Sandi Toksvig

Sandi Toksvig on London's BC 97.3

2006-03-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

Although Sandi's show ended just before Christmas 2005 you can still hear some of her best bits by logging on to www.lbc.co.uk, click podcasting and sign-up.

ROUND ROBIN FROM SANDI

2005-12-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

Dear All

I so look forward to this time of year, a chance to impart all our exciting news. Billy the greyhound has finally learnt not to steal cheese from the worktops or worry Gerald's sheepskin slippers. Barbara was delighted to have finally had the ceiling rose re-plastered and has now made up with the boys in flat 4b.

Oh and Aunt Dol is still struggling with you know who, but we're hoping the man next door will sort her out soon. And more good news - the boys now have their stabilisers off their bikes and Katie is back to her pre-pregnancy size 10.

Nearly forgot, little Jinny's arm burst in the summer, but it didn't effect her studies, and we're very pleased that she is now starting to live out her dream as an 'internal sales co-ordinator'

And I think Alan married far to young - she is a lovely Chinese girl.

Must go now, only I've got to get the sprouts on for Christmas Day and my delivery of three tons of 'Eat Me' dates has just arrived.

Happy Christmas

Sandi

And thanks to you all for the hundreds of Round Robin submissions

2005-11-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

READ HEIDI'S experiences of everyday life in CHINA - CLICK HERE

Friday 25th November - 'The Chinese shout because they have no carpets.' Sandi
TOPICS: Corns and China, Rink art and Ivor Novello.
GUESTS: Alkarim Jivani, Paul Webb and Aisle 16 (A boy poetry band)
BOOK: Ivor Novello: A Portrait of a Star ~Paul Webb Stage Directions
BOY BAND POETRY: CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
DELICIOUS PARTY PLACE: Beach Blanket Babylon CLICK HERE to go there
STOP READ THIS: Sandi's recurring dream... she's naked on stairs there's no carpet just that sharp carpet gripper that holds carpets down.. and its attacking her. Weird!

'Villandry' restaurant provided a delicious turkey lunch today (Click the turkey)

Thursday 24th November - 'How do you scare a turkey? - Show it a roasting pan' - Sandi
TOPICS: Thanksgiving and to all Americans in London today - have a happy one.
GUESTS: Shyama Perera, Jenifer Joyce, Martha Greene and David Rothenberg and Geoffrey Smith.
BOOK: Small Bites: Tapas, Sushi, Mezze, Antipasti, and Other Finger Foods ~Jennifer Joyce Dorling Kindersley.
Ha Ha BOOK: Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet ~Shyama Perera Sceptre
BIRD MUSIC: Why Birds Sing [Import] ~David Rothenberg (Artist) Terra Nova Music
ART BOOK: 100 Best Paintings in London ~ Geoffrey Smith

Wednesday 23rd November - 'It's not illegal to have sex with a goat' Annie
TOPICS: Dressing as a woman, shagging crickets and bawdy songs and dildo's
GUESTS: Annie Caulfield, Lucie Skeaping, Crispin Black.
BOOK: Broadside Ballads: Songs from the Streets, Taverns, Theatres and Countryside of 17th-century England ~Lucie Skeaping (Editor)Faber Music
BAWDY MUSIC: Penny Merriments [Street Songs of 17th Century England] ~Richard Wistreich (Bass), et al Naxos (Audio CD)
BOOK: 7 - 7: The London Bombings: What Went Wrong? ~Crispin BlackGibson Square Books Ltd
RECIPE FOR GRASSHOPPER:
DRY ROASTED GRASSHOPPERS
Directions:Spread fresh, frozen and cleaned insects on paper towels on a cookie sheet. Bake at 200 degrees for 1-2 hours until desired state of dryness is reached. Check state of dryness by attempting to crush insect with spoon.

Tuesday 22nd November - 'Squirrels can't see the colour red' Jeff Green

TOPICS: The great Xmas song-off, hot dogs, secret news from Surrey, bonking county of Britain.

GUESTS: Jeff Green, Peter Malloy and Cyril Aydon

BOOKS: Scientific Curiosity: Everything You Want to Know About Science - But Never Had Time to Ask ~ Cyril Aydon

OPERA: Fancy a snatch of the Mikado? CLICK HERE

Monday 21st November - 'Wise man never jump over a Unicorn' - Sandi
TOPICS: Religious fashion tips, poetry for the people and the serious subject of rape.
GUESTS: Stella Duffy, Kevin Day, John Hegley, Nigel Slater and Enya.
HA HA:John Hegley's stand-up against domestic voilence CLICK HERE
BOOK: Nigel Slater's delicious new book, buy it from Amazon The Kitchen Diaries: A Year in the Kitchen Nigel Slater Fourth Estate Ltd
BOOK: Python Star - Graham Chapman's authorised biography, buy it from Amazon The Life of Graham: The Authorised Biography of Graham Chapman Bob McCabe Orion
MUSIC: Enya's beautiful new album 'Amarantine' buy it from Amazon Amarantine EnyaWarner (Audio CD) - November 21, 2005

Friday 18th November - HIC HIC: Sandi took us all out to lunch - so it's all a bit of a blur really.
Heaven 17

Thursday 17th November
TOPICS: Practical jokes, online wanted posters and text message classics.
GUESTS: Ayesha Hazarika, Russell M Davis, Martin Ware, Roland Muldoon, Nigel Fountain and Patrick Burnier
BOOK: Russell M Davis - Eggs, Bacon, Chips and Beans
MUSIC: Martyn Ware from Heaven 17 - Sound Sculpture for Amnesty - Freephone 020 7033 1599 and leave your response to the question: “What would a world without violence against women be like?”
BOOK: Nigel Fountain - Lost Empires

Heidi goes to China Town

2005-11-25T06:28:00.000-08:00

My Dearest Darling Sandi,

Instead of sending quaint stories about my family, I figured it was about time I got off my Ming vase and got down to the business of telling you about the back and beyond of modern day China.

I live in Qinzhou City, Quangxi Provence, China. This is a city of some 2 million people, slightly northwest of Vietnam and about an hours (perilous) drive north of the Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea. Qinzhou is certainly not a small town, but in the scheme of things, is certainly not your major hub.

There are very few occidentals here and those that are are, in the main, teachers of English. The Chinese are very curious by nature and think nothing of walking up to your front door and having a good old look around. When I say very few occidentals, I mean running-into-your-house-and-carrying-bed-ridden-granny-out-to-see as you walk by, few. Not many under 16 speak any kind of English and those that do are eager to communicate, but oddly shy in that way.

China is NOISEY. I am told this stands true for the rest of the country, but I can certainly vouch for my little corner of it. Firstly, the people. There is an awful lot of yelling which can be alarming at first, but they usually don't yell at me as I am a foreigner and it is taken as read that I will do stupid things that can't be helped. Sitting on a bus is a rather good example of this though. Foreigners are not allowed to drive between cities and there are numerous other restrictions and expenses which mean taking the bus is the only way to go. At first I wondered why everyone yelled all the time. I have come to the conclusion it is because everywhere is tiled and there is a constant echo. There is very little wood, or fabric to absorb sound and when my daughters were here we were constantly asking each other to repeat things because we simply could not hear properly. Grow up in a world like this and of course you will think nothing of all the yelling. To a person used to soft furnishings and carpets it can be a little wearing. Along with the yelling is the television at full volume and music as loud as it will tweek.

Right now, outside my window is a group of "ladies dancing" as I call them. They meet every evening at 8pm in the disused covered market (and in the summer on the roof of the disused market). This apparently happens all over the city and all over China for all I know. They learn set pieces and dance to the same music night after night. The music is very loud and often I need to grab the head phones if I hope to hear your programme.

In my street and often in the building are chickens. More to the point cockerels. It really does not seem to be an issue for people to have a rooster ten feet from your bed sounding off anywhere for 2:30am. I actually don't have a front door to my apartment. It is a gate with a piece of cloth tied over it for privacy. Doesn't stop people stopping on the stairs and peeking through the gaps. And it Certainly does not stop the sounds (smells is a whole different e-mail) coming through. I have become used to the sounds of my building and really only notice the clanging of the scaffolding most of the time.

Directly across the street from me is a scaffolding yard. This usually gets going about 8am but has been known to start up at 6am if there is a scaffolding emergency. There is much throwing about of poles, on and off trucks and the occasional crane, for interest.

The roads are full of honking and beeping. Again, at first I thought this strange and more than a little rude, but I have come to realize this is a warning to other road users .."I am here" kind of thing rather than a get-out-of-my-way nudge. But a city full of scooters, motorbikes, bicycles and cars all warning each other they are there can make an awful din. There are also the people that travel the streets and alleys making noise for specific reasons. A type of Rag and Bone person will make jangling noises with a kind of bell like drum. One is supposed to sell or give then empty glass bottles, plastic bottles or cardboard. There must be a dozen or more that go past my balcony every day. There are also the rolling billboards. A person on a bicycle will ride up and down all the streets in the neighbourhood with some recorded political slogan playing through a megaphone over and over, like "don't forget to save your cardboard" or "remember to turn your gas off". Very few vendors actually do the streets and the only one to make a noise is the fresh rolls bikes. They have a recorded megaphone that calls out "MINE TOE ....MINE TOE LINE MOE" over and over.

As I said at the beginning, I wanted to begin doing what I said I would rather than regail you will my family tales, but you comments about Mongolia have made me want to tell you about my dad. (His funeral was the last time I saw Mikki Bate with whom I was reunited on your programme). My Dad William C. Penttila was the first and as far as I know only foreigner to be awarded the Polar Star, Mongolia's highest honour for his services to them. He was friend to the first democratically elected President and was equally=20at home eating some boiled mutton and drinking fermented mare's milk in a yurt. He married a very nice Mongolian lady. There you have it my anecdote of the day. There is loads more to tell about this surprising country. Let me know if you are sick of the sight of my e-mails and I will calm down a bit, but as I am a writer..e-mails are a great source of procrastination for me.

Best of Everything to you,
Heidi Penttila

Sandi Last couple of weeks, sorry its all squashed

2005-11-21T07:36:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 16th November
TOPICS: Polite swearing, Knight School, grace and favour and Canada.
GUESTS: Annie Caulfield, Paul Heiney, Pauline Halford and Diana Quick
Can Cows Walk Down Stairs - Paul Heiney
Diana Quick is starring in You Can Never Tell at the Garrick Theatre
Storm Warning: The Origins of the Weather Forecast - Pauline Halford

Tuesday 15th November - 'Smoking, drinking and junk food are good for you' Sandi
TOPICS: Google Love, lust and lunacy, useless information, cheese and road kill and Karaoke
Mark Curry, Go West, Graham Rawle (A Woman's World) and Neil Taylor (Google) guested.
GO WEST new cd - Mmm don't Know CLICK HERE to find out
If you love Cheese www.cheese.com and www.gourmetcheese.info/index.htm
Its Joss Dickie's Karaoke, this Friday at the Goldsmith Arms in East Acton and then The Albion in Acton Central on Saturday.

Search Me: The Surprising Success of Google ~Neil Taylor Cyan Books

Woman's World: A Novel ~Graham Rawle Atlantic Books
Round The Horne - Revisted revist Sandi
Monday 14th November - Bonnie and Sandi spent the show tongue twisting.
TOPICS: Speakin proper, maffermatics and the Queen as public enemy number one.
GUESTS: Bonnie Langford, James Geary,Max Decharne and David Rumelle and Robin Sebastian.
ROUND THE HORNE TWO - At the Richmond theatre all this week. www.richmondtheatre.net
King's Road: The Rise and Fall of the Hippest Street in the World ~Max Decharne.
We Are What We Think: A Journey Through the Wisest and Wittiest Sayings in the World ~James Geary

