[Feefs]

Well, I never used to be a big fan of McGowan but I've grown to like him more over the last couple of series. He's still a bit 'average' in my opinion at impressions with Rory Bremner being my hero. Obviously some cruelty is inevitable when doing a send-up, but when it's supposed to be for fun, then some affection is required too.

I've always had a bee in my bonnet about people having a go at someone, or sending them up for being stupid because

1. it's not something you can do anything about if you are, and
2. it shows immense arrogance and reminds me of the school bullies.

Why not do it properly and do a 'how can you be a pop star when you can't speak' with stuttering Gareth impressions or do David Blunket 'getting about with no sight'? Think of how funny it would be to watch him walk into things!

McGowan has on a number of ocassions used stupidity as the focus of his impressions which I was never comfortable with, but at least when he was accusing Posh and Becks of being thick, it didn't really matter. They are established celebs who are very rich and whose public perception will hardly be changed by a sketch. More importantly, footballers and pop stars are not expected to be clever.

Admittedly, Helen's image and presenting style revels in her naivity, but if stupidity is reenforced too much, then it could limit her in the future. Then again, being famous enough to be 'done' might help her out in the fickle world of show-biz. Paul on the other hand has to go into a normal job, with normal people and convince people his work is good because he has the skills and intelligence to do it. The people he works with all the time will probaby laugh, but it can't help him if he is considering changing company, or when he has to give a presentation to clients.

Maybe it'll be fine, and we are being over-protective. If Helen can laugh at it, then we should, but I don't suppose she has much choice. I'm probably also prejudiced by having never liked Alistair. It's not just his impressions, but whenever he's interviewed he just really annoys me. There is something incredibly smug about him that has always got on my nerves.

I'm off out tonight, but I'll probably video it and watch with trepidation. I must admit, the Neil and Christine Hamilton was very, very funny.

Out of interest - what did Richard and Judy have to say about it all?