Fun At One is the first complete history of comedy on BBC Radio 1.
Launched in 1967, the BBC’s pop music service provided an outlet for comics who struggled to get exposure elsewhere, from the humorous disc jockeys of the late sixties and early seventies, through to edgy standup comedians in the late eighties, and more than one whose act defies description even today.
Fun At One traces the story of comedy on Radio 1 from its launch to more recent experiments with podcasting and streaming video. Along the way it covers Kenny Everett, Rawlinson End, Adrian Juste, Lenny Henry, Victor Lewis-Smith, The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Lee & Herring’s Fist Of Fun, The Chris Morris Music Show, Mark & Lard, Blue Jam and much more besides, not to mention – of course – Smashie & Nicey.
Fun At One is an essential addition to any library, but particularly one that’s had a large shotgun hole blasted in it by Sir Henry Rawlinson.
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By Peter Thomas
Mar 20, 2013
While British radio comedy is usually summed up by 'The Goons' and whatever lightweight satire Radio 4 is purveying, it's actually the Nation's Favourite who have produced some of the most cutting-edge comedic output. Author Tim Worthington takes a no-holds barred look at the comedy output of this station, from its early Arnold-the-dog days over to the latest outpourings. Not all of it is glorious, especially Radio 1's eighties line-up which usually tended to veer towards the "I'm wacky and bonkers, me" style. There are welcome antidotes in the form of Victor Lewis-Smith's controversy-courting efforts. Hardcore comedy aficionadoes will be pleased at write-ups for some of the most obscure shows to have hit the wireless, such as work by the various members of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. The book has gone to the trouble of contacting many of those involved, and reads like a true labour of love. My only niggle would be with a handful of typos. Not enough to put me off the book... More > at all. Still, where else are you going to read startling details about the audio-only efforts of Stewart Lee and Richard Herring?< Less
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