The BBC Radio 4 sitcom

Lentil Sorters

Vincent Franklin, Rebekah Staton, Kieron Hodgkin and Julia Deakin star in four episodes of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom written by Jack Bernhardt.

Having been awarded the BBC Radio Comedy Writer’s Bursary for 2012-2013, Jack has written for a wide range of shows and is a regular contributor to series such as THE NEWS QUIZ and DEAD RINGERS. He is currently developing a television sitcom with Hat Trick Productions, and his radio comedy THE LENTIL SORTERS will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 later this year. Jack is also one third of sketch comedy group SAD FACES.

Vincent Franklin, Rebekah Staton, Kieron Hodgkin and Julia Deakin star in four episodes of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom written by Jack Bernhardt. 
 
Welcome to The Lentil Sorters, a sitcom set in the Office of Local &amp; National Statistics which, depending on who you ask, is either where the real power of government resides, or the place where fun goes to die. 
 
In 'Standard Deviation' the team uncover an unexpected statistical correlation between eyebrows, strawberries and dangerous dogs… 
 
In 'Multiparameter Database Search' a database linking of Ribena and MI5 makes Graham reach for his Stress Cardigan. 
 
In 'Researcher Bias' Daniel &amp; Audrey fight over the Welfare State with the aid of a can of strong lager, a fake police uniform and a beloved British character actor. 
 
And in '“False Positives' a stag do, a Stats Conference and a blood test all combine to make Graham’s life substantially worse. 
 
With special guests Steve Brody, Phil Whelans, Charlie Quirke, Morgan Jones, and Jo Unwin as The Narrator. Written by Jack Bernhardt and produced by David Tyler. A Pozzitive Production for BBC Radio 4.

Bill Dare

Helen Arney

Matt Parker

Steve Mould

Barney Fishwick

Jack Chisnall

Joel Morris

Jason Hazeley

Jack Bernhardt

Cliff Kelly

Adam Goodwin

Dan Clark

Nicola Coughlan

Armando Iannucci

Jimmy Carr

Marcus Brigstocke

Mark Watson

Chris Addison

Eleanor Bron

John Lloyd

Daniel Ings

Eight BBC Radio Productions

A comedy pick’n’mix of unheard & exclusive BBC Radio panel shows, sitcoms, sketches and satire – featuring some of comedy’s top names, including Armando Iannucci, John Oliver, Nicola Coughlan, Jimmy Carr, and more. 
 
First up is the unaired 2005 pilot for Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive (titled 'What Happened There'), starring Jimmy Carr, Lucy Porter, Dan Gaster, and John Oliver. 
 
Weird and wonderful sketches come from our second show, Festival of the Spoken Nerd: a lollop through the underlying realities of our universe from the smash-hit brain squad made of Helen Arney, Matt Parker & Steve Mould... 
 
Our third show is Jack Bernhardt’s sitcom British Troll Farm, a comedy set in a secret British military unit dedicated to fighting the social media cyberwar... badly; starring Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) and Daniel Ings. 
 
Up next is Crash Course, the panel show that tests how much knowledge the brain can absorb, retain and retrieve in 24 hours. The contestants have had just one day to learn about some fascinating topics… But will they remember a damn thing? Featuring Marcus Brigstocke. 
 
Fifth is The Electric Hotel, home of the brilliant sketch troupe The Electric Eel. From a Marriage Guidance session that goes terribly wrong to two painters & decorators falling in love, this is the latest in a fine line of hilarious hotel comedies... 
 
Next up we have God Squad, a sitcom set in a University Christian Society where the members realize that unless they adapt - they haven’t got a prayer. Featuring Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Ghosts) 
 
Seventh is Skeptic Tank, a panel show hosted by comedian Nick Doody that looks at every dodgy statistic, urban myth and piece of nonsensical parental advice. This is where the geek bites back... Featuring Chris Addison. 
 
… and finally, we hear Jason Hazeley & Joel Morris’s tour around the toilet books of Great Britain in Are You Alright in There?. Toilet books. No, not books about toilets. The funny or fascinating books that have pride of place on any home’s most exclusive shelf. Featuring Diane Morgan (aka Philomena Cunk). 
 
 
Cast and credits 
Starring Armando Iannucci, Lucy Porter, Dan Gaster, Jimmy Carr, John Oliver, Emma Kennedy, Vaughan Savidge (What Happened There?), Helen Arney, Matt Parker, Steve Mould, Tom Crowley, Celeste Dring (Festival of the Spoken Nerd), Daniel Ings, Nicola Coughlan, Steve Edge, Tala Gouveia, Ewan Bailey, Kerry Shale (British Troll Farm), David Tyler, Marcus Brigstocke, Josie Lawrence, Kirsty Wark, Mark Watson (Crash Course), Dan Clark, Adam G Goodwin, Cliff Kelly (Electric Hotel), Barney Fishwick, Jack Chisnall, Lili Miller, Helena Antoniou, Charly Clive, Kiell Smith-Bynoe (God Squad), Nick Doody, Chris Addison, Simon Evans, Shaparak Khorsandi (Skeptic Tank), Eleanor Bron, Diane Morgan, John Lloyd, Ben Schott, Andy Riley, Jason Hazeley, Joel Morris (Are You Alright In There?) 
 
Written by Armando Iannucci, Roger Drew, Jon Holmes, Danny Robins, Tony Roche, Dan Tetsell (What Happened There?), Helen Arney, Matt Parker, Steve Mould, Dan Evans (Festival of the Spoken Nerd), Jack Bernhardt (British Troll Farm), Dan Clark, Adam G Goodwin, Cliff Kelly (Electric Hotel), Barney Fishwick, Jack Chisnall (God Squad), Jason Hazeley, Joel Morris (Are You Alright In There?) 
 
 
Produced & directed by David Tyler (What Happened There?, Festival of the Spoken Nerd, British Troll Farm, Electric Hotel, God Squad, Skeptic Tank, Are You Alright In There?) and Bill Dare (Crash Course) 
 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 Dec 2012 (Are You Alright in There?), 19 Feb 2019 (Crash Course), 29 Jul 2019 (British Troll Farm), 29 Oct 2021 (God Squad). 
Previously unaired (What Happened There?, Festival of the Spoken Nerd, Electric Hotel, The Skeptic Tank). 
 
A Pozzitive production for the BBC©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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