R2OK!

Ian Robinson · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 2:17 pm Post subject: Festival of Funny

Radio 2's annual Funny Fortnight is now part of the BBC's "Festival of Funny" and as a result now runs for 2 days rather than 2 weeks! Genius

Here's what's coming up:

Saturday 6 March, 9pm-10pm

The Delightful Sausage on Staycations

The Delightful Sausage - aka Christopher Cantrill and Amy Gledhill - are bringing their Edinburgh Fringe Best Show-nominated double act to Radio 2 with a travelogue unearthing some of the UK’s most unique staycations. The show finds them getting hot and bothered at a Dracula-themed B&B, sampling some eye-watering cuisines and having a truly unforgettable stay at a Yorkshire holiday camp. Expect gross-out humour, deranged characters and really, really northern accents! The cast is Amy Gledhill, Chris Cantrill, Gabby Best, Ibinabo Jack, Paul Dunphy, Nicola Redman, Written by Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill and produced by Hannah Moulder for Various Artists Ltd.

Tommy Tiernan On Beards

Stand-up comedian Tommy Tiernan is perplexed to know ‘Just when does a beard become a beard?’ To discover the answer, he roots about the facial hair of everyone from Roy Keane to Karl Marx in this half hour of meditative comedy from one of the masters of the art. Produced by Mabinog Productions.

Sunday 7 March, 9pm-10pm

Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Secret Desires

Written and performed by Chortle and Edinburgh Comedy Awards winner Kiri Pritchard-McLean in which she explores all the things she’s missed whilst living in isolation. Featuring audience stories, Kiri will unpick the awkward moments of life that we so weirdly desire… Hen do anyone? Produced by Suzy Grant for BBC Studios.

The Empire

Set in Imperial India where the new district magistrate of Darjeeling grapples with the responsibilities of his new post with the help - and sometimes hindrance - of his colleagues. The cast features Stephen Fry as Viceroy, Alexander Owen as Albright, Rasika Dugal as Sapna, Anuvab Pal as Harbans and Michelle Gomez as Mrs Campbell. It is written by Arnuvab Pal and produced by Ed Morrish for Channel X.[/u]

Ian Robinson · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 2:19 pm Post subject:

In addition, these will be on the telly:

Stand-up shows

Rose Matafeo - Horndog
Fern Brady - Power And Chaos
Dylan Moran - Off The Hook
Eddie Izzard - Force Majeure
John Cleese - Live At The Acropolis
Stephen Merchant - Hello Ladies
Bill Bailey - Limboland

Retrospectives:

Tommy Cooper At The BBC
In the centenary of his birth, this programme takes a look at the unique comic genius of Tommy Cooper with a selection of clips from his appearances at the BBC. Presented by Sir Lenny Henry.

Caroline Aherne At The BBC
Groundbreaking comic genius Caroline Aherne is celebrated in this selection of her work, including The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family. Presented by Fast Show colleague John Thomson.

Victoria Wood: Victoria At The Albert
Recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 2001, Victoria Wood performs her At It Again stand up show, showcasing her brilliantly penetrating observations on the mundanities of life.

Dave Allen On Life
Marking 50 years since his seminal BBC series Dave Allen At Large. In this broadcast premiere, Dave Allen presents a selection of his favourite monologues from across his career. Armed with his trademark props, he sits on a stool, sips his whisky and reflects on the idiocies of life, meditating on everything from the process of ageing through to the invasive tendencies of the modern telephone.

Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland
Two-part series with intimate interviews with Billy Connolly, providing unique insight into the early influences and motivations that made this comedy legend the man he is today.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:02 am Post subject:

Really enjoyed The Delightful Sausage

Thought The Empire was a bit too dense, but had it's moments

Not listened to the rest yet. Shame there's not slot on Radio 2 for any of these to go to full series though.

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1189 Location: London

I watched the Tommy Cooper, as I thought there would be some footage that I hadn't seen, from the early days when he was so sharp and quite hilarious. There was about 10 minutes or so from one or two Royal Variety Performances that met the criteria. And a little something with Parky, which I hadn't seen before.
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