When it was launched in the Spring of 2006, Down the Line was such an accurate parody of an inane phone-in show that many Radio 4 listeners (and radio critics) thought it was the real thing and launched a storm of protest. What on earth was Radio 4 coming to?
Seasoned comedy listeners, however, soon detected the presence of several well-known voices including members of The Fast Show team, and realised that this was something new and exciting in Radio 4 comedy.
Hosted by Rhys Thomas as the keen but none too bright Gary Bellamy, the show’s line-up of experts, idiots, bigots, nutters and bores is a snapshot of 21st century Britain and its obsessions; from the environment and immigration to large scale natural disasters and cosmetic surgery. |