Thursday 10th November - 'Gorilla's are very well endowed but they don't make sensitive lovers' Sandi
TOPICS: Inspirational people in your life, telling tales out of school and heroines.
Shyama Perera, Clive James, Stephen Inwood and composer of the new Harry Potter - Patrick Doyle.
BOOKS AND CD: The Meaning of Recognition: New Essays 2001-2005 ~Clive James Picador City of Cities: The Birth of Modern London ~Stephen Inwood Macmillan Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire [Soundtrack] ~ Original Soundtrack
Richard Griffiths playing 'Uncle Vernon' in Harry Potter'
(picture image copyright Warner Brothers)
Wednesday 9th October - 'Shitnfarten is the German name for ice skating' Sandi (I always thought it was Eiseislauf, but that's not so funny)
TOPICS The unfortunate story of a fire eater who set a pole dancers breasts alight, the perfect crime and what's being British all about then? Oh and The Chinese President Hu Jintao having dinner with the Queen - (see below)
Annie Caulfield was in the house along with Richard Griffiths who's appearing in 'Heroes' at The Wyndham Theatre, Peter Davies author of Hearts and Minds and Ian Vince - Britain What a State.
Tuesday 8th November - 'I don't remember a bouncy castle in the nativity play' - Sandi
Zoe Lyons, Roger McGough, P J O'Rourke and Philippa Gregory filled the studio.
TOPICS: Paradise because of Milton (the poet not the sterilising fluid) Bery Reid covered in chocolate blancmange and when Tweenies go bad (actually I think that's just a doodle I did on the running order)
BOOK BITS: Said and Done ~Roger McGough Century Peace Kills ~P.J. O'Rourke Picador The Constant Princess ~Philippa Gregory HarperCollins
Ian Ogilvy - circa 1973
he's still in good nick though, just like Michael York
Monday 7th November - 'Never have more children than you have car windows' - Sandi
Guests: Bunnie Lingfield, Ian Ogilvy, Michael Dobbs and Monty Don.
TOPICS: Outdoor colonic irrigation - is it a water feature too far? And Bonnie told Sandi about the good stuffing she got from her husband on Sunday. Sandi took a visit to the Marie Celeste and found no-one at home (see cartoon below)
BOOK'S FEATURED TODAY; Churchill's Triumph Michael Dobbs Headline Book Publishing Ltd My Roots: A Decade in the Garden Monty Don Hodder & Stoughton Ltd Measle and the Mallockee ~Ian Ogilvy.
Find out more about BONNIE LANGFORD - click here
Friday 4th November - Wendy Lloyd in for Sandi
GREAT BLOGGING SITES (from our listeners) http://www.treehugger.com/ An interesting green
lifestyle blog.http://postsecret.blogspot.com/ Quirky but interesting site in which people send made up or real secrets about themselves. Surprisingly
popular. http://www.engadget.com/ A commercial blog but the number one place to go if you have an interest in gadgets and technology.
http://www.coolhunting.com/ A site about the cool and cutting edge. http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/ Interesting blog all about hoaxes.
http://damarisbsarria.blogspot.com/ Blog about a lady who is training to become an astronaut. http://www.rocketboom.com/vlog/ This is what they call vlogging or video blogging. This particular site does a fun daily video log news update.
One of my favourite blogs is "The English Cut" it is the insiders view of a bespoke savile row tailor, it is a good voyeuristic insight into a
profession that I know nothing about :- <http://www.englishcut.com/>Of course there is then "Boing Boing" "A directory of wonderful things"
<http://www.boingboing.net/>"The Bosh" a great gossip site <http://thebosh.com/> And "Metafilter" which is a self regulated blog of articles:-
<http://www.metafilter.com/>
Alkarim Jivani the guest along with The king's Singers (new album called SIX on signum records)

Ye olde Gunpowder bookes - Gunpowder: The Players Behind the Plot James TraversThe National Archives and The Firemaster's Mistress Christie Dickason HarperCollins

Thursday 3rd November - Wendy Lloyd in for Sandi

Shyama Perera spent most of the show trying to eat a sandwich, Gerald Scarfe( Drawing Blood Gerald ScarfeLittle, Brown) talked about having his b*lls cut off by some sixties teenage girls and Wendy confessed to wearing PJ's around the house during the day. Charley Boorman (Long Way Round Ewan McGregor, Charley BoormanTime Warner Paperbacks)

"Walkies"
(More cartoons on the Surreal McCoy web blog - see below)

Wednesday 2nd November.

Annie Caulfield and Jack Klaff were the top team. TOPICS included last meals, baked beans 24 hour news and colonic irrigation.

Tuesday 1st November

Michael York in his Logan's Run days, but he's still in pretty good nick.

Topics today included sticking cocaine up your a*se, singing mice and religious press gangs.

Bonnie Langford and Hollywood star Michael York dropped by and music by Pink Martini

Monday 31st October - 'Let me impress you with my longue tongue and teeth' Sandi to Angie Greaves

Today Inder Manocha was in the house, along with a witch and a very nice man from the Pagan Society, then by way of a change Sandi spoke to Kathryn Hughes about her new book on Mrs Beeton. (The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs Beeton - 4th Estate)

Your memories of the two world wars

2005-11-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

Hi Sandi
Never Volunteer - some of my father’s war stories
In the second world war my late father was in the
first group of the SBS (naval commando). They were up
in Scotland on a training exercise (even in training
they died). Anyway, one of the officers came up to my
father and a some of the men and asked them if they
wanted to volunteer to leave training and paint some
sheds, so of course they jumped at it. That evening
they were swimming ashore in German occupied Norway.
After the raid my father said to the officer "sod this
I don’t mind painting, but next time they can paint
their only bloody sheds"
My father hated being on leave in London as he felt
venerable and couldn’t fight back. So on one of his
leaves, he visited his mother during a bad air raid,
when he got to the house and shelter she wasn’t there.
He found out that she was in the local cinema, when
he got to the cinema, he crawled on his hand and
knees down the aisle and there was my grandmother all
alone watching the film. There was bombs all around
the cinema and the noise was horrendous. My
grandmother would not leave the cinema as she been
looking forward to seeing this latest war film.
Love J

Dear Sandi

When I was very young, my family used to spend our summer holidays with my Uncle Tom and Auntie Florence at Hove, Sussex. Every morning he would make everyone tea and wake us up with the simple
message " It's daylight in the swamp, sun's shining on both sides of the fence. " He had been a lucky survivor from the Battle of the Somme. It's a simple phrase that, I think ,speaks volumes.

Best wishes

Mike P

Dear Sandi
My mum and her family lived in Clerkenwell during the war and one night the bombing was fierce, and my mum and nan were in bed listening when there was a banging on the door "go away we're not getting out of bed for the germans" my mum shouted, " but your our ARP warden they said. She had to go out on duty she was 16 at the time.
Annex

DDDS

Could I quickly tell you about what my children's school has done for remembrance - earlier this year they went to a WW2 lunch with the elderly residents of the village which my 10 year old daughter enthused about for days. Today they have all gone into school wearing the poppy and the whole shcool got together to observe a minutes silence at 11am. Their ages range from 5 to 18 years. Well done Ewell Castle School. They take this very seriously each year and my children will grow up aware of what it all means.

Lindy (Chipstead)

Dearest Sandi (Leader of the wise),
My mother, who will turn 80 later this month, was a student at
Brirkbeck College, London during the Blitz. It was then a night college
(I believe it still is) and when taking her exams often had to leave
mid-exam to head for the air raid shelters.
I have often asked whether she used the time spent in the bowels of
Goodge Street tube station, sheltering from the bombs, to consult her
textbooks about the questions awaiting her on her return to the exam
hall.
"That is not the way we did things in those days", has always been her
somewhat magnificent reply.
jim in Twickenham

Hello Sandi,
In October we visited Ypres to find my uncles name on the Menin Gate.
Of course, we went to the war museum at Ypres. One exhibit was a vast display of photos of 'Tommys' taken in the town while on a break from the trenches. These photos were never collected as none of their owners came back. This really made us realise the horror of Flanders.
Incidentally, my uncle was killed in November 1914, a very short time after war started.
Rosemary (Wraysbury

Dear Sandi,

I won one of your fleeces yesterday... Thank you.
On a more serious note. I have written a book of war / aviation poetry which i'm currently attempting to publish. Some examples if interested.

With regards

Dave Roberts

Hello death. So here you are waiting - expecting us to meet.
You used to frighten me, though now, our encounter I shall greet.
Life was good; for a while. I joked of you; laughing heartily,
But, now I need to rest, to stay; stay ever long with thee.

I have traversed the awesome sky, heaven, where the angels dwell,
Or once did! - For men are there, changing paradise to hell.
I am young you see; my journey short but cruel to find this place,
But! Was it not too soon, just yet, for me to see your face?

Welcome me; let me roam your hidden, secret bound,
Of peace and quietness, where the fallen lost are found,
For it is time; time for you to take me where they rest.
I’m honoured now to be with those, - who were the very best.

Ó Copyright D.Roberts. 2005

The Endless Sky
Chosen men, though very few
May see God’s work from heaven’s view,
To rise on high on sculpted wing,
Through paradise as wires sing;
Soaring o’er everything - free to roam at will;
Trespassing where eagle’s king - though sometimes swoops to kill.

Loud engine’s choir, in perfect time;
‘midst the angels’ blue sublime.
Death hunts on high, and stalks below,
Clouds’ wraith ravines of drifting snow.
Dizzy battle to be fought; kill - or be the prey;
For the able foe - no thought - no time to hate today.

No galleried damsels seated nigh,
As, at full tilt, their heroes vie.
Not jousting over verdant grounds,
Unseen from heaven’s eternal bounds;
No contest of mere vanity, no measured, even duel -
Victory, the prize to be, for either just or cruel.

Most know not this field of battle;
No bugle - calls nor sabres rattle;
No colours fly, no mire, no blood;
No dying oaths sworn in the mud.
No staring on the lifeless eye, no ailing hand to take.
Here in the endless, empty sky. No hollow pledge to fake.

Dying here, in God’s domain;
No hostile shout, no cry of pain.
No witness, but one’s maker near.
No eulogy, no welling tear.
No grave to dig, for me to lie, no tombstone yet to make.
Brief epitaph etched in the sky, a fiery, falling wake.

Ó Copyright D.Roberts. 2005

Forgotten Fields

Beyond the rambling hedgerow, where nettles stake their claim;
Buttercups and sedge grow, where once, youth’s finest came.
They laughed here and they sighed here. Some loved here for a while;
Liaisons grew and died here - a half-remembered smile.

Beyond the rambling hedgerow, where snatching seagulls fray,
Weathered concrete strips show, where virtue flew away.
They drank here and they played here, their spirits high and free.
They cursed here and they prayed here - for danger they could see.

Beyond the rambling hedgerow, where frost blown billets stay,
A glassless metal window, keeps watch on sad decay.
They joked here as they clowned here; they flew into the night;
For when the sun went down here - they had to go and fight.

Beyond the rambling hedgerow, where Ivy sets its claw,
Discarded plastic bags blow, where engines used to roar.
They hoped here, as they waited here, ‘til some came home again.
They grieved here and they hated here - the suffering and pain.

Beyond the rambling hedgerow, lie evening’s misty skeins.
Drifting on the dewy flow, the drone of distant ‘planes;
They lived here, and they died here, they climbed towards the stars;
Though, all that now reside here are burnt out stolen cars.

Ó Copyright D.Roberts. 2005

Dear Sandi,
I was listening to the show and it reminded me of something I saw during the Rememberance Sunday Parade after the September 11th attacks.
If you read all the names of everyone who died on September 11th, it would take around 2 hours.
If you read the names of all the people who died during both world wars and you started on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, without stopping, you would finish somewhere during the week between Christmas and New Year.
I thank God for all those who gave their lives so I am free to sit here today and send this e-mail.
Amanda, Old Woking

DDS
My late grandfather was an ARP warden, and he frequently had to go out
fire-watching without his tin helmet, because his kids, my dad and his
brother, had nicked it to use as a handy container to take out and
collect shrapnel in.
Love, Linda

To Sandi Toksvig

From Vaughan-Spruce, Cheltenham

I remember a story, apparently true, told me by my Uncle Dudley who was part of the army of military engineers maintaining our radar defences. Serving near Portsmouth, the division were
billeted in a field in heavily camoflagued tents. With leave due, they all went up to a local village pub about five miles away, leaving behind a handful of guards. A few miles away was a trainee battery of anti-aircraft gunners. That evening an enemy aircraft was apparently spotted and the battery leapt into action and opened fire with extreme enthusiasm. When my uncle and his companions returned, they found the guards hiding under hedges and every tent completely demolished by a rain of shrapnel from the battery who'd been firing all their efforts in completely the wrong direction. Thank goodness for British humour in adversity.

Kind regards

VS

Hi Sandi, it's ricki from St. Albans. My mum worked on Mosquito's during the 2nd WW at Lebus Furniture factory Tottenham, North London. She also worked on the Horsa Glider. Mum is alive and reasonably well - 81 and fitter than i. People like mum often get over looked and on their behalf I would like to say "thankyou for all you and many others done on behalf off England" God bless you all, regards ricki.

Dear Sandie
Finding your programme today very moving. I have not heard any one mention
the poor soldiers who were shot for cowardice during the first world war. Is
it not time they were all posthumously pardoned as they were anything but
cowards
David Smith

Sandi last couple of weeks

2005-11-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

Friday 28th October

Live from the Armadeli, deli in Bramley Road Alkarim Jivani was the guest and Blue Harlem provided the music.

Thursday 27th October

Sandi was joined by Mark Curry. We had a bit of a Eurovision 50th anniversary special with Martin from the Brotherhood of Man, Nicki French the UK's 2000 entry and Cheryl Baker!

Don Shiach was in to discuss Stewart Granger, and Jon Sayer and Jon Bonfigilo came by to talk John Keats.

Check out Mark Curry's dating agency It Takes 2.

Wednesday 26th October 'I feel good in a pair of big girl knickers' - Sandi

Annie Caulfield the guest.

BOOK DETAILS: Two Lipsticks and a Lover ~Helena Frith Powell Gibson Square Books Ltd To Kill Rasputin: The Life and Death of Gregori Rasputin ~Andrew Cook Tempus Publishing Ltd

Tuesday 25th October.

This is the paragraph where I normally tell you about the guests, but due to staff sickness/leaves on the line/wrong rolling stock/signal failure you will have to wait to tomorrow, I know you wont mind.

Monday 24th October.

