BBC Radio 2 announces Ultimate Rom-Com listener vote
Radio 2 has launched a vote for Your Ultimate Rom-Com. Radio 2’s resident movie critic James King unveiled the list of his favourite romantic comedies in Jo Whiley’s show (with presenter Will Young sitting in).
Published: 8:00 pm, 4 January 2022
Updated: 8:00 pm, 4 January 2022
Rom-Coms come in all shapes and sizes but they nearly all have one thing in common: an utter belief in true love. Boundaries such as class or culture, politics or personality, are swept away in pursuit of a happy ever after."
The most popular film - as voted for by listeners - will be revealed just in time for Valentine’s Day.
From Richard Curtis to Richard Gere, and from Doris Day to Dustin Hoffman, James’ hand-picked shortlist takes in more than 80 years of classic, feel-good, romance-filled films. But it’s up to listeners to decide who will be crowned the nation’s favourite.
James King says: “Rom-Coms come in all shapes and sizes but they nearly all have one thing in common: an utter belief in true love. Boundaries such as class or culture, politics or personality, are swept away in pursuit of a happy ever after. Predictable? Sometimes. But there’s something so comforting about rom-coms too - a flash of optimism that points to a more hopeful world. So do place your vote to let Radio 2 know YOUR favourite rom-com of all time!”
Laura Busson, Commissioning Executive for Radio 2, says: “Radio 2 features some of the biggest movie stars across our schedule, so we’re delighted to be launching this vote to find our listeners’ favourite rom-com and share the feel-good vibes that come from this much-loved genre.”
The vote opens at 8.00pm on Tuesday 4 January and closes on Tuesday 25 January at 23.59pm. Here is James’ list of 40 films to vote for at www.bbc.co.uk/romcom - the title and UK release date:
10 Things I Hate About You - 1999
500 Days Of Summer - 2009
Amelie - 2001
Annie Hall - 1977
As Good As It Gets - 1998
Breakfast At Tiffany's - 1961
Bridget Jones's Diary - 2001
Brown Sugar - 2003
But I'm A Cheerleader - 2000
Crazy Rich Asians - 2018
Crazy Stupid Love - 2011
Four Weddings And A Funeral - 1994
The Graduate - 1968
Gregory's Girl - 1981
His Girl Friday - 1940
It Happened One Night - 1934
Jab We Met - 2007
Kissing Jessica Stein - 2002
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - 1998
Love, Simon - 2018
Monsoon Wedding - 2002
Moonstruck - 1988
My Best Friend's Wedding - 1997
My Big Fat Greek Wedding - 2002
Notting Hill - 1999
The Philadelphia Story - 1941
Pillow Talk - 1960
Pretty In Pink - 1986
Pretty Woman - 1990
The Princess Bride - 1988
Roman Holiday - 1953
Say Anything... - 1989
Sleepless In Seattle - 1993
Some Like It Hot - 1959
Something's Gotta Give - 2004
Strictly Ballroom - 1992
There's Something About Mary - 1998
To All The Boys I've Loved Before - 2018
The Wedding Singer - 1998
When Harry Met Sally - 1989
The top 20 to 11 films are announced throughout Sunday 13 February during Steve Wright’s Love Songs, The Michael Ball Show, Elaine Paige on Sunday and Paul O’Grady shows. In Your Ultimate Rom-Com between 9pm-10pm, James counts down the Top 10, revealing the winning film at the end of the show. He’ll hear from listeners who voted, as well as special guests connected to the films and star-studded interviews from the BBC archives. He’ll be celebrating these classic movies by discovering the story behind these great rom-coms, and finding out what makes them so special and much-loved.
Your Ultimate Rom-Com show will be available first on BBC Sounds.
In 2020, James invited listeners to vote for Radio 2’s Ultimate Christmas film. It's A Wonderful Life was revealed as their all-time favourite.
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