Novelist Jay McInerney explores the life and writing of F Scott Fitzgerald, whose masterwork The Great Gatsby has just been filmed for the fifth time. \n\nFitzgerald captured the reckless spirit of New York life in the roaring twenties - the flappers, the parties, the bootleg liquor, the inevitable reckoning, and the hangover to come. In Gatsby, he created a character who reinvented himself for love - just as Fitzgerald would, not once, but twice. Fitzgerald never wrote an autobiography. He left us something better - letters. Romantic, arrogant, humble letters; letters to editors, publishers, lovers, or friends. \n\nThese letters reveal the inner thoughts of a man whose real life was never far from the fiction he wrote.
Source: BBC 2
2011/2012: 21. David Hockney: The Art Of Seeing - A Culture Show Special
Andrew Marr interviews David Hockney, widely considered to be Britain's best-loved living artist, about his exhibition A Bigger Picture at the Royal Academy, made up of works de ...
02-10-2023
BBC 2
Hanif Kureishi: Writers Are Trouble - A Culture Show Special
Whenever Hanif Kureishi writes a new film or book, something is broken - a taboo, a confidence or new ground. The Buddha of Suburbia and My Beautiful Laundrette author, who firs ...
24-08-2022
BBC 2
Spielberg At 60
A special edition of The Culture Show that looks at the life and career of Stephen Spielberg, one of the most famous and commercially successful film directors in the world. Mar ...
20-08-2022
BBC 2
2012/2013: 32. Sincerely, F Scott Fitzgerald
Novelist Jay McInerney explores the life and writing of F Scott Fitzgerald, whose masterwork The Great Gatsby has just been filmed for the fifth time. \n\nFitzgerald captured th ...
03-05-2022
BBC 2
The Art Of World War Ii: A Culture Show Special
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Culture Show presents a special on the art of World War II. Despite being locked into a life-or-death struggle, wartim ...
18-11-2021
BBC 2
2013/2014: 6. The Culture Show At Edinburgh: Funny Women
Sue Perkins explores the highs and lows of being a woman in the unashamedly macho world of stand-up comedy. With unique behind-the-scenes access to the most important date in th ...
14-09-2021
BBC 2
2011/2012: 17. Sir Terence Conran On Culture
In tribute to the late British designer Sir Terence Conran, a repeat of a programme first shown in 2011.\n\nAlan Yentob talks to his hero Sir Terence Conran, perhaps one of Brit ...
05-10-2020
BBC 2
2013/2014: 18. Wars Of The Heart
For those who remained in London during the Second World War, the Blitz was a terrifying time of sleeplessness, fear and loss, but some of London's literary set found inspiratio ...
06-08-2019
BBC 2
The Battle For Stonehenge: A Culture Show Special
Alastair Sooke looks at the controversy over the site surrounding Stonehenge, as English Heritage attempts to create a setting that this unique monument deserves.
20-06-2019
BBC 2
2013/2014: 6. The Culture Show At Edinburgh: Funny Women
Sue Perkins explores the highs and lows of being a woman in the unashamedly macho world of stand-up comedy. With unique behind-the-scenes access to the most important date in th ...
14-09-2021
BBC 2
2013/2014: 18. Wars Of The Heart
For those who remained in London during the Second World War, the Blitz was a terrifying time of sleeplessness, fear and loss, but some of London's literary set found inspiratio ...
06-08-2019
BBC 2
2014/2015 - Hilary Mantel - Case Histories
James Runcie meets the novelist Hilary Mantel, whose latest collection of short stories contemplates the possibility that Margaret Thatcher was assassinated in 1983.
27-09-2014
BBC 2
2013/2014 - Savion Glover - Happy Feet
Morgan Quaintance visits African-American dance artist Savion Glover in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, to discover more about the renowned tap dancer's life, work and art.
11-06-2014
BBC 2
2014/2015 - Ryan Gander - The Art Of Everything
Miranda Sawyer enters the wild imagination of celebrated British conceptual artist Ryan Gander, a cultural magpie renowned for his playful, cryptic and complex creations.
04-07-2014
BBC 2
The Lost Portrait Of Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Culture Show Special
In 2009, art detective Dr Bendor Grosvenor caused a national scandal by proving that the Scottish National Portrait Gallery's iconic portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the rebel ...
30-01-2018
BBC 2
2013/2014 - Henri Matisse - A Cut Above The Rest
Alastair Sooke presents a moving and intimate portrait of Henri Matisse, one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists, who famously moved from paint to collage late in life.
23-05-2018
BBC 2
2014/2015 - Tents - The Beginning Of Architecture
Tom Dyckhoff looks at the history of the tent and asks if it could be the answer to an overcrowded world faced with a housing crisis and dwindling natural resources.
23-06-2014
BBC 2
2014/2015 - Edward St Aubyn - At Last?
Documentary featuring writer Edward St Aubyn as he releases his new book, which sees him ditch his anguished alter ego Patrick Melrose and face the demons of the literary world.
23-06-2014
BBC 2