Bonnie Langford was sandi's guest, Graham Crowden popped in - he's starring in 'Then there none' at The Guilgud Theatre. Charlie Gillet with his guide to world music and Anna Robbins curator of 'Degas, Sickert and Toulouse Lautrec'

Friday 21st October - 'My kids think it's Nelson Mandela that's at the top of Nelson's Column' - Sandi

Alakrim Jivani was Sandi's helper today with a little smattering of Bonnie Langford.

TOPICS: The entire show devoted to Nelson - the man the myth the mistress and the musical.

BOOKS: Nelson ictoria Carolan - Pocket Essentials An Admirable Wife: The Life and Times of Frances, Lady Nelson Sheila Hardy Spellmount Publishers Ltd Nelson's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Commander Stephanie Jones, Jonathan Gosling
NELSON - THE MUSICAL DETAILS and a chance to listen to the musical.
Nelson The New Musical - Listen to the musicQuill Productions Limited presents Nelson The New Musical. Book and Lyrics byJenifer Toksvig. Music by Cathy Shostak. Directed by David Gilmore.www.nelsonthemusical.com

Thursday 20th October - 'Nothing will get me in a caravan' - Sandi

Adrian Mills was Sandi's little star today.

TOPICS: Caravans, Rolf Harris, Battersea and Edward R Murrow.

BOOKS/THEATRE DETAILS: Lawrence of Arabia: The Life, The Legend ~Malcolm BrownThames and Hudson Ltd. The Bush Theatre Producer of new plays by both British and international authors. and producers on 'The Divide' which stars Nicholas Evans www.bushtheatre.co.uk

Wednesday 19th October - 'I tried to help a homeless woman once, she came at me with a knife' - Sandi

TOPICS: Abuse of power, stocking fillers, magic mushrooms and how to win a prize.

BOOK DETAILS: Coronation: A History of Kingship and the British Monarchy ~Roy StrongHarperCollins. The Unfortunate Colonel Despard ~Mike Jay Bantam.

Annie Caulfield and David Rose were the guests.

Tuesday 18th October - 'Two wrongs don't make a right but two Wrights make an aeroplane' Sandi

TOPICS: Men's underpants, work disputes, James Bond and great buildings.

BOOK DETAILS: Our Island Story by H.E. Marshall Galore Park Publishing James Bond: The Man and His World - The Official Companion to Ian Fleming's Creation ~Henry Chancellor John Murray and finally With Their Backs to the World ~Asne Seierstad Virago Press Ltd

Monday 17th October - 'So Bonnie you'll be giving your fanny on Friday' - Sandi (Bonnie will be playing a famous Fanny on Friday)

TOPICS: Slippers, tacky things in catalogues, Trafalgar and whole bunch of other stuff.

Bonnie Langford was Sandi's little friend today along with the lovely Gyles Brandreth.

BOOK GUESTS TODAY: Helen Of Troy - Written By Bettany Hughes, published by Jonathan Cape. Charles and Camilla - Portrait of a love affair, by Giles Brandreth, published by Century. Mick the real Michael Collins, by Peter Hart published by Macmillan

Monday 10th - Friday 14th

This week Sandi has popped off to Walton-On-The Naze as she finds Essex seaside resorts in the off-peak season so bracing this time of year, James and David have filled her hole except on Thursday when Wendy pops up to do Cycle 2005.

Friday 7th October

Sandi was joined by Shyama Perera, they talked about odd school rules, bells and stupid science.

Billy Bragg and Maxine Edginton came in to talk about the Rosetta Life charity and their single 'Rosetta Requiem' is available as a download through iTunes. Shelly Poole sung tracks from her new album 'Hard Time for the Dreamer' and Andrew Sachs dropped by to talk about Faulty Towers.

Blue Harlem will be playing at the 100 Club on Oxford Street this Saturday 8th October.

Thursday 6th October

Sandi's guest today was Zoe Lyons. They discussed God's banker, book art and favourite poems

Alice Walker was here, she will be appearing at the Hackney Empire this Sunday, Joanne Harris came by to talk about her new book 'Gentlemen and Players', and Belinda Hollyer dropped by to talk about National Poetry Day and her collections of poems, She's All That and Haven't You Grown.

Today's winning poem for National Poetry Day was from Cathy in Charlton:

What shall I be today?

On Monday I'm a fireman! Nee naw nee naw! Up with the ladder and pull out the hose. Quick quick! No time to lose!
Tuesday comes and here's my digger.builder day, hurray; lots to dig up, dump and deliver today.
Why is it always wet when I have to be a vet? Wednesdays are fun, especially out on the farm.and I get to wear my wellies. again
It's Thursday and guess what I am? Yes that's it - a postman! Parcels and letters and my favourite thing - birthday cards for all my friends who are celebrating - Happy birthday to you!"
Friday I am up in the clouds flying my plane - up up up and down again. I love the sound the engine makes "Weeeeeeeeeeeeee! Look at me up high. I am a pilot in the sky
On Saturday it's time at home. I'll be a cook and make some buns. Flour and eggs and butter to mix. In the oven -they're yum yum yum.
Sunday and it's hard to choose. Best to have a great big snooze. I have a busy week ahead, you see. so today I think I'll just be ME!

Wednesday 5th October

Today Sandi was joined by Annie Caulfield. They praised perfection, went to Cheshire, looked at Jack London and discovered Conquistador Vasco Nunez de Balboa.

Also on today's show were, Pamela Stephenson talking about her new book, Treasure Islands (Headline), Nicholas Parsons, who is appearing in How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear at the New End Theatre Hampstead and Gloria Hunniford discussed her book Next To You: Caron's Courage Remembered by Her Mother (Michael Joseph) and the Caron Keating Foundation.

Tuesday 4th October

Sue Perkins was laughing alongside Sandi today. They discussed cavorting with camels, inappropriate wedding music, teach yourself books and they had a holy moment.

Robin Cooper came by with The Return of the Timewaster Letters (Time Warner). The website of the day was Angry Alien, where you can see your favourite films acted out in 30 seconds by rabbits.

Monday 3rd October

Today, Bonnie Langford was in the hot seat with Sandi. They mused over Bonnie's encounter with a wookie, sex in the shires, arts and crafts and Sandi told a three legged chicken joke.

In today's packed show were: Miles Kington, author of 'Someone Like Me' (Headline), Donovan with his autobiography 'The Hurdy Gurdy Man' (Century) and Ned Paul came by discuss bridge and the Pro-Brain Bridge Month. Angela Rippon also dropped by to talk about tea dances and The Dansant De Lux which will be at the Vilar Floral Hall in the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden on 9th October. For tickets call Laura Jane Lavender on 20 8305 7632.

Sandi Toksvig

2005-10-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

Sandi's on the air every weekday from 12 noon on London's LBC 97.3 available on SKY Channel 927 or on a radio in London on DAB Radio or 97.3FM or listen online at www.lbc.co.uk

Sandi Last Week

2005-10-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

Friday 30th September - 'If it don't look good above the settee, I'm not avin it' - Sandi on art

TOPICS: Heckling, Jack The Ripper and dropping a clanger.

Adrian Mills told the story of a large lady opera singer he once worked with, who used to like spend her time in the nude, unfortunately whilst frying an omelette the said lady, as she lent over the cooker, accidentally caught her right breast in the pan and the consequence was she had to cancel her concert.

To donate money to MacMillan nurses CLICK HERE

Francesca Annis is starring in Peter Gill's revival of John Osborne's 'Epitaph for George Dillon. CLICK HERE

Alison Moyet's new DVD is called 'One Blue Voice'

Thursday 29th September - 'Be honest with your writing, otherwise it's just a waste of typing paper' - John Simpson

TOPICS: Sandi plans a career change in the New Year, what are you doing right now? Tee-shirts.

Kate Mosse - the guest, John Simpson - the author (Days From A Different World - Macmillan) Simon Garfield - author of 'We Are At War' (Ebury Press)

Kate Mosse celebrates 10 years of the Orange Prize at the Lyric Theatre, 6.30pm Monday October 3rd. CLICK HERE for more.

'I've worked it out - I've got enough money to live in comfort for the rest of my life ... so long as I die next Thursday.' - John Simpson's dad.

Wednesday 28th September - 'I got my spectacles splattered with chicken blood' - Annie Caulfield.

TOPICS: Shagging daddy long-legs, chickens and childhood games.

Annie Caulfield was second in command, Margaret Malewski was the author of 'Gen X Pat' (Intercultural press) and Martin Gurdon wrote 'Travels with my Chicken' (New Holland)

Tuesday 27th September - 'I'm going to destroy your career' Sandi's plan to send Inder to Santa School.

TOPICS: Courage, ancestors and the search for the holy grail.

Inder Manocha was Sandi's guest, author Gideon DeFoe's book is called 'The Pirates in an adventure with whaling' and Ben Miles plays Bolingbroke in Richard The Second at The Old Vic

Monday 26th September - 'At convent school we were not allowed hairbrushes with long handles, took me years to find out why.' Sandi

TOPICS: Fat Scotsmen, the first record you ever bought and killer dolphins.

Bonnie Langford was a ray of sunshine today, Chris Roberts wrote the book 'Cross River Traffic' (Granta) and Pru Scales autobiography is published by John Murray. Sue Scott-Davison's play 'Life Blood' is on at The Riverside

Sandi Last Week

2005-09-26T06:43:00.000-07:00

Friday 23rd September
Alkarim Jivani today . Write a book in 28 days, Autumn and fifty years of ITV.
Tom Freemantle author of 'The Road To Timbuktu' (Robinson) and Guy Browning author of 'Never Push When You Can Pull' (Guardian Books) were also in.
Thursday 22nd September
Maria McErlane was Sandi's guest. Stress, Honesty and pigs were on the menu as was delicious food from La Porte Des Indes and new restaurant in Marble Arch CLICK HERE for details of this fine place to dine.
Heidi Ann Frick dropped by, she's appearing in an all female version of 'The Tempest' at the Brockley Jack Theatre and Anna Carteret who starring in 'Nathan The Wise' at The Hampsetad Theatre
Wednesday 21st September
Annie Caulfield was Sandi's guest today. They discussed penguins and censorship, sex and the harvest moon. Try Found Magazine for all your modern day archaeology needs.
Theary Seng, author of Daughter of the Killing Fields, came in to talk about her experiences growing up in Cambodia and Jason Trachtenburg from the indie vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop band The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players dropped by as well.
Tuesday 20th September
Today, Sandi was accompanied by Shyama Perera. After re-arranging the studio for feng shui reasons, they mused over ghettos, gossip and revenge.
Writer and actor Rick Bland came in to talk about his new play Thick which is coming to the Warehouse Theatre, Croydon, and jazz stars Claire Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett dropped by, who are currently doing three weeks of shows at the Pizza on the Park.
Monday 19th September
The lovely Bonnie Langford joined Sandi for today's show. They discussed face transplants, getting ready for winter, cemeteries and the moose rutting season.
Ian Harrison came in to talk about his Book of Lasts, and Georgia Powell and Katherine Ramsay from the Daily Telegraph obituaries desk dropped in to say Chin Up, Girls!

Sandi last week

2005-09-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

Friday 16th September

Sandi was joined by Alkarim Jivani. Georgina McCallister and Tamara Kendall came in to talk about the pleasure gardens at Lauderdale House and the Garden Africa charity, and Vikram Seth, author of Two Lives, popped by.

Sandi and Alkarim discussed the press, bad art, odd things for sale on the internet and converted churches.

Thursday 15th September

Jenny Eclair was in for Sandi today, and was accompanied by Ayesha Hazarika. Sue Perkins came along as well, ahead of her show at the Soho Theatre. They saluted Prince Harry, remembered 21st birthdays, discussed fur coats and tried to out do each other on who has the worst eyesight.

Wednesday 14th September

Today the part of Sandi Toksvig was played by Jenny Eclair, who was joined by Ian Stone. They discussed the Ashes celebrations, Trafalgar Square, the new M&S ads, a life in stand-up and Jordan and Peter Andre's wedding.

Victoria Thornton, founding Director of Open House, came in to talk about this weekend's events and the Director of the London Design Festival, Ben Evans, dropped by to tell us all about the festival all over London from 15th to 30th September.

Tuesday 13th September

Sandi was joined by Annie Caulfield for today's show. We were Summoned by Balls as Christopher Matthew talked golf and we learnt about Mozart's Women with Jane Glover. Sandi and Annie discussed angst, the wonder of worms (see cartoon), cowboys and the Chinese version of Ebay.

Monday 12th September

Today Sandi was accompanied by a blue y-front wearing Bonnie Langford. They discussed pen pals, Cleopatra's Needle and awards. Travis Elborough popped by to reminisce about The Bus We Loved (Granta Books) as well as Victoria Mather author of The Mid-Life Crisis (John Murray).

Sandi Last Week

2005-09-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

Friday 9th September - 'I'm 80 you know, and I can still eat a boiled egg.' Alkarim

TOPICS TODAY: Shakers -nice furniture, weird religion, Kentucky Fried Communism.

