Radio Fun - The Story Of Radio Comedy

Russell Davies remembers the earliest on-air comedians, with a taste of pre-war humour.

Russell Davies remembers the earliest on-air comedians, with a clip-packed taste of pre-war humour.

From July 1988.

This episode looks at the early radio comedians and pre-war radio comedy.

Russell Davies looks at the 1930s with a clip-packed taste of the BBC's Variety department

Russell Davies looks at the 1930s with a clip-packed taste of the development of the BBC's Variety department.

From August 1988.

The BBC archives are plundered for a study of radio comedy in its infant state, up until the outbreak of war.

A look at the origins of radio comedy with acts such as Elsie and Doris, and Will Fyfe.

Russell Davies' survey of wireless mirth reaches the onset of the Second World War.

Featuring Stanley Holloway and Arthur Askey.

From 1988.

Russell Davies' history of radio comedy reaches the onset of the Second World War.

With Stanley Holloway, Arthur Askey and Robb Wilton.

Russell Davies' survey of wireless mirth reaches the onset of the Second World War.

Russell Davies reviews the BBC's variety artistes of the Second World War.

Featuring Elsie and Doris Waters and Tommy Handley.

World War II has started and anything and everything to do with 'radio fun' has moved to the supposed safety of Bristol.

Russell Davies continues to explore the history of radio comedy.

This week's Radio Fun looks at the comics of the war time era.

Russell Davies reviews the BBC's variety artistes of the Second World War.

Russell Davies celebrates the performers who helped boost wartime morale.

Features Tommy Handley and Richard Murdoch.

This week's Radio Fun looks at the comics of the war time era.

A celebration of the radio comedians who helped to keep up morale during the wartime era, including the great Tommy Handley.

Russell Davies celebrates the performers who helped boost wartime morale.

Russell Davies celebrates post-war performers.

Featuring Tommy Handley.

Featuring Tommy Handley and emerging hopefuls Harry Secombe and Tony Hancock.

1946

The war is over and young hopefuls Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Tony Hancock are starting to emerge.

Russell Davies recalls the early 1950s, with the impending arrival of 'The Goon Show'.

Russell Davies recalls the early 1950s, with audience-led shows waning and the impending arrival of 'The Goon Show'.

Audience-led comedy shows are on the wane as the post-war period looms.

Includes Hancock, The Goons, The Lyons, Beyond Our Ken, Joyce Grenfell and Basil Boothroyd

Russell Davies surveys the 1950s - Hancock, The Goons, The Lyons, 'Beyond Our Ken', plus Joyce Grenfell and Basil Boothroyd.

Russell Davies surveys the 50s.

Russell Davies surveys the 50s - Hancock, The Goons, Life With the Lyons, Beyond Our Ken, Joyce Grenfell, Basil Boothroyd.

The end of The Goon Show hailed a fresh decade of change.

Russell Davies reveals how broadcasting in the 60s had a bona future.

It's the end of the '50s, the end of The Goons and time for a change.

With clips from Round The Horne and Beyond The Fringe.

Russell Davies reveals how broadcasting had a bright future.

The improvisation of the fifties gives way to the establishment-baiting of the sixties.

The radio improvisation of the fifties gives way to the establishment-baiting of the sixties.

Russell Davies presents.

Russell Davies recalls how radio improvisation gave way to 1960s establishment-baiting.

Russell Davies recalls how the radio improvisation of the 1950s gives way to the establishment-baiting of the 1960s.

From the hugely influential I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, right up to Douglas Adams' The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy.

From I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, right up to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Russell Davies reviews 1970s comedy hits, from 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again' to 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'.

Russell Davies concludes his 1988 record of the past, featuring Radio Active and After Henry.

He also takes a 'look ahead'.