BBC TV Soundtracks

The complete television soundtracks of all 12 episodes of the legendary BBC sitcom

Ground-breaking, satirical and anarchic, The Young Ones introduced alternative comedy to mainstream TV, and made household names of its writers and performers. It ran for two series on BBC Two between 1982 and 1984, winning a host of devoted fans and a BAFTA Award for its second series.

A world away from the cosy suburban sitcoms that preceded it, the show centred around four degenerate students sharing a squalid North London house: hippy Neil (Nigel Planer), right-on Rick (Rik Mayall), Mike 'TheCoolPerson' (Chris Ryan) and punk psycho Vyvyan (Ade Edmondson). Alexei Sayle co-starred as the various members of the dodgy Balowski family, and the plethora of guest stars included Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson and series co-writer Ben Elton. Musical interludes were provided by top bands such as Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Damned, Madness, Motörhead and Nine Below Zero.

Collected here are all the dysfunctional foursome's manic adventures - from discovering oil in the basement, to playing host to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, to representing Scumbag College on University Challenge. Now you can hear from your favourite characters once again, and listen to their iconic one-liners, inventive insults and fabulously funny quotes.

Full of wild slapstick, surreal twists, over-the-top ultra-violence and absurdist humour, this innovative, iconoclastic series remains one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. This audio-only collection of the original TV soundtracks provides the perfect opportunity for fans to relive the show's finest moments while on the go.

Contains strong language and humour that some listeners may find offensive.

Production credits
Written by Ben Elton, Rik Mayall and Lise Mayer
With additional material by Alexei Sayle
Music: Peter Brewis
Sound: Laurie Taylor
Directed by Paul Jackson and Graeme Story

Rick - Rik Mayall
Vyvyan Basterd - Adrian Edmondson
Neil Pye - Nigel Planer
Mike - Christopher Ryan
The Balowski family - Alexei Sayle

With Amazulu, Mark Arden, Helen Atkinson Wood, Jim Barclay, Christopher Barrie, Gary Beadle, Perry Benson, Paul Bradley, Arnold Brown, Ruth Burnett, Jean Campbell-Dallas, Jonathan Caplan, Hugh Cecil, Vikki Chambers, Jean Channon, Jacqueline Clarke, Robbie Coltrane, Ron Cook, Lee Cornes, Brian Croucher, The Damned, Mark Dewison, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Paola Dionisotti, Steve Dixon, Nick Dunning, Christine Ellerbeck, Chris Ellis, Ben Elton, Alan Freeman, Dawn French, Stephen Frost, Stephen Fry, Paul Gale, Peter Greene, Roger Ashton Griffiths, Gareth Hale, Damaris Hayman, Tamsin Heatley, Lenny Henry, Clair Hill, Jools Holland, Ceri Jackson, Terry Jones, Gerard Kelly, Steve Kelly, Ken Bishop 's Nice Twelve, Mark Lambert, Hugh Laurie, Peter Laxton, Helen Lederer, Justine Lord, Norman Lovett, Madness, Paul Martin, Hilary Mason, Kilian McKenna, Pauline Melville, Carla Mendonca, Motörhead, Patrick Newell, Nine Below Zero, Herbert Norville, Brian Oulton, John Otway, John Owens, Norman Pace, Robin Parkinson, Ken Parry, Daniel Peacock, Joanne Pearce, Jan Prince, Radical Posture, David Rappaport, Michael Redfern, Griff Rhys Jones, Rip Rig + Panic, Tony Robinson, David Rolfe, Jennifer Saunders, Cyril Shaps, Anthony Sharp, Cindy Shelley, Roger Sloman, Mel Smith, Barry Stanton, Maggie Steed, Kay Stonham, Tony Sympson, Emma Thompson, Andy de la Tour, Peter Wear, Julianne White

First broadcast on BBC Two, 9 November-14 December 1982 (Series 1), 8 May-19 June 1984 (Series 2)

© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Over 30 brilliant BBC recordings, including TV shows, radio highlights and a wealth of previously unreleased material

Tony Hancock was one of Britain's best-loved and most influential postwar comedians. Collected here are some of the very best radio and TV episodes from Hancock's Half Hour, plus celebrations, compilations, interviews, original dramas and documentaries - many of which have never before been available on audio.

