Modern Times (Season 8)

Drinking for England (Episode 1)

Writer: Simon Armitage

Air date: 1998-11-10

Overview: Evocative visit to Britain's drinking culture, made atmospheric by its use of poetry out of the mouths of the drinkers it portrays.

The Minders (Episode 2)

Air date: 1998-11-17

Overview: The documentary series meets two men charged with the job of looking after hundreds of foreign journalists who visit Baghdad to cover the crisis over non-cooperation with UN monitors. Minders Kifah and Alia provide a surprising insight into Saddam Hussein 's Iraq.

The Magic Factory (Episode 3)

Air date: 1998-11-24

Overview: The social documentary series takes a look at the pleasure park Alton Towers and follows its transformation into a magical theme resort for the future, complete with a new £12-million roller coaster. But can the park and its new ride fulfil the expectations of both visitors and shareholders?

Pink Parents (Episode 4)

Air date: 1998-12-01

Overview: Jamie and Lizzie have three gay parents - two lesbian mothers and a gay father - while Molly was conceived with sperm from an anonymous donor and has two mothers but will never know her father. This film reveals the great lengths that some gay couples have to go to in order to have children and asks how easy it is to be brought up in families such as these.

Come on England! (Episode 5)

Air date: 1998-12-08

Overview: The documentary series goes to Liverpool to meet 11-year-old Thomas and his friends as they follow the progress of the England football team over the course of the five weeks of last summer's World Cup. Their passion for the game, devotion to their team and daydreams of sporting glory are in contrast to the poverty that surrounds them in one of the country's poorest inner-cities.

Paying for It (Episode 6)

Air date: 1998-12-15

Overview: A revolutionary policy being tested in West Yorkshire sees prostitutes counselling men caught kerb-crawling. The aim of the organisation - based on a successful American model set up in San Francisco - is twofold: to stop men from reoffending and to help women to break free from prostitution. The last in the series follows Fiona, a former prostitute who runs a self-help group, and Anna, who wishes to put her experiences to good use.

Waxworks of the Rich and Famous (Episode 7)

Air date: 1999-02-17

Overview: Documentary featuring a behind the scenes look at Madame Tussaud's waxwork museum.

Bookies Never Lose (Episode 8)

Air date: 1999-02-24

Overview: Featuring the roller-coaster life of race course bookmaker, Barry Dennis, as he desperately tries to win back the mug punters from the greedy corporations. "An absolute pearl of a documentary made with great care and wit." The Independent.

Amsterdamage (Episode 9)

Air date: 1999-03-10

Overview: The dark side of Europe's "honey pot" is told through Kris Lenko's moving struggle to escape his mother's destructive, cocaine-fuelled, lifestyle."Crazy title, crazy film" The Times.

Diana's Neighbours (Episode 10)

Air date: 1999-03-17

Overview: Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown 's proposal to build a memorial garden to Diana, Princess of Wales near her former home in London's Kensington Gardens has not met with the approval of all the residents of London W8. This Modern Times documentary follows their campaign to protect the park from redevelopment. The Modern Times strand resumes later in the spring.

Think of England (Episode 11)

Air date: 1999-04-27

Overview: As another St George's Day passes, this unsentimental, affectionate film takes a look at the English and how they see themselves.