Watching Jeremy Paxman interview his boss Mark Thompson on BBC’s Newsnight, I found myself imagining the conversation they might have had just before going on air.

Thompson: You know, if this is going to be convincing, you’re going to have to work me over a little.

Paxman: Aw shucks boss – I can’t do that!

Thompson: No – I’m tellin’ yer – give it me straight in the kisser. And make like you mean it!

Paxman: Awww boss ….