The Culture Show

irst he was the poster boy of 90s Britpop, then the music man behind electro-cartoon duo Gorillaz. More recently he's composed operas and helmed the world music juggernaut that is Africa Express... Now finally, after coming full circle with Blur's triumphant 20-year reunion tour, Damon Albarn goes it alone. Due in April 2014, Everyday Robots will be his first proper solo album and he's given The Culture Show exclusive and intimate access to his life as he prepares to present this new work to the world. It's a lyrical journey that takes him back to his childhood, to the places he holds dear and the memories that infuse his new collection of songs, many of which have never been heard by the public. The film follows Albarn as he looks behind his own masks of the past to give an honest account of himself and his work as a solo artist.

Tom Dyckhoff explores the contribution of Lego to architecture, and its continuing influence, arguing that it's changed the way we think about buildings. Lego's plastic yellow bricks were launched in the 50s, and resonated with new visions of rebuilding society - with ethical, imaginative children's play at its heart. Tom meets the artists and architects reared on Lego who are using it to reimagine our cities today, from Bjarke Ingels, the leading architect of his generation, to international artist Olafur Elliasson, whose Collectivity project took three tonnes of Lego to the citizens of Tirana, Albania. But with Hollywood franchises and huge expansion, has Lego lost its original ethos of creativity and construction? Tom looks at Lego's successors and how cult computer game Minecraft may be set to transform the cities of the future.

Exploring the historic walled city of Derry Londonderry, the first UK City of Culture, poet and author Nick Laird looks back at a year of dramatic spectacle and asks how art has healed decades of sectarian violence. Meeting Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author of the London 2012 opening ceremony, he is dazzled by the Return of Colmcille, Boyce's spectacular imagining of the return of the city's patron saint. At Picturing Derry, a photo exhibition of work by local amateurs and professionals from all over the world, he considers the legacy of Bloody Sunday and celebrates a city that is no longer defined by The Troubles. And as a measure of its new openness, the international traditional music festival The Fleadh, comes north of the border for the first time.

For over 50 years, the Royal Court Theatre has been a flagship for new British writing and a bastion of provocative, ground-breaking work. And now this most revered theatrical institution has a new artistic director at the helm, who is on a mission to shake things up even further. As this intimate profile reveals, Vicky Featherstone - the Royal Court's first female artistic director in its 57 year history - is determined to make theatre accessible to all, not just the privileged few from SW3. For over four months, presenter Clemency Burton-Hill was given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Featherstone as she set about shaping her opening season and got candid insights into her character and approach from long-term collaborators John Tiffany, award-winning screenwriter Abi Morgan, Dennis Kelly of 'Mathilda: The Musical' fame and the Guardian's Michael Billington.

Alan Yentob, in a bid to understand fashion designer Paul Smith, challenges him to choose the objects which sum up his life. Smith's Covent Garden office is an Aladdin's cave of objects - piles of toys, stacks of racing bikes, gifts from fans, hundreds of books. But there is a method to the strange world of Paul Smith. Growing up determined to be a racing cyclist, his dreams ended, and began, with a crash that led to him meeting his future wife Pauline Denyer, a fashion graduate. With her guidance, he developed his own quirky take on British tailoring which catapulted him to success in the 1980s and made him a cult figure in Japan.

More than 40 million people follow Lady Gaga on Twitter. Can they possibly be wrong? For her fans, the Little Monsters, Gaga is not just a star - she is a mother figure and a fellow sufferer. As her long-awaited third album ARTPOP is released, Gaga meets Miranda Sawyer for an exclusive interview, to talk about pop, art, fans, and her need, and ours, for applause.

For those who remained in London during the Second World War, the Blitz was a terrifying time of sleeplessness, fear and loss, but some of London's literary set found inspiration in the danger and intensity. With the threat of death ever present, nerves were tested and affairs began; it was an absolute gift for a writer seeking new material. Presenter James Runcie tells the story of novelists Graham Greene, Henry Green and Elizabeth Bowen, and American poet Hilda Doolittle, who revelled in the creative and personal freedom they discovered even as the bombs rained down. The programme reveals how these writers distilled the surreal and often frightening atmosphere of the time into some of their finest work.

The Culture Show reviews the six shortlisted books for Britain's most prestigious award for nonfiction and asks which book will win the coveted prize. The list has never been more eclectic or thought provoking, spanning poetry to politics, taking in our relationship with Roman Britain but also modern Afghanistan, even raising questions about how we commemorate our war dead and why we need bumblebees. The reviewers this year are all former judges of the prize including literary critic and author Diana Athill and journalist Jim Naughtie. Meanwhile publisher Jamie Byng explains why it's never been a more exciting time for nonfiction and gives his verdict on which book deserves to win.

The ancient art of Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in history. Kate Bryan, former Hong Kong resident and the Fine Art Society's head of contemporary, travels to China to find out more about this tradition, a journey which coincides with a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum, 'Masterpieces of Chinese Painting'. In China, Kate learns about the golden age of Chinese landscape and discovers why ink is still favoured over paint. She also learns how the country's unique aesthetic was heavily influenced by age-old standards of class and politics.

For 12 days London will be under siege from over 350 features, documentaries and short films from 57 countries. Mark Kermode explores the wealth of real life stories that have inspired some of these films, and the exciting British talent which the festival will showcase. From taut hi-jack thriller 'Captain Phillips' - directed by Paul Greengrass, to Oscar tipped '12 Years a Slave' with Chiwetel Ejiofor. Uncovering stories of love, loss, injustice and triumph, Mark discovers how the festival's film makers have created some of the most exciting and dynamic movies available today, and gives us a preview of what is going to be big cinema news in the coming months.

A revealing portrait of Sylvie Guillem, one of the greatest dancers of our time. Hand-picked by Rudolph Nureyev at the age of 19, she was the youngest ever 'etoile', the highest-ranking female dancer at the Paris Opera Ballet and later, the star of the Royal Ballet here in London. A rebel who reshaped ballet, Guillem has always fearlessly pursued her own artistic vision, earning an uncompromising reputation and the nickname 'Mademoiselle Non!'. At 48 years old she remains an imperious physical force - but for how much longer? With an eye on life after dance, Guillem is now reinventing herself as an environmental campaigner. Filmed over several months with exclusive access, this programme explores what happens when a force of nature becomes a force for nature, and follows Guillem as she continues to defy her own body, confronting the future while remaining one of dance's most mesmerising trailblazers.

Malcolm Gladwell is about to publish a book. He's done it four times before, and whenever it happens huge things occur: Millions of copies get sold, world leaders take note, catchy phrases infiltrate our language and millions of us are moved by his inspiring stories and big powerful ideas. Jon Ronson goes head to head with The Tipping Point author in his New York home to talk about his latest work. 'David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants' seeks to shake our faith in what it means to have the upper hand. In it Gladwell argues we get advantage and disadvantage the wrong way round. Being dyslexic, losing a parent in childhood, being bombed, shot at, marginalized... can all be turned to good, according to his latest optimistic tome. In this candid and revealing confrontation, one thing comes clear... Giants beware: underdogs can surprise you when they make good the advantages that stem from a traumatic start.

Northern Soul marked the birth of late-night dance culture in Britain. Paul Mason, economics journalist and once a regular at the famous 'all-nighters' at Wigan Casino, discovers the origin of this underground music scene and why it continues to inspire such devotion. Many of the songs that eventually became Northern Soul classics were once rejected or unreleased. Recorded in the 1960s by African-American artists attempting to replicate the successful Motown sound, these discarded tracks would later be rediscovered and revered by white working-class dancers and music fans in the north of England. Paul Mason tells the extraordinary story of Northern Soul and the dance culture that sprang up around it, influencing musicians, choreographers and filmmakers and growing into a global phenomenon.

