Week Ending
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Week Ending... was a satirical radio current affairs sketch show, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4, usually on Friday evenings. It is currently off-air but is considered by many to be merely suspended rather than cancelled, and there are persistent rumours that it will soon return.
First broadcast in 1970 and last broadcast in 1998, it acted as training ground for a large number of comedy writers, performers and producers. Many young BBC production recruits were given the programme for a month or so to give them training in light entertainment work, whilst the writers' meetings famously invited participation by anybody who wished to be present (even being present wasn't necessary and sketches from unknown writers could be simply faxed to the production office in the hope they would be accepted).
Technically the show's title was always announced as "Week Ending..." followed by the broadcast date. The show was written and recorded at short notice, and would focus on the events of the previous week.
The show's alumni include many names behind popular television and radio comedy. One producer in the early years was David Hatch. An early writer was Simon Brett. From the early 1980s, the show had a theme tune which was a loop of the instrumental section of The Associates' 1982 hit "Party Fears Two".
Regular performers included David Jason, Tracey Ullman and Sally Grace. Script contributors included Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin, Richard Herring and Stuart Lee.
External links
- from "The Encyclopedia of Radio British Radio Comedy" (http://www.angelfire.com/pq/radiohaha/WE.html)