ARTS / Overheard

The part never calls for it. And I've never used that excuse. The box office calls for it.

Helen Mirren, actress, asked whether she did nude scenes because the part called for it, Independent

Spielberg and I were talking once about how we could make things look like Ford and Lean and it was 'God, how could we get that good?' Well, yeah, it was very easy because we stole it.

John Milius, screenwriter,

Moving Pictures (BBC2)

My parents did see the Pistols on the telly. My father would yell, 'Oh, Jesus]' while my mummy would be knitting a cardigan, look up, and say, 'Oh, that's nice.'

John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) on the good old days, Time Out

They're easy to put on every day and they don't need washing.

Chris Evans, presenter, on the leather trousers he wears for Don't Forget Your Toothbrush, The Face

As for my movieland send-up The Player, the author, Michael Tolkin, and I were asked by a development executive why the story had to take place in Hollywood. He suggested the steel industry as a replacement. We replaced him.

David Brown, film producer,

New Yorker

I like the china . . . (and) the bonnets in The Piano are much nicer than the bonnets in Middlemarch.

Kate Pullinger, writer of The Piano's 'novelisation', on her favourite things about the film, Observer

We are not being smug, nor being old-maidish to protect what we have. But we see no reason to fix what works. That said, if Radio 5 parks its tanks on our lawn, we will react - we will not gladly concede a single listener.

Roger Mosey, editor of R4's Today programme, Radio Times

I've got a contract through to October, but I shall be surprised if it lasts that long. If the show goes off the air, I shall perfectly understand it.

Danny Baker, DJ, on his R1 show, Mojo

I looked younger than 26. I looked 17, and I had acne, and that doesn't help instil confidence in seasoned film crews.

Steven Spielberg, multiple-Oscar-winner, on his early days as a director, New Yorker