Media manipulation

I finally saw the infamous Meg Ryan interview with Parky last night. It was repeated on one of the digi channels. Now, I read and heard about the interview at the time and thought Meg seemed like a right cow but on seeing the interview for myself I've changed my mind. The media had given me the impression that Meg had been a surly bitch, only giving one word answers and that Parky had been his usual cosy self. I hadn't expected that the reverse was true. Parky was confrontational from the start (having been his usual self with Shane Ritchie. I don't know what he was like with Trinny and Susannah as I couldn't bear to watch them) attacking her for having an opinion which differed from his on the subject of romance. Admittedly it was an unusual opinion and no doubt coloured by the Russell Crowe debacle but it doesn't mean it was any less valid. It also cropped up in conversation that she was uncomfortable in the spotlight and in interviews. And yet Parky seemed surprised when she became distant and defensive. It seemed to me like she was doing the best she could, faced with an aggressive interviewer who attacked everything she said. Had Parky been possessed by the spirit of Jeremy Paxman? Where was the nice cosy chat show host we know and love?

Anyway, it just goes to show how the media manipulate us. They said she continually gave one word answers when in fact it was only once or twice. They implied she was nasty when she replied to Parky's question of "What should I do with this interview now?" with "Wrap it up!" when she actually said it half-jokingly. I couldn't blame her for saying that. What the hell else did he expect? They also said or implied that she was unfriendly throughout but she didn't come across that way at all. Just understandably affronted by Parky's tone. I briefly voiced my opinion to my brother who was also watching and he agreed with me. Parky has gone down in my estimation.

5 hours 20 minutes and counting to new Dr Who. I thought I'd be watching at home with Bro but I've now been invited to a small gathering of friends, some of whom have already seen the episode. They hated it apparently. Oh well, you can't please everybody. I'm still looking forward to it though and will be there with my celery and jelly babies* sitting on the edge of my seat, oohing and ahhing at the special effects.

* Well, ok, it'll more like beer and Pringles really.