I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again (often abbreviated ISIRTA) was a BBC radio comedy programme that originated from the Cambridge University Footlights revue Cambridge Circus. It had something of a cult following and was broadcast initially on the BBC Home Service (renamed BBC Radio 4 in September 1967).
It was first broadcast on 4 April 1964 and the eighth series was transmitted in November and December 1973. An hour-long 25th Anniversary show was broadcast in 1989.
The Cast
* Tim Brooke-Taylor (became one of the three members of The Goodies). He has written humorous books on various subjects, including cricket and golf. He was a member of the cast of the television comedy series At Last the 1948 Show with John Cleese (as well as Graham Chapman and Marty Feldman), and later appeared in Marty Feldman’s television comedy series Marty. Tim has acted in many other television sitcoms, as well as appearing in the 1970s BBC radio sketch show Hello, Cheeky! with John Junkin and Barry Cryer, a show which later translated to ITV.
* John Cleese (later part of Monty Python and star of Fawlty Towers, formed his own production company to make business training films, which contained much Python-esque/Basil Fawlty-style humour, as well as making films including A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures). On the 25th Anniversary show he did his famous silly walk ? it made terrible radio ? and sang “The Ferret Song”. He appeared in At Last the 1948 Show with Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graham Chapman and Marty Feldman, and was co-writer (with Graham Chapman) of several episodes of the Doctor in the House television comedy series. In later series Cleese was often absent, due to his appearances in the television series Monty Python’s Flying Circus; in the sleeve notes to the BBC’s re-issues of the shows on cassette, his absences were explained as “[having] ranting commitments elsewhere”.
* Graeme Garden (became one of the three members of The Goodies). He is a qualified medical Doctor, and was co-writer (with Bill Oddie) of several episodes of the medical comedy Doctor in the House on Independent Television (appearing in the episode “Doctor on the Box” as a television presenter). He also appeared as Commander Forrest in the Yes Minister television episode “The Death List”.
* David Hatch (who went on to executive positions within the BBC, including the top position of Controller of BBC Radio 4). As was common in BBC radio at that time, Hatch served both as the show’s announcer and as a cast member (similar to Douglas Smith’s role in ‘Round the Horne’). Hatch’s announcements were frequently lampooned or interrupted by other cast members. Sadly, Sir David Hatch passed away on June 13th 2007 after a long illness.
* Jo Kendall (a radio actress in many straight dramas subsequently; also appeared in the equally popular radio comedy series The Burkiss Way)
* Bill Oddie (became one of the three members of The Goodies). He has written many books, and has been an important spokesman on wildlife and ecological issues since the 1980s. Bill Oddie wrote and performed a daft but well-crafted song in the middle of most ISIRTA programmes. He was co-writer (with Graeme Garden) of several episodes of the Doctor in the House television comedy series.
Humphrey Barclay was the producer of ISIRTA until 1968; from April that year the task was shared by David Hatch and Peter Titheradge. In 1973 production was shared by David Hatch with John Cassels (for six episodes) and with Bob Oliver Rodgers (for two episodes).
Music for the links and songs was provided by Dave Lee and his band; Jo describes them on one occasion as “Dave Lee and his Kosher Rhythm Boys”, leading Brooke-Taylor to exclaim, incredulously, “Boys?