Saturday 2
THE ARCHIVE HOUR
Radio 4, 8pm
Peggy Reynolds fills a gleefully gossipy 60 minutes with a history of the diva, in which she proves, if proof be needed, that when it comes to rampantly self-indulgent behaviour, the Mariah Careys and Diana Rosses of today are as nothing when compared with the likes of Adelina Patti, Dame Nellie Melba and Maria Callas.
Sunday 3
THE LONG RIDE
Radio Five Live, 7pm
The story of Jane Tomlinson bears constant updating. Given six months to live in 2000 because of cancer, she has since completed marathons and triathlons. But her latest enterprise has been her most remarkable yet: a 4,000- mile cycle ride across the US. Radio Five Live — and our admiration — were with her every wheel of the way.
Monday 4
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BRAIN OF BRITAIN
Radio 4, 1.30pm
When you are down and troubled, and you need some much-needed proof of the innate silliness of human existence, back creaks the latest 17-programme series of Brain of Britain, in which dear old Robert Robinson once again gives people for whom general knowledge is just another term for showing off their chance to strut and fret.
Tuesday 5
THE MUSIC DIDN’TDIE: THE REAL BUDDY HOLLY
Radio 2, 8.30pm
Buddy Holly, a rock’n’roll demigod, is remembered for the circumstances of his death, and the wonderful song it inspired, Don Maclean’s American Pie. Over two weeks, friends, colleagues, admirers — and Holly himself, in rarely heard archive interviews — tell his story.
Wednesday 6
BBC PROMS 2006
Radio 3, 7.30pm
A highlight of the season: a performance of Mahler’s gargantuan second symphony, Resurrection. This interpretation may well be the one by which all others will be judged, with Bernard Haitink conducting the BBC SO and Chorus, augmented by the London Symphony Chorus, and soloists of the calibre of Susan Gritton and Christianne Stotijn.
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Thursday 7
MISS MONEYPENNY’S METER
Radio 4, 11.30am
Samantha Bond, Miss Moneypenny in a succession of James Bond flicks, considers that perennial thesp conversational topic: how best to render the Bard’s deathless lines. She calls on a glittering array of theatrical stars, among them Judi Dench, whom she knows well, in her Moneypenny role, as M.
Friday 8
STOP THE WORLD:IT’S ANTHONY NEWLEY
Radio 2, 7pm
An unusual talent in the world of entertainment is accorded a four-part recognition by another, Jonathan Ross. Actor, singer, writer, template for David Bowie’s singing voice, Anthony Newley achieved much (including marriage to the then genuinely young Joan Collins), but was never satisfied. Tragic, really.