Synopsis
Enjoy a satirical take on the week’s news with the cream of UK comedy talent. The News Quiz and The Now Show from BBC Radio 4.
Episodes
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Best of The News Quiz 2024
10/01/2025 Duration: 28minA satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year. Covering international tensions, a UK General Election, and of course the question on everyone’s lips, what exactly was a ‘Brat Summer’?With Andy Zaltzman in the chair, full of whimsical animal metaphors and cricket stats, we’ll hear highlights from the crème de la crème of British and international comedy and journalism to dissect the news. It's a chance to return to, and revel in, some of 2024's funniest moments, starring Ian Smith, Lucy Porter, Geoff Norcott, Alasdair Beckett-King, Mark Steel, Ria Lina, Simon Evans and Zoe Lyons, amongst others.Come digest a dramatic year of news, along with the leftover turkey, as we say goodbye to 2024, goodbye to 14 years or Conservative rule, goodbye to short-lived presidential hopeful Kamala Harris, and goodbye to Earth’s temporary second moon.Written and presented by Andy ZaltzmanProducer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Jodie CharmanA BBC Studios Audio Production
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The Naked Christmas Week: Books, Trump, and When Is Bins?
03/01/2025 Duration: 28minLanding slap-bang in the no-man’s land between Christmas and New Year, the Naked Week team will be heading out of the trenches to challenge the news to a game of football. This week, we find out which of the year's political memoirs passes our special test, and we ask the big Christmas question 'When Is Bins?'Expect festive advice, guests full of joy and wonder, and a little drummer boy (budget depending), as the show sticks its hand into all the Christmas current affairs, pulls out a bag of news-giblets and stuffs the airwaves with irreverent features, mischievous set-pieces and more jokes than you can shake a seasonal stick at.Presenter of Presents: Andrew Hunter MurrayChief Christmas Correspondent: Amy HoggartWritten by: Jon Holmes Jason Hazeley Katie Sayer Sarah Dempster Gareth Ceredig Adam Macqueen Louis MianProduced by Jon Ho-ho-ho-Holmes.Production Team: Katie Sayer, Phoebe Butler, Laura Grimshaw, Jerry Peal, Tony Churnside.An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
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The Naked Week: Ep4: Spies, Uncanny Ghosts, and Christmas Crackers
27/12/2024 Duration: 28minThe team give the news a hard stare as they try to recruit a spy and steal some of the Uncanny podcast's listening figures by contacting Nigel Farage with a ouija board.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes 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.Host Andrew Hunter Murray and chief correspondent Amy Hoggart will strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also the way the news is packaged and presented.From 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 Sarah Dempster Gareth Ceredig Jason Hazeley Adam Macqueen Louis MianGuests: Neil Frost and Chris Banatvala.Production Team: Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, Katie Sayer, Phoebe ButlerProduced and Directed by Jon Holmes Executive Producer: Philip AbramsAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4
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The Naked Week: Ep 3. Prisons, Syria, and Kemi's Catchphrase.
