Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

Hazelbeach repeats on Radio 4 Extra. Is it just me?

(3 Posts)
Add comment | Report
Betony Wed 23-Sept-26 22:28:51

I've tried listening to the repeats of a series called Hazelbeach on BBC Radio 4 Extra. The eponymous character is meant to be a funny rogue who has taken up illegal residence in the house another rather feeble character has supposed to inherit.

I've loved characters like Arthur Daley and the Fools and Horses guys, but I find this Hazelbeach character somehow just creepy and nasty. Not a laugh there; just a shiver. Particularly the most recent episode concerning a baby lamb which bleated throughout, and whose fate was left open, although, in the so called 'darkly funny' style of the script, presumably sealed. I feel the writers who are quite famous (Caroline and David Stafford) have given us a show based on an atmosphere of discomfort flavoured with cruelty and which smacks of mocking characters they perceive as weak, and open to be taken advantage of. Ugh. Be interested to hear if anyone has had the same reaction. As I say, it might be just me.

Add comment | Report
Graphite Wed 23-Sept-26 23:49:18

This was just Series 1 Episode 1 setting the scene where Nick has returned from abroad after the death of his father and tries to find out what Ronnie’s relationship with him was.

I see this ran for three series over 2007 to 2010 so there’s a lot more to come.

I think the lamb was just meant to signify that Ronnie’s a ducker and a diver not averse to taking things that don’t belong to him.

The British Comedy Guide has a brief synopsis of each episode. The general theme seems to be that Nick is a bit dull (so much so that Chloe ended up with the horrible James) and Ronnie’s haphazard lifestyle gets both he and Nick into a lot of rather surreal scrapes.

Just a bit of fun really. I didn’t see it as dark, cruel or mocking.

www.comedy.co.uk/radio/hazelbeach/episodes/1/

Add comment | Report
cc Fri 25-Sept-26 15:49:58

I don't like this programme either, have heard it before and know that some episodes been repeated recently.
I'm getting pretty hacked off with R4Extra in general, they seem to repeat programmes far too quickly and it's overloaded with unfunny repeats such as the Goon show.
I also don't enjoy the "Comedy Hour" and the continuity sections within this, with a few exceptions many of the programmes are not funny at all.
With the vast resources of the BBC Archives you'd think that they could come up with more varied (and better) programming. For example, currently there is a good serial airing, Paid Servant by ER Braithwaite, a sequel to "To Sir with Love" which I am hearing for the first time.

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise