JFK: The First Pop President

Given that we all know the story, and its protagonist has taken on iconic status, making a new documentary about John F Kennedy presents quite a challenge. JFK: The First Pop President (Radio 2), presented by Robert Vaughn, squared up boldly to it, though, and was an impressively classy production, telling its story very stylishly. Vaughn was a terrifically cool presenter, too, blessed with a seasoned, seen-it-all voice and a bone dry sense of humour. Talking about the televised presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon, Vaughn contrasted the men's preparations. "Kennedy had a very fine time with several lady friends and a fine nap," he drawled. "Nixon did none of the above." The programme featured jaunty music – Perry Como's Hot Diggity was a rousing backdrop to the early biography, and The Devil in Disguise accompanied details of Kennedy's infidelity – and a great range of contributors. I liked how Mickey Dolenz expressed what a good communicator Kennedy was. "He was able to communicate between generations," he said, "a bit like a programme that can talk between Mac and PC." And a neighbour of Kennedy's before he became president, remembered how he would always create a stir out on the street, and not just with young women. "The nuns would wave and jump as he drove by," he recalled.