Radio Week
The picks of the best of this week’s radio
ENTERTAINMENT
Drive It With The 2 Johnnies MONDAY-FRIDAY, 3PM, RTé 2FM HHH Comedy duo Johnny Smacks and Johnny B are back for another week of radio fun, keeping you up to date with all the non news stories of the day and offering listeners the chances to win big with The Parish Quiz.
On The Hour
FRIDAY, 11PM, BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA HHHHH ‘Killer whale escapes safari park’ is among the news in series two of the brilliantly original spoof show with Chris Morris, and Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge, that started on radio before moving to TV under the title The Day Today.
FACTUAL
The Lyric Feature
SUNDAY, 6PM, RTé LYRIC FM HHHHH When Sinéad O’Connor died in July this year the world was deprived of one of its most distinctive and significant voices. In 2015, the singer and songwriter explored that voice with Iarla Ó Lionáird as part of his series Vocal Chords, which was made for the Lyric Feature. In this programme he talks to Sinéad about her life’s journey, her love of song and her relationship with her voice. She says singing is her life, remarking: ‘I couldn’t be me if I wasn’t singing… it’s the thing that keeps you hanging on… a rope is what I always think songs are and therefore singing is the same. Ropes that you can hang onto.’
Prime Ministers’ Props MONDAY-FRIDAY, 9.45AM, BBC RADIO 4 HHH From Churchill’s cigar to Thatcher’s handbag, an object can define a political leader. David Cannadine’s third series on the subject of British prime ministers’ props starts with the racehorses of Lord Rosebery. As a young man, he is said to have had three ambitions: to marry an heiress, become British PM and win the Derby, and he achieved them all — the last two both in 1894.
Moving Pictures
TUESDAY, 11.30AM, BBC RADIO 4 HHHHH It’s a welcome return for the series that invites us to study famous pictures in depth. This week’s subject is Van Gogh’s powerful Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear. Experts from London’s Courtauld Gallery, where the painting hangs, and Amsterdam’s Van Gogh
Museum are our guides. To see the picture in detail, visit bbc.co.uk/movingpictures
DRAMA
Dick Barton Special Agent MONDAY-FRIDAY, 11.45AM, RADIO 4 EXTRA HHHHH
When Devil’s Galop, the ultimate chase music, came on the Light Programme in the 40s, millions would settle down to listen to a gripping yarn featuring ex-commando Captain Richard Barton. Many of the original episodes were not kept, including this first-ever adventure, in which Dick is on holiday with his wartime pal Snowy White when he uncovers a dastardly enemy plot to seize a secret weapon. This is a faithful remake from 1972, with many of the original actors on board.
MUSIC
The Full Score with Liz Nolan MODAY, 1PM, RTé LYRIC FMHHHH
Liz Nolan visits All Saints Church in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, for today’s Full Score, where mezzo-soprano Aebh Kelly and pianist Dearbhla Collins perform a concert full of opera, operetta and song.
Bladhaire
FRIDAY, 3PM, RTé RnaG HHHH
Celebrating 25 years of Ealaín na Gaeltachta ón Bladhaire, broadcasting live from Tabhairne Leo in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. The programme will include the best of music as well as guest musicians from the area to celebrate the work of Ealaín na Gaeltachta over the past 25 years.