
Advertise on podcast: Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
Rating
4.8from
This podcast has
260 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
BBC Radio 4Explicit
No
Date created
2024/05/06
Latest episode
2026/02/06
Average duration
28 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
Topical comedy from the sharpest satirical minds in the business. Listen first on BBC Sounds, every Friday. Is the news driving you up the wall? You’re not alone. Let the comedians take the strain and work out what’s been funny this week. Features BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, The Naked Week and Too Long; Didn’t Read. Listen on BBC Sounds, seven days earlier than anywhere else, and subscribe to make sure that you don’t miss an episode.
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Check latest episodes from Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 podcast
The News Quiz: Ep4. By-elections, hello defections
2026/02/06
On the agenda this week is Starmer vs Burnham in Labour's latest civil war, Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform, and working out how to save The Great British pub. To get to the bottom of all this, Andy is joined by Daliso Chaponda, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Hugo Rifkind and Holly Walsh.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Christina Riggs, Cameron Loxdale and Sarah Mills
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
The News Quiz: Ep3. Bored of peace
2026/01/30
This week we'll be looking at Trump's Board of Peace and asking whether Trump is bored of peace. We'll be working out how China managed to afford to get on the central London property ladder with their new mega-embassy, and hoping that a clever cow who can use a tool to scratch its back can up its game and sort out global diplomacy before it's too late. Joining Andy to help make sense of all the madness is Lucy Porter, Alasdair Beckett-King, Stephen Bush and Shappi Khorsandi.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Christina Riggs, Cameron Loxdale, Ruth Husko and Dee Allum.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
The News Quiz: Ep2. U-Turn, We Defect
2026/01/23
Andy’s returned from The Ashes and is back in the News Quiz chair. He’s come home to a selection of defections, some serious U-turning and 30,000 properties without water in his hometown of Tunbridge Wells. He was only away for one week! Helping Andy make sense of it all is Susie McCabe, Paul Sinha, Cindy Yu and Scott Bennett.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Eleanor Morton and Dee Allum
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Introducing The Skewer
2026/01/22
Here's a chance for Friday Night Comedy listeners to hear another satirical comedy from BBC Radio 4, as Jon Holmes introduces the latest episode of his series The Skewer.
The four-time Gold Comedy winner at the Radio Academy Awards returns as Jon Holmes mashes up more news with pop culture to create a current affairs comedy concept album.
This week: Trump vs The World, Jenrick The Secret Traitor, No Way Nobel and Peace Board Assemble!
To listen to more episodes from the series, just search for The Skewer on BBC Sounds.
Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
The News Quiz: Ep1. Red, White, Blue and Green-land
2026/01/16
With Andy away at The Ashes, guest host Ian Smith steps in to make sense of a dramatic news week. Topics include the US capturing Nicolás Maduro and threatening to invade Greenland, new driving rules for the over 70s and the problem with Grok AI. Helping Ian decide which way to turn are Ria Lina, Hugo Rifkind, Lucy Porter and Geoff Norcott.
Written by Ian Smith.
With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Alex Kealy and Angela Channell
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Best of The News Quiz 2025
2026/01/09
A satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year, covering local elections, flag fever, Starmer's struggles, Trump's travails, and a very special meeting between King Charles and Pope Leo XIV.
Written and presented by Andy Zaltzman.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
The Matt Forde Focus Group: Boxing Day Special
2026/01/02
Top political comedian Matt Forde reconvenes his Focus Group for a Boxing Day special with a Dickensian twist.
Recorded in front of a live audience, Matt is joined by journalists, comedians and politicians – including former Cabinet Minister Michael Gove – to review the political state we're in through the lens of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Expect sharp analysis, unexpected confessions, and the year's biggest stories getting visited by the Ghosts of Politics Past, Present and Yet to Come.
Appearing as a festive treat in BBC Radio 4's Friday Night Comedy feed, it's a topical comedy that's both genuinely funny and surprisingly insightful – perfect for digesting with the leftover turkey.
