Letters cataloguing the preoccupations and passions of television viewers over the last five decades.
Classic 1970s drama series based around a family-run haulage business. The founder of Hammond Transport has just died, leaving a widow, three sons and a will that is likely to cause conflict between the brothers.
The founder of Hammond Transport has died leaving a widow, three sons. Drama charting the struggle within the Hammond family over their road haulage business.
Archaeology series unearthing the history and anecdotes behind cult British Sunday night drama series looks at 1970s boardroom-to-bedroom saga The Brothers, set around a family-owned road haulage firm. It reveals how the writers mirrored the country's class divisions within the Hammond family, why a viewer punched actor Colin Baker in the mouth, what happened after Liza Goddard and Colin Baker met at the altar, and how being in a bad mood at the audition got Kate O'Mara the part of Jane Maxwell.
Update on the 1980s series about a group of doctors just starting out on their careers. John was already 28 and had spent more than a decade in the Navy before retraining. His wife Debbie supported him through medical school but they paid a heavy price for his success, with their marriage a casualty of his long hours as a junior doctor. After spells in many different branches of medicine, John has become interested in healthcare management. Could this be the niche he has been searching for?
Iain Stewart takes a grand tour of the world's most extraordinary volcanoes. With explosions that dwarf atomic bombs, waves of hot turbulent gas that travel at the speed of sound and rivers of hot molten rock that destroy everything in their path, volcanic eruptions can literally move mountains in minutes and are rightly thought of as among the most destructive and deadly events in nature. But there is far more to volcanoes than death and destruction, because without them the planet would be a very different place - there would be no atmosphere and no life.
Geography series with Dr Iain Stewart. Iain travels to surfers' paradise Hawaii to learn more about oceans, explaining the difference between waves, tides and currents. In the Amazon, he rides the world's longest tidal bore. In the beginning, there were no oceans: they are thought to have gradually formed from volcano steam and melted comet ice. Change continues today: a new sea is forming in Ethiopia, which will separate East Africa from the mainland, and the Mediterranean is drying up.
Documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first satellite, Sputnik, which launched the space age in 1957. The film explores how satellites have affected almost every aspect of our lives, from spy satellites and GPS transforming the military to the communications revolution kickstarted by Telstar. But recent events in China have revealed just how vulnerable we might be, for they suggest we might be on the verge of another new age, one of satellite terrorism.
MONDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2008
MON 19:00 World News Today (b008znb1)
The latest news from around the world.
MON 19:30 The Cult of... (b008yvnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 on Sunday]
MON 20:00 Brits Can't Dance (b008lz2h)
A celebration of the not-so-successful example of Brits hoofing on TV, from Step This Way to Strictly Come Dancing.
MON 20:30 Ready to Wear (b0077rnz)
You're Not Going Out Like That
Documentary series which explores the history of Britain through changes and developments in fashion. This programme looks at the chequered history of teenage fashion and charts the rise of Teddy Boys, mods, rockers and hippies.
MON 21:00 Savile Row (b008yvwv)
Foreign Affairs
Three-part documentary series about Savile Row, the London street famous for its bespoke tailoring establishments. To survive in the international menswear market the tailors need to think as one and promote themselves, so they hit the road with a touring exhibition that stops first in Florence, taking centre stage at the world's biggest menswear expo. New rules and regulations that define what a Savile Row tailor is, and where he may operate, begin to cause trouble in Mayfair and in Kensington.
MON 22:00 The Cult of... (b008yvnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 on Sunday]
MON 22:30 Summits (b008x43d)
Vienna 1961
David Reynolds, Professor of International History at Cambridge University, uncovers the story of three groundbreaking summit meetings that have shaped the modern world. When John F Kennedy met Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna in 1961, the result was a massive clash of personalities, generations and ideology. Reynolds unravels the poisonous duel between these two huge egos, one which revealed their human frailties and which pushed the world to the brink of nuclear destruction over Cuba.
MON 23:30 Hungary 1956: Our Revolution (b0074szd)
Documentary recalling the Hungarian uprising of autumn 1956, which, although it failed and was savagely repressed by the Soviets and their collaborators in Hungary, marked a crucial moment in the history of the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and the Cold War.
It was in many ways the prelude to the events of Prague in 1968 and the Solidarity movement in Poland. The flowering of optimism that moved masses of Hungarians, inebriated by the idea of democratic government and the end of Soviet-backed tyranny, provided a source of inspiration for other dissenters throughout the Eastern bloc.
