BBC Radio 4 Extra

The Real Comedy Controllers: The Things That Made Us Laugh: Comedy in the 21st Century

The Real Comedy Controllers: The Things That Made Us Laugh

Comedy in the 21st Century

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Real Comedy Controllers: The Things That Made Us Laugh, Comedy in the 21st Century

Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville on broadcast comedy's future.

Made for 4 Extra. Has broadcast comedy run out of ideas? Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville pool their experience to find out.

Instead of guest Comedy Controllers, choosing their comedy favourites, it is now the turn of those who, in their own ways, have to take the blame for many of the shows often featured on Radio 4 Extra. Between them, Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville have well over a 150 years of gut-busting, side-aching woofers, gags and - let's be honest - the occasional horrific mistimed silence. 

In front of an audience in the iconic Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House - the home of British Radio comedy - they reveal why they do it and what it was (and is) that made them laugh. 

Programme 4. Comedy in the 21st Century - The Real Comedy Controllers argue whether broadcast comedy has run out of ideas... and asks where do we go for laughs today. Episodes featured include:

Over The Garden Wall
Norman Evans plays toothless Lancastrian housewife Fanny Fairbottom, later inspiring Les Dawson's homage Ada. From October 1948.

Down The Line
Hosted by the legendary Gary Bellamy, starring Rhys Thomas, Amelia Bullmore, Simon Day, Felix Dexter, Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse. With special guests Adil Ray and Arabella Weir. First broadcast in February 2011.

Museum of Curiosity
Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd and his curator Sarah Millican welcome the singer, photographic playboy and failed accountant Ken Dodd; Dr Hannah Fry who took up mathematical modelling to get to grips with dating; and Greg Jenner who checks the historical accuracy of over 1,200 songs and sketches that make up Horrible Histories. First broadcast in January 2016,

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
The long-running, self-styled antidote to panel games. The Sony Award winning, 30th Anniversary edition. First broadcast in April 2002.

Series Producers: Paul Kobrak and Dixi Stewart

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.

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.

Comedy: Chat

Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville select their top comedy moments

Paul Jackson, Beryl Vertue, John Lloyd and Jimmy Mulville select their top comedy moments from after the Second World War

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