The 404 Special Christmas Eve Departure 2011

In the second of two programmes recorded on March 1st, above-the-title talent John Dredge and his co-writer / producer Richard Cray wobble on about the making of Series 5 of the Nothing to Do with Anything Show, pretty much giving away all the secrets.

Why not take them all down in a notebook, arrange some time at your friend Ben’s studio, copy the show verbatim and get a series on Radio 4 well before they do?  They won’t hold it against you. Much.

Today’s big questions (thankfully without any hint of Nicky Campbell):

What was Richard wearing the first time John met him?

Which cartoon character was the inspiration for John’s David Lynch impression?

Why were all the irresponsibly unsafe TV shows of the 1970s made by ATV?

Does anyone out there still get John’s Hooked on Classics joke?

Where have all the sketch shows gone?

And did John stick around for a cup of tea once the recording had wrapped?

Not heard the show yet? Get thee over to British Comedy Guide at https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show and stream or download all five series before it becomes an arrestable offence.

Enjoyed the fifth series of the John Dredge Nothing to Do with Anything Show at British Comedy Guide? Eager for more? Well, here’s the next best thing.

On March 1st, John and co-writer / producer Richard Cray sat in a couple of very comfortable armchairs and waffled away for several hours when they should have been quality checking the episodes. Thankfully, this was covered for posterity – and possibly as a warning for future generations.

Among the burning questions answered (sort of) in this, the first of two programmes are:

Just how close did Twig Harper come to being killed off?

Do aardvarks really go “gnick gnick”?

Whatever happened to Richard’s TV pitch for Celebrity Russian Roulette?

Why were Michael Jayston’s voice overs for St Ivel Gold so serious?

Is any subject too obscure for this series?

And what have the Lighthouse Family done to deserve such frightful treatment from a couple of unemployable writers in their early 50s?

Part 2 tomorrow.

And now, before you can say ‘Ymgdgngngjgngfg’ – and in that order – Something or Other Productions presents this splendid and, indeed, splondid compilation of the first four series of John Dredge’s acclaimed yet weird Nothing to Do with Anything Show.

Thrill once again to the bizarre sketch comedy podcast that brought you filmmaker David Lynch reading the weather in his own inimitable style and agricultural composer Farmer Collins answering your questions in his own slightly less inimitable style.

Marvel once again at everybody’s favourite animated canine, Doggy-Doo, bask in nostalgia with legendary reanimated disc jockey John Peel and revisit the least litigious of amateur Trip Advisor Peter Pilbeam’s distinctly unhelpful hotel reviews.

Yes, it’s all go once again in this kaleidoscopic array of fun, laffs and dodgy impressions once again.  Zoinks!

The long-awaited new series of the John Dredge Nothing to Do with Anything Show will be available to stream and download exclusively via the British Comedy Guide website from March 24th.  Bookmark it now: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show

Radio Times Podcast of the Week
Chortle Podcast of the Week
‘Oh, just listen.’ – Miranda Sawyer, The Observer

Lo, we find ourselves at the end of another season of nutty audio raves from John Dredge and his heavily-coerced team of Richard Cray, Anna Emerson, Greg Haiste, and James Shakeshaft until such a time as they are prepared to go “boing” in the same room as each other again. But never fear, odd listener, for they go out in fine style with an appearance from the latest in extra-terrestrial specimens – and all for the price of a single Green Shield stamp. Now, there's value, value fans! Plus David Lynch makes a surprise appearance. (Oh, damn – I've ruined it.)

John Dredge says goodbye to 2012, also known as the Chinese Year of the Accoutrement, with yet another one of those crazy end-of-year round-ups of the year’s most shocking household implements. There will also be odd noises of all shapes and sizes, plus an argy-bargy of aquatic goodies including the sound of a very large splash, courtesy of our friends at Thames Water. All this, plus Leighton Buzzard in Color - whoopee! With Richard Cray, Anna Emerson, Greg Haiste, and James Shakeshaft.

The omnipresent John Dredge returns – or does he?  Some say he’s never been away - but tune in to find out anyway.  Listeners in New Malden should take note that our roadshow team of one is also in the area, so please stand well back and allow her to pass along Coombe Road unhindered. Also this week: Who's behind the cartoon door? Is it Lord Hailsham? Or is it Richard Cray, Mark Davison, Anna Emerson, Greg Haiste, and James Shakeshaft? It's difficult to tell in this light.

In the thrid of six new podcasts, John Dredge invites our crack team of announcers to announce what's in this week's announcer-packed programme, with each and every single announcement lovingly frosted with audio glucose. We welcome back agricultural song stylist Farmer Collins for some reason, and there's other things both here and there. If you'd like to swap this podcast for a game of Ker-plunk with half the accessories missing, give Noel a call on 01-811-8055. Otherwise: biscuits! With Richard Cray, Anna Emerson, Greg Haiste, and James Shakeshaft.

In this week's edition, sideboards rule the roost and there's cubes a-plenty when Reigate comes into the picture - yet all is not as it seems (observe the conundrum as our theme tune is marched straight out of the studio). Pop personalities and phone-ins galore are also very much in short supply tonight, so grab your armchairs and await further instructions / know-how. Plus Trip Advisor's Peter Pilbeam tells you where to go...but not why, sadly. With John Dredge, Richard Cray, Anna Emerson, Greg Haiste, and James Shakeshaft.

"Outlandish, surreal comedy following in the hallowed footsteps of Monty Python and The Mighty Boosh" - METRO

NEW!! Raise your holdalls once more, as the time has come for John Dredge to invoke the spirit of plinths, cagoules and vestibules and unveil a second series of Nothing to Do with Anything Shows. In this first act of audio audacity, we highlight the achievements of man, woman and shrew with not only the sounds of tomorrow today but also the sounds of today tomorrow. Come one, come all: our Frinton studios await you! And why not join Richard Cray, Anna Emerson, Greg Haiste and James Shakeshaft in signing our logbook afterwards?

In her fourth and final consultation with comedians, award-winning comic and former psychotherapist Taylor Glenn talks to 24-year-old Nigerian Christian stand-up Idris Olawale Gbaja-Biamila, thankfully better known to MCs as Ola, about race, religion, and finding fun amidst his ambitions.

So far Ola has gone a long way to fulfilling those ambitions: writing for and appearing in MTV Base's The Jason Lewis Experience, becoming a finalist in FHM's Stand Up Hero on ITV4, and performing in the UK, US, and Dubai in the last six months alone. He's also found time to write his first e-book, Dear Future Wife (available at www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3052558). Keep abreast of what Ola does next by visiting his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/olathecomedian.

You can see Taylor Glenn's full Edinburgh Fringe solo debut, Reverse Psycomedy, at 11.30pm nightly from August 1st to 26th, except the 13th, at the Gilded Balloon Turret. Tickets priced between £5 to £9 are available by visiting the Gilded Balloon website or by calling the box office on 0131 622 6552.