The Department

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The Department is a satirical comedy on BBC Radio 4 about a secret organisation with the power to influence every aspect of your life.

Chris Addison, John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman star as Research Team 32, an eccentric three-man think-tank with the brief to brainstorm new ideas on solving society's problems. The Department is written and performed by Chris Addison, John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman (series three written only by Oliver and Zaltzman), with Peter Dickson, Matthew Holness and Lucy Montgomery.

[edit] Character List

 Oscar Proud (Chris Addison) - Team 32's team leader and historian.  Extremely patriotic, but generally moral.  
 Victor Gooch (John Oliver) - Team 32's lawyer.  Ruthless and cheerfully amoral.  
 Lazlo Wolfe (Andy Zaltzman) - Team 32's scientist.  Deeply in love with 'Wendy'.  
 Keith Bilk (Matthew Holness) - Undersecretary to the Department Committee.  Very organised, fit, talented and obnoxious.  
   Despises Team 32.  
 "Tony" - A Department canteen worker.  Also despises Team 32, especially Victor.  

[edit] Episode List

1st Series 2004

  1.   1- 1   Jan  7 04   Education  
  2.   1- 2   Jan 14 04   Public Transportation
  3.   1- 3   Jan 21 04   The Army

2nd Series 2005

  4.   2- 1   Jul 12 05   Crime and Punishment
  5.   2- 2   Jul 19 05   Democracy
  6.   2- 3   Jul 26 05   The Environment
  7.   2- 4   Aug  2 05   Europe
  8.   2- 5   Aug  9 05   Health

3rd Series 2006

  9.   3- 1   Aug  2 06   Tax and Public Spending
 10.   3- 2   Aug  9 06   Terrorism [postponed from Aug 16 05]
 11.   3- 3   Aug 16 06   Trade
 12.   3- 4   Aug 23 06   Immigration
 13.   3- 5   Aug 30 06   Science and Technology
 14.   3- 6   Sep  6 06   Making Britain Great Again