The BBC is a strange and massive institution, but for all its flaws, it knows how to make a cracking radio comedy. This has meant that its expansion into comedy podcasts (some simply recordings of their radio comedy, some created specifically for podcasting) has been hugely successful.
The Beeb has a range of very listenable comedy on offer, no matter your tastes, and given their remit to inform, educate and entertain, you can often learn useful or interesting things at the same time.
All of the following podcasts are available on the BBC Sounds app if you’re in the UK, and some have RSS feeds to listen on other podcasting apps as well. Though annoyingly, this is not always the case.
For international listeners, there are changes ahoy in terms of access to BBC Sounds, but the content will still be available via a circuitous route.
So, if you want to make a start on some BBC comedy podcasts, here are some recommendations to get you giggling embarrassingly on the bus to work.
Friday Night Comedy
BBC Radio 4’s 6.30pm comedy slot was what first got me into Radio 4 comedy about 20 years ago. In particular, News Quiz is a topical panel show that is still one of my favourites.
When the Friday Night Comedy podcast cycles around to Dead Ringers, which is currently the case, I’m less of a fan. But you may feel differently about comedy impressions.
Whatever your preference, this topical comedy podcast is worth subscribing to even if you, like me, skip certain series.
Evil Genius with Russell Kane
In Evil Genius, Russell Kane, along with a topic expert and two guests, talk about a famous figure from history, going through facts about their life to judge whether they were evil or a genius.
It’s a simple concept but an effective one, and those with guests Athena Kugblenu or Jess Fostekew tend to be my faves.
What? Seriously??
In What? Seriously??, comedians Dara O Briain and Isy Suttie are all about strange-but-true tales.
Suttie and O’Briain are an interesting pairing, with quite different approaches to comedy, but they work well together in this format and their different styles really add to the enjoyment of this show.
Best Medicine
Kiri Pritchard-McLean is one of my favourite comedians, and her podcast Best Medicine takes a funny – and actually inspiring – look at science and medicine.
I haven’t studied science since I was 16 and I can be a bit intimidated sometimes at the thought of it, but Best Medicine is very accessible and enjoyable and, like all good audio, makes you fascinated by things you had no idea about 20 minutes ago.
Mark Steel’s in Town
Originally a Radio 4 show, Mark Steel’s in Town has been running for years and years.
The concept is pretty simple: comedian Mark Steel visits an under-celebrated town, learns all about it, then does a show about the town to an audience of locals.
He’s rarely that complimentary about the places he visits, but he’s so funny and endearing – and so adept at learning the local jokes and regional quirks – that the audience is on side despite it.
It’s one of my all-time faves and pretty easy listening.
Life on Egg
This is an odd one, for sure, but if you’re already a fan of Harry Hill then I think you’ll like Life on Egg.
This show is about a prison on an egg, and all the hijinks and shenanigans that go on when a prison on an egg is badly run.
It’s very Harry Hill, and very daft and funny.
You Heard It Here First
Chris McCausland is a comedian who’s blind, which is relevant in this show because he gets sighted comedians to answer questions based on audio alone.
McCausland is naturally funny and brings the best out of his You Heard It Here First guests, who often find it harder than they expect to be without visuals.