Cabin Pressure: The Complete Series 4

Cabin Pressure #4

by John Finnemore

Cabin Pressure is set in the wing and a prayer world of a tiny, one-plane charter airline; staffed by two pilots, one on his way down, and one who was never up to start with. Whether it's dealing with a stuffed sheep, an angry princess or a rogue fruit tray, no job is too small, but many, many jobs are too difficult.

Carolyn Knapp-Shappey, MJN Air's formidable boss, has employed two of the very cheapest pilots money can buy: Captain Martin Crieff, who's always wanted to fly and won't let a little thing like lack of ability stop him, and First Officer Douglas Richardson, smooth-voiced old sky god and eternal schemer. Passenger service is provided by the relentlessly cheery Arthur, proud inventor of both Surprising Rice and his own hat.

Written by John Finnemore (John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, The Now Show), Cabin Pressure stars Stephanie Cole as Carolyn, Benedict Cumberbatch as Martin, Roger Allam as Douglas and John Finnemore as Arthur.

3 CDs. 2 hrs 48 mins.

Genres: Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Contemporary, Plays, British Literature

3 pages, Audible Audio

First published February 13, 2013

About the author

John David Finnemore (born 28 September 1977) is a British comedy writer and actor. He wrote and performs in the radio series Cabin Pressure, John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, and John Finnemore's Double Acts, and frequently features in other BBC Radio 4 comedy shows such as The Now Show.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is surprisingly fantastic. Not just hilarious, but the humor generally stems from the characters, who are actually *round characters.* They change and develop and surprise us over the course of the show in believable ways and it's all so *satisfying*. The voice acting is wonderful (duh), and John Finnemore is such a skilled writer (not just the humor, but the character development and *plotting* as well-- good gravy, man, it just doesn't seem fair when so few writers are capable of more than 1 of those at once), I only wish they were producing more than just the final episode. Still, I'll be seeking out anything Finnemore writes from now on.

[April Mccaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot recommend this series enough.

Pure joy and delight and each episode has had me laughing.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cabin Pressure is a delight. The cast fit together perfectly: Benedict Cumberbatch as the anxious, hapless, not-yet-failed captain; Roger Allam as the older, more talented and far more distinguished co-pilot; Stephanie Cole as the fearsome airline owner, who won't tolerate the foolish men messing it all up; and John Finnemore (the writer) as her bumbling son Arthur, the steward.

By the fourth series they've perfected the formula. Yes, there's a bit of a routine at times, but we also see the team rally round each other and show real warmth: everyone gets their moments of glory.

I like Cabin Pressure so much that after listening to all four series, I went back and listened to them all again. This series covers Timbuktu; a calamitous trip to Ireland; the Princess of Lichtenstein; Martin's family; a snowman; and a job interview. They're all hilarious.

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent summer read makes you want to go back to camp loved it

[Merideth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Here I am, don't tread on me. Here I am, don't tread on me!"

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.50 stars - rated pg13 (secular, fairly clean)

British radio sitcom released on Audible. I love Stephanie Cole in other British tv sitcoms so was looking forward to listening to this. I laughed and loved the hilarious season #1 and immediately bought all the other Cabin Pressure series' and anything else done by John Finnemore. This Cabin Pressure radio sitcom is fairly clean for a secular program but I've since discovered that other things done by John Finnemore can be rather unwholesome, tasteless and offensive so I've deleted his other programs off my audible. But the ensemble cast of this Cabin Pressure series is great together and I wish they'd done more than 4 years worth of hilarious programs.

[Maria Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT! (This is probably the best word to describe these series. If you've listened to them will know exactly what I mean. :-D)

The story takes a turn here...

A big applause for the cast, please, and, well, what can I say about Benedict Cumberbatch: superb!!

[Rui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last series of CP, but luckily still a Christmas Special and a two-part finale to go.

[Rebecca Timberlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so close to the end, and I wish I wasn't. I never would have thought a radio show could be so entertaining, but Cabin Pressure is, well, Arthur puts it best: "Brilliant!"

[Vanessa Pätzold · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best series ever

[Kathy Stoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I love these all so much! So funny and entertaining!

[Carla Do · Rating 5 out of 5]

to incorrectly quote the spice girls: if you wanna be my lover, you GOTTA LISTEN TO THE MASTERPIECE THAT IS CABIN PRESSURE

[Loulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!

