Fincham enjoys the calm before the storm

Monkey was pleased to be fixed up with a drink by ITV director of television Peter Fincham last night, who strolled into the ITV2 autumn season launch at London's Kensington Roof Gardens looking tanned, relaxed and dapper. The result, he said, of a magical family holiday at his house in Southwold. Just the right mood then to handle the 24-hour exposure Fincham has lined up for the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, where his MacTaggart lecture on Friday - which will be about his deep belief in the enduring power of popular television - is followed up next morning by a 9.30am post mortem question-and-answer session. And then - the bit Fincham's dreading most - an expert grilling, specifically over his plans for ITV, by David Liddiment, a predecessor in his job. Last night, after a few polite exchanges, Fincham made his excuses in typical fashion. "I'm here to see the talent," he said. Aren't we all, Peter, aren't we all.