Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20110114 (BBC7) | ' Ben's in trouble. He's free of a coma, but not of the past. Stars Neil Pearson, Josie Lawrence, Robert Webb and Fiona Allen. | ||||
| 20110115 (BBC7) | Ben's in trouble. He's free of a coma, but not of the past. Stars Neil Pearson. | ||||
| 01 | 01 | Wake Me Up Before You Go-go | 20060711 | 20100625 (BBC7) 20110517 (BBC7) 20130512 (BBC7) 20141118 (BBC7) 20160426 (BBC7) 20190507 (BBC7) 20210203 (BBC7) 20230107 (BBC7) 20241121 (BBC7) 20070621 (R4) | Ben doesn't get out much, but he has a loving and attentive family, an active imagination and a comfortable bed, so he can't complain. Because he's in a coma, Mary and Mum wonder whether some of his favourite music will wake him up. Meanwhile Ben's own thoughts are occupied with visions of Sue Lawley, Robbie Williams - and an unconventional seduction technique. Mary - Fiona Allen Mum - Josie Lawrence Tim Whitnall Hils Barker Kim Wall Ben is in a coma. While his family wonder how to wake him up, his mind is busy elsewhere. Ben is in a coma. While his family wonder how to wake him up, his mind is busy elsewhere. Stars Neil Pearson. From July 2006. Because he's in a coma, Mary and Mum wonder whether some of his favourite music will wake him up, while his own thoughts are occupied with visons of Sue Lawley, Robbie Williams - and an unconventional seduction technique. |
| 01 | 02 | Don't Bet On It | 20060718 | 20100702 (BBC7) 20110524 (BBC7) 20130519 (BBC7) 20141125 (BBC7) 20160503 (BBC7) 20190514 (BBC7) 20210210 (BBC7) 20230114 (BBC7) 20241128 (BBC7) 20070628 (R4) | As Ben lies on a ventilator in hospital, Mary and Mum put the racing on to try to bring him out of his coma. It doesn't work, but Ben does somehow seem to have developed a knack for predicting the winners, if only he could think of a way of telling anyone. Meanwhile John Dee, Queen Elizabeth I's own fortune teller, appears in Ben's brain, with some unhelpful observations about what the future might hold. Mary - Fiona Allen Mum - Josie Lawrence Giles New Hils Barker David Mitchell TV racing can't bring Ben out of his coma, so what use is his predicting the winners? TV racing can't bring Ben out of his coma - so what use is his predicting the winners? Stars Neil Pearson. From July 2006. |
| 01 | 03 | Wouldn't You Like To Get Away | 20060725 | 20100709 (BBC7) 20110531 (BBC7) 20130526 (BBC7) 20141202 (BBC7) 20160510 (BBC7) 20190521 (BBC7) 20210217 (BBC7) 20230121 (BBC7) 20241205 (BBC7) 20070705 (R4) | Mary and Mum have a break when Ben's unconscious body gets driven to a medical conference in Birmingham. But they can't quite bring themselves to leave the hospital. Meanwhile, Ben's mind also takes a trip. Unfortunately, it's a trip back to the hotel in Paris, where he had the most miserable night of his life. Mary - Fiona Allen Hils Barker Giles New Lucy Montgomery Scarlett Milburn-Smith Elizabeth Bell Comatose Ben is taken to a medical conference in Birmingham, but his mind travels to Paris Comatose Ben is taken to a medical conference in Birmingham, but his mind travels to Paris. Stars Neil Pearson. From July 2006. |
| 01 | 04 | Switching Off | 20060801 | 20100716 (BBC7) 20110607 (BBC7) 20130602 (BBC7) 20141209 (BBC7) 20160517 (BBC7) 20190528 (BBC7) 20210224 (BBC7) 20230128 (BBC7) 20241212 (BBC7) 20070712 (R4) | Ben's doctors wonder if lying in a coma might be making him depressed and they send in the hospital psychiatrist to see him. This has a surprising effect on Ben, Mary and Mum. Meanwhile Ben's unconscious mind takes him back to his previous experience of therapy - having a row with Mary about their marriage guidance counsellor. Mary - Fiona Allen Mum - Josie Lawrence Lucy Montgomery Nicola Walker Comatose Ben's doctors bring in a psychiatrist, as he recalls his therapy from the past. Comatose Ben's doctors bring in a psychiatrist, as he recalls his therapy from the past. Stars Neil Pearson. From August 2006. |
