The Mary Whitehouse Experience

Synopsis

Double double acts Newman & Baddiel and Punt & Dennis join forces in the radio precursor to their iconic TV showLaunched 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 broadcastCast and creditsCreated by Bill DareStarring Rob Newman and David Baddiel, and Steve Punt and Hugh DennisWith Mark Thomas, Jo Brand, Nick Hancock, Mark Hurst, Donna McPhail, Jack Dee, Tim Firth, Susie Brann, Rebecca Front, Alison Goldie, Doon Mackichan and Sarah ThomasWritten 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 ThomasProduced by Bill Dare (Series 1-3), Harry Thompson (Series 2) and Armando Iannucci (Series 3-4)Music from Skint Video and The Tracy BrothersEpisode guideFirst broadcast on the BBC Radio 1 on the following dates:Series 2Episode 3, 25 August 1989Episode 6, 15 September 1989Series 3Episode 1, 6 January 1990Episode 2, 13 January 1990Episode 3, 20 January 1990Episode 5, 3 February 1990Episode 6, 10 February 1990Episode 7, 17 February 1990Episode 8, 24 February 1990Episode 10, 10 March 1990Episode 11, 17 March 1990Series 4Episode 1, 20 October 1990Episode 2, 27 October 1990Episode 3, 3 November 1990Episode 4, 10 November 1990Episode 5, 17 November 1990Episode 6, 24 November 1990Episode 7, 1 December 1990Episode 8, 8 December 1990Episode 9, 15 December 1990© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd