Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | Fifteen Minutes To Landing | 20140730 | 20180601 (BBC7) 20211201 (BBC7) 20170614 (R4) | A couple experience severe turbulence on a flight - although it turns out to be not nearly as bumpy as their marriage. Starring Lesley Manville. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Woman .....;. Lesley Manville Captain James Barrington .....;. Clive Hayward Air Hostess .....;. Jane Slavin Pat .....;. Ruth Sheen Checkout woman .....;. Elaine Claxton Lauren .....;. Jane Slavin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014. A woman married to a philandering husband finds solace during a turbulent air flight. |
| 01 | 02 | Carol Goes Swimming | 20140806 | 20180608 (BBC7) 20211208 (BBC7) 20170628 (R4) | Carol's life's not really been the same since her best friend Sandra died. But a trip to the swimming bath brings back memories of their time together with surprising results. Starring Lorrainr Ashbourne. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Carol ..... Lorrainr Ashbourne Manager ...... Jane Slavin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2014. Lorraine Ashbourne is Carol, in Jenny Eclair's story about a lifesaving friendship. |
| 01 | 03 | A Trolley For A Change | 20140813 | 20180615 (BBC7) 20211215 (BBC7) 20170705 (R4) | A grandmother visits an upmarket supermarket to buy her grandchildren a meal they won't forget. But the trip proves memorable for all the wrong reasons. Starring Ruth Sheen. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Pat ..... Ruth Sheen Checkout woman ...... Elaine Claxton Security Guard ..... Clive Hayward Lauren ..... Jane Slavin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2014. A grandmother visits a supermarket to buy her grandchildren a meal they won't forget. |
| 01 | 04 | George's Cake | 20140820 | 20180622 (BBC7) 20211222 (BBC7) 20170712 (R4) | Bea can tell you how to peel an onion without crying or how to make the perfect pavlova. In her Shaker style kitchen she prepares a very special Birthday cake for her husband and reflects on a lifetime of culinary success and marital woe. Starring Susie Blake. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2014. For her husband's 60th birthday, top cook Bea bakes him a cake with a special message. |
| 01 | 05 | The Viewing | 20140827 | 20180629 (BBC7) 20211229 (BBC7) 20170719 (R4) | A lonely woman takes a peek into other people's properties and lives when their houses are put up for sale. Starring Annette Badland. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2014. A lonely woman peeks into other people's houses - but is she too quick to judge? |
| 01 | 06 | Doing The Best For Daniel | 20140903 | 20180630 (BBC7) 20170726 (R4) | A single mother will stop at nothing to give her son the best education and future. But might she have gone too far? Written by and starring Jenny Eclair. Leading actresses star in Jenny's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2014. A single mother dreams of raising her son to wreak revenge on his father. |
| 02 | 01 | Lorna's Holiday | 20151118 | 20220212 (BBC7) 20220219 (BBC7) 20220220 (BBC7) 20190128 (R4) | As Lorna recuperates in a five star hotel in Dubrovnik she acidly observes the two families staying in the villa next door. But what she sees threatens her own future as well as theirs... Starring Lesley Sharp. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015. Lorna may be on holiday but why won't she speak? Stars Lesley Sharp. |
| 02 | 02 | Christine Paints | 20151125 | 20220219 (BBC7) 20190129 (R4) | Christine and Tony move to the country so Tony can write. So Christine takes up watercolours and soon finds inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places and with surprising consequences. Starring Rosie Cavaliero. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015. Jenny Eclair's stories of the secrets of six women read by leading actresses. |
| 02 | 03 | Beverley In Shoes | 20151202 | 20220226 (BBC7) 20190130 (R4) | Beverley might have once travelled the world but now she prefers watching programmes about baking. Beverley wants security and safety, but why? Starring Samantha Spiro. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Producer, Sally Avens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015. Beverley, once an avid traveller, now watches baking shows. Why? Stars Samantha Spiro. |
