The Culture Show - 2008/2009 - Episode 16

The Culture Show is host to five very different, high-achieving stars - the actor Michael Sheen; singer Tom Jones; poet Mick Imlah, Oscar winning animator Nick Park and producer, performer Kanye West. Michael Sheen talks about his forthcoming role as David Frost in Ron Howard's film Frost/Nixon. Sheen shot to fame with his uncanny portrayal of Tony Blair in The Deal and The Queen. He's also played Kenneth Williams, HG Wells, Mozart and Emperor Nero. Sheen talks about how he becomes a character and also how he's tackled his next project, becoming football manager Brian Clough for the film version of David Peace's novel The Damned United. We preview Sir Tom Jones takes on The Culture Show's busking challenge. Internationally famous he might be but how much money can he raise on the streets, busking for just 15 minutes? We profile the work of Scottish poet, Mick Imlah. His new volume of poetry The Lost Leader, his first for twenty years, garnered extraordinary critical acclaim, won the Forward Poetry Prize, and is now shortlisted for the prestigious TS Elliot prize. We join controversial and influential music producer and performer Kanye West at the O2 stadium. His fourth studio album, 808s and Heartbreak, has just been released and we join him on the road in Paris to sample life on stage, on tour and on the press and publicity circuit. An outspoken talent, West was also active in the US Presidential election campaigning on behalf of President-elect Barack Obama. In the week he turns 50, we celebrate the work of four times Oscar-winner Nick Park. Nick joins Mark and Lauren in the studio to talk about his new Wallace and Gromit film, A Matter of Loaf and Death.