The Burkiss Way to Dynamic Living

Last Edited: 26-Sep-2012 A Global British Comedy Collaborative document. Edited by John Lucas
Broadcast source is BBC Radio Four unless otherwise indicated. Recording quality is considered good unless otherwise indicated.

Six series plus special and pilots.

Date Episode Title Cast Parameters
BBC R3:
25-Aug-1975
pilot 1
The Half Open University 1 Science
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Timothy Davies, Christine Ozan
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason,
David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
30:05, 14182, S
BBC R3:
01-Dec-1975
pilot 2
The Half Open University 2 History
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Timothy Davies, Christine Ozan
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason,
David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
30:00, 14135, S
BBC R7:
27-Aug-1976
1-1
#01
Peeling Bananas the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris,
Denise Coffey
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason,
David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
24:44, 25336, S
03-Sep-1976
1-2
#02
Pass Examinations the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris,
Denise Coffey
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason,
David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
24:46, 23224, S
10-Sep-1976
1-3
#03
The Burkiss Special with James Burkiss
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris,
Denise Coffey
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason,
David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
24:29, 22970, S
17-Sep-1976
1-4
#04
Solve Murders the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris,
Denise Coffey
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason,
David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
24:21, 22834, S
24-Sep-1976
1-5
#05
Keep Unfit the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris,
Denise Coffey
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
24:41, 23150, S
01-Oct-1976
15 min slot
1-6
#06
Win Awards the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris,
Denise Coffey
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
17:34, 8240, S
hiss, includes 3
minutes of following
Macmillan sketch
15-Dec-1976
2-1
#07
Influence Friends and
Win People the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, John Mason,
David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:28, 25760, S
22-Dec-1976
2-2
#08
Plan Christmas Schedules the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick,
Colin Bostock-Smith
produced by Simon Brett
27:14, 25544, S
29-Dec-1976
R7:
2-3
#09
Gain Spiritual Fulfillment the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:07, 25424, S
05-Jan-1977
R7:
2-4
#10
Govern Britain the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:14, 25542, S
12-Jan-1977
R7:
2-5
#11
Journey into the Unknown the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick,
John Lloyd, Douglas Adams
produced by Simon Brett
27:22, 25664, S
19-Jan-1977
R7:
2-6
#12
Make Short Comedy Programmes
the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:32, 25824, S
26-Jan-1977
R7:
2-7
#13
Commemorate Jubilees the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:17, 25592, S
02-Feb-1977
R7:
2-8
#14
Do You Know What the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick,
Douglas Adams
produced by Simon Brett
27:38, 25909, S
09-Feb-1977
R7:
2-9
#15
Skive from School the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:34, 25859, S
16-Feb-1977
R7:
2-10
#16
Get Off with Life the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick,
Tom Magee, 
Englefield, Liz Pollock
produced by Simon Brett
27:41, 25955, S
23-Feb-1977
R7:
2-11
#17
This Is Your Life the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:32,  25817, S
02-Mar-1977
R7:

2-12
#18
Become a Rock Star the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick,
John Lloyd, Douglas Adams
produced by Simon Brett
27:39, 25928, S
09-Mar-1977
R7:
2-13
#19
Replace the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by Simon Brett
27:15, 25562, S
15-Nov-1977
R7:
3-1
#20
Discover Gravity the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:29, 25776, S
22-Nov-1977
R7:
3-2
#21
Get Cut Off the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:26, 25720, S
29-Nov-1977
R7:
3-3
#22
Succeed in Business the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:04, 25378, S
06-Dec-1977
R7:
3-4
#23
Son of the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:36, 25880, S
13-Dec-1977
R7:
3-5
#24
One Hour to the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:49, 26088, S
20-Dec-1977
R7:
3-6
#25
Not to be Opened Until Christmas the Burkiss Wayl
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:36, 25880, S
27-Dec-1977
R7:
3-7
#26
First Prize the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:24, 25700, S
03-Jan-1978
R7:
3-8
#27
Around the World The Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:34, 25792, S
10-Jan-1978
R7:
3-9
#28
Ignore These Programme Titles the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
26:10, 24534, S
17-Jan-1978
R7:
3-10
#29
Complain about the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:04, 25386, S
24-Jan-1978
R7:
3-12
#30
Not the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:34, 25850, S
31-Jan-1978
R7:
3-13
#31