| 01 | 05 | Gravity Gets You Down | 20060808 | 20100723 (BBC7) 20110614 (BBC7) 20130609 (BBC7) 20141216 (BBC7) 20160524 (BBC7) 20190604 (BBC7) 20210303 (BBC7) 20230204 (BBC7) 20241219 (BBC7) 20070719 (R4) | Ben's physiotherapy seems to be working miracles when he gets far enough out of his coma to punch his physiotherapist. And what are a tough-as-nails agent, a giant winged angel and Elvis doing in his unconscious mind? Mary - Fiona Allen Mum - Josie Lawrence Lucy Montgomery Nicola Walker Tim Whitnall Sue Vincent Comatose Ben punches his physiotherapist, while Elvis drops in on his unconscious mind. Comatose Ben punches his physiotherapist, whilst Elvis drops in on his unconscious mind. Stars Neil Pearson. From August 2006. Comatose Ben punches his physiotherapist - while Elvis drops in on his unconscious mind. Stars Neil Pearson. From August 2006. |
| 01 | 06 LAST | Switching Off | 20060815 | 20100730 (BBC7) 20110621 (BBC7) 20130616 (BBC7) 20141223 (BBC7) 20160531 (BBC7) 20190611 (BBC7) 20210310 (BBC7) 20230211 (BBC7) 20241226 (BBC7) 20070726 (R4) | As he lies unconscious in intensive care, Ben's mind takes him on the most difficult journey yet. Travelling through the landscape of his own chaotic brain, it looks surprisingly like Mordor. In the real world, it's time to see if Ben can breathe on his own. Comatose Ben journeys across his brain's landscape, reminding him of Tolkien's Mordor. Comatose Ben journeys across his brain's landscape - reminding him of Tolkien's Mordor. Stars Neil Pearson. From August 2006. Tim Whitnall Scarlett Milburn-Smith Mary - Fiona Allen |
| 02 | 01 | Mary's Girl Child | 20070925 | 20100909 (BBC7) 20111104 (BBC7) 20131103 (BBC7) 20150324 (BBC7) 20170731 (BBC7) 20190813 (BBC7) 20210831 (BBC7) 20230506 (BBC7) 20250606 (BBC7) | Comatose Ben celebrates Christmas, as the nativity plays out in his unconscious mind. Dark sitcom following the thoughts of a coma patient. Written by Nigel Smith. Mary - Fiona Allen Nicholas Hutchison Scarlett Milburn-Smith Jeremy Paxman Dark sitcom following the thoughts of a coma patient written by Nigel Smith. Starring Neil Pearson as Ben Smith, Fiona Allen as Mary, Josie Lawrence as Mum and Leslie Ash as Blitzkrieg. With Nicholas Hutchison, Jo Martin, Mark Perry, Scarlett Milburn-Smith and Jeremy Paxman. Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma Comatose Ben celebrates Christmas, as the nativity plays out in his unconscious mind. Stars Neil Pearson. From September 2007. |
| 02 | 02 | Things To Do Before You Die | 20071002 | 20100916 (BBC7) 20111118 (BBC7) 20131110 (BBC7) 20150331 (BBC7) 20170807 (BBC7) 20190820 (BBC7) 20210907 (BBC7) 20230513 (BBC7) 20250613 (BBC7) | As Mary and Mum read him a lifestyle magazine, Ben's unconscious mind takes him back to 1973 to find a 'life coach' who will motivate him out of his coma. Unfortunately, this mostly involves pointing a gun at his head... Dark sitcom following the thoughts of a coma patient. Written by Nigel Smith. Mary - Fiona Allen Nicholas Hutchison John Kay Steel James Lynch Tim Whitnall First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2007. Comatose Ben travels back to 1973 to find a 'life coach' to motivate him out of his coma. Dark sitcom following the thoughts of a coma patient written by Nigel Smith. Starring Neil Pearson as Ben Smith, Fiona Allen as Mary, Josie Lawrence as Mum and Leslie Ash as Blitzkrieg. With Nicholas Hutchison, Jo Martin, Mark Perry, John Kay Steel, James Lynch and Tim Whitnall. Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma Comatose Ben travels back to 1973 to find a 'life coach' to motivate him out of his coma. Stars Neil Pearson. From October 2007. Jean/Mum - Josie Lawrence |
