The BBC Radio classic comedy series

Beyond Our Ken: The Collected Series 1-4

All 60 surviving episodes from the first four series of the fabulous forerunner to Round the Horne - plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years 
 
An irresistible mix of of sketches, songs, puns and double entendres, Beyond Our Ken kept the nation laughing over seven series and 123 episodes between 1958 and 1964. 
 
With its witty wordplay, zany humour and comic catchphrases, it remains every bit as hilarious and entertaining today. Featuring larger-than-life characters like Rodney and Charles, roving reporter Cecil Snaith and doddery duo Ambrose and Felicity - not to mention avuncular host Kenneth Horne himself - this 'sort of radio show' is full of classic comedy moments. 
 
All your favourites are here in these 60 episodes, including spoof documentary series 'Hornerama', with its regular investigations into 'topics of immediate interest' such as showbusiness, shipping, photography, food, the City - and many more. There's also a wealth of surprising, surreal incidents from Kenneth Horne's week, the latest film releases in 'Picture Go Round', and a unique take on Any Questions, with panellists Hankie Flowered, Ricky Livid, Fanny Haddock and Arthur Fallowfield. Musical interludes are provided by a host of top artistes, among them Pat Lancaster, Janet Waters, The Malcolm Mitchell Trio, The Fraser Hayes Four and the BBC Variety Orchestra. 
 
Scripted by Eric Merriman and Barry Took, these much-loved shows star Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. 
 
 
Episode guide 
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
Series 1 - 1 July-12 November 1958 
Series 2 - 26 March-21 December 1959 
Series 3 - 5 April-15 July 1960 
Series 4 - 20 October 1960-2 March 1961 
Bonus programme: Forty Laughing Years, 12 November 1962 
 
The following episodes are missing from the BBC archives and therefore not included in this release: 
Series 1: Episodes 6, 10-13, 17, 21 and 22 
Series 2: Episodes 1, 4, 7, 9, 15, 16 and 19 
Series 4: Episode 12 
 
Episodes restored and remastered by Ted Kendall. 
 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

All 60 surviving episodes from the first four series of the fabulous forerunner to Round the Horne - plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years 
 
An irresistible mix of of sketches, songs, puns and double entendres, Beyond Our Ken kept the nation laughing over seven series and 123 episodes between 1958 and 1964. 
 
With its witty wordplay, zany humour and comic catchphrases, it remains every bit as hilarious and entertaining today. Featuring larger-than-life characters like Rodney and Charles, roving reporter Cecil Snaith and doddery duo Ambrose and Felicity - not to mention avuncular host Kenneth Horne himself - this 'sort of radio show' is full of classic comedy moments. 
 
All your favourites are here in these 60 episodes, including spoof documentary series 'Hornerama', with its regular investigations into 'topics of immediate interest' such as showbusiness, shipping, photography, food, the City - and many more. There's also a wealth of surprising, surreal incidents from Kenneth Horne's week, the latest film releases in 'Picture Go Round', and a unique take on Any Questions, with panellists Hankie Flowered, Ricky Livid, Fanny Haddock and Arthur Fallowfield. Musical interludes are provided by a host of top artistes, among them Pat Lancaster, Janet Waters, The Malcolm Mitchell Trio, The Fraser Hayes Four and the BBC Variety Orchestra. 
 
Scripted by Eric Merriman and Barry Took, these much-loved shows star Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. 
 
 
Episode guide 
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
Series 1 - 1 July-12 November 1958 
Series 2 - 26 March-21 December 1959 
Series 3 - 5 April-15 July 1960 
Series 4 - 20 October 1960-2 March 1961 
Bonus programme: Forty Laughing Years, 12 November 1962 
 
The following episodes are missing from the BBC archives and therefore not included in this release: 
Series 1: Episodes 6, 10-13, 17, 21 and 22 
Series 2: Episodes 1, 4, 7, 9, 15, 16 and 19 
Series 4: Episode 12 
 
Episodes restored and remastered by Ted Kendall. 
 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The BBC Radio 4 comedy series

Minor Adjustment

Comedy sitcom about a family with a young daughter with Down's syndrome, starring Peter Davison and Samantha Bond.

Eric Merriman (1924–2003) was a British radio and television writer, who provided material for numerous comedians including Frankie Howerd, Terry Scott and Morecambe and Wise. He wrote, originally with Barry Took and then solo, the radio series Beyond Our Ken, starring Kenneth Horne. He also was a writer for several Terry Scott vehicles, Scott on... and Happy Ever After.

The Stubbs family, cartoonist Richard, therapist Sarah, sixteen year-old Kate and 3 year-old Amy, who has Down's Syndrome, feature in this six part sitcom chronicling the highs and lows of family life. 
 
