Down the Line - R4

[Steve Maskery]

Is it just me? Will someone please explain to me what is funny about Down the Line? It fills the 6.30 comedy slot on Radio 4. As far as I can tell it is on a par with Count Arthur Strong and John Shuttleworth - simply not funny. It doesn't even raise a smile with me. Am I just becoming a miserable old fart?
Now give me Ed Reardon any day.
S

 

[dance]

Well, I'm sure you've worked this out for yourself, but it's parody isn't it? Sometimes quite on the mark and laugh out loud bizarre, and sometimes a bit repetitive/samey.

It's a well-devised parody of the kind of banal phone in shows you get on most radio stations - and sometimes even Radio4 itself!

Also features Robert Popper, who I think is pretty talented.

 

[AndyT]

Steve - I'd agree it's on a par with Arthur Strong and John Shuttleworth - but in a good way, as some of the very best radio comedy that there is!

So I think it comes down to what you like, not pleasing all the people all the time, etc. But fwiw I also enjoy Ed Reardon. And wasn't it you who said he liked Bleak Expectations? - another good one.