Michael Palin

Ripping Yarns (BBC2) has once again been an uneven series, but at least it had the odd glimmer of verbal inspiration.

'Across the Andes' was the latest instalment of Michael Palin's Ripping Yarns (BBC2). Like previous episodes it sort of half worked. 'Murder at Moorstone House,' the latest yarn but one, was the best to date, but foundered through trying to take 'The Real Inspector Houd' a step too far. Even when the script falters, though, Palin is still funny in himself. He has an eye for the absurdity of traditional British costume. He crossed the Andes in pith helmet, safari jacket, Sam Browne belt, shorts and puttees: a garb as impeccable as it was useless.