Party (radio series)

Party is a BBC Radio 4 sitcom. The show was written by Tom Basden and produced by Julia McKenzie. The show also starred Tom Basden alongside Tim Key, Jonny Sweet, Anna Crilly and Katy Wix. The series surrounds young idealists who want to get into British politics but are naïve and no idea how to.

Party
GenrePolitical comedy
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
StarringTom Basden
Tim Key
Jonny Sweet
Anna Crilly
Katy Wix
Directed byTom Basden
Executive producer(s)Julia McKenzie
Original release10 March 2010 – 26 December 2018
No. of series3
No. of episodes13
Audio formatStereophonic sound

Repeats of the series have also been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra.

Cast

Plot

The five characters are in their early twenties, fresh from leaving university and wanting to get into politics. Simon is direct and finds himself arguing with Mel on many key points, though he also has a quick wit. Jared sees himself as the leader of the group, while also providing the meeting venue of a shed in his parents' garden. Mel also considers herself to be a leader figure and argues with Jared about the direction they should go, with her having a strong will. Phoebe is the optimist of the group, though is often somewhat naive. Duncan is the new arrival to the group and initially only invited due to his step father owning a printing company as well as believing that his first meeting with the group was his birthday party, and seen as dimwitted to the others. Meetings are held to discuss policy, though the group spends much time in conflict and getting little done.

Broadcast history

The first series was aired in March 2010, with four episodes being broadcast. A second four-episode series followed in June 2011. The third and final series was broadcast in September 2012. All episodes have a runtime of thirty minutes.[1]

After a six year break, a thirty minute Christmas Special was broadcast on 26 December 2018.[2] A repeat also aired as part of the BBC Radio 4 Comedy of the Week on the 31 December 2018.[3]

Episodes

The first series did not make use of episode titles.

Series One
No. Episode No. Title Original airdate
11"Episode One"10 March 2010 (2010-03-10)
The gang meet at Jared's parents shed and try to discuss policy, before arguing about who will be the leader and the party name. New member Duncan has joined the team after attending on the promise of cake at the meeting, however he is initially invited as his father owns a printing company.
22"Episode Two"17 March 2010 (2010-03-17)
Discussing their policy on China, the group is being held up by Phoebe talking to her new boyfriend, Eamon, who is older than her and the rest of the members. When he offers to help them with the party having studied politics himself, they reject the help which causes a strain on Phoebe's relationship with him.
33"Episode Three"24 March 2010 (2010-03-24)
Jared organises a meeting while his parents are away. An incident involving a bird flying into a window results in Jared having to undertake a humane killing, however his parents Polish gardener sees the incident and resorting to blackmailing the group of emergency money Jared's parents left.
44"Episode Four"31 March 2010 (2010-03-31)
Outside the council offices, the five launch a protest to stop the war in Afghanistan as well as raise the party profile. However, rain confines the protest to Mel's car. Events turn for the worse when Jared knocks a cyclist off his bike with a trombone, and Mel crashes the car resulting in the five being arrested.

Series Two
No. Episode No. Title Original airdate
51"All Publicity Is Good Publicity"1 June 2011 (2011-06-01)
A journalist is due to arrive to interview the party, however Simon suggests the lack of diversity may result in uncomfortable questions. Mel tasks them with coming up on a policy for diversity, before talking Duncan into pretending to be disabled and sitting him in a wheelchair.
62"It's Technology, Stupid"8 June 2011 (2011-06-08)
Setting up a policy on technology, with the group arguing about whether technology makes people stupid. Jared reveals he gained a U in GCSE Maths, and also offers a badly edited party video he has made on his laptop. When his mum walks in having lost her voice, Duncan accidentally opens some porn.
73"Prison Ain't All That Bad"15 June 2011 (2011-06-15)
Simon discusses his father spending time in prison as the group discuss prison policy. His bicycle is subsequently believed to be stolen by a mystery friend of Phoebe's known as Deep Voice. When Simon's father turns up at the meeting having discovered the stolen bike, he gets into an altercation with Deep Voice.
84"Is The Party Over?"22 June 2011 (2011-06-22)
Jared's parents have their house up for sale, and a homeless man is hanging around nearby. As the group tries to come up with social policies, Mel becomes upset at the homeless man being ignored. However, attempting to reach out she ends up getting chased around the garden.

Series Three
No. Episode No. Title Original airdate
91"The Curry"19 September 2012 (2012-09-19)
The five members head to a curry house for a party meeting, before ending up arguing over the order. Mel has to avoid coconut due to an allergy, while everyone comments on Duncan having got fit over the summer. Jared also announces that he is to run as a Member of Parliament for Corby.
102"The Grundy"26 September 2012 (2012-09-26)
Mel is in hospital after having a surgical procedure on her appendix, so the other four take to visiting her at her bedside. Moving on to discussing policies surrounding the elderly, a nurse believes Jared to be taking drugs and then stealing from another patient. They also find Mel's procedure was something different.
113"The Splits"3 October 2012 (2012-10-03)
Whilst on a train to Corby ahead of the by-election, the group ends up taking a stance against Europe due to a man sat in one of the reserved seats. The guard gets involved in an altercation between them and the man, where they find the tickets they have booked are not valid.
124"Radio"10 October 2012 (2012-10-10)
Arriving at a radio station for a scheduled interview in Corby that Jared is giving, Duncan has also brought along his baby nephew. However, when the baby is sick all over Jared, Duncan ends up being interviewed on the radio by mistake and announces a range of terrible policies.

Specials
No. Episode No. Title Original airdate
131"Christmas Special"26 December 2018 (2018-12-26)
The group reunite after six years to head up to Scotland to protest Donald Trump's rumoured arrival to his golf course. Mel is eight months pregnant with Jared's baby, and Simon's car in which they are travelling is particularly cramped.

References
  1. "Party - All episodes". BBC. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  2. "Party - Christmas Special". BBC. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  3. "BBC Radio 4 - Comedy of the Week". BBC. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
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