There is a brand new Michael Palin website about his travel programmes, and he even has written something in the chatterbox. You must have a look!
www.palinstravels.co.uk
www.palinstravels.co.uk
ALARM!!!
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Unregistered(d) |
ALARM!!! |
Lead | |
|
Posts: 0 (09/28/02 08:07:15) |
|
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Ahhh...I knew it wouldn't take long. | ||
|
Posts: 0 (09/28/02 22:14:49) |
I was wondering how quickly it would get posted here. Good work MissFiggis! It's a great site! Even if I wasn't a raging Michael Palin fan, I'd think it was! Happy cruising grrrls!
|
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Michael on TV | ||
|
Posts: 0 (01/25/03 09:08:50) |
I think the topic title is very well chosen for the following:
I don't know if the US brigadiers can receive BBC America... I hope you can! Michael will be on Parkinson's show soon! Please tell us how he was and what he said!   Parkinson (60 min) Michael Palin; Comedian Ricky Gervais; news correspondent Kate Adie; music from Norah Jones. Thu Feb 27 08:00P BBCAM- BBC America Fri Feb 28 03:00A BBCAM- BBC America |
||
|
FoE |
BBC America... | ||
|
Posts: 554 (01/26/03 14:05:28) |
I don't get it, but my sister does. Her husband insisted on getting one of those satellite dishes that get roughly 6,000 stations and BBC America is one of them (Changing Rooms' Laurence = guilty pleasure ggrrowwrr!).
So, theoretically I could watch it at my sister's, but this Michael show is on exactly when my brother-in-law will be watching the monstrosity that is hockey. If there's one thing I can't stand it's hockey. NO lustful, sexy jocks in that sport, just a bunch of toothless fuglies suffering from little-man-over-compensation syndrome. Apologies for the rant. |
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
hockey | ||
|
Posts: 0 (01/26/03 16:07:54) |
Ah, yeah, I agree with you on the hockey issue. For me it's a bit too fast and too violent. I'm not that kind of person who goes "Oh, violence, run away, run away!", but I just hate these kind of "men sports". It's not really about the violence - because there isn't really any violence, let's face it. Eh, where was I?
 I like flower arranging I'm very confused today. Maybe it's because tomorrow I have my biggest and most scariest exam coming up in this term. 
|
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Exams and Hockey... | ||
|
Posts: 0 (01/28/03 09:11:49) |
... are two bad things. Lots of luck with the exam, Miss F!! I hope you get everything perfect!
I agree about Hockey... It's very popular where I live, but MAN, is it a silly game. And you're so right, FoE - No Sexy Jocks to speak of. Just lots of pain, violence, and broken bones. Another bad thing: Kn*ckers doesn't have BBC America. Guess I'll just have to use my imagination... |
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Live chat with Michael!!! | ||
|
Posts: 0 (02/19/03 04:32:54) |
Sorry for that late alarm.
Today, Wednesday at 5:30 GMT there is a live chat with Michael on his new website www.palinstravels.co.uk/ Remember you have to be registered! Questions can be asked in advance until the beginning of the chat and during as well. |
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Re: Live chat with Michael!!! | ||
|
Posts: 0 (02/19/03 16:54:49) |
OK, I don't think any of you made it to the chat, due to my inability to raise an alarm earlier.