There's the debut show from the radio series, The First Night Party, introduced by writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson; and the last ever BBC television show, The Succession - Son and Heir. Also included are four new-to-audio TV episodes - The Oak Tree, The Train Journey, The Tycoon and The Lift - as well as many other television favourites: The Flight of the Red Shadow, The Wrong Man, The Economy Drive, Lord Byron Lived Here, The Cold, The Emigrant, The Baby Sitters, The Poison Pen Letters, The Bedsitter, The Bowmans, The Radio Ham and The Blood Donor.

Two programmes introduced by Galton and Simpson, The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (Radio) and The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (TV) showcase the show's finest moments, and more classic clips can be found in Unique Hancock, an extended version of the vintage 1973 vinyl LP complete with commentary and linking narration. And in Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings, included here for the first time on audio, the comedian and Tony Hancock fan presents a host of oddities and rarities featuring the lad himself.

The life and wonderful work of Hancock, his writers, and fellow radio actor Kenneth Williams are commemorated in three never-before-released documentaries - The New Elizabethans: Tony Hancock, Celebration: Galton & Simpson and Great Lives: Kenneth Williams. Also making their audio debut are two poignant radio dramas, Hancock's Last Half Hour (starring Richard Briers as Hancock) and Hancock's Ashes (starring Ewan Bailey as Willie Rushton).

Finally, we go behind-the scenes with Galton and Simpson in a trio of insightful interviews - a fascinating 30-minute discussion, specially recorded for BBC Audio in 2003, and the radio programmes In Conversation with Galton and Simpson and The Complete and Utter History of Hancock's Half Hour, in which the duo chat to Paul Jackson and Paul Merton respectively.

Please note: due to the age of these recordings, the sound quality may vary.

Production credits
Hancock's Half Hour written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
Produced by Dennis Main Wilson (radio) and Duncan Wood (TV)
Theme and incidental music composed by, and orchestra conducted by, Wally Stott
Collection compiled by Martin Gibbons
With thanks to the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society

Contents
The First Night Party
The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (Radio)
The Best of Hancock's Half Hour (TV)
The Succession: Son and Heir
The Flight of the Red Shadow
The Wrong Man
The Oak Tree
The Economy Drive
Lord Byron Lived Here
The Train Journey
The Tycoon
The Cold
The Emigrant
The Baby Sitters
The Poison Pen Letters
The Bedsitter
The Bowmans
The Radio Ham
The Lift
The Blood Donor
Celebration: Galton and Simpson
Unique Hancock
Hancock's Last Half Hour
In Conversation with... Galton and Simpson
Interview with Galton and Simpson
The Complete and Utter History of Hancock's Half Hour
The New Elizabethans: Tony Hancock
Steve Punt's Hancock Cuttings
Hancock's Ashes
Great Lives: Kenneth Williams

© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Highlights from the much-loved '90s comedy shows Harry Enfield's Television Programme and Harry Enfield and Chums

In 1990, one of BBC TV's most popular sketch shows, Harry Enfield's Television Programme, was born. Later retitled Harry Enfield and Chums, it featured Harry and co-stars Paul Whitehouse and Kathy Burke, and ran for eight years and four award-winning series.

This collection contains a cornucopia of comic characters and catchphrases from the classic show, including upper-class idiot Tim Nice But Dim, DJ dinosaurs Smashie and Nicey on Radio Fab FM, Kevin the Teenager, Mr Dead, Wayne and Waynetta Slob ('I'm avving a faag'), and the Lovely Wobbly Randy Old Ladies ('Ooh, young man!')

Here, too, are countless other comedy favourites, among them nosey neighbour Michael Paine, Jurgen the German, an uptight tourist who can't stop apologising for the war; and Julio Geordio, Newcastle's latest Colombian signing, whose football is as good as his English isn't.