| 02 | 03 | I Want You | 20071009 | 20100923 (BBC7) 20111125 (BBC7) 20131117 (BBC7) 20150407 (BBC7) 20170814 (BBC7) 20190827 (BBC7) 20210914 (BBC7) 20230520 (BBC7) 20250620 (BBC7) | Ben's unconscious mind puts him in a compromising situation with a fellow patient at a familiar Torquay hotel of the 1970s. He slides in and out of his coma, but every time he wakes, Mary is asleep. Dark sitcom following the thoughts of a coma patient written by Nigel Smith. Ben Smith Mary - Fiona Allen Nicholas Hutchison Tim Whitnall Hils Barker Clare Grogan Ben's unconscious mind puts him in a compromising situation with a fellow coma patient. CAST: with Nicholas Hutchison, Jo Martin, Mark Perry, Tim Whitnall, Hils Barker and Clare Grogan. Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma Ben's unconscious mind puts him in a compromising situation with a fellow coma patient. Stars Neil Pearson. From October 2007. Mum - Josie Lawrence |
| 02 | 04 | Wednesday Morning 3am | 20071016 | 20100930 (BBC7) 20111202 (BBC7) 20131124 (BBC7) 20150414 (BBC7) 20170821 (BBC7) 20190903 (BBC7) 20210921 (BBC7) 20230527 (BBC7) 20250627 (BBC7) | A journey through the thoughts and feelings of every character in turn at the darkest hour of the night. Dark sitcom following the thoughts of comatose patient Ben Written by Nigel Smith. Mary - Fiona Allen With Nicholas Hutchison, Jo Martin and Mark Perry. Comatose Ben shares his thoughts with those awake at the darkest hour of the night. Comatose Ben - and those awake - share their thoughts at the darkest hour of the night. From October 2007. Stars Neil Pearson. From October 2007. Comatose Ben shares his thoughts with those awake at the darkest hour of the night. Stars Neil Pearson. From October 2007. |
| 02 | 05 | Alternatives | 20071023 | 20101007 (BBC7) 20111209 (BBC7) 20131201 (BBC7) 20150421 (BBC7) 20170828 (BBC7) 20190910 (BBC7) 20210928 (BBC7) 20230603 (BBC7) 20250704 (BBC7) | What would comatose Ben's life be like if it was a Hollywood movie? Dark sitcom following the thoughts of comatose patient Ben. Written by Nigel Smith. Mary - Fiona Allen Nicholas Hutchison
Starring Neil Pearson. Dark sitcom following the thoughts of comatose patient Ben. Written by Nigel Smith. Ben - Neil Pearson Jean - Josie Lawrence Mary - Fiona Allen Blitzkrieg - Leslie Ash With: Nicholas Hutchison Jo Martin Mark Perry Producer: Gareth Edwards Dark sitcom about Ben living a fantasy life while lying in a coma. Stars Neil Pearson. What would comatose Ben's life be like if it was a Hollywood movie? Stars Neil Pearson and Fiona Allen. From October 2007. |
| 02 | 06 LAST | Arrival | 20071030 | 20101014 (BBC7) 20111216 (BBC7) 20131208 (BBC7) 20150428 (BBC7) 20170904 (BBC7) 20190917 (BBC7) 20211005 (BBC7) 20230610 (BBC7) 20250711 (BBC7) |  Comatose Ben takes a final trip around the safe fantasy world of his subconscious. Dark sitcom following the thoughts of comatose patient Ben Written by Nigel Smith. Ben Smith Mary - Fiona Allen Nicholas Hutchison Laura Aikman Tim Whitnall Comatose Ben takes a final trip around the safe fantasy world of his subconscious. Stars Neil Pearson. From October 2007. Starring Neil Pearson. Ben Smith - Neil Pearson Mum - Josie Lawrence Blitzkrieg - Leslie Ash With: Jo Martin Mark Perry Producer: Gareth Edwards Dark sitcom about Ben living a fantasy life while lying in a coma. Stars Neil Pearson. |