It was, basically, chaos. The server broke down so it started about 35 min late. He barely answered any of those questions asked prior to the chat. But he was there, and that is what counted and made everyone happy in the end. He was very funny, but see for youself. I give you the transcript here, if you are intersted. (just for your information: due to the bandwidth problems of the server I kept quiet during the chat, but I said something just before Michael's first commentary and a bit after his last... but I was one of those happy ones who had the luck to attend it) |
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Re: Live chat with Michael!!! Transcript | ||
|
Posts: 0 (02/19/03 16:58:39) |
trev: hi michael-its freezing in yorkshire
Michael Palin: stephlynne Do you consider traveling with a camera crew to give you more or less of an "authentic" experience than the average traveler? Being a member of the press must give you access to many opportunities that a regular person would not have, but at the same time, has it been a hindrance because there are certain things and events that people do not want you to film? bathsheba: wb carlito Webmaster: If you wish to ask Michael a quesion, please click the name Passepartout in the left-hand column, type your message and it will be entered into the queue. Thanks. Michael Palin: Theres no such thing as an authentic travel experience. Every meeting which involves some kind of cultural difference will be to a certain extent contrived. We try to make the presence of the camera crew as discreet as possible. We ask permission before shooting and all my team are considerate and interested travellers. I think that between us we all realise that the more relaxed people feel, the better they will respond. So we try and make it as easy as possible for all of us. There were problems in the Sahara with some of the best native dances. They go on for hours and, because of the heat of the day, the most energetic ones are after dark. This means we have to use artificial light to film which I think tends to inhibit people. fran: finally managed to get on!!!!! MattD: Hello Michael, thank-you sooooo much for coming here carlito: thx bathsheba  LeeQuick: any way of blocking all the pointless chatter? bathsheba: ty webs Jill Mullen: Hi Michael! Thanks for answeting all our questions! Anni: Thank you so much, Michael Rusted: I'm not seeing a "pastpartout", Webmaster...where is this? kazwight: this is going way too fast for me! lumberjack friend: Hello Michael. I 'm from Japan! bathsheba: he looks rather busy think ill wait Michael Palin: LeeQuick I love the travels, but in a way I find it depressing that it would be impossible for myself, a female, to duplicate your adventures. Many countries and/or travel situations ranged from merely male-centric (on a dhow) to viciously anti-female (Saudi Arabia)...I wonder if you would agree? Michael Palin: Yes, it is more difficult for women than men to travel in certain countries. Women from the West are more emancipated than they are in many Third World countries. However, if you really want to travel you should not be put off. The women of the country very often run things even though they appear not to and if you get access to the women and of course if you wear suitable and discreet clothing, you could well learn things about a society that no man ever could. Piglet2: hello everyone gosh what a time I have had to get on!! Quaylemonster: What happened there? I was gone for quite a while. Rusted: Me too, don't worry! Michael Palin: (from vb) Do you keep in touch with any of the fixers and guides you met in the course of your journeys? If so, name one! (Basil doesn't count, you know he's been a friend of yours long before that, remember?!) Piglet2: lee if we blocked the chatter we wouldnt have a live chat!! rumblefish: I have no idea whats going on how long has michael been here Webmaster: To avoid clogging the chat window, can I again ask that you direct your questions to Passepartout? Thanks. Michael Palin: Yes, I do keep in touch with some of our guides including Said Chitour in Algeria and Richard Bonham who helped us out on the Hemingway series, introducing me to a cheetah, which nearly ate me! bathsheba: oh barry i forgot whatever happened to him from full circle ... he was such a dear Rusted: Okay, found Passpartout now... :O) bathsheba: lol the cheetah bathsheba: my son thinks im strange pammybabe: why does he think that? kazwight: If I think this is goig fast, imagine how Michael must be feeling! fattcslim: maybe you are strange? i am pammybabe: Is michael still here? wahine_nz: hi rehendhi: hi bathsheba: well ive been running around telling michael palinsssssssss going to be online and well hes 12 and pre hormonal so he just looked at me and sighed pandk2: I'm getting RSI of the eyes!/msg pandk2 Michael Palin: (from emartin) If you had the chance to only visit one more place for the rest of your life, where would it be and why? wahine_nz: did it take any1 else 2long to get this msg board? Michael Palin: Difficult. Probably Italy. A mixture of rich historical heritage, wine production, good food, great variety of scenery and football teams almost as good as Sheffield Utd! I certainly don't think I'd ever get bored of the place. Miss-M: hello karen and megs, my fellow melbournians! Michael Palin: (from Louise) Has Michael ever considered a jaunt to the town of Palin, in Guatemala? Apparently the country`s much safer these days... bathsheba: i am occasionally Helen: I can't get into passepourtout! wah! this is nuts--fun, but nuts!!! Michael Palin: Yes, I have considered this and will go there one day for sure. There%u2019s also a town called Pailin in Thailand, but Basil has been there and reckons it%u2019s a bit of a dump (he is quite short-sighted!). lumberjack friend: I'm very interesting SAHARA.Do you think it dengerous that a woman goes to desert alone? raxpus: hi guys, woohoo i made it! Michael Palin: (from Sue2  Was wondering whether you heard any traditional African music whilst travelling across the Sahara? kazwight: Has anyone out there been to the Calgary area of Canada? If so any tips? I am going in July lumberjack friend: I'm very interesting SAHARA.Do you think it dengerous that a woman goes to desert alone? pandk2: Hiw are you coping Michael? Michael Palin: Yes, the fula flute and the twenty-one string kora (played by Toumani Diabate) were two very ancient instruments which are often played alongside modern guitars, etc.. bathsheba: yes it did nz Passepartout: MattD: Michael, due to the enormous success of your latest travel series Sahara, I have heard that the BBC are pleading with you to do another travel adventure around Western China and Tibet. Do you have anymore details, or confirmation of what sounds perhaps one of your most interesting series to date? wahine_nz: whats the time in Aus? 5:30ish? MissFruitcake: yes rehendhi: 4:55ish saz_blink: toooo early!! bathsheba: in morning? fran: yeah. it took me a while to get on. but everything seems to be ok now saz_blink: YEP wahine_nz: yeah lol pammybabe: mikey has a lot of aussie fans apparantly risible-phyll: Am I still here? bathsheba: yes phyll Helen: Any advice for folks who would like to make a living being silly, making people laugh and traveling to faraway places? (i.e. being silly and being a lucky, lucky bastard! /msg Passepartout Megan Laura: he sure does risible-phyll: Yes I am apparently fattcslim: yes risible i think so raxpus: apparently so phyll ellenpc: YES I CAN LYN :-}}}}} MattD: and newzealand fan lumberjack friend: Here is 3:25 am!! bennyboy: Michael, where is the most soul sappingly, spirit crushingly dull place you have ever visited, Stoke On Trent? Michael Palin: MattD. Yes, I am planning a new and potentially exciting and exhausting series in the mountains and rivers of Central Asia. Tibet hopefully will be on our route, but I can't give any more detail as we are still in negotiations both with the BBC and the countries in which we're hoping to work. All I can say is it looks 90% certain that there will be a new series and book by the end of 2004, if I don't have a heart attack! bathsheba: oh boy wahine_nz: many nz fans Piglet2: yes you can what ellen forgotten kazwight: HOOOOORAY! Passepartout: kazwight: what;s the worst injury you have had whilst travelling? Katie: Excellent! Jill Mullen: wow, that sounds awesome Tona: hi everyone - just trying to get the hang of this thing! Eloise: Hello bathsheba: ooooooh no heart attacks MattD: wow, thanks! bathsheba: tibet sounds good Megan Laura: yahooo! another series!! kazwight: Michaels far too fit for that! Eloise: How's it gone so far? pandk2: Excellent! raxpus: yay another