From the spoof public service announcement, 'Women, Know Your Limits!' to The Self Righteous Brothers and cowboy builders Lee and Lance, these fabulous, fast-paced sketches are as funny now as when they were first broadcast.


Production credits
Created by Harry Enfield
Starring Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse and Kathy Burke
Written by Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson and Geoffrey Perkins
Additional material by Ian Hislop, Nick Newman, Harry Thompson, Dave Cummings, Richard Preddy and Gary Howe

With Georgina Anderson, David Barber, Gary Bleasdale, Harry Burton, John Cassady, Martin Clunes, Sara Crowe, Jack Fortune, Anna Gilbert, Georgie Glen, Simon Godley, Robert Harley, Emma Hewitt, Dave Hill, Caroline John, Doon Mackichan, Joe McGann, Lloyd McGuire, Elizabeth McKechnie, Stuart Milligan, PJ Nicholas, Neil Pearson, Geoffrey Perkins, Sean Pertwee, Neville Phillips, Francis Pope, Caroline Quentin, Andy Rashleigh, Kate Robbins, Stephanie Schonfeld, Lesley Ann Sharp, Mark Williams, Raymond Witch

Harry Enfield's Television Programme
Produced by Geoff Posner, Mary Bell and Geoffrey Perkins
Directed by Geoff Posner, John Birkin and Geoffrey Perkins
Executive producer: Denise O'Donoghue
A Hat Trick production for BBC TV
First broadcast BBC Two, 8 November-13 December 1990 (Series 1), 2 April-7 May 1992 (Series 2)

Harry Enfield and Chums
Produced by Harry Thompson and Sophie Clarke-Jervoise
Directed by John Stroud and Dominic Brigstocke
Executive producers: Peter Bennett-Jones and Maureen McMunn
A Tiger Aspect production for BBC TV
First broadcast BBC One, 4 November-16 December 1994 (Series 1), 7 January-11 February 1997 (Series 2)

© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

In this classic TV soundtrack, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie explore a seemingly inexhaustible list of subjects with a delicious turn of phrase and elaborate wordplay.

The hilarity includes regular acts such as not so super spy Tony Mercheson and his boss Control, yuppies, John and Peter and the Critics.

With four brilliant series of great satire, comic genius and hilarious use of language, the show cemented Fry & Laurie as a double act and paved the way for their future stardom.

A Bit Of Fry & Laurie originally broadcast on BBC 1 and BBC 2 between 1987 and 1995.

Please note that this audio originated as TV soundtracks and contains occasional visual jokes
Minor edits have been made to the original broadcast for ease of listening.
Contains strong language

Welcome to Fawlty Towers, where attentive hotelier Basil Fawlty and his charming wife Sybil will attend to your every need - in your worst nightmare. With hapless waiter Manuel and long-suffering waitress Polly on hand to help, anything could happen during your stay - and probably will.

John Cleese’s special introductions to each episode are included in this collection of all 12 TV soundtrack episodes:
A Touch of Class
The Builders
The Wedding Party
The Hotel Inspectors
Gourmet Night
The Germans
Communication Problems
The Psychiatrist
Waldorf Salad
The Kipper and the Corpse
The Anniversary
Basil the Rat

Co-starring with John Cleese as Basil are Prunella Scales (Sybil), Andrew Sachs (Manuel) and Connie Booth (Polly), with a supporting cast including Ballard Berkeley, Bernard Cribbins, Joan Sanderson, Geoffrey Palmer, Nicky Henson and Ken Campbell.

Suits you, Sir!

With a host of memorable characters and catch-phrases, The Fast Show was one of the most popular BBC TV comedy shows ever. The talents of Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Caroline Aherne, Simon Day and many more come together in this collection of selected TV episodes and special edition of The Fast Show Live.

This compilation of sketches from the comedy series, features characters such as Ted and Ralph, coughing Bob Fleming, the "Suit you, sir" tailors from hell, and the bloke in the stupid hat. Pop down to the jazz club, the football field with Ron Manager or check in on the weather with Channel 9. It's bound to be a Scorchio!

