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Netflix is stepping into the gloriumptious world of Roald Dahl with the acquisition of the company which licences the author’s works in its biggest-ever content deal. Our deputy business editor Joanna Bourke and columnist Melanie McDonagh join the show to look at what new tv shows, movies, musicals and video games might come out of the contract. We also discuss the author's enduring legacy, looking at how he's managed to sell more than 300 million books around the world.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Once cast as rivals from opposite sides of the political divide, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden appear to have smoothed over differences and become, as one US TV journalist described them, 'peas in a pod'. Diplomatically there are signs that the US and UK are becoming closer. There's the nuclear sub deal with Australia and America's allowing double-vaccinated tourists from Britain back in. But there are also divides. Afghanistan is one. A post-Brexit trade deal is another. We speak to analyst Julie Norman, from UCL's Centre for US Politics, and ask her what' really going on between Boris and Biden?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There are two new stations on the world famous Tube map. Together Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms make the first extension to the Northern Line for 80 years. In this special programme, we speak to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and others as the first passengers got on-board. We hear how the £1.1 billion project is seen as the catalyst for the wider redevelopment of the Nine Elms area, with the former power station at its heart. And we also learn how discussions between TfL and the government are going as the transport network looks for a long-term deal to provide stability after the devastating effects of coronavirus.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One hasn't even launched, the other appears to be struggling to get off the ground but a new TV rivalry is beginning that could change the face of broadcasting in the UK. GB News has just lost its Chairman and lead presenter Andrew Neil, who now admits he quit because he was in "a minority of one" over the direction of the channel which critics say is becoming more right wing.  That's come in the week that Piers Morgan announced he's joining Rupert Murdoch's TalkTV which is due to launch next year.  We speak to media commentator Ian Burrell who tells us the two newsrooms may be battling over an audience that doesn't exist.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

ES Magazine has made history as the first UK publication to print an NFT, or non-fungible token, in a ground-breaking piece of moving digital artwork. We speak to deputy art director Jessica Landon who reveals how the piece was created by two of Bjork's collaborators using 160 cameras to create a Matrix-like effect. You can also find out how to bid for the NFT, featuring model and activist Kai-Isaiah Jamal, at an upcoming auction with proceeds going to the Evening Standard's charity partner, the Felix Project.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil joins the show to discuss the cabinet reshuffle. Gavin Williamson’s out as Education Secretary, Dominic Raab’s been shifted from the Foreign Office to Justice Secretary – although he’s also been made Deputy Prime Minister. Nicholas reveals why the thinking behind some of Prime Minister’s decision making, and the reasons the shake-up’s happening just ahead of winter and a predicted rise in coronavirus cases.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Another downpour, another day of chaos on London. An estimated 25mm of rain fell in the city, causing disruption to commuters, the closure of a tube station, even the flooding of Tower Bridge.  We speak to hyrdrologist Dragan Savic and ask why the Capital appears to have developed an increasing problem with flooding? We ask what threats there might be to the city if more isn’t done to deal with the issue, and whether there are any ways to protect crucial services like the tube and underground stations?   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our deputy political editor David Bond joins us as speculation mounts about how the government plans to get the country through the next few months as doctors warn of another Covid peak. Will we, as rumoured, face a “firebreak” lockdown if the NHS becomes overwhelmed with cases? Will facemask mandates and other restrictions make a comeback? Is the vaccine passport really dead? We also talk about the Prime Minister’s £650bn push to boost the economy with a promise to deliver 425,000 new jobs a year over the next four years, though the investment is partly reliant on the private sector.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Frozen the Musical has finally opened in London after a long delay caused by the Covid pandemic - But is it any good? The Evening Standard’s theatre critic, Nick Curtis, tells the podcast the production is hampered by sticking too closely to the movie. We also talk about the £60 million refurbishment of Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is hosting Frozen, and the return of big productions to London with Cinderella already open and Back to the Future to come.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard's revealed holidaymakers paid out more than £1 billion for compulsory Covid tests this summer from an industry being investigated for a “laundry list” of bad practices. It follows research by travel expert Paul Charles, of the PC Agency, who joins the podcast to explain how the testing sector has exploded in just a few months, and remains almost unregulated, allowing "cowboy operators" to infiltrate it. He says the government needs to intervene as travel operators say the eyewatering costs of the tests, along with the hassle of doing them, is causing people to be put off taking flights, making the sector's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic even harder.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard's Susannah Butter joins the show to talk about her interview with the Education Secretary that set Twitter ablaze. During their chat Gavin Williamson appeared to confuse footballer Marcus Rashford with rugby player Maro Itoje. The cabinet member's name was trending on the social network, with Rashford himself among commenters saying: "Accent could have been a giveaway". Susannah tells us what happened when Mr Williamson made the gaffe, and also talks about some of the other parts of the interview including his "transitioning" tarantula and the moment he realised he may have accidentally insulted the Queen.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard's Jack Kessler takes a look at the numbers as the Prime Minister announces a 1.25% increase in National Insurance to, Boris Johnson says, fix social care and the NHS following the devastation of the pandemic. The government says the move will raise £36bn, but it breaks a manifesto commitment not to raise taxes and some in the Conservative party have said they're opposed to the move. We ask Jack why the PM's taking a gamble, exactly what the proposals actually mean, and whether or not it'll pay off the PM?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Evening Standard reporter Rachael Burford joins the show to talk about how tens of thousands of Londoners have finally started returning to the office. She's been at London Bridge talking to commuters, some of whom haven't been back at their desks for 18 months or more. But is this the start of a long-term return to tubes and busses, or will we see the numbers tailing back off again as the new post-pandemic world begins.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Arts correspondent Robert Dex joins us to talk about ABBA’s reunion concert in London next year. The band are building their own venue at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and the gig will use digital versions of Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Ingrid that have been dubbed “Abbatars”. We also talk about the two new songs that have been released and the pioneering steps ABBA have taken to keep their name in headlights despite not producing any new music for 40 years.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It looks like London is going back to the office, but it's far from everyone and it's certainly not every day. Our consumer business editor Jonathan Prynn tells us how another initiative to encourage people back to their desks by reminding them of nights out with colleagues. But with Friday appearing to be a popular work from home day, how effective will that campaign be? Also, although public transport is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels, alarming figure show car use in the city centre is higher than it was before Covid-19. Is all the work to discourage cars on the commute being unravelled?   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.