Alastair Sooke meets portrait artist Jonathan Yeo as he prepares for a solo show at the National Portrait Gallery. The son of a Conservative MP, his subjects range from political leaders to Hollywood stars, including Nicole Kidman, Kevin Spacey, Damien Hirst and Tony Blair. In the lead-up to the exhibition, Yeo allows BBC cameras into his usually private studio, revealing the challenges and pleasures of painting people for a living, and the subtle dynamic that develops between artist and sitter. The programme features acclaimed British actor, Tom Hollander, as he sits for a portrait, and follows the progress of the canvas from the first brushstrokes to the final reveal.

At a time when many libraries across Britain face budget cuts and closure, Birmingham is opening the biggest public library in Europe. Is this new breed of super library the future? Architecture critic Tom Dyckhoff explores the new cutting-edge building to discover what a 21st-century library looks like, how it functions and why it still has a vital role to play in the digital age. Along the way, he meets artists, photographers and musicians from the local community, who are coming together to celebrate Britain's biggest and boldest new public building.

Investigative journalist Jacques Peretti ventures into a world he doesn't understand; a company that is revolutionising how we are entertained, a website that is changing youth culture: YouTube. As YouTube hits one billion users a month, Jacques meets the young video bloggers who are making a living on the site. He goes behind the scenes at YouTube's European headquarters, and even becomes part of the phenomenon himself. YouTube has given a voice to the masses, breaks worldwide news and launches new celebrities, but how YouTube will affect the professional creative community is less certain. One thing's for sure, as the digital revolution marches forward, everything we thought we knew about television is changing.

Born in a former brothel in 1963, the Traverse Theatre is one of the most exciting venues for new writing in Britain. Now in its 50th year, its full-throttle programme of shows from around the world packs in audiences from morning to night throughout the festival. Sue Perkins goes behind the scenes with artistic director Orla O'Loughlin to see how it all comes together, and celebrates the theatre's fascinating history, from underground notoriety to a leading light in the vibrant Scottish theatre scene.

Sue Perkins explores the highs and lows of being a woman in the unashamedly macho world of stand-up comedy. With unique behind-the-scenes access to the most important date in the stand-up comedy calendar, Sue discovers the thrills of a good gig and the spills of a disparaging review as she follows three stand-up comedians at the Edinburgh Festival: Bridget Christie, Claudia O'Doherty and Dana Alexander.

rt critic Alastair Sooke heads to the new Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at The Queen's Gallery in the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The show from the Royal Collection will reveal the startling accuracy of the master's anatomical drawings - artwork which lay undiscovered for hundreds of years. They include a series of 18 mostly double-sided sheets known collectively as the Anatomical Manuscript A, on which Leonardo crammed more than 240 meticulous drawings and some 13,000 words of notes in his unmistakeable mirror-writing. These anatomical studies are shown alongside state-of-the art modern medical imagery. Alastair will delve into the sketches and examine the 3D films, CT and MRI scans in order to uncover just how close the Renaissance genius got to the truth of what lies under the skin. The tragedy of Leonardo's anatomical investigations is that he never got around to publishing them. If he had done so, his work could have transformed the history of our medical knowledge.

Modern art expert Alastair Sooke heads to Venice with art dealer and historian Dr Bendor Grosvenor to explore the vast cornucopia of art the city has to offer. 2013 is a Venice Biennale year, and Alastair is passionate about this multinational contemporary art extravaganza. But Bendor is a modern art cynic who loves the city for its extraordinary art history, from Renaissance geniuses that changed the very nature of painting, to landscape maestros that dominated the 18th century.

lan Yentob witnesses the birth of an idea at the hands of the designer, creator, and some call 'inventor' - Thomas Heatherwick - whose recent triumphs include the remarkable cauldron for the 2012 Olympic Games and the provocative redesign of the London double decker bus. Gaining a reputation as a maverick who defies commission briefs to come up with extraordinary creations - everything from dizzying chairs resembling oversized spinning tops, to a bridge that curls into a ball, and to the giant 'hairy' cube he built to represent Britain at the World Expo, Thomas is now incubating his most audacious plan for London yet. With access to Thomas, his creative team and Joanna Lumley, who brought him this latest idea, the film follows their daring proposal to float a garden across the river Thames. Will the man who Terence Conran labeled the 'Leonardo of our times'... deliver the wonder again?

This summer, Tate Modern has opened its doors to Africa, dedicating an entire wing to two of the most important artists working today: 82-year-old visionary modernist Ibrahim El-Salahi and contemporary free-thinker Meschac Gaba. Writer and curator Morgan Quaintance discovers their extraordinary personal stories, and a struggle for recognition that spans six decades. Studying at the Slade in the 1950s, Ibrahim El-Salahi returned home with a crate full of modern art, to meet a stony faced public in Sudan. Reconciling the language of modernism with the culture of his heritage, he found a powerful new way to express the dreams and ambitions of African independence. It was to lead to imprisonment, exile and eventually freedom.

Manchester's International Festival is a collection of world class talent, theatrical premieres, ground breaking musical performances and global stars from the contemporary art scene. Amongst these gems will be Shelley's The Masque of Anarchy, performed by Maxine Peake, one of the most gifted actors of her generation. The poem is seen as the most politically powerful in the English language, written as a response to Manchester's 1819 Peterloo massacre, an event which ultimately led to the birth of the working class movement. This is the first time it will be performed as a piece of theatre and will be staged yards from where it took place.

Tom Dyckhoff presents this week's Culture Show, looking at architectural solutions to affordable housing in this time of crisis. As the weather gets wetter and the risk of flooding increases, Beatrice Galilee travels to the Netherlands to find out how the Dutch have tackled the problem. In Amsterdam she visits a community built entirely on water and meets the architects who are planning to build similar homes in the UK. Tom Dyckhoff visits Berlin, where architects and social media communities have been working together to reduce building cost by cutting out the middle men when designing new neighbourhoods. Would this co-build model work as well in Britain as it has in Germany and Finland?

Alastair Sooke looks back on the work of American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein as Tate Modern prepares for a major retrospective. Cerys Matthews visits National Theatre Wales as they prepare for the premiere of De Gabay, a unique performance based around the lives of the Somali community in Cardiff, and crime writer Val McDermid inspects the British Library's crime fiction exhibition to investigate the history of the whodunnit. All this, and German electronic music legends Kraftwerk, in London to perform for the first time since 2004.

Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the work of 17th century Spanish baroque painter Bartholome Esteban Murillo, as an exhibiton focusing on the profound influence of his close friend and patron Justino de Neve opens at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Alan Yentob meets Jonathan Miller as the veteran opera and theatre director returns to British theatre after a six year break to stage Northern Broadsides production of Rutherford and Son - Githa Sowerby's powerful 1912 play about class, capitalism and gender. In a break from rehearsals, Miller reveals what it took to lure him out of retirement.

Tom Dyckhoff presents this design themed edition of the Culture Show, which examines the latest 'hacking' craze - where online design communities interact to reinvent and create new objects. As artists are now able to download and 'open-source' design tweaks, is the 'Great Designer' poised to disappear?

Presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon previews the art of French impressionist, Edouard Manet as the Royal Academy prepares for a major retrospective of his portraiture. Mark Kermode meets Academy Award winner Kathryn Bigelow to talk about the controversy surrounding her latest film 'Zero Dark Thirty'. Based on real events, the film charts the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden and his death during a Navy S.E.A.L. operation in 2011. Author, Margaret Drabble meets her old university friend novelist, Bernadine Bishop, whose latest book 'Unexpected Lessons in Love' explores friendship and loss as a woman battling with cancer is confronted with a newborn grandson she didn't know existed.

