IF you could bottle the spirit of Stephen Fry, the world would be a much better place.
I was lucky enough to be among a small group of journalists who spent an hour with him this morning.
The occasion was the London Studios press launch for series three of ITV1’s Kingdom, on screen this summer.
We saw the first episode, which was surprisingly poignant and moving.
Then in walked Mr Fry for a press conference.
As you can see from this ITV pic taken at the event, he’s looking very well after losing five-and-a-half stone since the end of last year.
I’ve attended Q&As with Stephen before.
Today he was again on top form, giving us the benefit of that brilliant mind, while stressing that he’s a normal flawed human being, just like everyone else.
Year: 2009
CAN we trust the Gene Genie?
You’ll get the answer in episode two of the new series of Ashes To Ashes.
I’ve just watched a preview DVD for a second time, having left several days to get over a jaw-dropping moment the first time I saw it.
In particular, a word that rocks Gene back on his heels.
As usual, I won’t spoil the work of Ashes co-creator and episode writer Matthew Graham by revealing it in advance.
But just watch what Ray (Dean Andrews) does in the split second cut to the next scene.
Attention to detail is just one of the many reasons why I love Ashes To Ashes.
In a world where, yes…everything is still significant.
YES, I know some of you may have been on holiday.
You, for example, hunched over that keyboard which hasn’t been cleaned for weeks.
There is a reason why they say not to eat pain aux chocolate over your desk, you know.
Anyway, I’ve been sat here for the duration of Easter and beyond so that you didn’t have to.
Not that I’m jealous of your fresh-faced complexion.
Or lack of a twitch in your right eye.
My half day off on Christmas Day will be reward enough.
Only 250 shopping days left now.
So if you’ve just wandered back into the blogosphere from the real world, here’s some of what’s been happening around these parts in the last week.
IT was 20 years ago today.
I was at Highbury supporting my team Newcastle at Arsenal.
But football paled into total insignificance when the news broke over the radio.
A strange hush enveloped the crowd as word spread around the terraces of what was happening in Sheffield.
As we watched the first half of a now meaningless game, people who had also gone to watch a football match that afternoon were dying or already dead.
Several years later I met some of the bereaved families at the press launch for one of the most powerful TV dramas I have ever seen.
JUST like Gene Hunt’s Audi Quattro when Ray and Chris are in the back, there’s never enough room.
Today’s MEN features an interview with Philip Glenister about the second series of Ashes To Ashes.
And there’s lots more from Phil here…
PIERS Morgan described it as “the biggest surprise I have had in three years on this show”.
Sometimes TV can just stop you in your tracks.
There were a few moments like that at yesterday’s press launch for the new series of Britain’s Got Talent.
Do not miss the opening show on ITV1 at 7.45pm tomorrow (Saturday).
For my money, it’s one of the best first programmes I’ve ever seen.
And that includes previous series of both this show and the likes of The X Factor, Pop Idol etc.
Susan Boyle (pictured) is one of the acts to look out for.
We’d had the security consultant blowing up a hot water bottle, then pulling a small van with his right ear.
MOST people remember the day she was driven away from Downing Street for the last time with tears in her eyes.
They forget just what a huge shock it was when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigned.
The decision was so unexpected that there were only 14 journalists standing outside No 10 at the time.
One of them was me.
I can still picture her press officer walking out of the front door of No 10, holding a pile of A4 paper.
Striding towards us to hand out a Press Notice with a quote from Mrs Thatcher announcing her decision to step down.
It took a few seconds for the words to sink in.
Then all hell broke loose as we scrambled to convey the news to the outside world.
THE menu was full at yesterday’s launch of Hell’s Kitchen 2009.
Small round table interviews with new presenter Claudia Winkleman.
Plus seven of the eight celebrities going into the heat of Marco Pierre White’s ITV1 kitchen.
Except some of them disputed the term “celebrity”.
Including former Shameless star Jody Latham.
He sensibly doesn’t want to win the series.
Instead, he’s using it as a platform to promote his real work as an actor – while learning how to cook.
Sounds fair enough to me.
While predicting that fellow trainee chef Bruce Grobbelaar will punch his weight in the kitchen.
THERE were two big winners at Aintree yesterday.
One was 100-1 shot Mon Mome, ridden by the near toothless Liam Treadwell.
The other was BBC Sport presenter Clare Balding.
Fronting the Grand National coverage, Clare proved once again just what a superb broadcaster she is.
Totally at ease in the middle of the frantic racing action – her home turf.
Able to find, recognise and talk to dozens of characters around the racecourse, with an instant recall of facts about them.
She interviewed Mon Mome’s trainer Venetia Williams as the horses prepared to leave the parade ring.
And got full value from both her and all the connections in the middle of the post-race celebrations.
THE calm before the storm for Ashes To Ashes fans.
We’ve seen the first trailer for series two.
And read the press pack.
So to keep us all going…
Life of Wylie 