404 Funny

The theme behind this final 404 Special of 2011 is Town and Country, and the Strange People Within. These inhabitants include a humanoid mass of vegetable matter, a caveman, an advocate of self-immolation, some racoons with a penchant for arson, historical re-enactors who'd rather be in a different time and/or place, a potential borderline schizophrenic, and even some Americans. If, perchance, you should fit into one or more of these categories, please direct your green-inked letters of complaint to Carla Ulbrich, Flat 29, Paul & Storm, Jay Foreman, Tony Goldmark, Morning Sidekick, Eric Coleman, TVs Kyle, Baldbox featuring Possible Oscar, and Rob Paravonian rather than your host Richard Cray, who was only following orders from a giant invisible rabbit with the voice of Freddie Mercury. Music was provided by Mevio's Music Alley at music.mevio.com and by kind permssion of Flat 29, Jay Foreman, and Rob Paravonian. Visit 404media.blogspot.com for links to artist websites...and buy something from them. Happy N

In the first of two new 404 Specials to close 2011, Richard Cray chooses another selection of songs about the art of songwriting and the biz of music in general. Featuring live recordings from Worm Quartet and Matt Griffo, plus parodies, mash-ups, and ego-shredding satirical comment from Devo Spice, Dino-Mike, Conscripted, Morning Sidekick, Project Sisyphus, Moneyshot Cosmonauts, and Bob Ricci. Music provided by Mevio's Music Alley at music.mevio.com and by kind permission of Matt Griffo and Mark Glatt. Visit 404media.blogspot.com for links to artist websites.

NEW!! Richard Cray returns with a freshly-picked selection of Christmas comedy songs to see you through the horrors of the festive season. FEATURING: Robert Lund & Spaff, Crankshaft & The Gear Grinders, Rob Paravonian, Moneyshot Cosmonauts, Steve Goodie, Mind Map That, Jacob Haller, and Nice Peter. Music provided by Mevio's Music Alley at music.mevio.com, and by kind permission of Rob Paravonian at robprocks.com. Full tracklisting and links to all artists can be found at 404media.blogspot.com. Joyeux Noel, mes amies!

NEW!! Nearly 34 minutes of continuous comedic weirdness direct from somewhere. Radiophonic holdall consultant John Dredge invites you and your team of aardvarks into his odd yet peculiar cubic audio realm. Featuring the following fabulous featured features: At Home with The Human League, The Adventures of Basil the Cylinder, and an exclusive Open University lecture on cutlery. PLUS partly-acclaimed avant-garde film director David Lynch showcases an awful track from his new album. So tune in and remember: never put a washing machine inside another washing machine as it gets confusing – I speak from personal experience. Features featured features not featured in the version premiered on Resonance FM!

A short preview of what's in store on The John Dredge Nothing to Do with Xmas Show, coming to 404 Funny on December 21st. However, eager beavers amongst you will be delighted to know that an edited version of the show is to be broadcast on London's Resonance 104.4 FM at 22.30 GMT on December 8th. To find out how to listen live and become the envy of your neighbourhood wherever you are in the world, visit resonancefm.com.

With Alan Sugar's MacBeth closing to an indifferent public, Mary Christmas enjoys some down time on Brad Pitt's yacht over the summer as rehearsals begin for the Amstrad chief's new musical with some industrial action. Just another ordinary July and August, then. Mary would like it to be known that it is purely the decision of Maggie Gordon-Walker as to whether she returns to 404 Funny. If you've an addictive personality and have finished reading Closer for the week, don't forget that you can keep up with the very latest developments in Steeple Bumstead throughout the coming months by visiting twitter.com/marychristmasxx.

John Dredge, who can currently be found, presents the best bits from his seven-part Not on TV Show. It's exciting and the sound of now, even though it was recorded in the spring of 2009. Stay subscribed to 404 Funny for some new and previously unheard material from John both in and on the not-too-distant futon.

Mary Christmas reveals what happened before, during, and after the opening night of Steeple Bumstead's celebrity version of MacBeth, which saw the reviews flood in and Jedward walk out. So not all bad news, then. Alan Sugar, meanwhile, starts to wish he hadn't started the whole shooting match...before moving onto a new artistic venture. For the latest breaking news in Steeple Bumstead, troll along to twitter.com/marychristmasxx. Mary Christmas is brought to you by the generosity of Her Majesty's Constabulary and Maggie Gordon-Walker.