This week on The Culture Show Mark Kermode looks back over the best of the year in film. Just some of the highlights from our coverage of 2012's cinema releases include an interview with one of the great auteurs of modern cinema, David Cronenberg, and his lead actor Robert Pattinson.

Andrew Graham-Dixon looks back over the best of the year in art. Highlights include a major show from Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, whose dazzling body of work creates a unique world of colour, pattern and shape. Also, Florence Welch, a pop star who brings the great themes of the Renaissance into the 21st century, joins Andrew for a tour of the National Gallery to share some of the art that inspires her.

Andrew Graham-Dixon travels to New York to meet best-selling novelist Lee Child as his hugely popular Jack Reacher thrillers start their Hollywood incarnation this December with Tom Cruise in the title role. American singer-songwriter Beck is about to release a new album with a twist. He is bringing out a songbook of vintage-styled sheet-music that he wants others to perform and interpret. Michael Smith finds out if this is a new trend for our listening habits, or a comment on our disposable download culture.

The show comes from the Tate Modern on London's Bankside, home to A Bigger Splash, a new exhibition taking a new look at the relationship between performance and painting. Alastair Sooke meets Elena Palumbo, muse and model for Yves Klein, to find out what it was really like to be a 'living paintbrush' for one of the most influential avant-garde artists of the post-war period.

Andrew Graham-Dixon goes stateside to meet Tom Wolfe. After eight long years, the great chronicler of American society returns with a new novel Back to Blood, which promises to do for Miami what Bonfire of the Vanities did for New York. Thirty years since First Blood, Lindsay Johns makes an impassioned argument to rehabilitate Rambo, arguing that he is not a grunting bonehead but an existential everyman and the perfect hero for our troubled times.

The Culture Show comes from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, home to an exhibition of work from legendary American photographer Ansel Adams. Mark Kermode meets Academy Award winner Ben Affleck to talk about his new movie Argo. Based on real events, the film tells the remarkable story of an attempt to spring six Americans from Iran in the late 70s by faking a Hollywood science fiction movie.

Andrew Graham-Dixon is at the National Gallery's first major exhibition of photography to explore the influence of painting and fine art traditions on the work of some our leading photographers. Investigative journalist John Sweeney has made two acclaimed documentaries about The Church of Scientology. So, we asked him to join Mark Kermode to review The Master, the latest movie by Paul Thomas Anderson, which chronicles the life of the charismatic leader of a religious cult.

Mark Kermode talks to Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes about his latest film Skyfall - the 23rd outing of the James Bond series. Featuring contributions from Skyfall stars Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, and Dame Judi Dench, this week's Culture Show Special also reflects on Mendes' prolific career in both film and theatre. From directing Dench in the West End at just 24 years of age to sweeping the board at the Oscars with his debut movie American Beauty, Mendes has always done things his way. Celebrated for his visual elegance and ability to coax great performances from his actors, the director reveals why he wanted to take on Bond and what surprises lie in store for Skyfall audiences around the world.

Mark Kermode talks to director Sam Mendes about his latest film, Skyfall - the 23rd outing of the James Bond series. Featuring contributions from Skyfall stars Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem and Dame Judi Dench, this Culture Show Special also reflects on Mendes' prolific career in both film and theatre. From directing Dench in the West End at just 24 years of age, to sweeping the board at the Oscars with his debut movie American Beauty, Mendes has always done things his way. Celebrated for his visual elegance and ability to coax great performances from his actors, the director reveals why he wanted to take on Bond and what surprises lie in store for Skyfall audiences around the world.

Gus Casely-Hayford presents the programme, featuring a review of independent fantasy film Beasts of the Southern Wild, which was a hit at the Cannes and Sundance festivals. Plus, New York artist Rashid Johnson holds his first solo exhibition in London, and a look at Blackta, a new play at the Young Vic about the highs and lows of making it as a black actor.

Tom Dyckhoff presents an architecture-themed show and looks at the six buildings shortlisted for 2012's Stirling Prize. At the other end of the spectrum, he also assesses the buildings nominated for architecture's wooden spoon - The Carbuncle Cup. Olly Wainwright looks at what young new architects are up to in this time of recession and Charlie Luxton explores the growing trend for self-build homes.

Mark Kermode reviews award-winning French comedy film Untouchable in the company of Goldie. Tim Samuels looks at the odds on this year's Man Booker Prize shortlist and Alastair Sooke surveys the first edition of Frieze Masters - a selection of work, old and new, from over 90 of the world's leading galleries.

Harry Potter is one of the most successful publishing phenomena of our time, selling 450 million copies. Its success has transformed author JK Rowling from an impoverished single mother into one of Britain's richest women. Since The Deathly Hallows was published in 2007, Rowling's fans have been desperate to know what she was going to do next. The answer is The Casual Vacancy, a novel for adults with some very grown-up themes. The expectation and pressure are enormous.

Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the new Bronze exhibition at the Royal Academy. Clemency Burton-Hill reports on The People Speak, a dramatized book reading curated by Colin Firth and Anthony Arnove, which tells an alternative and inspiring history of Britain and features actors including Juliet Stevenson, Celia Imrie and Rupert Everett. Also, Mark Kermode talks to Oliver Stone about his latest crime thriller Savages.

Sue Perkins presents a final helping of hits from this year's Edinburgh Festival including an interview with Howard Jacobson about his new novel Zoo Time and a look at the art of Dieter Roth.

Sue Perkins presents a second helping of The Culture Show from the Edinburgh Festival and meets author Kirsty Gunn and music legend Nile Rodgers. Also featured tonight, the 25th anniversary of So You Think You're Funny, the Edinburgh comedy competition which has uncovered stars from Dylan Moran to Peter Kay. Artists including David Hockney, Paul Gaugin and Sir Peter Blake swap paint for wool in an exhibition of contemporary tapestries, and we take a look at Speed of Light - a spectacular mass participatory event in which walkers and endurance runners ascend Arthur's Seat and illuminate the iconic mountain.

Sue Perkins presents the first of three Culture Show programmes from The Edinburgh Festival, featuring all the best in theatre, dance, literature, music and comedy from the Fringe, International, Art and Book Festivals. She meets Mark Thomas to discuss his new comedy show Bravo Figaro about his tempestuous relationship with his dad.

Mark Kermode meets Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan to talk about his take on the caped crusader. Blur are back and Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon talk about their new songs and how they feel about headlining at Hyde Park - the closing ceremony for the Olympics. Mat Fraser explores our desire to be Superhuman with a new exhibition at The Wellcome Institute. And, no strings attached - why puppets are back in a very big way.

Mark Kermode takes part in a movie marathon of short film screenings, Hansel of Film, a relay race of short film screenings taking place around the UK. Alastair Sooke looks at the transformation of disused oil tanks into a sleek new art space at Tate Modern. Also, Cerys Matthews shares her passion for poetry with Fiona Shaw and gets a sneak preview of Peace Camp, a series of unique living artworks across the UK coastline from Northern Ireland to Cornwall.

Mark Kermode is in Bexhill-on-Sea, the setting for a new sculpture from artist Richard Wilson which recreates the final scene in cult movie The Italian Job. Miranda Sawyer meets Plan B to talk about his latest album, and Brooklyn-based choreographer Elizabeth Streb rehearses with her dancers for a pop-up performance around London's landmarks. Tom Dyckhoff takes a tour of London's Olympic architecture, and we join thousands as they witness Stonehenge brought to life by a spectacular installation of fire.

