All British Comedy Explained

Abigoliah Schamaun and Tom Salinsky
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Fortnightly

Tom Salinsky explains all of British television comedy to Abigoliah Schamaun, one show at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Season Two Explained

    1 day ago

    Season Two Explained

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky 2.9: Season 2 reviewed. Released 11 June 2026. Our second season consisted of eight classic BBC sitcoms. Next time, we’re going to finally include some ITV and Channel 4 shows, and we’ll be tackling the thorny question of SATIRE. 1.     Spitting Image – the ferociously topical puppet show which taught generations of teenagers who was in the cabinet. 2.     That Was the Week That Was – groundbreaking show which said the unsayable and emptied pubs on Saturday nights. 3.     Not the Nine O’Clock News – precursor to the alternative comedy boom, this redefined the sketch show when plenty of people thought that Python had had the last word. 4.     The Thick of It – Yes Minister in the age of spin, with a star-making turn from Peter Capaldi. 5.     The New Statesman – politics from the Westminster side, with a typically powerhouse performance from Rik Mayall. 6.     Drop the Dead Donkey – the sitcom with (some) jokes written in the week of production, with the working title “Dead Belgians Don’t Count”. 7.     Hot Metal – early success for Renwick and Marshall, with a serialised story and a deft blend of character comedy and absurdity. 8.     TBD - Patreons will choose between John Morton's W1A and Chris Morris's Brass Eye. That’s our plan for the next eight episodes. We do hope you can join us. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  2. 2.8 Dad's Army Explained

    28 May

    2.8 Dad's Army Explained

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky 2.8: Dad’s Army. Released 28 May 2026. Where else could we finish but with a trip to Warmington-on-Sea? Some of its creators’ later projects may now be banned from the airwaves (fairly or unfairly is for you to decide) but the first outing is still just possibly their best. We watched series 2 episode 4, “Sgt Wilson’s Little Secret” and series 6, episode 1 “The Deadly Attachment”. Next time we’ll review Season 2 and look ahead to Season 3. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  3. 2.7 Yes (Prime) Minister Explained

    14 May

    2.7 Yes (Prime) Minister Explained

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky 2.7: Yes (Prime Minister). Released 14 May 2026. Rather more sharply satirical than was usual for a mainstream BBC sitcom, this became a staple partly because it never picked favourites when it came to the two main parties, partly because it was so expertly hilarious every single week. We’ll watch the very first episode “Open Government” and then we’ll join Jim Hacker in Number Ten for series 2 episode 1 of Yes Prime Minister “Man Overboard”. Next time we finish our overview of sitcoms with the quintessential British comedy Dad’s Army. We’ll watch series 2 episode 4, “Sgt Wilson’s Little Secret” and (of course) series 6, episode 1 “The Deadly Attachment”. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4shttps://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 3min
  4. Rev Sara Chesterfield-Terry Explains The Vicar of Dibley

    7 May

    Rev Sara Chesterfield-Terry Explains The Vicar of Dibley

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky Rev Sara Chesterfield Terry Explains The Vicar of Dibley. Released 7 May 2026. Our guest today is the person Abigoliah describes as the most interesting person she’s ever met. Sara is a Church of England vicar and lifelong British comedy. With a background that includes policing and civil engineering alongside ministry, Sara offers a unique perspective on faith, laughter, and the delightful quirks of church life. Donate today to Mermaids https://mermaidsuk.org.ukNext time, we’ll swap religion for politics and dive into Yes (Prime) Minister. We’ll watch the very first episode “Open Government” and then we’ll join Jim Hacker in Number Ten for series 2 episode 1 of Yes Prime Minister “Man Overboard”. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4shttps://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 16min
  5. 2.6 The Vicar of Dibley Explained

    30 Apr

    2.6 The Vicar of Dibley Explained

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky 2.6: The Vicar of Dibley. Released 30 April 2026. With the powerhouse combo of Richard Curtis writing and Dawn French leading an ensemble cast, this one couldn’t really miss. We’ll watch the second episode of the first series, “Songs of Praise” and the 2004 Christmas special just called “Merry Christmas”. Next time, we’ll swap religion for politics and dive into Yes (Prime) Minister. We’ll watch the very first episode “Open Government” and then we’ll join Jim Hacker in Number Ten for series 2 episode 1 of Yes Prime Minister “Man Overboard”. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4shttps://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  6. 2.5 Hancock's Half Hour Explained

    16 Apr

    2.5 Hancock's Half Hour Explained

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky 2.5: Hancock’s Half Hour. Released 16 April 2026. The ur-text for countless sitcoms that followed, the brilliance of Hancock’s acting and the deftness of Galton and Simpson’s writing paved the way for comedy borne of character and situation not wordplay and silliness. We’ll watch series 5 episode 1, “The Economy Drive” and series 7 episode 5 “The Blood Donor”. Next time we’ll get our cassocks in a twist with Dawn French in The Vicar of Dibley. We’ll watch the second episode of the first series, “Songs of Praise” and the 2004 Christmas special just called “Merry Christmas”. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4shttps://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  7. David Tennant Explains The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

    9 Apr

    David Tennant Explains The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky David Tennant Explains The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. Released 9 April 2026. We normally try and sit down for a chat with someone who was involved in the making of the show we're watching, but very nearly everyone who worked on this show is long dead, and so we've made do with popular actor and comedy fan David Tennant. Hope that's okay. Next time we’ll go back to the source with Hancock’s Half Hour. We’ll watch series 5 episode 1, “The Economy Drive” and series 7 episode 5 “The Blood Donor”. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4shttps://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 4min
  8. 2.4 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin Explained

    2 Apr

    2.4 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin Explained

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky 2.4: The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. Released 2 April 2026. The dark flipside to the sunny optimism of The Good Life, this is definitely one of the weirder offerings to go out on the BBC in the mid-1970s, but the prevalence of easily-remembered catchphrases would have no doubt helped it catch on. Next time we’ll go back to the source with Hancock’s Half Hour. We’ll watch series 5 episode 1, “The Economy Drive” and series 7 episode 5 “The Blood Donor”. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us. The podcast JOIN OUR PATREON https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodhttps://substack.com/@allbritishcomedyMailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56allbritishcomedy@gmail.comhttps://allbritishcomedy.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplainedhttps://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypodhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedyAbigoliah Schamaun https://abigoliah.comhttps://www.youtube.com/Abigoliahhttps://www.instagram.com/abigoliahhttps://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliahTom Salinsky https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4shttps://tomsalinsky.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.instagram.com/tomsalinskyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@tomsalinskyAll British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
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About

Tom Salinsky explains all of British television comedy to Abigoliah Schamaun, one show at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Abigoliah Schamaun and Tom Salinsky
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright The Spontaneity Shop
  • Show Website
    All British Comedy Explained

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