British Comedy Guide
On The Hour. Image shows from L to R: Chris Morris, David Schneider, Patrick Marber, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Steve Coogan. Copyright: BBC
On The Hour

On The Hour

  • Radio sketch show
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 1991 - 1992
  • 12 episodes (2 series)

Radio news satire presented by Chris Morris which was renowned for its savage dissection of news and current affairs programming and presentation. Also features Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider

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Press clippings

Classic and cult comedies to be broadcast as part of 1990s season

A number of classic and cult comedies are to be broadcast on Radio 4 Extra as part of a season exploring the legacy of the 1990s, including early shows from Stewart Lee and Richard Herring and The League Of Gentlemen.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 19th April 2022

30 years of Alan Partridge

In August 1991, Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci gave birth to Alan via the BBC Radio 4 news parody On The Hour.

The AV Club, 9th August 2021

The Day Today team reunite for 30th anniversary celebration

The team behind The Day Today have reunited for a 30th anniversary documentary on Radio 4.

British Comedy Guide, 4th August 2021

Radio Times poll of best radio comedies

Radio 4 panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue has come top of a Radio Times list of the greatest radio comedy shows.

British Comedy Guide, 17th November 2020

10 reasons why Alan Partridge is the perfect life-coach

Hard as it is to believe, it was 25 years ago that Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge first aired on Radio 4.

Mark Monahan, The Telegraph, 28th November 2017

7 TV shows that started out on radio

Radio has always been the perfect testing ground for some of the biggest names in comedy today.

Clarisse Loughrey, The Independent, 27th September 2017

7 clips that prove Chris Morris's also a musical genius

Looking back at Morris's body of work, 20 years after the first episode of Brass Eye was broadcast on January 29, 1997, it's clear that few people have combined music and comedy quite as successfully. Whether he's creating strung-out ambient music for a short film about a talking dog or parodying Eminem to highlight the media hysteria surrounding paedophilia, Morris's use of music strikes the balance between creating black comedy and something that's actually listenable. Below are seven of his finest music moments - just be careful not to find yourself jazzing to the bleep tone of a life support machine.

Scott Wilson, Fact Mag, 29th January 2017

On The Hour: revisiting a brilliant radio comedy

Armando Iannucci & Chris Morris' BBC Radio 4 news spoof not only gave rise to Alan Partridge but also launched countless comedy careers.

Andrew Blair, Den Of Geek, 17th October 2016

Alan Partridge: still Jurassic Park after 25 years

I can't imagine ever not finding Alan Partridge funny.

Dan Burke, Cultured Vultures, 22nd February 2016

John Oliver tells us why he's a fan of On The Hour

John Oliver talks about why he loves British radio comedy series On The Hour.

Todd VanDerWerff, The AV Club, 10th June 2013

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