Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

Topical comedy from the sharpest satirical minds in the business. Listen first on BBC Sounds, every Friday.

Is the news driving you up the wall? You’re not alone. Let the comedians take the strain and work out what’s been funny this week. Features BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, The Naked Week and Too Long; Didn’t Read.

Listen on BBC Sounds, seven days earlier than anywhere else, and subscribe to make sure that you don’t miss an episode.

00:00
00:00

Zusammenfassung der Episode

This episode features an introduction to Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, followed by a news quiz hosted by Andy Zaltzman. The discussion covers political shifts regarding social care and the triple lock, as well as allegations of financial misconduct involving Manchester City. The panel also explores reports of suspicious activity near an RAF base, scientific progress, and international politics through a satirical lens. The episode concludes with various news rounds and promotional segments.

Kapitel

Klicke auf ein Kapitel, um direkt zu diesem Moment zu springen

Highlights

Part of why I blew the whistle was I didn't want to lay in bed in 20 years. Having seen another million people die, I know that I could have done something when I had a chance.

00:00:05 · Frances Haugen explains her motivation for leaking Facebook documents.

The whole point of the triple lock is we haven't paid for it yet anyway. So what basically is happening is something we haven't paid for is going to be cancelled in order to pay for something else we haven't paid for.

00:05:24 · A panelist satirizes the financial implications of changing the pension triple lock.

City have gone with the deny-everything-Baldrick strategy, which is no surprise, this is football, we all see it on the pitch, don't we?

00:13:21 · The host compares Manchester City's legal defense to a player denying an obvious foul.

In the old days, if you wanted to become a Russian asset, you had to go to Cambridge, you had to speak four languages, and you had to be photographed in a Soho brothel. Now, any maniac with an internet connection can work for our enemies.

00:19:28 · The panelist uses satire to comment on the ease of modern foreign interference via the internet.

Basically, leaving the EU was genuinely bananas.

00:22:14 · A pun used by the speaker regarding the news about gene-edited bananas being possible after Brexit.

Folgen

346-

The News Quiz: Ep5. 'Manchester Sausage'

This episode features an introduction to Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, followed by a news quiz hosted by Andy Zaltzman. The discussion covers political shifts regarding social care and the triple lock, as well as allegations of financial misconduct involving Manchester City. The panel also explores reports of suspicious activity near an RAF base, scientific progress, and international politics through a satirical lens. The episode concludes with various news rounds and promotional segments.

09 Okt. 2026
345-

The News Quiz: Ep4. 'Demonstrable lies'

This episode of the news quiz features a satirical look at recent political encounters, including Donald Trump's interactions with Andy Burnham and Xi Jinping, alongside discussions on his proposed architectural projects in Washington D.C. and his attempt to rename artificial intelligence. The hosts also cover various global news items, such as a hack on the Australian Medicare system, UK party conference developments, and controversies surrounding Earl Spencer's memoir. The episode concludes with a discussion on a government review regarding the mental health challenges faced by young people aged 16 to 24.

02 Okt. 2026
344-

The News Quiz: Ep3. The Robots Are/Aren't Coming

The podcast returns with a satirical news quiz exploring the tension between AI optimism and pessimism, covering topics from alignment risks to the geopolitical race for AI supremacy between the US and China. The discussion also touches on political reactions to technological development and the difficulty of regulating AI companies. The episode continues through various comedic news segments, including discussions on space weaponry, the potential dissolution of the United Kingdom, and recent music controversies. The show concludes with a fictional news report and trailers for upcoming BBC podcasts, 'The Hitler Diaries Scandal' and 'The Interface'.

25 Sep. 2026
343-

The News Quiz: Ep 2. Team Vibes vs Team Bribes

In this episode, comedians participate in a news quiz covering recent political scandals, including investigations into Nigel Farage and the Reform party's potential illegal funding. The discussion also explores far-right protests in Portsmouth and UK government sanctions regarding MP travel to Israel. The panel further examines bizarre weekly headlines, ranging from conspiracy theories about weight loss drugs affecting the Earth's rotation to a botched art heist in France. The episode concludes with the announcement of quiz winners and promotions for other BBC podcasts.

18 Sep. 2026
342-

The News Quiz: Ep1. The Burnham bounce?

The new season of 'The Interface' kicks off with 'The News Quiz,' where the panel critiques Prime Minister Andy Burnham's 'vibe-heavy' political debut and discusses shifts in Keir Starmer's leadership. The discussion also covers various news topics, including UK heatwaves, prison overcrowding, and a fake Booking.com listing for 10 Downing Street. The episode concludes with reflections on the cancellation of BBC's Ski Sunday, followed by trailers for Phil Wang's 'Comedy of the Week' podcast and the upcoming season of 'The Interface.'

11 Sep. 2026