March 2003

A magazine programme called “The Richest” was shown on British TV. In the show a female presenter providing a cheerful, cheeky voiceover; while a barrage of images – which only vaguely related to the info – was flashed before the viewer. C-list celebrities such as Paul Ross supplied additional face to camera comments.

Who decided who “made the list” isn’t explained. At one point the commentator referred to them as “boy babes”, though actors like Alan Rickman, Michael Caine, Sean Connery and Sir Ian obviously didn’t fit their selection criteria. All ;monetary values ;given in the program were the programmers estimates of their worth. ;

Here’s the complete list:

1. Hugh Grant
2. Ewen McGregor
3. Pierce Brosnan
4. Guy Ritchie
5. Ralph Finnes
6. Rupert Everett
7. Jude Law
8. Richard E Grant
9. Vinnie Jones
10. Gary Oldman

Richard wasn’t interviewed for the programme. The makers took a couple of comments he’d made at premieres and inserted them in. A bit of Withnail And I was used such as the part where ‘I’ states that Withnail’s family (who dislike him acting) must be delighted with his career so far.

To be fair most of the basic information given was correct – although researchers had him making Spice World for his kids. There was a view of Richard’s house in “Richmond, Surrey” which consisted of a stretch of the River Thames with some houses in the distance (at least this was better than Ewen McGregor where we were told he lived in 3 million pound house in St John’s Wood and were shown a green road sign with directional arrow pointing to St John’s Wood!) For Richard’s house in France we just had a street view (unless Richard has a second career as cafe owner), then an arch.

One bit of editing which was quite ludicrous ;was Hugh’s misdemeanour being recanted and footage of him at some premiere banging his forehead with hand as if he’d only just found out about it. The imagined dialogue: “I’ve been arrested. What for? You’ve got to be kidding!” The looks at the camera in shock!

It would be seriously doubtful if any of the celebrities were asked if they minded appearing in these Murdock specials?