The Masterson Inheritance

The Masterson Inheritance was an improvised comedy series broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1993 to 1995 billed as "an improvised historical saga of a family at war with itself."[1] There were three series and two Christmas specials. It was broadcast from 1993 to 1995. From time to time, repeats of the show are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra.

The Masterson Inheritance
Cassette cover from the BBC Canned Laughter series, 1993
GenreComedy
Running time30 minutes
Country of origin United Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
StarringJosie Lawrence
Paul Merton
Phelim McDermott
Caroline Quentin
Lee Simpson
Jim Sweeney
Original release22 April 1993 – 25 December 1995
No. of series3
No. of episodes20
Audio formatStereophonic sound

In each programme, the cast members – Josie Lawrence, Phelim McDermott, Paul Merton, Caroline Quentin, Lee Simpson, and Jim Sweeney – would be given a particular historical setting, and, incorporating suggestions from the audience, would improvise that episode in the saga of the Masterson family.[2] One episode, The Marooned Mastersons, was never broadcast but is available on Jim Sweeney's website.

Music

Each episode of the saga was introduced by and ended with Erich Korngold's Hollywood-style title music from the 1946 film noir Deception.

Critical reaction

The Independent reckoned the show was genuinely improvised, due to the "air of suppressed panic", even if the improvisation revolved around a small number of choices. It questioned the longevity of the format once people got bored with listening to their mistakes.[3]

Episode list
SeriesEpisodeTitleHistorical SettingFirst broadcast
11The Curse of the MastersonsThe 1760s and the slave trade22 April 1993
2The Mastersons and JohnsonThe 1790s29 April 1993
3ScurvyThe 1800s at sea6 May 1993
4The Sweat of the MastersonsVictorian London13 May 1993
5The Tatting of the Mastersons19th century America20 May 1993
6The Mastersons Lose EverythingThe 1890s27 May 1993
Special1The Stuffing of the MastersonsVictorian Christmas25 December 1993
21Beware the Ides of MastersonImperial Rome11 June 1994
2The Quest for the Other Rabbit's FootThe court of King Arthur18 June 1994
3Last Word to the MastersonsThe industrial revolution25 June 1994
4The Jousting MastersonsLate 15th century2 July 1994
5The Gangrene of the MastersonsThe Crimean War9 July 1994
6The Mastersons Go DownThe Hercules (passenger ship)16 July 1994
31The Mastersons Magical Marquee (1)Travelling Victorian circus24 June 1995
2The Mastersons Magical Marquee (2)1 July 1995
3Masterson Rides Again19th century public school8 July 1995
4The Masterson BunchEarly 20th century before the great war15 July 1995
5The Pain of the MastersonsThe romantic poets22 July 1995
6The St Valentine's Day Masterson1920s Hollywood29 July 1995
Special2The Mastersons' Christmas CrackerAn isolated village of ancient beliefs25 December 1995
gollark: This is bad however as they have awful battery life.
gollark: If it doesn't also match subdomains, I could probably do evilness to evade blocking.
gollark: It is too late. HTTP-based long polling SPUDNET has occurred. None are safe. None can escape.
gollark: Hmm, or maybe TCP SPUDNET.
gollark: Websockets are perfect and without flaw, except that you generally need a somewhat complex library for them, even though most things ship with HTTP clients.

References
  1. "The Masterson Inheritance". TV Cream. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  2. Butler, Robert (25 April 1993). "ARTS / Show People: Off the cuff and on the spot: 74. Josie Lawrence". The Independent (UK). Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  3. Hanks, Robert (27 April 1993). "RADIO / Light on God, heavy on the Mayo: Robert Hanks on The Big Holy One and The Masterson Inheritance". The Independent (UK). Retrieved 5 March 2013.
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