My Friend Ian

Asked whether he lowered his aesthetic standards, Mr. McEwan replied,

I occasionally watch a football match on television, but I cannot bear the commercials. I watch The Wire but I suppose that is considered high culture. I can never knuckle down to reading all the way through The Sun, as Martin can. That for me would be such an effort.

I conversely watch a NUMBER of matches. I avoid local news and papers, but, damn, isn't life grand?