"Cabin Pressure" Series 1~3 BBC Radio 4 - Popular Sitcom

Video Description

Classic Old Time Radio, Vintage radio shows, the Golden Age of radio, murder, mystery, drama, comedy, sci-fi, westerns. Have you ever imagined working for an airline that's basically held together with duct tape and good intentions? Welcome to ''MJN Air'', the "world's smallest airline" and the star of the hilarious BBC Radio 4 sitcom, ''"Cabin Pressure"''! This isn't your average mega-carrier. MJN Air boasts just one 16-seater business jet, affectionately (or perhaps sarcastically) nicknamed ''"Gerti."'' The show dives into the utterly chaotic and laugh-out-loud adventures of this tiny, one-plane charter airline and its, shall we say, 'unique' crew. You've got ''two pilots'' who are quite the pair: one, a veteran whose career has definitely seen better days, and the other, well, he was never really "up to start with." Together, they tackle some seriously weird and wonderful assignments. Picture this: flying soldiers to Germany, lugging metal sheets to Mozambique, taking a rowdy stag party on a trip, or even transporting a panther for an oil sheik! For MJN Air, no job is too small, but you can bet your bottom dollar that most jobs prove to be incredibly, spectacularly difficult. Get ready for some major in-flight entertainment! The airline is run by forbidding divorcee Carolyn Knapp-Shappey who, at last, in her mid-60s, is free of her awful husband, but pleasingly not free of his private jet. Her two pilots are the smooth, experienced and almost certainly fired-by-a-big-airline-for-all-round-naughtiness Douglas, and the struggling, almost competent sweaty young captain Martin. General help is provided by Carolyn's dim-witted son Arthur. The series centers around its eccentric crew: Captain Martin Crieff (Benedict Cumberbatch): A man who desperately wants to be a respected airline captain but often lacks the natural ability, confidence, and common sense to truly succeed. He's a stickler for rules but frequently makes a mess of things. First Officer Douglas Richardson (Roger Allam): A smooth, experienced, and cynical veteran pilot who was fired from a major airline (Air England) for unspecified naughtiness (later revealed to be smuggling). Despite being the more competent pilot, he takes great pleasure in gently tormenting Martin and often pretends to be the captain. Carolyn Knapp-Shappey (Stephanie Cole): The formidable, sarcastic, and penny-pinching owner of MJN Air, who acquired the plane in her divorce settlement and named the company "My Jet Now" purely out of spite for her ex-husband. Arthur Shappey (John Finnemore, also the writer): Carolyn's endlessly cheerful, enthusiastic, and slightly dim son who serves as the flight attendant. His boundless optimism and often naive suggestions frequently add to the crew's predicaments. The show's humor comes from the clash of these distinct personalities, their often-absurd charter jobs (from flying a cat to Abu Dhabi to transporting cricketers to the Sahara), and the myriad of mishaps and misunderstandings that inevitably arise. Despite their frequent squabbles, the crew often unites to face external challenges, whether it's dealing with difficult passengers, rival pilots, or Carolyn's conniving ex-husband. "Cabin Pressure" is celebrated for its witty dialogue, intricate wordplay, and strong character development, offering a consistently delightful listen. Broadcast: 2008 - 2014 on BBC Radio 4 Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole, John Finnemore and Anthony Head Writer: John Finnemore Producer: David Tyler