Tony Curtis brings some Hollywood realism to ´óÏó´«Ã½ radio
Today's papers have picked up on our moment of 'Holywood realism' on yesterday's Talk Back programme, when I interviewed the legendary actor Tony Curtis. The Daily Telegraph has the headline: . The Daily Mail: . The Belfast Telegraph: .'
Here's what happened. It seems that Tony Curtis, who took our call while doing a book signing at Harrods in London, had forgotten that we would be broadcasting live, otherwise he wouldn't have used the language he did on the show. When he realised it was live, he was very upset about the language he'd drifted into -- an F-word and two B-words -- and apologised profusely.
In fact, he was concerned that the people of Northern Ireland might be angry with him when he visits here next week to talk about his recently published memoirs. I assured him that Northern Irish people are very understanding, that his reputation as a Holywood legend remained intact, and ended this edition of Talk Back by suggesting that this programme would go down in history as one of the more 'unpredictable' moments in broadcasting.
Now, members of the public are coming up to me in the street to ask that we pass on their best wishes and admiration to Tony Curtis. I suspect many more will turn out to warmly greet Mr Curtis when he visits Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
When I got back to my desk after yesterday's programme, one of the letters waiting for me was from a listener who was concerned because she had heard me use the word "gosh" on a previous edition of Talk Back. Also enclosed in the envelope was a booklet explaining that "gosh" was ; my use of the term, according to the letter, amounted to 'taking God's name in vain.'
It's a funny old world.
Comment number 1.
At 23rd May 2009, gavinson wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 23rd May 2009, John Wright wrote:The real shame is that nobody will hear this again - I doubt the ´óÏó´«Ã½ will podcast it uncensored! And what a pity it is that a legend like Tony Curtis can't just speak from his heart in an interview like this. Thank God for satellite radio in the States where petty concerns like which verbs and nouns are being chosen don't apply.
For the record, William handled it well.
By the way, do any of you believe in Gosh?
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Comment number 3.
At 23rd May 2009, Heliopolitan wrote:Great Ormond Street Hospital?
Anyway, what sort of sissy god worries about people using his name as a swear word?
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Comment number 4.
At 23rd May 2009, U11831742 wrote:Wonderful Tony Curtis! Play it again, and again, and again ....
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Comment number 5.
At 24th May 2009, gveale wrote:"Gee Whiz", "Jeepers", "Cor Blimee", Christmas Trees and Easter Eggs are also taboo.
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Comment number 6.
At 24th May 2009, gveale wrote:William Crawley
The Howard Stern of Religious Broadcasting!
Good Golly Gosh!
GV
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Comment number 7.
At 29th May 2009, Electra2009 wrote:I was lucky enough to be at the Ulster Hall this week and met Tony Curtis!
He was great, altho quite hard of hearing and also obviously found our NI accent a little difficult. He did use the F word on a few occasions, but to be honest it certainly wasn't a problem for most of those present. Altho I think the lady who brought her children along may have regretted doing so...!
He's a guy who grew up on the streets of Manhattan, and you get the impression he knew how to look after himself :-)
A very cool guy, and his wife Jilly was lovely too. He was happy to pose for photos and sign books.
Im not sure the girl interviewing him was really up to the job (altho I wonder if anyone would be!). He's a feisty one ok, and I think she was occasionally a little bit intimidated :-)
All in all - a really entertaining evening in the company of a Hollywood Star and a gentleman. Thanks Tony xx
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