Alkarim was Sandi's chum today. Albert Jack who's written 'Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheep' (Penguin) which offers the derivation of common sayings. Here's a few below for you:

Lights on, door open, nobody at home As confused as a hungry baby in a topless bar. He's as bent as a butchers hook He's as happy as a Pig in $hit About as welcome as a fart in a telephone box About as subtle as a flying brick She's got more wrinkles than an Elephants scrotum She's more nervous than a long-tailed dog in a room full of rocking chairs As tight as a Camels arse in a Sand-storm

Thursday 8th September - 'Would there be less litter in London if blind people were given pointed white sticks?' - Sandi.

TOPICS: Censorship, inappropriate art, was Jesus gay? Irish prostitutes and do penguins have knees?

Annie Caulfield was in the chicken coup with Sandi who explained as a good journalist she always checked her sauces - brown for sausages and red for chips. Sandi also discovered that battery hens are rubbish in a radio - not only are they hard to get in but give out little or no electricity.

BOOKS:The Planets By Dava Sobel (Fourth Estate) Fried Egg with Chopsticks by Polly Evans (Bantam)

Wednesday 7th September - 'I remember everything by dental accidents' Adriana Trigiani

Dillie Keane

TOPICS: Barbara Bush putting her foot in it, the Mercury prize and pets.

Dillie Keane (above) and Adriana Trigiani were the stars in Sandi's universe. Dillie is about to appear in 'Little Women' (see cartoon) at the Theatre Royal, Dury Lane and Adriana has just written a new novel Rococo (Random).

Tuesday 6th September - 'He got excited every time he heard next doors Jack Russell bark' Sandi

TOPICS TODAY: Theatrical disasters, Babs Windsor, back to school and bestiality.

Zoe Lyons (who was once an evil Nun) stood guard while Sandi got away with another show. Sandi spoke about grannies ashes being left at a charity shop (it's what she would have wanted) and that Leonardo da Vinci never married.

Monday 5th September - 'If we did a broadcast from the London Eye would it be a Podcast?' - Sandi

TOPICS TODAY: Adultery (see cartoon) Women's Institute, castration, Norway, Tobasco Sauce and Pledge Multi-Surface cleaner.

Bonnie Langford was in along with Tony Benn. Plans to turn Sandi's show into a medical phone-in were thwarted when we discovered Sandi's doctorate was in Philosophy. Bonnie suggested CatNav - radar for lost cats and tossed the caber.

Sandi Last Week

2005-09-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

Friday 2nd September - 'If it's an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth then we all end up blind and toothless' Ghandi.

Belinda Lang Sandi's guest today

Alkarim Jivani played altar boy to Sandi's High Priestess the show was dedicated to Aunty Beryl and her canal festival, but Beryl prefers You And Yours on BBC Radio 4 so was not listening. Sandi spoke some more about lonley fishermen and skate and now squid. Belinda Lang popped by she's starring in 'What The Butler Saw' the Joe Orton comedy at The Criterion. Also fabulous children's author Michelle Paver spoke about her new book 'Spirit Walker' (Orion)

Want something to do on Sunday ?- pop along to The Angel Canal Festival - here's a handy link on how to get there CLICK HERE

Thursday 1st of September - 'Oh my god you have a third nipple' Sandi (after James O'Brien showed her, his third nipple)

TOPICS TODAY: Three legged pigs, headless chickens, third nipples and Picasso's work experience job.

Stella Duffy (above) was Sandi's ray of sunshine, Stella talked about her deadly dull childhood on the banks of the Waikato River in New Zealand and the Hooker Falls power station. (Yawn Yawn) Author Sean Wilsey who wrote 'Oh The Glory Of It All' (Penguin) a memoir about himself and his nutty mother.

Wednesday 31st August - 'If Karen Carpenter had shared that sandwich with Mama Cass they'd both be alive today' - Sandi

TOPICS: Sex in Leicester Square, The British way of life and the power of words.

Annie Caulfield (above) played Eva to Sandi's Hitler and author Sherril Tippins (February House - Scribner) explained why Gypsy Rose Lee ended up stripping off in front of Benjamin Britten.

Thanks for all you EMails to the show - keep them coming and thank you Doris for this one:

Sandi, All this talk of Sex - ridiculous. In my day we didn't bother with Sex. You had a Gypsy Cream and a Gracie Fields LP and made do.Please give me a shovel to dig up Mary Whitehouse - we need her more than ever!

Doris, Nuneaton

EMAIL SANDI - sandi@lbc.co.uk

Wakey Wakey Campers it's 1965 and the Pink Coats welcome the campers.

(Channel 4 TV Tuesday 9pm)

Tuesday 20th August - 'Oh I say aren't you something to do with gravy?' A lady who lunches remark to actress Lynda Bellingham.

TOPICS TODAY: The paranormal, when animals attack, where do we belong and men and motors.

Lynda Bellingham was Sandi's cream in her coffee, Peter Lamont, author of 'The First Psychic' (Little Brown) spoke of the paranormal and Simon Rockwell, producer of the new Channel Four TV show 'Wakey Wakey Campers' showed off his award winning knobbly knees.

For more details of the Macmillan Worlds Biggest Coffee morning CLICK HERE

Monday 29th August - Bank Holiday -

TOPICS TODAY - Bra Wars, Peter Mandleson getting his knickers in a twist. Finding inner peace in London and how does the theme to Little House on The Prairie go?

Bonnie Langford was Sandi's chum today.

Sandi Last Week

2005-08-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Friday 26th August - The part of Sandi Toksvig will be played by Wendy Lloyd.

Thursday 25th August - 'There's nothing like a twinkle in a monkfish's eye' - Sandi on fancying fish.

TOPICS TODAY: Confidence, struggle, extreme sports and the Serbian superman.

Ian Stone was in the listening corner today, out in the playground 'The Mighty Boosh' (catch their TV show on BBC 3) the fascinating John Gribbin (author of 'The Fellowship' pub: Penguin)

Wednesday 24th August - 'Never eat skate' Sandi (Find out why by downloading todays Podcast)

TOPICS TODAY: Freak shows, gloves, recipe's for Canada geese and cremation.

Penny Haslam was Mork to Sandi's Mindy, Simon Callow popped by, he's in Woman In White at The Palace, then Giles Coren who's written 'Winkler' (Jonathan Cape) and Penny's mum. Sandi told us how a drunken Jesus fell off the cross, whilst she was working for the musical 'Superstar' and wondered if Paul Daniels is a name to conjure with.

Tuesday 23rd August - 'Women with large breasts smother me easily' - Sandi

TOPICS TODAY: Rent boys, sex appeal, scandal, inflatable stockings and Mormons.

Danny Wallace was Sandi's little helper, the author George Elliot Clarke revealed some dark secrets from his family's history and Sandi spent a lot of the show trying to hire an electric screwdriver. George's book is called 'George and Rue' (Random House)

Danny Wallace is starting his own country, to find out more click on his mug shot

Monday 22nd August - 'Old ladies shouldn't go comando' Sandi

TOPICS TODAY: The perefect crime, fashion faux pas, Princess Margaret - was she a bit of a slapper?

Bonnie Langford was Sandi's little bit on the side and Bonnie's chum Gary Wilmot popped by. He's in HMS Pinafore at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre. Graham Simmonds from Trees for Cities spoke about how important trees are in an urban environment and a great way to prevent global warming. (see below)

Sandi last week

2005-08-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday 17th and Friday 18th - Sandi's popped off to Scotland and will be back on Monday - Angie Greaves will be filling the void.

Wednesday 17th August - 'Don't mess with me, I'm middle class.' - Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: Holes, great film blunders, Star Trek as a religion and fags.
Annie Caulfield and Penny Haslem were the good little girls, Sandi mentioned she'd never had a burning bush - that's why she's not very religious and the author Adam Williams talked of China (the country not the plates) (his book The Emperors Bones is published by Hodder)

Tuesday 16th August - 'I'm not sure I'd want to wee in to my laptop' - Sandi (On a new breakthrough in battery technology powered by urine)
TOPICS TODAY: Great hoaxes, Elvis, saying sorry, murder and there's nowt as queer as folk.
Hilary O'Neil breezed in, Emma de Souza talked about great things to do with kids in the theatre. CLICK HERE for more. Julie Peakman revealed the dark secrets of Emma Hamilton - Lord Nelson's bit on the side. You can listen to Julie dishing the dirt on Lord Nelson on tomorrows Podcast.
Julie's book 'Emma Hamilton' (pub Haus) is available in all good book shops and online now.

On this day in 1977 - Elvis Presley was found dead lying on the floor in his bathroom by his girlfriend Ginger Alden, he had been seated on the toilet reading The Scientific Search For Jesus. He was rushed from Graceland to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Doctors were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead (coronary arrhythmia) at 3.30pm. He was 42 years old. Thousands of mourning fans kept a vigil outside Graceland, for three days before his burial. Thousands more lined the streets of Presley's hometown on the day of his funeral.

Monday 15th August - 'He stood on stage, toying with his dirk' - Sandi's experience of the Scottish play.
TOPICS TODAY: Superstitions, protesting, secret life of birds and exploring.
Bonnie Langford had great tits, in the garden, Barbie sang a song about not being able to consummate her love with Ken. Explorer Benedict Alan discovered he's got his own TV series on UK TV Documentary every weeknight at nine and Stephen Moss author of Everything You Wanted to Know About Birds - (Christopher Helm) flew in to chat about the feathered variety of birds.

Meet The Team

2005-08-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

Meet the team, from left to right, the lovely Bonnie Langford, Sandi Toksvig, Alkarim Jivani, Tim Allen and Adrian Mills

Sandi last few weeks

2005-08-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

Friday 12th August - 'I've never tried it with my left hand' Alkarim Jivani (on being left handed)

TOPICS TODAY: Why has Christmas arrived today, Penguins, Jesus in pastry news and deodrant.

Alkarim Jivani was one of Sandi's little helpers, Sheila Steafel dropped by, she's appearing in Victoria Plums at The New End Theatre. The Little Earth Cafe talked about eating raw food and Cambridge Jones and Steven Mangan spoke about a new book and exhibition of portraits of RADA actors.

Find out more about the RADA portraits CLICK HERE

Find out more about the Little Earth Cafe CLICK HERE

Thursday 11th August - 'I hate water polo - you can never see the horses' Sandi

TOPICS TODAY: Nazi children authors, Ice Cream wars (see cartoon) semaphore scrabble (see below) not doing your job properly and..I can't be bothered to write anymore.

Just kidding, Ian Stone was in the upper circle, Bent Sorensen (from The Little Mermaid production at The Albert Hall) in the stalls.

DICTIONARY CORNER: Ian Stone's mission to get a word in the Oxford dictionary - and that word is

PHARKARCARHARSSEN - The feeling one gets when leaving a pub intoxicated during the day. CLICK THIS LINK for more

Wednesday 10th August - 'I've got a monkey in my handbag' - Annie Caulfield (and she did)

TOPICS TODAY: Starting a country, (Micro Nation) Thai lady boys, Egg poaching in Tristan de Kuna and wholesome Christian games.

Annie Caulfield was Sandi's right hand woman. Neil, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Innes came in and happened to mention a new DVD 'Do Not Adjust Your Set' available in all good stores now.

And now those wholesome Christian games in full:

'Credo' a lot of religious philosophers hang around in rooms, for instance is it a Jewish philospher in the library with the Torah?

'Pin the nose on the leper' very bad taste and we all disaproved of that one.

'Pass the Pharacy' you wrap a religious leader up in a lot of paper and pass them around, when the holy music stops, whoever's holding the Pharacy gets to unwrap a layer.

Tuesday 9th August - 'Don't mention the Vikings' Sandi about her Danish ancestors.

TOPICS TODAY: Death by Z bed, Edited reality, Kermit the frog at fifty and your favourite roads, things about Tuesday and Victorian London in all its stinky, rude splendour.

Jack Klaff was crouching by home base and at first base Melissa Rossi author of The Armchair Diplomat on Europe (Penguin) told Sandi about Americans attitude to foreign countries - 'where are they? and can we build a McDonalds* on them.' The delightful Liza Picard revealed the dirty truth about Victorian London and Jack Klaff spoke of his mother-in-laws chest.

*Or Burger King or a branch of Sears etc etc

Monday 8th August - 'Samantha had two Dicks together' - Sandi (Talking about the TV show Bewitched)

TOPICS TODAY: Why air stewards can't tell fish from chicken, (see cartoon) donkeys in the news, cows with cataracts.

Bonnie Langford was Sandi's star turn, there were rats with breathing problems, Sandi revealed that she stood in for Jane Fonda in a fitness video and that The Venus di Milo's ping pong career went into decline after she lost her arms.

