And yes, it's a comedian talking to other comedians

Helen Lederer is to host a new BBC podcast in which comedians talk about their  roots, lives, careers and influences.

Knock Knock is being made by BBC English Regions, who produce the BBC’s local content, and will launch later this month.

A new episode released every two weeks, with each based on a different part of the country and examine the  local comedy scene and sense of humour.

Those already confirmed to feature include: Angela Barnes from Kent; Ben Van Der Velde from Newcastle; Cerys Nelmes from the Cotswolds; Emmanuel Sonubi from London; Alex Oliver from Norfolk; Vince Atta from Manchester and Sarah Keyworth from Nottingham.

Lederer, 63, said: ‘Knock Knock is often a funny stream of consciousness between two people who do the same thing but at different times.

‘I’m fascinated in how new comedians work their material and why they want to do it  so much –  some of them are writers who learn how to be comedians, some are innately funny who rely less on the discipline of  written material. 

‘I love getting to know the passion of younger people who have entered this comedy career structure. In my day it was all about rooms above pubs and very few women. Now it’s a huge industry which has to be respected in a new way -I’m learning new tricks!

‘People should listen for the joy of eavesdropping upon two people who want to share and find out how their comedy works - it makes for deliciously mad moments, illogical word association as well as serious sharing of the confessional, worst gig scenarios - and these are all famous people of tomorrow.’

The podcast will be available here  – and from all the usual sources.

Published: 13 Mar 2018