I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

The main Radio 4 comedy celebrating Christmas was I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, broadcast as a 45-minute long extended edition. Stephen Fry was the guest, alongside host Jack Dee, panellists Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden, and pianist Colin Sell - although sadly no Samantha (Sven took the place as scorer).

In the special there was the usual selection of rounds, from "Mornington Crescent" to "Sound Charades", and "Nativity Radio Times" to "One Song to the Tune of Another", which allows the listeners to hear Fry's version of Goodness Gracious Me to the tune of The First Noel, a sound which makes you wonder who would win a singing contest between Fry and Jeremy Hardy...

One of my main complaints about the BBC's comedy programming in 2012 was the lack of coverage it gave to the ISIHAC's 40th anniversary. This show was almost the only marker of the celebration, whereas the 45th anniversary of Just a Minute was given extensive coverage, including a TV adaptation (the third in its history) and episodes recorded in India.

JAM's a great comedy too, of course, but I do think that ISIHAC is the better of the two. And if the BBC aren't going to honour it then hopefully I can here. Here's to another 40 years of funnies - maybe...

One of the many great things about this venerable Radio 4 panel game is the chance to hear Barry Cryer's fruity chortle. If it were possible for a sound to qualify for 'national treasure' status, his contagious, wheezy wonder of the comedy world definitely would. It makes frequent outings in this marvellously nutty half-hour of fun. Part of BBC4's tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton, it gives us highlights from the ISIHAC stage show, filmed just a few weeks before his death in April. Tim Brooke-Taylor sings Girlfriend in a Coma to the tune of Tiptoe through the Tulips; a totally crackers 'Quiz among Quizzes' puts Anne Robinson firmly in her place; and the late, great Lyttelton dispenses a barrage of beautifully weighted put-downs. It's a fitting send-off for the affable gent who's left a Humph-shaped hole in comedy.

Recorded at the Lowry in April of this year, this is the only complete filmed version of the touring show of Humphrey Lyttelton's much loved Radio 4 panel game, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. Sadly it was also the last as Lyttelton went into hospital 10 days later. The set-up is the same as a standard radio recording, and includes regular panellists Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden.