The Real Comedy Controllers - The Things That Made Us Laugh

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Origins

20170318

20190323 (BBC7)
20201024 (BBC7)

Instead of celebrity Comedy Controllers choosing their favourites, it's the turn of those who, in their own ways, must take the blame for many of the shows heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra.

Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence.

In front of an audience in London's iconic BBC Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh.

Over four special 4 Extra showcases, they survey broadcast comedy from its origins before and during the Second World War to the laughs (and groans) of the internet age. And they select their favourite moments.

It's back to the wartime stars of Variety and the entertainers, the men and women (though largely men) who entertained us through the dark days of conflict and the drab times of austerity and rationing. Featuring:

* ITMA - It's That Man Again (Victory Edition).

Tommy Handley's gang celebrate victory in Europe, as broadcast on 10th May 1945.

* The Goon Show - 'The Phantom Head Shaver (of Brighton)

As baldness breaks out in Brighton, is there a connection to a glut of cheap tobacco? From October 1954.

* The Navy Lark - 'The Multiple Mines

A drunken night out sparks chaos when an old mine used as a collection box is set adrift. From May 1959

* Hancock's Half Hour - 'Sunday Afternoon At Home

Bored and miserable, the lad tries to decide what to do. From April 1958

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2017.

Satire And Sitcoms

20170325

20190406 (BBC7)
20201114 (BBC7)

Instead of guest Comedy Controllers, choosing their comedy favourites, it is now the turn of those who, in their own ways, have to take the blame for many of the shows often featured on Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence.

In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh.

The Real Comedy Controllers travel back to the 1960s and 70s to celebrate the satire boom... to trace the development of sitcoms both here and abroad... and to remember the golden years of BBC Entertainment. Featuring:

* Round The Horne

Kenneth Horne blasts off boldly in 'Journey to Uranus', a ditty from Rambling Sid Rumpo and 'Bona Books' with Julian and Sandy. First broadcast in April 1968.

* Steptoe & Son - Come Dancing

Albert sets out to help son Harold to conquer his fear of ballroom dancing. Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold. With Clifford Norgate as the Milkman. First broadcast in June 1974.

* The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show

The duo welcome Penelope Keith, who does her own intro before performing in Ern's sketch what he wrote. From March 1978.

* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Primary Phase. Fit the Sixth.

Arthur and company escape from a war, but exactly when have they escaped to? By Douglas Adams. From April 1978.

Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville look at 60s and 70s sitcoms.

Alternative Comedy...and Beyond

20170408

20190413 (BBC7)
20201121 (BBC7)

Instead of guest Comedy Controllers, choosing their comedy favourites, it is now the turn of those who, in their own ways, have to take the blame for many of the shows often featured on Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd & Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence.

In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh.

Programme 3. Alternative Comedy... and Beyond - in which the Real Comedy Controllers return to the 80s to consider how alternative the new wave of comedy was... and to explore how their humour developed as the century drew to a close. Episodes featured include:

Lenin of the Rovers

Midfield football maestro Ricky Lenin's battle for Britain's first all-communist football team. Ricky introduces his radical thinking to Felchester Rovers. Starring Alexei Sayle, Keith Allen, Andrew McClean and Maurice Colbourne. First broadcast in February 1988.

The Mary Whitehouse Experience

David Baddiel, Rob Newman, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis tackle buskers and January sales. With Mark Thomas. From January 1990.

Goodness Gracious Me

The Marriage Emporium is running low on Indian brides, plus a version of the classic song 'Fifty Ways to Leave Your Mother'. British-Asian sitcom with Nina Wadia. From July 1997.

On The Hour

Pre-natal beauty therapy hits the headlines. Chris Morris hosts the incisive news satire. With Steve Coogan. From April 1992.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.

First broadcast on 2017.

Comedy In The 21st Century

20170415

20190420 (BBC7)

In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh.

Programme 4. Comedy in the 21st Century - The Real Comedy Controllers argue whether broadcast comedy has run out of ideas... and asks where do we go for laughs today. Episodes featured include:

Over The Garden Wall

Norman Evans plays toothless Lancastrian housewife Fanny Fairbottom, later inspiring Les Dawson's homage Ada. From October 1948.

Down The Line

Hosted by the legendary Gary Bellamy, starring Rhys Thomas, Amelia Bullmore, Simon Day, Felix Dexter, Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse. With special guests Adil Ray and Arabella Weir. First broadcast in February 2011.