Richard (played by Peter Davison) and Sarah (Samantha Bond), juggle their way through life's minor disruptions, such as well-meaning TV crews turning up unannounced, summons to the headmaster's office to discuss teen Kate and the arrival of Sarah's sister with a horse-box full of expressionist art and 3 moulting cats. On top of it all, Sarah considers a third child. Perhaps a holiday will do? 
 
Written by son and father team Andy and Eric Merriman (best known for 'Beyond Our Ken'), the series was inspired by Andy's own four-year-old daughter, Sarah. 
 
Produced by Gareth Edwards 
A BBC Studios production

Series 4 Volume 2

Beyond Our Ken

Nine more episodes from the fourth series of the popular radio comedy, plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years

Eric Merriman (1924–2003) was a British radio and television writer, who provided material for numerous comedians including Frankie Howerd, Terry Scott and Morecambe and Wise. He wrote, originally with Barry Took and then solo, the radio series Beyond Our Ken, starring Kenneth Horne. He also was a writer for several Terry Scott vehicles, Scott on... and Happy Ever After.   Barry Took (1928-2002) was born in London. An early career as a stand-up comedian and sketch writer led to his first radio script credit, for Beyond Our Ken. From there he went on to create Round the Horne with Marty Feldman, whilst on television he wrote for series including Bootsie and Snudge and The Army Game. Amongst a variety of later jobs in front of and behind the camera, Took wrote and presented Points of View on BBC1 and also chaired BBC radio’s The News Quiz. He wrote a number of books, including The Complete and Utter History of Round the Horne and his autobiography A Point of View. He died in 2002.

Nine more episodes from the fourth series of the popular radio comedy, plus bonus programme Forty Laughing Years 
 
Full of whimsical witticisms, sketches, songs, puns and double entendres, Beyond Our Ken entertained the nation over seven series and 123 episodes. Published for the first time on audio, the nine episodes in this volume were initially broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1960-61. 
 
In these evergreen shows, Kenneth Horne’s escapades include trying to get his windows cleaned, recounting the story of Raffles, being offered the freedom of the city of Giggleswade, and dealing with some morning callers. 
 
Meanwhile, Hornerama investigates topics of immediate interest, including ‘Love and Marriage’, ‘Old British Customs’ and ‘The Film Industry’. There’s also musical interludes from the Hornets, Janet Waters and the BBC Variety Orchestra. 
 
The episodes include Room at the Top, The Horse Soldiers, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Charge of the Light Brigade, A Hatful of Rain, Twelve O’Clock High, Tea and Sympathy, Some Come Running and Tunes of Glory. Also included is the 1962 tribute programme Forty Laughing Years, hosted by Kenneth Horne. 
 
Duration: 5 hours approx.

Eric Merriman

Hugh Paddick

Kenneth Williams

Betty Marsden

Kenneth Horne

Bill Pertwee

The complete Series 5-7 of the legendary BBC radio comedy 
 
One of the funniest and most popular series on radio between 1958 and 1964, Beyond Our Ken delighted audiences nationwide throughout its seven series and 123 episodes. Packed with sketches, songs, catchphrases and innuendo, it mixes silliness, satire and sophistication to superb effect, and continues to make us laugh today. 
 
Kenneth Horne - 'who prefers to remain anonymous' - is our unflappable host in these 46 episodes, presiding over an array of fabulous characters such as camp duo Charles and Rodney, celebrity chef Fanny Haddock and countryman Arthur Fallowfield (for whom the answer always lies in the soil, regardless of the question). 
 
Regular documentary spoof 'Hornerama' returns, with a look at topics including the arts, the countryside, travel and television; and Kenneth Horne's weeks become increasingly extraordinary and eventful. Plus, the team tackle the Siege of Troy, present a new interpretation of 'Horne In Wonderland' (or 'Beyond Our Looking Glass'), offer their take on Caesar and Cleopatra's story and revel in a Regency romp through Beau Brummel's Brighton. Accompanying them for some musical interludes are Jill Day, Edwin Braden, the Fraser Hayes Four, Eileen Gourlay and the BBC Variety Orchestra. 
 
Written by Eric Merriman, these wonderful, whimsical shows star Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Bill Pertwee. 
 
 
Episode guide 
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
Series 5 - 12 October 1961-22 February 1962 
Series 6 - 27 December 1962-21 March 1963 
Series 7 - 24 November 1963-16 February 1964 
 
These episodes have been restored to their fullest versions using both Home (BBC Light Programme) and Overseas (BBC Transcription Service) recordings. Whilst every attempt has been made to clean up and remaster these recordings using the latest technology, the sound quality may at times reflect the age and off-air nature of certain source material. 
 
Episodes restored and remastered by Ted Kendall and Keith Wickham. 
 
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Eric Merriman

Beyond Our Ken: The Collected Series 5-7

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