Showing results by author "BBC"

Ten archive editions of the the much-loved BBC Radio 4 panel game plus two very special programmes, chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Seasons come and go, and years fly by, but Just a Minute has been a constant ray of sunshine on Radio 4 for over 50 years.  Now, in this new collection of programmes, 10 previously unpublished editions - from the 1970s to the 2010s - are presented alongside two very special half hours: Just a Minute: 50 Years in 28 Minutes and 50 Years of Just a Minute: Paul Merton in Conversation with Nicholas Parsons. 

This six-part comedy series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1988. Hosted by Stephen Fry, accompanied each week by Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Emma Thompson, and a selection of guests including Phyllida Law, Robert Bathurst, Julia Hills, and Alison Steadman, the show takes the form of a roundtable discussion, interspersed with sketches that veer tangentially from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Comic icon Spike Milligan recollects highlights from his stellar career. The comic genius of Spike Milligan changed the face of radio comedy through The Goon Show. Here Milligan chooses and introduces classic clips from an astonishing career: readings from his books Puckoon and Adolf Hitler, My Part in his Downfall, poems, songs, sketches, extracts from Q6 and In the Psychiatrist’s Chair. He reminisces about India and Bexhill and reads his favourite poems, including 'Fred Fernakerpan'.

Presented by Michael Parkinson, this highly entertaining collection of interviews is taken from Spike Milligan's numerous appearances on Parkinson between 1972 and 1982. The subjects Spike covers include his early years, his poetry and books, The Goons, and his relationship with the BBC.

The Museum of Curiosity is hosted by the Professor of Ignorance at the University of Buckingham, Professor John Lloyd C.B.E. (of Not the Nine O'Clock News, Spitting Image, Blackadder and QI fame), and the comedian Jimmy Carr. The Museum invites three guests, a mixture of entertaining experts and expert entertainers, to donate one item each to the museum and explain why it deserves a place in the museum. Ever since someone gave the museum the Big Bang it's been expanding at an alarming rate, and now there's no looking back without the aid of a huge telescope.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince present a witty, irreverent look at the world according to science. The Infinite Monkey Cage has become one of BBC Radio 4’s most popular science-based programmes. In each episode, physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince delve into a particular field of science, with the help of guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment. These 25 episodes feature subjects ranging from music to Frankenstein, from particle physics to the science of sleep, and from astronauts to insects. Also included are the 2016 and 2017 Christmas Special episodes.

A bumper collection of classic fun and games from one of BBC Radio 4's best-loved and most enduring comedy panel games. The inimitable Humphrey Lyttelton is in the chair for these 36 hilarious editions, collected together for the first time. He presides over regular players Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden and Willie Rushton, plus guests including Stephen Fry, Tony Hawks, Andy Hamilton, Paul Merton, Sandi Toksvig and Jeremy Hardy.

An unsettling collection of full-cast dramas from the long-running BBC Radio 4 horror series. Throughout five series of Fear on 4 from 1988-1997, Edward de Souza was The Man in Black, a sinister raconteur who introduced a weekly half hour of terror and suspense. Here, he welcomes us to his house of horrors as he presents 13 terrifying tales that will make your flesh crawl. With eerie sound effects that enhance the atmosphere of dread, these bloodcurdling adaptations run the gamut from the mysterious to the macabre. With superb casts including Imelda Staunton, Bernard Cribbins, Anna Massey, Thora Hird and Sean Barrett.

"Jack and the Beanstalk", read by Lenny Henry
"Goldilocks and the Three Bears", read by Sheridan Smith
"Puss in Boots", read by Lenny Henry
"Snow White", read by Sheridan Smith. Here are four fantastic stories, full of magic and fun, that young children are sure to love!

In 'The Weaver's Tale' (1 May 1977) Barbara isn't happy when Tom spends all their money on a second-hand loom, and Jerry bravely decides to rein in Margo's spending - just after she's been shopping. In 'Suit Yourself' (8 May 1977) Tom and Barbara are making a suit for Tom using sheeps' wool and dye from stinging nettles, while Margo and Jerry have a dinner where 'Sir' announces his retirement. But who will take over the company?

Celebrating 50 years of Just a Minute on air, a collection of previously unpublished episodes from each of the programme's six decades, from 1967 through to the special Christmas 2016 programme Just a Minute Does Panto! Nicholas Parson chairs every programme, with a plethora of guest players, including Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones, Paul Merton, Graham Norton, Gyles Brandreth and Sheila Hancock.

The complete series of eight episodes of the topical comedy quiz show also includes the Team News Quiz vs. Team Now Show special edition. Joining host Sandi Toksvig and regular panellist Jeremy Hardy are, in Episodes 1 and 2: Susan Calman, Samira Ahmed and Nick Doody. In Episode 3 The News Quiz (Sandi Toksvig & Jeremy Hardy) take on The Now Show (Steve Punt & Hugh Dennis), with host Rory Bremner.

Another bumper collection of classic fun and games from one of BBC Radio 4's best-loved and most enduring comedy panel games. The inimitable Humphrey Lyttelton is in the chair for these 25 hilarious editions (including the very first episode from 1972) plus two volumes of vintage 'Live' recordings (ad libs, retakes, warm-ups and all), a 35th anniversary special edition, and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Desert Island, in which famous fans Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Germaine Greer choose their favourite 'Clue' moments.

Here are four episodes of classic comedy from the days when the Civil Service had a sense of humour. The Men from the Ministry were the hilarious radio forerunners of TV's Yes Minister — bungling bureaucrats who bungled for 15 glorious years from 1962 to 1977.

In more than 500 episodes of Parkinson between 1971 and 1982, Michael Parkinson interviewed some of the greatest show-business talents. In his interview with The Goons, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe remember their "love/hate; let's get one over the BBC" relationship. Spike Milligan joins them from his sick bed in Australia. Amid the hilarity, the authentic voice of Peter Sellers emerges, as he talks about his childhood, early career, and achievements.

A further delightful collection of 22 previously unpublished episodes of the ever popular BBC Radio four-panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Showcasing five key players from the past five decades -Tim Rice, Wendy Richard, Tony Hawks, Sue Perkins and Julian Clary - the collection also includes two bonus editions of the show. Loved for the verbal dexterity, wicked wit and competitive edge of its participants, Just a Minute has welcomed scores of guest players to the game since it began in 1967.

The show that grabs listeners by the waist, swirls them round in time to a Strauss waltz, and then trips over the banana skins of convention.

In this popular collection, actors Andrew Branch and Anne Rosenfeld perform over 50 fantastic nursery rhymes, from familiar favourites to lesser-known gems, speaking the rhymes aloud and chatting about their meanings. As they listen, children are encouraged to think about and appreciate the words, increasing their communication skills as they join in and play. This unique collection brings to life traditional nursery rhymes with music and sound effects to thrill a new generation, and is ideal for preschool children who can listen and follow along. 

The show that holds a mirror up to nature and then proceeds to give it a rather embarrassing haircut.

Eight more episodes featuring a panel of comedy guests who trawl through news stories big and small to provide comedy, commentary, irony and irreverence. The guests featured in this series include Andy Hamilton, Zoe Lyons, Hugo Rifkind, Jeremy Hardy, Felicity Ward, Mark Steel, Holly Walsh, Andy Zaltzman, Lucy Porter and Vicki Pepperdine.