There was something immensely heroic about Hungary's freedom-fighters, who fought a just war against overwhelming odds and something tragic about their inevitable defeat, once they realised that the West would not come to their rescue and that Khrushchev was determined to not give an inch.
The images of men, women and children climbing on Soviet tanks disabled by skilfully thrown Molotov cocktails, or young 'freedom-fighters' stalking the Budapest streets with machine-guns slung over their shoulders was instantly iconic.
200,000 Hungarians fled to the West, of whom only 40,000 returned. Many people were sent to prison and at least 1,200 executed. The wounds inflicted in those bitter days still fester today.
The film brings together the memories of a varied group of men and women who tell the story of 1956 from a personal point-of-view, evoking the inner and outer drama of the events - how they affected them as people and how they shaped the mood of the city as a whole.
The resulting mix of reminiscences offers a powerful and often deeply emotional account of events, the highs as well as the lows, that have universal significance.
MON 00:30 Savile Row (b008yvwv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
MON 01:30 Summits (b008x43d)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 today]
MON 02:30 The Cult of... (b008yvnr)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:00 on Sunday]
MON 03:00 Savile Row (b008yvwv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2008
TUE 19:00 World News Today (b008znbl)
The latest news from around the world.
TUE 19:30 Pop Go the Sixties (b008791y)
Series 1
The Shadows
A colourful nugget of pop by The Shadows, mined from the BBC's archive.
TUE 19:35 Batman (b007zld9)
Series 1
Fine Finny Fiends
Superhero action with the caped crusader. The pernicious Penguin brainwashes Alfred, then vacuums up the dynamic duo in an attempt to loot Bruce Wayne's multi-millionaires' dinner. Guest starring Burgess Meredith as the fishy fiend.
TUE 20:00 Around the World in 80 Treasures (b0078vpz)
Series 1
Australia to Cambodia
Giant termite mounds, edible juicy ants and erotic cave paintings are the treasures Dan Cruickshank unearths in the outback. In Dan's view, even the brilliance of Sydney Harbour can't rival the artefacts of ancient Australia.
Dan then moves on to Indonesia and meets the Torajan people of Sulawesi for whom, with their elaborate funerals and continued contact with loved ones after they have died, the line between life and death is very different to that in the west.
Dan's excitement is palpable as he visits the highlight of his trip so far - the temples of Angkor Wat and the 12th-century city of Angkor Thom in Cambodia. A golden elephant is Dan's final prize in Thailand - another wonder of the ancient world.
Dan's visit to Indonesia and Thailand was made before the devastation wrought by the Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake in 2004.
TUE 21:00 Goodness Gracious Me (b008yvz1)
Series 1
Episode 6
British-Asian sketch comedy series based on the award-winning Radio 4 series and starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal, Kulvinder Ghir and Nina Wadia.
TUE 21:30 The Armstrong and Miller Show (b008bycn)
Series 1
Episode 4
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller star in a sketch show in which scratching beneath the surface of po-faced British respectability reveals a wealth of great characters.
TUE 22:00 Citizen Smith (b008yvz2)
Mavericks
Writer Michael Smith takes on the guise of a contemporary Citizen Smith, scouring the country in search of a modern day definition of nationality. He celebrates the quintessentially English mavericks who feel at liberty to buck the system by doing it themselves and doing it their way. Richard Wilson, the Rubbish Men, Colin Pillinger and his Beagle mission to Mars are all considered worthy, as Smith flies the flag for the only country in the world that uses the word eccentric as a compliment.
TUE 22:30 Storyville (b008yvz3)
Orthodox Stance
Documentary about Dmitriy Salita, a Russian immigrant, a professional boxer and a religious Jew. To overcome the loss of his mother, Dmitriy dedicated himself to boxing and to battle his fear of the ring, Dmitriy turned to God. The film shows Dmitriy growing up among the seemingly incompatible communities of boxing and Orthodox Judaism, and the cultures and characters working together to support his rare and remarkable devotion to both religion and the pursuit of a professional boxing title.
