10th March 2003

Tio Pepe Carlton London Restaurant Awards, a star-studded night of entertainment at Le Meridien Grosvenor House, Park Lane.

Picture – Winners of the Most Exceptional Restaurant Wine List Graham Williams and Francois Verite of Bibendum with award presenter Richard E Grant.

Telly comic Doon Mackichan has bared all in a Lady Godiva stunt for Comic Relief.

The 40-year-old Smack the Pony star wore just a long blonde wig as she rode across Clapham Common, South London.

Actor Richard E Grant got in on the action too chasing after Doon and slapping her backside.

Doon’s telly co-star Sally Philips said; “It has been a fantasy of Doon’s to horseback naked with Richard E Grant in hot pursuit!”

The clip can be seen on BBC’s Red Nose Day on March 14th.

*For Comic Relief fund-raising kit call 09065 500500 or go to www.rednoseday.com

Apparently there’s a “galaxy of stars” list that includes Richard?s name. If you’d like to make a donation on the day, your name can be added to this list.

Also, a copy of Killing Dad is available on eBay for anyone wishing to add this film to their collection. Bidding ends on Tuesday though so you’d want to be quick. To bid on it just click here.

Thanks to Denise and Pat for the info.

Richard’s Q&A session should be in tomorrow’s Independent – Review section.

Acccording to reports, Posh Nosh was very good last night. Simon seems to be more and more irritated by Minty’s short comings whilst she continues to worship him. In Simon’s own words:

“We were drawn together by similar interests – She loved me and I did too.”

Denise informs me that the latest Waitrose magazine has an article that is a pair up of films and food. The Sound of Music recalls Maria?s delight in Schnitzel with noodles. For American Graffiti the classic burger is suggested. Manhattan should be accompanied by a Reuban sandwich. Whilst Amelie can crack the top of a luscious creme brulee. Finally, the one you?re waiting for, the classic cult movie Withnail and I. No prizes for the line which has inspired the choice here “Cake and fine wine…..We want the finest wines available to humanity.”

Here’s their write-up:

WITHNAIL AND I

BRUCE ROBINSON, 1987

Richard E Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths

The food: In their search for both sustenance and oblivion, the duo enter a genteel teashop demanding “cake and fine wine”. Laugh at their misfortune while sipping a glass of warming dessert wine such as Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and tucking into particularly delicious Waitrose white chocolate truffle torte.

Thanks guys!

The Hound Of The Baskervilles will air on the ABC next Sunday night (March 2nd) at 8.30pm. The advertisements for it are increasing in number and include a very nice head shot of REG as Stapleton.

Maureen informs me that The Sydney Morning Herald’s “The Guide” has an article on the film with the emphasis on the two Australian actors. It did quote Christopher Hall, the producer, as saying that some investors preferred Richard as Holmes, but that the director and producer held out against them – arguing that he would be much better in the Stapleton role.

“We knew what he would do with Sherlock Holmes and it wasn’t what we wanted”, said Hall “Whereas with Roxburgh, there was no baggage and we could reinvent the character”.

Apparently they were trying to get back to Conan Doyle and away from all the “invented” stuff.

Non-UK folks (or everybody for that matter) you HAVE to check this site out. There you can view short videos of the show to get an idea of what Posh Nosh is like. Simon is absolutely hysterical as he tackles opening the bottle of wine in one of the videos.

Thanks to Pat for the news.

Denise adds:

“Enjoyed this week’s programme – characters seem to be starting to show the cracks in their relationship. Simon is terribly condescending to his wife who worships him – hanging onto his every word as if a gift from god. In this episode they made paella for Simon’s Spanish tennis coach. Simon exhibited the excitement of a teenage girl embarking on a first date when Jose-Luis arrives. After artfully arranging paella in a antique china tureen Minty walks into dining to find her beloved in close physical contact with the Spaniard as he helps Simon improve his backhand, to add insult to injury she is immediately reproached by Simon for not serving paella in its cooking pan. She meekly apologises then returns to kitchen and flings the paella back into pan!”

And anyone interested in getting a copy of Warlock to own, you might want to go to eBay and bid on a copy there. Details as follows:

Title of item: RICHARD E. GRANT & JULIAN SANDS in WARLOCK
Seller: lincolnmoviefan1970
Starts: Feb-19-03 13:21:48 PST
Ends: Mar-01-03 13:21:48 PST
Price: Starts at GBP 2.99
To bid on the item, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3312995091.

Item Description: RICHARD E. GRANT & JULIAN SANDS star in WARLOCK, an enjoyable horror adventure from 1988. Original VHS PAL small case video is in very good condition.
UK BUYERS PAY £1.50 P+P (I accept cheques, postal orders or cash sent at your own risk).
USA, AUSTRALIA & EUROPE BIDDERS NOTICE – Winning bidders from the USA & AUSTRALIA pay £4.00 P+P or Europe pay £3.00 P+P. I will only accept cheques or money orders made out in GB Pounds Sterling or cash in or $$$ (sent at your own risk). Please ensure your VCR can play British VHS PAL video tapes. Consult your manual if in doubt! Happy bidding!

Once again thanks are extended to Pat for this information.