One is a radio comedy series created by David Quantick. It was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 4 Extra.[1] Each episode lasts 15 minutes and consists of a series of vignettes, each of which features only a single voice.

One
GenreComedy
Running time15 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
Created byDavid Quantick
Written byDavid Quantick, Kevin Cecil, Dan Maier and others
Produced byJon Naismith
Original release2006 –
2010
No. of series3
No. of episodes18
Audio formatStereophonic sound
Opening themeOne is the Loneliest Number by Harry Nilsson

Subjects

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The style and subject matter of the vignettes is varied, but some themes recur.

  • Unusual messages recorded on answering machines.
  • Readings of notes found in a guest book at a vacation home, featuring bizarre complaints.
  • Audio guides to museums that have obscure or bizarre exhibits.
  • Parodies of commentaries in the style of well-known personalities, sometimes read by the personalities themselves, such as Jeremy Clarkson reading "Top Dog", or bird expert Bill Oddie describing, in the style of a nature documentary, a typical encounter between Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.
  • Recitations of ideas such as personal crises, bad moods, T-shirt slogans etc., in the style of the Shipping Forecast. For example:
"And now with the time approaching 5 pm,
It's time for the mid-life crisis forecast...
Forties; restless: three or four.
Marriage: stale; becoming suffocating.
Sportscar, jeans and t-shirt; westerly, five.
Waitress; blonde; 19 or 20.
Converse all stars; haircut; earring; children;
becoming embarrassed.
Tail between legs; atmosphere frosty;
Spare room: five or six."

Performers

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Performers include Graeme Garden, Dan Antopolski, Simon Greenall, Lizzie Roper, and Deborah Norton. Those appearing as themselves include Jeremy Clarkson and Bill Oddie.

References

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  1. ^ "One". Retrieved 25 October 2013.