This week The Culture Show comes from London's East End, where Andrew Graham-Dixon takes a photo tour of a changing landscape with Newham's famous son and legendary snapper David Bailey. Alan Yentob has a rainy encounter with controversial architect Renzo Piano, the mastermind behind Britain's tallest skyscraper The Shard. Mark Kermode meets the actor with over seventy films to his credit, Willem Dafoe, to talk about his latest movie The Hunter. Ground-breaking all-male dance company Tomorrow's Men perform; and Sarfraz Manzoor tees off with Booker prize-shortlisted author Nicola Barker whose new comic novel The Yips unearths the giddy world of golf.

In this episode, comedian Alexei Sayle joins art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon at Tate Liverpool for an exhibition of later works from three of the greatest painters of the last 150 years: Turner, Monet and Twombly. Mark Kermode interrogates director William Friedkin about his new blackly comic film Killer Joe. Miranda Sawyer travels to the Eden Project in Cornwall to talk Matilda, musicals and megalomania with Tim Minchin. We have an exclusive extract from a lovingly restored print of Alfred Hitchcock's debut feature film with live music specially composed by Daniel Patrick Cohen; and James Runcie meets Richard Ford to explore the borderline between the ordinary and the criminal in his haunting new novel Canada.

The Culture Show is back and will be featuring many of the highlights from the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. In this episode, Mark Kermode meets film director David Cronenberg and his lead actor Robert Pattinson to talk about their new movie Cosmopolis. Martin Amis discusses class, character and his latest novel, while Yoko Ono makes a bid to get the whole world smiling. There is a a performance from the acclaimed Pina Bausch dance company, and Andrew Graham-Dixon joins Michael Landy and Bob and Roberta Smith to discover what happens when a gallery is transformed into a classroom and the artists take charge of the lessons.

Andrew Graham-Dixon tells us what intrigues him about flamboyant Victorian architect and designer Augustus Pugin who celebrates his 200th anniversary this year; Mark Kermode celebrates Spanish and Latin American cinema with his highlights from the Viva Festival in Manchester and Tim Samuels meets the men behind satirical news website -The Daily Mash. Also Philip Ridley talks about his latest play, Shivered; Sue Townsend on her new book -The Woman who Went to Bed for a Year; and a profile of Welsh artist Osi Rhys Osmond.

Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller is one of the most unconventional of contemporary artists. He is best known for his collaborative projects with everyone from striking miners to Manic Street Preachers. As he prepares for a major exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London, The Culture Show meets up with him to look back at the creative process behind some of his major works to date and follows the artist to Texas as he films bats for his latest unpredictable project.

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents the latest edition of The Culture Show from Glasgow, featuring the National Theatre of Scotland's new adaptation of The Wicker Man. As a major new Picasso exhibition opens at Tate Britain, Alastair Sooke looks back at his relationship with the English surrealist artist Roland Penrose. Also, forget the Oscars and the Baftas - Mark Kermode presents his very own movie awards of the year.

Andrew Marr interviews David Hockney, widely considered to be Britain's best-loved living artist, about his exhibition A Bigger Picture at the Royal Academy, made up of works depicting the landscape of his native Yorkshire.

Andrew Graham-Dixon visits the new Lucian Freud exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Mark Kermode talks movies with author Geoff Dyer whose new book is based on the Russian cult classic 'Stalker', Charlie Luxton explores the churches of architect Nicholas Hawksmoor, Alastair Sooke looks back at the extraordinary life of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and journalist Aleks Krotoski investigates the transformation of the world wide web when the next billion people go online. Miranda Sawyer chats to Emeli Sandé, winner of the Brit Awards Critics' Choice for 2012 and Clemency Burton-Hill meets Scrubs star Zach Braff, set to appear in his self-penned play All New People

Andrew Graham-Dixon looks back at the cultural the highlights of the year. Sir David Attenborough celebrates neglected artist John Craxton. Alan Yentob interviews Gerhard Richter and Alastair Sooke meets Tony Cragg, one of the finest British sculptors of his generation. Andrew Graham-Dixon gets a tour of Grayson Perry's latest works and visits 2011's newest gallery, the Wakefield Hepworth. All this and Damon Albarn's English opera, Sue Perkins interviewing American humorist David Sedaris, PJ Harvey on her Mercury-prize winning album and Tom Dyckhoff has a rare interview with architect Frank Gehry. Plus film critic, Mark Kermode on the year's best films.

An examination of the role of art therapy in the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Tim Samuels meets veterans of recent British conflicts in the Falklands, the Persian Gulf and Northern Ireland, who reveal their personal battle with PTSD as a result of their military career. They are now using an unlikely weapon to help fight the psychological wounds of war - art. Visiting art therapy sessions, Samuels discovers how drawing, sculpting and painting are helping the veterans manage the symptoms of PTSD. Dr Lukas Konopka, a professor of neurology in Chicago, has investigated the effects of art therapy on the brain in the treatment of PTSD. The results provide strong evidence of art's potential to heal.

In tribute to the late British designer Sir Terence Conran, a repeat of a programme first shown in 2011. Alan Yentob talks to his hero Sir Terence Conran, perhaps one of Britain’s greatest designers, about the revolutionary transformation he made to British life and style. A designer, retailer and restaurateur, Conran pioneered a new way of life that he wanted to be available to all with his vision of ‘easy living’. They discuss the work he contributed to the Festival of Britain in the 1950s, and his vision of a new way of living which he cemented with the opening of the high street shop Habitat in 1964, giving us stylish design for the everyday, from kitchen utensils to furniture.

To mark the publication of Keith Richards' autobiography, Life, this Culture Show special looks at the life of the man with five strings and nine lives. In a candid interview he chats to Andrew Graham-Dixon about his childhood in Dartford, his passion for music and the decade that catapulted the Rolling Stones from back-room blues boys to one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in the world.

The Culture Show comes from the Gothic mansion Two Temple Place as it opens its door for the first time. Andrew Graham-Dixon looks at King George V's photographic collection of Scott and Shackleton's Antarctic expeditions, while Simon Thurley continues his search for the most dedicated saviours of the British heritage. Michael Smith looks for the positive in what some consider Europe's most boring city - Birmingham. Mark Kermode talks to award-winning artist and director Steve McQueen about his new film Shame, and Miranda Sawyer travels to Paris meet film director David Lynch as he releases his new album Crazy Clown Time.

For tonight's half-hour Culture Show Special on the Man Booker Prize 2011, Tim Samuels visits the Scottish village of Comrie and asks the locals for their verdict on this year's Booker Prize shortlist. Shortlisted authors Carol Birch, Stephen Kelman and AD Miller travel to Comrie to answer questions from some of their keenest readers; and Commonwealth authors Esi Edugyan and Patrick deWitt beam into the village for an internet Q&A with assembled villagers. Once the books have been read and the reviews and scores digested, Comrie will decide which novel is their Booker winner.

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents the weekly arts magazine show, featuring a look at the extraordinary art of Edward Burra; an interview with Sofie Grabol, star of cult Danish detective series The Killing; the latest novel by bestselling Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, and a new work from the Aurora Orchestra.

This week The Culture Show comes from Frieze Art Fair with Andrew Graham-Dixon and Alastair Sooke. Artist Ryan Gander talks to Christian Jankowski about his Frieze project - a luxury yacht, Sarfraz Manzoor meets Anahita Razmi to discuss her prize winning idea based on the rooftops of Tehran, and Mark Kermode joins Tacita Dean at the unveiling of her installation in Tate's Turbine Hall. We also explore the extraordinary life and work of the late Judith Scott, a disabled artist with a growing cult following, and visit Mind Over Matter, an exhibition that challenges our ideas about brain donation.

Andrew Graham-Dixon talks to ceramicist Grayson Perry, Simon Armitage marks National Poetry Day, Mark Kermode meets director Lynne Ramsay to discuss her latest film We Need to Talk About Kevin, and there's a look at the work of Gerhard Richter. Also, choreographer Akram Khan talks to Clemency Burton-Hill about his latest dancework and critic Michael Collins looks at representations of the working class on stage.