Written and performed by Matt Forde
Additional writing from Karl Minns, Laura Claxton and Richard Garvin
Producer: Richard Garvin
Executive Producers Jon Thoday and Richard Allen Turner
Co-Producers: Daisy Knight and Jules Lom
Broadcast Assistant: Sahar Rajabali
Sound Design and Editing: David Thomas
An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4
Dead Ringers Christmas: Ep 2. A Very Kemi Christmas and a Lammy New Year
2025/12/26
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their festive firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions.
This week: Scrooge is visited by the ghost of a Money Saving Expert, and The Grinch more than meets his match.
This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey and Jess Robinson
The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Tom Coles, Sarah Campbell, Sophie Dickson, Peter Tellouche, Jon Holmes, Rachel E Thorn, JoJo Maberly and Cooper, Mawhinny & Sweryt
Created by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
Dead Ringers Christmas: Ep 1. Farage Goes to School, The Snowman v Keir, and Alan Carr: Special Negotiator
2025/12/19
The Dead Ringers team are back to train their vocal firepower on the week’s news with an armoury of impressive impressions.
This week: Farage goes to a new school, The Snowman takes Keir Starmer on a Christmas journey, and Alan Carr: Special Negotiator.
This week's impressionists are Jan Ravens, Jess Robinson, Kieran Hodgson and Josh Berry.
The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Tom Coles, Sarah Campbell, Sophie Dickson, Jon Holmes, Alice Bright, Rachel E Thorn, Jennifer Walker, Joe Topping, Alex Buchanan and G Watson.
Created by Bill Dare
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
The Naked Week: Ep6. Parties, polycules, and pardoning
2025/12/12
This week, The Naked Week team look at Your Party, join a polycule, and bestow some Christmas pardons.
From host Andrew Hunter Murray and The Skewer's Jon Holmes, Radio 4’s newest Friday night comedy The Naked Week returns with a blend of the silly and serious. From satirical stunts to studio set pieces via guest correspondents and investigative journalism, it's a bold, audacious take not only on the week’s news, but also the way it’s packaged and presented.
Host: Andrew Hunter Murray
Guests: Rosie Holt, Leanne Yau
The Naked Week Carol Singers: Fiona Mundy, Holly Alderson, Kayley Williams, Molly Punshon
Investigations Team: Cat Neilan, Cormac Kehoe, Freya Shaw
Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
James Kettle
Additional Material:
Karl Minns
Joe Topping
Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt
David Riffkin
WH Auden
Live Sound: Jerry Peal
Post Production: Tony Churnside
Clip Assistant: David Riffkin
Production Assistant: Molly Punshon
Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer
Producer and Director: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Phil Abrams.
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
The Naked Week: Ep5. A Budget, A Bombshell, and a Bedtime Story.
2025/12/05
This week, The Naked Week fingers some fudge, profits from the spoils of war, and reads everyone a lovely bedtime story with a very special guest.
From host Andrew Hunter Murray and The Skewer's Jon Holmes, Radio 4’s newest Friday night comedy The Naked Week returns with a blend of the silly and serious. From satirical stunts to studio set pieces via guest correspondents and investigative journalism, it's a bold, audacious take not only on the week’s news, but also the way it’s packaged and presented.
Host: Andrew Hunter Murray
Guests: Kate Cheka, Janet Ellis
Investigations Team: Cat Neilan, Cormac Kehoe, Freya Shaw
Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
James Kettle
Additional Material:
Karl Minns
Molly Punshon
Helen Brooks
Pete Redfern
Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt
Kevin Smith
David Riffkin
Additional Music:
Jake Yapp
Live Sound: Jerry Peal
Post Production: Tony Churnside
Clip Assistant: David Riffkin
Production Assistant: Molly Punshon
Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer
Producer and Director: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Phil Abrams.
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4.
The Naked Week: Ep4. Immigration, Espionage, and a game of Guess Who? - Epstein Edition.
2025/11/28
Immigration, espionage, and a game of Guess Who? - Epstein Edition.
