Jonathan Miller of doctoring, theatre, TV and TW3 fame and Clive James, Aussie satirist, writer and both all round clever clogs. Both fixtures on cultural TV in the late 70s early 80s. Back in the day when being witty and clever rather than having big boobs or pecs got you on TV. RIP guys.
And Gary Rhodes too, who I met on a ship once. He seemed younger than me, it's worrying. I'm going for a jog. RIP boys.
Clive James was once described as a Potato but without the Eyes. Used to love his TV show. The world of entertainment is poorer for the loss of all 3.
I read the hours gary rhodes worked were insane. Regularly doing all-nighters etc. Yet another reason why being an idle **** is best.
What a terrible day for humanity. I sat next to Jonathan Miller twice. Once on my way to the AE club,he did the Times crossword in approximately three stops it seemed! The other time was in a trattoria on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. He was sitting on the next table to us and I asked the waiter if it was him. "Si,si il dottore!" he exclaimed excitedly. He was there directing the Florentine opera. I plucked up the courage and politely said hello. He was charming,utterly charming. My first memories of Clive James were from his television column in the Observer. My brother used to keep them in a scrap book. His pieces on Wimbledon were some of the funniest things I've ever read. 'Harry's rain commentary' was a particular theme. James believed Carpenter preferred the rain to the tennis. He also stated that Harry called The Championships 'Wmbldn' although the following year he had changed it to 'Wmbln'. Andrea Jaeger had 'a mouth like a car crash and was so young she had to be wheeled on in a pram'. Vitas Gerulaitis was ' the man with the looks of Apollo and the name of a rare skin disease.' I still quote these on court today,given half a chance! James' widow is the only non Italian to be elected to the Dante Society,a serious scholar. His translation of the Divine Comedy is well worth a read. So easy and witty yet true to the original text. Polymaths both. RIP to them and Gary Rhodes.
