Radio 4 Unveils Sizzling Summer Comedy Lineup
Radio 4 is cranking up the laughs this summer with six fresh comedy specials lined up for its popular Friday Night Comedy slot. Packed with top-notch satirists and rising stars, these shows promise sharp takes on the week’s biggest stories.
Top Talent Takes Centre Stage
The series kicks off with Rachel Parris, famed from “Late Night Mash,” hosting The Newsmakers, a spoof interview show featuring guests like Bilal Zafar, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Sam Pamphilon, plus social media favourites Rosie Holt MP and Michael Spicer.
Next up, Rhys James – known from “Mock The Week” and “The Now Show” – hosts What Are You Talking About? alongside fresh comedy acts Alasdair Beckett-King and Celya AB, tackling the week’s headlines and hunting for perfect solutions.
Irreverent Mischief and Global Gags
Dom Joly, the prank king behind “Trigger Happy TV,” brings his chaos to Dom Joly Breaks the News. Expect outrageous prank calls and offbeat interviews that flip the week’s news on its head.
BBC Scotland’s The United Nations of News, hosted by Ria Lina, brings a global comedy crew including Daliso Chaponda, Ignacio Lopez, and Heidi Regan. They’ll dissect UK stories while sharing hilarious international insights.
Deep Dives & Raw Takes on the Week’s News
Catherine Bohart, a regular on “8 Out of 10 Cats,” takes the spotlight with TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read), breaking down one major story with sharp wit and a no-nonsense style.
Meanwhile, The Naked Week, from Jon Holmes and hosted by Andrew Hunter Murray (“No Such Thing As A Fish”), strips back fluff with a live audience, mocking both the news and how it’s packaged.
Commissioner’s Take & Where to Listen
Julia McKenzie, Radio 4’s Comedy Commissioning Editor, hailed the lineup as “a brilliant mix of voices offering fresh, hilarious perspectives on current affairs.”
The specials will air across summer Fridays following hits like “Dead Ringers” and “The News Quiz.” Missed a show? Catch all episodes on BBC Sounds and via RSS for on-demand laughs.
Comedy fans, get ready for a summer packed with sharp satire, fresh voices, and a hilarious take on the news you thought you knew!