Author Sally Gardner told the moving story of her struggle with Dyslexia. Her latest book is called 'I Coriander' (Orion)

Sandi Toksvig Last Week

2005-07-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

Friday 22nd July
Topics: Things that we know to be true, minor triumphs, Einstein and how the show must go on.
Jack Klaff shared his wisdom with Sandi for the show, Rosie Ashe, who is appearing in Cabaret at the Prince of Wales Theatre, came by, as well as Richard Belfield, author of Terminate with Extreme Prejudice. James Graham, author of the play Albert's Boy at the Finborough Theatre was Lucy's guest. Elizabeth reviewed The Arab-Israeli Cook Book at the Tricycle Theatre.
Thursday 21st July
TOPICS: How to write a book, Zimbabwe, mobile phones and curfews.
Author Kate Mosse was Sandi's guest today, and talked about her new book Labyrinth.
Wednesday 20th July
TOPICS: Weird cults, strange house, Norwich and famous women on horses.
Sandi was joined by the cave dwelling Annie Caulfield, and burlesque equine stripper Lilly White (see picture below) rode by to bring us news of the Whoopee Club's upcoming event at the Hackney Empire.
Tuesday 19th July - 'I once got my bottom read by Sylvester Stallone's mother' - Shyama
TOPICS: The slow boat to china, yngling, swan upping, books and buying an acre on the moon.
Shyama Perera told Sandi about how she emailed a photo of her bottom to Sylvester Stallone's rumpologist mother and David Anderson from the V&A dropped by to discuss their new virtual museum called Every Object Tells a Story.
Some of your suggestions for Sandi's own virtual museum:
Nunzilla, a clockwork plastic nun in a black/white habit that spits sparks as it walks along. Carol.
A plastic Jesus with a changing colour fibre-optic backdrop, with suckers so it can attach to the window. Simon in Wimbledon.
Might I be so bold as to suggest a portrait of a certain Dutch monarch for the box? No names mentioned but the one in the pretty hats. Beatrix in The Netherlands.
A knitted loo roll holder in the shape of a crinoline wearing doll, in shocking pink - has to be in the museum, which currently lives in her parent's loo. Jan on the A12.
Monday 18th July - 'Apparently about 20% of all adults living in the US have at some point had a cockroach living in their inner ear canal.' - Sandi
TOPICS: Eccentrics, white lies, the rapping baggage handler and the Cockroach Museum in Plano, Texas.
Sandi was joined by Bonnie Langford and Ben Douglas from Fusion Academy came in to talk about their summer dance workshops.
Sandi asked listeners for suggestions for a new coat of arms, below is a suggestion by Robert from Croydon. Email sandi@lbc.co.uk with your designs.

BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN LONDON - CLICK HERE - to read some of the EMails suggesting places you might like to visit over the weekend

Sandi Last Week

2005-07-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Friday 15th July
TOPICS: Serendipity, duelling, the history of soaps and underwater cycling.
Alkarim Jivani assisted Sandi throughout the show, actress Kerry Skinner, who is appearing at the Scoop Open Air Theatre, popped in, and we were led through the streets of London by Leo Hollis author of The Cadogan Book of Historic London Walks.
Featured in our arts round-up were: The Proms, Rock A Hula in Belair Park and The Lambeth Country Show.

Thursday 14th July - 'Reindeer - it's like eating Dunlop that has been cooked for a very long time'
TOPICS: The power of words, French news and children's stories.
Sandi was joined today by Carol Sarler, Julie Samuel dropped by to talk about the Merry Wives of Windsor at the Gatehouse and Michael Booth discussed his new book about Hans Christian Anderson.

Tuesday 12th July - 'You're never really naked if you're wearing fake tan.' Jenny
Jenny Eclair in for Sandi with Hilary O'Neil.
TOPICS: Household cleaners and QVC, Prymark underpants, Poncho's fashionable for fifteen minutes.
Guests today from The Imperial War Museum, Hugh - who suffered at the hands of the Japanese during the second world war and Jenny Wood curator of an exhibition 'Captive' contrasting the harrowing art drawn by British prisoners of war and the official commissioned art. To find out more CLICK HERE click the London Site and 'Captive'

Monday 11th July - 'Muffs don't normally come in pairs - unless you're lucky.' -Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: Ballet, wannabe stars, the history of liquorice, secular fame and Coca Cola.
Bonnie Langford breezed in and Jane Hackett the Director of Ballet Central. CLICK HERE to find out more about the Central Ballet.
Sherlock Holmes, Sandi celebrated the life of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and invited you to write a limerick:
Hi Sandi,Thought this up in the car - Said Holmes in the Great Grimping Mire,That barking is causing me ire,It's not Baskervilles hound, that's running around,It's the dachshund of Mrs McGuireLove,Mike
Sandi,have a butchers at this"I’ll be having none if this slouching & shirking"said Holmes to Watson ‘you’re supposed to be working’we haven’t much time, to solve this crime,I’m off to boil wash my Merkin.Thanks Ian

Sandi Toksvig last week

2005-07-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 13th July - 'I once mimed a sink plunger in a Spanish hardware shop, they were very alarmed' -Annie
TOPICS: Aha pirates aha, aha, old prostitutes, prunes, a naked woman on horseback at The Hackney Empire.
Annie Caulfield played second fiddle, Sandi with a patch on one eye simultaneously celebrated Trafalgar Square and the history of pirates. What should we put on the 4th plinth? See the Surreal McCoy below.
Tuesday 12th July - 'You're never really naked if you're wearing fake tan.' Jenny
Jenny Eclair in for Sandi with Hilary O'Neil.
TOPICS: Household cleaners and QVC, Prymark underpants, Poncho's fashionable for fifteen minutes.
Guests today from The Imperial War Museum, Hugh - who suffered at the hands of the Japanese during the second world war and Jenny Wood curator of an exhibition 'Captive' contrasting the harrowing art drawn by British prisoners of war and the official commissioned art. To find out more CLICK HERE click the London Site and 'Captive'
Monday 11th July - 'Muffs don't normally come in pairs - unless you're lucky.' -Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: Ballet, wannabe stars, the history of liquorice, secular fame and Coca Cola.
Bonnie Langford breezed in and Jane Hackett the Director of Ballet Central. CLICK HERE to find out more about the Central Ballet.
Sherlock Holmes, Sandi celebrated the life of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and invited you to write a limerick:
Hi Sandi,Thought this up in the car - Said Holmes in the Great Grimping Mire,That barking is causing me ire,It's not Baskervilles hound, that's running around,It's the dachshund of Mrs McGuireLove,Mike
Sandi,have a butchers at this"I’ll be having none if this slouching & shirking"said Holmes to Watson ‘you’re supposed to be working’we haven’t much time, to solve this crime,I’m off to boil wash my Merkin.Thanks Ian

BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN LONDON - CLICK HERE - to read some of the EMails suggesting places you might like to visit over the weekend.

Beautiful Places In London EMails

2005-07-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

My favourite area of London has to be Kenwood and the heath in
Hampstead. It is a beautiful area to walk around; there is Kenwood
House to visit and tea and a tasty cake in the cafe. Wonderful!

Bronya Phillip

one of my favorite views in london is from springfield
park looking out over the river lea towards
walthamstow and from aley paly across the whole of
london Howard from Hackney

Sandi,
Thank you for doing this today. I love taking my children to the Thames Barrier Park, opened in 2000 on the North side of the Thames beside the Thames Barrier, it is a stunning contemporary landscape where the children can almost touch the planes taking off from city airport, watch the Thames traffic go by, and run freely through fountains to cool off on a hot day. This area was one of the worst hit during the Blitz and has now found new life. the dry dock has been filled with undulating hedges, basking in lavender and other floral delights. It is the most perfect urban retreat.

PS. You can get there on the fantastic Woolwich Ferry, a free service unknown to many Londoners

Best regards

Cathy in Charlton

Sandi

A bike ride from lambeth Palace all the way towards St Katherine's dock at
dawn and dusk passing all the landmarks such as westminster palace, south bank,
Tate Modern, the globe, etc., etc.

Plenty of London square's, especially finding one unexpectedly.

Regards

Millen

Try the view from the restaurant in the National Portrait Gallery, you
look out onto Trafalgar Square and can almost look Nelson in the eye.

Anita, Teddington

hi Sandi,

we know you have already said Greenwich park, but if you sit at the highest point, the view is spectacular and definalty worth a visit.

Leadnal Market is such a pretty parade of shops, especially at Christmas, as they put up a HUGE christmas tree and the whole market is covered with pretty little twinkling lights.

Thats one of my best views of london.

Thanks, Natasha

Last week, I made arrangements to meet my sister, who lives in the Midlands,
in London on the 14th.
The main reason for visit is to see her son (recently passed out as an Irish
guard) on duty at the Tower of London.
I called her last night, expecting her to cancel but, to her credit, she's
not deterred in the slightest - despite not being very well travelled and
never having been to London before. If she isn't put off, then the people
who live and work in London on a daily basis will simply brush the incident
aside like an annoying insect.

Hold you heads up high, London.

Bob, in Crawley

2005-07-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

Friday 1st July - Jenny Eclair in for Sandi today. Sandi's busy plugging her book 'Hitlers Canary' (Doubleday)
TOPICS: Nudity and Big Brother, Nationality, Dressing Rooms, and a bunch of other stuff.
Jenny was joined by Alkarim Jivani, Ekow Eshun author of 'Black Gold In The Sun' (Penguin) and Jenna Russel who's starring in Guys and Dolls - Piccadily Theatre.
Thursday 30th June
Today Sandi was joined by Shyama Perera, they talked phone etiquette, how to get served in a pub and we discovered Nanny Town. Peter Gabriel was on the phone talking about Live 8 Africa Calling. Tony Gilland from the Institute of Ideas popped by, as well as Ed Glinert, author of East End Chronicles.
Wednesday 29th June - Goodbye and thanks for all the lamprey's - Sandi
TOPICS: Death, dying, last words, funerals heavenly words and re-incarnation.
Annie Caulfield was chief pole bearer. Author Peter Rodgers came in to talk about the state of Israel. His book is titled 'Herzl's Nightmare' published by Constable.
Tuesday 28th June - I put my staff pass in my George Formby Grill by mistake - Ayesha Hazareka.
TOPICS TODAY: Wimbledon, market research, indispensable gadgets, finger nail biting, ID Cards and race.
Angie Greaves in for Sandi today. Lisa Appignanesi spoke about the life of Simone de Beauvoir. (Pub Haus) John Burnett told the story of war, anarchy and the life of a relief worker in war torn Somalia. Where Soldiers Fear To tread. (Heinemann)
Monday 27th June - God hates figs - Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: Podcasting, figs (CLICK HERE for why God hates figs) Sacrificing puppies, Mormon's and ferret walking. Can you lick your elbow with your tongue?
Bonnie Langford breezed in, author of the fascinating 'Pompeii The Living City' (Weidenfeld and Nicolson) Ray Lawrence was here.
For 'I Want To Wash My Hands' and other daft hygiene songs CLICK HERE
Friday 24th June - 'I crucified Jesus every night' Sandi (Follow Spot Operator for Jesus Christ Superstar)
TOPICS TODAY: Annoying colleagues, Scrapbooks, Cheesecake and Scientology.
Alkarim Jivani was charming, Leslie Woodhead was enthralling, he's author of 'My Life as A Spy' (MacMillan).
REVENGE: A work colleague annoys you, secretly borrow their umbrella and the office hole punch machine. OR when they are away, change their computer font to white.
Alkarim's pussy website CLICK HERE
Thursday 23rd June - 'I'm going to open a refuge for battered cod' - Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: Survival of the cutest - bugs why we hate em', love em.' Getting cross and why the Americans love us Brits.
Hilary O'Neil propped up the bar while author Harriet Swain had under her arm a copy of 'Big Questions In History' (Pub: Jonathan Cape)
Wednesday 22nd June. - 'Keep writing like a fiend' - Sandi's English teacher at school, Mr Sherman.
TOPICS TODAY Buses again, Michael Jackson Toast, how to play Sudoku.
Annie Caulfield sat in the corner and Carol Vordeman dropped by, in her hand 'How To Sudoku' (Ebury Press) Linda Robson also here, she's in 'Telstar' at The New Ambassador's Theatre - it's the story of Joe Meek the guy who brought us The Tornado's.
Tuesday 21st June - 'If they had tap dancing on BBC Question Time it would be more fun' - Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: Waiting for a bus, (see below) democracy and the future of Israel, potatoes and pigeons.
Maria McErlane and Dilly Keane popped in to give there four penny-worth. Ruth Padel author of 'Tigers In Red' (Little Brown) with her extraordinary story about her trip to India.
Monday 20th June - 'Why does it rain cats and dogs?' - Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: How to love thy neighbour, admonishing children and bravery.
Today's wet and windy show Bonnie Langford and James Lovell, the history of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Ben de Wynter from the Union Theatre with their Pint Size Theatre productions. Sorry about the quality of the cartoon today, I asked Santa for Photoshop but he told me to use Microsoft PhotoEditor

Sandi last week

2005-06-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

Monday 20th June - 'Why does it rain cats and dogs?' - Sandi
TOPICS TODAY: How to love thy neighbour, admonishing children and bravery.
Today's wet and windy show Bonnie Langford and James Lovell, the history of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Ben de Wynter from the Union Theatre with their Pint Size Theatre productions. Sorry about the quality of the cartoon today, I asked Santa for Photoshop but he told me to use Microsoft PhotoEditor
Friday 17th June - 'And the winner is'
Today the whole show came live from the Living London Awards with the Independent at the Cafe de Paris with Sandi, Adrian Mills, Bonnie Langford and Joe Thompson on the piano.
Thursday 16th June - 'I've never been so insulted in my life' - Sandi Toksvig
TOPICS TODAY: Insults, memories of P.E. at school, ten good reasons to keep the aristocracy and good behaviour.
Today Sandi was joined by Jack Klaff and Inder Manocha, Julie Myerson just happened to be in the building and spoke about her new book 'Not A Games Person' (Yellow Jersey Press) and Robert O'Byrne author politely reminded us of his book 'Mind Your Manners' (Sitric).
Wednesday 15th June - Al Fresco isn't a reporter for CNN but Italian for Outdoors - who knew?
TOPICS TODAY: Inventors, London Ghettos,The Magna Carta, Vikings.
Today Sandi was looked after by PONTI'S - a delicious Italian heritage. Annie Caulfield spoke about the amazing Marsha Phoenix and her work with homeless teenage girls in Lewisham. If you'd like to contact the trust please CLICK HERE Domenica De Rosa just happened to pop by and talk about her book 'The Italian Quarter' (Review) and Anthony Capella might have mentioned his new book 'The Food Of Love' (Time Warner).

