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The Real Comedy Controllers: The Things That Made Us Laugh

Satire and Sitcoms

3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Duration: 1 hour

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

Available for years

BBC Comedy Controllers from across the decades look back at radio shows from the past.

Clocking up over 150 years on the job between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville reveal what they do, why they do it and what makes them laugh.

From London's iconic BBC Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy.

In the last of three programmes, our foursome travel back to the golden years of 1960s and 70s to celebrate the satire boom and to trace the development of sitcoms both here and abroad.

Featuring:

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
The Primary Phase (6/6)
Fit The Sixth

Arthur and company escape from a war, but exactly when have they escaped to? Stars Peter Jones and David Jason.
From April 1978.

Plus extracts from:

FRANKIE HOWERD
THE GOOD SHOW - The Great Regent’s Park Swim

Sadly Beryl Vertue passed away, aged 90, in 2022.

Series Producers: Paul Kobrak and Dixi Stewart.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in March 2017. Show less

About this data

This data is drawn from the data stream that informs BBC's iPlayer and Sounds. The information shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was/is subject to change and may not be accurate. More