It's Friday! with Jim White

It's the last-ever It's Friday so Jim White and co-hosts Jaci Stephen, Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell muse on their favourite movie and TV endings (and look back over a year of the podcast). Plus, Jim White interviews Lord Michael Cashman on THAT kiss on Eastenders - and why all politicians need a touch of the actor in them.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Soul singer Kiki Dee gives Jim White the lowdown on her duets with Elton John and why she still sounds good after a career spanning six decades. Plus, as Ant and Dec return to our screens, Jim White, Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell debate the thorny topic of who is the greatest double act of all time (clue: they're female and British).  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Jim White talks to thriller writer Mark Billingham on taking his detective back to the 90s for his latest novel, and the surprising success of the band he formed with crime writers including Val McDermid and Chris Brookmyre. Plus, Jim, Jaci Stephens and Brian Viner discuss some long-delayed (and welcome) showbiz comebacks.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Jim White talks to comedian Ian Stone about his book, To Be Someone, which takes a sideways look at growing up in '70s Britain and listening to The Jam. Plus, Claudia Connell, Jaci Stephen and Adrian Thrills chew over this week's best music, film and TV. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

As Ronan Keating returns with a new album, Jim White, Claudia Connell and Brian Viner discuss the time Claudia met him (and was very disappointed). Jim speaks to crime queen Val McDermid, who has sold 16 million novels and inspired TV series such as Wire in the Blood, about writing in lockdown (and choosing the 'right' level of violence in a whodunnit). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Jim White talks to actor Nigel Planer about how lockdown has destroyed the lives of self-employed actors, and about his early days in comedy clubs where people didn't boo... they threw ashtrays. Plus, Brian Viner, Claudia Connell and Jaci Stephen chew over this week's best film and TV releases (and some delicious Stateside gossip). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Jim White talks to crime author Peter James about his ‘back to front’ writing technique where he sits down to write at 6pm with a vodka martini. Plus, as Robbie Williams and Liam Gallagher finally bury the hatchet, Brian Viner, Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell pick their favourite showbiz feuds of all time, from Lady Gaga versus Madonna to Joan Crawford versus Bette Davis.   

As cinemas reopen (minus the pick 'n' mix), Jim White, Claudia Connell and Brian Viner look at the entertainment on offer and wonder whether it will be enough to tempt Britain back away from the sofa. Plus Jim White talks to Jenni Eclair about her new book - a comedy guide to surviving the menopause.

With no Glastonbury this year, Arian Thrills, Claudia Connell and Jim White revisit some of the best (and most excruciating) moments from Glastonbury past. Jim White interviews thriller king Harlan Coben, who has 70 million books in print, on his sudden rash of Netflix hits including The Stranger (pictured) and the new Polish drama The Woods, where Coben admits he didn't understand a word of what the actors were saying on set. 

As Britain bids farewell to music icon Vera Lynn, Jim White and Daily Mail music reviewer Adrian Thrills explore why the singer's popularity endured for nine decades. Plus, the ultimate summer films to stream as the weather (hopefully) warms up, and Jim White talks to historian Bettany Hughes about her new Greek Odyssey series - and how she lost her clothes overboard in a storm while filming in Greece.

Why have some TV shows adapted to lockdown gracefully (like Emmerdale), and then others turned into slow-motion car crashes (like Have I Got News For You?). Jim White, Brian Viner and Claudia Connell navigate the strange new landscape of television to pick out the winners and the sinners of post-coronavirus TV. Plus, KT Tunstall on how lockdown has made her feel much closer to her fans (thanks to daily Zoom discos).

From the grim (but inspiring) Chernobyl to THAT proposal on Gavin and Stacey, this week's BAFTA nominations showcase a great year in telly. But have they got it right? Jim White, Brian Viner and Claudia Connell chew over this year's nominations (and the ones that got away). Plus, author Peter May on 'Lockdown', a novel about a fictional pandemic which publishers rejected for being too implausible - but which seems all too real now.

As a new poll wrongly suggests that Thanos from the Avengers is the best screen villain of all time, Jim White and guests dig deep to find some truly chilling screen baddies, from James Bond's Goldfinger to the icy Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Plus, Vera Lynn's daughter Virginia on how her mother became the oldest-ever artist with a top 40 album (at a sprightly 103).

His eyes are orange, his tongue is black... and he's been translated into more languages than the Harry Potter books. Jim White meets Axel Scheffler, the artist who drew The Gruffalo (and finds out why his original vision of the hirsute beast was rejected). Plus, from Partridge to Porridge's Fletcher... which is the funniest British comic character of all time?

Eurovision’s been cancelled, but the international festival of pop cheese lives on online, and Jim White and guests Adrian Thrills and Claudia Connell are reliving some of the best (and most awful) moments - plus Father Ted’s timeless ‘My Lovely Horse’. Plus, Jim White talks to author Ann Cleeves on when her detective Vera Stanhope will be returning to ITV - and why she thinks Brenda Blethyn is too good-looking for the role.

It’s VE Day so Jim White, Brian Viner and Claudia Connell have the (metaphorical) bunting out and are digging in to a feast of World War 2 entertainment on our screens this weekend, from The Longest Day to ‘Allo ‘Allo. Jim White speaks to War of the Worlds composer Jeff Wayne on his plans for a new stadium tour next year… and why we’re all still afraid of Martians.

