One of the finest reinventions since Kylie. and just as calculated. The part time member for Kensington and Chelsea now spends the early hours of Thursday/Friday on a sofa chuckling away to Andrew Neil and my old MP Diane Abbott. Now in its 2nd season; This Week (no BBC site unfortunately) is the best politics magazine show since Channel Four's A Week in Politics was in its prime. (The Hanna/Rawnsley doubleheaders of the late 80s/early 90s..although the early Sunday Surgeries with Fi Glover/Whelan/Pierce runs them close.)
Andrew Neil doing what he does best (ie: talking rather than spending the Barclay brothers money) Abbott attacking the government from the left and the star of the show: Portillo attacking IDS (and Blair) in the safe knowledge of being the only electable Tory leader who of course the Tories stand no chance of electing.
The show also has a clever doubleheads feature; Bill and Benn; featuring Hague and Tony which isn't bad. The guests aren't always from the obvious hack pool. Recent weeks have featured insanely youthful historian Tristram Hunt on Blair/Brown and Mark Kermode on Arnie. (both good).
Tucked away after Question Time, it of course doesn't get much of an audience and don't let the fact that Amanda Platell thinks its the best politics show on TV put you off. And if the first 2 episodes off the new Clive Anderson/Ten Alps effort are anything to go by then its seen off The Sharp End with ease. (Gina Yashere I ask you.)
There's not much that can provide comfort for the loss of Eddie Mair from Broadcasting House but belatedly discovering This Week will do for now.
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