TUE 23:50 10 Things You Didn't Know About... (b0074spx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Sunday]
TUE 00:50 Citizen Smith (b008yvz2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:00 today]
TUE 01:20 BBC Proms (b007t3tb)
2007
Rossini and Berio - Prom 4
Suzy Klein introduces the Chorus and Orchestra of Santa Cecilia, Rome, and an international quartet of young singers as they perform Rossini's theatrical Stabat Mater, conducted by Antonio Pappano. The orchestra is joined by the Swingle Singers for Luciano Berio's modern masterpiece, Sinfonia.
TUE 03:20 10 Things You Didn't Know About... (b0074spx)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 on Sunday]
WEDNESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2008
WED 19:00 World News Today (b008znc7)
The latest news from around the world.
WED 19:30 Pop Go the Sixties (b008d06d)
Series 1
Alan Price
A colourful nugget of pop mined from the BBC's archive.
WED 19:35 Batman (b008zk4m)
Series 1
Batman Makes the Scenes
Fantasy adventure series. Batman realises that Alfred has been brainwashed, and decides to use him as bait to lure Penguin into a trap.
WED 20:00 The Queen's Castle (b00792v0)
The Ranger
Prince Philip, as Ranger of the Great Park, gives a tour of the castle's grounds. Plus, a look at the new shop in the Royal Chapel.
WED 21:00 Summits (b008yw46)
Geneva, 1985
David Reynolds, Professor of International History at Cambridge University, uncovers the story of three groundbreaking summit meetings that shaped the modern world. When Ronald Reagan met the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Geneva in 1985, few foresaw any meaningful progress. Each had arrived with real doubts about the other and entrenched ideological convictions. Yet despite two days of fundamental disagreement over arms policy, Reagan saw the peacemaker in Gorbachev and reached out to him.
WED 22:00 The Rock 'n' Roll Years (b008znc8)
1985
Headliners and chart toppers from 1985, the year that Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Soviet leader and meets Ronald Reagan. Football hooligans cause tragedy at Heysel Stadium, there are riots in Handsworth, Brixton and Tottenham, a state of emergency is declared in South Africa, and the world tunes in to Live Aid.
WED 22:30 The Late Edition (b008yw48)
Series 4
Episode 14
Satirical comedy show, with host Marcus Brigstocke and guests.
WED 23:00 Art of Spain (b008x4bp)
The Dark Heart
Critic and art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon travels from southern to northern Spain to tell the story of some of Europe's most exciting and vital art. He journeys to the country’s scorched centre to explore Spanish art of the 16th and 17th centuries. From the mystical world of El Greco to the tender genius of Velazquez, this was a moment so extraordinary it became known as the Golden Age. But beneath the glittering surface was a dark and savage heart. Travelling from the architectural jewel of Toledo to majestic Madrid, Andrew Graham-Dixon traces the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire, the brutal conquest of the New World, and the religious madness of the Inquisition, to discover how a history so violent could produce some of the most beautiful art ever seen.
WED 00:00 Summits (b008yw46)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
WED 01:00 The Late Edition (b008yw48)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 today]
WED 01:30 Art of Spain (b008x4bp)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 today]
WED 02:30 Summits (b008yw46)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
WED 03:30 The Late Edition (b008yw48)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 today]
THURSDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2008
THU 19:00 World News Today (b008zncj)
The latest news from around the world.
THU 19:30 Masterpieces of the East (b007rvmf)
Shiva and Parvati Seated on a Terrace
Series revealing the stories behind iconic artefacts from the Indian subcontinent. The Hindu god Shiva and his partner Parvati are the subjects of an exquisite miniature painting, crammed with detail. It was bought by a British army officer in India at the end of the 18th century and dates from a time when two great nations met as equals.
THU 20:00 Michael Wood: The Story of India (b007ymb0)
Spice Routes and Silk Roads
Michael Wood traces India in the days of the Roman Empire. In Kerala the spice trade opened India to the world, whilst gold and silk bazaars in the ancient city of Madurai were a delight for visiting Greek traders. From the deserts of Turkmenistan, Michael travels down the Khyber Pass to Pakistan to discover a forgotten Indian Empire that opened up the Silk Road and at Peshawar built a lost Wonder of the World.
THU 21:00 Art of Spain (b008yw7p)
The Mystical North
Andrew Graham-Dixon reveals how northern Spain has produced some of the most dazzling and iconic art of the modern age. He shows how Spain's turbulent history has shaped its artists, from Francisco Goya and Pablo Picasso to Joan Miro and Salvador Dali. As well as the giants of painting, Graham-Dixon argues that Spanish architecture is the art form taking the nation forward into the new millennium.
