Image Credit: Felix Kunze/WireImage.com
If you’ve already read Hugh Grant’s article for the New Statesman in which he secretly tape-recorded a conversation with ex-News of the World investigative journalist and paparazzo Paul McMullan, chances are you’re still talking about how awesome it is. If you haven’t read it, do so here.
Grant had met McMullan in December, when his “midlife crisis car” broke down and McMullan stopped to photograph him and then offered him a lift. After some swearing, Grant had to accept the ride, and during the drive, McMullan — someone who’d outed News of the World‘s alleged penchant for phone-hacking, which is back in the headlines again — claimed that Grant himself had been a victim. McMullan invited Grant to someday stop by the pub he owns, and when the New Statesman asked Grant to write a piece for them, he decided to pay McMullan a visit to learn more about tabloid journalism. “You’re not taping, are you?” McMullan asked when their chat started to get juicy. “No,” Grant lies in an admittedly “slightly shrill voice.”
On tape, McMullan not only shares his thoughts on how much former editor Andy Coulson and owner Rupert Murdoch knew about what was allegedly going on at News of the World, but also on how some police allegedly aid the tabloids (and may even phone them to make some money for a tip, like how a much-loved TV actress now in her 60s used to be a street-walker). Grant comes off as sharp and well-researched, but also frank. He and McMullan debate when, if ever, phone-hacking is permissible.
Me But celebrities you would justify because they’re rich?
Him Yeah. I mean, if you don’t like it, you’ve just got to get off the stage. It’ll do wonders.
Me So I should have given up acting?
Him If you live off your image, you can’t really complain about someone …
Me I live off my acting. Which is different to living off your image.
Him Yeah, but you’re still presenting yourself to the public. And if the public didn’t know you –
Me They don’t give a s—. I got arrested with a hooker and they still came to my films. They don’t give a f— about your public image. They just care about whether you’re in an entertaining film or not.
I have to agree with Grant there — at least in his case. What’s your take? Grant writes that he finds it interesting that even though the two men hate what the other stands for, they got along well enough that he actually felt a bit guilty for recording McMullan. But since Grant gives a nice plug to McMullan’s pub at the end of the piece — “The Castle Inn, Dover, for the record. There are rooms available, too. He asked me if I’d like to sample the honeymoon suite some time: ‘I can guarantee your privacy’” — I’m thinking the encounter was a win-win.
I’ll agree to a point. Getting arrested with a hooker, eh. Beating the crap out of Rihanna, that’s something else.
Or screaming crazy, racist rants at the mother of your child.
The ends doesn’t justify the means. Yes, it’s good that these persons’ bad behaviors were revealed, which means something could be done about it (not that much if anything good has come of it . . . but it gave the opportunity that something could be done about it). But that does not excuse violation of privacy and other unethical or illegal acts. We may live in a free society, but we also live in a society where our right to privacy is supposed to be protected.
Am I the only one that is raking my brain trying to think of who the ex-hooker actress is?
Yes. Yes you are.
Yes! I’m two seconds away from going to Google, though not sure what key words would get the real answer
How does one “rake” their brain? Also, where is there any mention of an “ex-hooker” actress?
Third paragraph: “…a tip, like how a much-loved TV actress now in her 60s used to be a street-walker”
Okay, I’ll assume you’re serious and you read the article but English isn’t your primary language. “Raking one’s brain” means trying really hard to remember something. And “streetwalker” is another term for hooker.
@Flyer
It’s “racking.”
BWAHAHAHAHAHA! All of this is a “moo point”
@crispy – it’s like a cow’s opinion, it just doesn’t matter. It’s moo.
@MB- wracking one’s brain, actually. nice try though. Racecar too.
It’s “wracking”–it comes from “wrack”, meaning damage, wreck or destruction. “Wrack” itself comes from the Old English “wraec”, meaning vengeance or punishment.
I’m wrecking my brain to understand what a moat point and a streakwalker is.
I want to know too…
I think it’s Sally Field.
Doubtful. Her mother was and actress, step-dad a stuntman, and she made her film debut at 16. Gidget followed soon after and she has worked ever since. Can’t see her needing to turn tricks to pay the bills.
Sally Field is not British
SOMEONE has to know this…anyone?
So rather than applauding that someone got off the streets and has made her life a success, we’re all going on a witch-hunt. Great. Wonderful
Oh, dear. Judging from that photo, he is not aging well.
And your comment is why is have a nation of Stepford Wives. Grant looks fabulous.
That picture makes me think that he and Seth Meyers need to play brothers in something ASAP…
Re the MLTVA – if you read the article, you’ll see that she was only cautioned – so there is probably not much to see. Also – British actress folks – not American. Finally – who cares.
Fascinating. And I found that aside about the reporter about rummaging throw Nicole’s Kidman’s trash and such so disturbing. I mean thinking about it I know that’s how they get info, but it’s so invasive. As it tapping phone conversations. I get that they are public people, and some way more than others purposely wh**e themselves out, but there should be a line and there so isn’t.
This is really awesome that Grant did this. But also, it’s pretty sad that it took an ACTOR to expose this corruption, and accomplish what the police, journalists, and politicians refused to do.
I don’t think that McMullan quite got the point that Grant was making. Yes sure these guys are making big bucks but aren’t the entitled to their privacy?
They aren’t wh*ring themselves out really for publicity.
Now people like the Kardashians or Paris Hilton who are all only famous for being famous/rich then that i kind of get.
if that makes any sense.
And I wish the Kardashians and Hiltons wanted privacy. I’ve had it with their ignorant nattering and tasteless behavior. Maybe I’m in overwhelm but I don’t care what actors and actresses do outside their professinal lives. Whether they work in orphanges or fall off barstools, I’m done. I don’t care. So someone like Grant should be left alone. The tabloid press pretends their doing it for us, but they’re not. I know I’m not the only one who’s burned out on this. I wonder if their subscriptions have dropped.
There should be a show where a paparazzi company stalks other paparazzi 24/7. Then someone snaps and they kill each other. Everyone cheers. The End.
Great idea. We could call it
“POP-a-razzi”! Or maybe “Photo Finish”.
Joanna Lumley
My first thought as well.
Barbara Windsor ??
Shes in her 70s (74 i think)
hooker was called divine brown and only became breifly famous for the incident with hugh this was years ago. she made alot of money out of it didnt develop any other talents tho
that’s not what they’re referring to. I doubt Divine Brown is in her 60s..
More celebrities should turn the tables on the paparazzi. They should hire private investigators to look into them and air their dirty laundry in the public. Whether or not the public cares is beside the point.
soy de peru y no se pero este hombre me encanta ,su hermosa risa te amo hugh grant y quiero serE LA SEÑORA DE GRANT ,BETZABETH SANCHEZ TRONCOS DE PERU . TE AMO CON TODO MI CORAZON
Maybe many of you on here desperately trying to wrack your brains on who the beloved British actress is, WILL be grieving the death of NOTW. No doubt, buying the last edition on Sunday, undermining the whole wave of criticism levelled at it in the first place. Hypocritical and tragic.
You’re a shame to your profession. The tabloids made you. You can’t act for toffee and should be eternally grateful you got where you did with your one trick pony talent.