BBC Radio 4 has today launched Jokes, a new comedy podcast feed that brings together top picks from the station’s original comedy in one place. Available to subscribe on BBC Sounds and RSS, Jokes will combine brand new series with highlights from the archive, providing comedy fans with an easy way to find the latest content from their favourite comedians.
First up in the feed will be Nora Meadows’ Week of Wellness, a new sitcom starring Katy Wix as a therapist trying to help her clients (and herself) find wellness. This series is a joint commission between BBC Comedy and Radio 4 following a non-broadcast pilot last year.
Jokes is set to include further TV co-commissions too, including Icklewick FM, written by and starring Amy Gledhill and Chris Cantrill of The Delightful Sausage. Set in a fictional Yorkshire radio station, the show follows the residents of Icklewick as they discuss the big issues of the day, settle old scores and indulge in libellous gossip.
The two series which have been jointly commissioned by BBC TV and Radio were selected by both commissioning teams with the intention of initially developing the format and characters through audio, with the potential for a TV version in future.
Julia McKenzie, Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner, BBC Radio 4, says: “I am so excited to be launching this podcast strand that will complement our current offering of two other popular podcast feeds - Friday Night Comedy and Comedy of the Week. Jokes is the place where I can curate a selection of premium comedy content so that it’s easier for people to locate past and current gems. Thrilled to kick it off with a brand new collaboration with my TV comedy colleagues. Nora Meadows is brilliantly observed and very funny.”
Jon Petrie, Director Comedy Commissioning at the BBC says: “Some of the UK’s most cherished characters conquered audio before successfully transferring to TV. We’re looking forward to working with Julia and the podcast team to unearth some comedy gems.”
Jokes will be live on BBC Sounds from 23:30 on Wednesday 6th December. The feed will also launch with Jess Fostekew: Sturdy Girl Club (2023) and Phil Wang’s award-winning special Wangsplaining (from 2019).
Credits:
Nora Meadows’ Week of Wellness: Katy Wix plays Nora. Written and directed by Will Farrell and Ben Rowse with a cast including David Elms, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Sunil Patel, Shivani Thussu and Loran Rose Treen. Produced by Nick Coupe. A Hat Trick Production for BBC Radio 4.
Jessica Fostekew: Sturdy Girl Club: Written and Performed by Jessica Fostekew. Producer: Lyndsay Fenner. Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd. Sound Recordist: David Thomas. A Mighty Bunny Production.
Wangsplaining: Written by and starring Phil Wang. Original music by Fauxe. Produced and edited by Matt Stronge. A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2019.
