Two new specials hosted by Lucy Porter and Ian Smith will be part of BBC Radio 4’s Friday Night Comedy schedule across July and August.
Julia McKenzie, Comedy Commissioner for BBC Radio 4, says: “We’re thrilled to have two Radio 4 favourites bringing their comedy specials to our Friday Night Comedy slot over the summer. From the biggest headlines to our audiences’ own hot takes, Lucy and Ian, along with a host of brilliant guests across both series, will share their alternative perspectives on the week’s stories.”
From Friday 24th July, Current-ish is a new three-part series for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, hosted by Lucy Porter. Each week, she will be joined by three comedian guests to discuss the stories everyone is talking about – like eavesdropping on a party you’d want to be invited to. The series will be recorded in London and Edinburgh.
Lucy Porter says: “I’m delighted to host this summertime take on current events. News insists on happening even in the warmer months, when we’ve all got better things to do. We’ll be bringing you the stories you might have missed while you were nose-deep in a John Grisham, making the most of the good drying weather, or enjoying a barbecue. We’ve got a fantastic line-up of guests for some breezy chat and brilliant insights.”
Later in the summer, Ian Smith will present The People Have Spoken, a new topical comedy series beginning on Friday 18th August, taking the temperature of the nation during the summer season.
Across three episodes, Ian and a group of comedian friends will tackle the big questions of the week with input from a live audience. How do the headlines affect your life? Have you ever tried to take your boss’s job, written a resignation letter that tells your team exactly what you think, or worn shorts that are just a bit too short on a run? Ian Smith wants to hear from you. Expect laughs, insight and some bewilderment at the state of the world.
Ian Smith says: “With a Northerner possibly about to become Prime Minister it only feels right that I take over the airwaves this summer for three weeks to find the funny in amongst the chaos of UK politics. See you on Friday nights!”
Current-ish will air on BBC Radio 4 and Sounds from 24th July. It is a Mighty Bunny production.
The People Have Spoken will air on BBC Radio 4 and Sounds from 18th August. It is a BBC Studios Audio production.
