Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Television star and record executive who created Pop Idol and the X Factor, known for an instinct for popular taste.
On the island
Eight records
Mack the KnifeFavourite
The first is well this has to be the best song ever made, ever produced, ever sang, and it's Bobby Darren McThein.
Number two, this I think is the sexiest song ever made. And it's Herb Albert, This Guy's in Love With You.
My mum used to play this record and I used to hate it. Her eyes still well up every time she plays it now. And about five years ago I realized it's one of the most beautiful songs of all time.
Well, this has to be the best vocal of all time. ... if anyone's if anyone's listening as to how to do this or wants to know how to do this, listen to the Righteous Brothers singing Unshamed Melody.
Now this is a very strange record. The first time I heard it was on a cult movie called Ferris Bueller's Day Off starring Matthew Broderick. ... Wayne Newton Dankershane.
Actually this is the only record which isn't thirty years old. I thought the very first time I heard this song, this is one of the most perfect pop songs of all time.
All puppies. Um, Frank Sinatra, I think my favorite artist of all time. ... I love the arrangement on this song and I love the vocal and it's Frankson after Summerwind.
This record was played uh at my mum's eightieth birthday, and it was an incredible night. Uh we hired the rat pack, and I particularly requested this song, and they did it brilliantly, and it's Sammy Davis Junior, Mr. Bojangles.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:32How do you know when you hear [a hit]? Do you know immediately?
I was forty years old when I had that Eureka moment. ... And eventually it suddenly occurred to me, I have to like it. And I have quite broad popular tastes. So I took the the view that if I liked it, I think other people will like it.
Presenter asks
6:33Where does the self-delusion come from [for the bad singers]?
Parents, friends, but overall, right now, I think it's one of the reasons why this show is successful, is that we live in a fame epidemic. ... They just want to be celebrities. ... So I'm not sure whether we are encouraging this epidemic or simply showcasing it. I don't know. But I love it.
Presenter asks
9:06Was [Simon Cowell] always a pain in the proverbial as a small boy?
Looking back, probably yes. In Lippy. Always doing things I shouldn't, whatever I was told not to do, I would do ... I was actually a horrible child. I wouldn't want me if I was going to have children.
The keepsakes
The book
Jackie Collins
Well, I'm on my own. I'm on the desert island. I might as well have something.
Presenter asks
What do you think [your father] would make of you today?
I've no idea what he would think actually. I mean, l my dad had a sense of humor, and uh I do try through all of this ... retain a sense of humor because it is a crazy life. ... I think my dad would have taken it with a large dose of salt.
Presenter asks
29:05What haven't you got that you'd really like?
Um I'm always unhappy. I'm always striving for something else. I don't relax.
“I loathe cultural snobbiness. ... My opinion is if you like a certain kind of art, television show, music, whatever it is, you're entitled to do it as you're entitled to have your own taste in food.”
“The shark pool is not the media. The shark pool are some of the people who work within this business, who are absolutely vile, vile people.”
“I'm very, very competitive Sue. You know, I like winning. Um it's not the money. I like winning. I don't like being in second or third place.”