The BBC Radio 4 Spoof Comedy Series

A Look Back at the Future

Brian Perkins and Kate Robbins &lsquo;remember&rsquo; 21st Century years yet to happen in this futuristic 1994 comedy showFirst broadcast (with the aid of a crystal ball) in summer 1994, the Sony Award-winning show returns for a second series starring the &lsquo;Godfather of Radio 4&rsquo;, Brian Perkins, and Spitting Image impressionist Kate Robbins. This time, they turn their comic gaze on six roller-coaster years from the 21st Century: 2001, 2005, 2010, 2021, 2025 and 2099.Among the extraordinary events of this turbulent era were the invention of the Telepathone, the first ego transplant, the rise of the Church of the Latter Day Agnostics, and America&rsquo;s invasion of Narnia. So strap in for a thrilling trip back to the extraordinary, turbulent era when &lsquo;Toddler Power&rsquo; ran rampant, the Official Monster Raving Loony Party became the breakthrough third force in British politics &ndash; and time ran backwards&hellip;Predicted by Spitting Image writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair &ndash; who also play supporting roles in the sketches &ndash; this sharp, satirical show features special guest comedians Jeremy Hardy, John O&rsquo; Farrell, Griff Rhys Jones, Tony Hawks, Nigel Planer and Hugh Dennis.Cast and creditsStarring Brian Perkins and Kate RobbinsSpecial guests: Jeremy Hardy, John O&rsquo;Farrell, Griff Rhys Jones, Tony Hawks, Nigel Planer, Hugh DennisPredicted by Spitting Image writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete SinclairProduced by Caroline LeddyFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:2001 9 July 19942005 16 July 19942010 23 July 19942021 30 July 19942025 6 August 19942099 13 August 1994&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Brian Perkins and Kate Robbins &lsquo;remember&rsquo; 21st Century years yet to happen in this futuristic 1994 comedy show 
 
First broadcast (with the aid of a crystal ball) in summer 1994, the Sony Award-winning show returns for a second series starring the &lsquo;Godfather of Radio 4&rsquo;, Brian Perkins, and Spitting Image impressionist Kate Robbins. This time, they turn their comic gaze on six roller-coaster years from the 21st Century: 2001, 2005, 2010, 2021, 2025 and 2099. 
 
Among the extraordinary events of this turbulent era were the invention of the Telepathone, the first ego transplant, the rise of the Church of the Latter Day Agnostics, and America&rsquo;s invasion of Narnia. So strap in for a thrilling trip back to the extraordinary, turbulent era when &lsquo;Toddler Power&rsquo; ran rampant, the Official Monster Raving Loony Party became the breakthrough third force in British politics &ndash; and time ran backwards&hellip; 
 
Predicted by Spitting Image writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair &ndash; who also play supporting roles in the sketches &ndash; this sharp, satirical show features special guest comedians Jeremy Hardy, John O&rsquo; Farrell, Griff Rhys Jones, Tony Hawks, Nigel Planer and Hugh Dennis. 
 
Cast and credits 
Starring Brian Perkins and Kate Robbins 
Special guests: Jeremy Hardy, John O&rsquo;Farrell, Griff Rhys Jones, Tony Hawks, Nigel Planer, Hugh Dennis 
Predicted by Spitting Image writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair 
Produced by Caroline Leddy 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
2001 9 July 1994 
2005 16 July 1994 
2010 23 July 1994 
2021 30 July 1994 
2025 6 August 1994 
2099 13 August 1994 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

A BBC Radio Comedy

At Home With The Hardys

All three series of the surreal sitcom set in the madcap world of four happy-go-lucky young folk 
 
 
Jeremy Hardy and friends are an irrepressible gang of jolly japesters who are always up for laughter and merriment. Luckily, they all live near to each other: which means craziness is never far away. So good they named it twice, this zany sitcom was initially known as Unnatural Acts, before returning for its third series as At Home With the Hardys. But though the title may be different, the high jinks are as wacky as ever... 
 
Series 1 of Unnatural Acts sees Jeremy investigating his lineage, and Kit deciding it's time to get in touch with a medium's answerphone. When the pals decide to commune with Mother Nature it's out with the picnic snacks and off to Sizefield nuclear power station - and when Caroline makes a special announcement at Kit and Jeremy's wedding anniversary, it's another success story for computer dating. There's just one tiny problem... In Series 2, a slew of April Fool pranks escalates into a terrorist threat; a safari park throws up some unexpected attractions, including an exploding ostrich and a gorilla with a walkie-talkie; and Paul starts spring-cleaning Ashdown Forest - where he makes a very interesting discovery... 
 
There's a new moniker, a new story, a new job and a new arrival for the crazy crew in Series 3, At Home with the Hardys. Someone, somewhere is having an affair - and Paul's doing the catering. Adverts make the heart grow fonder as our four funsters bring you a cleaner, brighter programme with built-in lemon freshness. Meanwhile, a famous line from a famous film may not amount to a hill of beans, but it could be the end of a beautiful friendship - and as Jeremy and Paul get starry-eyed, Kit and Caroline come down to earth... 
 
