Melvyn Bragg yesterday attacked the self-appointed arts establishment, represented by VS Naipaul and John Tusa, branding its members as "the foolish senior citizens of culture" for their complaints about "dumbing down".
Launching the 24th series of the South Bank Show, Lord Bragg likened such commentators to Mary Whitehouse, the anti-smut campaigner who had been known for attacking almost anything remotely controversial. "I do not believe they know of what they speak, and in my book that's a crime," said Lord Bragg.
Recently Naipaul, Tusa and the former Radio 3 controller Sir John Drummond, have all attacked what they see as the trivial nature of modern British culture. Lord Bragg said they were misguided.
"Videos and film and CD have given popular culture the ticket to posterity and only a fool would rush in to say that today's, or rather yesterday's, hierarchies will live forever. Mind you, we are not short of foolish senior citizens of culture puff-puffing in."
Lord Bragg, 60, named Sir Vidia Naipaul, 68, the novelist, Sir John Drummond, 65, a former controller of Radio 3, and John Tusa, 64, a former head of the BBC World Service, as suffering from the "national disease" of "denigrating the present and pompously pumping up the past".
Naipaul has accused the prime minister of championing "plebeian culture", and Sir John said that Tony Blair's government had a "fetish" for dismissing anything that might be considered elitist. He also attacked the BBC for promoting films and rock music at the expense of higher art.
Lord Bragg has become known for publicising his South Bank Show launches every year with outspoken comments. He accused critics of popular culture yesterday of "hailing a headline like you hail a taxi". Just like Mrs Whitehouse, he claimed, they would sound off without seeing or reading what they criticised. Naipaul was "on record" as saying he did not read contemporary novels, and, Lord Bragg said, he probably did not watch television or go to the theatre.
Lord Bragg added that Sir John's experience was probably limited to classical music and opera, and that Tusa - now the managing director of the Barbican arts centre in London - was "the same". Unveiling wide-ranging programmes, Lord Bragg said he was delighted that ITV was committed to the South Bank Show, which he presents and edits.
The series, which is guaranteed for four years, and begins on October 1, includes Lord Bragg's profile of Tom Jones. Marilyn Monroe, the organist Gillian Weir, and the choreographer Mark Morris, are also featured. "We deliberately put classical and popular cheek by jowl," Lord Bragg added. "And who knows, in 100 years' time, the voice of the young Presley might well be treasured above the voice of the young Pavarotti. I would even put a bet on it."
