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Desolation Jests

Episode 1

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra

Available for years

David Jason stars alongside John Bird, Jan Ravens and Rory Bremner in David Renwick’s dark and quirky comedy sketch show that takes a not-altogether-factual look at the history of comedy….

What comedy sketches would you most want at your side to face the end of the world?

In the opening episode, interviewer JP Doom interviews Frankie “Flesh Eater” Harris about a life at the top of the Most Wanted list, and discusses what sketch-based chuckles he would choose to lighten his heart if he found himself stranded in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

And there are clips from spurious comedy greats such as Mace and Dixon’s “the Fiancée of Frankenstein” sketch; the ultimate Mastermind parody from Jenkin Spleen and Helena Handcart; and the fast-talking lunacy of the Klutz Brothers' classic “A Day at the Proctologists”.

With:

David Jason
John Bird
Jan Ravens
Rory Bremner

Producer: Gareth Edwards

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016. Show less

Contributors

Ensemble:
David Jason
Ensemble:
John Bird
Ensemble:
Jan Ravens
Ensemble:
Rory Bremner

About this data

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