Stephen Fry hosts four programmes on the joys of the English language - as heard on BBC Radio 4. Current Puns Why does our language groan with the weight of puns? What exactly is a pun? And who, or what, is the Thief of Bad Gags? Metaphor The English language is chock-full of maritime metaphors: cock up, taken aback, chip on your shoulder and show...

Do you know someone who is incensed by compulsory tipping? Who is infuriated if kept on hold for more than a minute? Who is positively apoplectic if someone answers their phone during dinner? If so, you've probably encountered the phenomenon of the grumpy old man. Following their first massively successful BBC1 series, this autumn will see the grum...

The team from I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue present their own unique take on Lewis Carroll's most famous work, casting their reluctant chairman - the late Humphrey Lyttelton - in the title role, with support from Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Sandi Toksvig, Tony Hawks, Andy Hamilton, Rob Brydon, Jeremy Hardy and Jacke Dee, with Colin...

Nicholas Parsons introduces four archive episodes of the ever-popular comedy panel game. Just as uproariously funny - and terrifically popular - today as when it first began on BBC Radio 4 in 1968, Just a Minute challenges contestants to speak for one minute on a given subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation. Its mix of irreverent fun a...

Writer, poet, entertainer and broadcaster, Pam Ayres has been delighting the nation with her mix of comic poetry, prose and droll observations on life for more than twenty years. This live recording of Pam's overwhelmingly popular stage show is the entertainer at her best. Pam Ayres' stage show has been a sell-out success throughout the world. With...

A fourth volume of highlights from recent series of The News Quiz, presented by chairman Simon Hoggart. Since 1977, BBC Radio 4's funniest and quirkiest game show has been answering questions and offering wit and wisdom on global happenings, national news and quite frankly pathetic parochial events

The Now Show is a topical comedy show recorded in front of a live audience and scripted up to the last minute. It stars Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis in a collection of sketches and routines based around recent news items and issues. Comedians Marcus Brigstock and Midge Benn provide additional support.

Described by the Radio Times as 'a brilliant observer of the domestic scene, a master reporter of life as we know it', Al Read's weekly show drew audiences of 35 million during the 1950s and '60s. Born in Salford in 1909, Al started life as a sausage manufacturer, having inherited the family's meat-processing factory. His comedy developed from his...

Enjoy Bob's genius as a writer, stand-up comedian, chat-show host and compere as he looks back on a lifetime of laughs in a selecton from his most famous radio and television shows.

Genius is the comedy series broadcasted on Radio 4, which sees Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions from the public. Genius invites listeners to air those incredible concepts that strike after one-too-many drinks at the pub - not necessarily ideas that are worthy or even very well though...

This impressions show arrived on television in 2002, having made waves and become an incredible success as a BBC Radio 4 series. BBC Radio Collection's volumes of episodes from the radio series have been incredibly successful, and now this volume collects the best moments from the first BBC1 TV series.

We all know what it means these days to be a 'grumpy old man', because part of that role is to be outspoken. Well, we've heard just about enough out of the men, thank you very much. 'Grumpy Old Women' gives us the other perspective - the female take - on the million irritations of today's world. So what's the difference? Surely what is irritating t...

A two-part BBC 7 adaptation of Toby Hadoke's sensational stand-up show about Doctor Who, fandom and one man's lifelong obsession.

Perrier Award nominee Ross Noble has received huge critical acclaim and become known as an exciting and original talent in the UK. Now he takes his show worldwide, to destinations as diverse as Shanghai, South Africa, Ireland and Singapore. In Shanghai he marvels at the wonders of a thousand pensioners exercising in a park, visits a Buddhist temple...

Perrier Award nominee Ross Noble has received huge critical acclaim and become known as an exciting and original talent in the UK. Now he takes his show worldwide, to destinations as diverse as Australia, Italy, Egypt and Belgium by day and entertaining the locals with his microphone by night. In the first episode, Ross travels to Brussels.... A Ci...

A collection of BBC broadcasting blunders presented by John Inverdale. There are no gaffes like sporting gaffes. In the excitement of the moment, and live on air, commentators and sports personalities can say the most amazing and silliest things. This complication includes slip-of-the-tongue and scrambling of words which produce gales of laughter f...

Sandi Toksvig takes over as chairman in four editions of the ever-funny comedy news quiz, with panellists including Alan Coren, Andy Hamilton and Jeremy Hardy.

The first series of Andy Hamilton's BBC Radio 4 comedy about sports PR agent Trevor. Trevor and Sammy are the movers and shakers at TS Sports Stars agency. Friends for twenty years, and business partners for nine, they are chalk and cheese: Trevor is thoughtful, honest and sensitive while Sammy is a rapacious dealmaker with the morals of a hyena. I...

'Genius Series 3' sees Dave Gorman and celebrity guests Charlie Brooker, Matthew Wright, Gyles Brandreth, Rob Newman, Germaine Greer and Simon Munnery chew over ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public. Genius invites listeners to air those incredible concepts that strike you just before falling int...

Stephen Fry presents a special tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton, the sublime host of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, through the eyes of his close pals on the show and distinguished admirers, from Dame Judi Dench to Radiohead.The programme features many highlights taken from his thirty-six years at the helm of Radio 4's perennial antidote to panel games.

Genius: Series 2 sees Dave Gorman and celebrity guests including Chris Addison, Armando Iannucci and Brian Sewell chew over ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions, schemes and policies of the public. Genius invites listeners to air those incredible concepts that strike you just before falling into a nice sleep or after one-too-many...