Index

» Bill Q&A Interview ...

BIRDMAN BILL - OUT OF THE WILDERNESS AND INTO THE C&G!

(from C&G #44  August 1999)

Regular C&G contributor Catherine Sumnall, not content with seeing Bill Oddie in his stage show "Follow That Bird", sent the bearded wonder a few questions and here's how he answered them:

GIBBONS, TERRAPINS, TEAPOTS, ETC. DARE WE ASK WHAT YOUR INSPIRATION WAS?

God knows I wish I had a rational explanation. To be (mildly) pretentious I think it comes from "pure radio" - the sound of silly words. Repeated enough any of them sound daft and get a laugh - eventually.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE GOODIES EPISODE? IF SO, WHAT?

I always enjoyed the ones where there was no film - run out of money usually - so we had to act - what a challenge! I seem to remember one called "The End" where we got concreted in the office till we finally died - good funny conclusion death! Heyho.

HOW DID YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT BIRDWATCHING PROGRAMS? DO YOU REGRET THAT YOU ARE NOW INFAMOUS FOR THAT RATHER THAN ANYTHING ELSE?

My ornithological bent (oops missus) goes back to childhood. So I've simply been lucky enough to make my hobby into a job. It's great. "Bird people" are much nicer than showbiz people - but then who isn't?!

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST SATISFYING PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?

I think being in the top five "rock groups" and myself top five "song writers" in - I think - 1976 was rather satisfying, since we didn't take any of it seriously. Used to feel sorry for those who did! Oh yes - and the "groupies" of course!

WHAT'S ALL THIS BBC CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUT?

Two things you should know - a) it's a conspiracy but b) it's only a theory...

I'M SORRY I'LL READ THAT AGAIN IS A SHOW OF HUGELY ENDURING POPULARITY. BBC ENTERTAINMENT RECENTLY INFORMED US THAT "...THERE MAY BE SOMETHING IN THE PIPELINE CONCERING ISIRTA, UNFORTUNATELY AT TOO EARLY A STAGE TO GIVE ANYTHING AWAY YET". CAN YOU ENLIGHTEN US?

Really? News to me. If it involves a "reunion" forget it! No way those people would survive together for more than five minutes! Plus no doubt if it involves us being paid - it won't happen.

PRESUMABLY YOU ARE NO LONGER BOUND BY THE SECRECY PACT CONCERNING MORNINGTON CRESCENT. I IMPLORE YOU WHAT ARE THE DAMNED AND ELUSIVE RULES?

I was not in "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" - well I did one or two series very early on - but pre MC so I don't know. ** I do know there is no secret or rules - T & G told me.

HAVE YOU EVER ACTUALLY HEARD OF CLARION AND GLOBE, AND DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN WE TIRELESSLY RUN? ARE YOU WISHING YOU HAD NOT READ THIS NOW? (YES OR YES?)

No but Yes. No, not really - otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to fill in the spaces... Mind you I AM just wasting time before a birdy lecture in Lichfield - still 20 minutes to go...