Mark Watson Talks A Bit About Life

Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
0101Success2014101420141021 (BBC7)
/22 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Multi-award winning comic Mark Watson attempts to answer the big questions and make sense of life, nimbly assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden.

Written and performed by Mark Watson, Tim Key and Tom Basden as they tackle academic and abstract topics.

In this episode, Mark looks at 'Success'. Everyone wants to be successful, just as everyone wants to be loved, or have a big flashy car. But how do we actually measure success? Is it measured by how many things we have, how many swimming certificates are on our walls, whether or not we are Lionel Richie? Some people appear to be doing well in the world but are miserable. Other people don't have money, a good job or anything - but are happy.

Is that, in fact, the true definition of success - to find contentment with whatever life brings you?

Mark, Tim and Tom draw on modern definitions of success, and decide which ones are worthwhile. They look at successful people and those who have made a dog's dinner of life, to draw what conclusions they can.

Mark Watson is a multi-award winning comedian - his awards include the inaugural if.comedies Panel Prize 2006. He is assisted by Tim Key, winner of an Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2009, and Tom Basden who won the the if.comedy award for Best Newcomer in 2007.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2014..

Mark Watson, Tim Key and Tom Basden ask how we measure success.

Multi-award winning comic Mark Watson attempts to answer the big questions and make sense of life.

He's nimbly assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden.

For starters, Mark looks at 'Success'.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2014.

Mark Watson asks how we measure success drawing on modern definitions. With Tim Key and Tom Basden. From 2014.

0102Health And Beauty2014102120141028 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Multi-award winning comic Mark Watson attempts to answer the big questions and make sense of life.

Written and performed by Mark Watson, Tim Key and Tom Basden as they tackle academic and abstract topics.

This time Mark looks at 'Health & Beauty'. Our world is full of people telling us how to be healthier and more attractive. But how can we tell if we are well, both mentally and physically? Does living more healthily lead to better mental health, or not so much because you have to eat stuff like cabbage and you wish you were dead? At the same time many people claim to be beautiful, but does beauty really matter or is it, as the popular saying goes, in the eye of the beholder?

Why is it so hard to get to the bottom of what will make us look and feel good, and will this eternal quest ever end?

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2014.

Mark asks why it is so hard to get to the bottom of what makes people look and feel good.

He's assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden.

This time, Mark investigates 'Health & Beauty'.

Written and performed by Mark Watson.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2014.

Mark asks why it's so hard to get to the bottom of what makes people look and feel good. With Tim Key and Tom Basden. From 2014.

0103Money2014102820141104 (BBC7)
/08 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Written and performed by Mark Watson, Tim Key and Tom Basden as they tackle academic and abstract topics.

In this episode, Mark looks at 'Money'. These days it's quite unfashionable to like money. People get demonised for having high salaries. Bankers are seen as bad-guys. Less-is-more philosophies abound, yet they are flawed - mathematically, more is actually more. Is it so bad to try and get rich?

Mark probes the corrupting influence of money and the harm it does versus the good impact it can have, and weigh them up. Mark discusses his own experiences of being poor and quite well-off and how each impacted his personality.

Is money really the root of all evil? Or a useful way of buying things like Polo mints, fruit, etc?

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2014.

Mark discusses his own experiences of being poor and quite well-off.

Mark discusses his own experiences of being poor and quite well-off and how each impacted his personality. From 2014.

Mark Watson attempts to answer more big questions and make sense of life.

He's assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden.

This time, Mark investigates money.

These days it's quite unfashionable to like money. People get demonised for having high salaries. Bankers are seen as bad guys. Less-is-more philosophies abound, yet they are flawed - mathematically, more is actually more. Is it so bad to try and get rich?

0104 LASTLongevity2014110420141111 (BBC7)
/15 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Written and performed by Mark Watson, Tim Key and Tom Basden as they tackle academic and abstract topics.

This time Mark looks at 'Longevity'. It's the big one - dear old Mr Death. Can we beat him? Since time began, his win/lose record has been around 190 billion/1 (that's accepting Jesus rose from the dead, and maybe allowing a few draws for people who've been cryonically frozen, etc). Much of the world seems to be obsessed with the task of trying to defy age' and deny the inevitable - but is there actually a case for not wanting to live too long, because the world starts to become too confusing and your place in it less and less secure?

