Should Michael Aspel be worried? Elvis Costello is set to join the chat show circuit
There's no avoiding the fact I thought Lily Allen would make a great chat show host before I saw the end result. I still think it was a good idea, let down by some very bad ones (telly bosses: can we stop showing clips off YouTube now? That's what the internet's for).
Now that it's been announced that Elvis Costello is to host a new talk show (named... wait for it... Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...), I'd better reserve judgement. But I have to say - once again - I like the idea, but for very different reasons. I've got a soft spot for angry young men who've grown up and mellowed, and Costello bears the wisdom of experience with an affable patience. The move also shows a nod towards Radio 4-style depth over yoof programming, which can only be a good thing. Whether he proves as good a host as Michael Aspel remains to be seen, of course.
But who would you most like to see given a chance in the talk show hot seat?
