On radio, the atmosphere is much more conducive to a laid-back style of interview. Many of the authors I speak to are "down the line", which means they are sitting in a BBC studio in London, patiently taking questions from a complete stranger in Dublin. These interviews are usually fine; but only fine. The trouble is that nothing can compare to the face-to-face experience and this usually makes for a warmer, more intimate scenario.

Recently, for example, I had the pleasure of interviewing Robert Harris for my radio programme. I thoroughly enjoy meeting and interviewing Harris because he shares an interest in ancient Rome and modern British politics. The fact that he was sitting across from me added enormously to the quality of our encounter as we could "read" each other and spot nuances and physical "tells" that enable interviewer and interviewee to know when they should wrap up an answer or move away from a line of questioning.

Not too long ago, Audrey Niffenegger came on the show to talk about her new book. There was a lot of interest in her because of her big-selling book-club favourite The Time Traveller's Wife, a book I liked but didn't love. I was looking forward to talking to Niffenegger because of this success but the interview felt flat and remote. This can be blamed largely on the fact that she was sitting in a studio on her own. It was a pity as we were both left underperforming and neither of us appeared willing or able to "lift our game".

Last Friday night, I interviewed a slew of celebrities who were in town on the same night to come on the Late Late Show. This show is very attractive to book publicists, publishers and, therefore, authors, who have an enormous audience available to them for 15 minutes.

In that time, they will be asked about any aspect of their life and times which may or may not have any relevance to their book. The chances are that the book will be mentioned along the way and there will be a plug for their appearance in Eason or Dubray or Hughes & Hughes the next day.

Realistically, everyone benefits: we get a great guest, they get publicity and the audience (hopefully) get an entertaining/informative piece of television on a Friday night.

There's a massive difference between the radio and television experience for both me and the guest. For starters, the atmosphere on television is high octane. There's a live audience of 200 people sitting in front of you, there are cameras whirling around and researchers guiding you around the place alongside stage managers and floor managers.

And there's make-up. Lots and lots of make-up, which (despite what people suspect) I don't have to wear on radio. Add to all of this an (inherited) audience at home that peaked at 860,000 last week and you'll get an idea of the buzz that exists in our studio on Friday nights.

First up last week was comedian, Dara O Briain. Dara is a professional and he always delivers a fine performance when he comes on. He has cracked the British market where he thrives on the stand-up circuit and on various television programmes he's involved in. His book is an affectionate look at his adopted country, which made for an amusing opening segment of the show.

Next up was the controversial Russell Brand. In case you don't know, he's the guy who got in trouble for leaving puerile messages on Andrew Sachs' answer machine. He is larger than life and has an extraordinary way with words. He was charming, polite, articulate and entertaining. He wasn't plugging a book but his appearance won't have harmed sales of My Booky Wook, which he wrote two years ago.

Next in the hot seat was ex-Monty Python and world traveller, Michael Palin. I had never met him and he didn't disappoint. An avuncular man with the Python still strong within him, Palin was an elegant addition to an intriguing line-up. He was promoting his diaries and there was an honest account of his sister's suicide and of his father's stammer. He was a thoughtful touch of class.

The last guest of the evening was celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. I'm not a "foodie" and therefore don't watch programmes like his but I am au fait with him. I knew, therefore, that he would be on the rough end of the market, well able to start and engage in a scrap and keen to cook up a storm if he wanted to.

As per press reports, I asked him if he had "fillers" put into his chin. I had no idea this was possible but reports suggested it was and Ramsay had had the work done. He proceeded to take mock offence at the question and then got up off his seat and started tugging at my ears, suggesting that I might need a runway or something like that. It was all part of the heightened sense of silliness that permeates a live show like the Late Late.

A number of viewers wrote to say they felt Ramsay was out of line and was a bit of a bully. He wasn't, he was just showing off to get attention for his book. It's not unique, as we know from recent weeks in this country. Some people do it with style, some with class and some with schoolyard antics.

It's a dog eat dog world in the book market and I rather enjoy my occasional role as Dog Warden.