He introduced me and many others to Sarah Paine. I think that helped launch him. Maybe that was already after he had an audience though.
The funny thing is his questions to her were terrible. But she rescued it anyway.
But I think he has improved markedly as an interviewer I will say
Same thing was true of his interview with Tony Blair. It was such a night and day difference between the two. Tony's skill, knowledge and polish saved the interview and made it enjoyable despite the interviewer.