Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

The News Quiz Ep6. Brexpressionism 29.05.2026 28min

Recorded at Hay Festival, Andy asks the panel the dreaded question - is Brexit back on the table? Also on the menu is Welsh independence, the National Conversation and an update on just how much money has been wasted on HS2.This week’s panellists are Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Robin Morgan, Stephen Bush and Chloe Petts.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Maisie Adair, Catherine Brinkworth, Angela Channell and James Farmer Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc Willcox Recorded at Hay FestivalA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz Ep5. Starmer psychodrama 22.05.2026 28min

What a week it's been for the Prime Minister. In the aftermath of seismic local elections results, there's been non-stop Labour party in-fighting. Wes Streeting has resigned as Health Secretary so the race for Labour leader is seemingly on - who will throw their hat in the ring? Will Andy Burnham, i.e. the King of the North, make his move? In other news, the panel discuss Trump's state visit to China and why the Royal Navy has to redesign women's uniforms over 'inappropriately placed' buttons.Helping Andy make sense of it all this week is Nish Kumar, Ian Smith, Katy Balls and Mhairi Black.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Alex Kealy, Ruth Husko and Claire Rammelkamp Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc Willcox Recorded by David ThomasA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep4. The people have spoken 15.05.2026 28min

Recorded on Friday morning, Andy and the panel dig into the election results from 7th May. Who’s done well? Who’s done not so well? And how does this have anything to do with The Grand National? Also up for discussion is The Met Gala and the legend that is Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Cameron Loxdale, Stephanie Kemp and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc Willcox Recorded by Jerry Peal and Jon CalverA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep3. When the King came round for tea 08.05.2026 28min

This week you’re all cordially invited to join us for King Charles’ state visit to Donald Trump’s White House. Please dress to impress. We’ll also be digging into the state of the nation ahead of the upcoming elections on 7th May. Plus, what do we think about MPs drinking at work?Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Matt Hulme, Eleri Morgan, Joe Topping and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep2. The art of vetting 01.05.2026 28min

Some hot topics of conversation this week include the ever evolving Peter Mandelson vetting saga, phones being banned in schools and robots who can take over the world... sorry robots who can take over sports. Helping Andy make sense of it all are Daliso Chaponda, Catherine Bohart, Hugo Rifkind and Ria Lina.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Christina Riggs, Henry Whaley and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinators: Asha Osborne-Grinter & Caroline Barlow Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep1. Messiah or Doctor? 24.04.2026 28min

After six weeks off air Andy Zaltzman is back. Helping him kick off the series are Andrew Maxwell, Zoe Lyons, Stephen Bush and Kiri Pritchard-McLean. They’ll be tackling the big questions - how is the country feeling ahead of the potentially seismic elections on 7th May? Why is Donald Trump feuding with the Pope and why are mini-gherkins now harder to find than ever?Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Ruth Husko, Dee Allum and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The Naked Week: Ep6. Swearing, Steeplechase, and Strikes. 17.04.2026 27min

Following Trump's tirade, The Naked Week team bleep the hell out of the bleeping news, swear at a steeplechase, and stage a walk out.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week; a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Gareth Ceredig James Kettle Jason HazeleyAdditional Material: Karl Minns Jane Fae Molly Punshon Darren Phillips Kevin SmithInvestigation team: Cat Neilan Becky PinningtonGuest Correspondent: Katie NorrisProduction Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer Executive Producer: Philip AbramsProduced and Directed by Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The Naked Week: Ep5. Jesus Christ Superstarmer, and Dark Satanic Mills 10.04.2026 28min

The team pile in on Mills and the Moon. (Mills and Moon sounds like a series of romantic novels. Just to manage your expectations, that's not where we're going with this). Also, just in time for Easter, the world premiere of Jesus Christ Superstarmer. From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week; a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at. With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears. Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Gareth Ceredig James Kettle Jason Hazeley Additional Material: Karl Minns Helen Brooks Sophie Dickson Molly Punshon Cooper Mahwinny Sweryt Joe Topping Kevin Smith Investigation team: Cat Neilan Becky Pinnington Emily Channon Guests: Rosie Holt, Space Lawyer Heather Allansdottir. Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin. Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer Executive Producer: Philip Abrams Produced and Directed by Jon Holmes An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The Naked Week: Ep4. Who ya gonna call...? (Clue: It's Donald Trump) 03.04.2026 27min

The team tackle Trump's tirades, and very much give the BBC's incoming Director General a problematic in-tray.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Gareth Ceredig James Kettle Jason HazeleyAdditional Material: Karl Minns Sophie Dickson Darren Phillips Joe Topping Kevin SmithInvestigation team: Cat Neilan Becky Pinnington Emily ChannonGuests: Cariad Lloyd, Simon Munday.Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer Executive Producer: Philip AbramsProduced and Directed by Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The Naked Week: Ep3. Shipping, Shopping, and Shagg...you know what, never mind. 27.03.2026 27min

