Desolation Jests

Original version

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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David Jason

John Bird

Jan Ravens

Rory Bremner

Christopher Timothy

Adie Allen

James Lailey

Nick Underwood

Gareth Edwards

David Renwick

Desolation Jests: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Desolation Jests, Episode 2

David Jason stars in David Renwick’s dark sketch show about laughter after the apocalypse.

JP Doom quizzes Viktor Schmelling about his career in comedy. David Jason and John Bird in post-apocalyptic sketches. From 2016.

David Jason stars with John Bird, Rory Bremner and Jan Ravens in David Renwick's dark sketch comedy that takes a post-apocalyptic and distinctly counter-factual look at the history of laughter.... 

JP Doom interviews Viktor Schmelling about his career in comedy from his humble beginnings as a joke writer for the Queen through to his current role as Emeritus Professor of Princeton University's Faculty of Laughter. His message - life is horrible - you better learn to see the funny side.

Among the classic comedy sketches Schmelling singles out for posterity are the atheist episode of Sunday Worship; an old lag and his pet orang-utan; and 1950's cult The Demob Mob's remarkable episode on Hitler, liquorish allsorts and the awesome power of the non-sequitur.

With:

David Jason
John Bird
Jan Ravens
Rory Bremner
Christopher Timothy
Adie Allen
James Lailey
Nick Underwood

Producer: Gareth Edwards

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2016.

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: Sketch

David Renwick's dark and quirky comedy sketch show.

David Renwick's dark and quirky comedy sketch show takes a not-altogether-factual look at the history of comedy. With David Jason, John Bird, Jan Ravens and Rory Bremner.

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