Mastering the Universe was a series of comic lectures by Dawn French, which ran across two series between 2005 and 2009.

Professor Joy Klamp (Dawn French) presents a series of radio lessons in which she aims to teach the listener how to become a total spoilsport.

With the help of Joy’s “Sourpussy Posse” (aka sketch team), the show uses fake archive material, workshops and role-plays to convey the best ways to ruin parties, spoil visits to the cinema, destroy holidays, make the most of migraines, and more.

According to Klamp, spoiling someone else’s pleasure is the most deeply rewarding of all the controlling arts. Feeling cold in restaurants, answering in monosyllables, making a little tutting noise when anyone says something amusing – these are just some of the tried and tested fun-prevention techniques which have been used by miserable sods down the centuries.

With Klamp as guide, the show takes a punishing journey into the heart of sulkiness. Along the way, Joy puts us in touch with our inner spoilsport and releases that right bleeding misery-guts, the one who’d rather be seen dead than having a good time.

See below and check it out any episodes are streaming (please comment on this post if you find it is currently streaming so we can update registered users.)

Mastering the Universe BBC Homepage here

Mastering the Universe Purchase here