A weekly reflection on a topical issue.
Clive James discusses the glamorisation of terror in the movie industry. As a new film on the notorious Baader Meinhof gang is released, Clive argues that the movie version of history is often now in danger of replacing the real historical event.
The odd expletive escapes most people's mouths in times of stress, but when we fall back on swear words just for effect have we really just run out of ideas? Clive James turns his attention to swearing and argues that bad language used constantly is no language at all.
Rational choices, reasoned discussions, respect for lawful institutions: that's what Clive James wants from his action heroes as he argues that the days of mindless Hollywood action are over. Clive says a new climate of reason prevails - and it extends well beyond Hollywood.
Clive James reflects on the aftermath of the US election. As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office he examines the significance of the word ‘election’ and its relationship with democracy depending on the country you happen to live in.
Forget super-rich baddies who seek to destroy the world with a death ray. Boring! Clive James reflects on how money is losing its cachet, but failing to recycle properly is what leads to accusations of destroying the world.
Clive James explores the world of the political gaffe – past and present. He argues that it isn’t always the elegant speaker who has the competence for office, and at the end of the day he prefers the verbal bumblers.
Clive James explores the concept of talent and reflects on why gifted artists such as Amy Winehouse are so hell-bent on destroying their talent - and themselves.
Clive James turns his attention to political intervention and Zimbabwe, arguing that Robert Mugabe’s time is up. All the world has to do, he says, is to get him to agree.
Clive James asks why at a time when Iraqis who have risked their lives for Britain in Basra need a newspaper campaign to be allowed into the UK, radical cleric Abu Qatada apparently can’t be allowed out.
Clive James turns his attention to the Royal Mail’s decision to redesign the coinage. The old coins, he says, did nothing except tell you what they were worth - and what’s the point in that!
Clive James gets hot under the collar at the prospect of mobile phones on planes but shares his joy over the disastrous opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 – and tells us why it’s the most fun he’s had since the night the Millennium Dome opened.
Clive James ponders David Cameron’s latest faux-pas: cycling the wrong way up a one way street and pedalling through a red light. He sets Mr Cameron’s wrong-doing in a rather unexpected historical context.
Clive James discusses the virtues of a court decision about a man and a grape - a decision which brought back memories of a painful moment in his own life. He reflects on just how much money is spent on cases that common-sense suggests should never have gone to court.
Clive James argues that ‘private life’ – an institution once regarded as vital to civilization – is now in danger of collapse. As amorous emails sent to a friend by an aide to the Mayor of London are published verbatim, he asks can it ever be right to help yourself to the private emails, phone calls or text messages of politicians, footballers… or your next door neighbour?
Clive James reflects on Prince Harry’s time in Afghanistan and delves into the history books to find another warrior prince who found himself in a very similar situation.
Clive James ponders what makes us happy. In his own pursuit of happiness he sits on a bench in Central Park, relives his first slice of watermelon and considers the wise words of Lawrence of Arabia.
Clive James considers the role of the icon – ancient and modern – and focuses on film icons. Who are they? Why do we elevate them to icon status? And what is their reaction to the role?
Clive James considers the environmental impact of plastic bags, hip hop music and shopping trolleys and applies his imagination to devising some unusual technological devices to deal with them.
Clive James explains how he, reluctantly, became a non-smoker. Once an 80-a-day chain smoker, today he just dreams of smoking.
Clive James considers ‘JK Rowling Envy’ – a psychological condition suffered by many writers, he claims, when confronted with the millions of books sold, and the millions of pounds earned, by the author of Harry Potter.
Clive James reflects on the conundrum of living in a technologically advanced world. As life is made easier, with machines doing our thinking for us, will our intellect suffer and eventually slow future advancement as we no longer have the brain power to build new technology?
Clive James enjoys the wisdom of former Wimbledon tennis champions, whose insights as commentators, he says, double as a philosophy for life.
Clive James marvels at the sight of children gliding in shoes with wheels fixed into the heels, and reckons the secret of happiness is to think how much fun you would have had at the same age.
Clive James gives his personal reaction to Damien Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull and considers its significance as a work of art. It might worth £50m, but, he says, it is nevertheless ‘art for all’. Why? Because it's glittering, hollow and perfectly brainless - so you can talk about it to anyone, just like you can Paris Hilton.
There are lots of reasons to be cheerful about the world - many the result of human creativity. Clive James reminds himself of the need to celebrate the good things in life and to show others – especially the young – that life really is worth living, while remembering at the same time not to be miserable.
The thing with hoaxes is that they work – and that’s a good reason for not liking them, says Clive James. Although, he has himself performed his own convincing hoax in the past – as have writers Virginia Woolf and Evelyn Waugh – Clive says there is a streak of the self-congratulation in every hoaxer, which he finds hard to admire.
Clive James considers the problem of torture and whether television dramas, like the American series 24, encourages its use in the fight against terrorism.
Clive James considers the extra burden we are in danger of placing on the shoulders of outstandingly successful young, black Britons to be representatives for their race.
Clive James criticises the high spending planned for the London 2012 Olympics. It would be much better, he argues, to think in terms of television coverage and forget all the expensive new buildings.
Clive James takes a wry look at the world of the paparazzi after the publicity surrounding the wedding of the actress Elizabeth Hurley. Their antics may be justified when their quarry welcomes the attention but the hounding of others in the public eye is a different matter altogether.
