Original version

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Artsnight

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two England

England

BBC Two Scotland

Artsnight: Series 3

David Baddiel

Janet Lee

Matthew Springford

George Cathro

Artsnight: Series 3: Episode 1: David Baddiel

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Episode 1

Episode 1: David Baddiel

Series 3

BBC Two - Artsnight, Series 3, David Baddiel

David Baddiel travels to New York to investigate Thomas Carlyle's Great Man theory.

Magazine arts show. David Baddiel investigates Thomas Carlyle's Great Man theory - a view that history is formed by the impact of certain charismatic men.

In the 19th century, Thomas Carlyle came up with the Great Man theory - a view that history is formed by the impact of certain charismatic and powerful men. For Artsnight, David Baddiel travels to New York to see if there are any great men left, and whether the idea, embodied by huge priapic figures like Picasso, Saul Bellow or Norman Mailer, is untenable now.

David talks to writers Martin Amis, Nick Laird, Katie Roiphe and Meg Wolitzer, to ask whether anyone can be called great in a culture where so many voices and opinions exist that anyone with a claim on greatness is easily shot down. Even those who might be considered great, he argues, can't be that absurdly masculine anymore, so can only achieve greatness with an ironic nod and a wink. So what has been gained and lost by the death of the Great Man idea?

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Artsnight

Series 3

Episode 1: David Baddiel

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Two HD

About BBC Two