iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Paul Kerensa

The British Broadcasting Century podcast @bbcentury.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Writing tips from the BBC's first comedy-drama - we still rely on in shows we enjoy today... A Substack is based on our recent podcast on Gertrude Jennings' Five Birds in a Cage from Nov 1923, thanks to Prof Tim Crook, Dr Caroline Rance and Nicola Morgan paulkerensa.substack.com/p/writing-ti...

paulkerensa.substack.com

Writing tips from the BBC’s first comedy-drama

Five Birds in a Cage was on the BBC in November 1923 - and sets the tone for so much we still enjoy today

042

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

If you're near Chesham, join me next Fri 16 Oct for In Good Company at House of Tree, when the ace David Robinson will be chatting to me about [questions TBC]. Conversational, convivial, entertaining, encouraging: these are all words that may or may not be embodied. houseoftree.co.uk/event-calend...

houseoftree.co.uk

In Good Company – Paul Kerensa | House of Tree

011

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

We lost two Tonys on the weekend. How careless of us. Tony De Meur, aka Ronnie Golden: a superb comic/musician, always a delight to share a show with. Tony Currie: Broadcaster, historian + when he guested on my pod, generous with his time, knowledge + recordings. Glad for the joy they've brought us.

140

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

And we're off! Day 1 at Loughborough University as a part-time postgrad, with Communication & Media and International Relations, Politics and History depts. Great to meet up with my two superbvisors (my stupid word - which won't make the thesis) To the books!

181

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Last night's BBC Make a Difference Awards was inspirational as ever - BBC Radios Sussex/Surrey started this 15 years ago, and gathered many great folks yesterday. I did a 20min whizzthrough of BBC history - plus Amanda from The Traitors, a 1944 Marconi mic, Vic from the Vic + a glitterball trophy.

110

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Not Going Out returns tomorrow - series 15! + a documentary on 20 years of the show. I've worked on 110 episodes (I had 2 eps off), since we first wrote s1 in an Oxford St room that smelled bad cos Lee left a half-finished coffee behind a pot plant for 3 months. Enjoy! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

bbc.co.uk

BBC One - 20 Years of Not Going Out

Lee Mack marks the anniversary with cast interviews, clips and behind-the-scenes access.

030

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My mailing list just went out to all who have subscribed. Want to get the next one? Subscribe: eepurl.com/M6Wbr Want to read this one? Here y'are: mailchi.mp/558c498627f4...

010

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Thanks for all who said cheery things re my upcoming PhD. Gulp! It's part-time, so the gigs continue, inc this week a comedy show at Dersingham Flower Festival, Norfolk. Look at this fine lot! The one-man show continues. Consider booking this chap for your place? They did, and they look happy...

050

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Very glad to undertake a PhD with @lborouniversity.bsky.social - looking at British broadcasting's origin story. Very grateful to supervisors Profs Marcus Collins and Dominic Wring + to all who've supported the @bbcentury.bsky.social podcast + this research rabbit-hole. Six years of study begins...

282

Reposted by Paul Kerensa

The British Broadcasting Century podcast @bbcentury.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

NEW PODCAST EPISODE AHOY! Ep 127: Gertrude Jennings' Five Birds in a Cage - The BBC's First Comedy Drama Our guests are Prof Tim Crook and She Wrote Too podcast's Dr Caroline Rance + Nicola Morgan - on this overlooked writer, whose play was on air 29 Nov 1923 bbcentury.podbean.com/e/127-gertru...

bbcentury.podbean.com

#127 Gertrude Jennings' Five Birds in a Cage - The BBC's First Comedy Drama | The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa

The BBC's first: in-house drama for adults non-Shakespeare drama comedy drama studio production of a modern stage play drama to be reviewed on air writer to be on two channels at once ...however yo...

141

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Very glad to be quoted (and @bbcentury.bsky.social podcast too) in @paul-hayes.bsky.social excellent BBC article on 70 years of Norwich broadcasting (no Alan Partridge mentions...). "TV and radio historian" - I shall wear that wear that badge with pride. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

BBC East celebrates 70 years of broadcasting from Norwich

The BBC set up its first East of England regional service in a converted Georgian mansion in 1956.

083

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Merry September! Comedy & Carols emails have pinged into the inbox this week... So if you have a church, hall, or other venue who might like our festive stand-up-and-singalong show (now in its 18th year), get in touch ASAP. Last few gaps. Then for January 2027 onwards, the diary's open!

020

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Latest events: An Evening of (Very) Old Radio for Gloucester WI, a Guildford Fringe writing workshop + BBC Sunday Morning Live. This week: 2 x Mornings of (Very) Old Radio, a Norfolk gig, writing on a new TV show (new to me) + tonight cheering Not Going Out at the NTAs (cheering at home, that is).

031

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I'll be on BBC1's Sunday Morning Live - this morning, Sunday, live on BBC1. You could probably work that out from the title. 11am-ish looking at some lighter news stories. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

bbc.co.uk

BBC One - Sunday Morning Live, Series 17, 06/09/2026

Live ethical debates on topical issues. Join in online and on social media.

