THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

Adam talks with Sara Pascoe and Richard Ayoade, (two British comedians who have also read and written, more than one book) about J.D. Salinger's classic 1951 novel 'The Catcher in the Rye'. SYNOPSIS: The story begins with 17 year old Holden Caulfield recuperating following a breakdown. The rest of the book is an account from Holden's point of view, of the events that lead to that breakdown, which took place the previous Winter in the days following his expulsion from Pencey Prep, a private school.  Holden's roommate is a meathead called Stradlater who has sexy plans for Jean Gallagher, a childhood friend of Holdens who he feels protective of. A a fight ensues after which Holden spends two days killing time in New York before he has to face his parents and inform them of his expulsion.  We learn that things have been difficult for Holden since the death of his younger brother Allie when Holden was 13. From time to time Holden dwells on the memory of Allie's old baseball glove on which his little brother had written poems to read during boring baseball games. Now Holden entertains hopes of moving in with his older brother DB, a WWII vet who has become a successful screenwriter in Hollywood.  During his visit to New York, a lonely Holden visits a jazz club and spends much of his remaining cash buying drinks for three older women, after which he arranges an abortive liaison with Sunny, a teenage prostitute and falls foul of her thuggish pimp Maurice.  Later Holden arranges a meeting with an old girlfriend, Sally Hayes, and is briefly looked after by a well meaning teacher Mr Antolini. But Mr Antolini's affections are interpreted as predatory by Holden who ends up, distraught and emotional, creeping into his parents house to see the only person in the world he feels he can really talk to - his little sister Phoebe. Thanks to Anneka Myson for additional editing and Seamus Murphy-Mitchel for production support on this episode. RELATED LINKS 'SALINGER' (2013 DOCUMENTARY FEATURE)

Adam enjoys a suitably rambly conversation with his school friends, Joe Cornish and Louis Theroux that takes in Louis' appearance on Desert Island Discs, school reports, the most recent remake of A Star Is Born (SPOILER ALERT: key plot details are revealed) and a tape of Adam, Joe and Louis aged 18 doing David Bowie impressions, before we hear a new Song Wars style Bowie song from Joe, created specially for the 100th episode. CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE! Thanks to Seamus Murphy-Mitchel for production support and Matt Lamont for additional editing.  Music and jingles by Adam Buxton, featuring bass from Dan Hawkins Use Dan's bass skills yourself:

Adam talks with British comedian Frank Skinner about his encounter with Mark E. Smith (frontman of legendary band The Fall), other favourite gits, challenging celebrity experiences, Charles Bukowski, arguing with the person you love, on line insults and Frank's evolution from Lad Mag hero to (according to Radio 4), public intellectual. Thanks to Séamus Murphy-Mitchell for production support. RELATED LINKS FRANK SKINNER 2019 TOUR DATES

Adam talks with Maya Foa, the director of Human rights charity Reprieve, about the questionable efficacy of the death penalty, torture, Jack Bauer, drone strikes, why Obama should have watched 'Dave' starring Kevin Kline, and whether I could get out of Guantanamo. Reprieve is a nonprofit organisation of international lawyers and investigators whose stated goal is to "fight for the victims of extreme human rights abuses with legal action and public education". Thanks to Séamus Murphy-Mitchell for production support and to Matt Lamont for additional editing. RELATED LINKS REPRIEVE WEBSITE

Adam talks with British comedians Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer about Bowie, television, fishing, Athletico Mince, Stavros, Loadsamoney and other randomness. Thanks to Séamus Murphy-Mitchell for production support and to Matt Lamont for additional editing, and Dan Hawkins for bass playing on the instrumental jingle at approx 43 mins (see link below for Dan's excellent on-line bass player service) GUARDIAN ARTICLE RE. MARTIN LUTHER KING CLAIMS