Comedy of the Week

Author of several plays, television dramas, works of non-fiction, letters to the BBC about the pitiful decline in standards of literature and grammar, and master of the abusive email – Ed Reardon is back. Ed is still living in his superb, stylish capsule urban living unit (i.e., small office conversion), and conducting his part-time relationship with Maggie. However, the means to finance a decent living as always eludes him. His agent, Ping, is not forthcoming with any major offers of work but his nemesis and best friend, Jaz, is keen for Ed to ghost-write his new memoir, ‘I, Jaz’. Ed would rather focus on trying to secure a spot on local radio and is busy ‘self-taping’ his audition piece berating the art of ‘Storytelling’, which proves a little difficult as his daughter, Eli, has decided she is going to pursue a new career as a ‘Storyteller’ and asks Ed to support her. And with Pearl having gone to join the silver workforce as a store detective, Ed has a new student in his University of the 3rd Age writing class which allows him the opportunity to introduce a superior command of the narrative art to a new audience in the form of his classic ‘Tenko’ episode. The series is dedicated to Andrew Nickolds, who sadly passed away mid-way through writing the series. The regular cast this series are joined by Ellen Thomas and Sally Grace along with guests Robert Powell, Helen Monks, Rachel Atkins and Joe Thomas. Ed Reardon - Christopher Douglas Ping - Barunka O’Shaughnessy Jaz Milvain - Philip Jackson Eli - Lisa Coleman Stan - Geoffrey Whitehead Olive - Sally Grace Winnie - Ellen Thomas Written by Andrew Nickolds and Christopher Douglas Produced by Dawn Ellis Production Co-ordinator Katie Baum Sound Jon Calver

Brian Cox and Robin Ince tackle one of the most important questions posed by science: which is better, bees or wasps? To defend bees, ecologist Dave Goulson joins the panel, while entomologist Seirian Sumner comes to the defence of wasps. Although both species are known to deliver a nasty sting, Seirian and Dave battle to show why their species should be loved, not swotted, and how we unknowingly rely on them. Comedian Catherine Bohart takes on the role of judge. Which will she ultimately choose: bees or wasps? New episodes are released on Saturdays. If you're in the UK, listen to the full series first on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3K3JzyF Producer: Caroline Steel Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Jonathan Pie (Tom Walker) is roped in last minute to host BBC radio's most popular phone-in show. Basically there's no one else available. Out of his depth and up to his neck in it, Pie manages to just about hold it together. He muses on the state of the BBC and in one breath is singing its praises and in the next he tears into it with his usual gusto. Jonathan Pie ..... Tom Walker Jules ..... Lucy Pearman Sam ..... Aqib Khan Roger ..... Nick Revell Agent ..... Daniel Abelson Voiceovers ..... Bob Sinfield and Rob Curling Callers ... .Daniel Abelson, Adam Byron, Bryony Corrigan. Writer ..... Tom Walker Script Editor ..... Nick Revell Producers ..... Alison Vernon-Smith and Julian Mayers Production Coordinator ..... Ellie Dobing Original music composed by Jason Read Additional music Leighton James House A Yada-Yada Audio Production.

Stand-up comedian Maisie Adam presents her stand-up special where she discusses her love of football and her experience of the women’s game ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023. For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn’t a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn’t pass to girls “because they’ll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga. But It’s a game where all you need is players and a ball. That’s it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads. In this first episode of the series, Maisie looks back on where it all began when she was a kid. She discusses what it was like being the 'girl' football fan, how her school didn't offer any opportunities for girls to play, and when she started to realise that ultimately football was an absolute sausage fest. Written by and starring Maisie Adam Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini Sound editor: David Thomas Photo credit: Matt Crockett A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

In its original one-to-one incarnation, Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101. In this final episode of the series, Julian Clary's choices include wild swimmers and Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh. Additional material John Irwn and Suki Webster Produced by Richard Wilson A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4

Janey Godley doesn’t know how long she’s got left, so she’s telling ALL the jokes! This is her extraordinary story. Fearless and unflinching, yet life affirming stand-up at its very best. In this episode, we hear how Janey became an unlikely teen bride for a shy autistic 16 year-old who dressed like insurance salesman, and how a mixed marriage that seemed doomed before it even began, has lasted for over 43 years. Oh, and there’s that time they met Prince. With added insight from Janey’s daughter Ashley Storrie, who helps her mum remember the stories of their life together with humour and love. Relentlessly authentic, she's also had to face up to her own mistakes - taking responsibility and apologising both publicly and onstage, as well as sharing the shame of being ‘cancelled’ and the very dark place that took her to. Then, just months later, the hand grenade of a cancer diagnosis forced her to start fighting for her life. Now, after finally admitting that after everything she’s been through in life, maybe she‘s not “fine”, and with a terminal diagnosis, she’s submitted to the ultimate ‘C bomb' for many men and women of her generation - counselling. And as a result of this insight, she’s more hilarious and compelling onstage than ever. Janey’s experienced a life of extremes but has come out the other side with rare insight, still able to make light of all its trials and tribulations in her signature dark and uncompromising style. Recorded live in front of an audience in her hometown, Glasgow. A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4

Having been each other's best men, Jason Manford and Steve Edge discuss what this ancient and honourable task that dates back centuries, truly entails. The pair retell one another's stag do's and wedding days including the pressures of delivering a best man speech in front of a room full of comedians along with the moment Steve accidentally set fire to his speech. They are also joined by Lee, who travelled all the way to Australia to perform his best man duties and whose speech took an unexpected turn when he decided to include a last minute poem.

Series 2, Episode 1 of the sitcom starring Claire Skinner, Mark Steel, Elliot Steel and Ivo Graham. When working-class Tony falls in love with upper middle-class Imogen, their sons are forced to live under the same roof and behave like the brothers neither of them ever wanted.

Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch returns for a second series of her comedy and STEM stand up show, joined by her sassy digital assistant ALGO (voiced by Tia Kofi). This episode, Olga and ALGO try to agree on what is, and isn’t, fun. Written by Olga Koch and Charlie Dinkin Featuring Tia Kofi Additional Material From Rajiv Karia, Cody Dahler and Kate Dehnert Production Co-ordinator Katie Baum Produced by Benjamin Sutton A BBC Studios Production

Jayde Adams and her guest DJ Nick Grimshaw dive into the world of community apps and messageboards. This week - a fart in a Carlisle supermarket, Grimmy's neighbours turn paparazzi at a time of crisis, and a found treasure of the Templar is not all it’s cracked up to be. Producer: Cornelius Mendez An unusual production for BBC Radio 4