As a celebrant of elderliness, Madame Arcati has decided to reverse her previous toxic opinion of editor Geordie Greig in the light of his new London Evening Standard relaunched today.
For at the apex of the neo-goodies on display is Tom Wolfe, 78, messiah of the not-so-New Journalism, and author of a lengthy "world exclusive" for the paper titled The rich have feelings too... - a showcase of Wolfe's schtick - the italics, the capitals, the pastiche demotic, the love letter dressed up as satire - which doubtless has made many other fossils nostalgic for his brand of literary nattering on. The work, comic in intention if not effect, is all about fallen super-wealthy cunts divested of their private Lear Jets, now forced to use the Gatwicks and Heathrows of the world and queue with us commoners. Not quite Swiftian is all I'll say. But nice to see the old boy still in his white suit.
Complementing this heavy-weight contribution from Gotham is... Sam Leith in his Monday debut as a weekly columnist. I was recently less than impressed by his gossy colleague Sebastian Shakespeare. I now have reason to revise this opinion. Sam today loses his ES columnal cherry with this opening original piece of writing: "The devil, as a wise man said, is in the detail." I wonder how long it took him to think that one up. Shakespeare, you're rehired!
I thought the front page splash quite original: a news story all about a very rich man with a "secret common-law wife and child" reluctant to give his betrayed ex-wife £11m. While the rest of the UK media froth about MPs' expenses and other trifles, Mr Greig betrays his true love: the rich and their doings. Expect more long-winded soap on the loaded. What's Lord Linley up to these days ever since that other matter got covered up?
In other news, I learn that the let-go theatre critic Nicholas de Jongh was on a £120k contract and has a £38k pension pot. That's an extraordinary amount of money, all deserved I'm sure. A new theatre reviewer is sought. One can only hope that Sam Leith is on nothing like that amount, if only for the sake of the paper. Though I'm sure Wolfe's piece was VERY EXPENSIVE.
11 comments:
yeah but Sam Leith is worth every penny. Unlike some of their other Pu-Bot (public school robots) columnists who recycle the same old accidents...sorry trash... over and over again. I liked it. though the cover was disappointing. No other news today?
Yes, Sam does have a very bog cock - but no talent, I'm afraid, he's just one of those networking airheads.
Would someone please snow-plough the Tamils out of Parliament Square.
How big is Leith's cock - sausage or cucumber?
The Stannit has already appointed a child who appears to have very little knowledge of theatre to De Jongh's role.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2009/may/11/evening-standard-theatre-critic-henry-hitchings
Forget about Leith's cock. Three pages of Wolfe was a bit much and what was he on about? Is Will Self gone?
Andrew O'whatsit as film critic? That's a big joke. I hear that Derek Malcolm is staying for the arthouse stuff, so some good news.
Thank you for the education on Mr Leith's manhood - sounds like he should exhibit it on xtube and give his readers a rest.
I thought the 'freshly' relaunched ES was trying to go satirical when I saw Nick Candy's QUOTE OF THE DAY. 'I need to buy some art NOW,' he proclaimed on 'arranging to visit' Richard Young's 'Warholesque' exhibition at his one up one down gallery in Kensington. Nick Candy must be bulldozed! No offence Richard, for although he reccently warned me NEVER to describe him as a paparazzo, his paparazzi snapshots aren't art?
So good to see Frances Lynn back on the street where we live
I don't think Gorby has the talent to pull the Standard out of the mire. Sam Leith was good at the Telegraph but his column is rubbish.-..What's going on in W8? Is the location the kiss of death?- .. Just up the road from the Standard is Richard Young's self-promoting joke 'gallery'.
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