The Culture Show Uncut - 2008/2009 - Episode 21

This edition of The Culture Show focuses on three very different writers who have given powerful voice to characters and stories. And we mark Barack Obama's inauguration in a special way. We have a rare interview with the 29-year-old journalist Roberto Saviano who wrote Gomorrah; first a book, now an acclaimed film tipped to win Oscars, the story exposes the inner workings of the Naples mafia. Roberto Saviano is living in the shadow of a death sentence from the Camorra, aggrieved at being depicted as cruel, selfish and banal, a million miles away from mafia glamour. We present a special masterclass in creating cult TV from Ed Burns, the co-writer of The Wire - Barack Obama's favourite TV show. His new series Generation Kill is a raw account of the war in Iraq as seen from the inside of an American tank. The Culture Show goes backstage with Armando Iannucci. The man behind Knowing me Knowing You and The Thick of It has now turned his satirical eye to writing an opera about plastic surgery, Skin Deep, opening in Leeds in January. We have all-areas access to last minute rehearsals and the crucial first night. All that plus, as Jan 20 is the day Barack Obama is inaugurated, the Culture Show is at the epicentre of black America, 125th street in Harlem. We hear from the men and women who voted for the first time ever in November and who believe America now stands to be transformed. We also have an interview with actor Michael Sheen, who has played Frost in Frost/Nixon, which is out on Jan 23. Plus the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain take on the busking challenge.