All British Comedy Explained

Abigoliah Schamaun and Tom Salinsky
  • 5.0 (5)
  • COMEDY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. 2.7 Yes (Prime) Minister Explained

    MAY 14

    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.

    1h 3m
  2. Rev Sara Chesterfield-Terry Explains The Vicar of Dibley

    MAY 7

    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.

    1h 16m
  3. 2.6 The Vicar of Dibley Explained

    APR 30

    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
  4. 2.5 Hancock's Half Hour Explained

    APR 16

    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
  5. David Tennant Explains The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

    APR 9

    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.

    1h 4m
  6. 2.4 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin Explained

    APR 2

    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
  7. James Lance Explains Absolutely Fabulous

    MAR 26

    James Lance Explains Absolutely Fabulous

    All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky James Lance Explains Absolutely Fabulous. Released 26 March 2026. James Lance is one of British television’s most recognisable faces, not least for his scene-stealing appearance as Trent Crimm in the global hit Ted Lasso. But did you also know that 18-year-old James Lance made one of his first television appearances in the first series of Absolutely Fabulous. James tells us how to fall in love with Joanna Lumley, how to learn lines for a Chekhov play, and of course, how to say “Trent Crimm, The Independent” in this fascinating interview. Next time we’ll experience a rather different version of suburban angst than we saw in The Good Life with The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, series 1 episode 1, and series 2 episode 4. And if you want to relive the mid-1980s, Tom’s play In the Print opens the same day as this podcast is released. https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4s 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/BritishComedyPod ·      https://substack.com/@allbritishcomedy ·      Mailing list: http://eepurl.com/jnPC56 ·      allbritishcomedy@gmail.com ·      https://allbritishcomedy.com ·      https://www.youtube.com/@AllBritishComedyExplained ·      https://www.instagram.com/britishcomedypod ·      https://www.tiktok.com/@britishcomedypod ·      https://bsky.app/profile/allbritishcomedy.bsky.social ·      https://www.threads.com/@britishcomedypod ·      https://www.facebook.com/groups/allbritishcomedy Abigoliah Schamaun ·      https://abigoliah.com ·      https://www.youtube.com/Abigoliah ·      https://www.instagram.com/abigoliah ·      https://www.tiktok.com/@abigoliah Tom Salinsky ·      https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4s ·      https://tomsalinsky.co.uk ·      https://www.facebook.com/tomsalinsky ·      https://www.instagram.com/tomsalinsky ·      https://www.tiktok.com/@tomsalinsky1972 ·      https://bsky.app/profile/tomsalinsky.bsky.social ·      https://www.threads.com/@tomsalinsky All 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.

    51 min
  8. SNL UK Explained (Patreon bonus extract)

    MAR 22

    SNL UK Explained (Patreon bonus extract)

    We’ve just released a Patreon bonus episode on the launch of SNL UK and this is a short extract from the start of that conversation. In this opening section, we go back to 1975 and the origins of Saturday Night Live, looking at how the show actually evolved (rather than being designed), and why it’s proved so hard to replicate, especially in the UK. If you want the full episode including our breakdown of the first SNL UK show you can find it here: https://patreon.com/BritishComedyPodThanks for listening and for supporting the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 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
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright The Spontaneity Shop
  • Show Website
    All British Comedy Explained

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