The Skewer is a topical radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and as a podcast on BBC Sounds. Created and produced by Jon Holmes, the 15 or 30 minute episodes are a sound collage which combine topical soundbites with excerpts from popular culture, historical quotations and songs, often in unsettling or surreal ways.
| Genre | Topical/Sketch comedy |
|---|---|
| Running time | 15/30 minutes |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Home station | BBC Radio 4 |
| Produced by | Jon Holmes |
| Original release | 8 January 2020 |
The programme is created using Avid Pro Tools[1] and is designed to be heard through headphones, making use of binaural techniques.[2] The series has an "open door" writing policy,[1] with ideas and soundscapes being added just a few hours before broadcast.[3]
Following a pilot episode on 4 April 2019[2][4] The Skewer has run for eleven series since 8 January 2020.[5]
Reception
Miranda Sawyer in The Observer describes the programme as "Nightmare, or dream? Funny and strange, like all good things." and compared it to the work of Chris Morris.[6]
"A surreal flow of snippets - news and views, music and memories - melded into a huge orchestral piece of compelling originality. The Skewer is satire at its cleverest, both biting and beautiful. If you could listen to a Francis Bacon painting, this is what it would sound like.” - Radio Academy Awards
Awards
- 2022 Radio Academy Award for Best Comedy [7]
- 2022 NYF Awards Best Comedy
- 2022 NYF Awards Innovation
- 2022 NYF Sound Art
- 2022 British Comedy Guide Awards (finalist)
- 2022 BBC Audio & Drama Awards Best Comedy (finalist)
- 2022 Audio Production Award for Sound Design (Gold)
- 2022 Audio Production Award for Best Comedy Producer
- 2022 British Podcast Awards Best Comedy (nominee)
- 2021 New York Festival Award for Best Comedy
- 2021 New York Festival Award for Innovation
- 2021 New York Festival Award for Sound Art
- 2021 Radio Academy Award for Best Comedy [8]
- 2021 Radio Academy Awards: Best New Show, Silver[8]
- 2021 Radio Academy Award for Best New Show
- 2021 BBC Audio and Drama Awards for Best Comedy
- 2021 Audio Production Award for Best Comedy Producer
- 2021 British Podcast Award for Best Radio Podcast
- 2020 New York Festival Award for Sound Art
- 2020 British Podcast Award for Best Radio Podcast
- 2020 Audio Production Awards for Best Comedy Producer
- 2020 BBC Radio and Music Awards for Best Comedy
- 2020 Chortle Awards (nominee)
