that usually opened 'here i am in Monte Carlo aboard Adnan Khashoggi 120ft yacht' so it was nice to see the other stuff

did he become a tax exile? If so - then which nation should treasure him?

I'm far too young to remember Whicker's golden age, but from the clips in yesterday's programme it seemed that his skill was to ask every possible question in an absolutely straight way, with no apparent ambition to "nail" someone or bring them down.
Louis Theroux has to put on his innocent act to achieve that kind of openness from interviewees.
There were some great clips - the nuns enjoying a brief break from their vow of silence with a hysterical kickabout with a football were superb.

"On the 'ole, I find the police to be a fine body of men".

I loved the old git who invented cats' eyes. "We used to 'ave change, an' now we down't." And a waistband just below the nipples. Class.

And the exchange with the Swiss/Scottish millionairess. "Do the diamonds have a practical use?" "Do you mean, do they keep out the cold?"

Whicker has a cadence to his delivery which Python and others mocked so mercilessly that it's hard to hear him speak without thinking it's a parody - a shame, because on the evidence of last night he's still worth listening to.

Did anyone spot the inspired edit 15 seconds from the end? Maybe television isn't in terminal ant'n'decline after all.

I didn't see the programme last night as there was too much competing for my attention; I opted for the Apprentice and Charlie Brooker, so I'll have to catch up with this and Baroque on iPlayer, if I ever find the time.
That said, I was reminded by the trailers that Whicker looks and sounds exactly the same now as he did decades ago. He's always appeared about 50. This still point in the turning world must have been a gift to impressionists who knew that they would never have to vary their impersonations to account for his developing style.

He really was the first to do this and became the template ever after, hence his "impact" being dissapated by imitation, impersonation and parody... bear in mind that when he started out, only the super rich could afford to fly and everyone used to stay in the UK for their holidays, and these programmes really were a glimpse into another world viewers genuinely believed they'd never get to see for themselves. I'd concede that if he started out today he wouldn't get beyond local radio, but his easy style belies his talent - you have to be pretty good at your job to have that kind of instant rapport with everyone you meet.

..so I'll be catching it on Saturday.

and last night's feast was superb; I'd rather watch the Whicker stuff six times over than watch a minute of The Arselicker.

Whicker's great fortune was to have been in the right place at the right time. Having been all the way up Italy as the allies inexorably worked their way north, he'd been there and done that in a way hardly any others his age and with his journalistic skills had by 1945. If you get the chance to see his recollections of Italy, I heartily recommend them.

Best show I've seen this year. Loved it. Great voice, seems interested in the people he's talking to and you hardly notice he's there when he's interviewing someone which is a long forgotten skill. The interview with Getty was a treat. Hope they repeat this in full. Top marks for using the word 'Tycoon' in conversation too.

I interviewed the great man a few weeks ago and a lovely old cove he is too. Offered me a large glass of wine just this side of lunchtime and still full of life even at the r old a of 83. Told me how he resisted various overtures to be on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross until he finally succumbed after they biked him over a vat of Krug. I fear we may never see the like again, and please don't mention Louis Theroux.