Ed Reardon’s Week


First of all, if you haven’t already heard it, dash over right now to the BBC Radio Player and listen to last Wednesday’s first episode of the second series of Ed Reardon’s Week.
Ed Reardon is quite the funniest creation I’ve heard (or seen) in some time; a writer by trade, although he has trouble making ends meet. He did once write an episode of Tenko, and had his first novel made into a blockbuster film by his friend Jaz. But now times are tough, and in between writing books to order like Pet Peeves or Jane Seymour’s Household Hints, he’s struggling to turn in scripts for Holby City, or write The Old Lock Keeper’s column for his local free newspaper.
This book is basically the first series of the Radio 4 comedy. Quite why Radio 4 insisted on broadcasting it at 11.30am rather than the somewhat better 6.30pm slot is a question I don’t entirely understand. It’ll certainly get a 6.30pm repeat, but it deserves the bigger audience from the outset.
Ed is a fantastic creation, lovingly crafted. He lives with his cat, Elgar, and has a family from a previous marriage that seems a little estranged. He plays in a jazz band with his old mucker Jaz, even though he’s insanely jealous of the big-time director who bastardised his novel for a movie tear-jerker.
Sadly BBC Audio haven’t seen fit to release the first series on CD, so you’ll, er, just have to find someone who might have some mp3s if you want to hear the first series.
And in the meantime, get listening to the second series – Wednesdays at 11.30am, Radio 4.


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46 responses to “Ed Reardon’s Week”

  1. Dylan avatar

    Ed Reardon is SO hilarious; can’t wait until the series goes on sale. All the characters are perfect. He reminds me of every writer, publisher and agent I know in some way (and of me sometimes, too). Hear the last episode of the second season? Did you get the impression that he might not have made it through the surgery?
    William Dylan Powell

  2. Adam Bowie avatar

    It truly is an excellent series. I did indeed hear the final episode of the second series, but I somehow hope that his surgery has done no worse than give him a few more NHS woes to worry about.
    Adam

  3. Dave Bugland avatar

    I am sure parts of Ed’s character is based on me – all the same, I have recorded every single episode. I love one episode when he shovels copious amounts of party nibbles into his pocket to feed both himself and the cat.

  4. Adam Bowie avatar

    Which episode of Tenko did you write?

  5. Adam Bowie avatar

    Oh and good news. Following the current repeat of series 2 of Ed Reardon, the third series starts at 11.30am on Fridays from 15 December for six weeks.
    See more here – http://www.adambowie.com/weblog/archive/001863.html

  6. John avatar
    John

    Hi Adam,
    I share your enthusiasm for Ed Reardon’s Week, one of the best radio comedies around! I’ve been streaming the episodes from the bbc website and converting them to mp3. I have about half of them so far. If you’d like a copy, let me know (post a message here) and I’ll email them or upload them to an ftp server.
    Cheers,
    John

  7. Adam Bowie avatar

    Thanks John,
    I think I’m ok for episodes. Series 3 is going well too!
    Adam

  8. fendley avatar
    fendley

    Hi,
    I agree Ed Reardon’s week is lovely. The failure, the misanthropy, the pretentions, the mixture of the outlandish and the understated. Best comedy I’ve heard in a while.
    Yes I’d love some epsisodes if you have some John
    (xxxx)
    Matthew

  9. simon avatar
    simon

    can anyone help me out with past episodes on mp3, id much appreciate it . big fan of ed’s and missing his slant on the world!

  10. Tony avatar
    Tony

    Hi
    Agree. I’ve been converting to mp3 as well. This has made my morning train trip into Sydney CBD pure joy.
    I’m only missing the first ep from series 2 – Rogue Mail. I caught it recently when Radio 4 repeated the series, but accidentally deleted the file, does anyone know if it’s downloadable from anywhere, or available on disk in the UK? BBC 7 seemed to indicate that they may schedule the series recently at the end of their recent run of the first series.

  11. William Dylan Powell avatar

    I’d like to buy all the episodes, including the latest series on MP3. Does the BBC sell ’em like that? Couldn’t find it on iTunes.
    William Dylan Powell

  12. Adam Bowie avatar

    Sadly not. The first series was supposed to be made available on CD sometime this spring, but BBC Audio haven’t included it amongst their latest releases.
    Audible.co.uk is another place where BBC programmes sometimes get released before a CD emerges, but again I can’t find it.
    There’s no legal way of obtaining this series currently which I find amazing.

  13. Hugh avatar
    Hugh

    If anyone has any episodes they would email to me, that would be great.

  14. Peter Harrer avatar
    Peter Harrer

    Is there any word on whether there will be a fourth series? BBC Radio 7 played Series II some weeks back, but I can’t find anything on a new one. Thanks!

