Ian Hislop’s Oldest Jokes: BBC Radio Comedy


Lu par Ian Hislop

(3.7 étoiles; 3 critiques)

Ian Hislop takes a hilarious look at some of Britain's oldest jokes. The British are rather proud of their sense of humour - but where has that pride come from and what makes it unique? With the help of contemporary comedians and scholars, Ian tracks down the earliest examples of enduring British comedy tropes and jokes, guiding us through the vital elements that make up the British sense of humour.

Join Ian as he begins his quest in the dark ages, exploring the Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England, and discovering the filth hidden behind the double entendre of the Exeter Book of Riddles. He looks for the earliest examples of visual humour and delves into Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th century parody, the Tale of Sir Topaz, before arriving in the 17th century, when printing and changes in censorship laws ushered in a new form of comedy.

This is a must listen for anyone who loves a good belly laugh, featuring contributions from Nina Conti, Paul Whitehouse, and others. Written and presented by Ian Hislop, this series promises to entertain and enlighten.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.