| 03 | 01 | Ladies And Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space | 20091124 | 20120323 (BBC7) 20140126 (BBC7) 20150714 (BBC7) 20171024 (BBC7) 20191224 (BBC7) 20210526 (BBC7) 20240113 (BBC7) | Ben makes the ambulance journey home to begin life in a wheelchair. On the way he remembers an argument about cheesecake, invents a panel game and meets Buzz Aldrin. Mary - Fiona Allen Blitz - Leslie Ash Nurse - Jo Martin Derek - Stephen Frost Marley - Spencer Brown Chairman - Robert Webb Buzz - Peter Banks Announcer - Bruce Alexander Bea - Scarlett Milburn-Smith Director: Nigel Smith. As Ben leaves hospital to start a new life, he invents a panel game and meets Buzz Aldrin. As Ben leaves hospital to start a new life, he invents a panel game and meets Buzz Aldrin. With Neil Pearson. From 2009 Ben makes the ambulance journey home to begin life in a wheelchair. On the way he remembers an argument about cheesecake, invents a panel game and meets Buzz Aldrin. Dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. Written by Nigel Smith. Ben . Neil Pearson Mum . Josie Lawrence Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma Comedy series by Nigel Smith about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. Directed by Nigel Smith. |
| 03 | 02 | Loneliness Is A Crowded Head | 20091201 | 20120330 (BBC7) 20140202 (BBC7) 20150721 (BBC7) 20171031 (BBC7) 20191231 (BBC7) 20210602 (BBC7) 20240120 (BBC7) 20171031 | Ben's life is full of well-meaning people trying to do everything for him. Everything, that is, except leave him alone. He begins to wonder if Robinson Crusoe might have been on to a good thing. Mary - Fiona Allen Blitz - Leslie Ash Nurse - Jo Martin Derek - Stephen Frost Marley - Spencer Brown Bea - Scarlett Milburn-Smith Castaway - John Kay-Steel Waiter - Bruce Alexander Director: Nigel Smith. Life outside hospital is a little fraught for Ben. Luckily he finds an island refuge. Life outside hospital is a little fraught for Ben. Luckily he finds an island refuge. Comatose comedy with Neil Pearson. From December 2009. Dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. Written by Nigel Smith. Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma Comedy series by Nigel Smith about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. Ben's life is full of well-meaning people trying to do everything for him. Everything, that is, except leave him alone. He begins to wonder if Robinson Crusoe might have been on to a good thing. Directed by Nigel Smith. Ben Neil Pearson Mum Josie Lawrence |
| 03 | 03 | Stirrings In The Night | 20091208 | 20120406 (BBC7) 20140209 (BBC7) 20150728 (BBC7) 20171107 (BBC7) 20200107 (BBC7) 20210609 (BBC7) 20240127 (BBC7) 20171107 | Ben and Mary's love life is in jeopardy, so Blitz recruits Lord Byron to offer the couple some useful relationship advice. Mary - Fiona Allen Blitz - Leslie Ash Nurse - Jo Martin Derek - Stephen Frost Marley/Lord Byron - Spencer Brown Bea - Scarlett Milburn-Smith Director: Nigel Smith In Ben's mind, Byron offers sweet texts of love. In reality, Mary ponders their marriage. In Ben's mind, Byron offers sweet texts of love. In reality, Mary ponders their marriage. With Neil Pearson. From December 2009. Dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. Written by Nigel Smith. Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma In Ben's mind, Byron offers sweet texts of love. In reality, Mary ponders their marriage. Comatose comedy with Neil Pearson. From December 2009. |