Andrew Graham-Dixon visits the new Firstsite Gallery in Colchester, Mark Kermode talks to Lars Von Trier about his new film Melancholia and Alastair Sooke meets American artist Frank Stella at his first major show here for 25 years. The inmates of Wandsworth Prison talk about their unlikely passion for embroidery, while Michael Smith unpicks Postmodernism at the V&A. Journalist Lynn Barber chats to legendary editor Diana Athill, now in her nineties and enjoying her own successful literary career. Plus Simon Thurley and Andrew Lloyd Webber launch the Heritage Angels Awards for those who have saved the buildings they love, and Nigel Kennedy explains his new work Four Elements.

Hilary Mantel is one of Britain's most arresting and original writers. In this intimate and exclusive profile, the Booker Prize-winning author of Wolf Hall talks about her childhood in the north of England, her battles with debilitating illness, and the determination that has driven her to write some of the most moving and memorable fiction of recent years.

Sue Perkins presents the final Culture Show from Edinburgh with all the highlights from this year's Festival, including an exhibition of portraits of the Queen, featuring artists such as Lucian Freud, Andy Warhol and Annie Leibovitz.

Sue Perkins presents the second of three programmes featuring highlights from 2011's Edinburgh Festival. Clemency Burton-Hill takes a look at multi-media theatre production, The Wind Up Bird Chronicle based on Haruki Murakami's cult novel; Alastair Sooke meets sculptor Tony Cragg, as Edinburgh hosts the first major retrospective of his work; and author Ian Rankin chats to museum director Sandy Nairn about his experience of art theft. Plus all the best comedy and performance from the Fringe.

Sue Perkins presents the first of three programmes featuring highlights from 2011's Edinburgh Festival. Marc Almond tells us about his acting role in a new musical play, Ten Plagues; AS Byatt talks about her latest novel prior to her appearance at the Book Festival; and Alastair Sooke gives his verdict on the exhibition of work by Robert Rauschenberg, one of America's most influential 20th century artists. Also the best comedy and performance from the Fringe.

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents from the 2011 Manchester International Festival featuring new plays by Victoria Wood and Johnny Vegas, music from Bjork and Damon Albarn, and performance artist Marina Abramovic.

Andrew Graham-Dixon presents The Culture Show featuring David Attenborough on British painter John Craxton; actor turned director Philip Seymour Hoffman on his new film Jack Goes Boating and Alan Hollinghurst on his latest novel The Stranger's Child.

Fronted by Andrew Graham-Dixon, this week's Culture Show comes from the recently revamped Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, and ranges from sci-fi to psychopaths, with Shakespeare, singing, art, hip-hop, design and new media packed in too.

Hugh Laurie was best known for playing bumbling British toffs until he reinvented his onscreen persona in the role of House MD, and became the highest paid actor in the world. One skill that features throughout his meteoric career is a facility for music, from Bertie Wooster bashing out Minnie the Moocher to House dueting with a patient. Now though, Laurie has finally put his music centre stage. As he releases an album of New Orleans blues titled Let Them Talk, he speaks with Alan Yentob about the role music has played in his life and career.

Coming from the 60th anniversary celebrations for the Festival of Britain where Nancy Durrant talks to Tracey Emin about her new show at the Hayward. Also, Andrew Graham-Dixon travels north to the new Hepworth Wakefield exhibition space designed by David Chipperfield, while Tom Dyckhoff explores the militarisation of urban architecture. Mark Kermode tries the new video game LA Noire, which draws its inspiration from film noir, while record producer Danger Mouse talks about his new album Rome, spawned from the spaghetti western soundtrack. Alastair Sooke checks out the four shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize Museum of the Year and choreographer Wayne McGregor selects his own prize moments from the BBC archives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Andrew Graham Dixon presents an edition featuring the big guns of literature, theatre and classical music. Martin Amis talks about his latest novel, The Pregnant Widow; actor Kwame Kwei Armah goes behind the scenes with legendary theatre director Peter Brook; and superstar pianist Daniel Barenboim demonstrates his passion for Schoenberg.

Andrew Graham Dixon presents from the Old Vic, where Toby Young talks to artistic director Kevin Spacey. Andrew visits the Chris Offili show at Tate Britain and then heads off to Michael Landy's controversial Art Bin. Mark Kermode talks to Peter Jackson about his new film The Lovely Bones, and Jacques Peretti looks into Wikileaks, the anonymous whistleblowing internet site. Paul Mason meets Slavoj Zizeck, described as the most dangerous philosopher in the West, and asks him about his book First as Tragedy, Then as Farce. Finally, Miranda Sawyer chats to hip-hop pioneer Roots Manuva.

The Culture Show returns with a programme presented by Verity Sharp from the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. In 2010, the festival pays tribute to Nick Drake, 35 years since his death at just 26. He's now recognized as one of the 20th century's most influential singer-songwriters.

Tom Dyckhoff takes a look around the new Nottingham Contemporary Art Centre, which opens with a show devoted to painter David Hockney, and examines how art galleries have become icons in their own right. Crime writer James Ellroy talks to Miranda Sawyer about artist Ed Ruscha, while Harold Evans discusses the future of the British press with Matthew d'Ancona. Plus a short film by Alain de Botton about Heathrow's Terminal 5 and a tour of places associated with great poets to mark publishing house Faber & Faber's 80th anniversary.

With the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford due to reopen after a multimillion-pound makeover, Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the 39 new galleries. Meanwhile, writer Michael Smith looks at the city's "town and gown" divide. Jane Campion, director of Bright Star, a new film about John Keats, discusses the poet's oeuvre with his biographer Andrew Motion. Also, Lauren Laverne looks at how the internet is the early bird when it comes to new formats for comedy, and Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode discuss the future of 3-D films.

As the Glasgow School of Art celebrates its centenary, Lauren Laverne is on hand to tell its story. Art critic Matthew Collings looks at an exhibition of Van Gogh's letters, while Andrew Graham-Dixon reviews a National Gallery exhibition of Spanish religious art. Actor and Motown fan Martin Freeman interviews his idol, iconic soul star Smokey Robinson, and there's a look at Halloween movies.

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo present a packed edition from the London film festival, featuring highlights and an interview with David Morrissey about his directorial debut. Michael Palin discusses his films and new book, while Toby Young talks to Cosmo Landesman and Peter Bradshaw about the role of the critics. Plus Miranda Sawyer 's visit to the Frieze Art Fair.

Lawrence Pollard presents from the Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall, which features an unusual mix of literature, music and summer entertainment.

Tim Marlow presents from the Manchester International Festival, examining the collaboration between indie band Elbow and the Halle Orchestra. Vini Reilly pays tribute to "Madchester" music producer Tony Wilson, and Tom Dyckhoff assesses Zaha Hadid 's new chamber-music hall.

This second show from the Manchester International Festival sees Rufus Wainwright discuss his first opera, Prima Donna; dancer Carlos Acosta preparing a new work for the festival; and a profile of the Young at Heart chorus - 25 singers in their 70s and 80s who are preparing a new show based on iconic Manchester songs. Also tonight, Zaha Hadid converts the Manchester Art Gallery into a music hall where violinist Alina Ibragimova performs Bach.

Highlights from the Manchester International Festival, including a collaboration between film-maker Adam Curtis, theatre company Punchdrunk and Damon Albarn - the theatrical experience It Felt like a Kiss. Plus the Young at Heart Choir, a group of singers aged 70-plus, whose new show is based on iconic Manchester songs, and an interview with Ralf Hutter of Kraftwerk.

