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BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

I Was...

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Life Stories

Series analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them

Andrew McGibbon presents a series of interviews analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them.

BBC Radio 4 LW

I Was...: Series 3

I Was...: Series 3: I Was Philip K Dick's Reluctant Host

13/02/2017

I Was Philip K Dick's Reluctant Host

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - I Was..., Series 3, I Was Philip K Dick's Reluctant Host

Michael Walsh talks about the challenging time when writer Phillip K Dick shared his home.

Andrew McGibbon talks to Michael and Susan Walsh, recalling the challenging experience of allowing sci-fi writer Phillip K Dick share their home after he left California in a hurry.

Andrew McGibbon analyses great artists at a significant time in their careers, but from the perspective of someone who worked for them, inspired them, employed them or even did their job for them while no one was looking.

In "I Was Phillip K Dick's Reluctant Host", Michael Walsh - a journalist and respected film reviewer for The Province, a leading Vancouver newspaper - talks about the time he came to the aid of the author of Minority Report, Blade Runner, Total Recall and Man in the High Castle, who he met at a convention in 1972. 

Discovering that Dick has sold his house in California and was planning to stay in Canada, Michael invited Phillip to stay with him and his wife Susan at their home in Vancouver. 

It would go on to be one of the most challenging experiences of Michael's life, as drug dependency, unwanted advances on Michael's wife and unpredictable mood swings made the period something of an emotional rollercoaster for the wary hosts - but also fascinating insight into one of Sci-Fi's greatest ever visionaries.

Written and Presented by Andrew McGibbon
Producers: Nick Romero and Louise Morris

A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Series of interviews analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them

Andrew McGibbon presents a series of interviews analysing great artists from the perspective of someone who knew them

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I Was...

Series 3

I Was Philip K Dick's Reluctant Host

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