Mark dishes up some examples of ways this is already happening to him. Key and Basden attempt to persuade Mark the true glory of life is in enjoying it, not drawing it out endlessly. Everyone asks the question - who really wants to live forever?

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2014.

Despite the obsession with trying to defy age, is there a case for not living too long?

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2014.

Mark Watson asks who wants to live forever? Should life be more quality not quantity? With Tim Key and Tom Basden. From 2014.

Mark Watson attempts to answer more big questions and make sense of life.

He's assisted by Tim Key and Tom Basden.

This time, Mark looks at 'Longevity'.

It's the big one - dear old Mr Death. Can we beat him?

Since time began, his win/lose record has been around 190 billion/1 (that's accepting Jesus rose from the dead, and maybe allowing a few draws for people who've been cryonically frozen, etc). Much of the world seems to be obsessed with the task of trying to defy age' and deny the inevitable - but is there actually a case for not wanting to live too long, because the world starts to become too confusing and your place in it less and less secure?

Mark dishes up some examples of ways this is already happening to him. Key and Basden attempt to persuade Mark the true glory of life is in enjoying it, not drawing it out endlessly.

Everyone asks the question - who really wants to live forever?

Written and performed by Mark Watson.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2014.

Despite the obsession with trying to defy age, is there a case for not living too long?

Mark Watson asks who wants to live forever? Should life be more quality not quantity? With Tim Key and Tom Basden. From 2014.

0201Work And Play2016082320160830/31 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Mark Watson considers work and play.

How can we find the right balance between them? Do we get more out of life from flogging ourselves at the coalface, or messing about at the coalface, or do we not even have to go to the coalface at all?

Multi-award winning Mark Watson is assisted and impeded in equal measure by henchmen Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale, as he revives his quest to make some sort of sense of life against the backdrop of a world that, in recent times, has come to seem even more peculiar than usual.

The tenacious trio take on some of human life's central topics - family, spirituality, Scandinavia. Watson peddles his unique, high-octane stand-up while Simmons and Adamsdale chip in with interjections which include (but are not limited to) music, shopping lists, life advice, stunts, avant-garde offerings and divvy interactions.

Expect big laughs, controlled chaos and an attempt to answer the one question none of us can quite escape from - what exactly is going on?

An Impatient production for Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2016.

Mark Watson attempts to make sense of life, assisted by Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale.

0202Possessions2016083020160906/07 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Mark Watson discusses our need for possessions.

We spend a lot of life accruing stuff. Does it really make us happy? Would we be better off throwing it all in the river? Is there a middle ground where we can throw most of it in the lake, but keep our car because it's useful?

Multi-award winning Mark Watson is assisted and impeded in equal measure by henchmen Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale, in his quest to make some sort of sense of life, against the backdrop of a world that has, in recent times, come to seem even more peculiar than usual.

The tenacious trio take on some of human life's central topics - family, spirituality, Scandinavia. Watson peddles his unique, high-octane stand-up while Simmons and Adamsdale chip in with interjections which include (but are not limited to) music, shopping lists, life advice, stunts, avant-garde offerings and divvy interactions.

Expect big laughs, controlled chaos and an attempt to answer the one question none of us can quite escape from - what exactly is going on?

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2016.

Mark Watson attempts to make sense of life, assisted by Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale.

0203Family2016090620160913/14 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Mark Watson looks at family.

It's often considered the staple of a happy existence, but does family life enrich us or merely guarantee hang-ups and frustrations? We can't live without our families, but should we feel bad for wanting to?

Multi-award winning Mark Watson is assisted and impeded in equal measure by henchmen Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale, in his quest to make some sort of sense of life, against the backdrop of a world that has, in recent times, come to seem even more peculiar than usual.

The tenacious trio take on some of human life's central topics - family, spirituality, Scandinavia. Watson peddles his unique, high-octane stand-up while Simmons and Adamsdale chip in with interjections which include (but are not limited to) music, shopping lists, life advice, stunts, avant-garde offerings and divvy interactions.

Expect big laughs, controlled chaos and an attempt to answer the one question none of us can quite escape from - what exactly is going on?

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2016.

Mark Watson attempts to make sense of life, assisted by Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale.

