
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
Topical comedy from the sharpest satirical minds in the business. Listen first on BBC Sounds, every Friday.Is the news driving you up the wall? You’re not alone. Let the comedians take the strain and work out what’s been funny this week. Features BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, The Naked Week and Too Long; Didn’t Read. Listen on BBC Sounds, seven days earlier than anywhere else, and subscribe to make sure that you don’t miss an episode.
Latest episodes

Jul 11, 2025 • 29min
Dead Ringers: Ep 4. Welfare woes and Wimbledon
The hosts unleash their vocal talents to tackle news with humor, dissecting the government's welfare issues and the BBC's amusing mishaps at Glastonbury. Expect whimsical comparisons of workers to bees and absurd money-saving tips from royalty. Politically charged banter cleverly intertwines tennis commentary with global dilemmas, featuring a fictional AI line judge named Elon at Wimbledon. The absurdity of celebrity political advice brings laughs, as the team navigates British blunders and quirky tennis tales with sharp wit.

8 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 29min
Dead Ringers: Ep 3. Glastonbury, Benefits, and Bombs.
Dive into a wild ride of political satire as the team tackles everything from Trump’s explosive remarks to the antics at Glastonbury. Enjoy absurd skits on NATO's impractical money-saving tips and a fictional Iranian celebration amid chaos. They explore the clash of culture with the parody 'Gammonbury' festival, revealing the whimsical sides of serious issues. Plus, laugh along with their critique of binary political thinking and an eye-opening take on quirky festival-goers. It's a hilarious blend of humor, politics, and culture!

10 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 29min
Dead Ringers: Ep2. De-escalation and nuclear proliferation
The hosts hilariously dissect the tense dynamics between Israel and Iran, cleverly contrasting past and present perceptions. They whimsically explore the absurdity of military actions versus calls for peace. The discussion turns serious with a critique of grooming gang issues in Rotherham, reflecting on societal inaction. A satirical take on the G7 summit injects humor into pressing global issues. Light-hearted banter also delves into gender dynamics in politics, showcasing both the absurdities and complexities at play. Amusing sketches round out the show.

26 snips
Jun 20, 2025 • 29min
Dead Ringers: Ep1. Greta, Trump and Eau de Farage
Join a hilarious journey through the absurdities of UK politics! Greta Thunberg's witty repartee with government leaders and a cheeky take on Trump and Elon as Love Island contestants deliver laughs. Meet the Crap Crusader, a superhero parodying the madness of political discourse. Enjoy quirky ads like Eau de Farage and dive into satirical football banter. With humor shining a light on issues like free speech and political oddities, this satire serves up insightful commentary with a generous dose of laughter!

18 snips
Jun 13, 2025 • 29min
The News Quiz: Ep 8. Musk and Trump Break Up
A lively panel dissects the chaotic public spat between a tech billionaire and a former president, likening it to a hilarious breakup. They humorously address the absurdities of politics, including military spending and the pitfalls of trust in children's town planning ideas. Comedic anecdotes reveal how mispronunciations create whimsical discussions, while critiques of industry-funded dietary research add to the absurdity. The conversation wraps up with outrageous predictions and a playful nod to infamous public figures, leaving listeners eager for more.

Jun 6, 2025 • 29min
The News Quiz: Ep 7. Tariff Turmoil
Armando Iannucci, a sharp-witted Times columnist known for his satirical takes, joins the panel for a lively discussion. They tackle Trump’s tariff chaos, revealing the absurdities and their effects on the working class. The group humorously critiques the complexities of Canadian royal diplomacy and explores the political pressures faced by Netanyahu. Other topics include the ethical dilemmas of octopus consumption and how political discourse can veer into comedy. Expect laughs interwoven with keen insights on serious issues!

12 snips
May 30, 2025 • 28min
The News Quiz: Ep 6. Big Deals
Join a lively discussion where humor meets the world of wealth, politics, and punctuation! The hosts tackle the outrageousness of billionaires in society, offering quirky ideas for reality shows about the elite. They dive into the complexities of Brexit and the ironic twists of agricultural deals. Amidst political tensions, there's playful banter about the semicolon and the decline of punctuation. Expect amusing anecdotes and sharp commentary as they navigate the zany intersections of history, identity, and language.

10 snips
May 23, 2025 • 29min
The News Quiz: Ep 5. An Island of Strangers
Get ready for a whirlwind of wit as panelists tackle the week's hot topics! They dive into the UK's immigration White Paper, exploring what defines a 'skilled job' while poking fun at political double talk. The absurdity of chimpanzees performing first aid adds a hilarious twist to discussions about health trends, like the Ozempic craze. And as they reflect on the job market, nostalgia meets sharp critiques of government policies, all served with a generous side of humor. This lively banter is both entertaining and thought-provoking!

22 snips
May 16, 2025 • 29min
The News Quiz: Ep 4. Conclave Concluded
Join comedian Alasdair Beckett-King, known for his surreal humor, as he dives into a whirlwind of current affairs. The panel humorously critiques the recent UK local elections and dissects the hilarity of political oddities and campaign promises. They also tackle the perplexities of misinformation in contemporary conflicts, especially relating to India and Pakistan. Expect laughs as they ponder the impact of the new American Pope and the quirky urban traditions surrounding statues, all while blending witty banter with sharp political commentary.

19 snips
May 9, 2025 • 29min
The News Quiz: Ep 3. Power Outrage
In this installment, comedian Ed Byrne, known for his sharp wit and appearances on Mock the Week, joins a spirited panel to dissect the week's news. They hilariously navigate the chaos of power outages across Spain and France, poking fun at human behavior during crises. The conversation dives into a quirky mineral deal involving the U.S. and Ukraine, mixed with political satire. Lively banter ensues over a study linking champagne to heart health, as they explore the absurdities of modern life and the oddities of food regulations.