Museum of Curiosity

Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Sarah Millican welcome the singer, photographic playboy and failed accountant Ken Dodd; Dr Hannah Fry who took up mathematical modelling to get to grips with dating; and Greg Jenner who checks the historical accuracy of over 1,200 songs and sketches that make up Horrible Histories. First broadcast in January 2016,

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

The long-running, self-styled antidote to panel games. The Sony Award winning, 30th Anniversary edition. First broadcast in April 2002.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Origins	20170318	20190323 (BBC7) 20201024 (BBC7)	Instead of celebrity Comedy Controllers choosing their favourites, it's the turn of those who, in their own ways, must take the blame for many of the shows heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence. In front of an audience in London's iconic BBC Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh. Over four special 4 Extra showcases, they survey broadcast comedy from its origins before and during the Second World War to the laughs (and groans) of the internet age. And they select their favourite moments. It's back to the wartime stars of Variety and the entertainers, the men and women (though largely men) who entertained us through the dark days of conflict and the drab times of austerity and rationing. Featuring: * ITMA - It's That Man Again (Victory Edition). Tommy Handley's gang celebrate victory in Europe, as broadcast on 10th May 1945. * The Goon Show - 'The Phantom Head Shaver (of Brighton) As baldness breaks out in Brighton, is there a connection to a glut of cheap tobacco? From October 1954. * The Navy Lark - 'The Multiple Mines A drunken night out sparks chaos when an old mine used as a collection box is set adrift. From May 1959 * Hancock's Half Hour - 'Sunday Afternoon At Home Bored and miserable, the lad tries to decide what to do. From April 1958 Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2017.
02	Satire And Sitcoms	20170325	20190406 (BBC7) 20201114 (BBC7)	Instead of guest Comedy Controllers, choosing their comedy favourites, it is now the turn of those who, in their own ways, have to take the blame for many of the shows often featured on Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence. In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh. The Real Comedy Controllers travel back to the 1960s and 70s to celebrate the satire boom... to trace the development of sitcoms both here and abroad... and to remember the golden years of BBC Entertainment. Featuring: * Round The Horne Kenneth Horne blasts off boldly in 'Journey to Uranus', a ditty from Rambling Sid Rumpo and 'Bona Books' with Julian and Sandy. First broadcast in April 1968. * Steptoe & Son - Come Dancing Albert sets out to help son Harold to conquer his fear of ballroom dancing. Starring Wilfrid Brambell as Albert and Harry H Corbett as Harold. With Clifford Norgate as the Milkman. First broadcast in June 1974. * The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show The duo welcome Penelope Keith, who does her own intro before performing in Ern's sketch what he wrote. From March 1978. * The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Primary Phase. Fit the Sixth. Arthur and company escape from a war, but exactly when have they escaped to? By Douglas Adams. From April 1978. Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville look at 60s and 70s sitcoms.
03	Alternative Comedy...and Beyond	20170408	20190413 (BBC7) 20201121 (BBC7)	Instead of guest Comedy Controllers, choosing their comedy favourites, it is now the turn of those who, in their own ways, have to take the blame for many of the shows often featured on Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd & Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence. In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh. Programme 3. Alternative Comedy... and Beyond - in which the Real Comedy Controllers return to the 80s to consider how alternative the new wave of comedy was... and to explore how their humour developed as the century drew to a close. Episodes featured include: Lenin of the Rovers Midfield football maestro Ricky Lenin's battle for Britain's first all-communist football team. Ricky introduces his radical thinking to Felchester Rovers. Starring Alexei Sayle, Keith Allen, Andrew McClean and Maurice Colbourne. First broadcast in February 1988. The Mary Whitehouse Experience David Baddiel, Rob Newman, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis tackle buskers and January sales. With Mark Thomas. From January 1990. Goodness Gracious Me The Marriage Emporium is running low on Indian brides, plus a version of the classic song 'Fifty Ways to Leave Your Mother'. British-Asian sitcom with Nina Wadia. From July 1997. On The Hour Pre-natal beauty therapy hits the headlines. Chris Morris hosts the incisive news satire. With Steve Coogan. From April 1992. Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra. First broadcast on 2017.
04	Comedy In The 21st Century	20170415	20190420 (BBC7)	Instead of guest Comedy Controllers, choosing their comedy favourites, it is now the turn of those who, in their own ways, have to take the blame for many of the shows often featured on Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence. In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh. Programme 4. Comedy in the 21st Century - The Real Comedy Controllers argue whether broadcast comedy has run out of ideas... and asks where do we go for laughs today. Episodes featured include: Over The Garden Wall Norman Evans plays toothless Lancastrian housewife Fanny Fairbottom, later inspiring Les Dawson's homage Ada. From October 1948. Down The Line Hosted by the legendary Gary Bellamy, starring Rhys Thomas, Amelia Bullmore, Simon Day, Felix Dexter, Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse. With special guests Adil Ray and Arabella Weir. First broadcast in February 2011. Museum of Curiosity Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Sarah Millican welcome the singer, photographic playboy and failed accountant Ken Dodd; Dr Hannah Fry who took up mathematical modelling to get to grips with dating; and Greg Jenner who checks the historical accuracy of over 1,200 songs and sketches that make up Horrible Histories. First broadcast in January 2016, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue The long-running, self-styled antidote to panel games. The Sony Award winning, 30th Anniversary edition. First broadcast in April 2002. Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.