Lauren Laverne visits U2, ahead of the release of their first album in five years, No Line on the Horizon. Will it mark a new musical direction? And what of the lives of the band members as they approach 50? Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry reveal all and give an intimate performance.

With the Oscars fast approaching, tonight's Culture Show offers its very own alternative: the Kermode awards, for those overlooked by the Academy. And, 50 years after it first hit British stages, Lauren Laverne previews a new production of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.

Mark Kermode and Miranda Sawyer debate the merits of Heat magazine, which celebrates its tenth birthday, and celebrity culture in general, Greg Dyke continues his report on HBO, and Martin McDonagh discusses his Oscar-nominated film In Bruges.

The great pianist Alfred Brendel, recently retired from public performance, gives a rare interview, revealing his passion for the films of Spanish surrealist director Luis Bunuel. Plus Greg Dyke 's trip to LA to uncover the creative forces behind HBO, the company responsible for such hits as The Wire, The Sopranos and Six Feet Under.

Lauren Laverne is in Glasgow to extol the virtues of the Celtic Connections festival, Robert Carlyle and Siobhan Redmond lead a celebration of the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns's birth, and Nihal joins Franz Ferdinand backstage.

Barack Obama's inauguration is marked with a trip to Harlem. Plus Ed Burns, co-writer of the new president's favourite TV show, The Wire, on his Iraq war account Generation Kill, Roberto Saviano on Gomorrah - his book about the Naples mafia, and now a film tipped for an Oscar nomination - and backstage with Armando Iannucci as he gears up for the first night of satirical opera Skin Deep.

This week's show sees Danny Boyle's Mumbai set Slumdog Millionaire, which was released last Friday, shown to a specially invited all-Indian audience; DJ Nihal joins Glasgow band Franz Ferdinand ahead of the release of their third album; and a search for Liverpool's best pub singers culminates with the top acts performing on stage with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

This special edition, marking the 50th anniversary of Motown Records, sees actor and Motown devotee Martin Freeman making the trip of a lifetime to Detroit, and then Los Angeles, to meet some of the label's biggest stars - among them, Duke Fakir of the original Four Tops, Otis Williams, Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson, as well as Marlon, Tito and Jackie from the Jackson Five.

Lauren Laverne, Mark Kermode and Andrew Graham-Dixon look back at some of the year's cultural highlights, including a powerful interview with the film director Anthony Minghella, who died last March. Elsewhere, an "encounter" with the late artist Marcel Duchamp and music from Elbow with Richard Hawley. Plus Johnny Depp and Ricky Gervais.

The Culture Show takes a look at the cinematic visionary, Baz Luhrmann. The director of Strictly Ballroom, Romeo and Juliet, and Moulin Rouge, Luhrmann deals in colour, romance and spectacle. He has directed La Boheme on Broadway, and had a worldwide hit single with Wear Sunscreen. Now he's embarked on his most ambitious film to date Australia - a 130 million dollar epic set in northern Australia on the eve of World War II, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

Five accomplished artists guest this week: actor Michael Sheen discusses his role in Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon while singer Tom Jones takes the show's busking challenge; plus Scottish poet Mick Imlah, music producer Kanye West and, in the week he turns 50, Oscar-winning animator Nick Park. Lauren Laverne hosts.

Actress Angelina Jolie discusses her career, Martin Freeman meets The Funk Brothers, and Tom Hunter gives Titian's Diana and Actaeon a modern spin.

Lauren Laverne meets style icon and musical innovator Grace Jones, Mark Kermode celebrates the 25th anniversary of cherished film Local Hero, and Andrew Graham -Dixon argues that £100 million is small beer to prevent two paintings by Titian being sold abroad.

Lauren Laverne quizzes mod father Paul Weller about his new album and turning 50; Andrew Graham-Dixon gains privileged access to the Vasari Corridor in Florence, which is 1km long and home to a collection of self-portraits of artists including Rembrandt, Bernini, Rubens, Ingres and Chagall; and Mark Kermode talks to theatre director Katie Mitchell whose new National Theatre production Some Trace of Her uses screens, cameras and live broadcasting to zoom in on the love triangle at the core of Dostoevsky's The Idiot.

Mark Kermode accompanies film director Terence Davies back to his native Liverpool, and Lauren Laverne gets a tutorial in Afrobeat from Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. Andrew Graham -Dixon continues his aerial survey of British land art with a swoop over Ian Hamilton's Little Sparta, then Sean Henry's Couple. Plus, Mark Kermode on the week's film releases, including the latest Batman outing The Dark Knight, and Primal Scream introduce their new album.

Lauren Laverne interviews David Simon, creator of the acclaimed US cop show The Wire on why he breaks all the rules of television writing. Art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon risks a stiff neck in Rome to marvel at and decipher Michelangelo's vast fresco on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, which he commenced 500 years ago. It took four years to complete, and was dogged by battles with the artist's patron, Pope Julius II. Mark Kermode reviews the week's film releases including Puffball.

Former Baltimore police reporter David Simon , creator of acclaimed US cop show The Wire, accounts for its impact. With the upcoming Proms featuring many of Vaughan Williams 's key works, Verity Sharp explores his musical legacy on the 50th anniversary of his death. Lauren Laverne and Mark Kermode present.

London. In the spirit of Orwellian dread, ex-Celebrity Big Brother housemate Germaine Greer chairs a book group comprising former Big Brother contestants to consider George Orwell 's novel 7984, 60 years after its publication. Plus, DJ Bishi on his blending of English, Bengali and Bulgarian music to the London Symphony Orchestra's Eclectica soundscapes project, and tightrope walker Philippe Petit discusses the new Sundance Film Festival-winning documentary Man on Wire, which deals with his 1974 walk between New York's Twin Towers.

Mark Kermode interviews film director Nick Roeg, who turns 80 in August, and whose new film Puffball, based on the novel by Fay Weldon , has so far been panned by critics in advance of its release next month. Plus Peep Show writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong discuss their influences, and Tim Samuels saturates the village of Comrie in Perthshire with hundreds of copies of the novels shortlisted for the coveted title Best of the Booker, due to be announced on 10 July. Music comes from Brazilian disco-funk outfit CSS.

Vic Reeves visits Folkestone to find out whether its inaugural triennial, previewing new works by artists like Tracey Emin and Mark Wallinger , can breathe new life into the town. The BBC Big Band and blues singer Beth Rowley perform at the reopening of Morecambe's newly restored Modernist gem, the Midland Hotel, and there's a special tribute to Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Plus a preview of the imminent Edinburgh Film Festival and music from Neon Neon. Presented by Lauren Laverne and Mark Kermode.

Lauren Laverne and Mark Kermode host the arts show, tonight featuring 27-year-old Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel , some striking land art along the M8 motorway in Scotland, and more from Mark Pilkington on the set of Ricky Gervais 's film This Side of the Truth. Plus the latest movie releases, including The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton , and The Happening, and music from Elbow and Richard Hawley.

Lauren Laverne and Mark Kermode return to present a new run of the arts show, which this week joins Ricky Gervais on set in America as he directs his first feature film This Side of the Truth. Meanwhile art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon is in Vienna attempting a Freudian analysis of the work of Gustav Klimt, and Mark joins contemporary poet Simon Armitage as he attempts to release his inner rock star in London's trendy Shoreditch.

Mark Kermode organises a Hollywood-style premiere at La Charrette, one of Britain's oldest and smallest cinemas, before it closes, persuading Miramax to release Danny Boyle 's "lost" film Alien Love Triangle and convincing star Kenneth Branagh to attend. Elsewhere, Andrew Graham-Dixon appraises the late conceptual art maestro Marcel Duchamp , while Tom Dyckhoff sees the architectural extremes of Liverpool. Plus music from British Sea Power, Hot 8 and E, aka Mark Oliver Everett. With Lauren Laverne.

