Mark Lawson fan club. Radio 4.

ML at his very best on this Thursday's Front Row (25th Oct). Such a far-ranging programme and ML moves from topic to topic with ease.

A review of a play about Charles 1st.
Then a light but revealing interview with the cartoonist Posy Simmonds, full of excellent questions e.g. "Does yr mood affect your drawing? Answer: very much so. Follow-up question: So is it difficult drawing with a hangover? Answer: Impossible!"
Next a very deftly handled interview about Derry-Londonderry (is that now that city's official name? It was used meticulously throughout) which has just been awarded City of Culture status for 2013. Excellent interview in which ML didn't shirk asking - won't potential visitors be put off by fear of bombs and riots?
Finally a fascinating (to me) item on a drama about the Navy Seals raid to kill bin Laden which is being shown on US TV immediately before the presidential election and which may well influence the result (in Obama's favour). Could this happen in the UK? Is it right and proper to influence a major election (or any election) in this way?

I can't imagine many Arts presenters handling this programme with all its switches in mood as effortlessly and as clearly as ML did.

I also like Mark Lawson and rarely miss front Row. I am not sure about his having the perfect broadcasting voice, I always think he sounds like someone is strangling him.

It's an ear worm! Hunt I now can't get ML saying "...who is with me (pause) now" out of my brain after yr post!!

Cheers Hunt

I hope your screen-name isn't chosen because you chase furry animals with packs of dogs is it? I'd have to modify my thanks if Yes!

Yrs from a Hunt Sab manqué! [devil emoticon]

It seems to me ,Isthis, that you have found something to enhance you retirement. What interesting and original OPs

I also am a fan. I do like his idiosyncratic introduction, ''...who is with me (pause) now!'' My OH and I always smile at that.

All radios are tuned to Radio 4, if I have ever had need to put my car in for service or repair, if it comes back with the radio set on what I call "Radio Noisy" I throw a fit!

I very rarely go through to the sitting room until around 8 to 8 thirty ish, so often listen to Front Row.

I am sorry to say that I missed tonights broadcast, which is unusual for me.

However, yes, I would agree that he is a damn good broadcaster, and I usually enjoy his programmes, not least for his interviewing style.