The South Bank Show Originals - Season 5
Season 5
Episodes
Billy Connolly
Melvyn Bragg looks back to his previous South Bank Show meeting with Billy Connolly and reflects on the Glaswegian's remarkable career in comedy.
Joan Rivers
Melvyn Bragg looks back on his entertaining 2002 meeting with Joan Rivers in a warm-hearted tribute to the late New York comedian.
Sir Ian McKellen
Melvyn Bragg looks back at Sir Ian McKellen's appearances on The South Bank Show, tracing his rise from the National Theatre to Hollywood stardom.
Ronnie Corbett
Melvyn Bragg looks back fondly on a classic episode of The South Bank Show, exploring Ronnie Corbett's immense contribution to British comedy.
John Hurt
Melvyn Bragg looks back on the life and career of South Bank Show icon John Hurt, the legendary English actor who passed away in January 2017.
Werner Herzog
Melvyn Bragg takes a nostalgic look back at German filmmaker Werner Herzog's eye-opening appearance on The South Bank Show in 1982.
Local Hero
Melvyn Bragg reflects on The South Bank Show's behind-the-scenes look at the 1983 film Local Hero, written and directed by Bill Forsyth and starring Burt Lancaster.
Anthony Green
A look back to Anthony Green's appearance on The South Bank Show in 1987, which explored the artist's fascination with portraying middle-class domestic life on canvas.
David Lean and Robert Bolt
Melvyn Bragg reflects on a classic South Bank Show episode which focused on the great screenwriting partnership of David Lean and Robert Bolt.
Vivienne Westwood
A fascinating look back at British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood's appearance on The South Bank Show in 1990.
Marc Quinn
Melvyn Bragg reflects on another classic episode of The South Bank Show featuring Marc Quinn, the artist famous for his blood head sculpture.
Peter Blake
A fond look back at pop art pioneer Peter Blake's eye-opening appearance on The South Bank Show in 2006.
Sam Taylor-Johnson
Melvyn Bragg looks back on The South Bank Show's 2008 film which followed a year in the life of filmmaker and photographer Sam Taylor-Johnson.
Margaret Atwood
Melvyn Bragg looks back on his eye-opening meeting with writer Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, for The South Bank Show in 1993.
Nick Cave
A look back at Nick Cave's appearance on The South Bank Show in 2003 in which the singer-songwriter revealed his deep interest in dark love songs.
Bill Bryson
In 2001, American author Bill Bryson headed home to Des Moines, Iowa, to reflect on his early life in the Midwest for The South Bank Show.
John Bird and John Fortune
Melvyn Bragg looks back on the South Bank Show appearance of John Bird and John Fortune, two of England's finest satirists.
Sarah Waters
Melvyn Bragg examines the glittering career of Welsh novelist Sarah Waters, whose bestselling novels include Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
A look back at Andrew Lloyd Webber's appearance on The South Bank Show which focused on his 1978 classical and rock fusion album Variations.
The History of Rhythm and Blues
Melvyn Bragg looks back on another classic episode of The South Bank Show, exploring the history of rhythm and blues music.
Vanessa Redgrave
A look back at a classic episode of The South Bank Show featuring Vanessa Redgrave, who spoke to Melvyn Bragg about being a member of such a renowned acting family.
Howard Jacobson
Melvyn Bragg reflects on his 1999 interview with Man Booker Prize-winning novelist Howard Jacobson.
'Dr John' Rebennack
Melvyn Bragg looks back on his meeting with New Orleans blues legend Malcolm 'Dr John' Rebennack for an episode of The South Bank Show in 2001.
Jacqueline Wilson
Melvyn Bragg looks back on his 2006 meeting with children's author Jacqueline Wilson, who found fame with her Tracy Beaker series.
June Whitfield
Melvyn Bragg reflects on June Whitfield's South Bank Show appearance in 2007, where the actress discussed her distinguished career in TV and comedy.
Annie Lennox
A look back on a classic South Bank Show episode featuring a rare and exclusive interview with iconic Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox.
Talking Heads
A look back at the Talking Heads' appearance on The South Bank Show in 1979 when they were a leading light in the new wave movement.
Hip-Hop Music
Melvyn Bragg reflects on a classic episode of The South Bank Show in which he examined the rise and influence of hip-hop music.
Craig David
Melvyn Bragg looks back on his 2002 meeting with two-time Grammy-nominated singer Craig David, recorded specially for The South Bank Show.
Sue Townsend
Melvyn Bragg reflects on Sue Townsend's appearance on The South Bank Show in 2006, fondly remembering her great literary creation, Adrian Mole.
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