series, can't wait carlito: yup tibet sounds like a great mysterious place kazwight: a heart attack that is, though he is just really fit too bathsheba: my fave series was pole to pole pammybabe: cool wahine_nz: ppl in Oz, hav u had Hemmingway Adventure yet on tv? MissFruitcake: yep! kazwight: I just fell off my bike in the woods, that's why I asked about injuries! Any other injuries going on? pandk2: Sure have rehendhi: when? Katie: I'm not in Oz, but it's running right now in America...at least by me. Michael Palin: Kazwight. I cracked a rib whitewater rafting on the Zambesi River. My own stupid fault. We'd finished filming and I was persuaded to swim down a rapid. No rocks, they told me. Wrong, Lots of rocks and all aiming at Palin! Those of you who care about these things can perhaps see me wincing on the Pole to Pole series as I cross by bicycle into Zimbabwe. Cracked ribs take at least 6 weeks to heal... Helen: a new series! how wonderful! kazwight: Ouch! Katie: I remember that. Ouchie. bathsheba: yes and they hurt more when you laugh kazwight: Gonna go watch PtoP and check that out! Eloise: did you need to go to hospital? Webmaster: Thanks everyone things seem to be running more smoothly now. Bare with us. Passepartout: MartyPants: Any thoughts about doing some stage performing or similar projects before setting off on another great adventure? pammybabe: I remember reading that and laughing. You said something about condoms aswell Katie: Things are lookin' great, Webbie! kazwight: yeah thanks Webmaster, you've got it sorted emartin: The people who are running things are doing a great job!! rehendhi: good work Ann Pan: ello! Michael Palin: Marty Pants. No it doesn't look as though I'll have any time for much other work if we're going to get this series done... Eloise: Ditto LeeQuick: cudos to the entire site Michael Palin: by 2004. Webmaster: webmaster humour you know kazwight: What does everyone else think of a section on the website for fans to submit their own travel photos? bathsheba: um kaz pammybabe: that sounds fab kazwight: yeah (me?) Quaylemonster: Sounds pretty good. Rusted: Hello? pammybabe: my fotos r mental Helen: wunnerful wahine_nz: brill bathsheba: hi rusted Eloise: Mary! HI Michael Palin: Pammybabe. Ah yes, the condoms! Our sound man used his entire supply covering my microphone during the whitewater rafting. Jill Mullen: this is very cool...some good questions are being asked Michael Palin: As you can see, we do practice safe filming! Helen: we need mental Katie: That's a nice idea. I was also thinking of maybe a place just to put our names/locations. Just to get a sample of who's from where. MissFruitcake: hahahahaha bathsheba: lol trev: good idea kaz-perhaps with a little story and linked from a world map, country by country, so we can compare as well Ann Pan: that'd be pretty cool! if only i had interesting travel photos.... raxpus: haha, that's great dangermouse: I think it would detract from the site if I contaminated it with pics of me ! pammybabe: ha ha glad u weren't using them Passepartout: lenka: good afternoon Mr Palin, i'd like to ask you whether you're going to visit us here in central Europe? bathsheba: who bought the condoms? bathsheba: lol trev: my pics would feature my girlfriend and not me of course! pandk2: it would be overloaded..like Blathering on! ellenpc: Hi Lou, sorry Idid see you :-} vb: Do you ever use the public transportation in London? Helen: that's what I'd like to know Michael Palin: Lenka. Very good to hear from you as the site is all about travelling the world. I'm delighted to hear from as many different countries as possible. Sure, I would love to visit central Europe, but probably without camera crew when I can take a break. Ann Pan: i love trains Piglet2: are we suposed to be chatting as I had a mesage ot keep the board lclear for michael I am so confused I want to go home carlito: michael: one of the most poignant memories for me from 80 days was your goodbyes to the guys on the dhow? have you ever got in ctc with them? Eloise: Just ask, Lyn! bathsheba: um piglet well i think i was typing too much earlier Louise: am I still here ?! kazwight: I reckon us chatting gives Michael a chance to reply to questions! LeeQuick: lol lenka: great, thank you rehendhi: obviously Passepartout: intrepid: What§s the best place in the world to relieve oneself_ Quaylemonster: Yes, Louise. bathsheba: yes louise Helen: ellen, how's Christchurch today? ellenpc: Yes I can see you Lou Piglet2: Eloise ask me what!