Lauren Laverne shakes up another intoxicating cocktail of the arts, including, on the eve of the Oscars, film critic Mark Kermode revealing his winners. Plus there's electronics whizz Moritz Waldemeyer, fashion designer Henry Holland and cellist Josephine Knight. Meanwhile, former Pixie, Frank Black, busks and Duffy performs in the bar.

Lauren Laverne dishes up another succulent banquet of the arts, including fashion designer Giles Deacon and comic duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb. Plus, Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter discusses the magazine's portraits, which are due to go up in the National Portrait Gallery. Plus music from Moby. Series producer Danielle Graham ; Exec producer Edward Morgan

Lauren Laverne lays out another smorgasbord of the arts, including author JG Ballard talking to Mark Kermode about his autobiography and artist Sebastian Horsley coming face to face with six representations of St Sebastian by the great Italian painter Guido Reni. There's a look at a reworking of Mozart's The Magic Flute, Tim Samuels tracks down his childhood hero Morrissey and Verity Sharp talks to kd lang about her album Watershed. In addition Seasick Steve brings his three-string guitar blues to the bar.

Lauren Laverne meets Elliot Page , who has been nominated for an Oscar for her role in the acclaimed film Juno. Also, can art ever make you laugh? London's Hayward Gallery thinks so. They're staging an exhibition called Laughing in a Foreign Language. Podcaster Karl Pilkington takes comic Noel Fielding to find out whether this show can deliver. Elsewhere, artist and film director Julian Schnabel talks to Mark Kermode about his film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Tim Samuels has a night on the tiles with New York singer/songwriter Jeffrey Lewis.

Lauren Laverne hosts another bumper batch of cultural gems, including Mark Kermode talking to the multiple Oscar winner Tom Hanks about his latest film, Charlie Wilson 's War, plus there's an interview with cult actress Laura Linney about her role in The Savages. Elsewhere, BBC Radio 1's DJ Nihal travels to Belgium to meet the Dewaele brothers, better known as Soulwax, Author Conn Iggulden visits a story-telling festival in Galway, and folk rockers Beirut hit the streets of Cardiff to see how much they can make as buskers. Studio music comes from electro-pop stars Hot Chip.

US movie star and stand-up comedian Chris Rock talks to Lauren Laverne about what tickles his funny bone. Mark Kermode interviews Sweeney Todd star Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton , while the Coen brothers talk about their acclaimed modern western No Country for Old Men. Author Toby Young goes to New York where the film version of his book How to Lose Friends & Alienate People is being made and confronts Simon Pegg , who has the difficult job of playing the writer on the big screen. Plus Glasgow band Sons and Daughters perform a song from new album This Gift.

Tim Samuels examines the enduring power of Beowulf, an epic eighth-century Anglo-Saxon poem that has recently been dramatised into a film starring Ray Winstone. Elsewhere, actor and director Steve Buscemi talks to Mark Kermode about making Interview with Sienna Miller; Scottish electro-pop star Calvin Harris takes us behind the scenes of his UK tour; and Radio Times's Grace Dent casts her acid eye over the flood of US TV series starring British actors such as Bionic Woman, which features former EastEnders star Michelle Ryan. Plus, reviews of Ridley Scott 's American Gangster and the much-anticipated dramatisation of Monica Ali's novel Brick Lane.

[Episode 5] In a wide-ranging and frank interview, Stephen Poliakoff talks to Mark Kermode about the themes he explores in his works and how he has maintained his status as an auteur. There are also contributions from some of the leading actors who have worked with Poliakoff including Sir Michael Gambon, David Walliams, Rupert Penry-Jones, Ruth Wilson and Kelly Reilly. [Episode 5]

Tom Dyckhoff gets a sneak preview of the newly refurbished St Pancras International station in London, before embarking on a tour of Europe's most striking train stations. Elsewhere, Andrew Graham-Dixon visits the Palais des Beaux Arts in Lille, while actor and Oscar-winning director Robert Redford talks to Mark Kermode about his latest drama Lions for Lambs. Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant , and Alison Krauss , bluegrass diva, discuss their new album Raising Sand, which is winning enormous critical acclaim. Plus a backstage report of life on the road with Canadian singer/songwriter Feist, and music from experimental pop singer Bishi.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner reviews the latest films which deal with the war on terror, including Lions for Lambs and Rendition. Verity Sharp talks to Cate Blanchett about Elizabeth: The Golden Age and her role as Bob Dylan in the Oscar-tipped I'm Not There. Plus fresh from the Electric Proms, Handsome Family perform live.

Lauren Laverne meets fashion designer Matthew Williamson ahead of his upcoming exhibition at the Design Museum, and Andrew Graham-Dixon visits the Tuscan city of Siena to assess its role in the Renaissance. In Reykjavik, Verity Sharp talks to Icelandic band Sigur Ros about their film Heima, which focuses on the group's series of unannounced gigs performed across their home country in 2006. Elsewhere, Tom Dyckhoff profiles some of Britain's best young architects and Mark Kermode reviews the week's movie releases.

Lauren Laverne kicks off a new series with Mark Kermode gaining a rare interview with Canadian country music star Neil Young. The acclaimed songwriter talks about his forthcoming album Chrome Dreams 2 and looks back at the changes of direction his music has taken over the past four decades. Elsewhere, Quentin Tarantino provides a masterclass in creating the perfect movie soundtrack, Andrew Graham-Dixon takes an aerial tour of Britain's land art, and Tim Samuels saturates a Scottish village with copies of this year's Booker-nominated novels to find out who gets the villagers' vote for the prize. Plus music from Oxford indie trio the Young Knives.

This week Mark Kermode travels to the Cannes Film Festival to talk to cult filmmakers the Coen brothers about their new movie, No Country for Old Men. Meanwhile, art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon takes to the skies in a helicopter to present his favourite land art from the air. And Zina Saro Wiwa laments the slow death of pub culture in our major cities. Presented by Lauren Laverne.

This week Helena Bonham Carter discusses her role in the acclaimed film Conversations with Other Women and Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips gives a masterclass in rock showmanship as festival goers gear up for the summer season. There's an examination of just how good the new Wembley stadium is and Mark Kermode sings the praises of the unfashionable music genre skiff le, with a contribution from his own rockabilly band, the Dodge Brothers. There's also live music from broken beat rising star Mpho Skeef. Presented by Lauren Laverne.

This week, Andrew Graham-Dixon tours Britain's land art in a helicopter, Chinese pianist Lang Lang demonstrates his virtuoso skills and Charlie Brooker surveys the week's TV highlights. Plus there's a look at how 9/11 has been depicted in a graphic novel and why chess is the latest urban craze. With music from Mutya Buena and Groove Armada. Lauren Laverne hosts.

Lauren Laverne talks to the Manic Street Preachers, who perform live and discuss their new album Send Away the Tigers. Eurovision Song Contest fan Neil Hannon from the Divine Comedy gives his take on how to write the perfect Eurovision song and political cartoonist Steve Bell talks about his work as a major retrospective exhibition opens in Norwich. Mark Kermode picks up the thread of the story behind the action adventure Spider-Man 3.

Bryan Ferry chats with Lauren Laverne about his new album of Bob Dylan covers, the return of Roxy Music, and also performs live in the studio. Verity Sharp talks to composer Thomas Ades in his first TV interview for seven years, David Lynch discusses an exhibition of his paintings and his latest film Inland Empire with Andrew Graham-Dixon , Maximo Park give a sneak preview of their second album, and there's a look at the battle between two islands to be known as the inspiration for Father Ted's Craggy Island.

