The Culture Show - Season 15

First aired: 5/20/2010 22 episodes
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Episodes

1. Episode 1

Aired: 5/20/2010

Coming from the Brighton Festival, artistic director Brian Eno talks about his line-up, Miranda Sawyer drops in at rehearsals of Simon Stephens's new play Marine Parade, and we hear from Seun Kuti, youngest son of Fela and successor of the Afrobeat crown. Sue Perkins visits the Scottish highlands to hear an unusual performance of Benjamin Britten's opera Noye's Fludde, while Mark Kermode reports from the 63rd Cannes Film Festival. Andrew Graham-Dixon meets prize winning author David Mitchell and explores the new Mystery Portraits exhibition at Montacute House. Plus Alastair Sooke talks to artist Alex Katz about his show at the National Portrait Gallery and portrait of Anna Wintour, editor of US Vogue.

2. Episode 2: Tate Modern is 10! A Culture Show Special

Aired: 5/25/2010

Art critic Matthew Collings celebrates the birthday of one of the most successful modern art museums in the world. With contributions from director of Tate, Sir Nicholas Serota, and artists Tracey Emin, Grayson Perry, Rachel Whiteread and Olafur Eliasson, this Culture Show special asks what lies behind the extraordinary popularity of Tate Modern, with over 45 million visitors to date, and examines how this institution has changed public perceptions of art forever.

3. Episode 3

Aired: 5/27/2010

Andrew Graham-Dixon discovers the history of gargoyles at Westminster Abbey and travels to Llandudno, Wales for a preview of the new Mostyn Gallery. Miranda Sawyer and Mark Kermode argue over theatre versus film, Michael Smith questions the heritage industry, Sarfraz Manzoor visits The Onion in America, and literary critic Geoff Dyer reviews the new wave of war writing.

4. Episode 4

Aired: 6/3/2010

Andrew Graham-Dixon contemplates the past, present and future of British comic art; artist Grayson Perry looks at the dwindling craft of potting; while Tom Dyckhoff checks into hospital to find out if good design can actually improve our health. Plus an all male book group from Bolton checks out the Orange Prize shortlist, rising star Noel Clarke talks about his latest film and pictures from Platon - Brit photographer for the New Yorker.

5. Episode 5

Aired: 6/10/2010

An episode dedicated to the relationship between science and art. Andrew Graham-Dixon investigates the science behind fakes, misattributed art and previously lost masterpieces. Michael Smith visits the Wellcome Collection's bizarre new show Skin. Mark Kermode talks to mathematician and movie buff Marcus Du Sautoy about the portrayal of science in film. Will Self walks the East Riding coast riffing on its erosion, and Tom Dyckhoff visits the world's first materials library that will inspire the buildings of the future. Clemency Burton-Hill talks to artist Conrad Shawcross, and Ben Lewis conducts a poll to measure attitudes on the future of art.

6. Episode 6: The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2010: A Culture Show Special

Aired: 6/17/2010

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents a Culture Show special from the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition, the biggest open submission exhibition in the world, now in its 242nd year. He goes behind the scenes of the selection process and picks out four artists he hopes will make it into the show. Tom Dyckhoff explores the architecture room, this year bigger than ever before, curated by star architect David Chipperfield. Alastair Sooke talks to artist Fiona Rae in the process of selecting work for one of the rooms at the show. Andrew Graham-Dixon sits in as the judges for the Wollaston Prize decide who should win the 25,000 pound prize for the most important artwork in the exhibition. Critics Matthew Collings and Miranda Sawyer, plus artist Grayson Perry, share their thoughts on the highs and lows of the 2010 show.

7. Episode 7: BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction

Aired: 7/1/2010

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents a Culture Show special on 2010's BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. The programme comes from the ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architecture as the judges make their final deliberations and reveal the winner of the 20,000 pound prize.

8. Episode 8: Edinburgh Festival Special, Part 1

Aired: 8/12/2010

Sue Perkins presents the first of three Culture Show specials from the Edinburgh Festival, featuring a major retrospective of Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed and the latest production by the National Theatre of Scotland, Caledonia. Also, author Christos Tsiolkas discusses his controversial book The Slap, and veteran comic stars recall their Edinburgh debuts.

