John Humphrys

[Bazile]

Is the BBC'S , John Humphrys , the toughest interviewer around , do you think ?

I dont know if you listened to him interviewing George Entwistle the other morning . He was merciless .
However it is good to see that the BBC allows it's interviewers to interview it's employees , no holds barred .

I suspect that interview help push Mr Entwistle , to consider his position .

[LazyGun]

The most combatative certainly. It sort of depends on what you want from an interviewer. If you want an interviewer able to ask the salient questions and elicit informative responses, I am not sure Humphries is the best. I actually think Eddie Maier (is that how you spell it?) is better.

I think you really need to be absolutely on top of your brief and willing to engage in verbal warfare yourself to face an interview with Humphries.

[douglas9401]

John Humphrys is a tough interviewer but he does sometimes seem to forget that we're interested in the answers of his "victim" and talks over the top of their reply.

[ludwig]

I agree with the above. Humphries would be better if he occasionally let the interviewee finish a sentence without interrupting him. He seems to harangue the person and it just becomes annoying.

Eddie Mair is much better than Humphreis (or Paxman). He keeps his calm but is just as 'merciless'.

[youngmafbog]

I dont rate Humphries at all.

[Ric.ror]

Eddie Mair is fast becoming one of my favourites - its the sarcasm
Did you see Paxo interview that poor Chloe Smith (?)
Lamb to the slaughter

[Svejk]

Another big mistake from Entwistle. He must of thought he could indulge in a bit of white- washing. He didn't have to go on, so he must never have heard Humphries before.
He's a good bloke for cutting through flim-flam merchants.
I suppose I'd agree others are better in different circumstances.

[Canary42]

Wot about Phillip Schofield - LOL

[tizzi2]

Hes what the BBC is all about tough journalism, shame Entwistle wasnt strong enough to stand the storm and sort it out - more to this than meets the eye - fat pay off for resigning!!!

[andy-hughes]

I find Eddie Mair increases in gravitas as time goes on - if paxman quits Newsnight, he must be a shoe-in.

I find Humphreys too combative, he does talk over the end of a question asking another one. If time is so short, give him more time.

Plus, he still wears those 1920's bakalite headphones - someone buy him a new set for Christmas!

[modeller]

#answers of his "victim #
You are right we are interested in their answers but what we get are evasive ramblings and far to often the interviewer lets them get away with it. I don't think the term ' victim ' can be applied to people in high office they are answerable to those who pay their salary and especially to the true victims who suffer because of their failures.

The interview with Entwhistle was unusual in as much that he didn't wriggle and squirm to evade the answer . He gave simple answers without trying to justifying them. I got the feeling he knew the game was up so why prolong the agony.

[LazyGun]

For what its worth, I think the PM show on R4 at 5 pm every day and hosted by Eddy Mair is the best news analysis show being broadcast in the UK at the moment...

[modeller]

I think the king of interviewers Robin Day summed it up when he said :

" "The interviewer should be firm and courteous. Questioning should be tenacious and persistent, but civil. "

[Svejk]

Can't listen to PM, Lazy Gun.
Pointless is on t'other channel.

[FredPuli43]

Yes, Humphrys has a poor cross-examination technique. The old saying is that 'cross-examination' does not mean 'examining crossly'. Talking over the answer as much as he does comes across as that. The cross-examiner is not meant to be the subject, either. The very best appear to be having a friendly conversation with the witness.

The problem the interviewer has on TV is the time limit. There's usually only a set few minutes. Politicians are adept at time-wasting by evasive waffling and answering the question that they would like to have been asked, rather than one they are to answer, until time is up. Some firm control of the interviewee is needed, which may mean stopping the flow quickly, and bringing him back to the question. Eddie Mair is good at that, without the Humphrys flaws

[jno]

I think the last thing needed was for Humphreys to appear to be having a friendly conversation with his boss.