John Finnemore

Souvenir Programme might just be a work of radio genius

As the final episode of the mind-bending tragi-comedy sketch show airs, Jonn Elledge speaks to its creator about the genesis of a show born of limitations.

Four episodes into Souvenir Programme Series 9

Well, since you ask me for some kind of diagram drawing all the events of John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, Series 9 so far... over four episodes we now have had a hundred years of family history.

Luminaries of Lockdown: part two

Here's our second-round up of the luminaries of lockdown, some of the streaming gigs, social media feeds, podcasts and more who have done so much to provide laughs over the past 12 months.

Comic solves world's 'most difficult literary puzzle'

John Finnemore has solved the world's "most difficult literary puzzle", becoming third winner in 100 years.

Cain's Jawbone, a 100-page-long murder mystery puzzle, was last cracked in 1935 when two puzzlers claimed £15 in winnings.

Radio comedy reviews

New radio comedy is often disappointing. So welcome back Down The Line - the phone-in show with a twist. Also a look at Cabin Pressure which has started a repeat run, and comedy documentary What's Funny About...

John Finnemore's Flying Visit review

As a darling of Radio 4, and with several awards to his name too, John Finnemore is right up there as one of the country's most successful comics. His appeal has always mystified me, though, and his debut tour show did nothing to change that, rarely raising above the limp and extremely ordinary.

Emu's difficult second album

Just in case you enjoy fairly difficult crosswords: I have written a fairly difficult crossword. It's the Listener puzzle on page 54 of the Saturday Review section in today's Times.