

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 23, 2024 • 28min
Catherine Bohart: TL;DR - 4. Want to brush up on education for the new school year?
Catherine Bohart, a comedian and writer, brings her sharp wit to the pressing issue of the UK’s university funding crisis. She humorously critiques news reporting and frames global events through the lens of everyday dilemmas. Bohart dives into the alarming financial struggles faced by nearly half of UK universities, discussing potential hybrid funding models and the implications for student accessibility. With satirical anecdotes about student debt and a comparison of educational systems worldwide, she keeps the conversation engaging and thought-provoking.

Aug 16, 2024 • 28min
Catherine Bohart: TL;DR - 3. What's with all the riotous goings-on?
Catherine Bohart, a sharp-witted comedian and writer, hosts lively discussions with Tom Neenan and Anand Menon, delving into the chaotic world of current events. They tackle the rise of far-right movements in Europe and the bizarre dynamics of recent riots. Zoe Lyons adds humorous insights into why British fascists lack the flair of their continental counterparts. Together, they blend satire and critical analysis to explore issues of accountability and the complexities of racism in today's society, all while keeping the tone light and engaging.

Aug 9, 2024 • 28min
Catherine Bohart: TL;DR - 2. What's Putin's endgame in Ukraine?
Catherine Bohart, a comedian and columnist, is joined by journalist Sunil Patel, comedy expert Gareth Gwynn, and historian Julia Leikin. They dive into Putin's motivations in Ukraine. The discussion highlights Ukraine's resilience, featuring the unexpected role of comedian-turned-president Volodymyr Zelensky. They also analyze historical influences on the conflict and the complexities of Russia's strategic alliances amidst sanctions. With humor and insight, they unpack the tangled dynamics of modern warfare and politics.

Aug 2, 2024 • 28min
Catherine Bohart: TL;DR - 1. We Need To Talk About Kamala
Catherine Bohart chats with Sunil Patel, a witty journalist, Katy Balls, a US politics aficionado, and Professor Sarah, a political expert. They dive into the shifting dynamics of US leadership as Kamala Harris steps into the spotlight. The team humorously unpacks the complexities of her political identity and analyzes Biden's endorsement. They liken the candidate selection process to choosing condiments, making the serious topic accessible. Plus, they explore generational changes in politics, all while keeping the tone light and engaging.

Jul 19, 2024 • 29min
The News Quiz - 19th July
Entertaining news quiz with humorous banter on boring legislation and political figures. Jokes about TV appearances, security checks, and cricket legends. Fun discussion on Olympics, Trump's survival, and chimpanzee behavior. Reflections on recent political events and promotion of other podcasts.

Jul 19, 2024 • 29min
The News Quiz- 12th July
Comedians and a political journalist engage in a humorous quiz, discussing topics like Lewis Hamilton's win and Gareth Southgate's success. From reflections on retirements in sports to humorous takes on enforced laughter laws, this podcast covers a wide range of amusing news stories and political banter.

4 snips
Jul 12, 2024 • 28min
The News Quiz - 5th July
Lucy Porter, Ria Lina, Simon Evans, and Hugo Rifkind join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news in this post-General Election special. They cover the exit polls, winners, losers, and funny scenarios involving politicians. Comedians humorously discuss election outcomes, voter behavior, and politicians' actions with witty analogies and banter, maintaining a lighthearted tone throughout.

Jul 5, 2024 • 29min
The News Quiz - 28th June
Comedians Geoff Norcott, Stuart Mitchell, Daliso Chaponda, and journalist Katy Balls join Andy Zaltzman to discuss the final head-to-head debate in the UK, workplace betting pitfalls, and address political elephants in the room with humor and wit.

Jun 28, 2024 • 29min
The News Quiz - 21st June
Comedians and a journalist discuss political scenarios, nuclear deterrence, and humorous news headlines on a news quiz. They joke about supermajorities, UK-China relations, and KISS-CAM at the UN General Assembly.

Jun 21, 2024 • 29min
The News Quiz - 14th June
Lucy Porter, Alasdair Beckett-King, Athena Kugblenu and Hugo Rifkind join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week and the General Election gets closer still, Andy and the Panel will be mulling over the manifestos, inspecting political interviews, and spotlight scandals in the world of competitive eating.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Christina Riggs, Meryl O'Rourke, Mike Shephard, Herries Anderton & Pete Tellouche
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
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