All the favourite characters plus new sketches are included in this hilarious collection, plus a bonus collection of sketches taken from the live stage performance of BBC TV's top comedy show.

Here is the unforgettable "Fletch", everyone's favourite criminal, making the most of his enforced stay at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

Never a man to shrink from a challenge, even from behind bars, Fletch could manage anything from organising a win on the horses to buying a council flat in Mayfair. Amazing his cell mates and infuriating officialdom, Fletch, the Arthur Daley of penal servitude, always comes out on top.

Starring Ronnie Barker with Brian Wilde, Richard Beckinsale, and Fulton Mackay, here are twelve prize shows from the original television series:

Prisoner and Escort (1 April 1973)
Norman Stanley Fletcher, a career criminal, and his escorts – soft-hearted Mr Barrowclough and authoritarian Mr Mackay – make the journey on New Year's Eve from London up to Slade Prison in Cumberland.

A Night In (19 September 1974)
Godber is moved into Fletch's cell, and confides that he finds it tough each time the door bangs shut. Fletch advises him to think of it as 'a quiet night in': but the trouble is, Godber has 698 more nights to get through.

Heartbreak Hotel (31 October 1975)
Godber has an uncharacteristically violent episode after receiving a 'Dear John' letter from his fiancée Denise. Fletcher tries to help him, but Fletch's daughter Ingrid proves more of a consolation.

Disturbing the Peace (7 November 1975)
With Mackay away on a course, the prisoners plan to have some fun, but it turns out his replacement, Wainwright, is even worse. His excessive discipline causes a riot, and it's left to Fletcher to sort out the situation.

No Peace For The Wicked (14 November 1975)
With everyone watching a football match, Fletch attempts to snatch a few precious minutes of peace and quiet, only to suffer constant interruptions, among whom are Mackay and visiting members of the Home Office, who then insist on questioning Fletch about his views on the penal system.

The Harder They Fall (21 November 1975)
Godber's been chosen for the boxing team, so naturally everybody wants a bit of a flutter. When rivals Grouty and Billy Moffatt both want to fix the fight different ways, only Fletch looks like coming out the winner.

No Way Out (24 December 1975)
A planned escape causes all kinds of trouble just before Christmas, and Fletch attempts to spend some valuable time in the infirmary.

The Desperate Hours (24 December 1976)
Fletcher, Godber, Barrowclough and the governor's secretary are held hostage by a mad prisoner with a homemade gun attempting to escape.

Poetic Justice (25 February 1977)
Fletch is incensed to discover that he is getting a new cell-mate. To make matters worse, it turns out that the cell-mate is the judge that sentenced him.

Rough Justice (4 March 1977)
After the judge's watch is stolen, everyone is convinced that Harris is the culprit, and so a kangaroo court is set up in an effort to convict him of the crime.

Pardon Me (11 March 1977)
Blanco refuses parole after serving a life sentence for a murder he's always claimed he never committed, so Fletch sets up an appeal committee to get him pardoned.

A Test of Character (18 March 1977)
Fletch is determined to help Godber pass his History O-level, so he has Warren steal the papers, only to discover that Godber doesn't want them. Meanwhile, a debate flares up over a claim of Warren's that, at a certain scale, the nearest star from the Sun would be in Johannesburg.

Dinnerladies is a classic BBC sitcom based around the lives of the staff of the canteen at Manchester factory HWD Components. Written by and starring Victoria Wood a Brenda, these eight classic TV episodes are brilliantly funny, where the jokes fly as thick and as fast as granary torpedoes.
Along with the day to day feeding the faces of folk, the canteen staff Bren, Twink, Jean (and all the others!) have to contend with the arrival of a Royal on site, a Japanese-themed party complete with costumes, and the controversial delivery of new uniforms. And will Tony finally succumb to Brenda's advances?

With a wonderful cast including Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie and Thelma Barlow also star in this trayful of comedy from the BBC hotplate.