Tuesday 14th June - 'My arse looks like a pancake' - Shyama Perera
Sandi back with plans for a works outing to The Cafe de Paris, on the menu hardcore porn, bullying, racism and the menopause. If you fancy a slice of menopause cake CLICK HERE Shyama Perera spoke about her career as a sex guide writer, Max Keys just happened to mention his new play Year 10 at The Finborough Theatre and Don Whycherley just happened to mention his new play The Shaughraun at The Albery
Monday 13th June - 'If you can't have an orgasm a day - a good sneeze will do.' - Jenny Eclair
Jenny Eclair today. Jenny got herself a part in a west end show at The Old Vic, Anton Edelmann promised Jenny a free lunch at his restaurant and plugged the Taste Of London food festival. Guest Lucy Porter came dressed as an elderly Greek grandmother. Author Alistair Beaton plugged his book 'A Planet for the President' (Orion)

Sandi last couple of weeks

2005-06-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

Friday 10th June
In today's packed show Sandi and Alkarim Jivani went all regal, discussing Prince Philip's link to the Greeks, Bad King Wenceslaus (see below) and a direct descendent of Charles II, Charles Beauclerk, came along to talk about his new book about Nell Gwyn. Reggie Nadelson dropped by to plug her new book Red Hook, as did comedian Patton Oswalt who is appearing at the Soho Theatre. And finally Fiona Knight was plucked from obscurity.
Thursday 9th June
With news headlines from this weeks Beano Comic, Sandi was mostly lamenting the departure of Reuters from the street of shame, leaving just the publishers of The Beano as the last of the press in Fleet Street.
Stella Duffy was plugging Kumera at Sainsbury's (It's a kind of Kiwi sweet potato). Charlotte Emmerson was plugging the fact she gets to snog Val Kilmer in The Postman Always Rings Twice at The Playhouse. Jeremy Butterfield was plugging the new Collins dictionary and Lucinda Hawksley was plugging her book The Tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite Model the story of Lizzie Siddal. What a bunch of pluggers!
Also on the menu - Michelangelo's 'cartoons' pithy sayings, and cheese.
Tomasso e Geraldo have nothing whatsoever to do with the cartoon series 'Tom and Jerry' which of course is a Copyright Trademark of Turner Entertainment INC
Wednesday 8th June
Was Lassie a lassie or a laddie? Today Sandi and Annie Caulfield went on a wide world web tour, celebrating the birthday of Tim Berners-Lee the man who invented the WWW. Women and the invention of the automatic washing machine. (see cartoon below) Author Peter Watson who's book 'Ideas' (W&N) charts human ideas from fire to the web. Annie also plugged her book Irish Heart, English Blood, Ulster Fry (Viking)
Some favourite websites:
The Robert Opie Collection - nostalgia you can buy today CLICK HERE
Men Who Look Like Kenny Rogers CLICK HERE
Up Your Street things you will find up your street CLICK HERE
Tuesday 7th June.
On the menu, useful foreign phrases, inspirational women, Twinning towns, Welsh news, being bullied and unfortunate deaths. Hilary O'Neil was the guest and Morgan Spurlock author of 'Supersize Me' and 'Don't Eat This Book' (Penguin) and Andrew Eames 'Agatha Christie - the 8.55 to Baghdad' (Corgi) CLICK HERE to find out more about Morgan Spurlock and Supersize Me

Monday 6th June
Today Sandi played Guess the Guest? and punch ups at operas. Bonnie Langford played side-kick, Author Victor Chan (The Wisdom of Forgiveness, intimate conversations and journeys with the Dalai Lama, pub by Hodder Mobius) Author Chris Ayres (War Reporting for Cowards pub John Murray) and Lisa Jardine from the Orange Book Prize and finally Tanita Tikaram who's new single Don't Let The Cold is out this week.
Friday 3rd June
Today Woolly Liberal Sandi revealed herself as Deep Throat in Ethelgate. She admitted that somebody else signed her autograph on the children's show No 73. Alkarim Jivani revealed that he likes playing obscure computer games. Sandi spoke of hobbies, running away and the amazing Francis Frith site, where you can type in your town or area and see old photographs of the place.
Thursday 2nd June
Today, premature death, Postman Pat in Spanish, Tooth related news, the secret to a long and happy marriage and the moving tale of a mother who lost her son but gained a message of hope. (Glenys Carl is the author of Hold My Hand, Published by Sidwick and Jackson) If you'd like to find out more about National Volunteers Week CLICK HERE
Tuesday 1st June
Today Sandi was joined by Annie Caulfield and author Mike Walker (A Long Way Home, the story of Mary Bryant, pub Wiley)
Tuesday 31st May
Today Sandi revealed that she chose her daughters school on the uniform colour. Guest Mark Curry revealed that he hated the Blue Peter cats. Author Nigel Farndale (Haw Haw - pub Macmillan) revealed that Nazi wartime broadcaster William Joyce was hanged for treason depite being an American/Irish/German. Mark Curry also plugged his new dating agency 'It Takes 2' ittakes2.co.uk

Sandi last week

2005-05-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

Friday 27th May
Jenny arrived promptly at 12 o'clock for today's show. She talked Big Brother and Kath and Kim with Alkarim Jivani, as well as discussing men in boxes and women in prairie skirts. The exquisite David Bedella, star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, dropped by, and plucked from obscurity was Jenny Walters.
Thursday 26th May
Today Jenny was minding her p's and q's as she was joined by Simon Fanshawe, author of The Done Thing. They talked manners, nudist beaches and about how Jenny was once a life model because she was too bone idle to do any proper work. Sarah Parker from Hampton Court popped by to discuss their new exhibition about Suffragettes, Soldiers and Servants.
Wednesday 25th May
On Jenny today:"Jeremy Paxman could walk under a table with a top hat on" "Never double dip your crudities, it's disgusting" and Jenny stopped doing stand up in pubs after she once burnt her arse on a deep fat fryer in her 'so called' dressing room. Annie Caulfield guested and spoke of a sexual fantasy she has involving waders and a naked fly fisherman. (see above) Oh and Harry Gostelow who's in 'Pericles' at The Globe came by to say Hi.
Tuesday 24th May
On Jenny today: "I'm ashamed that my teenage daughter isn't pregnant, but she might be a perfect match for a kidney."and "My sister wanted to play the guitar but suffered with warts on her hands."Guest Jack Klaff spoke of an intimate lunch he had with the Chairman of Marks and Spencer and Jenny says she will do charitable work as long as it doesn't involve donkeys. Canadian radio show host Stuart McClean popped in to plug his new book 'Home from the vinyl cafe' (Granta) Somehow the subject of Priscilla Presley's plastic surgery also permeated the conversation.
Monday 23rd May
Today with Jenny Eclair, Bonnie Langford and author of 'Sleeping Partners' (Hodder) Lou Wakefield. Jenny shared her experiences of staying in a Travelodge and Bonnie her experience as a Dr Who companion.

Sandi week ending Friday 13th May

2005-05-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

Friday 20th May
Today Sandi was messin' about on the river with Alkarim Jivani and author of 'Deep Jungle' Fred Pearce. (Eden Books.) Arlene Klotzko author of 'A Clone Of Your Own' (OUP) with her views on the ethics of cloning and caveman supermarket trolley art with Lucy Coward. Plucked from obscurity today was Glynne Steele from the popular beat combo - 'Piefinger'

Thursday 19th May
Sandi was musing today on whether Queen Victoria spoke with a German accent, Jack Klaff was in, he can speak in any accent, cos he's a very talented actor, as is John Gordon Sinclair, who is appearing in The Producers at Dury Lane and Tameka Empson who's in The Big Life at The Apollo. One of the richest women in the world Sigrid Rausing from Amnesty International spoke to Sandi about the extraordinary work of Amnesty.
Wednesday 18th May
A china croissant that looks like a dog turd and a clog with a thermometer in it. Two items discussed by Sandi and Annie Caulfield today. Lynne Cox the champion swimmer with her book 'Swimming To Antartica' Pub by Weidenfield and Nicolson. A Shakespeare fest with Ben Crystal author of 'The Shakespeare Miscellany, Pub by Penguin and Edward Hogg who's appearing in The Tempest at The Globe and let's not forget Lucy Coward starring in Twelfth Night at The Barn Theatre in Oxted
Tuesday 17th May
Today Sandi was mostly discussing why some policemen where white gloves, a lovely EMail from the World Tongue lifting champion and her mini, mini break at County Hall. Ayesha Hazareka played side kick, Brotherhood of Man played Save All Your Kisses For Me and comedian Inder Manocha played footsie with Ayesha. Darwin and evolution filled the little bit at the end of the show.
Monday 16th May
Today Sandi was mostly having a rant..........................about anything and everything really! Along with Bonnie Langford, she started with the Royal Family, had a rant about the Government, and then had a go at the Tabloid Talkers who are broadcasting stories without research to back them up! Must have been the Monday Blues! She did however later go on to discuss tongues, and National Smile Week, Spellings and bizzare locations for a Wedding. Sandi was later joined in the studio by author John O'Farrell, whose book 'May Contain Nuts' is out now.

Sandi last few weeks

2005-05-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Friday 13th May
Trying to dispell all superstition, Sandi was today joined by Alkarim Jivani. They talked Fish in ice-cubes, and updated us on the latest 'jesus News' for this week. They also chatted about Mr Blair, accents and being British. They were later joined in the studio by husband and wife GP's Simon and Louise Read, who have just wriiten a book about London's green areas ('The Best of London Parks and Small Green Spaces'), and then by Chris Spring of the British Musuem. He was there to help build Sandi's confidence about a Mask she once bought (see below and see what you think!). I'm sure it was watching us! Plucked from obscurity today was actress karina Cornell. Remember, we found her first!
Thursday 12th May
On today's show, Sandi was distributing the best advice on how to deal with irritating Telesales people. Why not tell the operator exactly how you are when they ask?! She was joined throughout the show by Columnist Carol Sarler. Together they discussed more 'Jesus Stories', Donkey Rights, Happy Slapping and Spying. They were later joined by Sarah Wise, author of 'The Italian Boy' and Louise Dean, author of 'The Human Season'. The lovely Lucy Coward also made an appearance and tried to persaude Carol into appreciating Modern Art! Apparently paintings created by a chimp are up for auction this week!
Wednesday 11th May
Sandi was joined for today's show of fun and laughter by the lovely Annie Caulfield. They discussed changing your name, recited the worst of the 'why did the chiken' jokes, talked about smells, ate Elk Sticks and tried piecing together the history of a 2,000 year old shoe found in a tree. They also chatted about the latest goings on in Georgia, and were later joined by Andrew Clover, currently starring at the Soho Theatre.
Tuesday 10th May
Today Sandi, along with Hilary O'Neil, was dressed completely wrong for the occassion. But, that's another story. They today discussed Cheating, the difference between fact and fiction, the current Police State, and that which solves all our troubles...............a cup of Tea!! Sandi was also joined by Yodeller Wayne Horsburgh, and David Matthews, author of 'Man buys Dog'.
Monday 9th May
Sandi was back in the Chair today and joined a poorly Bonnie Langford. They talked Censorship, Celebrity shoplifting, Manners for Bush and Putin, and Lame Ducks! She was joined on the line by Mike Tate to discuss Jersey Liberation Day, and was later joined in the studio by Janet Lee Carey, author of Wenny Has Wings.