| 02 | 04 | Points | 20151209 | 20220305 (BBC7) 20190131 (R4) | Gail takes her husband's car and embarks on a surprising journey. With Sarah Hadland. |
| 02 | 05 | A Slight Alteration | 20151216 | 20220312 (BBC7) 20190201 (R4) | A dressmaker finds herself doing a dress alteration for a young woman who is on the verge of getting married. But the dress is fated never to be worn. Starring Tessa Peake-Jones. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Produce: Sally Avens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015. Tessa Peake-Jones plays a dressmaker whose latest commission comes at a cost. |
| 02 | 06 | Waiting For Billy | 20151223 | 20220319 (BBC7) 20190204 (R4) | Patsy and Billy are a rock and roll Darby and Joan. She's been with him through the good times and now the bad. But with the money gone and the band members dying off, can Patsy's secret stay hidden for good? Starring Anita Dobson. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Produce: Sally Avens First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015. Anita Dobson plays a rock star's wife with a deeply buried secret. |
| 03 | 01 | Leo's Passport | 20161005 | 20201123 (BBC7) 20220922 (BBC7) 20220930 (BBC7) 20190205 (R4) | Penny loves working as Howard's secretary. She's very protective of him, which is why when Jodie begins work at the office, Penny decides action must be taken. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Penny ..... Imelda Staunton Caroline ..... Karen Bartke First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016. Imelda Staunton stars as Penny who takes looking after her boss too far. |
| 03 | 02 | Hannah's Gone | 20161012 | 20201130 (BBC7) 20220929 (BBC7) 20221007 (BBC7) 20190206 (R4) | When Hannah leaves home her mother is heartbroken, but a visit to her daughter's room sheds some revealing light on Hannah's personality. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Hannah's Mum ...... Josie Lawrence First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016. Josie Lawrence stars as a mother with a bad case of empty nest syndrome. |
| 03 | 03 | Mothers And Daughters | 20161019 | 20201207 (BBC7) 20221006 (BBC7) 20221014 (BBC7) 20190207 (R4) | Coral is an ageing actress auditioning for a play about a mother and daughter, But her relationship with her own mother doesn't bear the scrutiny it's about to get. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Coral ...... Frances Barber Girl ...... Karen Bartke Boy ...... Luke MacGregor First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016. Frances Barber stars as an ageing actress behaving badly at an audition. |
| 03 | 04 | Anthea's Round Robin | 20161026 | 20201214 (BBC7) 20221013 (BBC7) 20221021 (BBC7) 20190208 (R4) | Anthea always sends a round robin at Christmas time, only this year her news comes as a surprise even to herself. Leading actresses star in Jenny Eclair's comic series about women facing a crisis in their lives. Anthea ..... Samantha Bond First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016. Samantha Bond stars as Anthea whose Christmas news is rather surprising. |
| 04 | 01 | The Last Day | 20171018 | 20190926 (BBC7) 20210520 (BBC7) 20230420 (BBC7) 20220119 (R4) | It's Miss Cavendish's last day at school and retirement looms. But surely it can't go completely unmarked? That's enough to send even the most sensible woman over the edge... Starring Vicki Pepperdine. Series of comic monologue written by Jenny Eclair. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2017. Vicki Pepperdine stars in Jenny Eclair's comic monologue about a teacher's last day. |
| 04 | 02 | The Visit | 20171025 | 20191003 (BBC7) 20210527 (BBC7) 20230427 (BBC7) 20171229 (R4) | A woman returns to her old home to see the changes made by her husband and his new wife. She can't believe what she finds, but she has a unique way of dealing with her disappointment. Starring Doon Mackichan. Series of comic monologues written by Jenny Eclair. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2017. Doon Mackichan stars as a woman intent on revenge in Jenny Eclair's comic monologue. |
| 04 | 03 | The Nannas | 20171101 | 20191010 (BBC7) 20210603 (BBC7) 20230511 (BBC7) | Dawn spends her life cleaning for the middle classes and fancies she could uncover a few secrets behind the Farrow and Ball doors. But when she does, it comes at a cost she couldn't imagine... Starring Tilly Vosburgh. Series of comic monologues written by Jenny Eclair. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017. Tilly Vosburgh stars in Jenny Eclair's comic monologue about a cleaner uncovering a secret |
