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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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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.

Radio 4's cabaret of the word, featuring the best poetry, new writing and performance

The Verb: Nice

Nice

BBC Radio 4 - The Verb, Nice

With Tessa Hadley, Brian Bilston and Jesse Schwenk.

Ian and guests Tessa Hadley, Brian Bilston and Jesse Schwenk attempt to celebrate the often overlooked word 'nice'.

Isn't this nice? This week, Ian McMillan and guests examine the often overlooked and unloved word 'Nice'.

In her novels and short fiction, Tessa Hadley often writes about people aiming to preserve 'niceness' and keeping up appearances in trying circumstances. In her latest novel 'Late in the Day', the comfortable dynamics of lifelong friends are shifted forever.

Jesse Schwenk is the author of the last in our series of Verb dramas. A Quark In My Cosmos is directed by Andrew Smith.

Brian Bilston has been called 'unofficial poet laureate of Twitter'. We commissioned Brian to write a new poem making use of the word nice - going against the advice of many English teachers. Brian's new novel is 'Diary of a Somebody'. 

Presenter: Ian McMillan
Producer: Jessica Treen

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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