Within fictional radio programs, there are a selection of genres that contain typical codes
and conventions that are typically followed to ensure success. There are serial radio dramas
which have existed for a long time. The first notable one was the British show Mrs Dale’s
Diary which started in 1948 on BBC. It continued for over 20 years until 1969. Shows like
these are created so that they can be continually produced over a long period of time,
providing new and original content and ideas until the writers decide for the show to end.
The main genre here is drama, where the tone of the program is typically very serious and
revolves around the development and dialogues between various characters, usually telling
a typical narrative story. Although these can be serial, meaning running for as long as
possible, similar to a sitcom on TV, they can also be limited to a few series’. This format is
used when telling a linear story that can either have a conclusion or contain continuity
between episodes. Popular examples of this include the comedy show The Hitchhiker’s
Guide to the Galaxy, which started in 1978 and aired for only six episodes in its first season.
This format can also be used to rerun, meaning that the same episodes can be continually
shown for years on end sometimes. The production costs of radio series are typically lower
than serials, which require new episodes constantly. Comedy shows use series’ because it
gives the writers more time to create jokes and funny situations, as opposed to the typically
serial drama, where new episodes are cranked out constantly. Lastly there are one off
shows. This format is typically reserved for special events. Star Wars was adapted into a one
off radio show for BBC Radio 1 in the 80s and split into 13 parts to be aired as a continual
storyline. These are more comparable to feature films, as they have a very linear and
traditional plot structure with a beginning, middle and conclusion.
As radio is a medium that relies a lot on imagination, comedy tends to use this to create
surreal or intangible and impossible situations, whereas drama needs to subtly contain
actions described in the dialogue unless a narrator is used.
Comedies on radio can take the same form as those on TV: sitcoms, sketch shows, panel
shows, the most successful of which is probably variety shows, which contains the likes of
“The Goon Show” and “Round the Horne” using the same episode format in each episode to
establish catchphrases, recurring characters and running jokes. Radio dramas are also
similar to their TV counterparts and can take the form of serials or soap operas like The
Archers.
The first show I looked at was The Goon Show, which is in the comedy genre. The codes,
conventions and idiosyncrasies that present themselves in this program included the heavy
use of catchphrases, exaggerated and over the top performances (used to emphasise the
acting as it is limited without visuals), and sound effects used with the intention of comedy
or as punchlines for jokes. There are annual seasons of around 25 self contained episodes
and a weekly broadcast schedule for this. The show cleverly uses musical interludes of full
songs throughout each episode to break up each comedy bit. While the small cast play
multiple characters, there are recurring characters in the show, and every single broadcast
has its own unique spin with original content. The primary audience for this show and genre
as a whole is wide, and it is clearly made to be accessible by anyone and everyone looking
for a short burst of humor.
The next radio broadcast I discovered was Death on the Nile, which is more dramatic than
the aforementioned “Goon Show” and is a radio adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel (the
same actors played the same characters throughout multiple serials). It was first aired in
1997 and contains five episodes making up a single story serial. These episodes were all
shown over the course of one week, Monday through Friday. The serial has a large cast, and
only minor roles are doubled up. The performances are natural and convincing, and are
clearly intended to be taken seriously by the audience, as opposed to Goon Show, where
performances are more abstract and crude for comedic effect. Sound effects are used
throughout to support and illustrate each physical action, most of which are described in
the dialogue. There is music, but it is only used during the opening and closing themes and
to establish a scene or set a mood. I believe that the demographic for this show would be
slightly older, (and possibly more female) than Goon Show because of its more serious
theme.
and conventions that are typically followed to ensure success. There are serial radio dramas
which have existed for a long time. The first notable one was the British show Mrs Dale’s
Diary which started in 1948 on BBC. It continued for over 20 years until 1969. Shows like
these are created so that they can be continually produced over a long period of time,
providing new and original content and ideas until the writers decide for the show to end.
The main genre here is drama, where the tone of the program is typically very serious and
revolves around the development and dialogues between various characters, usually telling
a typical narrative story. Although these can be serial, meaning running for as long as
possible, similar to a sitcom on TV, they can also be limited to a few series’. This format is
used when telling a linear story that can either have a conclusion or contain continuity
between episodes. Popular examples of this include the comedy show The Hitchhiker’s
Guide to the Galaxy, which started in 1978 and aired for only six episodes in its first season.
This format can also be used to rerun, meaning that the same episodes can be continually
shown for years on end sometimes. The production costs of radio series are typically lower
than serials, which require new episodes constantly. Comedy shows use series’ because it
gives the writers more time to create jokes and funny situations, as opposed to the typically
serial drama, where new episodes are cranked out constantly. Lastly there are one off
shows. This format is typically reserved for special events. Star Wars was adapted into a one
off radio show for BBC Radio 1 in the 80s and split into 13 parts to be aired as a continual
storyline. These are more comparable to feature films, as they have a very linear and
traditional plot structure with a beginning, middle and conclusion.
As radio is a medium that relies a lot on imagination, comedy tends to use this to create
surreal or intangible and impossible situations, whereas drama needs to subtly contain
actions described in the dialogue unless a narrator is used.
Comedies on radio can take the same form as those on TV: sitcoms, sketch shows, panel
shows, the most successful of which is probably variety shows, which contains the likes of
“The Goon Show” and “Round the Horne” using the same episode format in each episode to
establish catchphrases, recurring characters and running jokes. Radio dramas are also
similar to their TV counterparts and can take the form of serials or soap operas like The
Archers.
The first show I looked at was The Goon Show, which is in the comedy genre. The codes,
conventions and idiosyncrasies that present themselves in this program included the heavy
use of catchphrases, exaggerated and over the top performances (used to emphasise the
acting as it is limited without visuals), and sound effects used with the intention of comedy
or as punchlines for jokes. There are annual seasons of around 25 self contained episodes
and a weekly broadcast schedule for this. The show cleverly uses musical interludes of full
songs throughout each episode to break up each comedy bit. While the small cast play
multiple characters, there are recurring characters in the show, and every single broadcast
has its own unique spin with original content. The primary audience for this show and genre
as a whole is wide, and it is clearly made to be accessible by anyone and everyone looking
for a short burst of humor.
The next radio broadcast I discovered was Death on the Nile, which is more dramatic than
the aforementioned “Goon Show” and is a radio adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel (the
same actors played the same characters throughout multiple serials). It was first aired in
1997 and contains five episodes making up a single story serial. These episodes were all
shown over the course of one week, Monday through Friday. The serial has a large cast, and
only minor roles are doubled up. The performances are natural and convincing, and are
clearly intended to be taken seriously by the audience, as opposed to Goon Show, where
performances are more abstract and crude for comedic effect. Sound effects are used
throughout to support and illustrate each physical action, most of which are described in
the dialogue. There is music, but it is only used during the opening and closing themes and
to establish a scene or set a mood. I believe that the demographic for this show would be
slightly older, (and possibly more female) than Goon Show because of its more serious
theme.
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