Comments on: The South Bank Show

The South Bank Show

ClanvidHorse — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:09:21 -0800

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!

By: Thorzdad

Thorzdad — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:39:50 -0800

Excellent linkage! A quick plug for Bragg's other great show, BBC 4's In Our Time.

By: NailsTheCat

NailsTheCat — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:53:32 -0800

No The Smiths SBS? I have it anyway... but still.

By: ClanvidHorse

ClanvidHorse — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:55:32 -0800

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

By: forallmankind

forallmankind — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:00:11 -0800

I remember The Bee Gees one was good. The Pet Shop Boys SBS used to be up on YouTube but alas, no more.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:01:15 -0800

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!

By: forallmankind

forallmankind — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:13:25 -0800

The Ian McKellen SBS from 1984 is also up on YT, in many small pieces.

By: maudlin

maudlin — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:40:39 -0800

The Douglas Adams special (with crummy but serviceable audio) is also up in many small pieces. Part 1 is here.

By: grubi

grubi — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:46:41 -0800

Melvyn Bragg hosted a miniseries on the English language that was a lot of fun.

By: skullbee

skullbee — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:56:36 -0800

The Francis Bacon interview is pretty awesome. Large amounts of wine are consumed.

By: jmccw

jmccw — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:38:26 -0800

oohhh. i love me some melvyn bragg. that francis bacon doc skullbee linked to is outstanding.

By: Abiezer

Abiezer — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:51:48 -0800

I watch for the breath-taking sweep, both of intellectual and artistic endeavour and more especially Melvyn's hair.

By: NailsTheCat

NailsTheCat — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:02:35 -0800

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.

By: ClanvidHorse

ClanvidHorse — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:39:19 -0800

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.

By: Abiezer

Abiezer — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:44:31 -0800

Just watching the Bacon show - absolutely fantastic, and I'd forgotten what an excellent interviewer can be.

By: Abiezer

Abiezer — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:57:48 -0800

Oops - *what an excellent Bragg interviewer can be* - it's great to see Bacon enjoying the conversation too, but not just getting patted softballs.

By: MattWPBS

MattWPBS — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:45:32 -0800

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.