Main content

Author C J Sansom, The Switch and Dinner for Schmucks

Novelist C J Sansom discusses his Tudor mysteries, Natalie Haynes reviews new films The Switch and Dinner for Schmucks, and the schools who produce Mercury nominees.

With Mark Lawson.

Novelist C J Sansom discusses whether there are historical parallels between Tudor spin-masters and today's politicians, as he publishes a new Matthew Shardlake novel set during an ill-advised war.

Two new American films re-work existing stories. Jennifer Aniston stars in The Switch, which is loosely based on the short story Baster, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jeffrey Eugenides. Dinner for Schmucks, with Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, was inspired by Francis Veber's play and film Le Diner de cons. Natalie Haynes reviews.

The Mercury Prize 2010 Albums of the Year winner is announced next week. Front Row talks to two music teachers from schools which seem to have produced more than their fair share of Mercury nominees, past and present.

Punk band The Sex Pistols are launching their own brand of perfume. For Front Row, David Quantick considers other music stars whose names appear on bottles of scent.

Producer Claire Bartleet.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 1 Sep 2010 19:15
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

31/08/2010

Next

Donald Sturrock on Roald Dahl; Tim Robbins sings.

See all episodes from Front Row

Clip

Chapters

  • Review of The Switch and Dinner for Schmucks

    A review of two new American films that re-work existing stories: The Switch and Dinner for Schmucks. Natalie Haynes reviews.

    Duration: 07:00

  • C J Sansom Interview

    Novelist C J Sansom discusses whether there are historical parallels between Tudor spin-masters and today's politicians.

    Duration: 09:09

  • Music teachers

    Front Row talks to two music teachers from schools which seem to have produced more than their fair share of Mercury nominees, past and present

    Duration: 09:03

  • Chain Story

    We've been asking authors to take part in a game of Front Row 'Consequences'. Bret Easton Ellis delivered the first line and here the story continues.

    Duration: 01:58

Broadcast

  • Wed 1 Sep 2010 19:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast

  • Front Row

    Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music