Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.
Omnibus (Season 40)
Douglas Adams: The Man Who Blew Up the World (Episode 1)
Air date: 2001-08-04
David Hockney: A Secret Knowledge (Episode 2)
Air date: 2001-10-13
Empire of the Nude (Episode 3)
Air date: 2001-10-27
Joan Plowright: When Larry Met Joan (Episode 4)
Air date: 2001-11-03
The 'Billy Elliot' Boy (Episode 5)
Air date: 2001-11-06
Overview: Recording Jamie Bell's progress from unknown schoolboy to award-winning star of "Billy Elliot".
Frank Auerbach (Episode 6)
Air date: 2001-11-10
Anthony Trollope (Episode 7)
Air date: 2001-11-13
Chuck Jones: Mr Bugs Bunny (Episode 8)
Air date: 2001-11-17
Overview: A UK broadcast of Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens - A Life in Animation (2000).
Lucille Ball Queen of Comedy (Episode 9)
Air date: 2001-11-20
Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond (Episode 10)
Air date: 2001-11-24
Overview: "The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story" (video release title) tells the full bizarre, tragic, but also celebratory story of Syd Barrett, the co-founder of Pink Floyd. With contributions from friends, managers, lovers and of course the members of Pink Floyd themselves. The film includes rare early television appearances of Pink Floyd and home movies too.
Tolkien: The Master of Middle Earth (Episode 11)
Air date: 2001-12-22
J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and Me (Episode 12)
Air date: 2001-12-28
Overview: For the first time J.K. Rowling tells in her own words the story of how the bestselling books of Harry Potter came to life.
Mario Testino: Diana's Favourite Photographer (Episode 13)
Air date: 2002-01-30
Robert Altman in England (Episode 14)
Air date: 2002-02-02
Sir Nigel Hawthorne: Remembered (Episode 15)
Air date: 2002-02-03
