One 'Love' vote from me

(this is quite an interesting 9 minutes on Sting/rainforest issue but if you are just looking for the 'punchline' then it starts kicking in at about 6min 30 secs and onwards

Yep, gotta love the guy! I really admire his style, he's like a dog with a bone, once he gets his teeth in he won't let go. At one point, I actually though Paxman was going to chin Boris Johnson, and anyone who has a go at that total c*nt Galloway is a friend of mine - then you've got to admire the way he mauled Sting :D

Paxman is the natural successor to Robin Day, long may he reign!

he's great.

sting... less so.

Love him.

Ianucci pays tribute:

I'm in a Paxman state of mind

he's great.

sting... less so.

Do you really think so?

My God, he is the British Bill O'Reilly, almost a clone in his tone and deportment.

I think Sting did well to deal with his stupid comments about "carbon footprint".

anyone who has a go at that total c*nt Galloway is a friend of mine -

Bloody hell Steve, we have found a politician we agree about!!

Do you really think so?

My God, he is the British Bill O'Reilly, almost a clone in his tone and deportment.

I think Sting did well to deal with his stupid comments about "carbon footprint".

I don't know O'Reilly nearly as well as you will do Phillip but hasn't he often been accused of making things up in order to sensationalise a story? (apologies if that is not the case). If so then Paxman is nothing like him.

Yes, you are correct about that. Like you in a reverse manner, I know nothing about Paxman beyond the youtube clips above (for some reason, he is totally unknown here in the States).

The clip with Sting just seemed to me to be a hatchet job on a decent person who is trying to do good for the planet, with the same old "gotchas" about carbon footprint and the like, and not focusing on the good that Sting is doing in getting the word out. Just seemed petty and inconsiderate of Mr. Paxman to attack someone who (unless I am missing something here) has no business being attacked.

The title of your thread is "Love him or Loathe him", so I guess my first impressions of him are not unlike others.

Edited April 6, 201016 yr by Phillip

Opinion on Sting is very much divided Phillip. He has an ego the size of 19 rainforests and that doesn't do him too many favours. I agree that the whole accusation of hypocrisy thing was a little cheap (though still amusing) however it is a very valid point that people like Sting go on big crusades without actually looking at the bigger picture (which was the main point Paxman was making).

The best thing about Paxman is that has no political allegiance (or doesn't show any) - he treats all politicians with the same respect, or disrespect that their actions merit regardless of party.

I have seen just short clips of both, but based on them this Paxman fellow doesn't shout nearly as much as O'Reilly does.

To be fair to Paxman most of the time the only clips that are broadcast widely are the ones similar to those above. The vast majority of his interviews are conducted seriously and without controversy. It only turns into the sort of thing shown above when the person being interviewed is clearly trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes.

paxman is nothing like o'reilly really.

leaving aside my dislike of o'reilly, he is a clear mouthpiece for fox's political position and an open critic of those who have views to the left of his (and fox's) own. paxman is more often a moderator of debate than someone offering a particular argument, and as loz says, doesn't really align himself for or against any party or mode of thought. they are both confrontational in style, but the similarities end there. one is a credible journalist and commentator, the other is a carefully contructed television persona.

Love Paxman, and love the way he takes no crap from politicians and isnt afraid to make them look the idiots a lot of them are. oh and Stings a c**t, second only in c**tdom to Bono.

paxman is nothing like o'reilly really.

leaving aside my dislike of o'reilly, he is a clear mouthpiece for fox's political position and an open critic of those who have views to the left of his (and fox's) own. paxman is more often a moderator of debate than someone offering a particular argument, and as loz says, doesn't really align himself for or against any party or mode of thought. they are both confrontational in style, but the similarities end there. one is a credible journalist and commentator, the other is a carefully contructed television persona.

Thanks Gullit. I started to write a response saying precisely this, but then didn't bother.

I'm totally pro-Paxman, I love me an intelligent man who uses

Thanks Gullit. I started to write a response saying precisely this, but then didn't bother.

So was I.

Oh, and I was also going to mention that I like Galloway, I disagree with many of his political ideas, but he can be very good at getting his point across. I remember him taking some sky reporters to pieces, quite nicely, which I enjoyed watching. That doesn't mean I agree with his political stance (echo), it's just he can be funny. I like people who make me laugh, even if they're c**ts... well, in most circumstances, there are some people who are big enough c**ts to stop me from liking them even if they make me laugh... I appear to be going round in circles here and clearly wouldn't do well against Paxman... f**k it.

Love him. Thanks for those clips.