The South Bank Show

September 27, 2007 12:09 PM

The South Bank Show is the longest running arts show on television. Melvyn Bragg has presented an eclectic mix of televisual joy since 1978. SBS has presented in-depth portraits of many different types of artists during this time, covering a huge range of topics. From high art to low art, classical music to pop music, canonical literature to airport blockbusters it has offered some of the most insightful and enjoyable arts programming around. Much youtubery awaits inside

Here's are some great episodes for your delectation.

Iggy and the Stooges (1,2,3,4,5).

J.G. Ballard (1,2,3).

Woody Allen (1,2,3,4,5,6).

Steve Reich (1,2,3,4,5,6).

Sonic Youth (1,2,3).

Enjoy!

posted by ClanvidHorse (16 comments total)

Excellent linkage!

A quick plug for Bragg's other great show, BBC 4's In Our Time.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:39 PM on September 27, 2007

No The Smiths SBS?

I have it anyway... but still.
posted by NailsTheCat at 12:53 PM on September 27, 2007

I couldn't find it Nails. It's one of my faves too...
posted by ClanvidHorse at 12:55 PM on September 27, 2007

I remember The Bee Gees one was good. The Pet Shop Boys SBS used to be up on YouTube but alas, no more.
posted by forallmankind at 1:00 PM on September 27, 2007

The South Bank Show is the longest continuously running arts programme on television – with its high-profile Sunday night slot on ITV1.

And they say Jerry Lewis is tough when he does a 24 hour Telethon once a year! This poor bastard's been on for 30 years for Christ's sake!
posted by Pollomacho at 1:01 PM on September 27, 2007

The Ian McKellen SBS from 1984 is also up on YT, in many small pieces.
posted by forallmankind at 1:13 PM on September 27, 2007

The Douglas Adams special (with crummy but serviceable audio) is also up in many small pieces. Part 1 is here.
posted by maudlin at 1:40 PM on September 27, 2007

Melvyn Bragg hosted a miniseries on the English language that was a lot of fun.
posted by grubi at 1:46 PM on September 27, 2007

The Francis Bacon interview is pretty awesome. Large amounts of wine are consumed.
posted by skullbee at 1:56 PM on September 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

oohhh. i love me some melvyn bragg.

that francis bacon doc skullbee linked to is outstanding.
posted by jmccw at 3:38 PM on September 27, 2007

I watch for the breath-taking sweep, both of intellectual and artistic endeavour and more especially Melvyn's hair.
posted by Abiezer at 3:51 PM on September 27, 2007

I couldn't find it Nails. It's one of my faves too...

I torrented this a while back. I *think* I still have it so if you want... email in profile. Hell - I remember when I had this on betamax.
posted by NailsTheCat at 4:02 PM on September 27, 2007

Skullbee I tried finding the Francis Bacon one on youtube to no avail. (I think there were some excerpts but nothing more).

Anyways, thank you for leading me to ubu.com. What an amazing website! Cheers.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 1:39 AM on September 28, 2007

Just watching the Bacon show - absolutely fantastic, and I'd forgotten what an excellent interviewer can be.
posted by Abiezer at 3:44 AM on September 28, 2007

Oops - *what an excellent Bragg interviewer can be* - it's great to see Bacon enjoying the conversation too, but not just getting patted softballs.
posted by Abiezer at 3:57 AM on September 28, 2007

A quick plug for Bragg's other great show, BBC 4's In Our Time.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:39 PM on September 27 [+] [!]

Exactly what I came in here to post.
posted by MattWPBS at 4:45 AM on September 28, 2007