Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

What's better - an Iron Dome or a Britannia Shield? Why should British parents refrain from sending their children on a French exchange this week? And how big can a pumpkin really be?The panel is Daliso Chaponda, Kyrah Gray, Coco Khan and Finlay Christie.With additional material by: Carywn Blaney, Adrian Gray and Cameron Loxdale Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Sam Nicoresti, surreal comedian and writer; Danny Finkelstein, journalist and political commentator; Susie McCabe, sharp Scottish comic; and Alasdair Beckett-King, surreal observational comedian, tackle Andy Burnham’s care plans and electoral reform. They mock Manchester City’s legal troubles, investigate a mysterious RAF arrest, debate gene-edited bananas and Trump’s diesel threat, then meet South Korea’s canal-dwelling shark celebrity.

Desiree Burch, an American comedian and presenter; Cindy Yu, a journalist covering politics and global affairs; and Robin Morgan, a topical comedian and writer, join a riotous discussion. They dissect Trump’s diplomacy, monumental ambitions and “natural businessperson” compliment, while skewering Piers Morgan’s book spat and party conference promises. The panel also asks whether young people deserve “snowflake” labels amid housing, mental-health and Brexit pressures.

Catherine Bohart, an Irish comedian and actor; Stephen Bush, a political journalist; and Lucy Porter, a comedian and presenter, tackle the week’s strangest headlines. They debate AI’s threat to humanity, Trump’s supposed tech expertise, killer robots and weapons in space. The panel also riffs on the UK’s possible breakup, Irish reunification, Ed Sheeran’s missing support act and whether fiction makes us more empathetic.

Zoe Lyons, a sharp observational comedian, joins political satirist Mark Steel and Times columnist Hugo Rifkind for a riotous tour of the week’s headlines. They tackle Reform funding questions, face-covering bans, protesters mistaking cricketers for migrants, MPs barred from Israel and Prince Harry’s royal status. Plus: Monty Don as Bond, a faster-spinning Earth and a Renoir heist foiled by a dog.

Pierre Novellie, an observational and political comedian; Alasdair Beckett-King, a surreal comedy writer and actor; Coco Khan, a journalist and political commentator; and Kyrah Gray, a topical comedian and writer, tackle the week’s absurd headlines. They scrutinize Andy Burnham’s “bounce,” imagine Keir Starmer’s next career, tour a fake £55-a-night Downing Street listing, and examine prison laundry rooms, sweltering Britain, and political vibes.

Comedian and online creator Cody Dahler joins observational comedian Ayoade Bamgboye for an audience-led romp through the headlines. They tackle Andy Burnham’s guitar diplomacy, party tricks for world peace, tariffs and the case for British maple syrup. Expect plans to reconcile Trump and Carney, renamed landmarks, accent anxiety, royal returns and wildly impractical career advice for Prince Harry.

Harriet Kemsley, sharp-witted comedian and panel regular, and Ashley Storrie, lively performer and comic commentator, riff on big headlines and live audience dilemmas. They tackle geopolitics with satire, mock Trump’s deadlines, debate who should negotiate with Hamas, swap tips for beating procrastination, and riff on scams, AI deepfakes and quirky solutions to social problems.

Alasdair Beckett-King, comedian and writer, brings sharp satire and panel banter. Maisie Adam, stand-up and actor, delivers character sketches and playful riffs. They lampoon novelty candidates, invent a ticklish political persona, debate small fixes for high streets and mock scandals while riffing on heatwave survival tips and theatrical solutions to topical headlines.

Lucy Porter is joined by Susie McCabe, a sharp observational comedian; Jake Bhardwaj, a witty writer-comic; and Vittorio Angelone, a festival stand-up known for topical takes. They riff on the fuss over exam results and career paths. They tackle early release and prison overcrowding with comic bite. They trade surreal news stories from migration headlines to airport mishaps and bed bug tales.