Radio Review: 10 October

One of life’s greatest pleasures is reading in the bath, preferably with some music on the wireless. The other day, I found myself racing through the second volume of Danny Baker’s autobiography, while Smooth chuntered away in the background. I suppose this is it’s purpose: playing music that no one minds (or no one loves) to people who are doing other things, and don’t want to be distracted. I didn’t turn off or over, but at the same time, I don’t see myself listening to Smooth again in a hurry. Mild cheddar FM.

The Baker book, Going Off Alarming, is a joy, and worth reading for the numerous stories about his father, a profane and brilliant south London patriarch. On the radio front, I must commend the story of how DB’s first GLR show was nearly his last, as he harangued the audience and referred to rival station Capital as ‘bloodsuckers’.

Another favourite showbiz memoir of mine is Eddie Braben’s, a lovely, warm, funny book, written by a lovely, warm, funny man. It was spiffi ng to hear Radio 4 Extra dig out Somebody Laughed from 2008, in which Eric and Ernie’s favourite Scouse surrealist introduced some of the radio shows he’d made, including his own Show With Ten Legs and The Worst Show On The Wireless.

The latter was years ahead of its time, but simultaneously rooted in variety. Who could fail to be amused by stammering comic Eli Woods as an India rubber man trying to impress a BBC executive by squeezing himself into a milk bottle? Failing miserably, Woods realises what must be done: ‘Hang on, I’ll have to take me accordion off first.’ Genius: from Braben and Woods.

Somebody Laughed: Eddie Braben Brings You Sunshine, Radio 4 Extra.

Louis on Twitter: @LFBarfe or email: wireless@cheeseford.net