LITERATURE

I admit I'm not a huge reader of novels, and when I do read something it tends to be science fiction, a pulp page-turner or something related to a movie. However, if something catches my eye and stimulates my intellect, I can devour a book in a couple of days. My favourite authors include (in no particular order, and off the top of my head)... Thomas Harris, Michael Crichton, Timothy Zahn, Terry Pratchett, Stephen King, Anne Rice, James Herbert, Mario Puzo, Nicholas Evans, Harper Lee and Kevin J. Anderson. I've recently discovered the great travel writing of Bill Bryson, the acerbic political wit of Michael Moore, and am planning on making an effort to get into both J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkein, so this list may increase before long!

HUMOUR

I have been told on numerous occasions that I have a very bizarre sense of humour, so it should come as no surprise that my taste in comedy is somewhat idiosyncratic. I love many of the modern stand-up comedians that have flourished in the UK in recent years, especially people like Johnny Vegas, Peter Kay, Jack Dee and Tommy Tiernan. I also love the art of improvisational comedy, and have spend many happy hours laughing uncontrollably at people such as Ryan Styles, Greg Proops, Colin Mochrie and Mike McShane, and the other guys on Whose Line Is It Anyway?

The various comedy quiz shows that abound on British TV also appeal to my sense of humour: I like satire, in all its forms, and enjoy the verbal banter that goes on between the presenters. Examples: They Think It's All Over with Nick Hancock, Jonathan Ross, David Gower, Rory McGrath and Gary Lineker; Have I Got News For You with Angus Deayton, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop; and Never Mind The Buzzcocks with Mark Lamarr and Phil Jupitus. I also used to love the highly eccentric, late lamented Shooting Stars, with Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Ulrika Jonsson, and the naked drum-playing man-child George Dawes (who I once stood behind in a Burger King queue near St. Pancras station in London). Iranu indeed!

THE SIMPSONS

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