which doesn't say a lot for the rest, because it triumphs through retaining such an simple and obvious quality

likeable, intelligent, informative, humorous hosts. bingo. when they're riffing or debating play, nat and mike can almost seem like the perfect duo.

and the asides take it above everything else. mike quotes van morrisson to smack down ole blue eyes...mike tosses over the relative merits of his faveourite comic books...mike admits he'd like kima greggs in the sack......wonderful stuff.

alongside some of the ashes stuff on sky over the summer (mostly warne and bumble) it's the only time where the covering programme has actually enhanced my enjoyment of the game

and the set's fucking great

watch match of the day. it's like doing community service at some retirement home that smells of piss and biscuits and is run by a plutonium grinned, slick-rick, smarmy-charmy warden who's only objective is to generate a bit of hollow banter with the residents to keep up appearances.

watch NFL on five. it's like drinking the night away with some decent pals at some early-hours bar in a twinkling american city.

top telly, yes?