Summary
Overview
Richard Osman and Marina Hyde tackle listener questions about unfinished book series, Max Clifford's controversial PR tactics, how actors learn their lines, and why male-male romance stories resonate with female audiences. The discussion ranges from literary estates' decisions to the darker side of tabloid journalism, with insights from actors and writers along the way.
Unfinished Books and Literary Estates
The hosts explore what happens when authors die mid-series, examining different approaches from Terry Pratchett's steamroller to Brandon Sanderson completing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. The conversation reveals the tension between authorial wishes and commercial pressures from estates, with examples ranging from protective decisions to cash-grab sequels. George R.R. Martin's explicit wishes against posthumous completion stand in contrast to carefully planned handoffs.
- Terry Pratchett had 10 unfinished books on his hard drive run over by a vintage steamroller at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, as per his wishes
- Robert Jordan left detailed notes and outlines for Brandon Sanderson to complete the Wheel of Time series, with his widow/editor's blessing
- Steve Larsson's estate commissioned David Lagerkrantz to continue the Millennium Trilogy despite the author's widow's objections
- George R.R. Martin has stated his work should remain unfinished if he dies, calling posthumous completions 'abominations' like the Gone With The Wind sequel
" Terry Pratchett famously said that whatever he was working on when he died would have to be run over by a steamroller. And that's exactly what happened, funnily enough. "
" The history has shown us that these literary rights pass to grandchildren or collateral descendants or people who didn't actually know the writer and don't care about his wishes. It's just a cash counter then. "
Max Clifford: The Dark Arts of PR
Marina delivers a searing account of Max Clifford's career as a tabloid publicist who wielded power through kiss-and-tell stories, blackmail, and compromising material on editors themselves. His business model traded stories from powerless people to protect wealthy male celebrities, while cultivating relationships with madams and exploiting women. He eventually went to prison for sexual assault crimes, revealing the rot at the heart of his empire built on manipulation and abuse.
- Clifford discovered an escort having relationships with newspaper editors Andrew Neil and Donald Trelford, launching his career by selling that story
- He cultivated relationships with madams running brothels to access stories about powerful men
- Clifford often traded stories from non-famous women to keep bigger male celebrity clients' secrets safe
- He had compromising information on newspaper editors themselves, giving him power over the press
- Clifford went to prison for sexual assault crimes against women and girls over a long period
" The c*** in shining armour, more like. "
" I think that often the people who were not famous who brought stories to him were traded to keep his famous clients safe. "
" He was a kind of swamp dweller. "
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