Desert Island Discs Revisited [Comic Castaways 2]

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Jo Brand

20210410

20210415 (BBC7)

From Kate Bush to Talking Heads.

Stand-up comedian Jo Brand shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young.

From the word go, Jo always anticipated she'd be heckled about her weight and appearance. While most people would run a mile at the thought of standing in front of a rowdy, aggressive and largely drunk audience, she says that the worst that can happen is humiliation - and Jo adds that as a woman, she was already equipped to deal with this, because people felt free to comment disparagingly on her appearance in everyday life.

Jo's first career was as a psychiatric nurse - and for several years she would spend the day working in a psychiatric unit before appearing at a comedy club in the evening. Both careers demand an ability to be calm in extreme situations and to display a confidence that is often not felt.

Her extreme act meant that for many years, Jo was labelled a man-hating feminist - but she confounded critics by getting married and having two children.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007.

From Kate Bush to Talking Heads. Comedian Jo Brand makes her castaway choices.

Matt Lucas

20210404

20210408 (BBC7)

From Danny Kaye to Queen.

Comedy performer and writer, Matt Lucas shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young.

As one half of the team that created the hit TV show Little Britain, Matt has been responsible for dreaming up such characters as Vicky Pollard, the Asbo teenager who swapped her baby for a Westlife CD and Dafydd, the Welsh homosexual who is adamant he's 'the only gay in the village'.

When he was six years old Matt's hair fell out and as a result he acquired a certain local notoriety - from then on it simply never occurred to him that he wouldn't go on to become famous. At the start of this century, he was still struggling to have his work commissioned and thought of abandoning his career in comedy.

Today, Matt Lucas is one of the most popular and recognisable entertainers in Britain.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2006.

From Danny Kaye to Queen, comedian Matt Lucas makes his castaway choices.

Paul Whitehouse

20210425

20210429 (BBC7)

From Maria Callas to The Sex Pistols.

Comedian, actor and writer Paul Whitehouse shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.

Born in the Rhonda Valley in Wales, Paul and his family soon moved to Enfield, North London where he grew up. Paul was never particularly ambitious, but he was bright and got a place at University, although he dropped out in his first year. He went on to work as a plasterer and was quite content, enjoying a bit of humorous banter in the pub with his friends who included Harry Enfield and Charlie Higson.

Harry was first to get employed as a comedian - on Saturday Night Live - and he got Paul and Charlie to write for him. Soon, Paul was a regular contributor to Harry's show Harry Enfield and Chums. But Paul and Charlie were awash with ideas and characters and The Fast Show was born, laden with an influx of catchphrases that swamped common vernacular, such as 'Brilliant!' 'Very, very drunk' 'Suit you, sir!' and 'which was nice'.

After various acting roles on TV and completing a live tour of The Fast Show, Paul decided to write a situation comedy, and in 2001 the series Happiness was born.

At the 1998 BAFTA Awards, Paul won the Best Light Entertainment Performance prize and The Fast Show won Best Light Entertainment Programme.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.

From Callas to The Stones, Paul Whitehouse shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.

Vic Reeves

20210502

20210506 (BBC7)

From Hendrix to Vaughan Williams.

Comedian Vic Reeves shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.

Jim Moir, best known by the name of his alter ego Vic Reeves, was born in Leeds but soon moved to Darlington with his family.

He attended the local school and left with one O level in Art. He fulfilled the expectations of his school by getting a job in a factory, completing his apprenticeship and working there for four years.

However, he was bored so he moved to London with three friends. After trying a few different jobs he began running club nights - with music, acts and entertainment. He would hire a venue and the bands and be the compere.

Jim decided to take on the persona of Vic Reeves as it gave him an excuse to act up. A comedy night came up and instead of booking three comedians, he decided to do the whole night himself. Vic Reeves' Big Night Out was born. After teaming up with Bob Mortimer, a solicitor who had been in the audience of one of his shows, the show went from strength to strength. It was a huge success and TV rights were fought over by the BBC and Channel 4.

Since then, he has appeared in a variety of programmes including The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Shooting Stars and Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased). The shows have won BAFTA Awards for Originality and Best Live Performance plus British Comedy Awards.

Producer: Lisa Jenkinson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.

