that Rossy can be extremely schoolboy like in the way he treats many of his female guests. In his defence, though, he can be quite a capable interviewer in certain circumstances, particularly when he is clearly scared shitless of his subject. I remember hearing him interview Lou Reed on his radio show. It was extremely good, as Ross was clearly very nervous (and who wouldn't be?) of Reed. As a result, he was extremely respectful and managed to coax some pretty good stuff out of Reed, who loosened up quite a bit during the interview, especially when given a chance to play some of his favourite doo-wop records. Likewise. Ross' interview with Nick Cave was good, too, as he is also another very intimidating presence when he is having a bad day.

The chat show died with the advent of the rise of the interviewer. In Parky's day, he interviewed real stars, often from Hollywood's golden era. He was humbled in their presence. Now, the chat show host is usually more famous - often more so than the guest - and so the show becomes about them. The worst example of this was Clive Anderson, but Ross' show too revolves around him. The guests are merely stars in his solar system.

the 'chick', 'babe', 'bird' and 'love' contingent of the Word collective will screech the tyres of their white vans in this lay-by any minute soon.

JR is a complete pillock and I wouldn't watch his dismal show under any circs. Just switch over!

But agree he can be an irritant. His Saturday morning Radio 2 show no longer graces my lugoles. Jonathan at his most childish. He is in great need of a Grace Jones moment that befell Russell Harty. Please arrange a meeting with Emu. Anyone that will give him a good, humiliating slapping.

Only when he comes to his senses should he be allowed back onto Film 2008, his first love and where he excels.

Now that he has risen to an undeservedly influential position, it seems to have gone to Ross' head. It's not just the women who get a hard time on his show - I remember Take That squirming on the sofa as he trotted out the old/overweight gags. His steely gaze as he rattled off these bon mots said, quite pointedly: You need me more than I need you.
This is not how chat shows should work, but since this particular pond has been befouled by PR schedules since the 1980s, it's a reaction to the more fawning approach (although Ross always has to end his interviews with '...I genuinely liked your film/album/comedy series').
I stopped watching when Ricky Gervais and Rob Brydon appeared for the squillionth time. Parky and Wogans' stopgaps were the likes of Kenneth Williams, not their boorish mates from the Groucho.

Jonathan Ross just seems a bit passe now. In these times of financial hardship for most of us, he also seems obscene now - not just his salary but his whole 80s-excess style. Chris Evans dipped out at just the right time - TFI Friday was tailing off and he stopped doing it - Ross should follow suit.

Oh, and his matey banter with sycophant Andy Davies and his faux-interest in new music is just cringey and unlistenable.

Every single female guest he has on is just subjected to leers and very sad ego stroking - "so shall we go back to mine now or what? You know you want me" - it really is pathetic to watch.

I'd love it if one day a guest just said "enough you dirty old man - ask me some real questions!" - doubt it though as PR, Marketing, Agents would have a fit.

I do think he can be very witty sometimes, I did like his early programmes like Last Resort and he was very sharp on They Think It's All Over, there's no doubting he has some talent as a presenter - but please stop with the constant leering!

been playing up his modern day Sid James routine sadly.

delivering some rather bad news to Morrissey's audience at a cancelled gig. Strangely, their matey showbiz banter doesn't seem to be going down too well.

In defence, I think he is still likable on these shows and that his approach is generally accepted. It could be deemed as going too far by some people, but I think if you agree to be interviewed on his show you should know what to expect. Any guest who is offended by his "cheekiness" only has themselves to blame for opting-in and should have considered watching his show before agreeing to be on it. His approach is, after all, why it is televised at 10.30pm.

He has also done other excellent work for the BBC in recent years. Japanorama hasn't been mentioned here and that was very good.