Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Comedian Jamie MacDonald and novelist Jon McGregor

Jon McGregor on his latest novel, Lean, Fall, Stand, and comedian Jamie MacDonald on his new comedy series about coming to terms with his blindness.

Glaswegian comedian Jamie MacDonald who, during his teens, rapidly found himself going blind, talks to Grant about his new R4 series, Life On The Blink. The series shows how Jamie used humour to turn denial into acceptance and has turned some pretty dark experiences into hilarious stories and anecdotes.

Novelist Jon McGregor’s Booker-nominated novel Reservoir 13 was a quiet portrait of rural life. His latest novel, ‘Lean, Fall, Stand’, about an Antarctic research expedition disaster and its consequences to those involved and their families, has received high praise from the likes of Hilary Mantel, Jarvis Cocker and Maggie O’Farrell.

Artist Rachel Maclean, known for her satirical characters and meticulously crafted fantasy worlds, shows The Afternoon’s Show Anna Welander her latest exhibition and installation about to be unveiled at Jupiter Artland. Three years in the making, this ground-breaking new commission is the first time Rachel has working entirely with cartoon animation on an architectural scale.

In our weekly Getting to Know You slot, journalist Paul English will be challenging comedian Jo Caulfield to answer as many questions about herself in 3 minutes. The record to beat is 23!

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) return runs this month and explores the theme of 'Normality’. Grant will be finding out about the festival and what artists, organisations and events are being featured this year.

2 hours, 28 minutes

Music Played

  • Haircut One Hundred

    Fantastic Day

    • Fantastic 80's Disc 1 (Various Artis.
    • Columbia.
  • The Proclaimers

    I'm on My Way

    • The Best Of The Proclaimers.
    • Chrysalis.
  • The Selecter

    On My Radio

    • Flashback To The 70s.
    • Music for Pleasure.
    • 20.
  • Dusty Springfield

    Son Of A Preacher Man

    • The All Time Greatest Movie Songs.
    • Columbia/Sony Tv.
  • Scissor Sisters

    Take Your Mama

    • (CD Single).
    • Parlophone.
  • House of Pain

    Jump Around

    • Jump Around.
    • Virgin.
  • Laura Mvula

    Green Garden

    • Single 1.
    • Sony.
    • 1.
  • The Style Council

    Walls Come Tumbling Down

    • Billy Elliot O.S.T. - Various Artists.
    • Polydor.
    • 13.
  • New Radicals

    You Get What You Give

    • Capital Gold: Just Great Songs.
    • Priority.
    • 6 / 1.
  • Heart

    These Dreams

    • (CD Single).
    • Capitol.
  • OMC

    How Bizarre

    • Classic 90s.
    • Universal.
    • 7.
  • Yazz

    The Only Way Is Up

    • Fantastic 80's - 3 (Various Artists).
    • Sony Tv/Columbia.

Broadcast

  • Wed 5 May 2021 13:30