Thursday, March 04, 2010

The Independent editorship: 'Jeremy Paxman meets the Lebedevs'

On January 23, Madame Arcati broke the story that Jeremy Paxman had been offered the Independent editorship - many thought I was joking. Now the Guardian confirms that Paxman has met likely new owners the Lebedevs to talk about his possible appointment. He's not the only name on Alexander Lebedev's wishlist - Greg Dyke's there too, more in need of a big job than Paxman I should have thought. Apparently Lebedev seeks a star to edit the ailing paper - like Napoleon, he has this fantasy he can hitch a lift off another's X factor. Would you buy a paper just because it was edited by Dyke or Paxman - or Simon Cowell for that matter? Such a ludicrous idea.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kellner was mooted. Imagine the headline Editor to become editor. Kampfner too. Then Mullin, followed by Grieg and Leigh. Paxman is getting £1 million p.a from the Beeb. Think Sasha can match or better that? da nyet!

Jon Peake said...

What bollocks.

Much like radio stations hiring Dermot O'Leary or Vernon Kay, people not known for their musical knowledge and with no credibility, it's misguided.

It's the same school of thought as ITV giving chat shows to Davina McCall or Sharon Osbourne. Just because they're popular doesn't mean they are the natural heir to Parky. You have to actually be interested in people to make it work.

So perhaps someone with a newspaper background might actually be better than Paxman to edit a newspaper?

What a novel thought.

Madame Arcati said...

Since neither the Evening Standard nor the Indy is ever likely to make money, perhaps Lebedev has other motives in buying these newspapers. Certainly he adores attention. I'm sure Katie Price could help him there - What Did Alex Buy Next? Great TV show idea.

Anonymous said...

Ian Hislop has been touted.

Madame Arcati said...

I would credit Ian with huge sense. He's where Fate wants him, and Lord Gnome would never allow it.

If Suzanne Moore is insufficiently starry, then there's always Sandi Toksvig. She was cruelly robbed of Doctor Who, perhaps Alexander will compensate.

Anonymous said...

Sasha nye lyubit' lesbianki.

Indie slave said...

Sounds like high farce will attend the Independent's last days.

Anonymous said...

Only one visitor each from China and Cuba to Madame Arcati. Those Commie arseholes are way out in the cold, poor sods.

Anonymous said...

We must do a major missionary position to those two deserts

Madame Arcati said...

Oh Bryn ...

Anonymous said...

Madame's def going barmy

the late C.Guervara said...

Both China and Cuba having internet filtering so Madame should be thankful those 2 readers risk their lives to hear the latest. There may well be a vast underground network in which they feed the latest Arcati snippets into to knowing they could be shot at dawn.

Did you know Fidel said he never had a problem with cock-cocking and cunt-cunting but some of his maschismo Spanish influenced compatriots did ?. You could well be a heroine and inspiration to the oppressed masses.

Madame Arcati said...

These thoughts fill my breast with pride. If pride were milk, you'd have a year's worth of the best skimmed.

Castro, or Fidel as he permitted me to call him as he struggled reluctantly with the condom, always imposed his political ideas on Cuba with fearless rigour. So his timidity in the area of cock-cocking is perhaps a welcome sign that beneath all that macho bluster lies the beating heart of a litter's runt.

Anonymous said...

China has millions of Arcati-lovers labouring in chains under the lash.