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The coming of sound transformed the experience of watching films. Australian producers responded to the challenge of matching sound to vision, and produced many films in this period. But the struggle to find consistent distribution outlets for Australian films continued.

Hosted by Wil Anderson, with Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft, The Gruen Transfer lifts the lid on the business of persuasion. It is fast, furious and funny.

This week on Talking Heads, Peter Thompson's guest is Fiona McIntosh, an author who has become something of a superstar in the fantasy fiction world. McIntosh only started writing a decade ago. She was 39 years old and having a mid-life crisis, when one day at the dentist she noticed an ad for a summer writing course in Hobart. Leaving her husband and twin boys at home, McIntosh headed to the Apple Isle, armed with a loose idea for a fantasy book.

This week on Talking Heads, Peter Thompson talks to the inventor of the multiple-channel cochlear implant, Professor Graeme Clark.

Irish singing group, Celtic Thunder, provide an eclectic mix of songs ranging from the traditional 'Mountains of Mourne' and 'Come By the Hills' to international hits such as 'Brothers in Arms' and 'Desperado'. The ensemble numbers in Celtic Thunder reflect the power of the vocalists, who range in age from 14 to 40, and feature songs that celebrate a common Celtic heritage.

Traces the origins of cinema in Australia, with scenes filmed in England in 1895. In the following year, Australian scenes were being shot. The episode concludes with the ending of the silent era of movies.

Andrew Denton presents this special interview with former US Vice President Al Gore, currently promoting his feature documentary on the dangers of global warming, An Inconvenient Truth.

On this week's show - How Do You Sell? - the panel talks about milk; and on Ad Crunch - Carlton Draught Beer. On The Pitch - Victorian Youngbloods go head to head with NSW Youngbloods to sell conscription.

This week on Talking Heads, Peter Thompson's guest is Father Bob Maguire. Father Bob is a Catholic priest, community worker and media personality with a military style motto, 'no one left behind.' Although he was handy with a machine gun in his youth, and later became an army chaplain, Father Bob has devoted himself to those who don't fit the mould for assistance from traditional charities.

This week on Talking Heads, Peter Thompson talks to the man who brought us the 'Grim Reaper' - advertising guru Siimon Reynolds. Reynolds achieved great success at a very young age. He has made millions and bagged just about every advertising award going, but despite all the accolades he now devotes much of his time to the pursuit of inner peace.

Host Wil Anderson and Gruen regulars, Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft, will run an x-ray over the federal election - its advertising and all the other tricks political parties use to get their message out.

Peter Thompson's guest is one of Australia's most successful journalists. For many years the face of Channel Nine, Ray Martin has travelled the world, covered the big stories and interviewed the rich and famous. He's won five gold Logies, sparked a couple of Royal Commissions, and has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

This week on Talking Heads, Peter Thompson chats with Australian writer Robyn Davidson. As a child Davidson had a well-developed fantasy of taking to the road with no possessions. Later her 1700 mile camel trek across Australia's red centre in 1977, described in her book Tracks, captured imaginations and hearts around the world. In the decades since, her journeys have ranged from torturous to extremely plush. On Talking Heads Davidson talks about her equally intriguing inner journey.

Andrew interviews comedienne, Lily Tomlin and hears the very different stories behind three amputees.

Host Wil Anderson and Gruen regulars, Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft, will run an x-ray over the federal election - its advertising and all the other tricks political parties use to get their message out.

This week on Talking Heads Peter Thompson is joined by John and Ros Moriarty, the husband and wife team behind the brilliantly coloured artwork on Qantas jumbos. Their company, Balrinji Design Studio, has grown from a kitchen table operation in 1983 to now being Australia's leading Indigenous art consultancy working across Australia, Japan, Europe and the USA.

Peter Thompson talks to Jill Perryman, the first local star of the big Broadway musicals.

Ondine is a three-act ballet originally created for The Royal Ballet by the choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton and composer Hans Werner Henze in 1958. In 1958 and through until 1966, Margot Fonteyn performed the star role of the water nymph Ondine. This 50th anniversary revival by The Royal Ballet and performed at the Royal Opera House brings new stars to the stage with Miyako Yoshida as Ondine and Edward Watson as the young mortal Palemon.