Comedian Natalie Haynes asks who the role models are for female stand-ups. Comedy performers such is Joyce Grenfell and Beryl Reid adopted character roles but Natalie's inspiration comes from writers. She listens in to the archives of Jessica Mitford, Dorothy Parker and Rebecca West and speaks to American writers Cynthia Heimel and Fran Lebowitz, and to British writer Julie Burchill. Producer Robyn Read

Laughing Matters
11.30am R4
Natalie Haynes knew she wanted to become a comedian in her teens, but Joyce Grenfell, with her use of characters and voices, failed to make the grade as her inspiration. The determined Haynes realised that acting funny a la Grenfell would never do for her: she wanted to use her own voice instead. This bright, witty, well-argued documentary traces her successful search for a muse or two among female writers of fiction, rather than gags. (Jane Anderson)