171013/14 (BBC7) 20210103 (BBC7) 20210104 (BBC7) 20211207 (BBC7) 20211208 (BBC7) 20240123 (BBC7) 20240124 (BBC7) 20171013 20171014 20210103 20210104 20211207 20211208 20211130 (R4) | Incompetent private detectives Max and Ivan are contacted by the very dull white goods instruction manual writer Robert R. Roberts, who wants them to investigate a series of copycat crimes based on the erotic crime fiction novels he writes under the pseudonym Scarlett Melange. Their investigation takes them to the Peckam Flower and Vegetable show, where they fear the life of head judge Joaquin Zamorano is in considerable danger. Along the way, they meet the one person on earth who might be more boring than Robert R. Roberts - his wife Roberta. Robert R. Roberts aka Scarlett Melange - Jason Watkins Roberta Roberts/Voice of the Audiobook - Lolly Adefope Narrator/Malcolm McMichaelmas - Lewis MacLeod Joaquin Zamarano/Impish Nutter - David Reed Produced by Ben Walker A Retort production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2017. Jason Watkins stars as an erotic crime author in an investigation into copycat crimes. Incompetent private detectives Max and Ivan are contacted by the very dull white goods instruction manual writer Robert R. Roberts (guest star Jason Watkins), who wants them to investigate a series of copycat crimes based on the erotic crime fiction novels he writes under the pseudonym Scarlett Melange. Their investigation takes them to the Peckam Flower and Vegetable show, where they fear the life of head judge Joaquin Zamorano is in considerable danger. Along the way, they meet the one person on earth who might be more boring than Robert R. Roberts - his wife Roberta. Cast: Max..............................................Max Olesker Ivan...........................................Ivan Gonzalez aka Scarlett Melange...................Jason Watkins Voice of the Audiobook.................Lolly Adefope Narrator / Malcolm McMichaelmas...............Lewis MacLeod Joaquin Zamarano / Impish Nutter..................................David Reed A Retort production for BBC Radio 4. Max....Max Olesker Ivan....Ivan Gonzalez aka Scarlett Melange....Jason Watkins Voice of the Audiobook....Lolly Adefope Malcolm McMichaelmas....Lewis MacLeod Impish Nutter....David Reed Max.... Max Olesker Ivan.... Ivan Gonzalez Robert R. Roberts aka Scarlett Melange....JASON WATKINS Roberta Roberts/Voice of the Audiobook.... Lolly Adefope Narrator/Malcolm McMichaelmas.... Lewis MacLeod Joaquin Zamarano/Impish Nutter....DAVID REED Producer: Ben Walker A dull instruction manual cum erotic fiction writer wants an investigation into copycat crimes. With Jason Watkins. From 2017. |
| 02 | 03 | Case #73, Cirque Du Solihull | 20171015 | 20171020/21 (BBC7) 20210110 (BBC7) 20210111 (BBC7) 20211214 (BBC7) 20211215 (BBC7) 20240130 (BBC7) 20240131 (BBC7) 20171020 20171021 20210110 20210111 20211214 20211215 20211207 (R4) | Ineffective detectives Max and Ivan are called to help the penniless ringmaster of the crumbling Cirque Du Solihull (guest star Bridget Christie). After a series of mysterious accidents the circus faces closure after the human cannonball cannon is stolen. Meanwhile, in an effort to fend off increasingly erratic landlord Malcolm, Max has come up with an ingenious way to delay paying him their rent. Cast: Max..............................................Max Olesker Ivan...............................................Ivan Gonzalez Brenda Zamponi...........................Bridget Christie Narrator / Malcolm McMichaelmas...............Lewis MacLeod Belle (& others)............................Lolly Adefope Joe (& others)..............................David Reed Written by Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez Produced by Ben Walker A Retort production for BBC Radio 4. Bridget Christie joins Max and Ivan as they investigate strange goings-on at the circus. Max....Max Olesker Ivan....Ivan Gonzalez Brenda Zamponi....Bridget Christie Malcolm McMichaelmas....Lewis MacLeod Belle (& others)....Lolly Adefope Joe (& others)....David Reed Belle (and others)............................Lolly Adefope Joe (and others)..............................David Reed Sitcom by Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez about private detectives for hire. A Retort production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2017. Max and Ivan try to help the penniless ringmaster of the Cirque Du Solihull. Stars Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez. From 2017. |
| 02 | 04 LAST | Case #139, Help! The Aged! | 20171022 | 20171027/28 (BBC7) 20210117 (BBC7) 20210118 (BBC7) 20211221 (BBC7) 20211222 (BBC7) 20240206 (BBC7) 20240207 (BBC7) 20171027 20171028 20210117 20210118 20211221 20211222 20211214 (R4) | Richard Wilson stars as the private eyes investigate a sinister-looking retirement home. Cack-handed private eyes Max and Ivan are in a state of penury, with mad landlord Malcolm going to extreme lengths to get his hands on their rent. Nonetheless, Max seems ready to jack in the business when he discovers that his Great Uncle Bernard (guest star Richard Wilson) might be in trouble. But when he and Ivan investigate Bernard's retirement home and meet the terrifying Sister Geraldine, all might not be as it seems. Written by Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez Produced by Ben Walker A Retort production for BBC Radio 4. Sitcom by Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez about private detectives for hire. A Retort production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2017. Cack-handed private eyes Max and Ivan are in a state of penury, with mad landlord Malcolm going to extreme lengths to get his hands on their rent. Nonetheless, Max seems ready to jack in the business when he discovers that his Great Uncle Bernard (guest star RICHARD WILSON) might be in trouble. But when he and Ivan investigate Bernard's retirement home and meet the terrifying Sister Geraldine, all might not be as it seems. Written by Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez Richard Wilson joins the private detectives as Max's great uncle – he needs help but all is not as it seems. From 2017. |