Screenwriter for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and now promoting his latest film Now Is Good starring Dakota Fanning and Olivia Williams, filmmaker Ol Parker tells us which book is the funniest ever written, when he might find himself in bed with Martin Amis and what he does exactly when his wife, Thandie Newton, is
How satire works, No. 96: When government advisers watch The Thick of It
‘No more going up the hill, Jill — we can now order water online and have it delivered.’
‘You call it whinging. I call it lobbying.’
‘Business is terrible. Everyone’s baffled by it!’
‘We were painting frescoes in your area and wondered if…’
You call it “Leaning on a lamp post”. I call it loitering with intent.’
‘I think I preferred it when Ernest had low self-esteem.’
‘Certainly madam – and would you like the ambulance in medium, large or extra large?’
‘OK, chaps, once we’re out of the tunnel we’ll use these wildlife costumes to blend into the surrounding countryside.’
‘And now over to the news from your area.’
‘That’s Jack, that’s Gracie, that’s er ... damn, it’s so hard to remember their names when you’re sober.’
‘There are times I regret we ever embraced capitalism.’
The views of Sentamu Sir: I wonder if Archbishop Sentamu is really the best candidate for Canterbury as you suggest (Leading article, 6 October). Cutting up his dog collar on live television in protest against President Mugabe was a splendid gesture; but how exactly has it helped anyone in Zimbabwe? He is wrong in any