Written by and starring Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B. Davies, this riotous radio romp also stars Caroline Leddy. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by David Tyler 
 
 
Cast 
Jeremy - Jeremy Hardy 
Kit - Kit Hollerbach 
Paul - Paul B. Davies 
Caroline - Caroline Leddy 
and introducing Patty-Jo 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Series 1 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B Davies. With Pete Sinclair, Steve Punt, Alison Renshaw, John Morrish and Dave Cohen 
 
Series 2 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach, Paul B Davies, Pete Sinclair and Caroline Leddy 
 
Series 3 (At Home with the Hardys) 
Written by Paul B. Davies, Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Pete Sinclair 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
 
'Radio 4's best comedy by miles' The Listener

All three series of the surreal sitcom set in the madcap world of four happy-go-lucky young folk 
 
 
Jeremy Hardy and friends are an irrepressible gang of jolly japesters who are always up for laughter and merriment. Luckily, they all live near to each other: which means craziness is never far away. So good they named it twice, this zany sitcom was initially known as Unnatural Acts, before returning for its third series as At Home With the Hardys. But though the title may be different, the high jinks are as wacky as ever... 
 
Series 1 of Unnatural Acts sees Jeremy investigating his lineage, and Kit deciding it's time to get in touch with a medium's answerphone. When the pals decide to commune with Mother Nature it's out with the picnic snacks and off to Sizefield nuclear power station - and when Caroline makes a special announcement at Kit and Jeremy's wedding anniversary, it's another success story for computer dating. There's just one tiny problem... In Series 2, a slew of April Fool pranks escalates into a terrorist threat; a safari park throws up some unexpected attractions, including an exploding ostrich and a gorilla with a walkie-talkie; and Paul starts spring-cleaning Ashdown Forest - where he makes a very interesting discovery... 
 
There's a new moniker, a new story, a new job and a new arrival for the crazy crew in Series 3, At Home with the Hardys. Someone, somewhere is having an affair - and Paul's doing the catering. Adverts make the heart grow fonder as our four funsters bring you a cleaner, brighter programme with built-in lemon freshness. Meanwhile, a famous line from a famous film may not amount to a hill of beans, but it could be the end of a beautiful friendship - and as Jeremy and Paul get starry-eyed, Kit and Caroline come down to earth... 
 
Written by and starring Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B. Davies, this riotous radio romp also stars Caroline Leddy. 
 
Production credits 
Produced by David Tyler 
 
 
Cast 
Jeremy - Jeremy Hardy 
Kit - Kit Hollerbach 
Paul - Paul B. Davies 
Caroline - Caroline Leddy 
and introducing Patty-Jo 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
Series 1 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Paul B Davies. With Pete Sinclair, Steve Punt, Alison Renshaw, John Morrish and Dave Cohen 
 
Series 2 (Unnatural Acts) 
Written by Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach, Paul B Davies, Pete Sinclair and Caroline Leddy 
 
Series 3 (At Home with the Hardys) 
Written by Paul B. Davies, Jeremy Hardy, Kit Hollerbach and Pete Sinclair 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd 
 
'Radio 4's best comedy by miles' The Listener

Mark Burton

John O'Farrell

Pete Sinclair

Brian Perkins

Kate Robbins

Chris Barrie

Hugh Dennis

Steve Coogan

Jack Dee

Rory Bremner

Various

The Complete Series of the Award-Winning BBC Radio 4 Comedy

The 1993 series that sees Brian Perkins and Kate Robbins 'looking back' at the decade that was yet to happen 
 
Newsreader and &lsquo;Godfather of Radio 4&rsquo; Brian Perkins and Spitting Image impressionist Kate Robbins star in this Sony Award-winning satirical show, set on New Year&rsquo;s Eve at the turn of the millennium. As the Nineties come to a close, they recall the tumultuous, earth-shattering events of the years 1994-1999. 
 
Join them as they revisit when the House of Commons voted for an Honesty Act; Blue Peter launched an appeal with a twist; the media&rsquo;s attention turned to an unusual new breed of dog; The Archers went on strike; the Hubble space telescope discovered a new star sign and young people thrilled to an exciting new musical style blending dub reggae and horse-racing commentary&hellip; 
 
Predicted using a crystal ball in 1993, this futuristic show was foretold by Spitting Image writers Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair, who also performed alongside special guests Chris Barrie, Hugh Dennis, Steve Coogan, Jack Dee, Rory Bremner and Alistair McGowan. 
 
Cast and credits 
Starring Brian Perkins and Kate Robbins 
Written and performed by Mark Burton, John O'Farrell and Pete Sinclair 
Special guests: Chris Barrie, Hugh Dennis, Steve Coogan, Jack Dee, Rory Bremner and Alistair McGowan 
Produced by Caroline Leddy 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: 
 
1995 10 July 1993 
1996 17 July 1993 
1997 24 July 1993 
1998 31 July 1993 
1999 7 August 1993 
1994 31 December 1993 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Pete Sinclair

Books by Pete Sinclair

Series by Pete Sinclair

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