20/12/2024 Duration: 28minThe team look at the week's news and, while trying understand how rebels took Syria so quickly, a military strategist helps us to take the Warwickshire stronghold of Nuneaton. Plus Rupert the Jorkiepoo helps solve the prison overcrowding crisis.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes 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. Host Andrew Hunter Murray (No Such Thing As A Fish, QI Elf, Private Eye) and chief correspondent Amy Hoggart strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also the way in which the news is packaged and presented.From 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 Sarah Dempster Gareth Ceredig Jason Hazeley Adam Macqueen Louis MianPartial Nakedness: March Haynes Karl MinnsProduction Team: Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, K
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The Naked Week: Ep2. Spin, Milestones, and Monopoly (Qatar edition)
13/12/2024 Duration: 28minWe interrogate how many milestones make a mission, look at how some MPs fund their offices and with all the Gregg Wallace unpleasantness we put a crisis management expert under pressure to give celebrities tips on how to apologise.Host Andrew Hunter Murray, Chief Correspondent Amy Hoggart, The Skewer's Jon Holmes and The Naked Week team deliver a topical news-nude straight to your ears.The Naked Week team strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also the way in which the news is packaged and presented.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Sarah Dempster Gareth Ceredig Jason Hazeley Adam Macqueen Louis MianAdditional material: Marc Haynes Cornelius MendezGuests this week: Jordan Greenaway Dr Beth MaloryProduction Team: Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, Katie Sayer, Phoebe ButlerProduced and Directed by Jon Holmes Executive Producer: Philip AbramsAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4
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The Naked Week: Ep1. Lobbying, art, soup, and farms
06/12/2024 Duration: 28minFrom The Skewer’s Jon Holmes 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.Host Andrew Hunter Murray and chief correspondent Amy Hoggart will strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also the way the news is packaged and presented.From 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.This week - Lobbying, art, soup, and farms.Written by: Jon Holmes Katie Sayer Sarah Dempster Gareth Ceredig Jason Hazeley Adam Macqueen Louis MianPartial Nudity: Marc Haynes Cornelius Mendezwith Additional Material.Production Team: Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, Katie Sayer, Phoebe Butler.Produced and Directed by Jon Holmes Executive Producer: Philip AbramsAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4
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Dead Ringers: Ep4. Revolting Farmers
29/11/2024 Duration: 28minJeremy Clarkson and Nigel Farage weigh in on the new land tax, Rachel Reeves defends her CV and Donald Trump talks turkey.This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Duncan Wisbey and Katia Kvinge.The episode was written by: Nev Fountain and Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickson, Angela Channell, Christina Riggs and Joe Topping.Executive Producer: Richard Morris Produced and created by Bill Dare Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
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Dead Ringers: Ep 3. New World Disorder
22/11/2024 Duration: 28minDonald Trump makes some surprising new additions to his team, there’s an unexpected guest at COP29, Nigel Farage accepts that climate change is real, and Justin Welby explains the real reason for his resignation.This week's impressionists are Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson, Duncan Wisbey and Jason ForbesThe episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Joe Topping, Christina Riggs, Pravanya Pillay with additional material by Lizzy Mansfield and Vicky Richards.Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Produced and created by Bill Dare Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
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Dead Ringers: Ep 2. America Went There
15/11/2024 Duration: 28minWhat really swung it for Donald Trump and how did Joe Biden really react to the result? Kemi Badenoch’s first decision as Tory leader, and Nigel Farage’s Trump victory podcast.This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson and Duncan Wisbey.The episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Cody Dahler, Joe Topping, Peter Tellouche, Duncan Wisbey with additional material by Jennifer Walker and Vicky Richards.Song lyrics by Bill Dare and Duncan Wisbey Music by Duncan Wisbey Executive Producer: James Robinson Produced and created by Bill Dare Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
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Dead Ringers: Ep1. Budget Politicians
08/11/2024 Duration: 28minWhat was Rachel Reeves’ real inspiration for her budget? What advice is Kamala Harris giving to Joe Biden, and what exactly is a ‘working person’? JD Vance and Tim Walz make their first appearances on the show and Rishi Sunak probably his last.This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson and Jason Forbes.The episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Cody Dahler, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickson with additional material by Jennifer Walker.Sound design: Rich Evans Executive Producer: Richard Morris Produced and created by Bill Dare Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow
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The News Quiz: Ep 8. Interference, Incentives and Interruptions