From host Andrew Hunter Murray and The Skewer's Jon Holmes comes Radio 4’s newest Friday night comedy The Naked Week, with a blend of the silly and serious. From satirical stunts to studio set pieces via guest correspondents and investigative journalism, it's a bold, audacious take not only on the week’s news, but also the way it’s packaged and presented.
Host: Andrew Hunter Murray
Guests: Larry Budd, Alan Dedicoat
Investigations Team: Cat Neilan, Cormac Kehoe, Freya Shaw
Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
James Kettle
Additional Material:
Karl Minns
Sophie Dickson
Helen Brooks
Kevin Smith
Darren Phillips
Joe Topping
Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt
David Riffkin
Live Sound: Jerry Peal
Post Production: Tony Churnside
Clip Assistant: David Riffkin
Production Assistant: Molly Punshon
Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer
Producer and Director: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Phil Abrams.
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
The Naked Week: Ep3. Trump, Traitors, and RIP Tim Davie
2025/11/21
This week, The Naked Week fundraises for the BBC, welcomes a traitor, and necromances a potato.
From host Andrew Hunter Murray and The Skewer's Jon Holmes, Radio 4’s newest Friday night comedy The Naked Week returns with a blend of the silly and serious. From satirical stunts to studio set pieces via guest correspondents and investigative journalism, it's a bold, audacious take not only on the week’s news, but also the way it’s packaged and presented.
Host: Andrew Hunter Murray
Guests: Paul Gorton, Milo Edwards, and The BNC Players James Akka, Holly Skinner and Amy Small
Investigations Team: Cat Neilan, Cormac Kehoe, Freya Shaw
Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
James Kettle
Additional Material:
Sophie Dickson
Ali Panting
Darren Phillips
Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt
David Riffkin
Live Sound: Jerry Peal
Post Production: Tony Churnside
Clip Assistant: David Riffkin
Production Assistant: Molly Punshon
Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer
Producer and Director: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Phil Abrams.
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4.
The Naked Week: Ep2. Trains, Tice, and Taylor Swift
2025/11/14
This week, The Naked Week shoehorns an agenda, gets out of jail free, and in a genuine Radio 4 first - Taylor Swift pays a visit to the studio!
From host Andrew Hunter Murray and The Skewer's Jon Holmes, Radio 4’s newest Friday night comedy The Naked Week returns with a blend of the silly and serious. From satirical stunts to studio set pieces via guest correspondents and investigative journalism, it's a bold, audacious take not only on the week’s news, but also the way it’s packaged and presented.
Host: Andrew Hunter Murray
Guests: Paul Dunphy, Taylor Swift (no, really!)
Investigations Team: Cat Neilan, Cormac Kehoe, Freya Shaw
Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
James Kettle
Additional Material:
Karl Minns
Ali Panting
Helen Brooks
Molly Punshon
Kevin Smith
David Riffkin
Live Sound: Jerry Peal
Post Production: Tony Churnside
Clip Assistant: David Riffkin
Production Assistant: Molly Punshon
Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer
Producer and Director: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Phil Abrams.
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
The Naked Week: Ep1. Royal lodges, asylum hotels and witches.
2025/11/07
This week we provide recourse for a randy royal, organise an on-air riot and, for Halloween, get confused over which witch is which.
From host Andrew Hunter Murray and The Skewer's Jon Holmes, Radio 4’s newest Friday night comedy The Naked Week returns with a blend of the silly and serious. From satirical stunts to studio set pieces via guest correspondents and investigative journalism it's a bold, audacious take not only on the week’s news, but also the way it’s packaged and presented.
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
Host; Andrew Hunter Murray
Guests: Bella Hull, Lisa Webb
Investigations Team: Cat Neilan, Cormac Kehoe, Freya Shaw
Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
James Kettle
Additional Material:
Karl Minns
Vivienne Hopley-Jones
Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt
Helen Brooks
Ali Panting
Kevin Smith
Sophie Dickson
Live Sound: Jerry Peal
Post Production: Tony Churnside
Clip Assistant: David Riffkin
Production Assistant: Molly Punshon
Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer
Producer: Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Phil Abrams.
an unusual production for BBC Radio 4.
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