| 03 | 04 | Victoria | 20091215 | 20120413 (BBC7) 20140216 (BBC7) 20150804 (BBC7) 20171114 (BBC7) 20200114 (BBC7) 20210616 (BBC7) 20240203 (BBC7) 20171114 | Ben begins to resent being pushed around, and imagines a different life back in Victorian times when he might have got things his own way a bit more often. But then he gets into an argument with Benjamin Disraeli... Mary - Fiona Allen Blitz - Leslie Ash Nurse - Jo Martin Derek - Stephen Frost Marley - Spencer Brown Disraeli - Matthew Kelly Bea - Scarlett Milburn-Smith Grocer - Nigel Hastings Director: Nigel Smith Disraeli arrives to deconstruct the characters and folk in Ben's life. He imagines a different life back in Victorian times when he might have got things his own way a bit more often. Disraeli arrives to deconstruct the characters and folk in Ben's life. Starring Neil Pearson and Matthew Kelly. From December 2009. Ben begins to resent being pushed around, and imagines a different life back in Victorian times when he might have got things his own way a bit more often - until he gets into an argument with Benjamin Disraeli... Dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. Written by Nigel Smith. Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma Disraeli arrives to deconstruct the characters and folk in Ben's life. Comatose comedy with Neil Pearson and Matthew Kelly. From December 2009. Disraeli arrives to deconstruct the characters and folk in Ben's life. Stars Neil Pearson. |
| 03 | 05 | When Was The Last Time You Saw Your Godfather? | 20091222 | 20120420 (BBC7) 20140223 (BBC7) 20150811 (BBC7) 20171121 (BBC7) 20200121 (BBC7) 20210623 (BBC7) 20240210 (BBC7) 20171121 | Ben is invited to be a godfather to an ex-girlfriend's baby, which doesn't impress Mary and there's a showdown on the stairlift. Meanwhile, St Paul gives him some tips on responsibility and where to get the best olives. Mary - Fiona Allen Blitz - Leslie Ash Nurse - Jo Martin Derek - Stephen Frost Marley - Spencer Brown Bea - Scarlett Milburn-Smith Karl - Matthew Kelly Sophie - Abigail Burdess Priest - Richard Johnson Director: Nigel Smith Ben is set to be a godfather, but Mary is not happy about it at all. Ben is set to be a godfather, but Mary isn't happy about it at all. Stars Neil Pearson and Matthew Kelly. From December 2009. Dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. Written by Nigel Smith. Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma Ben is set to be a godfather, but Mary isn't happy about it at all. Comatose comedy with Neil Pearson and Matthew Kelly. From December 2009. Ben is set to be a godfather, but Mary is not happy about it at all. Comatose comedy with Neil Pearson and Matthew Kelly. From December 2009. |
| 03 | 06 LAST | The Stand-in | 20091229 | 20120427 (BBC7) 20140302 (BBC7) 20150818 (BBC7) 20171128 (BBC7) 20200128 (BBC7) 20210630 (BBC7) 20240217 (BBC7) 20171128 | Ben vows to do something alone but buying an envelope at the post office is not that easy. Mary - Fiona Allen Blitz - Leslie Ash Nurse - Jo Martin Derek - Stephen Frost Marley - Spencer Brown Bea - Scarlett Milburn-Smith Mr Shah - Bruce Alexander Director: Gareth Edwards Ben vows to do something alone but buying an envelope is not that easy. Ben vows to do something alone but buying an envelope is not that easy. Stars Neil Pearson and Fiona Allen. From December 2009. Ben vows to do something alone, but buying an envelope isn't that easy. Stars Neil Pearson and Fiona Allen. From December 2009. Nigel Smith's dark sitcom about a man in a coma, travelling through the distinctly odd landscape of his own unconscious mind. CAST: Director: Nigel Smith Dark comedy about a man living a fantasy life while lying in hospital in a coma |