Internet Archive's in-browser audio player requires JavaScript to be enabled. It appears your browser does not have it turned on. Please see your browser settings for this feature.

John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme Series 1-8

by: BBC Radio 4

Publication date: 2011-01-01

Topics: Radio, Comedy

Language: English

John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme is a sketch comedy series broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Finnemore is the sole writer and performs with Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin and Carrie Quinlan.

The first series was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011, and further series have followed annually. The series contains sketches and character monologues, with only one major recurring character, a storyteller who narrates a tall tale in the last five minutes of most programmes, and who also provides the show's only recurring catchphrase, opening each story with "Well, since you ask me for...". The only other recurring character between episodes is an interviewer played by Carrie Quinlan named Patsy Straightwoman who is deliberately given no significant characteristics except for an awareness of her role as a "feed", which she sardonically remarks upon at the beginning of each sketch. All episodes from the fourth onwards include a comic song with words by Finnemore and music by Susannah Pearse. Each series has one sketch parodying the BBC Radio 4 series The Archers, portraying the show as it supposedly sounds to people who do not listen to it.

The latest, ninth series was broadcast in 2021.

Addeddate: 2016-12-31 11:03:39

Identifier: JFSP56

Scanner: Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1.6.3

Year: 2011

plus-circle Add Review

comment
Reviews

Reviewer: PaddyFields - - May 17, 2020
Subject: Sheer Genius. The mold was broken.

The Dali or maybe Picasso of sketch comedy, whatever that means.
He has a knack of expressing the thought process/internal monologue like no-one else.
Sadly I suspect that there will only be these 8 series as we are, by now, due for Series 9 from Radio 4.
Maybe Covid 19 has merely delayed it?
Maybe, like with Cabin Pressure, he knew when to hang up his boots, at the top of his game.
Not to be missed either are his 'Double Acts'.
I have always wondered why he's not on TV. Maybe it's that the best pictures ARE on the radio.
I saw the opening gig of his theatre tour last and was only slightly disappointed that it was all (mostly?) re-runs of the Souvenir Programme.
Long live the BBC for bringing us such gems!!!!

Reviewer: Muzzlehatch2 - - February 6, 2020
Subject: He just keeps getting better!!

His Double Acts are well worth a listen too. JF has more in his rep than just sketch gags.

Reviewer: schubie - - December 10, 2019
Subject: Brilliant

This is brilliant stuff. Thanks so much for making this available. I can't believe I hadn't heard it before.

Consistently funny--highly recommended.

Reviewer: Dalkeith Banana Scandal - - November 27, 2018
Subject: Many thanks

Many thanks from my Temple.

Reviewer: dxxm - - February 19, 2018
Subject: Now with series 7

Finnemore is the cleverest comic in Britain today, and this show started brilliantly and just gets better. Series 7 is the best so far!

Reviewer: TheGolux - - December 25, 2017
Subject: No missing series

Contrary to previous review by Kingtune, at present there are no "remaining series" to add. This excellent collection has all but one episode of series 1 to 6.

Reviewer: Kingtune - - December 16, 2017
Subject: Classis British Humour

John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme ranks among the highest and best of all British humour, along with Revolting People, Hut 33, Bleak Expectations, Cabin Pressure and a few others i can't think of just now. I would be absolutely fantastic if all the series 1 - 6 were available to download and listen to.
Well done and many thanks to Ned In Boots for these contributions. Please try and locate and upload the remaining series. (I would assist if i knew how and what to do?).

405,945 Views

101 Favorites

7 Reviews