Front Row - 12/12/2008

Presented by John Wilson. John reports on the campaign by the National Gallery and National Galleries of Scotland to save two major Titian paintings for the nation. John finds out whether the recent turmoil on the financial markets has dampened the ardour of possible donors and investigates rumours that the deadline will be met, talking to: Nicholas Penny, Director, National Gallery; Michael Clarke, Director, National Gallery of Scotland; David Jaffe, Senior Curator, National Gallery; Ed Vaizey MP, Shadow Culture Minister; Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture; Godfrey Barker, Art and auctions expert; Colin Tweedy, Chief Executive of Arts & Business. Graham Linehan, Writer of The IT Crowd and actor Chris O'Dowd discuss filming in front of a live audience, moon landings and the latest series of the Channel 4 comedy which recently won the Emmy for Best Comedy at the 36th International Emmy Awards. Ever-mindful of the need to provide listeners with cultural knowledge, art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnson joins John to consider the range of inspired items to be found in gallery and museum shops - and come up with gift-suggestions for The 12 Days Of Christmas…