Friday 6th May
Jenny Eclair in for Sandi with Alkarim Jivani, Stuart McGugan who starring in The Cosmonaut's Last Message at The Donmar Wharehouse. Jenny also spoke to William Naylor Executive Producer on a new TV series 'Soul Deep'

Thursday 5th May
Jenny Eclair for Sandi, Jack Klaff himself and Imodesty Blaize and 'Walter' alter egos. You can see Imodesty and Blaize at The Arts Theatre Jack spoke about the work of Paul Klee click here (Type Paul Klee in search) to see some of his work, Jack's also appearing at The New End Theatre
Wednesday 4th May
A nifty fifties kind of show, Sandi celebrated the anniversary of the Festival of Britain a post war exhibition that look forward to a new future for Britain. Anni Caulfield and Nick Hornby (author of A Long Way Down, pub by Penguin) spoke of hair, taking the blame and Lapland. To round off the show Sandi gave away a singing lobster.
Visit the virtual Festival of Britain, click here and then click exhibitions, scroll down to web exhibitions and Festival Of Britain
Tuesday 3rd May
Today Sandi was mostly having a birthday so Jenny Eclair whose new book Rula Lenska's dentist loved, was in with the lovely Hilary O'Neil who is currently starring in Acorn Antiques at The Theatre Royal Haymarket. Mark Adams who plays Dean Martin in The Rat Pack at The Strand.
Monday 2nd May
Today Sandi and her team turned up for work despite it being a Bank Holiday. Well, we don't work in a Bank do we?! Sandi was joined in the studio by Jack Klaff to help ease her through the next few hours.........and assist with a most unexpectant guest. Sandi was left, quite literally holding the baby when guest Janie Dee had to run home to collect something she'd left behind................leaving Sandi to babysit! 7 month old Alfie provided great entertainment! Luckily Janie returned to tell us of her upcoming show at the Shaw Theatre. Sandi later went on to discuss the End of the World, naming her new Tree House, the power of digestion and Life in the Bus Lane. She was also joined by actor Lennie James, currently starring in 'Raisin in the Sun' at the Hackney Empire.

Monday show and the return of Mrs Wing.
Thursday 28th April
On today's show Sandi, who once brushed past Jordan's breasts, was having a rummage in the cupboard and found super noodles, chocolate chilli a Barbara Cartland CD and a very small oil can. Zoe Williams, who ate most of the chocolate chilli, spoke of aphrodisiacs, tattoo's and the Titicata juicing frog. Jo Caulfield from Funny Women warned that you should never invite comics around to dinner - it's just not funny.
Wednesday 27th April
On today's show Sandi was playing ping pong with one of Nick Ferrari's balls, Hattie Hayridge and Sandi mused over cultural differences, the number five, sleep, weird things you could put in an aircraft including a swimming pool, but you'd have to remember the deep end would change on take off and landing. Author Andrew Smith (Moondust pub Bloomsbury) talked about men on the moon and weightless golf tips. Comedian Reginald D Hunter strode by shamelessly plugging his one man act at The Venue in Leicester Square.
Tuesday 26th April
On today's slightly above average show Cindy Toepik was making mistakes with Annie Caulfield, who has always wanted to stick the little suns on a weather map. Soul legend Anne Peebles and comedian Steve Furst dropped by. Sandi demonstrated weather forecasting using coffee and Annie had delicious recipe for medieval pottage, yum yum.
Monday 25th April
Today Sandi was mostly talking about the history of socks, exploding German toads the virtual iron curtain and Highwaywomen. Bonnie, I can scream in the key of F, Langford was Sandi's guest, along with Alan Macfarlane the author of 'Letters To Lily' Published by Profile, click here, to visit Alan's site.

Sandi (Bonnie) last week

2005-04-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Friday 15th April
Bonnie today was mostly eating jelly babies, Alakarim Jivani spoke of food you can't live without, the London Marathon and marmite. Author Nick Middleton spoke of his intrepid journeys around the world and Roland Muldoon from the Hackney Empire spoke of the theatre's comedy season.
Extremes Along The Silk Road by Nick Middleton is published by John Murray.

Thursday 14th April
Bonnie Langford (The best bum since Kylie Minogue) was joined today by Cello comedian Rebeca Carrington. On the menu, ugly kids alarm clocks and The Titanic and that iceberg. Author of 'Salaam Brick Lane' Tarquin Hall and author of 'With Billie' Julia Blackburn talked respectively of life in the east end of London and one of the finest singing voices of all time - Billie Holiday.
You can buy Rebecca Carrington's c.d. from dress circle, Salaam Brick Lane is published by John Murray and With Billie by Jonathan Cape

Wednesday 13th April
Bonnie discovered today that dancing can cause fornication, according the Reverend Ian Paisley. Hattie Heyridge and Annie Caulfield joined Bonnie and talked of naked dog bridesmaids, strange places to live, comfort food and bad toupee hair. Smokey voiced Elkie Brooks dropped by, her new album is called 'Electric Lady' and American author Jeanette Walls told her poignant story which you can read in 'Glass Castle' published by Virago.

Tuesday 12th April
Bonnie Langford in for Sandi with the lovely Jack Klaff spoke of squirrels, bad habits, and squashing cane toads. Kulvinder Ghir and Michael Ward from the new musical at The Shaftesbury - 'The Far Pavillions' dropped by and Bonnie made an effort to break routine after she discovered that Charlie Chaplin on the way out of his dressing room grabbed a cane and a bowler hat, by way of a change, to use in a film - and the character of the little tramp was born.

Monday 11th April
Sandi was away which meant Bonnie Langford came to play, mostly with Lego but that's another story. Shyama Perera was here and Bonnie talked of Hadrian's Wall the first television programmes and TV shows featuring animals with Lyndal Davies from Discovery Animal Planet. There was a musical trip around London with Louis and Susan Foreman authors of 'London a Musical Gazetteer' published by Yale.
Each day this week there's a chance to win a trip to Thailand and everyday a wide screen TV listen for more details.
Listen
Here's a rather dodgy Campen players sketch Listen Now for you to hear, it's all about a German Hotel - bad taste? EMail sandi@lbc.co.uk

Sandi the last two weeks

2005-04-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

Friday 8th April
Crickey what a show filled with verbal lumber. Sandi was mostly talking about stuff, including, Hitler's choice in music, alphabetti spaghetti, coruption in politics in all its hues and the fact that she has been banned from Weymouth after writing something rude on their town sign. All this and Alkarim ' Time Out' Jivani, Peter 'I gave the world Big Brother' Bazalgette and Henry 'I wrote a book about Dr Johnson' Hitchings. Dr Johnson's Dictionary: The Extraordinary Story of the Book That Defined the World, by Henry Hitching pub: John Murray and Billion Dollar Game by Peter Bazalgette published by Time Warner.

Thursday 7th April - Listen To Bonnie Langford ride Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris
Today Sandi broadcast the whole show live from Disneyland Resort Paris after a few technical problems Sandie's guest Bonnie Langford got to ride on the new Space Mountain ride, it was worth the wait though to hear Bonnie scream as she was shot out of a canon into outer space. Sandi took us on a journey through the wonderful world of Walt Disney, the writers, the music and of course the animation. Hear highlights of this special show this Saturday from 1.00pm.

Wednesday 6th April
Sandi was mostly talking about Royal Soap Opera's today and the fact she used to crucify Jesus every night (In A Musical by Mr Lloyd Webber) Annie Caulfied and Barbara Nice (Janice Connoly) dropped by, along with author Christopher Winn who's written a spiffing book about England called 'I Never Knew That About England' published by Ebury Press.

Tuesday 5th April
Cor blimey wot a knees up of a show today, Sandi ad that Gilda O'Neill in the back of her studio along with fellow authors Jeremy Gavron and Julia Briggs. Sandi dissolved Parliament with Cillit Bang, composed poetry in praise of the Celandine, built an ark, visited a creationist museum and discovered the secret life of Virginia Woolf
Author details:
Gilda O'Neill has written 'Of Woman Born' published by Arrow books.
Jeremy Gavron is author of 'An Acre of Barren Ground' published by Scribner
Julia Briggs is author of 'Virginia Woolf - An Inner Life' published by Allen Lane

Monday 4th April
Today Sandi was mostly worried about getting Creosote off of her hand (she'd just shaken hands with Robert Kilroy-Silk) Also why the diaries of Pepys, Hans Christian Anderson, Joe Orton and Kenneth Williams all had records of how many times they had self-abused? Sandi also spoke of Pope Joan, who pretended to be a man and became Pope, unfortunately she gave birth during a Papal procession and her disguise was compromised. In amongst this madness was Stella Duffy and author of 'Tales of the Country' Brian Viner. (Simon and Schuster) oh and The Pudding Club of Great Britain and The Bakewell Pudding Shop.

Friday 1st April - April Fools Day
Today Sandi was mostly in Denmark so Bonnie Langford hosted the show. Bonnie took us on a historical journey which included how many fingers Ann Boleyn had, dishwashers, friends re-united (see cartoon above) penguins and bad nursery rhymes all with the lovely Alkarim Jivani. Plucked from obscurity today was Mark Tintner our theatre critic and resting actor.

Thursday 31st March - Listen to Sandi saying 'Start your day with cranberry juice and you wont end it with yoghurt.'
Today Sandi was mostly playing fantasy army. The Dane Law army v The Tartan Army represented by Ayisha Hazarika. Also on the show today: copulating yeast, exploding haggis, spitting at the top of Notre Damme Cathedral, moisture and gusset oh and the very very small town of Wabush in Indiana and the very very lovely Linda Bellingham who's appearing at The Trafalgar Theatre (The Old Whitehall) in Losing Louis. For tickets click here

Wednesday 30th March
Today in a stuffed show Sandi was mostly folding paper when she tried out Origami on the radio, also on the today's prog, Queen Victoria's toilet paper incident, taxidermy and road kill, Bakewell Tarts also a tribute to The National Geographic Magazine all in the company of Annie Caulfield and author of 'The Understudy' David Nicholls and cartoonist Woodrow Phoenix.

Tuesday 29th March
Today Sandi was talking World news, Politics, History, Health and the Shetland Olympics. A very serious start to the week! She was joined throughout the show by Shyama Perera and together they also discussed driving over the age of 70, Hog Farming, Porridge and the World Coal Championships. Not so serious (few!)!!! And, as today is also the anniversary of the opening of The Royal Albert Hall, Sandi was also joined on the phone by Heather Walker (Deputy Cheif Executive and Director of Programming) to learn a bit more about it's past.

Sandi Toksvig the last few weeks

2005-03-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

Friday 11th March
Today, Sandi was back from being under the weather, so I guess that means she was above the weather. Today we were running on communist time, as Sandi was wearing a rather chunky watch featuring a waving Chairman Mao, whilst in the House of Lords it was still Thursday, as they'd had a bit of an all-nighter debating the terror laws. Sandi held a reception for former British ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray and journalist and editor Alkarim Jivani, discussing how Norway is so well-run its PM can get worked up over Ikea only drawing men in its flat-pack instructions, and we worried about sacred cows causing congestion on India's roads. Perhaps it's time for a cow congestion charge?
Thursday 10th March
Sandi was under the weather so Bonnie Langford hosted today's show, she spoke of ring tones for dogs, the real Truman Show, Desperate Housewives with expensive toddlers and a Romanian man who keeps his wife in a pigsty. Bonnie was joined by Jack Klaff and Marcus Brigstocke and special guest Duncan Goodhew - in to give a plug for the Swimathon a charity swimming event for all ages and abilities, raising money for the NCH - the children's charity.
Wednesday 9th March
Today Sandi was mostly talking about Toasting Forks, curses, originality, eating hats and why are there so many Polish dentists? Sandi's guests today were Annie Caulfield, Sarah Edington who wrote The Captain's Table and Miranda Spitteler from Tree Aid and to round things off Sandi talked about jousting accountants and buying armour from EBay
Tuesday 8th March
Sandi was mostly sharpening knives today, discussing the boob quizzes in The Star and The Sun all in the company of Marian Keyes author of The Other Side Of The Story . Best selling author Donna leon and Sandi celebrated The Birds Eye View Film Festival and The International Women's Day with Bita Fernandez Schmidt.
Monday 7th March
Sandi was mostly making curtains today with Bonnie Langford they spoke of pressure groups, car boot sales Prince Charles talking to an albatross and the fact that Nelson suffered from seasickness. The lovely Judy Carmichael popped in to plug her show at the Pizza on the Park There was a chance to win tickets to the new production of On The Town with English National Opera.

Listen
Here's a rather dodgy Campen players sketch Listen Now for you to hear, it's all about a German Hotel - bad taste? EMail sandi@lbc.co.uk
Friday 4th March
Sandi was mostly sharpening scissors today, she spoke of bogus dentists, winter wonderlands and dream retirement homes all in the company of Alkarim Jivani from Time Out also dropping by, author of Jacob's Gift ' Jonathan Freedland. Also Sandi mentioned the amazing and heartwarming tale of John and Maggie Prestwich - John has spent most of the sixty-six years of his life in an iron lung - read about his story by clicking here

Ayesha Hazarika. Alexander McCall Smith popped in to celebrate world book day. Anni Marjoram talked about Capital Woman 2005

Find out more about World Book Day by clicking here

Wednesday 2nd March
Sandi mostly talked about things that you find in the back of your freezer, does the Queen need a reality check? Does Delia Smith need an anger check? Chewing over the advantages of cow dung medicine was Jack Klaff (pictured above) the lovely Julia Mills popped in, oh you do know her she was Rhona in 2.4 Children and is starring in Flying Under Bridges at The Watford Palace Theatre then to round off the show that very fine actor Patrick Stewart joined Sandi, he's appearing in 'A Life In The Theatre' at The Apollo, he also amazed Sandi when he briefly mentioned he had been starring in an 'American' television programme called Stair Trek (we think?)