From Hendrix to Vaughan Williams, Vic Reeves shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
Jo Brand	20210410	20210415 (BBC7)	From Kate Bush to Talking Heads. Stand-up comedian Jo Brand shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young. From the word go, Jo always anticipated she'd be heckled about her weight and appearance. While most people would run a mile at the thought of standing in front of a rowdy, aggressive and largely drunk audience, she says that the worst that can happen is humiliation - and Jo adds that as a woman, she was already equipped to deal with this, because people felt free to comment disparagingly on her appearance in everyday life. Jo's first career was as a psychiatric nurse - and for several years she would spend the day working in a psychiatric unit before appearing at a comedy club in the evening. Both careers demand an ability to be calm in extreme situations and to display a confidence that is often not felt. Her extreme act meant that for many years, Jo was labelled a man-hating feminist - but she confounded critics by getting married and having two children. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2007. From Kate Bush to Talking Heads. Comedian Jo Brand makes her castaway choices.
Matt Lucas	20210404	20210408 (BBC7)	From Danny Kaye to Queen. Comedy performer and writer, Matt Lucas shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young. As one half of the team that created the hit TV show Little Britain, Matt has been responsible for dreaming up such characters as Vicky Pollard, the Asbo teenager who swapped her baby for a Westlife CD and Dafydd, the Welsh homosexual who is adamant he's 'the only gay in the village'. When he was six years old Matt's hair fell out and as a result he acquired a certain local notoriety - from then on it simply never occurred to him that he wouldn't go on to become famous. At the start of this century, he was still struggling to have his work commissioned and thought of abandoning his career in comedy. Today, Matt Lucas is one of the most popular and recognisable entertainers in Britain. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2006. From Danny Kaye to Queen, comedian Matt Lucas makes his castaway choices.
Paul Whitehouse	20210425	20210429 (BBC7)	From Maria Callas to The Sex Pistols. Comedian, actor and writer Paul Whitehouse shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley. Born in the Rhonda Valley in Wales, Paul and his family soon moved to Enfield, North London where he grew up. Paul was never particularly ambitious, but he was bright and got a place at University, although he dropped out in his first year. He went on to work as a plasterer and was quite content, enjoying a bit of humorous banter in the pub with his friends who included Harry Enfield and Charlie Higson. Harry was first to get employed as a comedian - on Saturday Night Live - and he got Paul and Charlie to write for him. Soon, Paul was a regular contributor to Harry's show Harry Enfield and Chums. But Paul and Charlie were awash with ideas and characters and The Fast Show was born, laden with an influx of catchphrases that swamped common vernacular, such as 'Brilliant!' 'Very, very drunk' 'Suit you, sir!' and 'which was nice'. After various acting roles on TV and completing a live tour of The Fast Show, Paul decided to write a situation comedy, and in 2001 the series Happiness was born. At the 1998 BAFTA Awards, Paul won the Best Light Entertainment Performance prize and The Fast Show won Best Light Entertainment Programme. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003. From Callas to The Stones, Paul Whitehouse shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.
Vic Reeves	20210502	20210506 (BBC7)	From Hendrix to Vaughan Williams. Comedian Vic Reeves shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley. Jim Moir, best known by the name of his alter ego Vic Reeves, was born in Leeds but soon moved to Darlington with his family. He attended the local school and left with one O level in Art. He fulfilled the expectations of his school by getting a job in a factory, completing his apprenticeship and working there for four years. However, he was bored so he moved to London with three friends. After trying a few different jobs he began running club nights - with music, acts and entertainment. He would hire a venue and the bands and be the compere. Jim decided to take on the persona of Vic Reeves as it gave him an excuse to act up. A comedy night came up and instead of booking three comedians, he decided to do the whole night himself. Vic Reeves' Big Night Out was born. After teaming up with Bob Mortimer, a solicitor who had been in the audience of one of his shows, the show went from strength to strength. It was a huge success and TV rights were fought over by the BBC and Channel 4. Since then, he has appeared in a variety of programmes including The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Shooting Stars and Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased). The shows have won BAFTA Awards for Originality and Best Live Performance plus British Comedy Awards. Producer: Lisa Jenkinson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003. From Hendrix to Vaughan Williams, Vic Reeves shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley.