Sketchorama was a radio show created by The Comedy Unit for BBC Radio 4. It featured a rotating cast of comedic sketch groups who performed in front of a live audience. The groups were introduced by a host comedian on each series: Humphrey Ker, Thom Tuck or Isy Suttie. The shows final series was in August 2015.[1]

Sketchorama
GenreComedy
Running time25 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
StarringHumphrey Ker (Series 1)
Thom Tuck (Series 2 - 3)
Isy Suttie (Series 4)
Created byGus Beattie
Produced byGus Beattie
The Comedy Unit
Original releaseJune 2012 –
August 2015
No. of series4
No. of episodes16
Audio formatStereophonic sound
WebsiteAt BBC Radio 4

Episodes edit

Series 1[2] edit

EpisodeTitleHosted ByFeaturingOriginal air date
1"Episode 1"Humphrey KerDelete the Banjax, Lady Garden, Idiots of Ants26 June 2012 (2012-06-26)
2"Episode 2"Humphrey KerNoise Next Door, the Boom Jennies, Jigsaw3 July 2012 (2012-07-03)
3"Episode 3"Humphrey KerThree Englishmen, Max and Ivan, Frisky & Mannish10 July 2012 (2012-07-10)
4"Episode 4"Humphrey KerHow Do I Get Up There?, The Ginge, The Geordie and The Geek, Pappy's17 July 2012 (2012-07-17)

Series 2[3] edit

EpisodeTitleHosted ByFeaturingOriginal air date
1"Episode 1"Thom Tuckthe Beta Males, Shirley & Shirley, Jonny and the Baptists29 April 2013 (2013-04-29)
2"Episode 2"Thom TuckSo On and So Forth, That Pair, Sheeps6 May 2013 (2013-05-06)
3"Episode 3"Thom TuckMcNeill & Pamphilon, Barbershopera and Wittank13 May 2013 (2013-05-13)
4"Episode 4"Thom TuckAbsolutely, Endemic20 May 2013 (2013-05-20)

Series 3[4] edit

EpisodeTitleHosted ByFeaturingOriginal air date
1"Episode 1"Thom TuckCroft and Pearce, Beasts and Casual Violence23 June 2014 (2014-06-23)
2"Episode 2"Thom TuckMixed Doubles, the Real MacGuffins, Bob and Jim30 June 2014 (2014-06-30)
3"Episode 3"Thom TuckFour Screws Loose, The Jest, Birthday Girls7 July 2014 (2014-07-07)
4"Episode 4"Thom TuckThe Color Ham, Lead Pencil, Foil14 August 2014 (2014-08-14)

Series 4[5] edit

EpisodeTitleHosted ByFeaturingOriginal air date
1"Episode 1"Isy SuttieThe Twins Macabre, Massive Dad, The Penny Dreadfuls6 July 2015 (2015-07-06)
1"Episode 1"Isy SuttieClever Peter, Hennessey and Friends, In Cahoots13 July 2015 (2015-07-13)
3"Episode 3"Isy SuttieFrisky & Mannish, Thünderbards, Lazy Susan30 July 2015 (2015-07-30)
4"Episode 4"Isy SuttieAunty Donna, Gein's Family Gift Shop, Beasts26 August 2015 (2015-08-26)

Specials edit

EpisodeTitleHosted ByFeaturingOriginal air date
1"Episode 1[6]"Thom TuckCroft & Pearce, Mixed Doubles, Bob & Jim27 December 2014 (2014-12-27)

Production edit

Producer Gus Beattie began the show after noticing there weren’t many shows showcasing sketch talent.[7] Beattie chose which sketch groups performed on the show and found many of the groups at the Edinburgh Festival and online. The chosen groups gather at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to perform before a live audience.

Reception edit

The British Comedy Guide described it as "a format for Radio 4 which offers the same popular showcase dynamic as stand-up shows, but purely for comedy sketch groups. Sketchorama aimed to bring hidden gems and established live acts to the airwaves offering a truly distinctive and ambitious show."[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "Sketchorama Series 4, Episode 4". British Comedy Guide. British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Sketchorama Series 1". BBC Radio 4. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Sketchorama Series 2". BBC Radio 4. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Sketchorama Series 3". BBC Radio 4. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Sketchorama Series 4". BBC Radio 4. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Sketchorama Extra". BBC Radio 4 Extra. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Sketch groups for Radio 4's Sketchorama Series 3 revealed - News". Comedy.co.uk. 29 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Sketchorama - Radio 4 Sketch Show". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2021.