9. Episode 9: Edinburgh Festival Special, Part 2

Aired: 8/19/2010

Sue Perkins presents the second Culture Show special from Edinburgh featuring the hottest tickets at the Festival. Featuring Opera de Lyon's production of Porgy and Bess and the first UK solo exhibition of abstract expressionist Joan Mitchell. Plus Sue seeks advice from cult LA talk show hosts Ronna and Beverly.

10. Episode 10: Edinburgh Festival Special, Part 3

Aired: 8/26/2010

Sue Perkins presents the final Culture Show from the Edinburgh Festival, featuring Bliss by Opera Australia based on the blackly comic novel by Peter Carey and the biggest British exhibition of work by renowned American photographer Edward Weston. Paul Mason meets outspoken economics guru Joseph Stiglitz in town for the Book Festival and there is music from Eels.

11. Episode 11

Aired: 10/21/2010

Andrew Graham Dixon presents the latest edition of The Culture Show from Glasgow featuring writer and artist Alasdair Gray on the publication of his autopictography, A Life in Pictures. Andrew also visits Chichester Cathedral to see how the campaign to restore their magnificent collection of Tudor paintings is progressing. Miranda Sawyer meets the latest British rap sensation Tinie Tempah midway through his UK tour; and Mark Kermode checks out one of the year's most talked about movies, The Kids Are Alright, featuring Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as a married couple with two children conceived through artifical insemination. Also, Damien Hirst raids the BBC archives to uncover his favourite moments featuring Andy Warhol, Marchel Duchamp and Francis Bacon.

12. Episode 12

Aired: 11/4/2010

Andrew Graham Dixon visits the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence to view a landmark exhibition of work by Bronzino, artist and poet to the Court of Medici. Mark Kermode meets Mike Leigh to discuss his latest film, Another Year, while Matt Berry celebrates the 40th anniversary of what he considers the seminal concept album - Jesus Christ Superstar. Legendary graphic novel author Alan Moore explores the biggest public art exhibition of Austin Osman Spare for over 50 years, and discovers why Spare, an Edwardian virtuoso artist and occult magician has been left off art history's canon. Simon Schama picks his favourites foodie moments from the BBC's back catalogue, from Fanny Craddock to Keith Floyd.

13. Episode 13

Aired: 11/11/2010

Tom Dyckhoff visits Horace Walpole's Strawberry Hill House, which was recently re-opened to the public after a two-year restoration project. Sarfraz Manzoor investigates the winning images of the 2010 World Press Photo competition, and Paul Auster talks about his latest book Sunset Park. Michael Smith explores the British Library's exhibition on accents and language, while Alain de Botton takes a look at the critically acclaimed video installation The Clock. Andrew Graham-Dixon remembers war artist Henry Tonks, and Mark Kermode revisits cult classic Peeping Tom on its 50th anniversary.

14. Episode 14

Aired: 11/18/2010

Andrew Graham Dixon looks at the work of German artist Caspar David Friedrich and Clemency Burton Hill meets with choreographer Wayne McGregor to find out how he is collaborating with scientists to create his latest work, Far. Also, Mat Fraser seeks out the best art, music and performance at this year's Festival of Disability and Deaf Arts in Liverpool and Miranda Hart looks back at the comedy genius of Tony Hancock.

15. Episode 15

Aired: 11/25/2010

The Culture Show comes from The National Gallery, where Andrew Graham-Dixon reviews Bridget Riley's new show. Tim Samuels investigates the educational tool of the Gateshead Grannies, while web guru Tom Uglow guides us round the most innovative and intriguing corners of the net. Mark Kermode looks at the new low-budget home-grown sci-fi thriller Monsters, and Alastair Sooke uncovers an impressive yet similarly low-budget home-grown art collection on the Isle of Arran. Clemency Burton-Hill drops in at the Old Vic, where actors, directors and writers join forces to make six short plays in just 24 hours, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane talks to Alan Yentob about his new MGM tour, and KT Tunstall selects her favourite musical moments from the BBC archive.

16. Episode 16

Aired: 12/2/2010

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents the latest edition of The Culture Show featuring an interview with film director Danny Boyle about his latest film 127 Hours. With Christmas fast approaching, Michael Smith investigates the lure of the shopping mall and we meet the don of dance floor rock 'n' roll, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. We also launch the exciting plans for World Book Night in March next year and how you can get involved.