The team launch the Naked Week Investment Portfolio for Hard Done-By Young People and go shipping, shopping and shagg...you know what, never mind.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news-nude straight to your ears.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Gareth Ceredig James Kettle Jason HazeleyAdditional Material: Karl Minns Viverinne Hopley Jones Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt Darren Phillips Kevin SmithInvestigation team: Cat Neilan Katie Sayer Becky Pinnington Abigail Mableson Mia Jones Ben Stanton Nathaniel Peutherer Cailtin Holtzman Paola Mathawith thanks to Richard Danbury.Guests: Rosalie Minnitt, Jo Saunderson, and the voice of the Shipping Forecast Amanda Litherland.Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer Executive Producer: Philip AbramsProduced and Directed by Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The Naked Week: Ep2. The Naked Week team party like it's the 2003 Iraq War. 20.03.2026 28min

The Naked Week team party like it's the 2003 Iraq War, and then re-enact it with the help of a Viking.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers an topical news-nude straight to your ears.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Gareth Ceredig James Kettle Jason HazeleyAdditional Material: Karl Minns Ali Panting Helen Brooks Pete Redfern Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt Joe Topping Darren PhillipsInvestigation: Cat NeilanGuests: Rosie Holt, Jimmy The 11th Century Welsh Viking.Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer Executive Producer: Philip AbramsProduced and Directed by Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The Naked Week: Ep1. War, Law, and Operation Amol Rajan. 13.03.2026 27min

The Naked Week team dive into war, flout the law and enjoy a real life Town Crier performing selected highlights from Amol Rajan's Instagram feed.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers an topical news-nude straight to your ears.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Gareth Ceredig James Kettle Jason HazeleyAdditional Material: Karl Minns Ali Panting Helen Brooks Pete Redfern Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt Joe ToppingInvestigations Team: Cat Neilan Emily ChannonGuests: Rachel Parris, Mark Stephens CBE, Alan Myatt.Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer Executive Producer: Philip AbramsProduced and Directed by Jon HolmesAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4

The News Quiz: Ep8. Flight risks and fly-tips 06.03.2026 28min

Joining Andy for the final episode of this series are Simon Evans, Zoe Lyons, Cindy Yu and Ahir Shah and not one of them can be deemed a flight risk. Along with the latest on Peter Mandelson’s arrest they discuss how UK politics is no longer a two-party system with the Greens and Reform taking centre stage in Gorton and Denton, why Trump’s State of the Union address could have been mercifully shorter and why the Chagos Islands are off limits.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard and Pravanya Pillay Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep7. The worst birthday ever 27.02.2026 28min

Top of the agenda this week is some royal breaking news - who got a special birthday visit from the police? We’ll be analysing yet another government U-turn and see who’s emerged from the shadows for Nigel Farage’s proposed ‘shadow cabinet'. Plus a couple of stories on robots and aliens - something for everyone.Joining Andy this week is Mark Steel, Daliso Chaponda, Coco Khan and Bella Hull.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Ruth Husko and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep6. Is the UK getting sunnier? 20.02.2026 28min

This week the panel discuss PM Keir Starmer fighting off a potential coup; whether it’s a good idea to take Valentine’s day tips from a two-timing Norwegian athlete; and after 40 days of rain in some parts of the UK, is the country actually getting sunnier?Joining Andy this week is Alasdair Beckett-King, Rachel Fairburn, Stephen Bush and Mhairi BlackWritten by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney, Jade Gebbie, Ruth Husko and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep5. The Prince of Darkness 13.02.2026 28min

Is there a way out for Keir Starmer after the Peter Mandelson scandal? Who fled ‘under the cover of darkness’ from their royal lodgings? What exactly is a humble address? And why are iguanas falling out of trees? Helping Andy answer some of the big questions of the week are Desiree Burch, Pierre Novellie, Daniel Finkelstein and Catherine Bohart.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney and Sarah Mills Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producers: Richard Morris and James Robinson Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep4. By-elections, hello defections 06.02.2026 28min

On the agenda this week is Starmer vs Burnham in Labour's latest civil war, Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform, and working out how to save The Great British pub. To get to the bottom of all this, Andy is joined by Daliso Chaponda, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Hugo Rifkind and Holly Walsh.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Christina Riggs, Cameron Loxdale and Sarah Mills Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep3. Bored of peace 30.01.2026 28min

This week we'll be looking at Trump's Board of Peace and asking whether Trump is bored of peace. We'll be working out how China managed to afford to get on the central London property ladder with their new mega-embassy, and hoping that a clever cow who can use a tool to scratch its back can up its game and sort out global diplomacy before it's too late. Joining Andy to help make sense of all the madness is Lucy Porter, Alasdair Beckett-King, Stephen Bush and Shappi Khorsandi.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Christina Riggs, Cameron Loxdale, Ruth Husko and Dee Allum. Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep2. U-Turn, We Defect 23.01.2026 28min

Andy’s returned from The Ashes and is back in the News Quiz chair. He’s come home to a selection of defections, some serious U-turning and 30,000 properties without water in his hometown of Tunbridge Wells. He was only away for one week! Helping Andy make sense of it all is Susie McCabe, Paul Sinha, Cindy Yu and Scott Bennett.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Eleanor Morton and Dee Allum Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

The News Quiz: Ep1. Red, White, Blue and Green-land 16.01.2026 28min

With Andy away at The Ashes, guest host Ian Smith steps in to make sense of a dramatic news week. Topics include the US capturing Nicolás Maduro and threatening to invade Greenland, new driving rules for the over 70s and the problem with Grok AI. Helping Ian decide which way to turn are Ria Lina, Hugo Rifkind, Lucy Porter and Geoff Norcott.Written by Ian Smith.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Alex Kealy and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.