Kington's Anatomy Of Comedy
Broadcast on BBC Radio 4
March 8th to 22nd 2005 (recorded 2014)

Writer and humorist Miles Kington examines the structure of comedy. Why do we laugh, when did we first start laughing and how do you go about making someone laugh?

Edited by Nick Romero
Produced by Andrew McGibbon

---

Episode 1 - The Mechanics Of Mirth

Journalist and humorist Miles Kington explores the skill of creating comedy, kicking off with a look at the "machine code". Terry Jones, Mark Lamarr and David Quantick set out to explain what makes people laugh. 

With archive contributions from Bob Monkhouse, Eric Sykes, Richard Curtis and Ronnie Barker. 

First broadcast: 08 Mar 2005

---

Episode 2 - The Comedy Of Characters

Miles Kington examines how the great characters of comedy are created, the context and genre in which they function and why they can be found at the root of all comedy. 

With insight from Terry Jones, Barry Humphries, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais and Ricky Gervais, plus archive interviews with Margaret Rutherford, Peter Sellers and Mr Pastry. 

First broadcast: 15 Mar 2005

---

Episode 3 - The Geopolitics Of Jest

Miles Kington explores the international dimensions of comedy, its orgins, indigenous variations and universalities. 

Kington interviews Terry Jones, Mark Lamarr and David Ouantick about the future for comedy and the impact of political correctness. Is it being overstated? And how do you poke fun at murderous dictators while living in their authoritarian state?

First broadcast: 22 Mar 2005

---

Recorded from iPlayer.

Audio Codec: MPEG-1 Layer 3
Audio Sample Rate: 44100 Hz
Audio BitRate Type: CBR
Audio Channels: 2
Audio Bitrate (kbps): 128
Duration: 3 x 30 mins