010

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

My first weekend of Sept? Varied as ever: Fri 4th: An Evening of (Very) Old Radio plays Gloucester Sat 5th: My writing workshop at Guildford Fringe. Almost sold out: guildfordfringefestival.com/events/write... Sun 6th: Back on BBC1's Sunday Morning Live, reviewing the news + chewing the coffee. Joy!

guildfordfringefestival.com

Write Soon! A Writing Workshop on Comedy, Character and A Third Thing Beginning With C I Haven’t Thought Of Yet - Guildford Fringe Festival

Learn the essentials of character, comedy, structure and more with British Comedy Award-winning writer Paul Kerensa (BBC’s Miranda, Not Going Out, CBBC, BBC Radio 4, ITV, Channel 4). Whether […]

010

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I presented a Daily Service on Radio 4 Extra this week, and by some modern miracle, for those who want 15mins of spiritual audio nourishment at a later date, live radio has been preserved in internet form here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - Daily Service, Times of Change - Growing up

Christian worship with a Bible reading, prayer and music led by Paul Kerensa.

020

Reposted by Paul Kerensa

Josephine McDermott @josephinemcdermott.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

It was fantastic to speak to fellow BBC broadcasting history nerd and programme-maker Paul Karensa for the most ambitious podcast around charting 100 years of BBC radio. We talked about the start of international radio, the Russian Archers and the New Zealander who became the voice of Albania.

052

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Prayers for all involved in the accident at Big Church Festival. I was due to be there performing tomorrow, and the festival is now cancelled. I'm not on site and know little more. Bless all involved - the injured and those who mourn, and all who support them.

061

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

For wannabe or wannadomore writers, who live near Guildford, I'm running a one-off in-person writing class/talk/workshop/seminar with Guildford Fringe, next Sat 5 Sept. Comedy, character, story, structure, industry, Q&A & more (or less, pending time) Come! guildfordfringefestival.com/events/write...

guildfordfringefestival.com

Write Soon! A Writing Workshop on Comedy, Character and A Third Thing Beginning With C I Haven’t Thought Of Yet - Guildford Fringe Festival

Learn the essentials of character, comedy, structure and more with British Comedy Award-winning writer Paul Kerensa (BBC’s Miranda, Not Going Out, CBBC, BBC Radio 4, ITV, Channel 4). Whether […]

002

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

A grand time performing at Camp Kindling in Kent - a family festival with brutal work from child hecklers. “Which was the main dinosaur around when you were born?” Next show: Big Church Festival this Saturday. May the heckling be kinder… meaning I don’t need to unleash the vicious putdowns.

030

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I made this for radio history nerds like me…

030

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

That time I met the late great Python: WH Smith.

130

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Oh I haven't said... Big Church Festival 2026 Spoken Word stage Saturday 29 August, 5:30pm + 10:30pm Woo.

020

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Agh, the company behind Leicester Comedy Festival (aka Big Difference) has ceased trading. I'm owed ample ticket £ + I feel for others owed sums small or large. Thanks Equity for trying to chase it. I've loved this festival - may entertainment return (I doubt with me!) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Leicester Comedy Festival under threat as operator ceases trading

Leicester Comedy Festival has been held for more than 30 years but its operator has ceased trading.

020

Reposted by Paul Kerensa

The British Broadcasting Century podcast @bbcentury.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

What have BBC promos ever done for Romesh, Cleese, Julie Walters, Lou Reed, Brian Wilson...? My latest Substack - on BBC promos from 1985-2026 via two pubs, TVC reception, God Only Knows at Ally Pally, and reap reap reaping what we sow. paulkerensa.substack.com/p/what-have-...

paulkerensa.substack.com

What have BBC promos ever done for Romesh, Cleese, Julie Walters, Lou Reed, Brian Wilson...?

A man walks into a pub... twice - hoping to save the licence fee.

133

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

My latest podcast, on the tale of 1923's Sheffield station: pre-BBC days, how the BBC took over + its untold role hosting the first broadcast to schools + radio's first bishop. Thanks @dogsbarker.bsky.social for the info! (It's the sort of thing Radio 4 would make if Radio 4 made things like this.)

051

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Didn't we have a lovely time last night at Westbury Festival? A superb audience came to hear how the Beeb began + where it got us. Loads of great questions and comments - and the next Evening of (Very) Old Radio is next Wed in Weston-super-Mare. Then these fine places... Come, or book it for yours.

121

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Raising a glass to fallen clowns today. Kevin and Vladimir - you stormed it.

000

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

An Evening of (Very) Old Radio: The BBC Then and Now heads to Westbury Festival, Wilts this Thursday. Then Weston-super-Mare’s Blakehay Theatre next Wednesday. Come and be informed, educated & entertained. Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin… www.westburyfestival.org.uk/events/an-ev...

westburyfestival.org.uk

Paul Karensa : An Evening of (Very) Old Radio: the BBC then and now

Looking for a great night out with one of Britain's top comedy writers? Don't let the title fool you... this isn't just a talk about the BBC! Paul Kerensa is a British Comedy Award-winning comedian a...