Episode list:
Monday
Royals
Moods
Party
Catering
Minnellium
Gravy
Toast

Please note that sound quality may vary due to the archive nature of these recordings

Produced by Adam Fowler
A BBC Studios production

Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith star in a compilation from the smash hit BBC TV series

‘This is a local shop for local people. There’s nothing for you here!’

Welcome to Royston Vasey! Your visit coincides with:
· Herr Lipp’s German exchange visit!
· Papa Lazarou’s freak show!
· A nosebleed epidemic!

In a selection of episodes from Series Two of the award-winning black comedy, Reenie and Vinnie are in charge of the charity shop, Tubbs and Edward are looking to fins a ‘no-tail’ mate for son David, and friendly butcher Hilary Briss is holding a soiree for patrons of his ‘special stuff’.

In Series Three, Pauline is released from HMP Clitclink and harbours dreams of running her own pen shop, joke peddlar Lance regrets dabbling in the murky world of illegal body parts, and Geoff travels to London to become a stand-up comedian.

So welcome to town. You’ll never leave…

Note: You may be wondering why we have not included episodes from Series One of the TV series in this collection. This is because many of the sketches that formed the basis of the first TV series are published in The League of Gentlemen’s original BBC Radio series, On the Town with the League of Gentlemen. Although they were reworked a little for television, the Series One audio of these sketches is similar enough to their radio counterparts that we have not included them in this TV series compilation.

Patsy and Edina are in full swing in these four BBC TV soundtrack episodes - Fat; Birthday; Death; Happy New Year - starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, with Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and others. Duration: 1 hour 40 mins.

The BBC TV soundtrack of the acclaimed Jackanory multi-voice reading of The Hobbit. Broadcast to mark the 3000th programme of the much-loved children's series Jackanory, The Hobbit was transmitted over two weeks and 10 episodes in 1979. It told the gripping story of Bilbo Baggins and his band of dwarves, who are on a quest for the treasure guarded by the fearsome dragon Smaug.

As he leaves his cosy hobbit-hole and travels into the wild, Bilbo's adventures begin. On his journey, he will encounter trolls, goblins, elves and giant spiders - as well as a mysterious and magical ring and a strange, sinister creature named Gollum.

Read by Bernard Cribbins, Jan Francis, Maurice Denham and David Wood, this rare audio soundtrack is sure to offer a treat for all fans of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Four classic episodes from the original TV series: Arrival, Songs of Praise, Easter Special and The Christmas Lunch Incident. Welcome to Dibley, a perfect village full of some perfectly peculiar people - including Alice Tinker and her underactive brain, Owen Newitt and his overactive bowels, and Letitia Cropley and her orange cake with Branston pickle icing. Council ruler David Horton has everything running exactly as he wishes - until 102-year-old Reverend Pottle dies. That's when the trouble begins, for the new vicar of Dibley is Geraldine, a babe with a bob and a magnificent bosom. In these instalments, the vicar increases the church-going public, finds something remarkably attractive about television, learns about suffering by giving up chocolate for Lent, and promises herself too many Christmas lunches with too many people. Starring Dawn French, with Gary Waldhorn, James Fleet, Roger Lloyd Pack, Emma Chambers and Trevor Peacock.

The complete soundtracks of all four Blackadder series, plus over three hours of specials and extras

Through the ages of Britain, from the 15th century to the 21st, Edmund Blackadder has meddled his way along the bloodlines, aided by his two imbecilic sidekicks, Lord Percy and Baldrick, and hindered by an assortment of dimwitted aristocrats. With cunning plans and cutting comedy, listen as the Blackadder dynasty plot their way through history…

The Black Adder – Set in the Middle Ages, this iconic first series follows the fictitious reign of King Richard IV, played by Brian Blessed, through the experiences of his unfavoured second son Prince Edmund “The Black Adder”

Blackadder II - The Blackadder genes resurface in Elizabethan England for more historical comedy

Blackadder the Third - Blackadder turns up as butler to the Prince Regent in the late 18th Century

Blackadder Goes Forth – The scheming Blackadder is dropped into the trenches during the First World War

Also included in this collection are eight Blackadder TV and radio specials: Blackadder’s Christmas Carol, Blackadder: The Cavalier Years, Blackadder: Woman’s Hour Invasion, The Shakespeare Sketch, Blackadder: Back and Forth, Blackadder: The Army Years, Blackadder: I Have a Cunning Plan and the Blackadder instalment of the TV series Britain's Best Sitcom.

