Interesting how many of the same pieces you noticed as the Gawker piece from last year https://www.gawker.com/media/adrian-chiles-does-not-miss. Excited to see more entries in this series! As you note, it's Chiles self awareness but also his openness to others and knowing, intelligent inanity that makes the columns so compelling. I have no idea what he's like as a broadcaster but I imagine those same qualities make good programming too.
Oh I missed that Gawker piece at the time – a great read, thank you. And, yes, he's definitely self-aware and, as the Gawker piece says, happy to hand over the best lines to others.
I instinctively thought of Deborah Ross. This is pretty weird because I haven't read a column of hers for maybe a decade--I wonder if she has moved somewhere paywally. Hang on [uses search engine]. She now regularly does TV/film for the Spectator. I have a feeling I "don't like" the Spectator and maybe you don't either. But in the 90s/00s Ross had a column in the Independent that I loved. So if you were up to doing a historical column review, then hey pesto.
Today's post was excellent. I thought I wouldn't enjoy Adrian Chiles's column and now you have made me want to read it!
Thank you! I mean, I didn't think I'd like it either, but it's short, and often insightful; it's not trying to *be* anything, which is perhaps its strength.
As for Deborah Ross, she appears to be at The Times now too, on a very similar beat to Mr Chiles, but with a higher word count. Will look up the old Indy stuff – I'd forgotten all about it. Cheers!
Woo, brilliant! A higher wordcount, eek. I don't want to be the 'Hey let's read The Books Of Jacob for bookclub" person, though. Might actually do a trial sub to the Times to see what Deborah is up to these days :)
While I'm here, I'm a big, big fan of your three novels. (I hope that's not cheesy; I'm sure it is never bad to be told your writing is loved, eh?)
Was expecting Arch mockery... or ironic appreciation - but the warmth and affection for an unaffected man with a platform he is happily bewildered by is welcomed. Thanks for this, we need to recognise a slow griftless genuineness that is seldom seen in the world x
Thank you! He seems very aware of his own averageness and the column drips with self-deprecation, but in among the blistering takes and forensic analysis, his short meanderings on the everyday are welcome. I hesitate to use the word 'wholesome' because it's quite patronising but there is a gentleness to this column and that's no bad thing.
Interesting how many of the same pieces you noticed as the Gawker piece from last year https://www.gawker.com/media/adrian-chiles-does-not-miss. Excited to see more entries in this series! As you note, it's Chiles self awareness but also his openness to others and knowing, intelligent inanity that makes the columns so compelling. I have no idea what he's like as a broadcaster but I imagine those same qualities make good programming too.
Oh I missed that Gawker piece at the time – a great read, thank you. And, yes, he's definitely self-aware and, as the Gawker piece says, happy to hand over the best lines to others.
This is just glorious, J. Instant subscribe (and the first thing to ever make me read one of his cols!)
Thank you, M – hope I've managed your expectations! 😬
I instinctively thought of Deborah Ross. This is pretty weird because I haven't read a column of hers for maybe a decade--I wonder if she has moved somewhere paywally. Hang on [uses search engine]. She now regularly does TV/film for the Spectator. I have a feeling I "don't like" the Spectator and maybe you don't either. But in the 90s/00s Ross had a column in the Independent that I loved. So if you were up to doing a historical column review, then hey pesto.
Today's post was excellent. I thought I wouldn't enjoy Adrian Chiles's column and now you have made me want to read it!
Thank you! I mean, I didn't think I'd like it either, but it's short, and often insightful; it's not trying to *be* anything, which is perhaps its strength.
As for Deborah Ross, she appears to be at The Times now too, on a very similar beat to Mr Chiles, but with a higher word count. Will look up the old Indy stuff – I'd forgotten all about it. Cheers!
Woo, brilliant! A higher wordcount, eek. I don't want to be the 'Hey let's read The Books Of Jacob for bookclub" person, though. Might actually do a trial sub to the Times to see what Deborah is up to these days :)
While I'm here, I'm a big, big fan of your three novels. (I hope that's not cheesy; I'm sure it is never bad to be told your writing is loved, eh?)
That is indeed lovely to hear, thank you!
Was expecting Arch mockery... or ironic appreciation - but the warmth and affection for an unaffected man with a platform he is happily bewildered by is welcomed. Thanks for this, we need to recognise a slow griftless genuineness that is seldom seen in the world x
Thank you! He seems very aware of his own averageness and the column drips with self-deprecation, but in among the blistering takes and forensic analysis, his short meanderings on the everyday are welcome. I hesitate to use the word 'wholesome' because it's quite patronising but there is a gentleness to this column and that's no bad thing.
Thank you. It always brightens my day when I read Adrian’s columns. Thanks also for this great idea of writing about a columnist. It’s brilliant
Cheers!