Comedy of the Week

Stand-up comedian Aurie Styla, a 90s nerd, takes an autobiographical journey through technology history.

We begin in the early 90s, with the tinny sound of the Nintendo Game Boy and his first 13-inch television which only worked if asked very nicely, and he re-wired to show all the channels available - in total, four.

A technology lover since those days of that 13-inch TV and his first console, the Sega Master System – featuring ‘Alex Kidd In Miracle World’, the most frustrating video game of all time – Aurie has seen technology transform in a manner that would have been hard to believe in the 90s.

This show charts his personal relationship with machines, looking at the past (computer games that you had to load from cassette tapes), the present (houses that are lit and warmed via apps on your phone, cars that drive themselves without you) and the future (AIs that tell you how to dress and what to eat for dinner, and superior intelligences that command your every move whether you want to object or not).

Technology has moved on rapidly, from being a fun sideshow to the bedrock of our understanding of human life. Aurie guides us through this landscape with infectious wit, taking time to remember the awkward interface of MSN Messenger while also negotiating the modern culture of having to check with a virtual assistant before you turn your lights off. A warm, human show about the way the world has become less and less warm and human, celebrating the march of tech while being appropriately terrified of it.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Stand-up comedy from Glaswegian comedian Gary Little, who hilariously shows there’s always two ways of looking at things.

Growing up in the second poorest area of Scotland, Gary’s life seemed inevitably set to be marred by depression, addiction or incarceration.

The violence and social deprivation in Glasgow’s Springburn boiled down to survival of the fittest, where Gary’s honed wits kept him alive and prosperous.

But dodgy childhood deals led him to darker places - selling drugs to his friends, then their friends, and then… everyone’s friends.

In this episode, Gary reflects on the lies he swallowed as a child, including Uncle Elvis, and how being a people pleaser ultimately led to trouble he couldn’t talk his way out of, and eight years inside.

More true criminal than true crime, this series gives a different perspective on life before, behind and beyond bars.

Written and performed by Gary Little. Produced by Julia Sutherland A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4.

In this week's case Alfie turns bounty hunter and goes on the hunt for a wanted man (an infamous bike thief).

Join Alfie and his audience of sworn-in deputies as they decide how to get their man.

Written and presented by Alfie Moore Script Editor: Will Ing Production Co-ordinator: Katie Baum Producer: Sam Holmes

An EcoAudio Certified Production A BBC Studios Audio Production

Star of Mock The Week, Milton Jones ends up in prison for committing a True Crime podcast and asks the question “Sound effects and soundproofing - which came first, the chicken or the eggbox?”

Complete with his unmissable jokes and a fully-working cast.

“The best one-line merchant in British comedy...” - Chortle "King of the surreal one-liners" - The Times “Milton Jones is one of Britain’s best gagsmiths with a flair for creating daft yet perfect one-liners” – The Guardian

Written by Milton Jones, James Cary and Dan Evans

Starring Milton Jones, Tom Goodman-Hill, Josie Lawrence, Dan Tetsell and James Akka

With music by Guy Jackson

Produced and directed by David Tyler

A Pozzitive production for BBC Radio 4

Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101, as well as the one item they cannot live without.

In this episode, Hannah Fry tries to convince Paul to send complicated toilet flushes and exams to Room 101, and discusses her particular devotion to a daily ritual that she cannot live without.

Additional Material: John Irwin and Suki Webster Produced by Richard Wilson A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

The poetry show (without the poetry) returns for more comic chaos, with guests Stephen Merchant and Lolly Adefope.

This is a poetry programme like no other – over the course of 6 series Key has performed magic, music, cookery and witchcraft; he’s delivered a baby, gone underground, up the Shard and into space.

And sometimes he finds time to read poems.

This series, regulars Tom Basden and Katy Wix are joined by guest stars Stephen Merchant, Lolly Adefope, Mike Wozniak, Sam Campbell, Simon Armstrong and Morgana Robinson.

Written and presented by Tim Key

Produced by James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4

Drawing on various elements of his own life, Travis Jay’s new sitcom Rum Punch is a family comedy about love, friendship and aspiration. Set in Lewisham and following the multi generational Campbells as they struggle to keep their Caribbean restaurant afloat.

Travis Jay is one of the most exciting up and coming comedians in the country. He has supported Dave Chapelle and Kojo Amin on tour, and has appeared on screen in shows for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Comedy Central and Netflix.

Cast: Travis Jay - Marley Kevin Garry - Des Eddie Nestor - Delroy Maureen Hibbert - Angie Letitia Hector - Lydia Kevin J - Nicholas @FaceintheNews - Taylor

Producers - Jules Lom and Daisy Knight Sound Designer - David Thomas Executive Producers - Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner

An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4

Despite her diagnosis of terminal cancer in 2021, Janey’s defiantly not dead yet, and as hilarious as ever, even in the face of online haters who seem to think she’s not dying quickly enough.

In this mix of stand-up and chat, Janey and her daughter and fellow comedian Ashley talk about why having cancer is like having an extramarital affair and what it’s like to be told you’re dying, and she takes to the stage to tell tales of loudmouths in hospital wards and the unlikely benefits of chemotherapy!

Janey shared her extraordinary life story in the first series - exposing all the abuse, poverty, and trauma she’d experienced in her trademark darkly comic style.

Now, with death chasing her down like a runaway bus, she’s still compelled to get up onstage and fearlessly poke fun at every escapade, encounter and event she’s experienced on her own journey with cancer, and make sure she goes out in the same way she’s lived - with nothing left unsaid.

Recorded live in front of an audience in her hometown, Glasgow.

Produced by Julia Sutherland

A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4

Jazz Emu sets out to write his friends the most romantic song ever created, in order to save their crumbling relationship and make everything in his friendship group nice again. Digging back into his alternative musical archives, Jazz takes inspiration from Barry White, George Michael and ACDC in order to learn about what makes a song romantic. Armed with misguided understanding and unerring confidence, Jazz is ready to blow some minds. If music be the food of love, it’s lunchtime. Or something like that?

Jazz Emu: musician, 70s lothario-type, ex-Hollywood foley artist and internationally renowned idiot. After a long career in (and often out) of the spotlight, he has decided to present a radio show in order to connect with the average Joes (and Janes, and other boring names) and bestow his expert knowledge of Sound upon the universe.

Written by Archie Henderson and Adrian Gray Starring: Archie Henderson, Adrian Gray, Emmanuel Sonubi, Lorna Rose Treen, Cody Dahler Produced by Sasha Bobak A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4

Ashley documents the ups and downs of trying to make friends while being ‘weird’ - or an undiagnosed autist.

Relating more to wizards, aliens and ghosts since childhood, Ashley has developed her own unique ways of seemingly 'fitting in’, despite the confusing world of human relationships.

After a childhood full of failed attempts, Ashley spent years obsessing over how to solve the problem of making friends in the only way she knows how - using strategies and methodical research within her peer group.

Now she shares her findings, as well as the epiphany she reached at the end of her study.

Expect niche cultural references, streams of consciousness and a healthy dose of Harry Potter references.

With Rosco McClelland

Produced by Julia Sutherland Sound Design by Sean Kerwin

A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4