A Point of View: A Point of View: Clive James
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Clive James: Clams are Happy
29 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Following the death of the brilliantly funny Clive James - one of the first presenters of "A Point of View" - this is one of his early talks for the s...
Talking About Their Generation
25 Dec 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on the human condition and the need for liberal democracy to spread to allow future generations to enjoy the fruits of progress.
Clive James: Option Swamp
18 Dec 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James vents his frustration at automated customer systems and finds them a poor substitute for dealing with real people.
Hermie's Ghost
11 Dec 2009
Contributed by Lukas
A weekly reflection on a topical issue. Clive James reflects on the media coverage of man-made global warming and the need for minds to be open.
Impact
04 Dec 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects that in a democracy we must never be complacent about any government initiative and warns of the dangers that a new plan for calc...
Spirit of the Game
27 Nov 2009
Contributed by Lukas
A weekly reflection on a topical issue from Clive James. The spirit in which the game is played determines whether he likes or loathes the sport.
Blog de Jour
20 Nov 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on the revelation of the identity of Belle de Jour, the author of The Diary of a London Call Girl.
The Man on the Fourth Plinth
13 Nov 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James celebrates the honouring of Battle of Britain commander Sir Keith Park with a temporary statue on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth.
High Road to Xanadu
06 Nov 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on the seductive allure of illegal narcotics, and lays the blame for their attractions at the door of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and...
On Strike
30 Oct 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on the postal workers' dispute and gives his personal view of the modern history of labour relations.
Clive James: The Golf Ball Potato Crisp
23 Oct 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on the importance of scepticism in every walk of life, and he criticises extreme reactions to those who are sceptical about man-m...
Newsflash from the Far East
29 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James observes that while democracy is the right system for governing a country, it's the wrong system for choosing a professor of poetry.
Feminism and Democracy
22 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
A weekly reflection on a topical issue from Clive James.
Expensive Mistakes
15 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on democracy, MPs' expenses and the furore over the Oxford Poetry Professorship.
Sheer Poetry
08 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James wonders what it says about the British attitude to poetry that we have the institution of the Poet Laureateship.
London Underground
01 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Loft extensions are for ordinary citizens. When the property market gets tough, the wealthy dig down to create the ultimate den, says Clive James – ...
Britain has Talent
24 Apr 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James wonders what the reaction to Susan Boyle’s performance on a television talent show has to tell us about the progress of feminism, and ho...
Reputational Damage
17 Apr 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on what it takes to make – and break – a good reputation in public life. He concludes that the government’s latest euphemis...
Bright Side of the Cane Toad
10 Apr 2009
Contributed by Lukas
The cane toad was brought to Australia for pest control - since when an army has marched across the continent, multiplying as it goes. But surely its ...
High-Priced Porn
03 Apr 2009
Contributed by Lukas
After years of watching late-night porn in anonymous hotel rooms - for research - its purpose is clear, says Clive James: to keep one's mind off sex w...
The Speeding Judge
27 Mar 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on the downfall of a distinguished Australian judge, who was jailed for perjury after lying about a speeding offence.
New Year Prediction
02 Jan 2009
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James makes a prediction for the New Year – that from now on, the era of silly-money is over and getting rich quick will no longer be somethin...
Jesus
26 Dec 2008
Contributed by Lukas
Whatever you believe in when it comes to the birth of Christ, even if you believe in nothing at all, no one can doubt the personal force of Jesus says...
It’s a Wrap
19 Dec 2008
Contributed by Lukas
The hardest part of Christmas is not socialising with family, nor hauling coal or peeling potatoes - it's wrapping the presents, says Clive James, as ...
National Identity
12 Dec 2008
Contributed by Lukas
Forget proud traditions and cultural exports - a nation's identity is bolstered if Americans know about it. Just ask the Canadians, says Clive James, ...
Writers Room
05 Dec 2008
Contributed by Lukas
Are we naturally able to think clearly when surrounded by mess, asks Clive James, because chaos is inherent in all our minds - even those of the great...
Glamourising Terror
28 Nov 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Bad Language
21 Nov 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Robin the Hood
14 Nov 2008
Contributed by Lukas
Rational choices, reasoned discussions, respect for lawful institutions: that's what Clive James wants from his action heroes as he argues that the da...
Changing the Government
07 Nov 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How Rich is Rich?
31 Oct 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Gaffes
09 May 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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 competenc...
Snoop and Amy
02 May 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Instructions to the Sea
25 Apr 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Legal Dilemmas
18 Apr 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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, radic...
Right on the Money
11 Apr 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Terminal Terminal
07 Apr 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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 Termin...
Pedal Power
28 Mar 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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...
State of Law
21 Mar 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Private Life
14 Mar 2008
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James argues that ‘private life’ – an institution once regarded as vital to civilization – is now in danger of collapse. As amorous emai...
Princes into Battle
07 Mar 2008
Contributed by Lukas
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 v...
Clams Are Happy
24 Aug 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Click on the Icon
17 Aug 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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? ...
Desirable Devices
10 Aug 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James considers the environmental impact of plastic bags, hip hop music and shopping trolleys and applies his imagination to devising some unusu...
Smoking the Memory
03 Aug 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James explains how he, reluctantly, became a non-smoker. Once an 80-a-day chain smoker, today he just dreams of smoking.
Harry Potter Envy
27 Jul 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James considers ‘JK Rowling Envy’ – a psychological condition suffered by many writers, he claims, when confronted with the millions of bo...
Helplessly Advanced
20 Jul 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Wimbledon Wisdom
13 Jul 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James enjoys the wisdom of former Wimbledon tennis champions, whose insights as commentators, he says, double as a philosophy for life.
Glider Shoes
06 Jul 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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 mu...
Reflections on a Diamond Skull
29 Jun 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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 £...
Man-Made Beauty
22 Jun 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Congratulations
06 Apr 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Torture on 24
30 Mar 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James considers the problem of torture and whether television dramas, like the American series 24, encourages its use in the fight against terro...
Black Destiny
23 Mar 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James considers the extra burden we are in danger of placing on the shoulders of outstandingly successful young, black Britons to be representat...
Going for Gold
16 Mar 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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 cov...
Because She’s Worth It
09 Mar 2007
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
Nob Voices, Yob Voices
02 Mar 2007
Contributed by Lukas
As Helen Mirren carries off her Oscar for sounding like the Queen, Clive James comments on the way we speak English today. Regional accents on radio a...
Flying People, Flagrant Piffle
23 Feb 2007
Contributed by Lukas
From Bruce Lee to Jean-Claude Van Damme to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Clive James reflects on the martial arts movie, and says meaningless violen...
Fidgets on the March
16 Feb 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James rails against changes to the names of things we rely on - such as railways and the Royal Mail - as a type of costly and annoying ‘fidget...
The Mind’s Construction in the Face
09 Feb 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Taking as his cue the reported growth in cosmetic surgery, Clive James applauds the work of surgeons who repair the ravages of disease or damage to fa...
Attack of the Wheelie Bins
02 Feb 2007
Contributed by Lukas
Clive James reflects on man-made climate change from the standpoint of a sceptic, discussing the power of language to sway opinions when, he says, we ...