Devil's Advocate

In the first of a I return series, Clive Anderson tackles novelist Fay Weldon on her theory that the villainous Alec d'Urberville, from Thomas Hardy 's Tess of the d'UrberviUes, has been severely misjudged.

Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

This week TV critic

Mark Lawson tries to convince

Clive Anderson that R Ewing , star of the soap

Dallas, makes a fascinating study and that he influenced presidents and shaped the views of millions.

Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

John Sessions takes the side of David Copperfield 's sinister step-father, but will he be able to convince Clive Anderson that Dickens was unfair to Mr Murdstone ? Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

with Clive Anderson.

In the last in the series, author Kathy Lette puts up a defence for the flirtatious

Becky Sharp from

Thackeray's Vanity Fair. Producer Kate Boston

Stereo

Author Kathy Lette takes the helm for a new series which offers the chance of a retrial to some of fiction's most notorious fiends.

Tonight Salman Rushdie takes up the cause of Machiavelli's Prince; the ultimate exponent of cruelty in the use of political and military power.

Readings by Andrew Wincott. Producer Kate Boston

That original sinner, Eve, resident of Eden and eater of forbidden fruit, is the devil in the dock today. Helena Kennedy QC fights Eve's corner by claiming that, like many loyal wives, she was only covering up for her husband. Eve, and as a result all womankind, did not deserve her punishment, she says. But will she convince presenter Kathy Lette ? Readings by Andrew Wincott. Producer Kate Boston

lago was Shakespeare's vilest villain? Well, not according to Robert Stephens who knows that to play him well the actor must empathise with his situation. Can.Robert persuade Kathy Lette that lago meant no real harm... events just got out of hand.

Producer Kate Boston

Shakespeare's Shylock: a blood-thirsty money lender or a victim of racial prejudice? Actor John Nettles takes up the case, arguing with Kathy Lette. Producer Kate Boston

Helen Lederer sympathises with the jilted Alex in Fatal Attraction believing that she deserved more respect. Kathy Lette argues that she perpetuates the myth that career women secretly want domestic bliss. Producer Kate Boston

Big, burly, brutish Bluto, the omnipresent adversary of cartoon hero

Popeye, has had a raw deal according to comedy actor Craig Charles. Can he convince presenter Kathy Lette that underneath the beard Bluto is really a gentle, loving sort of chap? Producer Kate Boston

NEW The first of a new

six-part series in which Clive Anderson invites celebrities to defend their favourite fictional villain. Today he quizzes novelist

Sue Townsend on her theory that Mrs Danvers , the sinister housekeeper in Daphne Du Maurier 's romance, Rebecca, was not the nasty piece of work we all take her to be but simply misunderstood. Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

Contributors

Unknown: Sue Townsend

Unknown: Mrs Danvers

Unknown: Daphne du Maurier

Producer: Kate Boston.

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Sue Townsend

Unknown: Mrs Danvers

Unknown: Daphne du Maurier

Producer: Kate Boston.

Clive Anderson invites six celebrities to defend their favourite fictional villain. 2: Cruella De Ville was an outcast and a victim of her upbringing, according to Tony Slattery , who defends the villainess in Dodie Smith 's book

A Hundred and One

Dalmatians.

Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Tony Slattery

Unknown: Dodie Smith

Producer: Kate Boston

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Tony Slattery

Unknown: Dodie Smith

Producer: Kate Boston

The thirdof a six-part series in which

Clive Anderson continues his pursuit of literary justice. Today: Roy Hattersley argues that Shakespeare's Richard III was the victim of a press conspiracy. Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Roy Hattersley

Unknown: Richard Iii

Producer: Kate Boston

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Roy Hattersley

Unknown: Richard Iii

Producer: Kate Boston

Clive Anderson invites six celebrities to defend their favourite fictional villain.

4: Ian Hislop argues that

Satan in Milton's Paradise

Lost was not bad, but misunderstood - 'a welcome contrast to the dull characters of God, the angels and Adam and Eve'. Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Ian Hislop

Producer: Kate Boston

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Ian Hislop

Producer: Kate Boston

In the fifth of a six-part pursuit of literary justice, Clive Anderson stands by with a crucifix and sharpened stake as Stephen Pile puts the case for Count

Dracula's defence.

Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Stephen Pile

Producer: Kate Boston

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Stephen Pile

Producer: Kate Boston

In the last in the present series, Irma Kurtz is convinced that Lady

Macbeth had a heart of gold, but can she convince Clive Anderson that Shakespeare's archvillainess was not as bad as she's been bloodstained?

Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston

Unknown: Irma Kurtz

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston

The first of six programmes in which celebrities defend their favourite fictional villain. Today

Clive Anderson quizzes novelist Sue Townsend on her theory that Mrs Danvers , the sinister housekeeper in Daphne du Maurier's romance Rebecca, was not the nasty piece of work everybody takes her to be, but simply misunderstood. Producer Kate Boston Stereo

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Sue Townsend

Unknown: Mrs Danvers

The second of six programmes. Cruella De Ville was an outcast and a victim of her upbringing, according to

Tony Slattery , who defends the villainess of Dodie Smith 's book The Hundred and One Dalmatians against Clive Anderson 's cross-examination.

Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Tony Slattery

Unknown: Dodie Smith

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston

The third of six programmes.

Irma Kurtz is convinced that Lady Macbeth had a heart of gold, but can she convince Clive Anderson that Shakespeare's archvillainess was not as bad as she has been bloodstained?

Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Irma Kurtz

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston

In the last of the series, Ian Hislop attempts to convince Clive Anderson that Satan in Milton's

Paradise Lost was not bad, but misunderstood.

Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Ian Hislop

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston

In the first of a I return series, Clive Anderson tackles novelist Fay Weldon on her theory that the villainous Alec d'Urberville, from Thomas Hardy 's Tess of the d'UrberviUes, has been severely misjudged.

Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Fay Weldon

Unknown: Thomas Hardy

Producer: Kate Boston.

Actress Helen Atkinson -

Wood attempts to convince Clive Anderson that Goneril, the eldest daughter of Shakespeare's King Lear, was provoked into committing her evil deeds by a selfish and uncompromising father. Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

Unknown: Helen Atkinson

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston.

This week TV critic

Mark Lawson tries to convince

Clive Anderson that R Ewing , star of the soap

Dallas, makes a fascinating study and that he influenced presidents and shaped the views of millions.

Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

Unknown: Mark Lawson

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: R Ewing

Producer: Kate Boston.

John Sessions takes the side of David Copperfield 's sinister step-father, but will he be able to convince Clive Anderson that Dickens was unfair to Mr Murdstone ? Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

Unknown: David Copperfield

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Unknown: Mr Murdstone

Producer: Kate Boston.

"A dashing role model for schoolboys everywhere." Julian Critchley MP admires the villain Jack Redin in Mary Webb 's rustic tragedy Gone To

Earth. But can he convince

Clive Anderson ?

Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

Unknown: Julian Critchley

Unknown: Jack Redin

Unknown: Mary Webb

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston.

with Clive Anderson.

In the last in the series, author Kathy Lette puts up a defence for the flirtatious

Becky Sharp from

Thackeray's Vanity Fair. Producer Kate Boston

Stereo

Unknown: Clive Anderson.

Unknown: Kathy Lette

Unknown: Becky Sharp

Author Kathy Lette takes the helm for a new series which offers the chance of a retrial to some of fiction's most notorious fiends.

Tonight Salman Rushdie takes up the cause of Machiavelli's Prince; the ultimate exponent of cruelty in the use of political and military power.

Readings by Andrew Wincott. Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Kathy Lette

Unknown: Salman Rushdie

Unknown: Andrew Wincott.

Producer: Kate Boston

That original sinner, Eve, resident of Eden and eater of forbidden fruit, is the devil in the dock today. Helena Kennedy QC fights Eve's corner by claiming that, like many loyal wives, she was only covering up for her husband. Eve, and as a result all womankind, did not deserve her punishment, she says. But will she convince presenter Kathy Lette ? Readings by Andrew Wincott. Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Helena Kennedy

Presenter: Kathy Lette

Unknown: Andrew Wincott.

Producer: Kate Boston

Big, burly, brutish Bluto, the omnipresent adversary of cartoon hero

Popeye, has had a raw deal according to comedy actor Craig Charles. Can he convince presenter Kathy Lette that underneath the beard Bluto is really a gentle, loving sort of chap? Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Craig Charles.

Presenter: Kathy Lette

Producer: Kate Boston

lago was Shakespeare's vilest villain? Well, not according to Robert Stephens who knows that to play him well the actor must empathise with his situation. Can .Robert persuade Kathy Lette that lago meant no real harm ... events just got out of hand.

Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Robert Stephens

Shakespeare's Shylock: a blood-thirsty money lender or a victim of racial prejudice? Actor John Nettles takes up the case, arguing with Kathy Lette. Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: John Nettles

Unknown: Kathy Lette.

Producer: Kate Boston

Helen Lederer sympathises with the jilted Alex in Fatal Attraction believing that she deserved more respect. Kathy Lette argues that she perpetuates the myth that career women secretly want domestic bliss. Producer Kate Boston

Unknown: Helen Lederer

Unknown: Kathy Lette

Producer: Kate Boston

Melvyn Bragg presents a series of six programmes which puts fictional villains in the dock.

1: Writer Will Self argues that King

Kong was not a marauding monster, but an expression of our own animal nature.

Producer Sara Conkey

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Producer: Sara Conkey

Melvyn Bragg presents the series which gives famous villains a re-trial. 2:

Writer Jonathan Meades claims that Judas Iscariot had noble reasons for that betraying kiss

. Reader Bill Wallis. Producer Sara Conkey

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Reader: Bill Wallis.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Melvyn Bragg presents the series which gives famous villains a re-trial. 3: Beryl Bainbridge defends Long John Silver , claiming he is the ultimate lovable rogue. Reader Richard Pearce. Producer Sara Conkey

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Unknown: John Silver

Reader: Richard Pearce.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Presented by Melvyn Bragg.

4: Comedian Mark Thomas attempts to prove that Hannibal Lecter is a serial killer and a gentleman.Producer Sara Conkey

Presented By: Melvyn Bragg.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Presented by Melvyn Bragg. Novelist Josephine Hart defends the life of dark immorality lived by Oscar Wilde 's Dorian Gray. Read by Anthony Hyde. Producer Sara Conkey

Presented By: Melvyn Bragg.

Unknown: Josephine Hart

Unknown: Oscar Wilde

Unknown: Dorian Gray.

Read By: Anthony Hyde.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Presented by Melvyn Bragg. In the final programme, Lord Archer defends

Macbeth against charges of excessive ambition. Reader Anthony Hyde. Producer Sara Conkey

Presented By: Melvyn Bragg.

Reader: Anthony Hyde.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Melvyn Bragg hosts the series which putssix fictional villains in the dock. 1: Writer Will Self defends King Kong.Producer Sara Conkey Rpt

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Producer: Sara Conkey Rpt

Melvyn Bragg tries six villains.

2: Writer Jonathan Meades defends

Judas Iscariot. Reader Bill Wallis.

Producer Sara Conkey Rpt

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Unknown: Jonathan Meades

Reader: Judas Iscariot.

Reader: Bill Wallis.

Producer: Sara Conkey Rpt

Melvyn Bragg tries six villains.

3: Beryl Bainbridge defends Long

John Silver. Reader Richard Pearce.

Producer Sara Conkey Repeat

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Reader: John Silver.

Reader: Richard Pearce.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Melvyn Bragg tries six famous villains. 4: Comedian Mark Thomas defends

Hannibal Lecter.

Producer Sara Conkey Repeat

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Unknown: Mark Thomas

Unknown: Hannibal Lecter.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Melvyn Bragg tries six famous villains. 5: Novelist Josephine Hart defends Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray. Reader Anthony Hyde.

Producer Sara Conkey Repeat

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Unknown: Josephine Hart

Reader: Dorian Gray.

Reader: Anthony Hyde.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Melvyn Bragg tries six villains. In the last of the series. Lord Archer defends Macbeth. Reader Anthony Hyde. Producer Sara Conkey Repeat

Unknown: Melvyn Bragg

Reader: Anthony Hyde.

Producer: Sara Conkey

Actress Helen Atkinson -

Wood attempts to convince Clive Anderson that Goneril, the eldest daughter of Shakespeare's King Lear, was provoked into committing her evil deeds by a selfish and uncompromising father. Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

"A dashing role model for schoolboys everywhere." Julian Critchley MP admires the villain Jack Redin in Mary Webb 's rustic tragedy Gone To

Earth. But can he convince

Clive Anderson ?

Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

NEW The first of a new

six-part series in which Clive Anderson invites celebrities to defend their favourite fictional villain. Today he quizzes novelist

Sue Townsend on her theory that Mrs Danvers , the sinister housekeeper in Daphne Du Maurier 's romance, Rebecca, was not the nasty piece of work we all take her to be but simply misunderstood. Producer Kate Boston. Stereo

Contributors

Unknown: Sue Townsend

Unknown: Mrs Danvers

Unknown: Daphne Du Maurier

Producer: Kate Boston.

The first of six programmes in which celebrities defend their favourite fictional villain. Today

Clive Anderson quizzes novelist Sue Townsend on her theory that Mrs Danvers , the sinister housekeeper in Daphne du Maurier's romance Rebecca, was not the nasty piece of work everybody takes her to be, but simply misunderstood. Producer Kate Boston Stereo

Clive Anderson invites six celebrities to defend their favourite fictional villain. 2: Cruella De Ville was an outcast and a victim of her upbringing, according to Tony Slattery , who defends the villainess in Dodie Smith 's book

A Hundred and One

Dalmatians.

Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Tony Slattery

Unknown: Dodie Smith

Producer: Kate Boston

The second of six programmes. Cruella De Ville was an outcast and a victim of her upbringing, according to

Tony Slattery , who defends the villainess of Dodie Smith 's book The Hundred and One Dalmatians against Clive Anderson 's cross-examination.

Producer Kate Boston

The thirdof a six-part series in which

Clive Anderson continues his pursuit of literary justice. Today: Roy Hattersley argues that Shakespeare's Richard III was the victim of a press conspiracy. Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Roy Hattersley

Unknown: Richard Iii

Producer: Kate Boston

The third of six programmes.

Irma Kurtz is convinced that Lady Macbeth had a heart of gold, but can she convince Clive Anderson that Shakespeare's archvillainess was not as bad as she has been bloodstained?

Producer Kate Boston

Clive Anderson invites six celebrities to defend their favourite fictional villain.

4: Ian Hislop argues that

Satan in Milton's Paradise

Lost was not bad, but misunderstood - 'a welcome contrast to the dull characters of God, the angels and Adam and Eve'. Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Ian Hislop

Producer: Kate Boston

In the last of the series, Ian Hislop attempts to convince Clive Anderson that Satan in Milton's

Paradise Lost was not bad, but misunderstood.

Producer Kate Boston

In the fifth of a six-part pursuit of literary justice, Clive Anderson stands by with a crucifix and sharpened stake as Stephen Pile puts the case for Count

Dracula's defence.

Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Stephen Pile

Producer: Kate Boston

In the last in the present series, Irma Kurtz is convinced that Lady

Macbeth had a heart of gold, but can she convince Clive Anderson that Shakespeare's archvillainess was not as bad as she's been bloodstained?

Producer Kate Boston

Contributors

Unknown: Clive Anderson

Producer: Kate Boston

David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

Speakers are given two weeks to research their arguments before appearing in the debate in front of an invited audience at Cambridge University.

We follow the debate, but also hear about their research process and from the people who have acted as their mentors.

At the end of a programme, a vote is taken, and the speakers are invited to reflect on the experience.

Has it changed their established views?

The motion is: 'Celebrities have no automatic rights to a private life.'

Speaking for the motion is TV presenter John Leslie, and against is columnist and writer Toby Young.

In an increasingly celebrity-centric society, should stars who ultimately survive on the oxygen of publicity have the right to a private life? Is a lack of clear privacy laws eroding the freedom of the press, and are celebrities hypocritical when it comes to balancing privacy with publicity - or do they need protection?

The programme is recorded in front of an invited audience at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Two speakers debate the motion, 'Celebrities have no automatic rights to a private life.'.

In this new Radio 4 debate series, David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

In this first programme in the series, the motion is:

'Celebrities have no automatic rights to a private life.'

David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

Speakers are given two weeks to research their arguments before appearing in the debate in front of an invited audience at Cambridge University.

We follow the debate, but also hear about their research process and from the people who have acted as their mentors.

At the end of a programme, a vote is taken, and the speakers are invited to reflect on the experience.

Has it changed their established views?

The motion is: 'Celebrities have no automatic rights to a private life.'

Speaking for the motion is TV presenter John Leslie, and against is columnist and writer Toby Young.

In an increasingly celebrity-centric society, should stars who ultimately survive on the oxygen of publicity have the right to a private life? Is a lack of clear privacy laws eroding the freedom of the press, and are celebrities hypocritical when it comes to balancing privacy with publicity - or do they need protection?

The programme is recorded in front of an invited audience at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Two speakers debate the motion, 'Celebrities have no automatic rights to a private life.'.

In this new Radio 4 debate series, David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

In this first programme in the series, the motion is:

'Celebrities have no automatic rights to a private life.'

David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

Speakers are given two weeks to research their arguments before appearing in the debate in front of an invited audience at Cambridge University.

We follow the debate, but also hear about their research process and from the people who have acted as their mentors.

At the end of a programme, a vote is taken, and the speakers are invited to reflect on the experience.

Has it changed their established views?

The motion is: 'The war on terror can only truly be defeated by ignoring it'.

The debate will explore the strategies and ideologies behind the war on terror: is it real or a construct made by governments, and if so for what gains?

The programme is recorded in front of an invited audience at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Speakers debate the motion, 'The war on terror can only truly be defeated by ignoring it'.

Two guest speakers are invited to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

The motion is: Terrorism can only truly be defeated by ignoring it in our everyday lives."

Speaking in favour of the motion is former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, who spent almost six years in the Ministry of Defence during Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister and was responsible for much of the government's response to terrorism threats after 9/11.

Speaking against the motion is Jamie Bartlett from the think tank DEMOS, who in the past have argued that the state have overreacted to terrorism.

Richard Hollingham presents.

Producers: David Prest and Rose de Larrabeiti

Richard Hollingham hosts the debate where speakers are invited to reverse their viewpoint."

David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

Speakers are given two weeks to research their arguments before appearing in the debate in front of an invited audience at Cambridge University.

We follow the debate, but also hear about their research process and from the people who have acted as their mentors.

At the end of a programme, a vote is taken, and the speakers are invited to reflect on the experience.

Has it changed their established views?

The motion is: 'The war on terror can only truly be defeated by ignoring it'.

The debate will explore the strategies and ideologies behind the war on terror: is it real or a construct made by governments, and if so for what gains?

The programme is recorded in front of an invited audience at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Speakers debate the motion, 'The war on terror can only truly be defeated by ignoring it'.

Two guest speakers are invited to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

The motion is: Terrorism can only truly be defeated by ignoring it in our everyday lives."

Speaking in favour of the motion is former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, who spent almost six years in the Ministry of Defence during Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister and was responsible for much of the government's response to terrorism threats after 9/11.

Speaking against the motion is Jamie Bartlett from the think tank DEMOS, who in the past have argued that the state have overreacted to terrorism.

Richard Hollingham presents.

Producers: David Prest and Rose de Larrabeiti

Richard Hollingham hosts the debate where speakers are invited to reverse their viewpoint."

In this final programme in the series, the motion is:

The fashion industry has been bad for feminism."

The fashion industry has produced female icons like Coco Chanel and Vivienne Westwood, but has it helped or hindered the cause of feminism?

The speakers are fashion expert, designer and former Clothes Show presenter Caryn Franklin and Feminist author, Guardian journalist and co-founder of the group Justice for Women, Julie Bindel.

The programme is recorded at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

Speakers are given two weeks to research their arguments before appearing in the debate in front of an invited audience at Cambridge University.

Designer Caryn Franklin and author Julie Bindel debate the impact of fashion on feminism."

In this final programme in the series, the motion is:

The fashion industry has been bad for feminism."

The fashion industry has produced female icons like Coco Chanel and Vivienne Westwood, but has it helped or hindered the cause of feminism?

The speakers are fashion expert, designer and former Clothes Show presenter Caryn Franklin and Feminist author, Guardian journalist and co-founder of the group Justice for Women, Julie Bindel.

The programme is recorded at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

David Aaronovitch invites two guest speakers to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

Speakers are given two weeks to research their arguments before appearing in the debate in front of an invited audience at Cambridge University.

Designer Caryn Franklin and author Julie Bindel debate the impact of fashion on feminism."