Written by film and TV royalty Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Rowan Atkinson, and starring comedy giants Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, and Rik Mayall, this is history at its grittiest and funniest.

Track Listing:

• Chapters 1-6: The Black Adder
• Chapters 7-12: Blackadder II
• Chapters 13-18: Blackadder the Third
• Chapters 19-24: Blackadder Goes Forth
• Chapter 25: Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
• Chapter 26: The Cavalier Years
• Chapter 27: Woman’s Hour Invasion
• Chapter 28: The Shakespeare Sketch
• Chapter 29: Back and Forth
• Chapter 30: The Army Years (Royal Variety Performance)
• Chapter 31: I Have a Cunning Plan
• Chapter 32: Britain's Best Sitcom

Cast and credits
Written by Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Rowan Atkinson

Edmund Blackadder - Rowan Atkinson
S. Baldrick - Tony Robinson
Melchett - Stephen Fry
Lord Percy Percy – Tim McInnerny
George – Hugh Laurie
Queen Elizabeth I / Various – Miranda Richardson

Including standout performances by Rik Mayall, Miriam Margolyes, Patsy Byrne, Brian Blessed, Robbie Coltrane, Jim Broadbent, Gabrielle Glaister, Elspet Gray, Robert East, Helen Atkinson-Wood, Bill Wallis, Stephen Frost, Mark Arden, Lee Cornes, Warren Clarke, Philip Pope, Barbara Miller, David Nunn, Denis Lill, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Stephen Frost, Chris Barrie, Jeremy Hardy and Ben Elton.


©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Meet the gang in these four classic BBC TV episodes! Enjoy the exploits of the Royal Artillery Concert Party, a motley troupe of military thespians seconded to India during the Second World War. In 'My Lovely Boy', When RSM Williams realises the love of his life is Parky's mum, he sets about recruiting him for the concert party. In 'The Supremo Show', a VIP visit calls for a very special show - but when Gloria sprains his ankle, the Sergeant Major must take his place. In 'We are Not Amused', Gloria plays Queen Victoria in a jingoistic pageant - but the men don't realise they'll be playing to an Indian VIP. In 'Money Talks', when the men discover that Gunner Graham is due to receive an inheritance, they set about winning his favour. Starring Windsor Davies, Melvyn Hayes, Don Estelle and Michael Bates.

The adventures of Del Boy and Rodney have become part of the nation's consciousness, and for many years record-breaking audiences have followed their hilarious wheeling and dealing on BBC1.

The episodes included are: 'It’s Only Rock and Roll' - 14 March 1985, 'Sleeping Dogs Lie' - 21 March 1985, 'Watching the Girls Go By' - 28 March 1985 and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' - 5 October 1986. Lovely jubbly! Del, Rodney and the boys are back in another pukka selection of shows. 'It’s Only Rock and Roll' sees Rodney’s aspirations to be ‘top of the pops’ encouraged, promoted - and totally destroyed by Del Boy, whereas, in 'Sleeping Dogs Lie', Del, Rodney and Uncle Albert are consigned to the dog watch. In 'Watching the Girls Go By', Rodney is taking some stick from the lads down the pub about his ‘imaginary’ girlfriend and Mickey Pearce bets him that he won’t bring a girl to the Saturday night bash in The Nag’s Head. However, with Del’s help, some home truths are stripped bare by Rodney’s new date. 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' sees Jumbo Mills, an old friend of Del’s, offer him a share in his successful company. It’s a chance of a lifetime, but it also involves a move to Australia for the Trotter family... You’d be a plonker to miss these comic classics!