All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky
1.7: The Day Today. Released 8 January 2026.
A big tradition in British comedy used to be that of shows getting an early experimental (and inexpensive) radio outing before being let loose on a bigger (more expensive) television stage. After twelve episodes of bizarre news spoof On The Hour had been transmitted on BBC Radio 4, a television version seemed inevitable. There were only six episodes of The Day Today but from them flowed award winning plays, more sketch comedy, defining modern political satire, questions in the House of Commons about made up drugs, and of course Alan Partridge.
Next time we’ll be listening to the incredibly long-running “antidote to panel games” I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Various episodes are floating around the Internet, sometimes even on BBC Sounds. We’re going to be listening to series six episode six, series 42 episode two and – if Abigoliah can stand it – series 83, episode two.
Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us.
The podcast
Abigoliah Schamaun
Tom Salinsky
All British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments.
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