John Gibson: Talking about old Frosty the yes man

Published on Thursday 11 December 2008 09:21

DASHING David Frost tells us he resorts to temazepam to get him through long-distance travel.

I need the drug to get me through short-distance in a 22 bus bound from the city centre to Ocean Terminal. And never want to wake up and see the horrific high-rise monstrosities towering over the Terminal.

You'd have to ask Forth Ports why they ever sanctioned the build and who of our City Fathers approved. You won't see them sticking their hands up.

Back to Frost. Sir David talking about Sir Alex Ferguson recently: "I was knocked out by him. By how impressive he was, by his irony at his own expense, by his tremendous compassion.

"These are things you don't usually see. I mean, he even knew I was an Arsenal supporter. And he still talked to me."

Iconic figures around this town, like Pilmar Smith, Steve Cardownie, Mario Cugini, Leslie Deans, Jim Dougan and Brian Fallon are all Jambos. And they still talk to me.

Barry Christmas

I'll be lighting a candle for Barry Manilow on the 24th. Briefest of UK visits last weekend before he skedaddled to Vegas for his show set to run there through 2009.

He did leave us with: "Christmas is such a special time. It's nice that people remember you. I love buying gifts for people, and I like to pick them personally, something different for each one.

"I am not the sort of person to buy a case of wine and send a bottle to everyone. I like to think about the presents I give. I once bought a juicer and it was great, I use it all the time."

Barry, you're so kind. But that was a present to yourself. If I can't borrow your juicer, I'll take the wine. Not a case, a bottle will do.

And hey, folks, here's a question . . . what present for the man who's got everything? Lucky old me, I'm getting a Compo – Last of the Summer Wine plate in "exquisite porcelain". A collectors' item, fancified with 22-carat gold. It'll look braw on my lavvy wall. That, the Broons annual and an apple and orange in my stocking. Truly, I'm a man blessed.

Afterwords . .

. . . bashful Sigourney Weaver's telling us: "I think a lot of shy people become actors because we're more comfortable playing other people than being ourselves."