THU 22:00 Ashes to Ashes (b008y6pr)
Series 1
Episode 1
Drama series following the exploits of Life on Mars' DCI Gene Hunt. In this first episode, DI Alex Drake is shot and lands in 1981, coming face-to-face with Gene Hunt, the relic of old-fashioned policing she had read about in Sam Tyler's reports. Thinking that she is in a coma, Alex demands Hunt's help in tracking down the man who shot her in 2008.
THU 23:00 Pop Britannia (b008lz85)
Move It
Three-part documentary series telling the story of British popular music and its place in British culture since the 1950s. This edition charts Britain's journey from the austere post-war years, when popular music meant 'light entertainment' and was dominated by the conservative tastes of the establishment, to the early 1960s when British pop ruled the world. Contributors include Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde, Ray Gosling, Bruce Welch and Helen Shapiro.
THU 00:00 Art of Spain (b008yw7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
THU 01:00 Robert Hughes on Goya: Crazy Like a Genius (b0074mnz)
Documentary in which the late art critic Robert Hughes travels across Spain in search of the reality beyond the mythology of Spanish painter Francisco Goya. Goya has long been Hughes's favourite artist but has become a particular obsession since a near-fatal car accident left Hughes living with nightmares of Goya's often dark and violent imagery.
THU 02:10 Pop Britannia (b008lz85)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:00 today]
THU 03:10 Art of Spain (b008yw7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
FRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2008
FRI 19:00 World News Today (b008zncp)
The latest news from around the world.
FRI 19:30 Legends (b00859zv)
Louis Prima - King of the Swingers
Profile of American entertainer, singer, actor, songwriter and trumpeter Louis Prima. Immortalised as the voice of King Louis in Disney's Jungle Book, Prima was a musical chameleon whose career spanned more than five decades. Born in New Orleans, he became a star on New York's 52nd St during the 30s, had countless hits with his Big Band in the 40s and in the 50s teamed up with wife Keely Smith to create a Las Vegas lounge act that quickly earned a reputation as the hottest act in showbusiness.
FRI 20:30 Brecon Jazz Festival (b008yw98)
2007
Women in Jazz
Julian Joseph meets four very different female jazz musicians to understand their creativity and discuss their musical influences. Jessica Williams is an American pianist who started her career playing in the clubs of San Francisco's 1970's jazz scene, while rising British star Zoe Rahman is one of the country's shining talents. Japanese performer Hiromi is causing a real stir wherever she plays, and there's also a performance by British jazz vocalist Tina May.
FRI 21:00 Legends (b0074t6m)
Edith Piaf - Singing Her Life
Profile of legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf, whose talent for re-inventing herself was second only to her phenomenal voice and who used her difficult upbringing to feed her art and create the iconic performer the world came to know simply as Piaf. She found a generation of great songwriters to help her tell her story and nurtured singers including Charles Aznavour, Georges Moustaki and Yves Montand. Includes contributions from Ute Lemper, biographer Margaret Crosland and critic Gene Lees.
FRI 22:00 BBC Four Sessions (b008yw99)
k.d. lang
Series of unique concerts featuring musicians from around the world at St Luke's in London. Canadian country singer and four-times Grammy Award winner k.d. lang performs together with a 30-strong strings section from the BBC Concert Orchestra. The set features songs from across her 25-year career, including her biggest hit Constant Craving, covers of Neil Young and Leonard Cohen songs, and material from her 2008 album Watershed.
FRI 23:00 Originals (b0074rrd)
Tammy Wynette - 'Til I Can Make it on my Own
Profile of the late country legend, including performances of many of Tammy's greatest songs. Contributors include husbands George Jones and George Richey, Elvis Costello, Allison Moorer, Bill Drummond of the KLF and actress Anna Chancellor.
FRI 00:00 Batman (b007zld9)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:35 on Tuesday]
FRI 00:25 Batman (b008zk4m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:35 on Wednesday]
FRI 00:50 Brecon Jazz Festival (b008yw98)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:30 today]
FRI 01:20 BBC Four Sessions (b008yw99)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:00 today]
FRI 02:20 Legends (b00859zv)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:30 today]
FRI 03:20 Legends (b0074t6m)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]