Mark & Lard (Radio 1)

I am a big fan of Mark Radcliffe on radio 1. Currently this show is aired from 2pm –4pm on weekday afternoons, but from 19th Feb 01 it will air from 1pm – 3pm. The show is hosted by two funny guys, Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley (the Boy Lard). Hence, Mark and Lard. Previously to the current afternoon slot, they have hosted the Breakfast show (before Zoe Ball) and had the Graveyard shift for a number of years, which is the 10pm – midnight slot. Anyway, the show is these two chap’s unique brand of comedy, games, catchphrases, and some good music thrown in to boot! Music ... more

I first heard Mark and Lard in 1997 when they were plugging the gap between Chris Evans and Zoe Ball on the Radio 1 Breakfast show. They were unique and funny then, but as Radio 1 opted for Ball Mark and Lard were moved to the afternoon. Since then the show has developed still further. They are constantly working on fresh ideas like Vague News, My TV Show and Chalk and Cheese. Mix in regular favourites like the Cheesily Cheerful Chart Challenge, the usual banter and the unique way they tell the time and you’re set for the afternoon. As shown by some of their TV work they can do serious work ... more

First-time listeners to Mark and Lard's show (BBC Radio One, Monday-Friday, 2pm) will probably be baffled, and wonder what the hell the two cheeky Northerners are on (about). But stick with it for a few days, and soon you'll be unable to tear yourself away from their unique brand of humour. They even manage to cunningly slag off Radio One's currently dance-heavy output without getting themselves in trouble with the bosses. The skits which the duo have performed over the last year are hilarious - from phone-in quizzes such as Chalk & Cheese, The Spice Is Right and Family Fortune Cookies to ... more

The radio station I usually listen to is Classic Fm (being a bit of an auld git, and liking music by a lot of dead people) , however I have to tune in to Mark Radcliffe and his sidekick Lard (Marc Riley ex instrumentalist with Mark Smith's fall , who had to leave to to a clash of names). Generally the music they play is decent up to the minute stuff, although the odd chart aberration does creep through. They're unpretentious , generally funny , and help the afternoon fly by. Me and a copule of mates at work always enter the Cheesily Cheerful Chart Challenge, but the highest I've got is number ... more

Okay, so there's no-one else good on daytime radio, but even so, Mark & Lard still trounce allcomers. Not that they're perfect (the constant innuendo can occassionally grate, and sometimes revelling in mediocrity can be, well, mediocre), and the blasted playlist doesn't help, but there's still a case to be made for national treasure status. Where other DJ's contrive a smuggish oafishness out of a desperate desire to please, Mark & Lard seem naturals, idle banter beating gimmickry, a pub conversation you wish you could have. And they're intelligent as well! Shit, they'll be sacked soon ... more