Radio Times: Review by:; David Brown

On the one hand, this is a greatest hits compilation of questioners and the subjects with whom they’ll forever be associated: Parkinson and Ali; Bragg and Potter; Paxman and Howard. But host David Frost is at his most interesting when tracing the history of interviewing techniques. Over the years, we’ve seen deference give way to aggression, and celebs and politicians have introduced layers of publicists, PR and spin.

So what are we left with – a new honesty in front of the camera or, as Alastair Campbell puts it, the equivalent of a “nil-nil draw”?

About this programme

David Frost charts the development of the TV interview, examining how the art of questioning politicians and celebrities has evolved during the past 60 years. He explores why the questions put to MPs and figures in the news have become more demanding, reflects on the development of the chat show on both sides of the Atlantic, and analyses how the balance of power has shifted between interviewer and subject over the decades. Featuring contributions by Michael Parkinson, Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, Clive Anderson, Ruby Wax, Andrew Neil, Tony Benn, Alastair Campbell, Stephen Fry and AA Gill.