It was of course hosted by a fellow called Andrew Marr, a Glasgow born intellectual now aged sixty two with the fearless doggedness of, well, a dog. He was not one to be fobbed off or accept deviation. He grilled them all as though he were Sherlock Holmes in pursuit of Moriarty.
in January 2013, Marr suffered a life-changing stroke but managed to fight himself back into shape and returned to the programme later that year - albeit with a severely weakened left side.
I watched all of his final show, including the interview with Britain's current Health Secretary, Sajid Javid. At the end of the programme, Andrew Marr's last words on camera were, "You stay classy San Diego!" echoing Ron Burgundy in "Anchorman".
Of course "Anchorman" was comedic but "The Andrew Marr Show" was always pretty serious. However, like Ron Burgundy, Andrew Marr was also an anchorman of sorts. It was a perfect way to sign off and maybe it contained a faintly veiled message - Let's not take ourselves too seriously.
Yes - "You stay classy San Diego!"
And how we need dogged journalists! Now more than ever.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking truth to power.
DeleteNothing raises my hackles like a reporter tossing fluffball questions and not keeping a politician on task.
ReplyDeleteMost politicians must be trained in how to avoid answering straightforward questions.
DeleteNever watched him, I must admit. Who's taking up the reins? Is another news show replacing his?
ReplyDeletethe Sunday morning political slot will be chaired by Sophie Rayworth. The jury is out.
DeleteWell, he'd hardly have said "You stay classy Sajid Javid". Have they approached you to replace him?
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly not. I believe they have gone for a female Rottweiler instead - Sophie Rayworth!
DeleteMost of the time the interviewers are controlled by the people they interview. The interviewers are not that smart.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Andrew Marr was a bit different.
DeleteNever watched him, but a shame he couldn't go out on something more original.
ReplyDeleteAs I intimated in the blogpost, I thought it was a most perfect self-deprecating note for him to go out on.
DeleteI have never listened to him but he has probably done a good job over the years. Just funny we always seem to be in a predictable mess no matter what our politicians say. Read Gordon Brown this morning on how to manage the virus problem on the world stage...
ReplyDeleteGordon Brown seems better as a wise reflector than he ever was as a working prime minister but I still prefer him to "Never say sorry" Blair.
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