Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Jennifer Hudson, Dan Stevens, Simon Amstell and Mike + The Mechanics

Chris is joined by Jennifer Hudson, Dan Stevens and Simon Amstell plus Mike + The Mechanics perform live in the studio.

2 hours, 59 minutes

Last on

Fri 17 Mar 2017 06:30
麻豆约拍 Radio 2

More episodes

Previous

Erasure World Exclusive

Next

Richard Madeley sits in

See all episodes from The Chris Evans Breakfast Show

Clips

See all clips from Jennifer Hudson, Dan Stevens, Simon Amstell and Mike + The Mechanics (7)

Music Played

  • Pulp

    Disco 2000

    • Hits.
    • Island.
    • 6.

  • Emeli Sand茅

    Highs & Lows

    • (CD Single).
    • Virgin.
    • 014.

  • Stevie Nicks

    Edge Of Seventeen

    • (Single).
    • WEA.
    • 4.

  • Arctic Monkeys

    I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

    • Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.
    • Domino.

  • David Bowie

    Changes

    • David Bowie - Best Of Bowie.
    • EMI.

  • The Kinks

    You Really Got Me

    • The Journey - Part 1.
    • BMG.
    • 7.

  • The Kinks

    All Day And All Of The Night

    • The Journey - Part 1.
    • BMG.
    • 23.

  • Marc Almond

    A Kind Of Love

    • (CD Single).
    • BMG.
    • 1.

  • The Walker Brothers

    The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore

    • The British Invasion: The History Of British Rock, Vol. 7 (Various Artists).
    • Rhino Records.
    • 3.

  • Paper Lace

    Billy Don't Be A Hero

    • Living In The 70s (Various Artists.
    • BMG.
    • 1.

  • Ed Sheeran

    Galway Girl

    • 梅 Divide.
    • Atlantic.

  • Oasis

    Rock 'N' Roll Star

  • Oasis

    Cigarettes & Alcohol

    • Definitely Maybe.
    • Big Brother Records.
    • 008.

  • Oasis

    Up In The Sky

    • Definitely Maybe.
    • Big Brother Recordings Ltd.
    • 4.

  • The Weeknd

    Can't Feel My Face

    • Beauty Behind The Madness.
    • Republic.
    • 7.

  • Pratt & McClain

    Happy Days

    • Television's Greatest Hits Volume 3 70s & 80s.
    • Silva Screen Records Ltd.

  • Jennifer Hudson

    Remember Me

    • (CD Single).
    • Epic.

  • Whitney Houston

    I Will Always Love You

    • The Bodyguard (Original S/Track).
    • Arista.

  • Texas

    Let's Work It Out

    • (CD Single).
    • BMG Rights Management (UK).

  • Katy Perry

    Chained To The Rhythm (feat. Skip Marley)

    • (CD Single).
    • Capitol Records.

Pause For Thought

Pause For Thought

From writer Abdul-Rehman Malik:

Chris, I have to admit that we have a bit of an obsessive streak in our family. My parents were very passionate about their likes and dislikes and they passed the same trait on to my siblings and I.

It didn鈥檛 matter what it was 鈥� a certain brand of tea (or even a household cleaner) 鈥� we鈥檇 not just get into it we鈥檇 downright advocate for it. That fanatical devotion particularly extended to film. Everyone had their favourite film, but I won鈥檛 lie 鈥� for a few years there the only movies we seemed to watch were animated classics. At the top of the list was 鈥淏eauty and the Beast鈥�.

It played on our hardworking VCR in what felt like an endless loop. I want to blame this on my baby brother, but whom am I kidding: I loved it! I鈥檓 sure I wouldn鈥檛 make Jennifer鈥檚 cut on the Voice, but I鈥檇 invariably croon along to the songs. I knew all the words. My adolescent self loved the story鈥檚 essential lessons: don鈥檛 let appearances fool you; beauty without good character is only skin deep; and (the one I like the most) even an ugly beast can be loved. Though I think we can all agree that Dan looks dashing whether he鈥檚 in beast costume or not.

Looking back on the fable decades later, I am struck by something a bit more disturbing. The real beasts of the story are really the angry mob that set out to kill the so-called creature. They are outraged by Belle鈥檚 love for him and how she confronts her own fears. To this day it鈥檚 their intolerance and small mindedness that drives the fairy tale鈥檚 real conflict.

鈥淭he servants of the Merciful,鈥� the Qur鈥檃n reminds us, 鈥渁re those who walk humbly on the earth, and who, when the foolish and ignorant address them, reply, 'Peace'.鈥�

I think we all have the capacity to be beasts 鈥� to be consumed by prejudice and blind rage. And we are made beautiful by our capacity for compassion, understanding and love. It鈥檚 the reason why such stories last lifetimes. They鈥檝e got plenty to teach.

And to those who just can鈥檛 wait and are going to see the film this weekend: if you hear someone in the back singing along to the musical numbers with a bit too much gusto, well鈥� I鈥檒l just apologize in advance.

听

Broadcast

  • Fri 17 Mar 2017 06:30
    麻豆约拍 Radio 2

Farewell Chris Evans: The best bits from his last shows at Radio 2

After eight years of hosting the Breakfast Show, Chris Evans leaves Radio 2.

500 Words

麻豆约拍 Radio 2's story-writing competition for kids.