Series

The Culture Show

2004 · 19 seasons · 274 episodes · Returning Series · BBC Two

News, Documentary

TMDB 6.6 · 8 votes

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A weekly BBC Two magazine programme focusing on the best of the week's arts and culture news, covering books, art, film, architecture and more.

Episodes

  • S01E01Episode 12004-11-1160m

    Verity Sharp presents an accessible guide to the best exhibitions, books, films and music. As Disney's effects-laden The Incredibles opens in cinemas, The Culture Show considers the future of traditional hand-painted animation. And David Hockney talks to Andrew Marr about his new book Hockney's Pictures.

  • S01E02Episode 22004-11-1860m

    As the newly expanded Museum of Modern Art in New York reopens, world-renowned art critic Robert Hughes is offered a first look into the building designed by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi. Kwame Kwei-Armah presents the arts round-up.

  • S01E03Episode 32004-11-2560m

    Ahead of its official opening by the Queen, Charles Hazlewood gets an advance look inside the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, and examines whether this long-awaited performing arts centre can live up to expectations. Plus the other top arts and cultural stories of the week.

  • S01E04Episode 42004-12-0260m

    Dissected livestock, a cast of a house, a painting with elephant dung and an electrical time switch - all past winners of the Turner Prize. Tonight Mariella Frostrup takes a look at this year's shortlist ahead of next week's award ceremony. Plus the most prominent arts and culture stories of the week.

  • S01E05Episode 52004-12-0960m

    Germaine Greer meets artist Paula Rego and Andrew Graham-Dixon uncovers the secret of Velazquez's 'Lady with a Fan'. Plus reports on animated film 'Valiant' and the death of broadsheet newspapers.

  • S01E06Episode 62004-12-1660m

    A report on Gateshead's new Sage music centre, which opens tomorrow, plus the rest of the top stories in art and culture. With Charles Hazlewood.

  • S01E07Episode 72005-01-1360m

    Reports on Charles Saatchi 's rediscovery of painting, the competition to be recognised as Britain's best museum and a close-up look at what makes a great news photograph. Plus a profile of conductor Simon Rattle and an appreciation of the Hammond organ's place in pop music over the past 50 years.

  • S01E08Episode 82005-01-2060m

    The review of the latest developments on the arts and culture scene includes a report on the Celtic Connections music festival, a 19-day celebration taking place in Glasgow.

  • S01E09Episode 92005-02-0360m

    London's Abbey Road Studios opens its doors to the public next month for the first time in 20 years. Mariella Frostrup previews the forthcoming festival celebrating 25 years of films scored in Studio One - the world's biggest purpose-built recording studio. Shelley Jofre, meanwhile, talks to author Malcolm Gladwell about his guide to effective decision-making - Blink: the Power of Thinking without Thinking.

  • S01E10Episode 102005-02-1060m

    Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse Five was inspired by his experiences in Dresden during the devastating Second World War bombing. To mark 60 years since the attack on the German city, Vonnegut gives a rare interview in which he talks about his life and work.

  • S01E11Episode 112005-02-1760m

    Director Martin Scorsese explains the influence of Caravaggio on his films, particularly with regard to light, shadow and realism. Plus Kazuo Ishiguro on his novel 'Never Let Me Go', and the troubled history of EastEnders as it celebrates its 20th birthday.

  • S01E12Episode 122005-02-2460m

    A report from Ferryside in Carmarthenshire where a trial for TV's digital switchover is taking place. Plus Liam Neeson on his biopic of controversial sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, and a backstage pass to Kaiser Chiefs' tour.

  • S01E13Episode 132005-03-0360m

    Woody Allen talks about his latest film Melinda and Melinda, starring Radha Mitchell and Chloe Sevigny, and there's an interview with children's author Jacqueline Wilson. Plus an edifying peek into the secret world of fonts.

  • S01E14Episode 142005-03-1060m

    As well as an interview with 1960s counter-culture cartoonist Robert Crumb at his house in France, there's analysis of the legacy of the Arts & Crafts movement on the eve of a major exhibition at London's V&A Museum. Plus a fly-on-the-wall report from Brixton Prison as some of the inmates rehearse a production of Shakespeare's Othello.

  • S01E15Episode 152005-03-1760m

    Damien Hirst, dubbed Britain's most expensive living artist, discusses his recently opened exhibition of paintings in New York. Plus the imminent return of Doctor Who, and the English village that's launched its own book prize.

  • S01E16Episode 162005-04-1460m

    Composer and Master of the Queen's Music Sir Peter Maxwell Davies talks about his career, there's an interview with maverick architectural talent Zaha Hadid, and a look at the arctic Cape Farewell Expedition, which is all about deriving inspiration from the ice, seas and environment in temperatures of -35°C. Plus Robert Hughes on the latest big art history book.

  • S01E17Episode 172005-04-2160m

    Sylvie Guillem - widely considered one of the greatest dancers of her generation - is interviewed in the week she and the Ballet Boyz perform An Evening of Work by Russell Maliphant at Sadler's Well in London. Harold Pinter discusses director Lindsay Posner's new staging of his first full-length play, The Birthday Party. And which is the true-life portrait of William Shakespeare? A centuries-old debate could finally be resolved.

  • S01E18Episode 182005-04-2860m

    Conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim, director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Deutsche Staatsoper in Berlin, discusses the art of playing Johann Sebastian Bach. Plus a look at what makes an "original" work of art - is the art-buying public being misled?

  • S01E19Episode 192005-05-0560m

    As Tate Modern celebrates its fifth birthday, Charles Hazlewood considers the extent of its cultural impact. Plus, Matthew Sweet on how TV taught us parenting, Nick Hornby on his latest novel, and a preview of Robert Lepage's production of opera Nineteen Eighty-Four.

  • S01E20Episode 202005-05-1260m

    American crime novelist Ed McBain talks about turning real life into fiction and discusses his battle with cancer. Plus a visit to West Sussex for a display of the best examples of British sculpture, and a mysterious new game that has players around the world competing for clues.

  • S01E21Episode 212005-05-1960m

    Lawrence Pollard reports on a new approach to public art being trialled in Bristol, with temporary exhibits taking the place of traditional permanent statues. Plus cinematographer Chris Doyle gives a masterclass in movie-making and Kathy Burke discusses her new role as an acclaimed theatre director.

  • S01E22Episode 222005-05-2660m

    Gillian Ayres discusses her work and Louisa Buck visits two art exhibitions. Lawrence Pollard considers whether 'book towns' such as Hay-on-Wye can halt the decline of second-hand bookshops in the internet age, and there's news on the debate about the siting and design of wind farms.

  • S01E23Episode 232005-06-0260m

    Germaine Greer and artist Susan Wilson are among the women explaining what Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's work means to them, and singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright reveals how Verdi's music has influenced his career.

  • S01E24Episode 242005-06-0960m

    Maverick artists Gilbert and George discuss their work for the British Pavilion at the 51st Venice Biennale. Ewan McGregor talks about his role in stage musical Guys and Dolls, and DJ Annie Mac goes to Glyndebourne to find out how they're trying to appeal to younger audiences.

  • S01E25Episode 252005-06-1360m

    U2 talk about music, politics and 25 years together, on the eve of the UK leg of their world tour. There's a rare interview with controversial German artist Anselm Kiefer, and leading operatic baritone Bryn Terfel discusses singing Wagner.

Cast