Does it seem that the media is run by idiots, lying charlatans and moronic 12-year-olds who should've been drowned at birth in a bucket of raw sewage?

Welcome to the world of Ed Reardon, author, pipe smoker, consummate fare-dodger and master of the abusive e-mail.

Christopher Douglas stars as Ed Reardon.

Written by Christopher Douglas and Andrew Nickolds.

In a one-bedroom flat over a hairdresser's in Berkhamsted, Ed has lived on his own since his wife and grown-up kids left him, forcing the sale of the London home.

Ed's first and last published novel ‘Who Would Fardels Bear?’ was bought by Hollywood, relocated from Oldham to San Francisco and turned into a Sally Field movie ('Sister Mom') in the mid-70s. It was directed by Ed's best mate Jaz Milvane whose career has since gone stratospheric. Ed's broke up on re-entry; with the exception of his episode of Tenko in 1982, the royalties of which now amount to about £17 a year - but are anxiously awaited nonetheless.

Ed’s been forced into lowbrow work for the ever popular Christmas book market. Jane Seymour's Household Hints (1996) and The Brand's Hatch Story got him through a couple of winters.

But Ed remains bullishly optimistic. He may have just one pair of trousers and a seven-figure Amazon sales ranking, but no writer knows more about stealing his agent's stationery... and as a freeloader Ed Reardon is the acknowledged leader of his profession.

Enjoy Ed's flawed attempts to escape poverty and gain the literary success he strongly feels is due. Regular characters include Felix (Ed's long-standing friend and former agent) Ping (his new '12 year-old' agent), the lively pensioners he teaches a screenwriting class to and the irritatingly rich and successful, Jaz Milvane.

Featuring:

Stephanie Cole
John Fortune
Ronnie Golden
Sally Grace
Sally Hawkins
Martin Hyder
Philip Jackson
Rita May
Geoffrey McGivern
Dan Tetsell
Geoffrey Whitehead

Producer: Simon Nicholls

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2005. Show less