BBC Four

Diary of a Nobody - Shorts

Diary of a Nobody - Shorts: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Four - Diary of a Nobody - Shorts, Episode 2

Pooter discovers red enamel paint, and paints many of the family's possessions.

Andrew Davies's adaptation of George and Weedon Grossmith's novel about the diary of archetypal 'little man'. Pooter paints many of the family's possessions red.

Andrew Davies's adaptation of George and Weedon Grossmith's novel about the diary of archetypal 'little man' Charles Pooter - endearing, yet obsessed with his own importance. 

Pooter discovers red enamel paint, and paints many of the family's possessions including the flower pots, their edition of Shakespeare and the bath. They receive a letter from their son Willie and an invitation from the Lord Mayor of London to a Ball at the Mansion House, surely the proudest moment of Pooter's life.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

George and Weedon Grossmith's novel. Adapted by Andrew Davies

George and Weedon Grossmith's novel about the diary of archetypal 'little man' Charles Pooter. Adapted by Andrew Davies

The Diary of a Nobody

Andrew Davies 's adaptation of the classic satire.

A Perfect Spy

A Perfect Spy: Episode 2

BBC Four - A Perfect Spy, Episode 2

Magnus, sent to Switzerland, meets two men who will be important in his life as a spy.

1980s adaption of the John le Carre novel. Magnus, sent on an errand to Switzerland, meets two men who will be important in his life as a spy.

Classic John le Carré adaptation starring Peter Egan.

Born into espionage - the deadly deceptions of the life of a double agent in the Cold War. A classic John le Carré adaptation starring Peter Egan.

2/7. In Switzerland, Magnus meets two men who prove to be valuable acquaintances.  
8.05 3/7. Against his father's wishes, Magnus contacts Axel.

A Perfect Spy: Episode 3

Episode 3

BBC Four - A Perfect Spy, Episode 3

Magnus betrays his father Rick and renews his acquaintance with Axel.

1980s adaption of the John le Carre novel. In the years between 1953 and 1959, Magnus betrays his father Rick and renews his acquaintance with Axel.

Lead Balloon

Sitcom about Rick Spleen, a disillusioned stand-up comedian and writer

Sitcom about Rick Spleen, a disillusioned stand-up comedian and writer whose career has not gone to plan

Lead Balloon: Series 2

Lead Balloon: Series 2: Episode 2: Hero

Episode 2: Hero

Series 2

Hero

BBC Two - Lead Balloon, Series 2, Hero

Rick becomes a local hero when he stops someone from committing suicide.

Sitcom about an ex-celebrity comedian. When Rick becomes a local hero by stopping a possible suicide, a TV executive agrees to come to dinner to talk about his career.

Rick becomes a local hero when he stops someone from committing suicide.  Rick gets even more excited when, as a result, he bumps into an important TV executive who agrees to come to dinner to talk about Rick's career. Magda thoughtfully prepares a traditional dish from her country for the big evening, but when the guests finally arrive, Rick is in for an unwelcome surprise.

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.

Jack Dee stars as bitter, deluded comic Rick Spleen.

2/8; series two. Rick becomes a local hero when he stops someone from committing suicide.   Episode three is on Thursday at 9.30pm, BBC2

More Dawn French's Boys Who Do Comedy

More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy: Episode 3: Bill Bailey

Episode 3: Bill Bailey

More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy

Bill Bailey

BBC Four - More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy, Bill Bailey

Dawn French interviews Bill Bailey about his life in comedy.

Dawn French interviews famous comedians about their lives and careers.

Dawn French interviews famous comedians about how they started, their inspirations and their careers.

Dawn French's More Boys Who Do: Comedy

Comedian, actor and musician Bill Bailey traces his rise to fame.

Brasil Brasil

Brasil Brasil: Episode 1: From Samba to Bossa

Episode 1

Episode 1: From Samba to Bossa

From Samba to Bossa

BBC Four - Brasil Brasil, From Samba to Bossa

Brazilian music series. A look at the history of samba.

Three-part series about the history of Brazilian music. This edition covers the history of samba, from the early days of slavery to stars like Carmen Miranda.

Comprehensive review of Brazilian music in a three-part series which tells the story of the styles and the artists that have captured the world's imagination for decades. This edition covers the history of samba, from the early days of slavery to flamboyant stars like Carmen Miranda and Elza Soares, and shows how samba's off-shoot bossa nova went global back in the early 1960s. Featuring specially-shot performances, interviews and rare archive footage.

