A British Radio Comedy Christmas Part Six Quiz

Answer: Pleased to Meet You

'Pleased to Meet You' ran for one series in 2006 and returned for the two-episode Christmas special on BBC Radio 4 Extra two years later. The programme took the form of a series of interviews in which Martin Kelner quizzed Dame Dora, a nonagenarian actor and singer, about her long and distinguished career, giving her the opportunity to recount scandalous stories about various famous people she had worked with. Jake Yapp created the character of Dora Dale in the 1990s and made numerous appearances as her on shows hosted by Martin Kelner on Jazz FM, some years before she was given her own series. Though 'Pleased to Meet You' only ran for one series, Jake Yapp has become a familiar voice on Radio 4, appearing on numerous panel shows and making regular musical contributions to popular current affairs comedy show 'The Now Show'.

Answer: What Does the K Stand For?

'What Does the K Stand For?' has run for three series between 2013 and 2017 and recounts Stephen's experiences of growing up in the 1980s. The adult Stephen narrates the action and his love for his family, even when they can be incredibly frustrating, lends the extremely funny dialogue real heart.

The episode in question is entitled 'The First Noel' and was taken from the show's second series.

Answer: The News at Bedtime

'The News at Bedtime' was written by 'Private Eye' stalwarts Ian Hislop and Nick Newman and was loosely based on some of their columns for the magazine. The show parodied Radio 4's news coverage, particularly the station's flagship 'Today' programme, and Tweedledee and Tweedledum are thinly veiled versions of the show's anchors John Humphrys and Jim Naughtie.

Interviews with fairytale and nursery rhyme characters are conducted in the vigorous and serious manner typical of 'Today' journalism and even the iconic feature 'Thought for the Day' is parodied, making the show a real treat for regular Radio 4 listeners.

In addition to Dee and Capaldi, the programme features an impressive cast including Vicki Pepperdine, Lewis MacLeod and Lucy Montgomery.

Answer: Bridget Christie Minds the Gap

'Bridget Christie Minds the Gap' has run for two series since 2013 and showcases Bridget's razor-sharp wit and her genuine passion for the cause of feminism. Bridget Christie is an award-winning stand-up comedian and author who has appeared on numerous television and radio panel shows, as well as regularly performing at the Edinburgh Festival.

In 2018 the first series of 'Bridget Christie's Utopia' was broadcast, in which Christie took on the daunting task of trying to discover the source of true happiness. 'Bridget Christie's Christmas List' only ran for fifteen minutes but still managed to feature appearances from Radio 4 stars Miles Jupp, Jon Culshaw and Robin Ince.

Answer: Don't Start

'Don't Start' has run for three series between 2011 and 2016 and is written by Frank Skinner. Each episode is entirely built around the conversations between Neil and Kim which invariably spiral into complex and surprising arguments. However, beneath all the vitriol and accusations, the couple still appear to love each other.

Despite being a very simple low-key setting for a sitcom, the excellent writing and masterful performances really bring the show to life.

Answer: The Harpoon

'The Harpoon' ran for three series, and the aforementioned Christmas specials, between 1991 and 1994 and boasted an impressive cast that included Alistair McGowan and Susie Brann. The show brilliantly parodied the patriotic boys' comics of the 1920s and 1930s and featured ripping, and highly improbable, adventure yarns, highly dubious historical accounts, impractical tips for hobbies and crafts that readers could participate in at home and a series of absurd puzzles and adverts. 'The Harpoon' is an absolute delight and is one of my favourite radio comedies of all time.

The two Christmas episodes are both hilariously funny and I listen back to them every year, so I am very surprised that it has taken until the sixth quiz in this series to ask about this terrific show!

Answer: To Hull and Back

'To Hull and Back' has run for three series since 2015 with series three being broadcast in 2018. The series is written by Lucy Beaumont, who won the 2012 BBC 'New Comedy Award', and she also stars in the show as Sophie, a young woman who lives at home with her controlling mother, Sheila, who is brilliantly played by veteran comedy actor Maureen Lipman.

In the first two series Sophie is desperate to break into show business, but is endlessly thwarted by her mother's interfering ways. At the beginning of series three Sophie has qualified as a hairdresser and has opened her own salon, though she has not given up on her dreams of stardom.

Answer: Dead Ringers

'Dead Ringers' was a regular fixture of Radio 4's comedy schedules between 2000 and 2007 when it went on a seven year hiatus. Since its return to the airwaves in 2014, 'Dead Ringers' has regained its position as a radio comedy institution, though the cast has changed significantly and it tends to focus far more on politicians than on celebrities now, reflecting the turbulent times we are living through. During the early years of the show, the cast were famous for impersonating a number of public figures including actors, pop stars, sports personalities and television and radio presenters.

The show has always been funny but I personally think it has much more direction and satirical bite since its 2014 return and the decision to focus on political and international issues.

The impressions of Donald Trump, Michael Gove, Theresa May, John McDonnell and David Davis are particular highlights of the rebooted show.

Answer: Doctor in the House

'Doctor in the House' was broadcast in 1968 and was based on the books by Richard Gordon, which were also made into a film and television series. The series followed newly qualified junior doctor Simon Sparrow and his friends at St Swithin's hospital as they embarked on their fledgling medical careers. Briers would go on to star in a later series 'Doctor at Large', which charted his character's career after leaving the hospital.

Answer: Tina C's Herstory

Christopher Green has performed as his creation, Tina C, in a number of television and radio shows as well as touring the world as her. 'Tina C's Her Story' takes the form of a series of interviews with Dr. Raj Persaud who asks Tina to recount her dramatic rags to riches life story, an account she intersperses with performances of some of her many hits.

While many of Tina's songs are autobiographical she has also interested herself with geopolitics, attempting to solve complex world issues through the medium of country music.