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What to listen to on Radio 4?

64 replies

PopcornKettleBlack · 17/06/2021 13:47

I don't listen to radio as such but I listen to the occasional Radio play, usually ghost stories, while cleaning. I've just discovered the Radio 4 documentaries and they're fascinating. I wish that I'd discovered them sooner.

It's made me wonder what other Radio 4 shows I might be missing out on. I'd appreciate any suggestions on shows or particular episodes, of any genre that you'd recommend I try.

TIA

OP posts:
TheSmallAssassin · 17/06/2021 13:54

My favourites are The Life Scientific, The Long View, The Reunion, More or Less. The series about the recent Post Office case was really good. I've learnt a lot from You and Yours and Moneybox over the years too, and In Touch.

I think the comedy is a bit hit and miss, but I like The News Quiz, Just A Minute and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

I've just listened to all 5 series of Tracks on BBC Sounds and loved, loved, loved it. Tense, but also emotionally gripping.

TheSmallAssassin · 17/06/2021 13:59

Oh, and From Our Own Correspondent and The Listening Project.

This was lovely, The Flapper

TheSmallAssassin · 17/06/2021 14:01

And The Unbelievable Truth is funny too.

I like The Food Programme and The Kitchen Cabinet, too. There's something for everyone, I think. I could go on all day, but I'm supposed to be in a meeting Blush

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Allington · 17/06/2021 14:18

You're Dead to Me - a mix of comedy and history

ratspeaker · 17/06/2021 14:19

As above, plus
The Infinite Monkey Cage
The curious cases of Rutherford and Fry

alot of things are on podcasts on bbc sounds

Greybeardy · 17/06/2021 14:57

I absolutely love the shipping forecast! Haven’t a scooby what it means but find it quite relaxing to listen to, especially the last one before the station closes. In Our Time is sometimes quite interesting. There are a couple of late evening quizzes on Saturdays (?brain of Britain and a music one… can’t remember the name) that are good too. Sunday Worship can be quite good if but doesn’t appeal every week.

Wilma55 · 17/06/2021 15:03

If you like soaps, try The Archers!

ClarisseMcClellan · 17/06/2021 15:09

Go on BBC Sounds and look through all the programmes that are available, there are 1000s and you can search by genre and get suggestions and listen to previous episodes of the ones you like

megletthesecond · 17/06/2021 15:09

The statistics one, More or Less.

And recently there were two Friday morning shows, one was a woman whose husband had been in prison and the next was a stand up comedian ex police man. They were really good. Let me find the names of them.

TeenMinusTests · 17/06/2021 15:13

Stand up comedian ex-policeman is 'It's a Fair Cop'

Yes to most of the mentions above.

Almost everything on Radio4 is good. There are a few comedies I turn off such as Count Arthur Strong and some others that are trying too hard to be clever and I don't find them funny at all.

TeenMinusTests · 17/06/2021 15:14

I turn on radio randomly, if it is half way through something that sounds interesting then I download it later from BBC Sounds.

Divebar2021 · 17/06/2021 15:19

I’m a bit haphazard with my listening but I like Front Row which covers news from the arts. It’s on at 7.15pm. I don’t avidly follow the Archers but find it very comforting. I liked Woman’s Hour when it was hosted by Jane Garvey - I now listen to her podcasts… in fact Podcasts are your friend here I think.

CorpusCallosum · 17/06/2021 15:52

I've been enjoying Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics.

Each episode she takes a figure from ancient Greek or Roman history, presents them with humour and passion, and does an interview spot with an expert historian - although she also has Greek & Latin herself. It's really fun!

Whyhello · 17/06/2021 16:31

Always like woman’s hour, you’re dead to me, world at one and you and yours. The Archers is ok too, I’m not really into soaps but don’t mind that.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 17/06/2021 16:35

Cabin Pressure or anything by John Finimore.
Podcasts - the Crypto Queen is compelling. (and the post office one, and also Louis Theroux lockdown podcast)
David Sedaris - any of it.

yikesanotherbooboo · 17/06/2021 17:06

'Where this service willl...'a series of plays starring Rosie Cavaliero.
If you get the chance to listen to some of the classic dramatised series they are well worth it eg The Raj Quartet, Lord of The Rings, the Forsyth saga etc .

megletthesecond · 17/06/2021 17:43

Prison Break and It's a Fair Cop are the ones I mentioned earlier.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/06/2021 17:52

I'm sorry I haven't a clue

yeOldeTrout · 17/06/2021 17:56

Profile is often good. "In our time" and "Start the week" can both be very good -- themed discussions.

reprehensibleme · 17/06/2021 18:35

The Barchester Chronicles were excellent. There's a drama with Antony Lesser playing a roman sleuth that I like. Charles Paris mysteries with Bill Nighy.

Comedies, agree with pp, Cabin Pressure, It's a fair cop, isihac, David Sedaris, In and out of the kitchen with Miles Jupp.

Factual stuff - More or Less, lots of In Our Time episodes, the Life Scientific, some Thinking Allowed episodes, poetry please, although liked it when Roger McGough was the presenter. Film programme and Open Book.

earlydoors42 · 17/06/2021 18:40

I really like It's A Fair Cop too. But will listen to whatever's on usually. My mind does wander a lot in some programmes though!

SouthOfFrance · 17/06/2021 18:42

Stacey Dooley Fresh starts
Inside the Ethics Committee
More or Less
Newscast
Americast
Political Thinking
The life scientific
The reunion

AgeLikeWine · 17/06/2021 18:52

More or Less isn’t just the best thing on R4, it’s the best programme the BBC currently makes. Essential listening for geeky people who love stats & data.

I also love from our own correspondent, the food programme, the media show, the life scientific, political thinking. Mainly factual stuff. I also listen to Today every morning ; Amol is settling in nicely.

The drama isn’t really my thing, nor are the arts programmes, but that’s more a reflection of my working class philistinism than their quality.

Clymene · 17/06/2021 19:00

Seriously is a great series of documentaries. And Wireless Nights with Jarvis Cocker is brilliant

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 17/06/2021 19:07

Fortunately with Fi Glover (Listening Project)and Jane Garvey (Formerly Woman's Hour) I caught by accident a year ago in first lockdown and have been hooked ever since. It's on 11pm Tues night but allllll the podcasts are on Sounds. It's brill! Ooh. Also. I loved Obsessed by --- Line of Duty.