@? wahine_nz: i'm in the poo, howd u ask other q's? MattD: ello ellen bathsheba: im trying to think of a question Eloise: Ask a question! Webmaster: Thank you all for slowing the flow of traffic. It gives us time to answer your questions. pandk2: Hi Helen! Michael Palin: Intrepid. Wherever you relieve yourself is the best place in the world, but for my money, nothing has beaten the sheer glory of a @#%$ at the South Pole! Katie: wahine: ask passepartout rehendhi: lol bathsheba: omg Jill Mullen: hahaha...that must be something else bathsheba: lol Quaylemonster: Well said. MissFruitcake: hahah!!! saz_blink: lol fattcslim: cool @#%$ then lol Helen: Yo Pandk2-- it's Karen, right? ellenpc: Hi Helen :-} It's sunny, whith a bit of a 'nip' in the air. We had a beautiful sunrise... kazwight: Language Michael, I hope Webmaster is going to tell you off for that! Katie: LOL! wahine_nz: haha carlito: lol pandk2: Yes Helen raxpus: hahahaha bathsheba: lol kaz pammybabe: u'd get frostbite on ur backside mikey! Piglet2: sorry eloise I didnt see the comma! Passepartout: fattcslim: (fattcslim) so who misses who the most, you or the wife? bathsheba: someone typed bastard earlier .........oops Eloise: lol Ann Pan: *squeals* Helen: There is SNOW in Connecticut. Lots of it. Jill Mullen: as in Massachustts as well pammybabe: freakin language PEOPLE bathsheba: no snow here we miss it all inyork its too flat fattcslim: just rain in yorkshire kazwight: I'm supposed to be cookingm y boyf's dinner now, he's gonna kill me, reckon i can blame Michael? Quaylemonster: None in Alabama! MWAHAHAHA! bathsheba: wolds was covered in snow Eloise: Michael, do you prefer hot or cold weather? or are you not bothered? ellenpc: Yeah I'd heard you'd had A LOT of snow Jill Mullen: haha tim..you missed quite a snowstorm here! Katie: No more snow in Illinois. It all melted today! Michael Palin: Fattcslim. Better ask the wife, really! The interesting thing is we both miss each other at different times. I've often phoned home in amorous mood from the far ends of the earth only to find she's dealing with car insurance and is very pissed off! Helen: I said bastard, but Michael said it first on his own website. I promise not to go mental. Piglet2: that was referring to lucky lucky b'd on Mp e mail to us!! Quaylemonster: I wouldn't really say I missed it, Jill. fattcslim: lol caitanja: :-D bathsheba: lol helen Jill Mullen: lol i figured you might say that... bathsheba: lol michael pandk2: Kick pammybabe off! bathsheba: didnt they teach you timing in comedy bathsheba: lol kazwight: Michael, you can always phone me instead..... Jill Mullen: lol who wouldnt want to be dealing with car insurance? :-) bathsheba: lol kaz you will scare him off ellenpc: Oh Michael, that's gorgeous!! :-} Diaan: Micheal, what is better, leaving for a journey or coming home at the end of it? Helen: ergh. Car insurance. And telemarketers. ugh. kazwight: Ooops, soz Michael!! wink wink bathsheba: lmeao kaz Rusted: Did I miss a bunch again? ellenpc: Yes Mary.. :-} vb: Michael! Do you ever use the public transportation system in London (apart from a TV series)? Eloise: a bunch of what? Passepartout: rumblefish: michael have you got something against the states you always seem to fly through it fattcslim: anyone from s yorks uk here? pandk2: Where's the Spanish Inquisition...had to get it in.SORRY! Rusted: What the heck is going on? I haven't heard anything since bathseba first came on!!! bathsheba: im stil trying to think of an intelligent question kazwight: Good lucl bathsheba ;o) Mr. Anchovy: just got in too Rusted Eloise: i'm just trying to keep up! Ann Pan: i know!! its sooo hard to think of a good one! pammybabe: kick pandk2 off or i'll make him look like a panda! pandk2: That's shocking!!!!! Rusted: I'm really confused and I keep missing everything that everyone is talking about... wahine_nz: Welease Wodewick... sorry couldn't help myself either trev: nearly fattcslim - i'm in south kirkby about 2 miles into west yorks near barnsley Quaylemonster: I was trying to think of one earlier, but then I realized intelligent questions aren't my style. pammybabe: if he doesn't already Piglet2: hello Patrick from germany pri: