The legacy of Letter from America

By Duncan Walker
BBC News Online Magazine

After 58 years Letter from America is coming to an end, with the retirement of Alistair Cooke. What does the 95-year-old's decision to step down mean to broadcasting?

With the words "Good Evening", Cooke would begin one of his talks on the United States, portraying events of both everyday life and world significance to his audiences across the globe.

Such was the loyalty of his listeners that some would never miss the latest musings of a journalist whose career spanned eight decades.

He joined the BBC as a film critic in 1934, presented Letter from America from 1946 onwards and added to his formidable reputation as the Guardian's US correspondent.

Some people criticised what they saw as the old fashioned style of an ageing journalist. Many of those who met him were charmed; others suggested he was something of a curmudgeon.

Announcing his decision to retire, Cooke said: "Throughout 58 years I have had much enjoyment in doing these talks and hope that some of it has passed over to the listeners, to all of whom I now say thank you for your loyalty and goodbye."

What does the ending of Letter from America mean for broadcasting, and what is Cooke's legacy?

Lord Bill Deedes, veteran journalist and commentator "I regard Alistair Cooke as an object lesson for every journalist. He has a wonderful eye for catching something which is of public interest. His Letter from America never disappoints his audience. And people like me, who write columns, followed Alistair Cooke as an example of someone with a marvellous eye for what 'them out there' will be interested in. He also has a wonderful voice. A lot of today's television is getting rather difficult to listen to. Cooke also understands the art of writing. His retirement is going to leave a huge gap in people's lives. It's always rash to say someone will never be replaced. The need for someone to talk colloquially about the people of the US is obviously such good broadcasting material that it won't be left empty for long."

William S Farish, US ambassador to Britain "Though the bulk of his work has been for a UK audience, I think Alistair Cooke is probably even better known in America. He is, for many of my countrymen, a quintessential British gentleman and will be forever associated in our minds with having brought us a first taste of quality British television drama as host of Masterpiece Theater. His weekly Letter from America was a regular report on issues, events and developments in my country. His kind, considered and insightful comments were meant for Britons, but also helped Americans better understand our own country. More than 20 years host of Masterpiece Theater, more than 50 years author of Letter from America - thank you, Alistair Cooke, for so many years of distinguished contribution to improved Anglo-American understanding."

David Dimbleby, BBC presenter and Question Time host

"Losing a distinctive radio voice like Alistair Cooke's is like losing a friend. His measured commentary on American life showed us a United States we would otherwise never have known.

And such style: no one could caress his consonants like Alistair."

Gillian Reynolds, radio critic "The thing about Alistair Cooke is that he was a star from the 30s onwards and he radiated a star quality which showed in his writing and person. When I think now, here we are in an American election year and he won't be there to tell me what he thinks, it's a terrible loss. I always felt he was talking just to me and I wanted to draw on his long memory. To make a script like that you have to really work at it and bring to it not just an experience of what you are saying, but a feeling of who you are talking to and what language to employ. We won't hear its likes again."

Sir Ludovic Kennedy, author and broadcaster "He has an abundance of love within him for people of all kinds and particularly for the US. He loves them, he loved his work, and the very American ethos. I think that feeling of love was something that came across very strongly in his broadcasts. There have been plenty of good broadcasters in my time, but he was unique in all his qualities. The style and the love and the technique and those wonderful pauses at just the right moment. It's the end of a wonderful style of broadcasting."

Peter Preston, former Guardian editor "By the time I was working with him Alistair Cooke was a pretty grand person and we were all a bit deferential to him. But he was very easy and courteous. When he was taken on by the Guardian and the BBC the essential role was not be filing minute by minute reports. You were expected to be a philosopher king and a star essayist and that was the skill Cooke had. His skills as a broadcaster never left him. It's very hard to think of anybody actually succeeding him and wanting to do a 'Letter from America'. The scene has totally changed. The BBC and other big organisations need a person with history, elegance and gravitas working for them."

Tony Grant, Letter from America producer "We were very shocked and saddened in this office to hear about Alistair's retirement. It's all change for us now. He is a fantastic writer who knows how to craft sentences beautifully. Radio will not see the likes of him again. Alistair dates back to a time when each of his weekly letters covered the globe. These days there are so many programmes on so many stations. No one will ever reach out to people again in the same way. We get an enormous amount of letters for him each week, all couched in the most gracious tones."