One is a radio comedy series created by David Quantick. It is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 4 Extra. Each episode lasts 15 minutes and consists of a series of vignettes, each of which features only a single voice.
The style and subject matter of the vignettes is varied, but some themes recur.
Unusual messages recorded on answering machines.
Readings of notes found in a guest book at a vacation home, featuring bizarre complaints.
Audio guides to museums that have obscure or bizarre exhibits.
Parodies of commentaries in the style of well-known personalities, sometimes read by the personalities themselves, such as Jeremy Clarkson reading "Top Dog", or bird expert Bill Oddie describing, in the style of a nature documentary, a typical encounter between Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner.
Recitations of ideas such as personal crises, bad moods, T-shirt slogans etc., in the style of the Shipping Forecast. For example:
"And now with the time approaching 5 pm,
It's time for the mid-life crisis forecast...
Forties; restless: three or four.
Marriage: stale; becoming suffocating.
Sportscar, jeans and t-shirt; westerly, five.
Waitress; blonde; 19 or 20.
Converse all stars; haircut; earring; children;
becoming embarrassed.
Tail between legs; atmosphere frosty;
Spare room: five or six."
Performers include Graeme Garden, Dan Antopolski, Simon Greenall, Lizzie Roper, and Deborah Norton. Those appearing as themselves include Jeremy Clarkson and Bill Oddie.
