

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2025 • 28min
Too Long; Didn't Read: Ep 1. There's something in the water
Phil Wang, a British-Malaysian comedian known for his witty stand-up, joins roving correspondent Sunil Patel to tackle the UK's water regulation crisis. They dive into rising costs and sewage pollution while mixing humor with sharp critiques of privatization. Anecdotes about quirky date ideas lead to a lighthearted yet critical discussion on water management. The pair even taste-test various water sources, poking fun at the absurdities surrounding water quality and infrastructure failures, revealing the comical side of a serious issue.

Jul 25, 2025 • 29min
Dead Ringers: Ep 6. Super-injunctions, Superheroes, and, er, Diane Abbott.
This installment dives into the quirks of super-injunctions and superheroes, bringing Diane Abbott's political escapades into the spotlight. A humorous exploration contrasts racism in politics with absurd fiction, featuring scandalous mishaps involving Wallace and a window-cleaning machine. The satire continues as comedians mimic government officials on serious topics like Palestinian recognition, while culinary chaos unfolds in a mock MasterChef crisis. Expect witty banter and playful critiques of media and society, all wrapped in a light-hearted yet insightful package.

33 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 28min
Dead Ringers: Ep 5. Man of Steel, Woman of Salt Path
Join a hilarious rollercoaster as the team tackles immigration policy with a satirical Prime Minister monologue. Experience dark humor in 'actual hell' with a chilly reporter and political chaos. Witness a superhero twist, as a 'Man of Steel' mocks Trump amid political absurdities. Enjoy the thrill of basketball intertwined with a comedic Ambridge saga and absurd tariffs. Plus, laugh through sketches on budget cuts affecting sound effects and a skit on bizarre fragrances, critiquing culture and accountability in a delightfully absurd way.

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.

37 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.