The Now Show
- Radio comedy / stand-up
- BBC Radio 4
- 1998 - 2024
- 466 episodes (64 series)
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present a mix of stand-up, sketches and songs in this popular topical comedy show for Radio 4. Also features Jon Culshaw, Marcus Brigstocke, Jon Holmes, Mitch Benn, David Quantick and more.
The Now Show trivia
Like all BBC comedies, tickets to The Now Show recordings are free. The show is so popular though that the tickets are normally fully allocated within minutes of being released.
Source: bbc.co.uk/tickets
The Now Show is notable for being the first BBC comedy series to be distributed by podcast. The first podcast was released on the 22nd July 2005. The series has since become part of the 'Friday Night Comedy' podcast, alongside The News Quiz.
Because of the attempted public transport bomb attacks on the 21st July 2005, the episode of The Now Show recorded that evening was without an audience (as the production had to switch venues).
Since 2008, The Now Show carries the tradition of recording the first episode of the summer series in the town which holds the FA Cup. The first such show was recorded in Portsmouth, winners of the 2008 Cup.
The Now Show is one of Radio 4's most popular programmes. It regularly attracts over 1.5 million listeners and often tops the list of most listened to radio shows on the BBC iPlayer too.
Within a week of Mitch's song asking for more people to follow him on Twitter, his number of followers on the site more than tripled from 1,200 to just under 4,000.