iMark
Right, I’m on my way home from doing the iTunes Festival. It was a typically odd, short-lived TV appearance for me. I was briefly interviewed by XFM’s Dave Berry and a heavily made-up but not heavily dressed Fearne Cotton. There was a farcical bit where we ‘took questions’ from the public- something that was trailed all day long on Twitter- but there was only time for me to answer one, the question of which football team I support, something which is pretty well documented. Mischa Barton sat next to me looking pretty and not-entirely-sure-what-was-happening. I didn’t know, unfortunately, who she was. And vice versa.
On the other hand there was a bit where I stood on a balcony and quite a number of people screamed excitedly to see me. This was because they were emotionally wound-up as they were about to see the Hoosiers. But I still enjoyed feeling like a big shot, especially at the same time as feeling like quite a small shot, making a 25-second appearance on telly to hawk my book surrounded by uber-cool Camden types with their clever hair and glasses.
It was true what I said, that I am greatly looking forward to the new Arcade Fire album. I think they have the potential to be the best band of our ‘times’. But sometimes they try a bit hard. So we’ll see.
Funny old world. In some ways it is incredibly cool to hang out with these famous people and be on the actual tv. At the same time it’s all rather silly and pointless. And makes me yearn for my genuine audience. Which is you. Thanks for reading. I’ll be writing more interesting things shortly. When I haven’t been up since 6 and met Fearne. And Mischa. Whoever she was.
Posted by Aidan on August 1, 2010
I only discovered your blog when there was a small piece about it in The Guardian Guide a couple of months ago but I’ve well and truly fallen in love with it. Thank you very much Mark! Incidentally, I’ve heard the new Arcade Fire album and it’s bloody fantastic!
Posted by Anji on July 30, 2010
@hannahq *very quietly* I own the boxsets of the oc and totally agree with you on Seth!
@kate w – thank you! Glad I wasn’t having a funny make things up moment!
Posted by Heather on July 30, 2010
Sounds like my worst nightmare. The Hoosiers AND Fearne Cotton? Plus, whoever the Mischa one is. Still, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who is slightly unimpressed by them.
Kudos on the Arcade Fire chat. I am in love with pretty much every one of their songs.
Posted by Ed Holroyd on July 30, 2010
For a moment I had this rare feeling that I was clued up about celebrities, as I knew who Mischa Barton was. Didn’t last long though: who on earth are the Hoosiers?
Also, I got my copy of Eleven yesterday. I’m trying to read it alongside a book about WG Grace (more elevens and Bristolians). Something I always fail to do, as they start to compete with each other. So far Mark, you are winning.
Posted by Laurs on July 30, 2010
My copy of Eleven arrived today! I’m beyond excited! I actually jumped up and down and did a little dance in the staffroom at work when I saw it in pigeon hole!
Now I’m going off to start reading it! Yay!
Posted by Hannahq on July 30, 2010
Mischa Barton – the OC! I unashamedly watched and loved all the seasons. It’s not MEANT to be deep and insightful. Just fun (and Seth is possibly the best TV character of all time).
Posted by Rachael on July 30, 2010
I would be screaming if I was about to see the hoosiers, and running in the opposite direction too.
Posted by glamlovinkitty on July 30, 2010
I don’t know who the Barton woman is either, and from the sounds of it, it’s not worth the google to find out.
Fearne Cotton I am only vaguely aware of, but I seem to recall she thinks she’s some sort of rock chick but clearly isn’t.
In good news, your book arrived yesterday, once I finish the two I’m reading just now (‘Your Inner Fish’ and ‘The Idiot’), I’ll be right onto it.
Posted by Paul on July 30, 2010
Reading all these comments makes me glad I can still only receive 4 channels on my television (yes, I do live in a technological black hole). Based on everyone’s assessments of the non-Watson personalities involved, I have this disturbing image of digital television being populated by charisma-free automatons, among whom comedians are invited to appear to try and make everyone else seem interesting by association.
If that is actually the case then I’m at least grateful that the comedian is you, Mark. Albeit that I don’t envy you having to interact with said automatons.
