Radio 4 for beginners

[strawberrie]

So, I've decided that in a bid to become better informed about current affairs, culture and generally the world beyond my immediate neighbourhood I'd like to get into radio 4. Once the kids go back to school/nursery next week I'll have a bit of time around the house and would like some good informed, witty and interesting stuff to listen to. So what's good? Anything's got to be better than Jeremy Vine...

R4 Extra on digital radio is very good for comedy.

And if you are missing Balamory after the children go to school - try Miles Jupp in In and Out of the Kitchen - very funny in a terribly PA way.

And Clare in the Community with Sally Phillips is excellent.

More or Less
Front Row
Today
Inside the Ethics Committee
Four Thought
News Quiz

There was a good one where it's a debate but they can't just rant on mischaracterising their opponent's position, they had to find points of agreement...but it didn't last. I think perhaps that was too radical haha.

Cabin Pressure! Fave fave. And I love In Our Time when they have good people on and have a good shout at it when they have weak guests. And oh god I hate Saturday Live. What a bore. It's like hospital radio.

Mind you I also hate Gardener's Question Time, Any Questions, The Archers, Moneybox, and You and Yours so I am clearly not their target audience. I'm in it for the maths documentaries and the wanking about the arts.

There was a wonderful interview with Clive James this morning on Open Book. I nearly cried.

IndridCold I read about it on MN funnily enough, but I haven't had a chance to listen. Maybe I'll listen when DS naps .

It's not on at the moment, but I really like Dilemma, if only the final round which is almost exactly like a drinking game we used to play

Bob Flowerdew is fantastic

Oh my - that video was ridiculously accurate!

Indrid that was inspired, and inspiring, thank you!

So far I've learned a bit about BhS on the high street. Loving your work, R4. (How late d'you have to stay awake to hear the National Anthem? Take it that's after the shipping forecast?)

I love 80% of Radio 4 and loathe the other 20%, namely You and Yours, Any Answers, The Archers and Loose Ends (not even sure if it's still on) and Saturday Live with bloomin Fi Glover.

Good stuff includes Start the Week, PM, Woman's Hour, Ed Reardon's Week.

For all you John Finnemore fans here's a link to his blog. He's started updating it again

John Finnemore blog spot

Just have it on all the time for a couple of weeks - you'll soon find out which are your particular trample-a-child-to-death-to- get-to-the-off-switch triggers. Mine are You and Yours, The Food Programme, Any Answers and anything with a phone in element, and any of the programmes about money.

And if you're listening digitally, don't forget 4Extra - some good stuff there!

In our time.

Great lives.

4 extra has some great plays.

John Finnemore is my hero for How The Archers sounds to people who do not listen to The Archers

DH calls The Archers da-da-click.

bertrand my off switch triggers are You and Yours, Moneybox Live, Any Answers and Saturday Live. The Archers goes without saying John Finnemore has got a great sketch about how awful it is to have your hands in the washing up when you hear the theme tune...

Last Words which is the obituary show on Friday afternoon and Great Lives with Matthew Parris is usually reliably excellent.

Many years ago I remember having quite a heated discussion with friends about whether Sailing By came before or after the shipping forecast! An American guest was throughout the discussion, and was then totally gobsmacked when we put the radio on just before midnight to settle the arguement.

It's just there in the background.

In Our Time has a huge catalogue of podcasts which you will learn and instantly forget stuff from. The 6.30 comedy on Mondays and Fridays are usually the best, but last week's The Now Show was awful.

YY to everyone's suggestions, I love Radio 4. Download podcasts for when walking the dogs and have it on all day whilst working.

I also like 'The Reunion', a new series starts next Sunday

Thank you LoloKazolo

I love R4 even though I'm about 30 years younger than their average listener. I find the dramas very irritating but unlike woman's hour, desert island discs, the now show, infinite monkey cage amongst others. I really like The Long View which gives historical context to current events. I rarely tune in to specific programmes but i put it on in the car and when I'm getting jobs done at home and feel like I could be absorbing some knowledge!

I switched to R4 in my 20s when I could no longer stand the babble of R1 DJs.

Always the Today programme and sometimes Farming Today and Tweet of the Day if we have to be up early.

I also love Woman's Hour and From Our Own Correspondent. Both worth downloading.

Some comedies are great like The Now Show and the News Quiz. However IMO a lot of the 'sit com' type ones are dreadful esp Clare in the Community. Very unfunny comedy.

See for yourself about the Archers. I listened to it religiously for a couple of decades but find it a bit too ridiculous now. Plus the new Pip really grates!

Other things like All in the Mind and the maths one are very interesting too when I catch them but I don't tune in especially. Enjoy!

I can't imagine life without Radio 4;
I love the Shipping Forecast, Farming prog, Today - for a while, gone right off Woman's Hour, shame as I used to love it. I love Saturday Live, Richard Coles is so erudite and funny, and I love hearing about other people's lives.

From our own correspondent is mesmerising.

Some Radio 4 comedies have jumped the shark. I agree with this. I even think it's true to a certain extent of The Now Show. I still listen and I enjoy, but it's definitely not what it used to be.

I second woman's hour (WH) and weekend WH. The today program, PM (5pm) and the world at 10pm. Sometimes the book at bedtime is good.

Avoid the infinite monkey crap cage. Save your sanity!!

yy From our Own Correspondent and Crossing Continents. Great stuff too, just wish they were an hour long.