The Mary Whitehouse Experience

Double double acts Newman & Baddiel and Punt & Dennis join forces in the radio precursor to their iconic TV show

Launched in 1989 on Radio 1, The Mary Whitehouse Experience rode the alternative comedy wave for four series until 1990, winning a Sony Gold Award and sparking a hit BBC TV spin-off. Named after a well-known (and much mocked) morality campaigner, it made stars out of Newman & Baddiel and Punt & Dennis, with both double acts subsequently gaining their own shows.

These specially selected episodes see them mixing topical satire with sketches, impressions and stand-up, as they provocatively undress the issues of the day – from east European revolution to Margaret Thatcher’s resignation – and give us their take on topics such as the royals, buskers, giving birth, charity telethons and the pernicious evil of shampoo and conditioner. There’s also some helpful advice for Valentine’s Day, a spoof fantasy serial, a look at the phenomenal world of the unexplained, a couple of Christmas pantos and some rousing audience participation in the form of The Punchline Experience...

Created by Bill Dare, who devised Dead Ringers, this quickfire, irreverent show stars Rob Newman, David Baddiel, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, alongside regulars Mark Thomas, Jo Brand, Nick Hancock, Jack Dee, Rebecca Front and Doon Mackichan. Joining them for some comic musical interludes are Skint Video and The Tracy Brothers.

NB: Contains strong language. Some of the humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast

Cast and credits
Created by Bill Dare

Starring Rob Newman and David Baddiel, and Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis
With Mark Thomas, Jo Brand, Nick Hancock, Mark Hurst, Donna McPhail, Jack Dee, Tim Firth, Susie Brann, Rebecca Front, Alison Goldie, Doon Mackichan and Sarah Thomas

Written by Rob Newman, David Baddiel, Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis, The Tracy Brothers, Skint Video, Jo Brand, Nick Hancock, Mark Hurst, Donna McPhail, Mark Thomas, Susie Brann, Jack Dee, Tim Firth, Rebecca Front, Alison Goldie, Doon Mackichan and Sarah Thomas

Produced by Bill Dare (Series 1-3), Harry Thompson (Series 2) and Armando Iannucci (Series 3-4)
Music from Skint Video and The Tracy Brothers

Episode guide

First broadcast on the BBC Radio 1 on the following dates:

Series 2
Episode 3, 25 August 1989
Episode 6, 15 September 1989

Series 3
Episode 1, 6 January 1990
Episode 2, 13 January 1990
Episode 3, 20 January 1990
Episode 5, 3 February 1990
Episode 6, 10 February 1990
Episode 7, 17 February 1990
Episode 8, 24 February 1990
Episode 10, 10 March 1990
Episode 11, 17 March 1990

Series 4
Episode 1, 20 October 1990
Episode 2, 27 October 1990
Episode 3, 3 November 1990
Episode 4, 10 November 1990
Episode 5, 17 November 1990
Episode 6, 24 November 1990
Episode 7, 1 December 1990
Episode 8, 8 December 1990
Episode 9, 15 December 1990

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