| 04 | 04 | A Nice Time With All The Family | 20171108 | 20191017 (BBC7) 20210610 (BBC7) 20230518 (BBC7) | Beverley Callard stars in Jenny Eclair's comic monologue about a 60th birthday party. |
| 05 | 01 | A Long Weekend | 20190109 | 20231213 (BBC7) 20220207 (R4) | Cathy and Allan leave Yorkshire to pay a visit to their son and his wife in London, but nothing is as Cathy would like. And she can't visit her other son as he lives in Hong Kong and she can only fly short haul - 'I can't go over the equator, well you've got to draw a line and to be honest Hackney is more than far enough Starring Anne Reid Series of comic monologue written by Jenny Eclair. Anne Reid stars in Jenny Eclair's comic monologue about a difficult family visit. Anne Reid stars as a woman finding nothing as she would like when visiting her son in London. Comic monologue from 2019. Cathy ..... Anne Reid Produced by Sally Avens A return of Jenny Eclair's series of comic monologues. Cathy and Allan leave Yorkshire to pay a visit to their son and his wife in London, but nothing is as Cathy would like. And she can't visit her other son as he lives in Hong Kong and she can only fly short haul - 'I can't go over the equator, well you've got to draw a line and to be honest Hackney is more than far enough Anne Reid reads Jenny Eclair's comic monologue about a difficult family visit. |
| 05 | 02 | The Kitchen Table | 20190116 | 20231220 (BBC7) 20220208 (R4) | by Jenny Eclair Read by Monica Dolan Produced by Sally Avens Following her mother's death 'massive stroke halfway through Pointless a woman reminisces about her family as she waits for her mother's house to be cleared. She and her sister may not always have got on but she's the only one she can share these memories with. Jenny Eclair's comic monologue read by Monica Dolan Following her mother's death, a woman reminisces about her family as she waits for her mother's house to be cleared. Starring Monica Dolan. Series of comic monologues written by Jenny Eclair. Jenny Eclair's comic monologue starring Monica Dolan. Monica Dolan stars as a woman reminiscing about her family as her mother's house is cleared after her death. From January 2019. |
| 05 | 03 | The Book Club | 20190123 | 20231227 (BBC7) 20220209 (R4) | Comic monologues by Jenny Eclair where women reach a breaking point in their lives. Belle 's monthly book club is a time not only to discuss literature but to offload about life and Belle has plenty to let rip about since her son's girlfriend moved in. Starring Lucy Robinson. Series of comic monologues written by Jenny Eclair. Lucy Robinson stars as a woman who cherishes her book club not only to discuss literature but to offload about life. From 2019. |
| 05 | 04 | Greta Doesn't Want To Wait For Godot | 20190130 | 20240103 (BBC7) 20220210 (R4) | Jenny Eclair's comic monologues. Read by Amelia Bullmore Greta is Queen Bee of the local Am Dram society so when some members breakaway to form a rival group she is not best pleased. But can their production of Waiting for Godot really rival her latest triumph, Calendar Girls? Starring Amelia Bullmore. Series of comic monologues written by Jenny Eclair. Comic monologues by Jenny Eclair where women reach a breaking point in their lives. Amelia Bullmore stars as a stalwart of the local Am Dram society, checking out the competition of a new rival group. From 2019. |
| 06 | 01 | Getting Together | 20200610 | 20210704 (R4) | A return of Jenny Eclair's comic monologues performed by leading actresses. A divorcee feels liberated after years of marriage, but a family dinner to celebrate her son's engagement and a meeting with her ex-husband's new girlfriend causes her to take a step she never imagined. Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Pauline McLynn Producer, Sally Avens Late-night comedy on BBC Radio 4: Pauline McLynn performs a comic monologue Jenny Eclair. |
| 06 | 02 | One Day My Prince Will Come | 20200617 | 20210711 (R4) | Katherine Jakeways performs one of Jenny Eclair's comic monologues. |
| 06 | 03 | Me And Tina Were Up West When We Bumped Into Avril | 20200624 | 20210718 (R4) | A chance encounter with an old friend leaves Dee and best friend Tina invited to a posh party, but among the guests Dee spots a face she'd rather forget. Linda Robson is best known for her role in 'Birds of A Feather' but she has also appeared in Loose Women and with Jenny Eclair in 'Grumpy Old Women'. Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Linda Robson Producer, Sally Avens When Dee runs into Avril it's clear she's not done badly for herself. With Linda Robson. |
