To search for contemporary queens of comedy you need look no further than performers like Victoria Wood, French and Saunders and, of course, the ‘slimline’ Jo Brand. But they follow in the footsteps of some quite special comic ladies, a number of them still raising a laugh today.
The Comediennes (R2, from Thursday, January 19) is a series celebrating the lives of such performers, with archive material which includes interviews and memories of classic sketches.
The first programme focused on Irene Handl, and dealt with her memorable portrayals of cockney characters, as well her work with artists like Peter Sellers.
It was an interesting half hour, though I felt the formula was a little haphazard and unsatisfying. However, there was a vast improvement in the second instalment when the spotlight was turned on Hattie Jacques.
Male, funny and considerably more modern, Lee and Herring are currently causing hilarious havoc on Radio 1 (from Monday, January 9).
This is no ordinary hour of music and chat – in fact Stewart and Richard appear to select records either for their bizarre content or so that they can deliberately label them worthless.
My favourite bits were the outrageous tribute band competition, hapless Peter Baynham’s lifestyle tips and the alternative parable.
It had me laughing out loud.
Peter Ould, Twitter
Peter Ould, Twitter
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Bosco239, youtube
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Pudabaya, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Stuart, Chortle
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Brighton Argus
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter