Front Row - 03/01/2008

Extras is a comedy about a fictional sitcom and the man who stars in it; The Larry Sanders Show was set behind the scenes of a fictional show of the same name; and now ITV are set to air Moving Wallpaper - a soap set in a fictional production company as it makes another soap called Echo Beach... which is then itself shown straight after in the ITV schedule. Boyd Hilton, TV Editor of Heat magazine, gives John Wilson his verdict on the two programmes. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, has just been appointed by the government as the UK's cultural ambassador to the rest of the world - and they've given him £3 million to spend. John Wilson asks him how he plans to use the money. Art critic Richard Cork gives Front Row his tips for unmissable art exhibitions to see in the year ahead. Writer and critic DJ Taylor pays tribute to George MacDonald Fraser, bestselling author of the Flashman novels, whose death has been announced today. Weekend Warriors is a scheme that gives lapsed musicians the chance to join a band and relive their musical youth. Music stores throughout the UK provide the equipment and support, and bring together band members, who after 5 rehearsals play a live gig. For Front Row Danny Robins followed the newly formed Weekend Warrior band Fourth Chord.