Everything Is Average Nowadays: at least according to Kaiser Chiefs' eagerly anticipated second album - they explain why. Ahead of tomorrow's Oscars ceremony, Mark Kermode offers his highly coveted alternative awards, the Kermodes, to those he thinks deserve praise but who won't be acknowledged by the Academy. Tom Dyckoff assesses architect David Adjaye 's ambition to build spaces that bring communities together, and acclaimed tenor Juan Diego Florez speaks to Zina Saro-Wiwa . Presented by Lauren Laverne.

Art critic Ben Lewis expresses grave doubts about the work of artist duo Gilbert and George as their retrospective opens at Tate Modern, while musician Brett Anderson and Janet Street-Porter offer a riposte. Director Michel Gondry talks to Mark Kermode about his next film, The Science of Sleep. Musician Nick Cave talks about his latest project, Grinderman, and there's a behind-the-scenes look as designer Duro Olowu launches his new collection.

The stars of Shaun of the Dead and new movie Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost talk about gun-slinging action movies, and the show goes on the road with new rave pioneers, the Klaxons. Andrew Graham-Dixon reviews Citizens and Kings: Portraits in the Age of Revolution, 1760-1830, the new exhibition at the Royal Academy, and Bat for Lashes play live in the studio. Plus the first of 50 Culture Show plaques is awarded and viewers give their suggestions as to where they think deserves a plaque.

This week's smorgasbord of the arts includes a look at what happened when Bill Bailey joined forces with the BBC Concert Orchestra for his cosmic shindig. Comedians Stewart Lee, Phill Jupitus and Robin Ince pay tribute to 1980s comic Ted Chippington. Danny Robins infiltrates the alternative folk scene and actor Patrick Stewart talks to presenter Lauren Laverne about the differing demands of Shakespeare and Star Trek. Plus there's music from pop phenomenon Mika.

Leonardo DiCaprio talks about his controversial new film, Blood Diamond, while presenter Lauren Laverne visits the small seaside town of Anstruther in Fife, home to the Fence Collective and one of Britain's most vibrant alternative music scenes. Mark Kermode meets Christopher Guest and asks him about his new film, For Your Consideration. Andrew Graham-Dixon examines the work of Hogarth and Canaletto, two 18th-century artists who portrayed contemporary life very differently.

Lauren Laverne presents the magazine show which casts a critical eye over the arts. Comedians Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson reveal why phone-ins are ripe for ridicule and preview the new series of their BBC Radio 4 spoof Down the Line. The naughty brothers of British art, Jake and Dinos Chapman , talk to Mark Kermode about their controversial new show at Tate Liverpool, Bad Art for Bad People, and there's a look at how porn culture is entering the mainstream. Plus, Lauren Laverne picks out the five bands to watch out for in including the View and the Brian Jacket Letdown.

Jarvis Cocker performs songs from his new solo album and Jude Law discusses his latest film, Breaking and Entering. Matthew Herbert makes a composition from sounds in chef Heston Blumenthal's kitchen, and Britain's greenest buildings are assessed. With Verity Sharp.

Sir Paul McCartney tells Verity Sharp how he feels about making music and taking knocks in the British press. Kate Winslet talks about her latest role in new thriller Little Children and hip Sheffield band the Long Blondes perform live. Plus the unveiling of the top ten nominations in the search for Britain's greatest living icon. Presented by Lauren Laverne.

Steven Spielberg, the world's most commercially successful director, talks to Mark Kermode about his career - from first sneaking into Universal Studios to the blockbusters he has helmed, including ET, Jaws and Saving Private Ryan.

Damon Albarn talks about his new band the Good, the Bad and the Queen, who are due to make an appearance at the BBC's Electric Proms season. Plus a sneak look inside star architect Zaha Hadid's first UK building - the Maggie's Fife centre in Scotland, and Britain's favourite female artist Beryl Cook talks about turning 80 and still not being shown in the Tate. Also, presenter Lauren Laverne catches up with comic duo Mitchell and Webb, who are about to take their show on the road.

As Britain's biggest exhibition of Velazquez's work opens at the National Gallery in London, host Lauren Laverne is taken on a guided tour by art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon to examine the work of the Spanish painter. Plus Mark Kermode asks actor Gael Garcia Bernal about the rise in popularity of Mexican cinema, author John Grisham talks about his new book An Innocent Man, Radiohead's Thom Yorke discusses his turbulent relationship with the press, South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker give a masterclass on how to cause offence, and the search for Britain's greatest living icon continues.

Presenter Lauren Laverne launches the search for Britain's greatest living icon, with Russell Brand, Lily Allen , Max Clifford and David Bailey offering their suggestions. Plus Mark Kermode talks to Sofia Coppola about her latest controversial film Marie Antoinette , hip-hop stars OutKast discuss their taste in music, Andrew Graham-Dixon meets award-winning video artist Candice Breitz, and Matthew Sweet asks why craft has never been so cool.

As Michael Palin publishes his diaries, he discusses his part in one of the most influential comedy troupes. The show investigates Palin the actor, and looks at his evolution into a national treasure. Eddie Izzard , Vic Reeves , the creators of South Park, and Chris Addison pay tribute.

Scissor Sisters discuss their inspirations, Oliver Stone discusses his new movie World Trade Center and Sting performs tracks from his new album. Plus buildings that make us laugh, Holbein at the Tate and a quirky take on the Booker Prize shortlist. Presented by Lauren Laverne.

An interview with director Ken Loach at the Cannes film festival as he waits to see whether he has won the coveted Palme d'Or. Plus Mark Kermode reflects on disaster movies as United 93 hits our cinema screens.

Andrew Graham-Dixon goes behind the hype to reveal the true genius of Leonardo da Vinci. The Pet Shop Boys discuss the future of pop, and viewers get to nominate the parts of British culture they can live without.

A rare television interview with acclaimed graphic novelist Alan Moore - author of V for Vendetta, Watchmen and From Hell. Plus, the elaborate world of Victorian country house theatricals, the drawings of Michelangelo and cult rock band Mystery Jets. Presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon.

George Clooney discusses politics and film-making. There's a report from Amsterdam on Caravaggio and Rembrandt, and a look at Welsh rock music. Mark Kermode awards his alternative Oscars, and Saira Khan of The Apprentice reports on the Festival of Muslim Culture. Charles Hazlewood reveals the final contenders for our favourite design. And can DBC Pierre repeat the success of Vernon God Little?

Two big Hollywood names are interviewed: director Robert Altman , who at the age of 80 is about to direct his first play on the London stage: and actor Philip Seymour Hoffman , Oscar nominee for his title role in the film Capote. Plus a look at Richard Rogers 's new building for the Welsh Assembly and the latest on the search to find Britain's favourite piece of 20th-century design. With Verity Sharp.

As part of the strand's Great British Design Quest, Verity Sharp reveals the top ten British creations of the last 100 years as voted for by the public. The overall winner will be announced on 16 March. Plus Matthew Sweet on a century of ventriloquists and end-of-pier performers, and the man billed as the first great new composer of the 21st century: Osvaldo Golijov.

At the Winter Olympics in Turin, an accompanying "snow show" brings together the likes of Yoko Ono and Norman Foster to make monumental - albeit inevitably short-lived - creations of snow and ice. The show also explores why Britain is getting a new National Theatre, and goes on tour with comedians the Mighty Boosh. Andrew Graham-Dixon hosts.

With Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown heading for the courts accused of plagiarism, the arts show asks if the bestselling book was a rip-off. Sarah Waters discusses The Night Watch, her new novel of lesbian love in wartime England, while director Werner Herzog talks about his latest film Grizzly Man. Plus the gothic work of Fuseli and William Blake , the controversy over performers who mime and the future of public libraries. Hosted by Verity Sharp.