British Comedy Guide
The News At Bedtime. Image shows from L to R: Jim Tweedledee (Peter Capaldi), John Tweedledum (Jack Dee). Copyright: BBC
The News At Bedtime

The News At Bedtime

  • Radio sketch show
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2009 - 2010
  • 8 episodes (1 series)

Radio comedy from the writers of Private Eye. Stars Jack Dee and Peter Capaldi as two news readers in a fairytale land. Stars Jack Dee, Peter Capaldi, Lucy Montgomery, Vicki Pepperdine, Dan Tetsell and more.

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Key details

Genre
Sketch Show
Broadcast
2009 - 2010
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
8 (1 series)
Stars
Jack Dee, Peter Capaldi, Lucy Montgomery, Vicki Pepperdine, Dan Tetsell, Lewis Macleod and Alex Macqueen
Writers
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman
Producer
Simon Nicholls
Company

Inspired by their column for Private Eye, writers Ian Hislop and Nick Newman have created an in-depth news analysis programme covering the latest events... in a fairytale world.

The News at Bedtime is introduced by twin presenters John Tweedledum (Jack Dee) and Jim Tweedledee (Peter Capaldi) - who argue and disagree with everyone - and sometimes each other. There is also Mary Mary, the Contrary Correspondent; Thought for the Day with Peter Rabbi; and the weather with Dilly Dilly.

This is serious broadcasting: The News at Bedtime addresses the zeitgeist issues of today and once upon a time from Nurseryland; Humpty Dumpty's great fall, the worrying story of Jack and the Genetically Modified Beanstalk and the celebrity wedding of the owl to the pussycat, to name but three.

Additional details

Production
Studio
Soundtrack
Theme tune is a remix of the BBC News theme playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Thursday 24th December 2009 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Most recent repeats
  • Wednesday 5th January 2022 at 11:30pm on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 7
  • Wednesday 29th December 2021 at 11:30pm on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 4
  • Wednesday 22nd December 2021 at 11:30pm on Radio 4 Extra - Episode 5

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