Posted by Dawn on July 30, 2010
I can’t stand Fearne Cotton!
Posted by Megan on July 30, 2010
As a fan of Canadian formerly-known-as-indie bands, if you do come to Canada next year for Just for Laughs (not terribly likely, I imagine), you should check out either Osheaga (a festival in Montreal) or Bluesfest (in Ottawa – hey, it’s between Montreal and Toronto).
I, to my shame, did watch The O.C. for the first series and a bit. I blame my housemates at the time.
Posted by Juliet on July 30, 2010
So, the whole Watson-Barton situation must have been an interesting thing to watch.
I hope your little boy is doing better! I think I convinced my mum to buy your book, now I just have to work out how get it, because even if Amazon ships it all the way to Argentina, it’s possible that I’ll never see the book, just because that’s the way things work in this country: they just don’t work.
And in response to some of the things you wrote yesterday, yes, you are cool and kind of a rockstar
Posted by Ally on July 30, 2010
Don’t worry, I wasn’t entirely sure who Mischa was either until I read the other comments
And that’s very nice of you to say that you’d rather be performing to your loyal audiences than doing these TV appearances, or how ever you put it. I would much rather go see one of shows than, well, quite a number of things and all of them fun in their own way. I’m hoping that made sense. I only just woke up.
Posted by Ben Draper on July 30, 2010
Misha is from the OC, she’s very pretty. Dave Berry is a non-sensical wanker. I wouldn’t worry too much about not being in his “world”, his world is full of people telling him what to say and think, like the people for whom the hoosiers were a big deal. What on earth is all that about?
Posted by Kate W on July 30, 2010
Saw that when I got home; strange show, isn’t it? To my cynical eyes, Fearne Cotton and Dave Berry gave the impression of not knowing much about much and you were the grown-up humouring them.
I hope sleep is abounding for all Watsons tonight and Kit manages not to be awake in two hours.
@Anji Mischa Barton was indeed born here but moved there; British, but sounds/looks utterly Californian.
Posted by Hannah Mae on July 30, 2010
I’m curious to know the answer to Zoe, Aislinn, Katie & Misha’s question! Especially since you like Arcade Fire, who are incredible – always looking for music recs…
I briefly tuned into ITV2 but didn’t catch you, just Fearne, Dave and Mischa. I don’t even mind celebrity stuff but they all seem so boring, sitting there all made up with fuck all to say. Hmm.
On a less bitchy note, I love that this blog is updated daily and that even your shorter entries manage to provide food for thought.
Posted by Sarah on July 29, 2010
It’s refreshing to know that you’re not into the “celebrity” hype, and it’s touching to read that you think of us as your genuine audience. Thanks for sharing a part of yourself with us through this blog!
Posted by Anji on July 29, 2010
Ah Ms Barton of teen ‘drama’ series The Oc. I get the feeling her actual life is far less sunshine and glamour. Was she also born here but moved there? I don’t know, I know I quite enjoyed The Oc. I’m not sure what this says about me. I’m not sure I want to know.
And Mark, even though you doubt it, you are always interesting. But go home and sleep and be less glamourish (I may have made a word up) tomorrow, if you wish, but your meetings are always good to read about. G’night.
Posted by Carl on July 29, 2010
Your audience yearns for you too mate. Lucky we hear from you once a day.
Posted by Aislinn on July 29, 2010
For the second day in a row, I second Zoe’s comment. All of it, this time. Also, for no explicable reason, I really enjoy the title of this blog.
Posted by Misha on July 29, 2010
I don’t know who she is either.
But I’d like to apologise on behalf of all us other Misha’s. Some of us can spell, and speak.
Posted by Kathryn on July 29, 2010
Count yourself lucky you’re not wasting brain cells knowing who she is.
I discovered today the extent of my obsessive tendencies. I would be worried if I were you.
Posted by Zoe Fell on July 29, 2010
Well, myself, Aislinn, Katie and Misha enjoyed it.
And our question was interesting AND relevant: ‘What are Mark’s Top 5 songs that he listens to when he’s travelling between shows on the train?’.
See? Much more insightful.