Season 5

2006-09-30

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.

2006-10-07

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.

2006-10-14

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.

2006-10-21

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.

2006-10-28

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.

2006-11-04

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.

2006-11-11

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.

2006-11-16

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.

2006-11-25

He's painted a few, so he should know: David Hockney talks about what makes a great iconic image. Award-winning comedian and pianist Tim Minchin talks about his fascination with Mozart and why he believes artistic ability goes hand in hand with antisocial behaviour. Plus, a surprise guest joins presenter Verity Sharp , and the search for Britain's greatest living icons continues.

2006-12-02

The quest to find Britain's greatest living icon is down to the final three. Ricky Gervais 's radio producer and comic foil, Karl Pilkington, talks about the new animations of the exceedingly popular podcasts he produces with Ricky and Stephen Merchant. Controversial writer and theatre director Mark Ravenhill explains why he is trying his hand at panto, and there's anthemic dance music from Faithless.

2006-12-09

Mark Kermode meets director Paul Verhoeven ahead of the release of his new film Zwartboek - a portrait of Nazi-occupied Holland. Verhoeven claims he lost his soul in Hollywood and with this, the film he's always wanted to make, he gets it back. Acclaimed DJs and video artists Coldcut provide their own unique festive message, there's a special performance from Pete Doherty , and the final chance to vote for Britain's greatest living icon.

2006-12-16

Who has the public voted as Britain's greatest living icon? The final result of the search for the person who's had the biggest impact on our cultural life is revealed. And there's a look back at some of the highlights of the show over the past year, with contributions from Scissor Sisters, Michael Palin , Thorn Yorke , Steven Spielberg , Werner Herzog , Pet Shop Boys, Sting and Alan Moore among many others.