LISTEN TO A CAMPEN PLAYER SKETCH

2005-03-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a rather dodgy Campen players sketch Listen Now for you to hear, it's all about a German Hotel - bad taste? EMail sandi@lbc.co.uk

Sandi Toksvig the last week

2005-03-04T06:47:00.000-08:00

Sandi was mostly wearing an invisible cloak today and told us she once set fire to some condoms and burnt her hand quite badly. Stella Duffy was Sandi's guest, Stella likes nitromors, apricot jam and highlighter pens. Sandi spoke of dead lambs, National Express coaches, Pinter, Bulls and Fiji. Best selling children's author Jaqueline Wilson who wrote the delightful Clean Break dropped by.

Monday 28th February
Today Sandi mostly talked about inappropriate gifts for Mother's Day, presents from steam irons to a pair of 'Girls Aloud' concert tickets were suggested in our win a stale ham sandwich and a tea cake competition. Sandi was joined by the lovely Bonnie Langford Joe Queenan author of 'Queenan Country' and we had talented busking harpist Peter Murphy in to play, you can buy his music by clicking here

Friday 25th February
Today Sandi Toksvig a former employee of The Wandsworth Sewer mostly talked about school reports, where to get a good top hat with David Saxby (Click satorial elegance) and French tarts, both the cooking kind and the naughty uh-he-haw-he-haw-he-haw type. Alkarim Jivani former employee of 'EuroFruit Magazine' joined Sandi today along with Michael Keegan Dolan, whose mum wanted him to be a lawyer - and his controversial production of Giselle finally Arthur Smith, former road sweeper, who is appearing at The Hackney Empire this weekend. And to round things off we sent Giles Mason off to find a three drawer bedside cabinet in Ikea - he's still looking.

Thursday 24th February
Today Sandi mostly read from the Bible, she was alarmed to read that Leviticus 19 verse 19 states that you shouldn't wear two different types of thread together. She worried that Vicars who wear polyester wool mix shirts might be stonned by their congregation. The serious side of this conversation was - should we always accept literal truth? To discuss this and a tourists guide to Bratislava was Jack Klaff. Journalist George Monbiot spoke about some sneaky changes to the new crime bill and Sandi rounded off the show with sex when she spoke to Jonathan Gathorne-Hardy about his new book Kinsey about 'Kinsey' the man who allowed us to talk about sex.

Wednesday 23rd February
Today Sandi mostly read from The Rutland and Stamford Mercury Sandi was joined by Annie Caulfield who spoke, with some authority on Albania. Sandi admitted that she considered herself the dullest woman in the twilight world of showbusiness. Our competition today was to win some of Producer Tim Allen's soiled clothing, Tom in Winchester won with 500 tins of World War Two hair wax (see below) John Sergeant dropped by to describe Magaret Thatcher as 'like a bus radio - she could transmit but couldn't receive. Historian Mary Beard talked about 'The Colosseum' and a rather unpleasant act between a Christian woman and a bull.

This is the EMail which won Tim's soiled clothing on Wednesday:

Dear Sandi,
In the Hamsphire Chronicle there was a news story about a farmer who had found some treasure burried in a field. Upon having a discussion about what to do with the loot, a huge argument ensued in the town hall, which was reported by the paper. And what was the treasure? 500 tins of World War 2 hair wax! It had been burried by a black marketeer! Tom (Winchester)

Sandi Toksvig the last few weeks

2005-02-28T06:38:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 22nd February
Feelin' hot, hot, hot? Sandi was as she celebrated summer with a show dedicated to those toasty warm summer days. Also on the menu; chewing gum, possum nipple warmers old age pensioners forgetting their pin numbers all in the company of comedian Mary Bourke, then as if the day wasn't perfect enough the lovely Sheila Hanncock came in to talk about using Kenneth Williams' toilet and her starring role in The Anniversary at the Garrick, for tickets call the LBC 97.3 Ticketline on 0870 3800 973 or click here
Monday 21st February
Sandi Toksvig was mostly live from 'The Home of Football' - Arsenal's, Highbury ground. Sandi hosted a very special show in aid of childline. If you would like to make a donation to Childline please click here Sandi was joined by Bonnie Langford, dressed only in the Arsenal strip, ex Arsenal player - Kenny Sampson and John 'sports boy' Cushing. We asked you to pledge for childline. Amongst the many calls and texts, Karen in Bromley promised £500 if Kenny could get as many Arsenal players signatures for her football mad boyfriend Andy. If you want to know more about Childline - click here
Friday 18th February
Bonnie Langford New York has the 'Big Apple' but London has no catchphrase so Bonnie invited you to suggest one. Lili In Steatham suggested 'London - the city that never sweeps' but we all liked 'Living La Vida London' The lovely Alkarim Jivani was Bonnie's special guest. Comedian Alan Francis dropped by he's appearing at The Kings Head Crouch End and then before you could say 'oh look here's another comedian' Hattie Hayridge' came along plugging her gig at The Hackney Empire. Throughout the show we featured the very funny Dean Park and his Wee Andy Webber single Buy Dean Park's single from Amazon
Thursday 17th February
Bonnie Langford for Sandi, today Bonnie revealed she once tap danced with Gene Kelly and loves fishy bites but not cockroaches, at least not on the same plate. Bonnie's guest was Ayesha Hazarica, who is staging a special event for International Women's Day. Comedian Ed Byrne was in moaning about having to sing the Lord's prayer with Cliff Richard, he also made a rude joke about a banana that Bonnie was eating. Finally Bonnie rounded off the show with a couple of cast members from 'Ying Tong' the new play about the Goons.
Oh and Bonnie also asked you about your fantasy comedy line-up, there were suggestions ranging from Bill Hicks to Old Man Steptoe and Molly Sugden to Bob Hope. Don't forget you can always EMail the show bonnie@lbc.co.uk or call on 0870 90 90 973.
Wednesday 16th February
With Sandi away, Bonnie Langford hosted the show. Annie Caulfield was Bonnie's guest and Annie revealed that her grandad had given her, in his will, the piece of shrapnel left in his right foot during the Great War also Annie mentioned a disturbing dream she had about Ronnie Corbett. Bonnie talked about Royal Kitsch, a bottle opener in the shape of the Pope and that coffee is good for you. David Thomson the author of 'The Whole Equation ' gave an amazing insight into the history of Hollywood. Concert promoter Raymond Gubbay talked about his new production of Carmen at The Albert Hall

Tuesday 15th February
This week Sandi is mostly taking a week off so Bonnie Langford hosted today's show. Bonnie talked about the power of chocolate, men using hair removal cream, gadgets you never use and DIY disasters. Bonnie was joined by the talented Stella Duffy, the rather hyperactive Helen Tayler (who ate three bars of chocolate during the show) and Amanda Waring who is starring in 'For The Love Of Chocolate' at the Jermyn Street Theatre and spends most of her time drenched head to toe in delicious chocolate from Paul Young.

Monday 14th February
This week Sandi is mostly taking a week off so the lovely Bonnie Langford hosted today's show. Bonnie talked Valentines, gay penguins, orange, sorry, saffron curtains in Central Park New York, how to live for ever and purging your body. Bonnie was joined by Jack Klaff, Aussie comedian Carl Barron who's appearing at The Riverside Studios and Patrick Nolan and Martin Jenkins from the amazing 'Stones In His Pockets' play next Tuesday at The Fairfield Halls Croydon.
For ideas on where and what to do the kids this half term click here.

Sandi Toksvig the last few weeks

2005-02-17T07:06:00.000-08:00

Friday 11th February
Today Sandi mostly talked about affairs of the heart, UN Peace Keepers, and was joined throughout the show by Alkarim Jivani. She was also joined by her new 'Art Tart' Linda Smith to discuss 'Turner Monet Whistler', the new exhibition at the Tate Britain . Sandi talked mice, swans and horses...........we definately enjoyed the Mice quiz! (sqweek!). Later in the show, Ventriloquist act Nina Conti and her Monkey joined in the fun -well, Sandi interviewed the monkey really! Nina is currently starring at the Hackney Empire.

Thursday 10th February
Well, another day, and another show! After all that talking, we're exhausted, but what a show! Sandi was joined today by author Annie McCartney, and the two happily compared stories about their dogs. Apparently Sandi's dog is able to turn the television on for her, and let her watch the Clangers! They did also chat about the best thing to spend your money on, the Saudi Elections, Television on trains, and animal barcoding (at which point Sandi's dog whimpered!). Sandi was later joined by stuntman Jim Dowdall, who arrived by crashing through the window at the back of the studio in a jumpsuit and crash helmet (just kidding, but the image was there!!). He's quite brave really!!
Annie McCartney's new book "Your Cheatin' Heart" is out now.

Wednesday 9th February
There was plenty more fun with Sandi on today’s show. She was joined by Annie Caulfield and together they celebrated Chinese New Year…………this year being the year of the Rooster. With your help, Sandi came across some very funny ‘Confucius’ to help you through the new year and bring you good fortune! (there are some strange ideas floating around!)
They talked Education, Cloning, gathered more supporters for Sandi’s ‘Oh Anyway Parti’, ….and chatted about the prospect of a film version of ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E’. Oh oh!!!
Sandi was later joined in the studio by actor Steven Weber, who is currently starring alongside Kevin Spacey in ‘National Anthem’ at the Old Vic Theatre.
Tuesday 8th February
Well what a show, Sandi spent a lot of the time stacking cups, we plugged a goldfish into the mains (just kidding) We talked divorce parties and pancakes, lobsters and toads. Sandi was joined by Angie Greaves and Zoe Lyons, Zoe told Sandi she was once frightened by a Nun and Farmer Phil told us about his chickens that lay blue eggs. Then the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain dropped by.

Monday 7th February
Today Sandi mostly talked about things she'd found in the Readers Digest, should the Pope and the Queen go on holiday together? and the history of the London Underground map. Bonnie Langford was Sandi's guest and Gavin Lee who plays Burt in 'Mary Poppins - The Musical' dropped in (and left the studio in a very sooty state) We had heaps of fun turning famous novels into Readers Digest condensed versions, here are a few:
Lord Of The Rings - Bunch of funny looking things, kuffufle over a ring, battle battle battle, ring destroyed - nice one.
Emma by Jane Austen - Young posh totty, fretful dad, horny vicar, giggling lackey, hilarious romantic mismatches and mischief-making, then swoons for a much older gentlemen with a bit of land. The End.
Listen Now to Sandi as she turns The Railway Children into one sentence
(Mary Poppins - The Musical image Copyright Cameron Mackinstosh 2005)
Friday 4th February
Today Sandi mostly talked rhubarb, naughtiness and pure evil, we all enjoyed the Queen Victoria quiz, but Jo Parkerson our showbiz babe preferred the quiz about penguins Sandi had the other day. Sandi was joined by the very talented Jack Klaff, Di Stubbs from the Joseph Rountree Trust who are looking for visionaries prepared to make the world a better place. Bonnie Langford (pictured right) popped in, she's appearing in 'Pete'n'Me' at the New End Theatre Hampstead and finally the very funny Felix Dexter talked about embarrassing auditions.

Sandi Toksvig

2005-02-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 26th January
On today's show Sandi mostly talked about the history of lipstick, why men pee against walls, Tigers, Herbal Tea and Jesus. Sandi was joined by the lovely Laurence Howarth and Gus Brown two comedians, then there was three, when the other Will Smith comedian dropped in.
Thursday 27th January
On today's show Sandi mostly talked about The Daily Express readers offer of a magnifying glass for your television, embarrassing family history, living in a cave, the flush toilet inventor controversy and boy scouts. Sandi was joined by the lovely Annie Caulfield and Max Oscar from the West End Smash 'The Producers'
Friday 28th January
On today's show Sandi mostly talked about bats, starting her own political party, chimps having a tea party at the Waldorf and the state of late night TV. Sandi was joined by the lovely Alkarim Jivani from Time Out and the amazing David Bodanis who wrote 'TheElectric Universe' Also Lawrence Till from The Watford Palace Theatre dropped by. Don't forget you can catch The Best Of Sandi Toksvig this Saturday from 1.00pm.
Monday 31st January
On today's show Sandi mostly talked about Tim's dad's front door and the fact it used to appear in the popular TV programme 'Minder'. Sandi also discussed suitable music for hens to lay eggs to, Churchill's funeral and do we know the difference between H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. with the Terrence Higgins Trust. Sandi was joined by Ellie Levenson.
Tuesday 1st February
On today's show Sandi mostly talked about shoelaces, painting by numbers, countries we have never heard of, genocide and crossword puzzles. The lovely Stella Duffy dropped by along with Alain De Botton author of Status Anxiety and Ragah Omaar author of Revolution Day
Wednesday 2nd February
On today's show Sandi mostly talked about groundhog day what would happen if you met an alien, how you become Pope, falling on your feet, and groundhog day. Sandi was joined by the lovely Annie Caulfield and from 'Simply Heavenly' Chris Coluhoun (wasn't he in Casualty?) Oh and we celebrated groundhog day.
Thursday 3rd February
Anna Raeburn was Sandi's guest Thursday
On today's show Sandi mostly talked about shoes, buying them on the internet, gospel shoes that have Bible texts written on them, the meaning life, not being able to write to Royal Mail,Old fashioned holidays, global warming and smart arses. Sandi was joined by the lovely Anna Raeburn, Roger Higman from Friends of the Earth and A.J. Jacobs who wrote 'The Know It All' published by William Henemann .