With James Whitbourn and guest.

with John Humphrys and Peter Hobday.
7.25,8.25 Sports News
7.45 Thought for the Day With Leslie Griffiths.
8.40 Yesterday in Parliament

With Cliff Morgan.

Presented by Eddie Mair.
WRITE TO: [address removed] for factsheet No 51, enclosing sae

With Ned Sherrin , guests and regulars. Producer Dymphna Flynn

With Michael White of The Guardian. Producer Dennis Sewell

The last of the series goes to the ball in Vienna and reports on the battle for souls in Albania. Presented by Gordon Clough. Editor Anna Carragher

Presented by Alison Mitchell.

first of two selections of choice News Quiz moments of 1993 with Barry Took. Producers Jon Naismith and Louise Coates

UNES OPEN from 12.30pm

Another chance to hear this crime thriller by Agatha Christie, starring Stephanie Cole as Ariadne Oliver.

(A five-part dramatisation of Agatha Christie's "Murder at the Vicarage" begins on Boxing Day, 27 Dec, at 11.30am)

In the last of the series, as families book tickets for what is often their annual visit to the theatre, Christopher Cook and Sean Street hear the history of the pantomime dame; recall the legendary Ellen Terry and Henry Irving , and remember the ingenues waiting in the wings.
Producer John Knight

with Peter Evans.
Producer Julian Brown

Producer Marie Helly

with Patrick Hannan and his guests. Producer Richard Thomas

Tom Robinson tries to answer that thorny question-does size matter? Call the Locker Roomanswerphone on [number removed]. Producer Dymphna Flynn

Benjamin Luxon , the English baritone, has been one of our leading opera singers and recitalists. He talks to Natalie Wheen. Producer Clare McGinn

Tonight, Radio 4 and BBC2 join together for a unique experiment in television and radio interaction. The evening is introduced by David Attenborough.
To appreciate the full effect, you need your radio by your side and TV remote control in your hand. For more detail, see page 68.
From 8.10 until midnight, timings are approximate.
See This Week page 16

8.10 The Seven Ages of Radio
Interspersed throughout the evening is this series of short programmes, telling the story of radio from its birth in the early years of the 20th century to the present day. With contributions from historian Asa Briggs, radio collector Robert Hawes and with readings by Ian McKellen.
Producer Peter Griffiths

8.20 Radio Rabbit, TV Talk
The Radio Voice Professor, collector and connoisseur of human speech, applies his forensic skills to some textbook cases, paying particular attention to that shifty specimen, the vox politics.
Written by Kate Fenton Producer Peter Hoare
9.00 Heard But Not Seen
Every week since 1946, Alistair Cooke has sent a Letter from America. A firm believer in the power of radio, he explains why his Letters could never have lasted on television and reveals the method behind these legendary "talks and why they should be heard and not seen.
Producer Debbie Geller

9.05 Back to Square One
The story of early radio's eccentric method of illustrating live football which involved a small wooden hut, a blind man and a rather confused commentator. With Alan Green, John Motson and Robert Hudson.
Producer Dilly Barlow

9.35 Sunday Dinner
Mum was in the kitchen, Dad was down the pub; the beef was burning, the sprouts getting soggy - and the wireless played on. Explore the memories of Sunday lunchtime listening in the 50s.
Producer Kate Fenton

10.00 Pirates
A visit to an estate in east London, where there are five pirate radio stations which are constantly battling to stay on air and "bring the music to the people", sometimes risking their own lives.

10.25 TV Theft, Radio Rip-Off
For the first time, radio and television meet to settle questions of comedic originality, innovation and ownership. Place a chair in the centre of the ring to referee an interactive bout.
Producer Mary Price

11.00 The Spot FX Man
Starring Peter Vaughan.
The sound effects store for radio drama is a veritable museum of sound, but effects discs and CDs are more cost effective. The old storekeeper feels his days are numbered.
Written and directed by Peter Kavanagh

11.30 The Ride
(R4 only)
A film for the ear, as Emiliano Zapata's messenger rides from Mexico to Moscow to congratulate Vladimir Illych Lenin on the capture of the Winter Palace in Petrograd in October 1917.
With Gareth Armstrong, Nicholas Boulton, James Faulkner, Cathy Sara, Joan Walker and trumpeter Kevin Robinson.
From an idea by Philip Dracodaidis.
Composed by Steven Faux
Producer Piers Plowright

11.50 The Time Signal
(R4 only)
The pips are not what they used to be. As Dr Carl Dolmetsch campaigns to hitch their slipping pitch, Peter Jones travels through the mysteries of radio time.
(The television pictures being shown during this programme complement the radio soundtrack.)
Producer Kate Fenton

12.00 News R4 only

12.30am-12.40 Shipping Forecast
Fisher, German Bight, Dogger - at last, those legendary coastal waters make an appearance on television.