| 06 | 04 | The Girls | 20200701 | 20210725 (R4) | Sarah Parish plays the neighbour from hell. When two girls move into the upstairs flat, she soon knows everything about them and their sex lives. And then, one weekend, she decides things have gone too far. Sarah Parish is best known for her work in W1A, Trollied, Mistresses and Cutting It. Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Sarah Parish Producer, Sally Avens Sarah Parish plays the neighbour from hell in this comic monologue by Jenny Eclair. |
| 06 | 05 | Dreambreaker | 20200708 | 20210801 (R4) | Late-night comedy on Radio 4: Christine Kavanagh performs Jenny Eclair's comic monologue. |
| 06 | 06 | Nanna No No | 20200715 | 20220105 (BBC7) 20210808 (R4) | A highly successful retired lawyer believes she will be the perfect grandmother, so why is she hiding behind the sofa when her grandchildren appear? Haydn Gwynne is best known for her work on Drop The Dead Donkey, The Windsors and Billy Elliot on Broadway for which she won a Drama Desk Award. Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Haydn Gwynne Producer, Sally Avens Haydn Gwynne reads the last in the series of Jenny Eclair's comic monologues. |
| 07 | 01 | Leaving Alan | 20220406 | Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Harriet Walter Producer ..... Sally Avens Val has enjoyed nearly 40 years of a marriage of convenience to Alan, both happily living separate lives, so why after all this time has she decided it's time to leave? Dame Harriet Walter can currently be seen in This Is Going to Hurt and recently Succession, The Crown and Downton Abbey. She has won several awards for her stage work. Harriet Walter stars in the first of six comic monologues by Jenny Eclair. | |
| 07 | 02 | Poor Rosemary | 20220413 | Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Fenella Woolgar Producer ..... Sally Avens When Rosemary fails to catch a bouquet at her flatmate's wedding it seems she is destined to remain single for the rest of her life as her friends get on with the merry go round of marriage and children. Fenella Woolgar is an award winning actress on stage and screen appearing most recently in 'Call The Midwife'. Jenny Eclair's comic monologue starring Fenella Woolgar | |
| 07 | 03 | The Fundraiser | 20220420 | Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Victoria Hamilton. Producer ..... Sally Avens The annual school quiz is the highlight of the year for one particularly competitive mother, but knowing the flags of every nation is of no use at all at this year's event when a completely different kind of knowledge is called for. Victoria Hamilton is an award winning actress on stage and screen. She has most recently been seen as The Queen Mother in the first series of The Crown and the Sky Series Cobra. Victoria Hamilton stars as an ultra competitive quizzer in Jenny Eclair's comic monologue. | |
| 07 | 04 | Millie Makes Her Mind Up | 20220427 | Jenny Eclair's comic monologue stars Maggie Steed as a grandmother fighting back. | |
| 07 | 05 | Visiting Time | 20220504 | Written by Jenny Eclair Performed by Felicity Montagu Producer ..... Sally Avens Julia has always been a disappointment to her mother whilst her sister have always shone, but as her mother becomes increasingly incapacitated Julia finds a way to redress the balance. Felicity Montagu is best known for her role as Lynn, Alan Partridge's long suffering assistant. She has recently been seen in 'Landscapers' with Olivia Coleman and David Thewlis. Jenny Eclair's comic monologue starring Felicity Montagu as a disappointing daughter. | |
| 07 | 06 | Betty Does Bespoke | 20220511 | 20220914 (R4) | Written by Jenny Eclair Read by Tracie Bennett Producer ..... Sally Avens Betty has recently retired, moved and been widowed all within a few months. When she attempts to befriend her neighbour she discovers that she isn't quite what she imagines. Tracie Bennett is an award winning actress appearing in roles on television and stage including many musicals. She has recently been seen in Coronation Street, The Bay, and Follies at the National Theatre. Jenny Eclair's comic monologue starring Tracie Bennett as a widow looking for friendship. |