With Great Pleasure At Christmas
1 Broadcast (with a repeat) – Approx. 56 Minutes [READING]
Broadcaster: BBC Radio 4
Broadcast: December 25th 2008 @ 12:04-13:00 / December 26th 2008 @ 20:04-21:00
“Author Terry Pratchett, creator of the Discworld series (celebrating its 25th year in print), chooses a selection of the writing that has inspired and entertained him.”
[Thanks Roy!]
Posted by Jesse Willis
Selected Radiophonic Works
BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Saturday, Dec. 20
8pm & 3am GMT
A selection of programmes showcasing the work of the Radiophonic Workshop, which provided music and sound for many BBC (radio & TV) programmes. Includes The Dreams, The Goons and Bath Time.
Most will be familiar with the Radiophonic Workshop’s Doctor Who theme, as well as sfx work for Doctor Who and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio and television series.
Note: Selected Radiophonic Works will be available online for six days, through Dec. 26.
Posted by RC of Radio Tales of the Strange & Fantastic
BBC7 Describes their end of the year offering as: “William Gibson’s cult sci-fi thriller of a woman employed by multi-national companies to test new brands.” Unfortunately their reading of Pattern Recognition is abridged, and not “sci-fi” (or even Science Fiction really – |READ OUR REVIEW| of the unabridged version). Still, Gibson is a great stylist with some amazing ideas. This recording was previously broadcast in October of 2007.
A better year end gift for British subjects (and Earthlings in general) would be for the BBC to change its letters in 2009 to BPC (the British Podcasting Corporation). Come to think of it, a CPC (Canadian Podcasting Corporation) would be a great idea too.
Pattern Recognition
By William Gibson; Read by Lorelei King
5 Parts – Approx. 150 Minutes [ABRIDGED]
Broadcaster: BBC Radio 7
Broadcast: Monday 29th December 2008 – Friday 2nd January 2009
“William Gibson’s cult sci-fi thriller of a woman employed by multi-national companies to test new brands.”
Posted by Jesse Willis
Fatherland
Full cast audio drama in five parts
Based on the novel by Robert Harris
Adapted by John Dryden
Monday, Dec. 15 through Friday, Dec. 19
9:30AM, 8:30PM & 1:30AM GMT
The year is 1964, and it’s a week before Hitler’s 75th birthday. Nazi Germany won the Second World War, Churchill is living in exile in Canada, Joseph Kennedy is President of the United States, and King Edward and Queen Wallis are puppet monarchs of the United Kingdom. In this dimension, history took a very different turn in 1942 to the one we are familiar with.
If you enjoy alternate histories be sure to check out this audio drama adaptation of Robert Harris‘s novel set in an imaginary post-war Germany. In the story, Berlin cop Xavier March begins to uncover a terrible secret at the heart of the totalitarian state. See, nazis…they really needed to lighten up a bit, but they didn’t and they certainly don’t in this chilling story. Fatherland stars Anton Lesser, Peter Ellis and Andrew Sachs, is very well produced and gets a solid recommendation from yours truly.
Remember that all BBC7 programs stay online for six days so if you miss one just check the schedule.
Posted by RC of Radio Tales of the Strange & Fantastic
Over in the Crime and Thrillers slot all this week on BBC Radio 7 there’s a nifty series of “pulp” (crime tales from the pulp age) airing. All are read by Peter Marinker, a veteran narrator – sound intriguing? You bet, read on…
This Is Pulp Fiction
By various; Read by Peter Marinker
Broadcaster: BBC Radio 7 / Crime and Thrillers
Broadcast: Monday to Friday at 9.45am, 8.45pm and 1.45am
A brand new series for BBC Radio 7, in which Peter Marinker reads some of the best in classic American Pulp Fiction. From Divide and Conquer, Jack Ritchie’s 1957 crime thriller about a cleverly foiled protection racket, to A Real Nice Guy, William F. Nolan’s classic story about a serial sniper.
Posted by Jesse Willis
Our agent in London has the pulse of what’s going to air on BBC Radio 4 over the month of December 2008. Sez Roy:
“I’ve completed a quick scan of what’s on offer from BBC Radio over the coming festive season. Looks far from a vintage season, but I’ve spotted a few genre items…
Saturday 13th Dec R4 14:30-16:00 Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward
Monday 15th Dec R4 22:45-23:00 Book At Bedtime A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; read by David Jason. This 10 part reading continues each weekday night until Boxing Day (Dec. 26th).
Tuesday 16th Dec R4 11:30-12:00 I Was Douglas Adams’s Flatmate. Ok, not drama, but the personal recollections of someone who shared an flat with the creator of so much humorous SF might be interesting.
Sunday 21st Dec R2 00:00-00:18 The Devil’s Christmas read by Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) reads four ‘dark tales for Christmas‘. Continues nightly to Christmas Eve. Claims to be a repeat, but I don’t know when original transmission was.Monday 22nd Dec R4 14:15-15:00 The Borrowers part 1 by Mary Norton
Well I think this can be considered ‘Fantasy’ and I for one will be listening. Part 2 is at the same time next day (Tuesday 23rd).Wednesday 31st Dec R4 14:15-15:00 Mr. Luby’s Fear Of Heaven by John Mortimer
Frankly I’m not sure quite how genre relevant this will be. It was originally aired as a joint NPR/BBC production under the ‘Earplay’ banner, but I believe this is a new production.”
Thanks Roy, there are a few in there I’ll be coveting for a special spot under my digital Xmas tree!
Posted by Jesse Willis