Programme Information

Art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon explores Communism and its impact on art

In the final episode of his groundbreaking history of Russian art, Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the great Communist experiment and how it impacted on art.

Smashing The Mould begins with wild optimism and ambition after the revolution of 1917. Andrew looks at the radical art of the Constructivists, who poured their energies into photography, posters and advertising, declaring that "painting was dead". He also uncovers a hidden treasure trove of works by the greatest of the Constructivists, Rodchenko, in the bottom of a cupboard.

Andrew examines the influence of Joseph Stalin in the Thirties, when any rebellious artists were treated as savagely as any political dissidents, and also explores the Moscow Metro, one of the few artistic wonders to come out of Stalinism.

With its rapid growth as an economic power in the last decade, Russia once again has the time, money and inclination to invest in art. But, as Andrew travels through this world of money and power, he discovers that the ghost of Communism hasn't disappeared entirely.

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Cranford – Under The Bonnet

Sunday 27 December

10.30-11.00pm BBC FOUR

On the surface, the 19th-century fictional village of Cranford is a world filled with bonnets and baking, ponies and pomade and gossiping spinsters – a world that is determinedly old-fashioned.

In the current era of social-networking sites and ever-diminishing attention spans, Simon Woods asks why audiences continue to treasure these visions of the past. He asks what viewers love so much about period dramas and finds out how a beautifully complex and utterly convincing mirage of 19th-century life is brought to the small screen.

Armed with a degree in English Literature from Oxford and an insider's knowledge of cast and crew, Simon, who starred in the most recent incarnation of Victorian classic, Cranford, takes viewers on an intelligent journey through the restorative power of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel.

This is a world run by women, struggling to maintain order and virtue in the middle of thumping change. Talking to historical consultant Jenny Uglow, Simon learns that Gaskell salutes her protagonists' achievements, while acknowledging that female independence is illusory.

Through a mixture of on-set interviews with leading cast members, behind-the-scenes footage and new material, Simon examines the desire to strip away the modern world in order to get to the heart of Englishness.

Cranford – Under The Bonnet is simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel, available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.

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Mark Watson, Tim Key and Alex Horne present a festive edition of the anarchic comedy game show

Writer, comic and performer Neil Innes competes with presenter Kirsten O'Brien in this Christmas-themed episode of the anarchic comedy game show. Meanwhile, Alex Horne dresses as Father Christmas.

Each show also features a cunning physical challenge which pits the contestants against each other. This week's episode sees Neil and Kirsten in a Christmas wrapping contest.

Mark Watson hosts, Tim Key is in the question master's chair and Alex Horne provides expert analysis.

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Actress and comedian Tracy Ann Oberman takes on Jake Arnott – best-selling author of He Kills Coppers and The Long Firm – as the anarchic comedy game show continues.

This week's episode features Tracy and Jake attempting to write the longest sentence that they can in alphabet spaghetti.

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