0204Spirituality2016091320160920/21 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Mark Watson investigates spirituality.

The human spirit, or soul, can be a controversial idea. We cannot see it, yet many people insist it is there - similar to Pokemon. Is there a life beyond death and, if there is, will we like it?

Multi-award winning Mark Watson is assisted and impeded in equal measure by henchmen Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale, in his quest to make some sort of sense of life, against the backdrop of a world that has, in recent times, come to seem even more peculiar than usual.

The tenacious trio take on some of human life's central topics - family, spirituality, Scandinavia. Watson peddles his unique, high-octane stand-up while Simmons and Adamsdale chip in with interjections which include (but are not limited to) music, shopping lists, life advice, stunts, avant-garde offerings and divvy interactions.

Expect big laughs, controlled chaos and an attempt to answer the one question none of us can quite escape from - what exactly is going on?

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2016.

Mark Watson attempts to make sense of life, assisted by Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale.

0205Legacy2016092020160927/28 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Multi-award-winning Mark Watson, assisted and impeded in equal measure by henchmen Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale, revives his quest to make some sort of sense of life, against the backdrop of a world, in recent times, has come to seem even more peculiar than usual.

The tenacious trio take on some of human life's central topics - family, spirituality, Scandinavia. Watson peddles his unique, high-octane stand-up while Simmons and Adamsdale chip in with interjections which include (but are not limited to) music, shopping lists, life advice, stunts, avant-garde offerings and divvy interactions.

Expect big laughs, controlled chaos and an attempt to answer the one question none of us can quite escape from - what exactly is going on?

This week's topic is legacy. How will the world see us after we've gone, and is it really important? The trio consider their reputations, prepare their wills, and look the end in the face in this penultimate episode of the series.

Mark Watson is a multi-award winning comedian, including the inaugural If.Comedy Panel Prize 2006. He is assisted by Sam Simmons, winner of Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award 2015 and Will Adamsdale who won the the Perrier Comedy Award in 2004.

Produced by Lianne Coop

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4.

Mark Watson attempts to make sense of life, assisted by Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale.

This week's topic is legacy. How will the world see us after we've gone, and is it really important? The trio consider their reputations, prepare their wills, and look the end in the face in this penultimate episode of the series.

0206 LASTScandinavia2016092720161004/05 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
The multi-award winning comic Mark Watson, assisted and impeded in equal measure by henchmen Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale, as he revives his quest to make sense of life against the backdrop of a world that, in recent times, has come to appear even more peculiar than usual.

The tenacious trio take on some of human life's central topics - family, spirituality, Scandinavia. Watson peddles his unique, high-octane stand-up while Simmons and Adamsdale chip in with interjections which include (but are not limited to) music, shopping lists, life advice, stunts, avant-garde offerings and divvy interactions.

Expect big laughs, controlled chaos and an attempt to answer the one question none of us can quite escape from - what exactly is going on?

This week, in the final episode of the series, Watson allows Simmons to choose a topic which demonstrates the epitome of Good Living. They've tackled most of human life, but now the trio turn their attention to the biggest of them all - Scandinavia. Is it a northern utopia? Does it even exist?

Mark Watson is a multi-award winning comedian, including the inaugural If.Comedy Panel Prize 2006. He is assisted by Sam Simmons, winner of Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award 2015 and Will Adamsdale who won the the Perrier Comedy Award in 2004.

Produced by Lianne Coop

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4.

Mark Watson attempts to make sense of life, assisted by Sam Simmons and Will Adamsdale.

0301Spring2020030420200311/12 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed quest to make sense of the human experience.

Expect jokes galore and a few songs with Mark aided by the sardonic musical brilliance of Flo and Joan.

And Mark has a fresh comedy friend in each show. For starters, it's Lou Sanders.

A time of new beginnings, lambs and other cliches.

Spring kicks off this series about the four seasons of the year and the seasons of a human life, as Mark - at the halfway point of his expected lifespan - considers what might come next...

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.

Mark Watson continues his doomed quest to understand the world.

0302Summer2020031120200318/19 (BBC7)
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed quest to make sense of the human experience. This time, he is aided by the sardonic musical brilliance of Flo and Joan, and by a different comedy friend in each programme. This week, it's Sofie Hagen.

