Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 Best of The News Quiz 2025
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Jan 9, 2026 Join a hilarious look back at a tumultuous year filled with political chaos and comedic gems. Topics include a satirical take on NHS reforms and Keir Starmer's awkward encounter with Trump. The panel riffs on the rise of Reform UK and the unpredictability of Farage's rhetoric. Relive the chaotic Spain blackout and Labour's missteps with pensioners. Enjoy sharp wit on England's flag culture and King Charles's meeting with the Pope, all leading up to a cheeky outlook for the year ahead.
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Doctor Turned Comedian's Medical Tale
- Andy Zaltzman recounts extensive personal medical history after leaving medicine, listing scans and surgeries he underwent.
- He uses the hospital ward scene to comic effect, noting a patient's loud phone call and his own health scares.
Style Over Substance In Populist Parties
- Panelists frame political volatility as chaotic and often performative rather than substantive.
- Reform UK is described as style over policy, likened to a thesaurus and right-wing fantasy football.
Defence Rhetoric Vs Practical Capacity
- The show frames defence spending debates as symbolic gestures that don't match national capacity.
- Comedic comparisons highlight mismatch between rhetoric and practical military scale.