Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy
Series looking at the history of BBC radio comedy
Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 1
Russell Davies remembers the earliest on-air comedians, with a clip-packed taste of pre-war humour. From July 1988.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 10
Russell Davies recalls how the radio improvisation of the 1950s gives way to the establishment-baiting of the 1960s.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 11
Russell Davies reviews 1970s comedy hits, from 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again' to 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 12
Russell Davies winds up his review, featuring 'Radio Active' and 'After Henry'. He also takes a 'look ahead'. From 1988.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 2
Russell Davies looks at the 1930s with a clip-packed taste of the development of the BBC's Variety department. From August 1988.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 3
Russell Davies' survey of wireless mirth reaches the onset of the Second World War. Featuring Stanley Holloway and Arthur Askey. From 1988.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 4
Russell Davies reviews the BBC's variety artistes of the Second World War. Featuring Elsie and Doris Waters and Tommy Handley.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 5
Russell Davies celebrates the performers who helped boost wartime morale. Features Tommy Handley and Richard Murdoch.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 6
Russell Davies celebrates post-war performers. Featuring Tommy Handley and emerging hopefuls Harry Secombe and Tony Hancock.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 7
Russell Davies recalls the early 1950s, with audience-led shows waning and the impending arrival of 'The Goon Show'.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 8
Russell Davies surveys the 1950s - Hancock, The Goons, The Lyons, 'Beyond Our Ken', plus Joyce Grenfell and Basil Boothroyd.
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Radio Fun: The Story of Radio Comedy - Episode 9
The end of The Goon Show hailed a fresh decade of change. Russell Davies reveals how broadcasting in the 60s had a bona future.
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