Jeremy Paxman v Chloe Smith, and other TV interviews gone wrong

By RAY PHILP
Published on 28/06/2012 03:16

WHEN Treasury minister Chloe Smith was tasked with appearing on Newsnight to explain a U-turn in policy relating to a planned increase on fuel duty, it’s doubtful that she was looking forward to a one-on-one with Jeremy Paxman.

But few could have forseen just how excruciatingly, fist-in-mouth awful the eight minute interrogation would become. Well, we say ‘interrogation’ - at times, it seemed more akin to torture as Smith struggled and squirmed in the face of Paxman’s increasingly exasperated questioning. Ms Smith may take a crumb of comfort in knowing that she is hardly the first to incur Paxman’s wrath; former Conservative party leader Michael Howard faced a now-legendary line of questioning back in 1997, but, as our other examples illustrate, Newsnight is not the only den of woe for politicians and others (although, mostly, it is).

Jeremy Paxman v Michael Howard, Newsnight, 1997

“Did you threaten to overrule him?” x 12: the formula for one of the most gripping pieces of political theatre ever witnessed on national television.

Adam Boulton v Alastair Campbell, Sky News, 2010

As Gordon Brown announced that he would resign as Prime Minister following a General Election defeat that led to a hung Parliament, former Director of Communications Alastair Campbell and Sky News political editor Adam Boulton were asked to give their views on the election results and on Brown’s resignation. With barely concealed contempt, Campbell goaded Boulton by implying he was “upset” at the Conservatives not winning outright; Boulton, having taken the bait, lost the rag completely.

Steve Coogan v Paul McMullan, Newsnight, 2011

Former News of the World journalist Paul McMullan put in an especially hapless performance on Newsnight alongside comedian Steve Coogan and former BBC Director-General Greg Dyke; by the end, McMullan looks so dispirited that presenter Emily Maitlis was moved to call him a “tortured soul”, only just stopping short of offering him a cup of tea.

Kay Burley v David Babbs, Sky News, 2010

It’s one thing to be adversarial towards a shifty-eyed politician with something to hide, but when Kay Burley harangued pressure group spokesman David Babbs over his views on proportional representation (while also implying that there was little point in the action of protest), it reflected rather more poorly on the Sky News anchor than it did on Babbs.