  15. Vic White avatar
    Vic White

    Hi,I got on to Ed Reardon’s Week tragically late so haven’t any recorded episodes: but the one transmitted 19.1.07 – I think the last in the last series (3) – is so dangerously funny that it’s health risk. Any chance anybody has it as an MP3?, and would be prepared to send it? Cheers, Vic

  16. Tom avatar
    Tom

    Can anyone give a few episodes on MP3?

  17. Doc Holiday avatar
    Doc Holiday

    Agree with most of you regards the quality and hilarity of the Ed Reardon series. Currently recording Ep 3, Series 3 and would love to trade this and future episodes with anyone who has earlier ones? Please make contact through email (xxxx) and I weill be much obliged to you

  18. James avatar
    James

    IF ANYONE CAN POST ME
    (or the other chap who asked (Vic White))
    – SOME MP3’S OF ANY EPISODES I WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL.
    I actually only ever managed to catch a couple of episodes and what i DID hear i bl0Ody loved! . . SO PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE PLEASE SEND IF YOU HAVE.
    As my friend said when he pissed on Oliver Reeds grave – “it’s what he would have wanted”
    I’m sure if Ed were real.. he WOULD approve. Thus “S E N D!!”
    Thanks a quintillionth
    Peace and Cake,,
    James.x
    ps. my e-mail is
    xxxx

  19. Tanjil Rashid avatar
    Tanjil Rashid

    Hello
    I am a massive fan of Ed Reardon, by which I really do mean the character of Ed Reardon not ony the fantastic show.
    Anyway, I’ve missed so many episodes and I would really appreciate it if anyone who has recorded any episodes could send them to me somehow. (email: xxxx)

  20. Adam Bowie avatar

    Ladies and gents – there are ways and means…
    Just drop a comment below if you want to know more. No need to include your email address in your comment if you fill it out in the comment box correctly.
    Adam

  21. Gavin avatar
    Gavin

    I have got series one and two but have missed series three completely … can anyone help?

  22. Carl avatar
    Carl

    Hi all, I got into Ed Reardon’s week very early on so I have a good selection of old episode as mp3. Sadly the quality isn’t great but better than nothing. I have the following ias eithyer MP3 or on tape.
    Series 1
    Episode Title Original Airdate
    2 Pulp Non-Fiction 14 January 2005
    3 Holby City 21 January 2005
    4 The Old Lock-Keeper 28 January 2005
    5 The Winona Defence 4 February 2005
    6 King of the Road 11 February 2005
    Series 2
    Episode Title Original Airdate
    1 Rogue Mail 21 December 2005
    2 The Speech 28 December 2005
    3 The Last Laugh 4 January 2006
    4 Our Man In Berkhamsted 11 January 2006
    5 A Hint of Calvados 18 January 2006
    6 The Operations 25 January 2006
    [edit] Series 3
    Episode Title Original Airdate
    1 The Name-Check 15 December 2006
    3 Undercover 29 December 2006
    4 The Dig 5 January 2007
    5 Murder Most Rewritten 12 January 2007
    if there is a demand then I will happy make as many of them as I can online.
    If this has already been done by someone could you please let me know as I’d love to get a copy of the missing episodes.
    cheers
    Carl

  23. gray avatar
    gray

    another fan keen to get hold of any or all of the back episodes

  24. dg avatar
    dg

    Series 3 in ogg format (zipped), approximately 60 mb.
    http://rapidshare.com/files/76761610/ERW3.zip

  25. dg avatar
    dg

    Series 2 in ogg format (zipped), approximately 60 mb.
    http://rapidshare.com/files/76797056/ERW2.zip

  26. dg avatar
    dg

    Series 4 (missing ep. 3) – in ogg format (zipped)[approx 70 mb]
    link:
    http://rapidshare.com/files/78589981/ERW_4_Missing_3_.zip
    If anyone should have the missing episode (3), I should be most grateful if it could be posted. Thanks.

  27. Duncan Gilchrist avatar
    Duncan Gilchrist

    Hi. Can anybody who’s got previous episodes of ed reardon’s week please on, say, mp3 format, please email them to me? I’d be heartily grateful…
    Duncan. (xxxx)

  28. Daniel avatar
    Daniel

    Hi All,
    I have been trying for months, unsuccessfully, to find all episodes of Ed Reardon’s week.
    I would be extremely grateful if anyone could e-mail me any episodes that you have.
    xxxx
    Many thanks in advance, it really is appreciated.
    Daniel

  29. Chris avatar
    Chris

    Adam,George Gissing was discussed on Bookclub on R4 today. Christopher Douglas was took the name Ed Reardon from the novel.Interesting.I would love to know how to get to hear the old episodes. Can you send any info please?

