The Story of Light Entertainment

Episode 1

Double Acts

90 mins

Episode 2

All-Round Entertainers

90 mins

Straight from the Victorian music halls with their traditional mix of song, dance and comic skit came the tradition of the all round entertainer - an artiste who could 'do it all'.

Episode 3

Radio Stars

90 mins

In the 1930s and 1940s the biggest names in entertainment were the stars of the radio and over 60 years later it is still home to some of the biggest names around.

Episode 4

The Comics

90 mins

In the 21st century, comedy is firmly at the very heart of light entertainment and, far from struggling for their art, comedians stand to make a fortune if they hit the nation's funny bone.

Episode 5

Pop and Easy Listening

90 mins

Episode 6

Impressionists

90 mins

Sixty years ago impressionists were the poor relations of comedy and relatively small players in radio and variety, but since the birth of the genre, impressionism pushed boundaries in an attempt to make us laugh with its audacity.

Episode 7

Chat Shows

90 mins

The chat show is one of light entertainment's most successful and most enduring formats. This programme takes in everything from tearful celebs and transatlantic flights to fake guests and drunken brawls.

Episode 8

Variety

90 mins

Tracing the roots of light entertainment, from variety to Strictly Come Dancing and all points in between. This week the focus is on variety shows.