The Masterson Inheritance: Series 1-3 Plus Specials
A BBC Radio Sketch Comedy
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The Masterson Inheritance: Series 1-3 Plus Specials
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About this listen
All three series of the improvised family saga starring Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Caroline Quentin and others – plus two special Christmas episodes
Based entirely on audience suggestions, this hysterically funny historical drama tells the thrilling extended story of an aristocratic family at war with itself. From Ancient Rome to 1920s Hollywood, we follow the Mastersons’ turbulent history across the centuries, as their fortunes wax and wane, and their fates hang on objects as diverse and unlikely as a tumble dryer, a rabbit’s foot and a pair of Siamese twins.
In these three series, their adventures include setting sail across the Atlantic (with a cargo of dangerous sheep), mucking out at the court of King Arthur, becoming embroiled in murder and intrigue aboard a luxury cruiser and running away to join a Victorian travelling circus. There’s family revenge in the Wild West over dodgy dental work; the medieval Mastersons face land struggles and an overcrowded castle; and in the Edwardian era, suffragettes split the family, sparking drama at the races. Plus, in two Christmas specials, the Mastersons face repercussions from a child’s innocent gift, and the family’s ancient culture reveals some curious customs…
Starring in this comic chronicle of pride, passion, iniquity and inbreeding are celebrated comedians and improv veterans Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Caroline Quentin, Jim Sweeney, Lee Simpson and Phelim McDermott.
Production credits
Starring Josie Lawrence, Phelim McDermott, Paul Merton, Lee Simpson, Jim Sweeney and Caroline Quentin
Produced by Phil Clarke
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 22 April-27 May 1993, (Series 1), 25 December 1993 (The Stuffing of the Mastersons), 11 June-16 July 1994 (Series 2), 8 July-12 August 1995 (Series 3), 25 December 1995 (The Mastersons’ Christmas Cracker)
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Masterson Inheritance: Series 1-3 Plus Specials
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Peter
- 07-03-21
Great entertainment
I purchased this book as I enjoy comedy radio shows and I found this listen first rate! It made me chuckle the first time I listened to it and I still does even after several listens! A great listen and I look forward to any future shows.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 19-12-20
Brilliant
I've loved the crazy, unpredictable and hilarious stories of the Masterson family for years and am so happy they're finally available to own.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-01-21
This has been a brilliant listen
loved it I listened to this several times really enjoyed the characters the stories the laughs the raunchy humour.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marc
- 02-07-23
So clever and funny
I must have listened to each episode twenty plus times and still it makes me chuckle.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Chris Stratford
- 30-06-23
Superb
All the cast are brilliant. With the bonus of Paul Merton being totally off his head.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jodi Swan
- 14-02-22
Brilliant!
Improvised comedy and story-telling performed by the masters themselves. Armed with only “an audience and a couple of microphones”, each saga is brilliantly created live before your ears and the gags fly thick and fast. Well worth 1 credit and a show that paved the way for others. I loved every minute.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bill
- 23-02-24
so funny
awesome so funny the cast are so funny can't stop listening to it must be the fourth time now I have
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- stephen j moore
- 28-07-20
Great improvisation.
Made me chuckle! Great cast too. More like this audible BBC radio comedy at its best
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- alanjbell
- 27-01-21
Good laugh
very funny excellent cast well written thoroughly enjoyed it as I walked my dog 🐕
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Perfect Rice
- 21-11-20
Doesn't live up to its own description
The key thing about this series is (as it likes to tell us in every episode and in the description here) 'based entirely on audience suggestions' and that's really not true. Each episode begins with the audience being asked for suggestions, but they don't really matter.
The narrator will say when and where the story is set, then ask for something like 'an item you look for', an audience member will say 'keys' and then later on a character will be looking for keys. The item doesn't effect the story. The audience suggestions are, on the whole, usually rather boring anyway.
I was expecting the audience to be involved throughout, repeatedly being asked for ideas to really keep the performers on their toes, but the audience contribution is really the least worthwhile aspect.
I'm a big fan of the performers here and really enjoy this style of comedy, but I listened to the first six episodes and wasn't very amused. Too many of the jokes rely on the performer doing or saying something counter to what the narrator just said. It's funny a couple of times, bit soon loses its charm - which really sums up the whole show.
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