Desolation Jests

David Jason stars alongside John Bird, Jan Ravens and Rory Bremner in David Renwick's dark and quirky comedy sketch show that takes a not-altogether-factual look at the history of comed

David Jason stars alongside John Bird, Jan Ravens and Rory Bremner in David Renwick's dark and quirky comedy sketch show that takes a not-altogether-factual look at the history of comedy - .

What comedy sketches would you most want at your side to face the end of the world?

In the opening episode, interviewer JP Doom interviews Frankie “Flesh Eater ? Harris about a life at the top of the Most Wanted list, and discusses what sketch-based chuckles he would choose to lighten his heart if he found himself stranded in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

And there are clips from spurious comedy greats such as Mace and Dixon's “the Fiancée of Frankenstein ? sketch; the ultimate Mastermind parody from Jenkin Spleen and Helena Handcart; and the fast-talking lunacy of the Klutz Brothers' classic “A Day at the Proctologists ?.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016.

David Jason stars in David Renwick's dark and quirky post-apocalyptic sketch show.

Frankie Flesh-Eater Harris's favourite moments of mirth. David Jason and John Bird in post-apocalyptic sketches. From 2016.

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David Jason stars with John Bird, Rory Bremner and Jan Ravens in David Renwick's dark sketch comedy that takes a post-apocalyptic and distinctly counter-factual look at the history of laughter....

JP Doom interviews Viktor Schmelling about his career in comedy from his humble beginnings as a joke writer for the Queen through to his current role as Emeritus Professor of Princeton University's Faculty of Laughter. His message - life is horrible - you better learn to see the funny side.

Among the classic comedy sketches Schmelling singles out for posterity are the atheist episode of Sunday Worship; an old lag and his pet orang-utan; and 1950's cult The Demob Mob's remarkable episode on Hitler, liquorish allsorts and the awesome power of the non-sequitur.

Christopher Timothy

Adie Allen

James Lailey

Nick Underwood

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2016.

David Jason stars in David Renwick's dark sketch show about laughter after the apocalypse.

JP Doom quizzes Viktor Schmelling about his career in comedy. David Jason and John Bird in post-apocalyptic sketches. From 2016.

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David Jason stars with Jan Ravens, Rory Bremner and John Bird in David Renwick's dark and original comedy.

Interviewer JP Doom asks cultural icons of our times what sketches would bring a smile to their faces with oblivion just around the corner.

Lucian Bile, aka Rot Caries, Britain's first and only punk dentist chooses his favourite moments from a not-altogether-accurate history of comedy, including most of an announcement from the Ministry of Unfinished Business, a clock shop with a Rabbi in the window, and a sinister case from the files of Offcom Squad.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2016.

David Jason stars in David Renwick's dark and eclectic post-apocalyptic sketch comedy

Britain's first and only punk dentist's fave comedy moments. Jan Ravens and John Bird in post-apocalyptic sketches. From 2016.

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David Jason stars in the final episode of David Renwick's post-apocalyptic comedy alongside John Bird, Jan Ravens and Rory Bremner.

Each week J P Doom interviews an iconic cultural behemoth about the comic moments they would most like by their side as they face their own mortality. This week Sydney Pynchlink, the innovative director behind some of the country's most admired weather forecasts chooses the laughs that would comfort them most during the extinction of all life on the planet; including a joke too dangerous for parliament, a horse with three legs, and a lobster with a rather crucial piece of evidence.

Adie Allen

James Lailey

Nick Underwood

Produced by Gareth Edwards

Production Coordinator: Sophie Richardson

It was a BBC Studios Production.

David Jason stars in David Renwick's post-apocalyptic and post-truth selection of sketches

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2017.

The country's admired weather forecast director chooses the laughs. Rory Bremner stars in post-apocalyptic sketches. From 2017.

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