This new series examines the four seasons of the year and the seasons of a human life, as Mark - at the halfway point of his expected lifespan - considers what might come next. This week, Mark and his guests look at Summer - the prime of life, the highpoint of the year, and soon to be the only season we'll have!

As always, there's a huge number of jokes, some songs, and an awful lot of other stuff crammed into each show as the much-loved comic and his team make their way through life at dizzying speed.

Produced by Lianne Coop.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Mark Watson continues his doomed quest to understand the world.

0303Autumn2020031820200325/26 (BBC7)
/23/24 (BBC7)
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his examination of the four seasons of the year and the seasons of a human life, as Mark - at the halfway point of his expected lifespan - considers what might come next.

Mark and his guests take on Autumn - the season of falling leaves and (in some cases) falling expectations of life.

With the sardonic musical brilliance of Flo and Joan and special guest Jen Brister.

As always, there's a huge number of jokes, some songs, and an awful lot of other stuff crammed into each show as the much-loved comic and his guests make their way through life at dizzying speed.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.

Mark Watson continues his doomed quest to understand the world.

0304 LASTWinter2020032520200401/02 (BBC7)
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed quest to make sense of the human experience. He's aided by the sardonic musical brilliance of Flo and Joan, and by a different comedy friend in each programme. This time, it's Jess Fostekew.

This new series examines the four seasons of the year and the seasons of a human life, as Mark - at the halfway point of his expected lifespan - considers what might come next. In this final programme in the series, Mark and his guests look at the pros and cons of Winter.

Pros - Christmas.

Cons - the end of the year reminds us that all things must die.

As always, there's a huge number of jokes, some songs, and an awful lot of other stuff crammed into each show as the much-loved comic and his guests make their way through life at dizzying speed.

Produced by Lianne Coop.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Mark Watson continues his doomed quest to understand the world.

0401Monday's Child Is...2023021420230221 (BBC7)Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.

This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week, starting here with Monday. Why are we so attached to traditional wisdom like 'Monday's child is fair of face'? Why do so many of us dread the start of each week? And what is the biggest pig ever to be born?

Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - we kick off with Jayde Adams.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning comedian Mark Watson re-embarks on his doomed quest to understand life.

0402Tuesday's Child Is...2023022120230228 (BBC7)Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.

This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week - tonight it's Tuesday. What does 'full of grace' mean in a secular world? Why is it so hard to swim in a straight line? And why did a crumpet almost wreck Mark's relationship with his son?

Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - this time it's the turn of Angela Barnes.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning comedian Mark Watson re-embarks on his doomed quest to understand life.

0403Wednesday's Child Is...2023022820230307 (BBC7)Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.

This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week, tonight considering 'hump day' - Wednesday. Wednesday's child, famously, is full of woe. Both Mark and Esther are in this category. Is the woe a real issue or merely a fairy tale? What is the bleakest joke ever told by a four-year-old? And what would Thomas Hardy make of this series?

Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - here, we welcome Esther Manito.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning comedian Mark Watson re-embarks on his doomed quest to understand life.

0404Thursday's Child Is...2023030720230314 (BBC7)Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.

This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week, tonight considering Thursday. What does it mean to have 'far to go'? What was the lowpoint of Mark's career on the Waitrose checkout? And who does his mother consider 'a waste of space'?

Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - we are lucky tonight to have Sikisa.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning comedian Mark Watson re-embarks on his doomed quest to understand life.

0405Friday's Child Is...2023031420230321 (BBC7)Multi-award-winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.

This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week. We've got as far as Friday. Friday's child is loving and giving. How do you reconcile that with getting what you want in life? Why does Mark's son think he goes out with Nicole Kidman? And why did he urgently need £35 recently?

Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - tonight, we say hello to Felicity Ward.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning comedian Mark Watson re-embarks on his doomed quest to understand life.

0406 LASTSaturday's Child Is...2023032120230328 (BBC7)Multi-award-winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.

This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We've been making our way through the working week and tonight we reward ourselves with the weekend. Saturday's child 'works hard for a living'. But is that really what life's about? Would it be better to simply smell the flowers, like Sunday's child? Also, why did Mark recently claim to have been in prison?

Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as is Mark aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - tonight, we close it out with Zoe Lyons.

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning-comedian Mark Watson re-embarks on his doomed quest to understand life.