Comprehensive review of Brazilian music and history.

Comprehensive review of Brazilian music and history, telling the story of the styles and the artists that have for decades captured the world's imagination.

Brasil, Brasil

1/3. A review of Brazilian music and history from the days of slavery and the birth of samba to the contemporary hip-hop and baile funk scenes.

City of Men

City of Men: Episode 3: The Post

Episode 3: The Post

The Post

BBC Two - City of Men, The Post

Laranjinha and Acerola are assigned by the local drug boss to work as mailmen.

Drama series set in the Rio de Janeiro slums. Laranjinha and Acerola are assigned by the local drug boss to work as mailmen. Their bright ideas only create more problems.

Drama series set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Laranjinha and Acerola are assigned by the local drug boss to work as mailmen. Their bright ideas only create bigger problems.

Drama series set in the slums of Rio de Janiero.

3/9. Laranjinha and Acerola are recruited by the local drug barons. In 
Portugese with English subtitles.

Behind the Sun

27/01/2007

BBC Four - Behind the Sun

Brazilian drama about a feud between rival families escalating into tit-for-tat killings.

Dama set in turn-of-the-century Brazil, in which a feud between two sugar-cane growing families escalates into a blood-and-honour series of tit-for-tat killings.

Epic family saga from the director of Central Station. 

The Brazilian badlands, April 1910. Caught in a bitter family feud, 20 year old Tonho is ordered by his father to avenge the murder of his older brother. 

Knowing that by fulfilling this obligation he will become the next victim in an endless cycle of violence and revenge, as the rival family will inevitably retaliate by killing him in turn, Tonho is torn between fulfilling his ancestral duty and rebelling against the absurdity of the blood feud. 

The only person that Tohno can rely on is his little brother Pacu. Until one day a colourful travelling circus passes through the country where Tonho’s family lives.

B Period drama starring Jose Dumont. 
The son of a sugar farmer hits the road with a circus beauty, In Portuguese with English subtitles. Review page 56. Director Walter Salles (2001, 12)

The Martians and Us

The Martians and Us: Episode 1: From Apes to Aliens

Episode 1: From Apes to Aliens

From Apes to Aliens

BBC Four - The Martians and Us, From Apes to Aliens

A look at our relationship with aliens, and the sci-fi genre's interest in evolution.

Series about the history of British science fiction. This edition looks at our relationship with aliens, from Wells's invading Martians to the Daleks.

Series about the history of British science fiction. This edition looks at our relationship with aliens, from Wells's invading Martians to the Daleks, via 2001: A Space Odyssey, the Midwich Cuckoos, and the Mekon. 

It also explores the genre's preoccupation with the big questions of evolution, and includes interviews with Arthur C Clarke, Brian Aldiss, Doris Lessing and Steve Jones.

Series about the history of British science fiction.

The Martians and Us: Episode 2: Trouble in Paradise (Dystopias)

Episode 2: Trouble in Paradise (Dystopias)

Trouble in Paradise (Dystopias)

BBC Four - The Martians and Us, Trouble in Paradise (Dystopias)

A look at the utopias and dystopias created in books like Brave New World and 1984.

Series about the history of British sci-fi. The utopian dreams and dystopian nightmares of books like Huxley's Brave New World and Orwell's 1984.

Series about the history of British science fiction. A look at the utopian dreams and dystopian nightmares of books such as Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and 1984 by George Orwell.

One is a vision of the future full of sex and shopping, the other is a story of oppression and violence. But why have the British been better than anyone at imagining these future heavens and hells? Contributors include Margaret Atwood and Iain M Banks.

The Martians and Us: Episode 3: The End of the World as We Know It

Episode 3: The End of the World as We Know It

The End of the World as We Know It

BBC Four - The Martians and Us, The End of the World as We Know It

The genre of destruction, where writers declare the end of the world as we know it.

Series about the history of British science fiction. A look at the genre of destruction, where writers declare the end of the world.

Series about the history of British science fiction. A look at the genre of destruction, where the writers abandon time travel and alien invasion and declare the end of the world as we know it.

Including floods, plagues, poisonous clouds and walking plants, from late Victorian disasters like The Purple Cloud, through Day of the Triffids and TV series like Survivors.

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The Martians and Us

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Episode 3: The End of the World as We Know It

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