[Marianne Robin-Tani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never wanted this series to land! Seriously, laughed until I cried.

[Patricia Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such fun! I wish there were more. The finale is all that’s left. :(

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as all the other series. I have already recommended it to my friends and family.

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just gets better and better.

[Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alas, even the best things must come to and end. And whether you're comparing it to fellow radio sitcoms or TV show comedies, Cabin Pressure continues to be, in my opinion, the best there is. And though this isn't quite the end (An hour-long finale episode entitled 'Zurich' aired Christmas 2014), it is the final full series of the show, and that is certainly bittersweet.

However, if you're a fan of the first three series and wondering whether this one maintains the quality of those preceding (especially after a particularly long hiatus, since Benedict is a busy film star now), the answer is definitely YES.

As is fitting as we near the end, in this series we find a bit more drama, but the scripts are still as sharp and hilarious as ever. If you're a frequent flyer, you'll be delighted to know that this time around, you can look forward to:

-Joining your favorite AirDot for the third and final Birling Day, as they answer the crucial question of whether Timbuktu is a real place, and if not, how easily can they fake it?

-Exploring the Irish countryside in search of a stuffed sheep for Carolyn's 'not-a-boyfriend' Herc, and exploring the Irish airport as Douglas teaches Arthur how to have an adequate bar conversation. ('Like in black and white times!')

-Martin slaying a dragon and winning the princess. Yes, really.

-More insight into Martin's family life, and finally learning who can go longest without using words of more than one syllable.

-Seeing Arthur simultaneously save/ruin the day (something I imagine only he could manage), while also learning how to play FizzBuzz.

-And finally, what happens when Arthur consumes strawberry, Douglas lives a day in the life of Martin, and Martin receives an offer he can't refuse. Or can he?

All in all, Series 4 continues the wonderful tradition of MJN. While I didn't enjoy it -quite- as much as Series 3, I believe this is more a case of personal preference rather than an actual dip in quality. Either way, if you're a fan, this is a must listen.

I will leave you with my favorite Series 4 lines (Arthur's first go on an airport tannoy). I hope you'll take his advice. MJN is taking off one last time; enjoy the ride!

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please? This is the Airport speaking. Listen to the Airport. Flight 2020202 is now ready for boarding at Gate...Eight. It isn't late, it will not wait. If you want to be on that aeroplane...it's time to get on the aeroplane now. If you have young children...put them on the aeroplane. If you have any hand baggage...put it on the aeroplane. If you have any bombs...they're not allowed on the aeroplane. Please put them...in the bin. Okay, bye! Love..the Airport."

[Jordanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Four of The Most Inept, Unskilled People Try to Run an Airline on Good Faith’

- Ashley V. Robinson, Ep. 49 of Geek History Lesson Podcast

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

I’m sure you’re thinking, but that’s 6 stars? Out of 5? That’s an improper fraction!

Well, I had to because it really is, that good. Hands down the funniest thing I’ve ever heard (and not just because I am a sucker for British comedy) Cabin Pressure is one of many brilliant recommendations I have scooped out of my favourite podcast, Geek History Lesson.

The title, quoted from one of GHL’s co-hosts, is really all you really need to know since if I were to go into all the reasons I love this audiobook/show/drama, I’d ruin it for a new listener. The least spoiler-y reasons come down to Douglas and his never-ending genius wit and the many recurring references and jokes that litter the 26 instalments of the show – since it is technically an audio-show by origin but I consider it an audiobook since its distribution on Audible.

I have discovered John Finnemore, writer and also actor, of Cabin Pressure to be the unseen mastermind behind much of my favourite television and he is clearly gifted in his craft. Cabin Pressure has foreshadowing, running jokes, and intelligent and engaging stories and a brilliant core cast of all-star British talent including John Finnemore, Rodger Allam, Stephanie Cole and Benedict Cumberbatch.

If Cabin Pressure announced a second series of episodes tomorrow, I would be right there ready for them and would happily listen and re-listen to all of the existing ones again.

I can’t recommend it enough, you can buy the episodes individually I think, but I think the best way to listen is via Audible subscription since you get to keep them afterwards in easily manageable series.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cabin Pressure is a radio sitcom put out by the BBC. As far as I know it is not available in book form. However, nearly all of the reading I do is through listening to audiobooks anyway, so I don't really differentiate between reading and the spoken word. The words seem to enter my mind similarly each way, and I often can't remember later whether I listened to or read a book. That is why I think it is appropriate that Cabin Pressure be listed and reviewed on Goodreads.

