A British Radio Comedy Christmas Part Five Quiz

Answer: People Like Us

'People Like Us' ran for three series between 1995 and 1997 and was written by John Morton. Roy Mallard is a singularly incompetent and uncharismatic journalist who, unfortunately considering his job, is quite awkward when talking to new people. In each episode he visits a different location and meets the people who live or work there and finds out about their lives.

The episode referred to in the question does not have an official name but is usually called 'The Christmas Pantomime'.

Answer: You'll Have Had Your Tea: The Doings of Hamish and Dougal

'You'll Have Had Your Tea: The Doings of Hamish and Dougal' or simply 'Hamish and Dougal' as it is often known, ran for three series between 2002 and 2006. Hamish and Dougal originated in the long-running radio panel show 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue'.

The characters have become a regular part of the show with Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden frequently playing them during the popular game 'Sound Charades'. 'You'll Have Had Your Tea', which takes its name from the duo's famous catchphrase, takes place in a fictional Scottish village and also often features other 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' regulars such as Jeremy Hardy and Alison Steadman.

The episode mentioned in the question is 2004's 'Hogmanay Special', and features performances by a number of other 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' regulars including Humphrey Lyttelton, Colin Cell and Sandi Toksvig as well as a cameo appearance from respected Radio 4 news presenter Jim Naughtie.

Answer: The Young Postmen

'The Young Postmen' was a great surreal comedy which followed the adventures of our titular postal workers as they embarked on a series of improbable adventures, which were, at best, tangentially connected to their day job. The episode referred to in the question is 'Top of the Pops' and follows our trio as they discover that there may not be a Christmas number one single that year and set out on a quest to make sure this travesty does not occur by recording and releasing their own hit.

Their attempts are nearly thwarted by a mysterious figure who also has his eye on the pop prize.

Answer: Rigor Mortis

This excellent, if somewhat dark, sitcom was written by Laurence Howarth and ran for three series between 2003 and 2006. It centres on the eccentric staff of a busy hospital pathology lab as they go about their grizzly work while also trying to deal with the more mundane concerns of their daily lives. Veteran actor Geoffrey Whitehead plays Professor Donaldson, the upbeat head of the department who is keen to promote the importance of the work they do. Peter Davison plays Dr. Anthony Webster, a histopathologist who is unnaturally enthusiastic about his work while his colleague Dr. Ruth Anderson, played by Matilda Ziegler, is considerably less positive about the job.

The episode referred to in the question was the final episode of the second series and in it we learn a lot more about the characters' home lives as they discuss what they might be doing with their families if they weren't stuck in a pathology lab on Christmas Day.

Answer: The News Quiz

'The News Quiz was first broadcast in 1977 and has been a constant feature of Radio 4's comedy schedule ever since. For the first thirty years of the show it was hosted at various times by Barry Norman, Simon Hoggart and Barry Took, until Sandi Toksvig took over the chairman's role from Hoggart, a role which she performed brilliantly until she left the show in 2016. Since Toksvig's departure the show has been superbly helmed by prolific Radio 4 comedian Miles Jupp. Each episode features four guests, usually drawn from the worlds of comedy and journalism, who are asked to deliver their humorous take on that week's news stories.

Another feature of the show involves a Radio 4 newsreader reading out funny newspaper clippings sent in by members of the public.

The episode referred to in the question was a specially extended 2011 edition of 'The News Quiz' entitled 'Oh Yes It Is', which did not follow the show's usual format, instead presenting a pantomime featuring a selection of the show's regulars as well as presenters from other Radio 4 programmes who help or hinder Sandi on her quest.

Answer: The Cold Swedish Winter

'The Cold Swedish Winter' is written by Danny Robins and was first broadcast in 2014 with a second series following in 2016. The show follows the experiences of English stand-up comedian, Geoff, who has moved to Sweden to be with his pregnant girlfriend. Geoff gradually learns to cope with life in Sweden and to feel at home with his new friends and family but is still frequently taken aback by the different way of life he is adjusting to. Each episode features music from a wide range of Swedish artists and the show takes its name from a song by Jens Lekman, which is also the programme's theme music.

Answer: Bristo

'Bristo' ran for two series between 1999 and 2000 and was written by Frank Dickens and based on his long-running popular comic strip of the same name. Bristo spends most of his working day dreaming of all the things he could be or do if he wasn't a buying clerk.

He has delusions of grandeur and an inflated idea of his own talents and importance. The episode referred to in the question is entitled 'Mr. Bristo Regrets' and was one of three episodes of the show to be set around Christmas time.

Answer: The Very World of Milton Jones

'The Very World of Milton Jones' ran for three series between 1998 and 2001. Each episode followed the same pattern, opening with Milton Jones facing certain death, during the show we subsequently learn how he has got himself into this dire situation only for death to be averted in some unexpected way right at the end of the episode. Milton Jones is known for his one-liners, usually involving puns, and his deadpan delivery style. Milton Jones has starred in a number of other eponymous radio comedies including 'Another Case of Milton Jones', 'The House of Milton Jones' and 'Thanks A Lot Milton Jones' which are all extremely funny and showcase Milton Jones' quirky sense of humour and masterful way with a pun.

Answer: The Burkiss Way

'The Burkiss Way' ran for six series between 1976 and 1980 and was written by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick. 'The Burkiss Way to Dynamic Living', to give it its full title, was a fictional correspondence course developped by Professor Emil Burkiss and each episode's title referred to a lesson in the course, though the actual episode usually had very little connection to the title.

The show took the form of a surreal sketch show with much of the humour being based around references to television and radio programming as well as topical issues of the time.

Despite some of the source material being somewhat dated, the jokes and sketches in 'The Burkiss Way' remain surprisingly fresh to modern ears, possibly because of the excellent writing, performances and production.

The episode referred to in the question was entitled 'Plan Christmas Schedules The Burkiss Way' and, true to form, most of the sketches have nothing to do with the title, though there are a couple of sketches which poke fun at Christmas television broadcasts.

Answer: The Pin

Alex Owen and Ben Ashenden met when they were both students at Cambridge University and joined the legendary Footlights Club. Their first Radio 4 series was broadcast in 2015 with a second series the following year. The first two series both consisted of fifteen minute episodes while the third series from 2017 comprised four half hour shows.

The episode referred to in the question is simply entitled 'Christmas' and was part of series three.