Things I Learned From the Radio This Month (October 2013)

In which The Author continues to be surprised

• In 1957, Aldous Huxley wrote to Leonard Bernstein, outlining a libretto he’d written for a musical adaptation of Brave New World and looking for a collaborator. (Front Row, Radio 4, 28 October)

• After being sacked by the BBC, Kenny Everett was given a chance to redeem himself with another series. Before he went on the air, the producer gave him a stern caution about his future conduct. Everett started his show by saying, ‘I’ve just been told I mustn’t say the word “penis.”’ (The Museum of Curiosity, Radio 4, 28 October)

• In the UK, court sketch artists have to work from memory, as they’re not allowed to work while the court is in session. (PM, Radio 4, 30 October)

• A new book about abandoned film projects includes an account of Charlie Chaplin’s unmade biopic of Napoleon Bonaparte. (The Film Programme, Radio 4, 31 October)

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Things I Learned From the Radio This Week (w/e August 9 2013)

In which The Author continues his mission to entertain and educate

• Lord Coe claims to have organised the 2012 Olympics without sending a single email. (Lucy Kellaway’s History of Office Life, Radio 4, August 2.)

• The Monument in the City of London was designed by Robert Hooke, and is (amongst other things) an astronomical telescope. (The Seven Ages of Science, Radio 4, August 7.)

• Nigel Kennedy’s radical re-engineering of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons more than made up for countless hours spent ‘on hold’ to call centres. (The Proms, Radio 3, August 8.)