A comedy pick’n’mix of unheard & exclusive BBC Radio panel shows, sitcoms, sketches and satire – featuring some of comedy’s top names, including Armando Iannucci, John Oliver, Nicola Coughlan, Jimmy Carr, and more.
First up is the unaired 2005 pilot for Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive (titled 'What Happened There'), starring Jimmy Carr, Lucy Porter, Dan Gaster, and John Oliver.
Weird and wonderful sketches come from our second show, Festival of the Spoken Nerd: a lollop through the underlying realities of our universe from the smash-hit brain squad made of Helen Arney, Matt Parker & Steve Mould...
Our third show is Jack Bernhardt’s sitcom British Troll Farm, a comedy set in a secret British military unit dedicated to fighting the social media cyberwar... badly; starring Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) and Daniel Ings.
Up next is Crash Course, the panel show that tests how much knowledge the brain can absorb, retain and retrieve in 24 hours. The contestants have had just one day to learn about some fascinating topics… But will they remember a damn thing? Featuring Marcus Brigstocke.
Fifth is The Electric Hotel, home of the brilliant sketch troupe The Electric Eel. From a Marriage Guidance session that goes terribly wrong to two painters & decorators falling in love, this is the latest in a fine line of hilarious hotel comedies...
Next up we have God Squad, a sitcom set in a University Christian Society where the members realize that unless they adapt - they haven’t got a prayer. Featuring Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Ghosts)
Seventh is Skeptic Tank, a panel show hosted by comedian Nick Doody that looks at every dodgy statistic, urban myth and piece of nonsensical parental advice. This is where the geek bites back... Featuring Chris Addison.
… and finally, we hear Jason Hazeley & Joel Morris’s tour around the toilet books of Great Britain in Are You Alright in There?. Toilet books. No, not books about toilets. The funny or fascinating books that have pride of place on any home’s most exclusive shelf. Featuring Diane Morgan (aka Philomena Cunk).
Cast and credits
Starring Armando Iannucci, Lucy Porter, Dan Gaster, Jimmy Carr, John Oliver, Emma Kennedy, Vaughan Savidge (What Happened There?), Helen Arney, Matt Parker, Steve Mould, Tom Crowley, Celeste Dring (Festival of the Spoken Nerd), Daniel Ings, Nicola Coughlan, Steve Edge, Tala Gouveia, Ewan Bailey, Kerry Shale (British Troll Farm), David Tyler, Marcus Brigstocke, Josie Lawrence, Kirsty Wark, Mark Watson (Crash Course), Dan Clark, Adam G Goodwin, Cliff Kelly (Electric Hotel), Barney Fishwick, Jack Chisnall, Lili Miller, Helena Antoniou, Charly Clive, Kiell Smith-Bynoe (God Squad), Nick Doody, Chris Addison, Simon Evans, Shaparak Khorsandi (Skeptic Tank), Eleanor Bron, Diane Morgan, John Lloyd, Ben Schott, Andy Riley, Jason Hazeley, Joel Morris (Are You Alright In There?)
Written by Armando Iannucci, Roger Drew, Jon Holmes, Danny Robins, Tony Roche, Dan Tetsell (What Happened There?), Helen Arney, Matt Parker, Steve Mould, Dan Evans (Festival of the Spoken Nerd), Jack Bernhardt (British Troll Farm), Dan Clark, Adam G Goodwin, Cliff Kelly (Electric Hotel), Barney Fishwick, Jack Chisnall (God Squad), Jason Hazeley, Joel Morris (Are You Alright In There?)
Produced & directed by David Tyler (What Happened There?, Festival of the Spoken Nerd, British Troll Farm, Electric Hotel, God Squad, Skeptic Tank, Are You Alright In There?) and Bill Dare (Crash Course)
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 Dec 2012 (Are You Alright in There?), 19 Feb 2019 (Crash Course), 29 Jul 2019 (British Troll Farm), 29 Oct 2021 (God Squad).
Previously unaired (What Happened There?, Festival of the Spoken Nerd, Electric Hotel, The Skeptic Tank).
A Pozzitive production for the BBC
©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
About the Author :
Mark Watson is one of Britain's most popular stand-up comedians. His comedy shows have won, among others, the Daily Telegraph Award, Time Out Best Stand-Up Award, Edinburgh Festival Panel Prize, and best shows at the Adelaide and Sydney Festivals. He has performed at every major international comedy festival and in more than twenty countries. He made comedy history at the Edinburgh Festival by performing for 24 hours, solo and without a break. He is a regular on many British TV shows and has had two highly successful BBC Radio 4 series, Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better and Mark Watson's Live Address to the Nation. He is the author of the novels Bullet Points and A Light-Hearted Look at Murder, and the non-fiction title Crap at the Environment. Mark Watson lives in London. John Llloyd is a well known comedy writer and producer, with credits including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Not the Nine O'Clock News, Blackadder, Spitting Image and QI. He has also co-authored twenty books.
