HYPHENATION has been the new black for a long time now, and one of the long-time poster boys for the age of the renaissance man has been Clive James. Writer-critic- broadcaster – even poet and webcaster, James' talents appear to be limitless.

Michael Parkinson, long thought to be the chat-show chief, arguably ran out of steam a while before his retirement. To be fair, even then he was no slouch. Incisive and erudite, Parky didn't get his reputation simply by booking the best Scottish comedians to natter to – he asked the right questions.

During the 2008 Fringe, a number of people are continuing Parkinson's legacy, albeit on a smaller scale, and to varying degrees of success.

Joan Rivers will always be worth watching, whether for faux pas, insight or just plain great comedy. The Hamiltons might not have been an obvious choice of chat-show host, but their continued success laughs in the face of their critics.

James cut his chat-show teeth long ago on British television, of course, and proved all he had to prove many times over. Mixed in with clips from his more comical shows, however, James the perceptive seemed indistinguishable from James the clown.

His shows at the Assembly Rooms this week give him the chance to mark the difference a little more boldly. If the first show was anything to go by, there should be little doubt who the main contender for chat-show chief could be in the future.

It would be impossible for James not to amuse, or even to be laugh out loud funny. He's just that kind of performer. His comedy comes from real life, though – not the heightened real life that stand-ups play with.

It would be equally impossible to find a guest who was much more 'real life' than a retired politician, especially one with as high a public profile, or as much on-stage charisma, as Roy Hattersley.

The charisma of politicians was one of the topics delved into by the Antipodean and his guest during the conversation – Hattersley pointedly mentioned that Clement Atlee famously disliked politicians who traded on anything less than ideas and policies.

Hattersly himself turned out to be both charismatic and full of ideas, and he got them across charmingly to the sold-out audience, partly thanks to James' masterful control of the proceedings.

That control will be applied to a number of guests over the six days he's appearing at the venue. Those in line for his particular brand of inquisition will include Alan Sillitoe, Richard Dawkins, Armando Iannucci and the ever-blethery musician and TV celebrity, Rick Wakeman.

One hour is entirely too short a time to spend in the company of anyone, if some deeper kind of understanding is what's required. The very best interviewers can seem to stretch that time so that it at least feels a little longer. James kept the hour going for a very long time indeed.

Cutting his own time short though, James opened the floor to the audience, so long as their questions were directed at his guest. This was one of the reasons that the show worked so well. It might be his name on the poster, but it was not his ego driving the thing. Yes, he's a celebrity and yes, he's funny, but a conversation involves at least two people: Clive James and . .

Runs until 24th August