4-1
#32
Bruce’s Choice

Start New Series the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:51, 26118, S
a single episode
labeled as two
"episodes" in
different series
07-Feb-1978
R7:
4-2
#33
The Last Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:54, 26164, S
14-Feb-1978
R7:
4-3
#34
The Next to Last Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by John Lloyd
27:44, 26002, S
02-Apr-1979
R7:
5-1
#35
Remember the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:29, 25776, S
09-Apr-1979
R7:
5-2
#36
Rise from the Grave The Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:39, 25925, S
16-Apr-1979
R7:
5-3
#37
Is Britain Going the Burkiss Way? I
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:28, 25764, S
23-Apr-1979
R7:
5-4
#38
Is Britain Going the Burkiss Way? II
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:55, 26178, S
30-Apr-1979
R7:
5-5
#39(a)
Repeat Yourself I
Edward and Mr Simpson,
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:25, 25720, S
07-May-1979
R7:
5-6
#39(b)
Repeat Yourself II
Edward and Mr Simpson,
Eamonn Andrews, Blankety Blank
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:41, 25960, S
14-May-1979
R7:
5-7
#40
Avoid Like the Plague the Burkiss Way
(with Lady Constance!)
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
Tim Brooke-Taylor
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:24, 25696, S
26-Dec-1979
R7:
special
#41
Eric Pode of Croydon’s Easter Special
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
Peter Jones
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:12, 25502, S
11-Oct-1980
R7:
6-1
#42
The Man from the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:34, 25856, S
18-Oct-1980
6-2
#43
Sack the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
26:55, 23272, S
25-Oct-1980
R7:
6-3
#44
Love Big Brother the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:15, 25564, S
01-Nov-1980
R7:
6-4
#45
Write Extremely Long Titles the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:09, 25468, S
08-Nov-1980
R7:
6-5
#46
Settle out of Court the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:02, 25346, S
15-Nov-1980
R7:
6-6
#47
Wave Goodbye to CBEs the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall,
David Jason
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch
27:51, 13135, s
original broadcast

The Burkiss Way – BBC Radio Collection
Date
Title
Cast
Parameters
  Excerpts :
  1. Is Britain Going the Burkiss Way I +
    Repeat Yourself the Burkiss Way II
  2. Is Britain Going the Burkiss Way II +
    Remember the Burkiss Way
  3. Eric Pode of Crydon’s Easter Special +
    Rise from the Grave the Burkiss Way +
    Avoid Like the Plague the Burkiss Way
  4. The Man from the Burkiss Way +
    Rise from the Grave the Burkiss Way +
    Sack the Burkiss Way
Nigel Rees, Chris Emmett, Fred Harris, Jo Kendall
written by Andrew Marshall, David Renwick
produced by David Hatch


  1. 25:02, 5869, S
  2. 25:09, 5896, S
  3. 24:34, 5759, S
  4. 24:24, 5719, S

Documentaries and Collateral Material
Date Title Cast Parameters
BBC R7
04-Apr-2009
Celebrate The Burkiss Way
  • Skive from School
  • Not
  • Remember
  • Settle Out of Court
  • Wave Goodbye to CBEs
David Renwick and Andrew Marshall
Nigel Rees, Fred Harris, Chris Emmett
14:13, 14791, S
27:25, 36826, S
5:04, 5356, S
27:30, 42675, S
2:55, 3057, S
27:29, 44365, S
2:13, 2518, S
26:57, 43174, S
2:05, 2156, S
11:21, 11808, S
27:13, 30802, S
4:06, 4135, S