The Hobbit

The best of the world's arts, film, music and literature brought to you every day. Presented by Anna McNamee.

The Hobbit
For Tolkein fans it's been a long nine years since Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Was it worth the wait for The Hobbit? Find out what they're thinking in New Zealand.

The Goalkeeper
Author Jonathan Wilson talks about the magic of the number 1 shirt, discussing goalkeepers from around the world.

Heleno
Jose Henrique Fonseca's film Heleno stars Rodrigo Santoro as 1940s Brazilian football genius Heleno de Freitas. Former Chelsea and Scotland player Pat Nevin casts an expert eye over the film.

Little Richard
A founding father of the rawest, dirtiest, most essential rock and roll is 80. We take a look at how Little Richard's extraordinary character shaped modern popular music.

EL James
From self publishing to Hollywood: Will Gompertz talks to Fifty Shades of Grey writer EL James about her extraordinary year, and the planned film of her books.

Death: A Self Portrait
Antique-print dealer Richard Harris comes into the The Strand studio to talk about why he wanted to put together a collection of ephemera and images of skeletons and skulls.

Material
Material has been one of the biggest hits at the domestic box office that South Africa has produced. Producer Ronnie Apteker explains why the comedy has proved so popular with South African audiences but also why it may struggle to get a wider release.

Jews and Words
Harriett Gilbert talks to award winning writer Amos Oz and his daughter Fania about their new book which highlights Jews' traditional love of words and stories.