I can’t seem to get away from rodents this week …

When television was brand new people didn’t really know what to do with it. Some the early attempts were merely radio with pictures, but eventually we figured out how to do things like Downton Abbey, House of Cards and The Sopranos.

But that was just practice for discovering the highest and best purpose of the medium, which is apparently to share the experience of dissecting colossal squid.

Yes, the televised taking-apart of a colossal squid drew a global audience that probably has Ed Sullivan forehead-slapping in his grave. “Why did I waste my time with plate spinners, the Beatles and Topo Gigio when I could have done THIS for a lot less?”

But of course the Colossal Squid is a shy and elusive creature who lives at the bottom of the sea and is not as accessible as a puppet you keep in the props closet, which may explain why there’s so much interest in seeing what’s inside one of them.

Still, you have to wonder – would dissecting Topo Gigio have drawn the same audience?

What’s the best TV special you’ve ever seen?