Category Archive for: ‘Radio’

On the seventh day of Christmas,
The Bakery gave to me:
A failed attempt to get on BBC Radio 4

Last year, myself and Chef Dan wrote a couple of comedy sketches for a relatively rare window of opportunity at BBC Radio 4. The brief being to write material that in some way included communication using modern technology.

We suspected that everyone else would submit scripts about annoying ring tones on the bus and malfunctioning Sat Navs, so we were adamant to take a different approach.

Our first sketch then, was a reimagining of the ancient Battle of Marathon. Only this time, Pheidippides has issues summoning the Spartan reinforcements in time…

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This was the sketch that received the most positive feedback from the script editor via producer Ed Morrish. It was included in their ‘yes’ pile and lined-up for inclusion in the rehearsal script ahead of recording.

The rehearsal scripts apparently include twice as much material as is actually needed. So, by this stage your sketch has exactly a 50% chance of getting in the programme. If successful, the actors would record it in front of an audience, and you would receive a writer’s credit and a fee, in time for broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

Alas, we didn’t make it. Although we did receive an encouraging e-mail saying that our material was good enough for inclusion, but fell victim to the necessarily ruthless 50% culling, along with scores of other sketches. Such is the nature of broadcasting.

So, here it is, specially recorded by The Bakery and heard here for the first time on the advent calendar: The Battle of Marathon Sketch, written and performed by Richard Dadd and Dan Fryer.

The second of our two specially-produced features to mark Konkers’ impending 5th birthday.

It’s time to reveal all to you. After several months of flying backwards and forwards to Los Angeles for business lunches, I have finally reached a lucrative agreement with a major production company. Konkers is at last gearing up to join the vast catalogue of British programmes that have been soullessly adapted for the American market.

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Featuring voices peculiarly similar to those of Al Boyagis, Richard Dadd, Jan Grimshaw and Gate Lambert

First broadcast on CSR FM 10th Nov 2011

God bless America

The first of two brand new sketches marking the 5th anniversary of Konkers.

It’s high time we caught up with Geoff Island. These days he’s a Konkerbury graduate, looking for work in David Cameron’s Britain. Let’s find out how he’s getting on…

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Written by Richard Dadd
Edited by Dan Fryer

Geoff Island………..Richard Dadd

Mark Tressle……………Al Boyagis

First broadcast on CSR FM -  27th Oct 2011

Konkers concludes its fifth anniversary retrospective this evening, with Episode Six on CSR FM.

In classic CSR style there have been a few hiccups along the way, but it’s been great to get the show back on the airwaves. Thanks to everyone for listening, and for CSR for being kind enough to champion Konkers and promote the repeats.

Immediately after tonight’s 6pm news bulletin there will be the second (and last) of our brand new Konkers sketches, followed by episode 6 itself.

For those of you unable to listen, fear not, both of the new sketches will be available to hear on this blog very soon!

www.csrfm.com

Listeners to CSR FM may have been left a little bewildered on Thursday. After dropping off air for a week, Konkers did play out with Episode 3 but, unfortunately, there was no sign of the new additional material that we had produced especially.

It’s all rather perplexing and a little disappointing.

CSR was frequently unpredictable in the past, but I thought those days were over. Casual listeners this week experienced no introduction, no continuity announcements, nor indeed any acknowledgements from the DJs at the end of the previous show as to what was coming up next. The show was orphaned on the airwaves, with Geoff’s opening monologue bizarrely adrift coming directly after the news bulletin. It amuses me to imagine some unsuspecting lorry driver or kebab shop owner tuning into the professional news bulletin, only to have it inexplicably followed, without a lead-in, by Geoff Island’s little voice umm-ing and ahh-ing about Mr Owl and his unrequited love for Maggie.

If CSR clarifies what went wrong, or indeed what’s going on, we shall be the first to tell you about it.

UPDATE: CSR played out the introduction (including the new Geoff sketch) a week later, re-edited to fit alongside episode 4.  We found out a little too late to promote the fact, but never fear – we shall be making the new material available on this blog very soon!

Last-minute news just in from CSR is that Konkers episode 3 and the special new feature will not be broadcast this week as scheduled.

The Bakery kitchen delivered all the ingredients, but alas it seems CSR were too busy to turn the oven on.

The studio has been e-mailed asking for an announcement at 6pm, but nothing appeared on air.

It’s been far too long since we last caught up with him. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted to announce that Geoff Island is back! How is he coping in this post-University land of rioters, David Cameron and economic recession?

Thursday 6pm www.csrfm.com (repeated Sunday 11pm)

Our thanks again to Daryl Smith for being kind enough to ask for Konkers to return in this way for the show’s (nearly) fifth birthday.

This brand new, never-before-heard mini special will be followed by episode three, as the show continues its repeat run.