I Write The Gags - Barry Cryer

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01Six Times A Day20151225The doyen of British comedy writers, Barry Cryer looks back over his long career in conversation with Steve Wright.

In the first of two programmes, Baz recalls his early career including his very first job as a stand up comic at London's legendary Windmill Theatre in Soho - motto: 'we never clothed' - before moving into writing.

Since then his writing credits read like a history of British comedy since the 1960's. After a lengthy spell working with Danny La Rue, Barry moved into TV with The Frost Report. This opened all sorts of doors as he went on to write for Tommy Cooper, Morecambe & Wise, The Two Ronnies, Stanley Baxter, Mike Yarwood, Jasper Carrott, Kenny Everett and many more.

He also collaborated with a number of American comedy greats in the glory days of Lew Grade's ATV - including Bob Hope, Jack, Benny Phil Silvers and Phyllis Diller.

In his 80th year, Barry was still very much in demand as a writer, performer in his regular farewell tours, and as a long serving panellist on BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Expect plenty of anecdotes on the many larger than life characters who shared his professional life over six decades in the entertainment world - with a rare insight into the art and craft of the tough business of comedy writing.

Barry Cryer died aged 86 in 2022.

Producer: Bob McDowall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 2015.

The doyen of British comedy writers, Barry Cryer, in conversation with Steve Wright.

Barry Cryer recalls his career in conversation with Steve Wright.

02Under The Influence20151231The doyen of British comedy writers, Barry Cryer concludes looking back over his career, in conversation with Steve Wright

In the last of two programmes, Baz looks back over six decades with a list of writing credits reading like a who's who of comedy. These include Les Dawson, Bruce Forsyth, Tommy Cooper, Morecambe & Wise, The Two Ronnies, Russ Abbot, Bobby Davro, Kenny Everett and many more.

Recorded in his 80th year, when Barry was still very much in demand as a writer, performer in his frequent and regular farewell tours, and as a long serving panellist on BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Expect plenty of anecdotes on the many larger than life characters who shared his professional life over six decades in the entertainment world - with a rare insight into the art and craft of the tough business of comedy writing.

Barry Cryer died aged 86 in 2022.

Producer: Bob McDowell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in December 2015.

The doyen of British comedy writers in conversation with Steve Wright.

Barry Cryer recalls his career in conversation with Steve Wright.