MY WEEK’s viewing began with the live broadcast of BBC News Special: President Trump’s Inauguration (BBC 1, Monday of last week), presented by Sophie Raworth and Clive Myrie. As is customary with a BBC live event, informative morsels were scattered throughout the broadcast, feeding the viewers crumbs of detail: “He is the second President in US history to serve non-consecutive terms.” “He’s the first convicted felon to be sworn in as President of the United States.” That sort of thing.
I found myself horribly captivated by the sheer awkwardness of it all: the Bidens and the Trumps taking tea together, and then travelling in the same car to the Capitol Rotunda. But this was all very much the point: a public display of democracy made manifest, a gracious and peaceful transfer of power.
At the ceremony itself, music was jauntily provided by the US Marine Marching Band, who played as each former president’s arrival was announced. They missed a trick here, as it would have been fun if each entrant had been able to choose his own walk-on music, as at the wrestling. I had my fingers crossed that President Trump’s theme tune would be the “Imperial March”, or, perhaps, a sad trombone noise, but, alas, when he finally did emerge, it was to whoops and chanting of “USA! USA!” Shortly afterwards, the president of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, declared: “Look what God has done!” Watching at home in England, I thought: Thank God we have a monarchy.
This year’s Winterwatch (BBC 2, Tuesday to Friday of last week) was broadcast live from RSPB Arne, in Dorset. Enthusiastically presented, as always, by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, and Iolo Williams, this was charming viewing. Mostly, Packham was busy spotting raptors, which sounded alarmingly Jurassic to me, but actually included falcons, kestrels, and buzzards. He also introduced me to a new bird: the dainty and graceful avocet. “A beautiful bird,” Packham said. “I’d love to see one eaten by a peregrine.” Oh.
The live-action thermal cameras made for fascinating viewing of nocturnal mammals going about their business, including foxes and sika deer. This came with complimentary woofs from my pug, who was watching with me, and who inexplicably fancied his chances against them. Neither of us particularly enjoyed the section in which Packham and Strachan showcased a selection of bird tongues, using paper models. This included the nightmarish serrated tongue of the grey land goose, which it apparently uses to rip up grass, but which I’m convinced is used for more malign purposes. Winterwatch provides a timely celebration of nature in what can be a bleak month, but it has done nothing to assuage my lifelong fear of geese.