9 replies to this topic

[Slapsie Maxie]

I am not sure if anyone has mentioned IN OUR TIME yet, but it is rapidly becoming one of my favourite Radio 4 programmes and I have downloaded dozens of episodes from I Tunes.

Each half or one hour episode is led by Melvyn Bragg, one time host of the excellent South Bank Show, and brings together scholars to discuss subjects in the areas of philosophy, religion, history, culture and science.

Obviously, given the time limits, the discussions can only ever be a snapshot, but they are a great introduction, particularly to subjects for which you might only have a passing knowledge.

Today, on a flight back from Panama, I listened to fascinating discussions on Uncle Tom's Cabin, the comedies of Menander, the observatory at Jaipur, King Alfred's battle at Edington, The Field of The Cloth of Gold and The Poincare Conjecture.

Well worth checking out.

Slapsie

[foodie52]

Thanks for that. I'll find it , and let John know as well.

[g.johnson]

Melvin struggling with anything even marginally outside his comfort zone (i.e., absolutely everything) is quite hilarious.

[g.johnson]

Thanks for that. I'll find it , and let John know as well.

Here.

[balex]

Melvin struggling with anything even marginally outside his comfort zone (i.e., absolutely everything) is quite hilarious.

Yes, but that's part of his shtick isn't it? He is the listener's representative, so he can't be too smart.

[g.johnson]

Melvin struggling with anything even marginally outside his comfort zone (i.e., absolutely everything) is quite hilarious.

Yes, but that's part of his shtick isn't it? He is the listener's representative, so he can't be too smart.

I've never been able to take him seriously since he interviewed Pete Townsend and started a question "Your first single was 'In The Face'*..."

* In reality...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9BUfSSxyAs

[Wilfrid]

I was stuck behind him in a crowd once, and overcome with an only just resistible desire to bite him savagely in the back of the neck.

[g.johnson]

I once ran into him in the Garrick after what had obviously been a substantial "dinner".

[Wilfrid]

"Cheers!"

[memesuze]

Some of the other BBC4 podcasts are in my regular rotation, like Play of the Week, here's a blog/newsfeed that keeps me abreast of upcoming items of interest. That's where I learned about the multi-episode dramatisation of Life and Fate that was terrific. Some of the Radio 4's podcasts are only available for download for a week, so don't delay if you find something you want to d/l.