01/11/2024 Duration: 28minThis week on The News Quiz, join guest host Ian Smith, along with Geoff Norcott, Amy Hoggart, Alasdair Beckett-King and Susie McCabe, as they break down accusations of Labour door-knocking across international lines, Musk's super PAC and Trump's Big Mac, and the wild adventures of King Charles in the South Pacific.Written by Ian Smith.With additional material by: Alex Kealy, Cameron Loxdale, Christina Riggs and Laura Davis. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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The News Quiz: Ep 7. Inflation and Incinerators
25/10/2024 Duration: 28minThis week on The News Quiz, the panel assess the fall in inflation, Wes Streeting's latest bright ideaWritten by Lucy Porter, with additional material by: Mike Shephard, Tasha Dhanraj, Peter Tellouche and Alfie Packham. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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The News Quiz: Ep 6. Cleverly Timed Exits
18/10/2024 Duration: 28minThis week on The News Quiz the panel unpack Sue Gray's cabinet exit, the arrival of man (and possible Irish Law firm) Morgan McSweeney and James Cleverly pipped at the post.Written by Geoff NorcottWith additional material by: Cody Dahler, James Farmer, Tom Mayhew and Christina Riggs. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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The News Quiz: Ep 5. Peace & Peaks
11/10/2024 Duration: 28minAlasdair Beckett-King, Zoe Lyons, Scott Bennett, and Cindy Yu join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week on The News Quiz the panel look for the solution to world peace, check in with the Conservative final four, and tackle Everest (not literally).Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Cody Dahler, Dee Allum, and Peter Tellouche Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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The News Quiz: Ep4. Conference & Confidence
04/10/2024 Duration: 28minRobin Morgan, Ian Smith, Alice Fraser, and Ash Sarkar join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week on The News Quiz the panel plough through Keir Starmer's first Labour conference as PM, analyse the effectiveness of the UN, and celebrate the coming of Earth's new moon... All hail Moon 2!Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Mark Granger, Sharon Wanjohi, and Christina Riggs Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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The News Quiz: Ep3. Work & Play
27/09/2024 Duration: 28minSimon Evans, Ian Smith, Aditi Mittal and Anushka Asthana join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week on The News Quiz the panel go through the PM's wardrobe, take a splash into the Lib Dems' conference, and take on the year's greatest mystery... where are all the butterflies?Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Cameron Loxdale, Sarah Campbell, Owen Pullar and Peter Tellouche Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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The News Quiz: Ep2. Prisoners and Pensioners
20/09/2024 Duration: 28minSimon Evans, Ria Lina, Glenn Moore, and Coco Khan join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week on The News Quiz the panel look towards a cold winter for pensioners, an early fall for prisoners, and try to figure out exactly what was being said during the US Presidential debate.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Mike Shephard, Christiana Riggs, Rebecca Bain, Sam Lyden and Teresa Burns Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Giles AspenA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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The News Quiz: Ep1. Labour’s Brat Summer
13/09/2024 Duration: 28minNeil Delamere, Lucy Porter, Mark Steel and Marie Le Conte join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.In this first episode of a brand-new series, Andy and the panel catch up on the events of Labour's first Brat Summer, take a look at a Tory leadership election, and have a brief check in on the rest of the world to make sure it's still there.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Mike Shephard, Meryl O'Rourke, Sarah Dempster & Peter Tellouche Producer: Sam Holmes Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
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Catherine Bohart: TL;DR - 6. Hang on - are there ghosts in this machine?
06/09/2024 Duration: 28minNo time to read the news? Catherine Bohart does it for you in TL;DR. This week - Elon Musk thinks there should be regulation around AI. Is he right? Can AI really change the world, or are we just training our future robot overlords?Times journalist Hugo Rifkind navigates the ethical minefield of artificial intelligence, while Professor Gina Neff breaks down how AI is already reshaping our lives - and the risks that come with it.Meanwhile, in the TL;DR Sidebar, comedian Sunil Patel dives into the wild world of AI romance and discovers the perks and pitfalls of having an AI girlfriend. Will it be love at first byte?Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Sarah Campbell, and Pravanya PillayWith Ellen Patterson as FlobotProduced by Victoria LloydRecorded and Edited by David ThomasProduction Coordinator - Beverly TaggA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
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Catherine Bohart: TL;DR - 5. Are we going to see Robert Jenrick's Brat Summer?
30/08/2024 Duration: 28minConfused by candidates? If you're feeling adrift ahead of the Conservative leadership election, TL;DR has done the reading for you.Alex Kealy joins Catherine Bohart to look at the runners and riders. In the sidebar, Russian stand-up Olga Koch looks at why a strong opposition is politically useful, and Financial Times columnist Stephen Bush looks at what it takes for an opposition to get back in the driving seat.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Sarah Campbell, and Georgie Flinn.Produced by Victoria LloydRecorded by Merlin Kerr at Monkey Barrel in EdinburghEdited by David ThomasProduction Coordinator - Beverly TaggA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4