17. Episode 17: Best of The Culture Show 2010

Aired: 12/16/2010

A round up of the Culture Show highlights of the year. Andrew Graham-Dixon meets British artist Chris Ofili to discuss his career and explores the textural based work of American artist Jenny Holzer. Alastair Sooke and photographer Rankin cast a critical eye over the fashion photography of Irving Penn; and designer Tom Ford talks to Mark Kermode about his directorial debut, A Single Man starring Colin Firth. Martin Amis, Paul Auster and Peter Carey talk books and the public vote on the most coveted book prizes of the year. Tom Dyckhoff gets hands on at the Materials Library and conductor Daniel Barenboim celebrates the genius of Schonberg with Clemency Burton-Hill. Plus MOBO best newcomer, Tinie Tempah reveals the sounds and experiences behind his music. All this and Sue Perkins on the highlights from this year's Edinburgh Festival and Grayson Perry on Frieze the UK's most influential Art Fair.

18. Episode 18

Aired: 2/10/2011

Andrew Graham-Dixon takes a tour of Westminster Abbey, currently undergoing restoration in preparation for a certain royal wedding later this year. With Valentine's Day approaching, Alain de Botton delivers his philosophy on contemporary romance. Miranda Sawyer meets rock chameleon PJ Harvey as she releases her new album, Let England Shake, and Alastair Sooke talks to Turner Prize-winning artist Simon Starling as his latest exhibition opens at Tate St Ives.

19. Episode 19

Aired: 2/17/2011

The Culture Show visits Tate Britain, where Andrew Graham-Dixon rediscovers the watercolour. Michael Smith boards the new East London Line to investigate the rapidly changing badlands of the East End, and Alain de Botton travels back in time and discovers some philosophical gems from the BBC archive. Clemency Burton Hill drops in at The Royal Opera House's production about the tragic life of Anna Nicole Smith, while Nancy Durrant chats to artist Mary Kelly about her much hailed feminist work. Tom Dyckhoff travels to Miami to talk to architect Frank Gehry about his next project for the New World Symphony. As New York Fashion week draws to a close Hadley Freeman looks into the new darling of the fashion world - 14 year old blogger and fashionista - Tavi, whilst Mark Kermode looks at the essential elements of sci-fi spoofs and talks to Simon Pegg and Nick Frost about their latest addition to the genre, “Paul”.

20. Episode 20: Forget the Oscars, Here Are the Kermodes

Aired: 2/24/2011

As the 83rd Academy Award season approaches, Culture Show film critic Mark Kermode prepares his very own list of statuettes to give to the true movie talent that in his opinion will be shamelessly forgotten by the Oscars this year. For the sixth year running, Mark rights those wrongs by giving out his own unique award - a Kermode - and talking to some of the film-makers who deserve to be celebrated for their movie-making achievements. As well as creating his own unique shortlist of winners, Mark gives us the low-down on how the awards season really works, with a master-class on how to win a much coveted award, and a breakdown of its ultimate worth.

21. Episode 21

Aired: 3/3/2011

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents this edition of The Culture Show. It features a major exhibition of work by Northern Renaissance artist Jan Gossaert and an interview with reclusive contemporary street artist JR. The programme also looks at two new productions of work by playwright Terence Rattigan, in the centenary of his birth, featuring Maxine Peake and Anne-Marie Duff. Plus, Elbow talk about their forthcoming album.

22. Episode 22: A Million Books For Free: A Culture Show Special

Aired: 3/5/2011

Presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon, this half-hour film tells the story of World Book Night. The film follows the preparations for the night, as a million books are printed and distributed to 20,000 givers who have volunteered to hand out 48 copies of their favourite book, which features on World Book Night's list of selected titles. With 25 different books on the special list, there is something for everyone to enjoy, from Nigel Slater's Toast and Seamus Heaney's New Selected Poems to The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John le Carre. World Book Night is about sharing, through word of mouth, the pleasure of reading. In the film, famous and non-famous readers talk about the books they really love. And as the massive nationwide book giveaway gears up for the evening of Saturday 5 March, BBC cameras capture some of these passionate readers as they hit the streets to encourage other people to take books home and read them.