This, the fourth of four episodes, vaults into the land of holdalls for one final burst of audio chicanery. A load of microscopes will be on sale, and John will be singing through a special sieve to increase radiophonic density. Normality be gone - here comes an electronic wigwam. PLEASE NOTE: this week’s show is oblongular. Listen with appropriate oblong constructions at hand. Thank you, Muriel.

Spring in Steeple Bumstead saw preparations well underway for the season's two major productions: Prince William's nuptials and Alan Sugar's MacBeth. But only one of them led to police action. Mary Christmas was on the scene to capture all the childish behaviour and celebrity tantrums there was to witness. For the very latest Steeple Bumstead news, visit twitter.com/MaryChristmasxx. Mary would like it to be known that she is every bit Maggie Gordon-Walker's equal.

This week's show includes little tunes from beyond your own vantage point. Several sports reports will be destroyed in a controlled explosion, and there’s the regular radio gang of twenty-five million aardvarks who will attempt something for you and yours. Why not write in and we’ll return your letters unopened free of charge. PLEASE NOTE: this week’s show is like a mango. Please hold up a mango when listening in. Thank you.

Mary Christmas breaks off from writing letters to prisoners to bring you more celebrity tittle-tattle - more tattle than tittle, to be honest. The casting for Alan Sugar's production of The Scottish Play is revealed - will there be a role for Kenneth Branagh? What do you think? Keep up-to-date with the very latest Steeple Bumstead gossip at twitter.com/MaryChristmasxx. Mary would like it to be known that she is owned by Maggie Gordon-Walker, who has fallen behind on payments.

This week’s episode simply cannot be gainsayed, and involves light sabres for one and all. Backing music is provided by the Frinton Cubic Choir, led by the Reverend James Cylindrical. Crashing noises are supplied by Mr Ulock Chaydds in a cameo role. PLEASE NOTE: This week’s show is green. Please wear suitable attire, such as a sturdy green inflatable bowler hat with the word ‘TWING’ on it. No further questions can be accepted at this time.

Mary Christmas returns with more delusions of grandeur and tall tales from her celebrity journal, including Alan Sugar's introduction into the world of theatre production. Keep up-to-date with the goings-on in Steeple Bumstead and Mary's own head at twitter.com/MaryChristmasxx. Mary would like it to be known that she is owned by Maggie Gordon-Walker.

NEW! John Dredge returns with a show that features not only the sounds of tomorrow, such as a teacup in mid-air, but also valuable wheelbarrow information and, of course, radiophonic trundling. PLEASE NOTE: This show involves audio lampposts. Stand well back and deactivatatronalise until ready. Thank you.

NEW!! Siren and love trainer Mary Christmas makes her 404 Funny debut with a six-part serialization of entries from her journal, full of the sort of spurious celebrity tittle-tattle that used to appear in certain tabloid newspapers before all of the journalists within a mile's radius of Wapping were arrested. Keep fully up-to-date with the goings-on in Steeple Bumstead at twitter.com/MaryChristmasxx. Mary would like it to be known that she is currently in the sole care of her appropriate adult, Maggie Gordon-Walker.

Pegabovine get excited about sheep, are visited by their landlord, and unveil a Biblical epic. Featuring Stuart Goldsmith, currently appearing in ITV1's Show Me the Funny. Plus a song from singer-songwriter Kat Flint, Cultural Correspondent Julie Bower, Samuel Hutchinson, Chris Boyd, Lewis James, and the lonely poet Luke Kennard.

Another chance to hear more excerpts from Comedy 365's two trips to the Edinburgh Fringe, including a performance from Show Me the Funny contender Alfie Moore. Also featured are Lorcan McGrane, Jen Warren, Dee Custance, and Eric Kirchberger. Recorded in August 2009 at The White Horse, Canongate, as part of Sowerby & Luff's All Stars.

First podcast from Pegabovine (Matthew Henry Johnson, Luke Kennard, Jenny Sutton, and Tom "Davis" Wateracre), in which everything's clunkily set up, with the expectation that the gags will pay off some time later. Also featuring Stuart Goldsmith (currently one of the contenders in ITV1’s Show Me the Funny), Girl & Dean (Jess Ransom & Sarah Dean), Like A Thief, Luke Kennard, and Loo Brealey.

Another chance to hear some excerpts from Comedy 365's two trips to the Edinburgh Fringe, including a performance from from Show Me the Funny contender Alfie Moore. Also featured are Doug Faulkner, Jon Brittain, Tom Wateracre, Rosie Wilby, and James Shakeshaft & David LE Davis. Recorded in August 2008 at Dragonfly, West Port, as part of Sex Tips for Pandas, which was hosted by and co-produced with Sowerby & Luff.