The bar these days, is set very low for TV chat shows. The anaemic ‘chat’ invariably amounts to little more than actors, writers and musicians promoting their latest work.

This is a terrific clip from 1971, in which two men disagree on a big topic. Apart from the fact that anyone publicly subscribing to Ali’s views would probably be crucified in 2016, what is impressive is that a remarkable man felt comfortable enough to say what he said, his interlocutor understood and responded appropriately and -amazingly- nobody in the audience appeared to faint.

It was a civilised discussion about controversial ideas; we should have more of that on the telly.