152

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Sad to hear Ed Stourton had died. Journalist, presenter, writer snd historian - he had me on R4 Sunday, I had him on my podcast about his superb book Auntie’s War, with some great stories of the BBC in WW2. Knowledgable, enthusiastic, missed. Glad we had this chat: podfollow.com/bbcentury/ep...

podfollow.com

The British Broadcasting Century with Paul Kerensa: #052 Auntie’s War - with Edward Stourton

The BBC in WW2 is our focus for the third of our summer specials - longer-form chats with brilliant authors and their take on a century of British broadcasting.This time meet Auntie's War author an...

052

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Last week I delighted in heading to Liverpool for Blackburn Diocese’s conference o’plenty for 90mins of comedy, music and magic (yes magic). Great to see many old and new pals, inc the chap who booked me, @alexdjfrost.bsky.social - who has written a funny, fab, street-level book: Our Daily Bread.

031

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

My last Edinburgh was 2015. Before that, six years earlier, 2009. Before that I did it most years since 1997, when I could. It’s become unaffordable, and i miss it. I didn’t really choose to stop doing it. It became not an option.

031

Reposted by Paul Kerensa

Daniel Benneworth-Gray @danielgray.com · 13/07/2026

Sam Neill on tackling depression and imposter syndrome when you’re between jobs.

64107553683

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Tonight’s gig in Sunbury is alas cancelled due to 22ish men having a kickabout. My live show remains available for booking for future dates when England aren’t playing. Book me, and not in a yellow card way. Hmph!

000

Reposted by Paul Kerensa

Elizabeth Darling @archhistdarling.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

It was great to sit down with someone as knowledgable as Paul to discuss #PalaceoftheEther & all things Broadcasting House.

131

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I made this (the podcast, not the building…)

043

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Lovely to be back hosting today's Daily Service on BBC Radio 4 Extra. This week is all about biblical stories adapted for children, so I was asked to talk about my first children's book, Noah's Car Park Ark... www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Daily Service - The Power of Story - Noah's Ark - BBC Sounds

Paul Kerensa explores how Noah’s Ark can make us laugh, ask questions and explore faith.

040

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Maidstone folks or nearby: Tomorrow my one-man stand-up show visits All Saints Loose. Which sounds like an ecclesiastical police warning. All Saints Loose! Quick! Gather them up! I've got St Peter, but you grab St Ivel... (doing here so I won't there) www.allsaintsloose.org.uk/events/an-ev...

allsaintsloose.org.uk

An Evening With Paul Kerensa - All Saints Loose

Join us for a relaxed and entertaining evening with award-winning comedian, writer, and broadcaster Paul Kerensa. Known for his work on BBC shows including Miranda, Not Going Out, and Top Gear, Paul b...

010

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

A joy to join (woo) Gary Davies (on your radio) for Radio 2's Pause for Thought, now on BBC Sounds: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p... Saw Sara Cox too + wished her well for Monday's Breakfast Show rein-taking. My next radio slot? Oh sure, it's Monday (6 July) 9:45am for Radio 4 Extra's Daily Service.

050

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I'll be back on BBC Radio 2 tomorrow (Wednesday 1 July) 7:15am, for the first Pause for Thought of the second half of the year. With Gary Davies - in his last few days before Sara Cox takes the reins. He and the studio will look exactly like this (except they've just bought a fax machine):

040

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Very not long until my one-man show at GUILDFORD Comedy Festival. Join me, next Fri 10 July, 9pm-10pm for Good Clean Fun (2 out of 3 ain't bad), at the legendary Back Room at The Star Inn. Search for Guildford Comedy Festival Kerensa - and if she looks female, don't trust the search results.

000

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

All the news has been covered, so leading newspapers are now reviewing doorbells... This one’s really good - you ring the bell and someone answers. Next: Letterboxes.

110

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Back gigging, praise be. On which, The Gathering festival was wonderful yesternight. Tonight: Wells United Church, Wells (I can only think of Blackadder’s Bishop of Bath and Wells but I’m sure it’ll be a nicer gig than that) Diary’s open for 2027 folks! (And a bit of 2026. And a lot of 2020-22…)

030

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

If you’re awake and want to listen to the last minutes of the century-ish old BBC Radio 4 long wave, it closes at 1am early Saturday morning, 27 June. Radio 4 apparently continues on a new thing called FM/DAB. So long, waving goodbye. www.surfmusic.de/radio-statio...

surfmusic.de

Listen to BBC Radio 4 LW Online Radio

Listen online to BBC Radio 4 LW from United Kingdom - London. BBC Radio 4 LW Format : Mix Music - Typ : Live Radio Station.Listen to free Music Online Internet Radio

040

Paul Kerensa @paulkerensa.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I made this VVV so you might as well tune in, if you tune anything nowadays...

020