  30. Adz avatar
    Adz

    .
    .
    .
    My email…
    xxxx
    .
    .

  31. Adz avatar
    Adz

    Hello All
    Wonderful stuff here.
    Gavin or Carl… any chance you could share the first series at all?
    Marvellous.
    Many thanks
    A

  32. nrp avatar
    nrp

    Hello Adam,
    I am new to this blog game — I came across your site while looking for some info on Ed Reardon series and was amazed at the interest in the series. I have all the episodes of all four series in wav format and can easily convert them to MP3 or other format but am unsure how to distribute them to all these people who need them — You seem to have most if not all the items and I think you might already have provided the missing episodes — however if you do need any missing episodes please let me know and I can send them to you via sendspace.
    I believe you are bringing lot of joy and merriment to all these people… keep up the good work..
    NRP

  33. Adam Bowie avatar

    Hi NRP,
    Welcome to the blog. I think most people have probably got hold of the programmes that they want.
    Obviously, I wouldn’t in any way encourage pirate trading in episodes…
    All the best!

  34. Lucy avatar
    Lucy

    Please please could someone send me as many episodes as possible as MP3’s or tell me where I can download them (Rapidshare isn’t working for me also, I have a Mac) I am going on holiday and need to take a good dose of British sarcasm with me! Thank you xxx xxxx

  35. Mike H avatar
    Mike H

    Hello All
    Thanks [DG] for those links to Ed Reardon series 2,3,4.
    You mentioned you were missing Series 4 Ep3 – in case you still are, here it is:
    http://www.sendspace.com/file/ygw1t3
    I also have series 1 if anyone is looking for it.
    best regards all

  36. Nick avatar
    Nick

    I found myself talking yesterday with someone else who also finds ER a total joy. We wondered if there were others out there – of course! Hello! Happy Does anyone have recordings of 1.1, 1.6 and 4.1 to share? Thanks and hello again!

  37. Mike H avatar
    Mike H

    Hello Nick
    Yes – here are those three episodes you asked for.
    http://www.sendspace.com/file/2gmsx6
    I’m wondering if they’re about to start Series 5 on R4, since they’ve been repeating series 4..

  38. Adam Bowie avatar

    Does anyone know for certain that Ed Reardon’s been recommissioned?
    If it does get a fifth series, recent patterns suggest that it won’t be on until December.
    Ed Reardon popped up this week at the very fine Speechification.

  39. Nick avatar
    Nick

    Thanks for the missing episodes! Here’s to series five!

  40. Gavin Yates avatar
    Gavin Yates

    Missed series four completely – anyone got it on MP3 or could point me in the right direction? I would happily buy them from the BBC if they got their fingers out and published them.
    I will need to send them a suitable strongly worded missive :~)
    Ed Reardon’s week is one of the best things I’ve heard in ages.
    Gav

  41. sue avatar
    sue

    HI Ive download the entire four series from
    http://btjunkie.org/torrent/Ed-Reardon-s-Week-Series-01-to-04-24-Episodes-Complete-Audio-Comedy-128Kbps-Mp3-Slimoo/3385c229bc11d4b388e994f0edf40920099670881589
    and they are great particularly the first series.
    However series 1 episodoe 3 Holby City
    is missing.
    And it seems to be missing from all other active torrents as well (Often replaced my s2.e3.)
    Could anyone supply me with a copy of this one episode? (maybe rapidshare or something similar).

  42. Adam Bowie avatar

    Since BBC Worldwide has finally seen fit to begin releasing Ed Reardon on CD – at least the first couple of series – I’d appreciate it if people didn’t post links to downloads of it here anymore.
    Thanks.
    Anyway, a new series starts this Monday on Radio 4!

  43. Ivor Josephson avatar

    No doubt you are all overjoyed at the start of a new series. I had forgotten how good it is. btw Series 1 now available on CD

  44. Alec Gallagher avatar
    Alec Gallagher

    Good to see that there are others who are fans of this great comic creation. I believe that the reason it is so good is because we care about the characters, and Ed in particular. We’re all on his side, aren’t we?
    On a separate matter, can anyone supply a name for the title music? An old Dixieland number, obviously, but I don’t recognise it.

  45. EdFan avatar
    EdFan

    I wouldn’t normally ask this, but I’ve been a devoted follower of Ed Reardon since series 1, yet somehow I’ve managed to miss the last episode of the last series on iplayer (I’m convinced things don’t appear in the search engine on there half the time; eps 3-5 of a recent re-run of That Mitchell & Webb Look series 2 never showed up either despite regularly searching for them). Given the cliffhanger ending of the penultimate episode I am distraught! Has anyone got a copy they can accidentally send me? I promise to delete it after listening. I would be very grateful. edfan at qolc dot net. Thanks 🙂