In the Red (radio series)

In the Red is a British radio comedy series broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Written by and starring Mark Tavener, it satirizes the workings of local government, specifically the fictional "Hampton Council."

The series revolves around the exploits of the council's incompetent and often corrupt officers, particularly the Director of Leisure Services, Frank Skinner (played by Tavener), and his interactions with the increasingly exasperated Council Leader, Eleanor Goodbody (played by Alison Steadman in the first series and subsequently by Penelope Wilton). Other recurring characters include the scheming and self-serving Chief Executive, Sir Michael Fitzaugh, and various councillors and council staff.

Each episode typically focuses on a different crisis or initiative undertaken by the council, often involving elaborate schemes to embezzle funds, cover up scandals, or simply avoid responsibility. The humor is derived from the characters' ineptitude, their bureaucratic jargon, and the absurd situations they find themselves in.

In the Red ran for four series, originally broadcast between 1998 and 2001. It is considered a classic of British radio comedy, known for its sharp writing and strong performances. It has subsequently been repeated on BBC Radio 4 Extra and is available on various podcast platforms. The show's critical acclaim led to a television adaptation, In the Red, which aired on BBC Two in 1998, also written by and starring Mark Tavener.