Just as I was greatly impressed with the agent of Rowan Atkinson, who went out of her way to help me, it seems that another extremely kind young lady has ridden to my aid. A little background:- A week or two ago, whilst lying on my couch and watching England thrash the Aussies in the Second Test, my mobile phone rang. I answered it and was greeted by one of the most recognisable voices on British TV.
"Hi Julian, John Motson here. Sorry I've only just got back to you but I've been on holiday... In principle I'm happy to meet you but could you possibly just clear it with my agent first".
How UNBELIEVABLY kind and nice of him I thought, to phone me up like that. No airs and graces whatsoever. Well I spoke with his agent Sara shortly after that and despite sounding a little puzzled, she said that she would speak to John to try and sort out a convrnient date. Well a little time went by and to be honest, I thought that I would hear no more on this matter, yet just the other day, Sara the angel gets back to me and tells me that John would be happy to meet me this coming Tuesday.
Our brief chat raised a few issues actually, none moreso than the perception that my words on agents generally might be slightly harsh. Well I certainly have no desire to offend anyone in what I write...apart from Michael (who is growing increasingly smug at my limited success so far, "perhaps you should rename it Greeting the 5"), and so I would like to reiterate a couple of points that I made elsewhere on this site. Firstly, I am WELL AWARE that probably every one of the 500 on my list already do a vast amount of work for good causes, receive hundreds of requests every day, and are incredibly busy. I hold absolutely nothing against anyone who will not meet me. Secondly I apportion no blame at all to the agents of those who won't meet me, since their hands are tightly bound by the wishes of their clients. All that I ask is that either my letter or failing that, the contents of my letter ie the idea, is passed on to the intended receipient. I would now like to lay the subject of agents to rest for once and all.
I will, of course, be updating this site once my meeting with the legend of sport commentary is complete.
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