overheard

Music is a house of so many mansions to me, it's like French cheeses. I don't see how anybody can say "I don't like French cheese", because you say: "Well, which French cheese don't you like? If you don't like Brie then you must like chevre, if you don't like chevre then surely you're going to adore camembert?"

Simon Callow, actor, writer, and opera director, on, er, cheese, Guardian

I enjoy concentrated negati-vity. But it's different if you're a victim of it.

Rowan Atkinson's response to the critical reaction to Bean, Daily Telegraph

We're selling the short attention span.

Matt Wolf, of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, Times

I don't want to play characters that are hermetically sealed. I want to play characters who aren't manipulative. I want to play characters who are vulnerable.

Kevin Spacey, who took psycho-acting to new depths in Seven and The Usual Suspects, goes soft, Guardian

The first time we came we thought, America great, skate culture and hip hop. Then you realise it's the most horrible place on the planet.

Keith, of techno-band the Prodigy, on our friends across the pond, NME

What me? But I'm a menopausal dwarf.

Dame Judi Dench, on being offered the part of Cleopatra opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins, Time Out

looking up their own arse to have a good time. I love it, though"

Louise Wener of Sleeper; Elle Magazine, August issue.

"I'm always short of underwear."

Ginger Spice Geri, Rolling Stone Magazine July10 - 24

"I like the elements of danger which surround rock'n'roll. If someone throws a bottle at you, you've got to duck. Sometimes it is a pain and a misery, but turning a crowd like that around is more exciting than making a bunch of half-arsed graduates laugh."

"We come in Peace but we always come prepared for war...If we've got to break your arm we break your arm." Wu-Tung Clan

Rolling Stone Magazine July 10 - 24

"I've noticed that critics get very annoyed if they have settled your hash, and then you have the temerity to publish yet another book."

John Ashbery (Books) The Guardian July 24

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