Main content

Roddy Doyle, Heroes in TV dramas, Stephen King's IT

Roddy Doyle on his latest novel Smile, Stephen King's IT film reviewed, heroes in TV dramas and the art of sports commentary.

Roddy Doyle talks to John Wilson about his new novel, Smile. 30 years since he wrote The Commitments, Smile is his 11th novel, in which a middle-aged man looks back over his unfulfilled life, as dark and disturbing memories of being taught by the Christian Brothers begin to surface.

Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama Piers Wenger has said he would like to see fewer dark dramas on TV and more inspiring stories, specifically programmes that examine heroism. We ask TV critics Chris Dunkley and Caroline Frost whether the golden age of television has left viewers swamped in anti-heroes and whether they would like to see more heroes on screens.

Matt Thorne reviews IT, the latest film to be adapted from a Stephen King horror novel. It stars Bill SkarsgΓ¥rd as the demonic entity of evil which shapeshifts into Pennywise the clown. Matt also describes his own relationship with the story - and Pennywise - since first reading King's novel aged 12.

Plus, as veteran football commentator John Motson announces his retirement, Alex Clark examines the art of sports commentary.

Presenter John Wilson
Producer Dymphna Flynn.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 6 Sep 2017 19:15
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Woman's Hour Craft Exhibition, Lloyd Dorfman, Karen McCarthy Woolf, John Ashbery

Next

Marian Keyes, Tim Roth, Joe Lycett

See all episodes from Front Row

  • Podcast extra

    Critic Matt Thorne reveals his top three clowns in culture

Chapters

  • Roddy Doyle

    Duration: 09:29

  • Sports Commentary

    Duration: 04:37

  • Heroes or Anti-Heroes?

    Duration: 07:52

  • Matt Thorne

    Duration: 05:37

Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle
John Wilson and Roddy Doyle
Photo credit: Jerome Weatherald

Roddy Doyle's book Smile is out now

Main image: Roddy Doyle
Photo credit: Mark Nixon

Credits

Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Roddy Doyle
Interviewed Guest Chris Dunkley
Interviewed Guest Caroline Frost
Interviewed Guest Matt Thorne
Interviewed Guest Alex Clark
Producer Dymphna Flynn

Broadcast

  • Wed 6 Sep 2017 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