Comedy Greats

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Comedy: Sitcoms

Decade by decade, Barry Cryer showcases the best of the BBC archive

BBC Radio 7

Comedy Greats: The 1960s: Episode 1

Episode 1

The 1960s

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Comedy Greats, The 1960s, Episode 1

With Beyond Our Ken, It's a Fair Cop, The Navy Lark, Benny Hill Time and The Clitheroe Kid

Barry Cryer's treasures from the swinging decade, including Beyond Our Ken, It's a Fair Cop, The Navy Lark, Benny Hill Time, The Clitheroe Kid and I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.

Decade by decade, Barry Cryer showcases some of the funniest and finest shows ever broadcast by the BBC. 

Six favourite shows plucked from the swinging 1960s schedules of the BBC Light Programme and BBC Home Service: 

*     Beyond Our Ken 
Series 3 (7/14) 
Kenneth Horne's busy week - and check out the latest film releases in 'Picture Go Round'. With Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. From May 1960. 

*     It's A Fair Cop 
From 19/06/61 
Eric Sykes plays a hapless copper on a bank stake-out. With Hattie Jacques, Deryck Guyler and Dick Emery. From June 1961. 

*     The Navy Lark 
Series 9 (16/20) Cuthbert Joins the Navy 
Mrs Povey insists that her snooty nephew samples a career on the ocean wave aboard HMS Troutbridge. Stars Stephen Murray, Jon Pertwee, Leslie Phillips, Ronnie Barker, Michael Bates, Richard Caldicot, Heather Chasen and Tenniel Evans. From October 1967. 

*     Benny Hill Time 
From 29/03/64 
Fred Scuttle in a James Bond spoof. Topical sketches and more with Peter Vernon, Jan Waters and Anthony Sharp. From March 1964 

*     The Clitheroe Kid 
Series 12 (11/20) Stop the Wedding, I Want to Get Off 
The cheeky youngster is due to be a page boy at his Auntie's wedding, but he's not too keen on his satin outfit - so soon sparks more mayhem. Stars Jimmy Clitheroe, Peter Sinclair, Patricia Burke, Danny Ross, Diana Day, Fred Gaunt and Brian Trueman. From December 1968. 

*     I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again 
Series 6 (4/13) 
Schools debate, Merseyside mariachi and trouble at t'mill. Songs and sketches with John Cleese, Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, David Hatch and Jo Kendall. From May 1968. 

Produced and scripted by Peter Reed 

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in May 2003.

Comedy Greats: The 1960s

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Barry Cryer revisits BBC radio comedy across the swinging 1960s.

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