Comedy of the Week

BBC Radio 4

4.2 (431)
COMEDY
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Brighten your week with the latest BBC Radio 4 comedy.

6D AGO

What's the Story, Ashley Storrie?

Despite a complex childhood, and with her teenage years spent guiding the career of her controversial comedian mother Janey Godley whilst caring for her depressed autistic father, Ashley has just had the most surreal, dramatic, tragic… and successful year of her life. Her dream job was always in the magical world of TV with all its escapism, justice and happy endings. But the universe has a twisted sense of humour, and just as Ashley finally gets her big break, Janey is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Yay. In this episode, we jump inside the brilliant and unhinged autistic brain of our “adult perma-child” protagonist and attempt to unspool this tragicomedy with some hilarious digressions en route. Produced by Julia Sutherland Sound Design by Sean Kerwin A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4

29 min
JAN 26

You Heard It Here First

Chris McCausland asks Amy Gledhill and Luke McQueen to take on Angela Barnes and Kiell Smith-Bynoe. The teams must figure out what on earth is being advertised on TV, guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe, and guess what soundscapes their teammates are trying to convey using their mouths alone. This is the first episode from the third season of You Heard It Here First, titled The Live Disintegration of a Man's Being. To hear more episodes, search "You Heard It Here First" on BBC Sounds. Producer: Sasha Bobak Assistant Producer: Eve Delaney Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman A BBC Studios Production.

29 min
JAN 19

Why in the Name of Pierre Novellie

Unarguably tall comedian Pierre Novellie uses his unique style of erudite bafflement to focus on the deep and the shallow in a comedic answer to In Our Time. In this episode, all about why we can’t stop eating, Pierre discusses the misuse of soap, weaponised crisps, Saint Aetholwold, and George Orwell vs the pizza. As Pierre says, “I’m delighted to be given the chance to perform my own comedy on the BBC, the original source of my obsession with comedy as a child. It’s a chance to bring my stand up to a hypothetically grateful nation.” Written and performed by Pierre Novellie and produced & directed by David Tyler (Cabin Pressure, One Person Found This Helpful, Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive) A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4

28 min
JAN 12

The Squid: Sketch a Minute

Rapid-fire sketch show featuring original comedy sketches from breakout online stars The Squid. Taking listeners from Michaelangelo repainting his spare bedroom, to the Scooby Doo gang buying Velma contact lenses for her birthday, each sketch is a fun and unpredictable concept rooted in The Squid’s trademark dry humour. The Squid are a Manchester-based comedy trio made up of writers/performers Liam Shaw, Zoe Freeman and Jack Holding. They have been creating one-minute-long comedy sketches for the last two years, which have gained them 151,000 followers on TikTok, 205,000 on Instagram, and 12 on Facebook. A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

15 min
JAN 5

Best of The News Quiz 2025

A satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year, covering local elections, flag fever, Starmer's struggles, Trump's travails, and a very special meeting between King Charles and Pope Leo XIV. To hear more episodes of The News Quiz, search "Friday Night Comedy" on BBC Sounds. Written and presented by Andy Zaltzman. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production

29 min
12/29/2025

Time of the Week

Chloe Slack presents an Anniversary Special celebrating 81 years of Time Of The Week alongside former host Ruth Paul (special guest Ellie White). Plus: items on Tall Sons, viral dances and we answer the question ‘Do women feel storms more than men?’ Sian Clifford stars as self-important journalist Chloe Slack in this comedy series parodying women’s current affairs and talk shows, surrounded by an ensemble cast of character comedians. Chloe Slack - Sian Clifford Ruth Paul - Ellie White Ensemble cast: Ada Player Alice Cockayne Aruhan Galieva Ayoade Bamgboye Caroline Elms Em Prendergast Jodie Mitchell Jonathan Oldfield Lorna Rose Treen Mofé Akàndé Created by Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan Oldfield Writing team: Alice Cockayne Jodie Mitchell Jonathan Oldfield Lorna Rose Treen Priya Hall Will Hughes Script Editors - Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan Oldfield Photographer - Will Hearle Producer - Ben Walker A DLT Entertainment Production for BBC Radio 4

29 min
12/22/2025

I Don’t Do… with Julian Clary

I Don’t Do…Christmas! is a brand new, gloriously mischievous panel show for people who’d, well, rather not. Julian Clary hosts a yuletide celebration like no other, joined by comedians Jo Brand, Glenn Moore and Fatiha El-Ghorri, with special guest Gareth Malone. Hosted and Created by Julian Clary Featuring: Jo Brand, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Glenn Moore Special Guest: Gareth Malone Additional Material: Andrew White Sound: David Thomas Production Manager: Laura Shaw Producer: Charlie Dinkin Executive Producer: Benjamin Sutton A Daddy’s Superyacht production for BBC Radio 4

28 min
12/15/2025

David Eagle: See No Eagle

Comedian and folk musician David Eagle (of the three time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winning group "The Young'uns") brings his brand new comedy show to Radio 4. In episode 1 of 'See No Eagle', David's unpacking his childhood, from those memorable moments of his first go at the keyboard, to gracing the stage for the very first time (headlining the Teddy Bears picnic). Written and performed by David Eagle. Editor: David Thomas Production Co-ordinator: Jodie Charman Producer: Rajiv Karia

15 min

See All (51)

Amy Gledhill

Guest
Luke McQueen

Guest
Angela Barnes

Guest
Kiell Smith-Bynoe

Guest

4.2

out of 5

431 Ratings

Hit and miss, sometimes hilarious

12/12/2023

The Shadow Nose

Recently Nora Roberts was great with droll snippets. The four previous episodes were mostly lacking. There is 60 seconds of commercials to skip at start and more at end. I recommend giving each episode 1-2 minutes and quitting if not yet zinging. None seem to progressively improve.
A selection of mostly drivel as in Sunil Patel, ashley Storrie and Julian Clary. More Miss Than Hit

5d ago

Mac an tSionnaigh

Frank Skinner, Alexei Sayle, Alfie Moore and Call Jonathan Pie stand out among the dross and its getting worse. What ever happened to the great R4 comedy of yore like Our Brave Boys and No Commitments?
Pure escape

11/29/2025

Jmmillett

I’ve listened to every past BBC comedy show and episode I’ve ever found. Comedy of the Week keeps me up to date with newer shows and newer comedians. There is something welcoming about BBC comedy that I find comforting and addictive in these strange times.
Mark Steel is Brilliant

10/20/2025

Chuckizo

Each episode, Mark Steel visits another town, city, or location and talks about what he found out. He covers the history of the place, the people who live there, and for what the place is famous. Performed before a live audience of the locals, it is incredibly funny while insightful. I’ve learned a tremendous amount about Great Britain and have had a fun time listening.