With no sign of a release date for lockdown Britain, Jim White, Adrian Thrills, Brian Viner and Claudia Connell are hunting for the best ways to enjoy entertainment together, from lockdown festivals to film-watching parties (and Brian recounts a memorable evening watching films with Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion). Plus, Ruby Wax on the moment she burst out laughing at Donald Trump.

With no end in sight to Britain's lockdown, Jim White, Claudia Connell and Brian Viner turn to classic TV shows given a new lease of life on streaming services, and hunt down the perfect lockdown comfort viewing. Plus, comedian and author Viv Groskop on the secret of making people listen to you (even on Zoom).

We're nearing a month in lockdown, and Jim White, Claudia Connell and Adrian Thrills are marking off time in their domestic prisons by rating celebrities offering lockdown entertainment, from the inspiring... to the excruciating. Plus, author and TV star Janet Ellis on the advice she gave daughter Sophie Ellis Bextor when she became famous.

Jim White and guests Adrial Thrills, Brian Viner and Claudia Connell are banishing lockdown boredom by enjoying DIY entertainment, from virtual pub quizzes to a family that belt out Les Mis together. Jim interviews thriller maestro David Baldacci about why characters like FBI consultant Amos Decker are like his children. Plus, some very unusual answerphone messages from Brian Viner.

Jim White and guests Claudia Connell and Brian Viner take a delightful walking tour of Paris, and then sit down for an evening of theatre... all without stirring from their sofas. Friday Night Dinner provides some much-needed laugher, and Jim interviews Steve Hackett of Genesis on why there's not one, but two Genesis tours planned in the very near future.

After a week of self-isolation, Jim White and guests Claudia Connel and Brian Viner pick out the oddities and gems of entertainment they've found to stream online in these strange times. Plus thriller maestro Linwood Barclay reveals what novelists know about self-isolation - and talks about how his new thriller Elevator Pitch seems strangely appropriate to the coronavirus era.

As 2011's Contagion becomes Warner's most-downloaded film (beating Harry Potter), Jim White and guests Brian Viner and Baz Bamigboye pick out the best fictional epidemic films. Plus, the best films to download while you self-isolate, and QI elf and author Andrew Hunter Murray talks about how to create a perfect post-apocalyptic world.

Jim White & guests Baz Bamigboye, Brian Viner & Claudia Connell on the hilarious trend ‘spoiler trailers’. Plus is Julian Fellow’s ‘Belgravia’ the new Downton Abbey? And Adrian Thrills on his best music picks this week.

Jim White and guests Brian Viner and Claudia Connell on the growing trend of resurrecting dead A-listers for new tours and films (but should some stars be left to rest in peace?) Plus, is Military Wives the feel-good British film we all need right now? 

Jim White and guests Brian Viner and Claudia Connell discuss the upcoming Friends reunion (and Tom Cruise as the oldest combat pilot in history in Top Gun: Maverick), while Jim interviews Emma Kennedy about her bestselling novels, and her lifelong hatred of camping. Plus, Jaci Stephen on the latest Meghan and Harry rumour

Jim White and guests Brian Viner and Claudia Connell breathe a sigh of relief at the end of awards season, and ask if we really need them at all, while Jim White interviews TV nature presenter Chris Packham on how his love for hard-hitting punk music inspired his own 'can do' attitude. Plus, Jaci Stephen on what happened when she tried to imitate Sharon Osbourne's hairdo.

Jim White and guests Brian Viner and Claudia Connell hold their noses as they review the most nauseating rom-coms of all time, while Jim interviews bestselling novelist Katie Fforde on her extraordinary method for writing hit romances. Plus, Brian Viner meets a hedgehog unlike any he's ever seen.

Jim White and guests Brian Viner and Claudia Connell offer their tips for Oscar glory next week, while the Daily Mail's Jaci Stephen pays tribute to screen legend Kirk Douglas, whose Hollywood career spanned seven decades. Plus, Dom Joly on 20 years of people shouting, 'HELLO!' at him in public

Jim White and guests Brian Viner and Claudia Connell listen through a catalogue of the most gratingly awful accents ever recorded on film, Jim talks to broadcasting legend Johnnie Walker about his new Sounds of the Seventies tour, and hears from Jaci Stephen about a period of American mourning unlike anything since Princess Diana

In another star-studded edition of It’s Friday! Jim White and the Mail’s top critics ask: just why are movies SO loud, is Armando Iannucci’s David Copperfield a hit or a miss, plus we talk to THREE US presidents (and one time-travelling doctor) in an interview with Britain’s best impressionist  

Jim White and guests Brian Viner, Claudia Connell and Adrian Thrills debate this week’s Oscar nominations and why there’s so few women, Jim talks to Jack Reacher creator Lee Child about his new role as a Booker prize judge, and Jaci Stephens discusses how Harry and Meghan are seen across the Pond.

Jim White and guests Brian Viner, Claudia Connell and Adrian Thrills ask whether the Masked Singer really is the ultimate in 'so bad it's good TV', Jim speaks to opera singer Lesley Garrett on her four-decade career, plus Jaci Stephens gives her unique perspective on the Golden Globes

Jim White and guests Brian Viner, Claudia Connell and Adrian Thrills round up the most exciting releases to look forward to in 2020, from the Eagles touring Hotel California to the return of James Bond in No Time To Die

Jim White and guests Brian Viner, Claudia Connell and Adrian Thrills round up this year's best entertainment from Joker to Succession, and pick the best shows, films and albums of the decade

Jim White and guests Brian Viner, Claudia Connell and Adrian Thrills discuss this year's best Christmas films, music and TV, and answer the eternal question: what is the best Christmas film of all time?