I'm a purest - Does Comedy work on radio?

(This is the hitch-hikers guide to the galaxy theme so radio geeks might want to use their headphones for that extra tingle)



Soo... lots of talk about radio comedy with people in my class at uni and thought I'd get my bit in there because it's actually something I'm really passionate about, however i'm keeping rather low on the subject, Mainly because I am a Comedy writer. I'd like to get into making radio comedy and dramas - whether thats at the BBC or doing it independently. I think production is amazing however i do have issues with radio drama which i will go into. I'm also interested in being a comedian - Something which might not happen but the skills would be helpful.

I love the Hitch-hikers guide to the galaxy (And also Dirk Gently which was on BBC tv - another Douglas Adams doodah). Also I think Round the Horne - although sometimes a bit dated - is still really enjoyable as well as the Goons and some other Radio 4 content. I will also say that radio 4 does make the best radio comedys because lets face it... Nobody else does! You don't get radio drama on commercial radio, and as far as the beebs output that's mainly what it's there for, other than the odd one on radio 2. Comedy is generated by the presenter on other stations.

I think it's important to also see my view on what i mean by Radio Comedy. Radio drama is usually about a subject. Period, sci-fi, romance ect... but it can also be humorous. Hitch-hikers guide to the galaxy, The Goon Show, is a Radio Drama - They might feature funny people/comics/comedians so yes it counts as radio comedy - they follow a story but they are funny. Radio Comedy is Panel shows too like I'm sorry i havn't a clue or room 101, Whose line is it anyway are comedy shows, No story but there to make you laugh.

On various days when i feel like a change from 6 music I switch to Radio 4 extra on my travels to uni. I can listen to a bit of radio 4 depending what's on but i can find a lot of radio 4's non entertaining content rather boring. I can get a shorter version of this information on Radio 2 with Jeremy Vine.

Anyway i better make my point and just so you know... i'm a purest when it comes to radio so i need to get this out the way first.
1 - I don't believe in doing a gag twice unless i think some ones missed it, or id its a running gag.
2 - I beleive that internet radio isn't actually radio because it's not being broadcast to a radio (Internet radio is easier to say and understand). But it is a broadcast though designed for people to listen to with the minimal intention for it to be listened through an internet connection so in my heart it will always be an internet broadcast. A Radio broadcast is where the producers minimal intention for it to be listened through a radio.
3 - A podcast is a RADIO PRODUCTION providing it will be broadcast or has been broadcast on a radio.
4 - A podcast is an AUDIO PRODUCTION of its intentions are for it to be broadcast on a phone/mp3 player/computer



Sorry, thought id be pedantic. Heres my points.

Some Radio dramas are too stiff. They resemble views that are not valid in this day and age and use techniques that we should have developed on by now - something which i am working on. The script feels forced in these dramas and some of this is the case for comedy but not always. The archers for instance - especially Ambridge extra. Not all... but many of the voice actors are acting... you can tell they are acting because voices are so bloody fake.

You can tell when something is forced on radio because you don't have the visuals to cover it over. People don't talk or act like they do on The Archers. I don't like it when this sort of thing ruins it and detracts from the quality or the storyline and im sure that other passionate listeners feel the same. I would like to hear real voices and accents, and acting that isn't badly acted or over acted (Unless for comedic value). Where's the use of every day vocabulary and a conversation spoken like you would to a friend - after all radio is supposed to be your friend. You can even hear it's in a studio. It's 2012 and you'd have thought someone would have ironed that out now to make it sound more realistic or natural. The transitions from scenes as well - like the ones on "What ever happened to the likely lads" adapted for radio, they make me cringe.

As for Comedy the aim is for a laugh. Anything to do with humour or anything funny is comedy. It doesn't matter If its in front of an audience or in a studio long it gets a laugh, and the audience are not laughing at the physical action so radio listeners miss out. The above problems should be used as effect to enhance the comedy or give it a feel, however certain programs just make it sound out dated. I'd like to do what Quentin Tarantino does but on radio - put that tape sound and compression on everything like it's coming from a personal stereo.

I think radio comedy did work, and can work. In some respects it still does but its out dated. Why should radio comedy only suit radio 4 listeners.

This is my opinion and I respect others on this. Would be good to hear what others think :D.

Below are some other blogs which have been written recently from others on my uni course about radio comedy and why it does/doesnt work
Robin Smith: http://thewhiskyjournal.tumblr.com/
Zoe Fell: http://zoefell.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/going-way-beyond-the-call-of-duty-to-prove-a-point/#more-286
Dan Ayshford: http://danayshford.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/from-sex-in-a-car-to-sex-in-a-lift/

BOOM!