Controversial TV writer Dennis Potter speaks out about the banning of his drama Brimstone and Treacle.

CHAT SHOW. Guests Natalie Cole, Nanette Newman and Dennis Potter.

Titles (0.10). Harty introduces the show and Natalie Cole (1.08). Natalie Cole sings `Mr Melody' (4.38). Natalie Cole joins Harty and talks about the song, the awards she has won, and her attitude to fame and success. She speaks about the difficulties of having a famous father, also a singer (10.48). Harty introduces Nanette Newman (11.20). Nanette Newman joins Harty and Cole and they talk about her book, soon to be published - a compilation of quotations from children about politicians. The quotations are put on the screen and the guests talks about them (19.40). Blank screen for advertisements (20.57). Harty introduces Dennis Potter (21.49). Potter picks up a point which Harty made in the introduction that he does not have a passport. He says he does not like travel, the movement from one place to another, and does not like holidays. If he went abroad it would be for one or two years to enable him to loose the trappings of British culture. He talks about his medication for arthritis and psoriais and how this prevents him travelling. He speaks about the relationship between his illness and his writing. He feels that you choose your illness as you might a wife or house. Something in your personality is attuned to that illness. He, for example, is reclusive and the illness has prevented him from continuing with journalism or politics but has given him the time to write.

Harty feels this is a nice retrospective conclusion. Potter continues by saying that his illness and long stays in hospital have given him a chance to review what it is that makes you what you are. Harty envies him this reflection but not the illness. Potter feels that you cannot reach forty without facing great passages of misery and we live in a culture which allows no time to dwell on the past and on grief. He speaks about his standing as an MP for East Hertfordshire, a safe Tory seat, in 1964. he gained 22,000 votes, the Tory candidate 29,000. The campaigning made him physically exhausted and he felt by the end he was speaking half-truths and becoming embarrassed by them. He speaks about the role of fantasy in his life and in his plays. He believes we are all exciting people, with private areas which cannot be reached by the crude methods of the media. Few have the opportunity to discover the fact. He cites CASANOVA as a serial about the fantasy of total sexual fulfilment and remarks
that fantasies can mock you or allow you to operate in intolerable conditions.

Harty asks if he is concerned that his plays are controversial and people speak of `a Dennis Potter play'. Potter replies that he is pleased the public recognises his work especially when the single play on television is threatened. He speaks of BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE, billed for broadcast in April 1976 but subsequently banned. Potter explains briefly the outline of the play and what he was trying to do - to separate sanctimoniousness from religion. He says he is a religious dramatist. Harty has seen the play and can understand the nervous reaction of the BBC hierarchy. The sophistication may be hard for the public to take. Potter speaks of why he writes for television - it reaches many people in a state of relaxation when their defences are down. Harty asks what representations he has made to the BBC. Potter replies that he has abused them and threatened them with injunctions but ultimately there is nothing he can do. He is very angry that a play which has been commissioned, cast, filmed, telerecorded and prepared for broadcast should be banned at the last minute. It cost £75,000. Nobody showed concern during the making of it. Harty feels that a work of art has to be complete before judgment can be passed and nobody should interfere during the making of it. Potter feels a longer discussion should have taken place. The decision to ban it was made after one showing, one afternoon.

Harty says that Potter is soon to become the television critic of `The Sunday
Times'. He asks him what his tastes are. Potter replies he likes MATCH OF THE
DAY and supports Fulham (45.29). Harty closes show (45.46). End credits
(46.13).