1. June, Betty and Victoria

From the dawn of broadcast comedy, women played a vital but largely overlooked role; more in the background rather than the forefront.

What impact did the sisters of satire from the 60’s and 70’s have on the comedy we know today and what was their cultural influence?

Just because they weren’t the stars of the show didn’t mean their influence wasn’t felt.

June Whitfield, Eleanor Bron and Miriam Margolyes were all quietly but firmly making their name in comedies such as The Glums, The Establishment Club and The Betty Witherspoon Show.

These women paved the way for comedians and actors such as Jan Ravens, Meera Syal and Linda Smith.

In the first of three programmes, Samira Ahmed is joined by actor/director Arabella Weir and former radio producer and novelist Lissa Evans.

They listen into some of the best sitcoms from the archives - and discuss the impact their funny women have had on contemporary comedy and the extent of their satirical legacy: :

THE BETTY WITHERSPOON SHOW
WEEK ENDING
VICTORIA WOOD - AS SEEN ON TV

Producer: Belinda Naylor

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in November 2019.