By David McCandless
Tue 14 November 2006

• The Podfather

  

  The talent from the BBC's Extras present these special podcasts: self-styled "Podfather" Ricky Gervais, bug-eyed Steve Merchant and idiot savant Karl Pilkington. Chasing the success of the iTunes series, these are three free specials in conjunction with The Guardian. Three parts, three freeform conversations about life, the universe and everything.

  The first episode is a halloween chat about ghosts. The second one is Thanksgiving, 23 November, and final one is, of course, Christmas on 25 December. The format's the same: Pilkington's extra-dry observations are assailed by Gervais and Merchant, either teasingly, incredulously or incomprehensibly as they die laughing. It's surprising how such banal conversation can get so funny so fast in the hands of such quick wits. (Note: Contains some strong language)

  http://www.guardian.co.uk/rickygervais
  • Subscribe via iTunes

• UK Wine Show

  

  Ah, the eternal questions: red or white? Dry or sweet? Spit or swallow? In Chris Scott's weekly winecast, the Kiwi washes his palette with UK wine news, swirls around interviews and spits out reviews. It's all about exotic wines from around the world available around the corner.

  In the current harvest he presses answers from UK wine producer Mike Roberts from Ridgeview Estate about what makes a good sparkling wine grape, and why the UK chucks down more champagne than the USA and Germany put together. Do we have taste or are we just flirty, drunken snobs?

  If you're into your wine, order in a case of this.

  http://www.thirtyfifty.co.uk/uk-wine-show.asp
  • Subscribe via iTunes

• Mark Kermode's Film Reviews

  

  Radio film critic Mark Kermode's medium-dry wit and canny observations of cinema trends are always an ear opener. But annoyingly, his spot is on Friday afternoons on BBC Five Live when most of us are brain dead, clock watching or drunk. Through the magic of radio-on-demand (er, podcasting) you can carry these weekly "best ofs" around with you wherever you go.

  Kermode is fun to listen to because he favours genre movies over serious cinema. And he's not afraid to champion films - Basic Instinct 2 for one - reviled by audiences and critics alike. He's provocative. He's controversial. He's argumentative. He's a walking, talking challenge for you to make up your own mind about movies. You don't agree with his review? That's kind of the idea.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/entertainment/kermode.shtml
  • Subscribe via iTunes

• Chillcast with Anji Bee

  

  Sometimes late-night radio presenters are like those annoying neighbours who have their own taste in "music" turned up too loud. Other times - and these are the best times - it's like having a cocktail of lovely tunes and honey poured directly into your ear. The Chillcast with Anji Bee is one such show, a collection of mellow dance music from both unsigned and commercial artists.

  Anji is the lead singer with a chill-out band called the Lovespirals, and the musicality and silky smoothness of her voice is quite lovely - almost hypnotic. She serves up a weekly supper of late-night musical snacks that almost everyone can chill to. Well-chosen music, voice links that make you feel cosy inside - it all adds up to an essential weekly download.

  http://thechillcast.podshow.com/
  • Subscribe via iTunes

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