ALI & CAVETT: THE TALES OF THE TAPES

Sky Documentaries, 10.00pm

Head to Sky’s new factual channel for a vibrant portrait of boxing great Muhammad Ali in his pomp, told via his regular appearances on the Emmy-winning Dick Cavett Show.

“There was a period when I felt that Ali was my best friend,” says Cavett in this classy HBO production. Blessed with natural charisma and nimble wit, the heavyweight pugilist made a perfect foil for the urbane broadcaster and they formed an unlikely bond. Their in-depth discussions of race relations, the Vietnam War and other issues of the day paint an evocative picture of the 1970s era. MH