I got season 4 of Cabin Pressure through an Audible.com daily deal. I had never heard of it before, but it caught my interest when the daily deal came around, so I got it. I am glad that I did. The season was five half-hour episodes. The last few episodes in particular had me laughing out loud. I really enjoyed the fact that the writer did not resort to off-color humor to get shock-value laughs. Admittedly, not ever joke was funny to me, and I found the laugh track to be somewhat annoying when I felt like the producers were trying to convince me that a joke was funny by repeating the laugh track over and over. But, this problem happened far less than time that I found myself laughing. The fourth season was five 30-minute episodes, so the time commitment was not too high. I will be on the lookout for seasons one through three.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This broadcast just keeps getting better and better. With the introduction of Hercules, "Herc," to the series we get a smarmy boyfriend introduced to Caroline that allows her to shine. What's more, you can understand why both she and he have been divorced so many times! Douglas actually manages to lose a game, but swallows his ego to help out Martin when it really counts. Arthur continues to show why he is Arthur and actually manages to build a snowman that saves the day, then loses it, and then saves it again. As for Martin, he continues to be a foil, but his Sheer Martiness (I don't know how else to describe it) may come in handy to brighten his career prospects. All in all, a delightful series.

I should mention, we are getting close to the end of this delightful production and the ending of this particular compilation is bitter sweet. There is just one more special, Zurich, to go and I have some trepidation in listening to it as I really do not want things to end. I believe that shows how much I have enjoyed this ensemble cast and their adventures. Accordingly, if this is your first foray into Cabin Pressure (And why are you starting with Season 4? ) I can assure you that the rest of the seasons are equally as good and will provide lots of laughter with Finnemore's first rate comedic stylings. Enjoy.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never fails to make me feel happier.

[Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series 4 was fantastic, or should I say 'brilliant'? I liked it so much I think I'm going to listen to it again right away. The characters in this show are very likable, they grow (all except Arthur, who is...just Arthur.) I love the fact that airhead of the show is played by the incredibly talented writer/creator of the show. Every episode (should I say story to make it sound more book-like?) is funny and makes me laugh out-loud.

I will be keeping every story/episode from A to Z (it took me until half way through the 2nd series to notice the 'stories' were being titled alphabetically one episode per letter) and will relisten probably on an annual basis. Sheer fun!

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! I tried to pick one or two episodes that I thought were the best, but all of them made me laugh. I love the interactions between the characters; this season, I particularly enjoyed their game playing - the "fizz-buzz" episode had me laughing out loud.

I listened to this on audio, and despite not having the ability to see the episodes, I didn't feel I missed anything. I can visual the set, and it does not detract from the audio version at all.

Seaason 4 left us with a cliff-hanger, so I need to get moving on season 5!

[Eva Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is where things start to change. After all, Cabin Pressure couldn't go on forever YES IT COULD AND IT SHOULD HAVE!! um, sorry about that. This is where they start laying the groundwork for the finale.
And do a darn fine work of it. My favourite episode is Uskerty, which is very Carolinecentric, a rare treat, and everything about it is just pure comedy gold.
There's also one episode where for once, Martin comes out on top at the end and there's the snowman and Herc and Douglas fighting for the right to be Captain and much much more.

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still loving this show! Honestly, there isn't a character that I don't like, although my favourite is definitely Arthur, he is just... Well, to put it in his words, brilliant :-)!

But what a cliffhanger at the end of this series! Will Martin leave his airdot for an airline with actual pay, and be close to his new girlfriend? Of course, I hope not! (Sorry, Martin)

[Jenn Golden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Cabin Pressure! Series 4 did not disappoint. I loved the addition to the rules of Yellow Car and the plot lines of Wokingham were ones that I had been waiting for since the beginning. Not to mention the hijinks of the crew spending the night in Gerti.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much fun to be had in this new volume, plus some geese to x-ray as an incentive. The last episode has me reeling as to what Captain Martin Crieff will do now. I can't wait to hear more on the newest episode!

[Dave Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun, easy fun. I had not heard much about this series as it is a BBC series and gets no coverage where I live. British humour is by far better that the US ( my opinion of course) and this still true in the spoken word