Desert Island Discs Revisited

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Factual: Life Stories

Selected castaway gems from the BBC Desert Island Discs archive.

Desert Island Discs Revisited: Actors: Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie

Actors

Desert Island Discs

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Desert Island Discs Revisited, Actors, Hugh Laurie

Actor and musician Hugh Laurie is castaway by Kirsty Young.

4 Extra Debut. From Nina Simone to Van Morrison. Actor and musician Hugh Laurie shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young. From 2013.

Actor and musician Hugh Laurie is castaway by Kirsty Young. 

If life were straightforward he'd be marooned on the island because of his achievements as an Olympic rower. But his early promise on the water was scuppered by a bout of glandular fever - so he's had to make do instead with life as a worldwide entertainment superstar.

Very British comedy, very big budget movies, very successful syndicated TV drama - his 30 year career has taken him from A Little Bit of Fry & Laurie to a big bit of broadcasting history: his role in the U.S. show House ran for 8 series and had a global audience of 81 million. 

So why now does he feel the need to risk his stellar reputation by making music too? 

He says, "as soon as I acknowledge to myself that something is frightening and carries the risk of public humiliation I feel like I have to do it."

DISC ONE: Joe Cocker - The Letter 
DISC TWO: Sister Rosetta Tharpe - My Journey to the Sky 
DISC THREE: Randy Newman - Louisiana 1927 
DISC FOUR: Son House - Grinnin’ in your face 
DISC FIVE: Professor Longhair - Go to the Mardi Gras 
DISC SIX: Nina Simone - I wish I knew how it would be to be free 
DISC SEVEN: Lester Young-Buddy Rich Trio - I Cover the Waterfront 
DISC EIGHT: Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl 

BOOK CHOICE: An encyclopedia   
LUXURY CHOICE: A double set of throwing knives  
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

Producer: Cathy Drysdale

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013.

Desert Island Discs Revisited: Actors

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Actor castaways share their desert island choices.

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