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Hello friends and welcome to a very special episode of The Comedy Bureau. While we put the finishing touches on Series 3 we have teamed up with All British Comedy Explained to create a crossover episode that's sure to thrill you.

We are joined by Abigoliah Schamaun and Tom Salinsky from All British Comedy Explained to look at how early sitcoms had their roots in the Music Hall and to hear some contenders for what could be considered the first ever sitcom.

Our very own Oliver Double talks us through the character acts that first appeared performing in styles which would go on to influence sitcoms and sitcom characters and then the wonderful Tom Salinsky gives us a few contenders for the first British sitcom.

In between we also discuss the differences in development between Britain and the USA, studio audience and canned laughter, and the technical definitions of sitcom.

If you want to hear the second part of this week's discussion then you need to subscribe to All British Comedy Explained and listen there. In that episode Laura watches Hancock's Half Hour for the first time, and has her first experience of I Love Lucy. Abigoliah then talks us through the life of one of the writers on I Love Lucy and gives some insight into the show.

Thanks for listening and thanks for your patience as we line up Series 3.