The power of the press?
The scene: a trendy bar and eatery in Freemans Bay, Auckland. Booked exclusively last evening for a business function, three stalwarts of the popular press, including Ms F O’Sullivan and Mr P Holmes, tarried at an outdoor table after a late lunch. When politely reminded their time was up, the visitor from Hawke’s Bay replied: “Don’t you know who I am?” Sadly, the young and demure organiser had to admit that she had no idea, just that she had booked the place exclusively. Perhaps the question should have been: “Don’t you know who I was?” The defenders of the fourth estate stayed ostentatiously put after the bar manager quailed in the face of the ferocious and fulsome trio, fearing a D rated review.
And while we’re talking Holmesisms, a former neighbour of P Holmes told us of a time when the erstwhile ego knocked on his door asking to borrow a bottle of wine. Flattered that the great white mouth should ask, he duly gave him a bottle of his best and promises of a payback were made. The favour was returned when Holmes turned up on his doorstep—not with a bottle of similar value, but with a copy of his book. Signed mind you.
Jason Kemp
February 10, 2012
The book was no doubt "priceless". The wine lender is lucky he wasn't given a copy of the famous 2000? music album by the very same Holmes.
I remember when when hundreds of copies were returned to the record company / maybe more.
Then there was the time when PH moved from TVNZ to Prime for a large fee. When the viewers failed to switch over in droves there should have been a few clues there but apparently not.
Fran O'Sullivan
February 11, 2012
The Scene. A deck outside a Carribean restaurant in Freemans Bay late pm. Herald columnists – Fran O'Sullivan, Paul Holmes, Paul Thomas, Jim Hopkins and Tapu Misa – happily being entertained by editor Shayne Currie for the long overdue Xmas Party. (First error – Six stalwarts not three).
P Holmes a late arrival from HB.
Suddenly, the Herald group was shocked to be confronted by a young Gen-I exec who informed us she had booked the restaurant and we must go pronto (Second error: The restaurant manager had informed us earlier that a group was coming in and we would be alright to stay as long as we did not enter the restaurant proper).
P Holmes did not say "Don't you know who I am (Third error – in this case mischievous BS.)
In a situation of perceived conflict the usual course for a 25 year old manager would be to approach the restaurant owner/manager directly not confront other paying guests. The owner/manager clearly had not perceived an issue because we had just been served some wine. I am sure if the restaurant had identified an issue earlier we would have made alternative arrangements for lunch.
What also is at odds with your account is the fact that the young Gen-I manager generously sent a round of cocktails and additional snacks to the table when we were clearly preparing to go.
We did not ask for this generosity.But it was appreciated unlike the erroneous report of ur social gathering which was particularly nasty as far as P.Holmes is concerned.
Kindest regards
Fran
James
February 13, 2012
Yes, please stop being so nasty to Mr. Holmes. He's so generous to others, like Maori.
Jarrod
February 13, 2012
Ah, the Paul Holmes album… I remember working in music retail and helping an elderly lady looking for Christmas gifts… I obliged and she was buying up the new releases. When we made it to her sister on her list, I pointed to the Holmes album. She rolled her eyes, laughed and told me "Oh God no, don't be so stupid… Ghastly". I'm not sure we moved a single unit.
Hugh Mungus
February 13, 2012
Go Fran! Well spoken. Unlike James, Jarrod and Jason all tut tutting away. Not triplets are you?
Jarrod
February 13, 2012
Hahaha! Wow. This is like some "Inception" shit… THE JOKE IS REAL
Jarrod
February 13, 2012
PS Hiii Paul
Mish
March 7, 2012
Ah, the price of fame.