It’s Not Us, It’s Them: Series 1-3

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

By: Jack Docherty

Narrated by: Jack Docherty, Kerry Godliman, Fiona Allen, Charlie Higson, Ms Laura Aikman, Sally Bretton, Katherine Parkinson, full cast

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

All three series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy about love, marriage and despair, initially broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as Start/Stop. 

Barney and Cathy. Evan and Fiona. David and Alice. Three couples who have beaten the odds and stayed married - but is that simply because they haven’t got around to divorcing yet? They’ve certainly got enough problems to deal with - Barney and his other half have been together for ages (and it shows), Evan finds that sparks are constantly flying with Fiona (and not always in a good way), and David is afraid his sexy, much younger wife will leave him for someone (anyone) else.

In these three series, we follow this group of friends throughout weekends away and tricky date nights, weddings and funerals, Christmas celebrations and counselling sessions - all of which give them plenty of opportunity for flirting, fighting, competitiveness and reprehensible behaviour. We listen in to their innermost thoughts, feelings and motivations as they break the fourth wall: stopping the action, explaining themselves to the audience, then starting it all up again.

Written by award-winning comedian, actor and writer Jack Docherty, who plays Barney, this warm, smart and funny sitcom was a radio hit and was adapted for TV as part of BBC One’s Comedy Playhouse strand. It stars Charlie Higson as David, Jon Thomson as Evan, Kerry Godliman as Cathy, Fiona Allen as Fiona, and Katherine Parkinson, Sally Bretton and Laura Aikman as Alice. Guest stars include Jon Briggs, Sanjeev Bhaskar and John Sparkes.

Cast
Barney……………………Jack Docherty
Cathy……………………Kerry Godliman
Fiona……………………Fiona Allen
David……………………Charlie Higson
Evan……………………Jon Thomson
Alice……………………Katherine Parkinson/Sally Bretton/Laura Aikman
Voice of Barney’s smartphone……………………Jon Briggs
Therapist……………………Sanjeev Bhaskar
Cathy’s Dad……………………John Sparkes

Written by Jack Docherty
Produced by Steven Canny (series 1) and Claire Jones (series 2 and 3)
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 6 September-11 October 2013 (series 1), 10 November-29 December 2014 (series 2), 29 July-2 September 2016 (series 3)
This programme was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as Start/Stop

©2019 Jack Docherty (P)2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Outstanding Fun

Everything about the series is fun. The writing, the actors, and the production are all excellent. Sorry it ended.

Hilarious series, but annoying back noise

The site itself is very funny, but there’s an annoying back noise in the background that sounds also like another radio show playing in the background. I expect better from an audio recording.

best humor ever

I cried with laughter, so punchy and unexpected. loved it! the actors, the writers wonderful humor and slapstick timing. loved loved LOVED IT!

It’s us and them!

They are flawed individuals but who amongst us can judge? It is very entertaining though. I’ve listened to it countless times.

Funny and real. Very entertaining.

Anyone who's been in a relationship will relate to it. Very easy to listen to.

For everyone who feels they are “making do” with life!

As a Jack Docherty fan for 30 years or more (from his time on “Absolutely”) I was not sure what to expect, however the insightful script delivered by a brilliant cast with first class production makes this one of THE best relationship comedies ever. The occasional breaking of the audio “fourth wall” is a nice touch btw. Barney is the tortured soul and Cathy or Kathy his wife, equally tortured but long suffering, contrast with the tempestuously rutting pair of Evan and Fiona, all of whom have to deal with the insufferable David and the evidently gorgeous Alice. I just love the language and dynamics that develop. Highly recommended for everyone who feels they are “making do” with life!

Amusing, if a tad silly

I am a big fan of Kerry Godliman so gave this a go. It was amusing, a little predictable and very silly. The ending was unexpected and totally ridiculous. I'm not sure how much I'd recommend it. I'd have to say, it passed the time.

Hilarious

A strong cast and great writing. First listened on Radio 4 when it was called Start Stop. So good to find it available on here. Kerry Godliman is brilliant as Kathy

An excellent laugh out loud series

I never tire of listening to this. Originally known as Start Stop, I think this title works better. It can be heard that the cast enjoyed working together and even though Alice has different actresses playing her, it still works. The performance review needed way more then 5 stars. I'd love them to do an updated series to see what happened to them all.

loved it! Great listen and very funny

loved it! Great listen and very funny, easy listening so you could pick it back up easily after listening to something else

great listen

if your married you will find yourself laughing out loud, treat yourself to a giggle

loved it

It is an amusing concept and i really enjoyed this. Some well known voices here.

Fantastic

This has to be one of the best radio comedy shows ever written. Great cast, great script and great plots. if only there were more episode's to come.

Hillarious!!

This is the best radio comedy I have listened to for a long time. Recommend to anyone middle aged and married!