With all these TV threads popping up, I thought I would raise the flag for radio / audio comedy as I generally don't have enough time to spend sitting in front of a screen watching something, but I can listen to something on my way to work for example. Anyone have any favourites? BBC Radio 4 is a goldmine for fantastic comedy programs. Absolute Power - Comedy sitcom about 2 ex BBC executives who set up a PR company and have shady Labour party retainers. The Radio series is very different to the TV program. (It's worth listening to the Radio Comedy Drama 'In The Red', 'In The Chair', 'In the Balance' and 'In the End' as they feature the two main characters as the BBC executives...) Old Harry's Game - Comedy sitcom about Hell, different series have different characters but they all feature Satan and the world's most loathsome man. Also features a professor who won't accept he is dead and later the mother in law of the world's most loathsome man. I'm sorry I haven't a clue - The antidote to panel games is very apt, as most of the games played are nonsense but very very funny. Although the passing of jazz legend Humphrey Lyttelton meant the show has lost the best chairman ever, hopefully Jack Dee can do a good job as the new chairman. You'll had your tea - A spin off comedy sitcom from ISIHAC (above) featuring Graeme Garden and Barry Cryer as two scottish gentleman. It does use puns a lot but they are delivered in such a way that they are very funny. Revolting People - Comedy about American just before the battle of independence. It was written by Andy Hamilton (British) and Jay Tarses (American) so the humour works very well. The Now Show - Stand up comedy / satire show about topical news. The News Quiz - Comedy panel game about topical news. Anyone got any more?
Jamtex, I am absolutely the same. I'd add: The Museum of curiosity Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show - exceptionally funny in it's first 2 series Hut 33 - Comedy about Code Breaking at Bletchley Park Fags, Mags & Bags - (Clearly a title that needs explaining for American listeners / readers). It's a Scottish / Asian comedy based in Glasgow about the proprietor of a "Corner Shop" (Convenience Store) and the 'fags' in question are 'Cigarettes', Mags (Magazines). Hilarious. There are a few more, but I'll leave it for others to discover what floats their boat. For UK, here's the link page for Radio 4 Comedy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/programmes/genres/comedy I also watch a HUGE amount of Comedy on things like YouTube etc. One guy I think is really funny, but awkwardly so, is American Louis CK. He can be offensive in his observations and sail right to the edge of acceptability, which I feel follows on from the likes of the late, great Bill Hicks. Louis CK is NSFW or kids! (Old footage) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpaCQKJpE9k
I don't listen to much comedy tbh, but Sean Locke's 15 storeys high and the Mighty Boosh both started out on radio and are cracking, so you might want to try out the radio series of those.
Old Harry's Game is great. I've only heard up to and including series five; I need to check out the next few. Newsjack is similar to The Now Show, but not quite as good. It's on BBC Radio 7. The Goon Show is probably something you already know about, but it's worth mentioning. It's over fifty years old, but I'll be damned if I can find anything funnier. Genius.
A Prairie Home Companion is a great show. It's just about the only comedy show (not 4 people sitting in a room, saying dirty things and occasionally hitting play) that I hear on the radio.
