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Janice Forsyth with all that's new in comedy on radio, TV, the movies, online and live.

Janice Forsyth taps into the funny business in Scotland and worldwide with all that's new in comedy on radio, TV, the movies, DVD, books, online and live performances

The Comedy Café: 03/06/2011

03/06/2011

BBC Radio Scotland - The Comedy Café, 03/06/2011

Hear how Horrible Histories makes history hysterical for children and adults alike.

What's the winning formula that's made history hysterical for children and adults alike in TV's Horrible Histories?

Winning Best Sketch Show at the British Comedy Awards has lifted the lid on the guilty pleasure of parents nationwide who can now safely proclaim "I love Horrible Histories and I'm proud!" As the hilarious children's show returns to CBBC for series 3, we speak to writer actor Laurence Rickard and actor Ben Wilbond about the winning formula that's made history hysterical for children and adults alike. 

And as comedians fall over themselves to appear on "Horrible Histories" we ask why do so many comedians work in children's TV? Dara O Briain, Ed Petrie, Tom Deacon. there's a strong tradition of comedians crossing over between the late night comedy club circuit and presenting humorous TV programmes for kids. CBBC continuity presenter and stand-up comedian, Iain Stirling, and stand-up Kirsten O'Brien, formerly of CBBC, discuss the tricky balancing act of working in these two very different worlds.

Plus - as popular as Tony Hancock and with a show which ran for more than 150 episodes - what happened to the legacy of comic genius Arthur Haynes? In the 1950's "The Arthur Haynes Show" was a firm favourite with the viewing public for his sketches including the philosophising tramp, the burglar and the working class man. Playing straight man to Hayne's cheeky class-defined characters was Nicholas Parsons OBE - he tells the Comedy Cafe about working with this unsung hero of comedy.

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