Radio 2 comedy prepares for 40th Anniversary

Thursday 26th July 2007, 7:07am

Due to the forthcoming 40th anniversary of the creation of BBC Radio 2, digital radio station BBC 7 is to host a two-part special series called 2's Comedy, which will feature an internet poll to discover Radio 2's best radio comedy programme.

The series, which will go out on the 29th September, will be broadcast in two parts, both on the same night. Part one will be presented by legendary stand-up Ken Dodd, and will feature six programmes that were broadcast in the first twelve months of the stations formation.

The second programme, presented by Ken Bruce will feature the results of the internet poll, created to discover what is BBC Radio 2's greatest comedy. People will be able to vote until 3rd August for six different shows. The shows are:

• The Flight of The Conchords – The story of a New Zealand 'novelty' rock band starring Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, narrated by Rob Brydon.
• The Day the Music Died – A satirical programme focused on the world of music hosted by Andrew Collins, co-starring The Now Show's Jon Holmes and Serious About Comedy's Robin Ince.
• It's Been a Bad Week – Hosted by The Now Show's Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, this is a mock-award show, searching the world's news to discover the winner of The Worst Week of the Week Award, Awarded Weekly, On A Week-By-Week Basis.
• Listen with Les – Starring and co-written by Les Dawson, this show ran for 14 years and was recorded in his hometown of Manchester.
• The Hee Bee Gee Bees Story – A mockumentary examining the career of the parody Gee Bees band created in the sketch show Radio Active, starring Angus Deayton, Michael Fenton Stevens and Philip Pope.
• The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Show – The classic Morecambe and Wise episode up for nomination was first broadcast in December 1977, it guest-starred Anita Harris. The duo's TV Christmas Special that year attracted 28 million viewers, around half of the UK population at the time.

To find out more about the programmes and vote for your favourite visit www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/comedy