please stop the flirting and dribble - we're here to hear from Michael! pammybabe: peas man Mr. Anchovy: hi Piglet Jill Mullen: i submitted a question last night to chat topics Helen: I'm confused too, Mary... fattcslim: trev not that far from rotherham then dude CraigStanton: Is this browser compatible? kazwight: give him a chance to type Pri! ellenpc: Hi Patrick Michael Palin: Rumblefish. No nothing against the States at all. Many good friends there and inexhaustibly fine scenery except where they've built shopping malls! But it's more difficult to work in places where I'm known. Best filming experiences tend to be in the most remote and unexpected places. CraigStanton: Yay! Rusted: I've been on for awhile, Patrick, but then things just stip and I don't hear anything for ages... raxpus: i only just got here a few minutes ago... by any chance could someone tell me if michael answered my questions earlier? risible-phyll: I'm very confused I don't even know if my question to Michael got through? Rusted: Glad I'm not the only one, Helen. trev: yeah, really close. i'll be in rotherham on sunday actually, to watch the rugby. Piglet2: QUIET folks I cant hear Michael Ann Pan: did someone just say peas? Mr. Anchovy: exactly the same problem Rusted... Eloise: ditto Lyn Helen: how's Wisconsin today mary? pammybabe: yup it was me peas man ! peace Rusted: Sorry Lyn, it's just...I stayed quiet and then I froze! raxpus: where HAVEN'T they (we) built shopping malls? djjord: there will be a transcript later pandk2: Michael, are you slightly overwhelmed?! Jill Mullen: understandably...you would be recognized whereever you went across the US Katie: I think we all are pandk2 Ann Pan: yay! peas! jobe the pea boy- half man- half pea! kazwight: Anyone been to Milton Keynes? Now there's a scary place with a big mall Michael Palin: Thanks everyone for your continued interest and all of your questions. Sorry about the difficulties we experienced earlier. Hope that we can iron these out and have another chat in the very near future. But please carry on chatting and, once again, I've enjoyed reading your questions. I've taken them in, I just don't have time to say hi to everyone. |
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Wow! | ||
|
Posts: 0 (02/20/03 10:12:35) |
Hey, thanks miss F. for posting that! Looks like the chat was a bit crazy, but it seems to have worked out.
Nice to know Michael has some new projcts in the works! |
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Re: Wow! | ||
|
Posts: 0 (02/20/03 10:16:59) |
Yes, thanks!
The next chat will come shortly as promised by Michael himself. Next time I tell you early enough so that you can come as well! (or another possibility is that you check at the Palin's Travel site yourself - but you don't have to do that, 'cause you have me )
|
||
|
FoE |
I think that was the longest post in MPEB history!... | ||
|
Posts: 554 (02/20/03 16:12:40) |
...but if I don't read the whole thing, does that mean I'm not a true fan?
|
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
Just keeping you updated... | ||
|
Posts: 0 (02/21/03 04:07:23) |
A true fan? Well maybe, FoE, you should read this here, it's only the Q and A of the chat and not the fan-talk in between:
stephlynne: Do you consider traveling with a camera crew to give you more or less of an "authentic" experience than the average traveler? Being a member of the press must give you access to many opportunities that a regular person would not have, but at the same time, has it been a hindrance because there are certain things and events that people do not want you to film? Michael Palin: Hello stephlynne - there's no such thing as an "authentic" travel experience. Every meeting which involves some kind of cultural difference will be to a certain extent contrived. We try to make the presence of the camera crew as discreet as possible. We ask permission before shooting and all my team are considerate and interested travellers. I think that between us we all realise that the more relaxed people feel, the better they will respond. So we try and make it as easy as possible for all of us. There were problems in the Sahara with some of the best native dances. They go on for hours and, because of the heat of the day, the most energetic ones are after dark. This means we have to use artificial light to film which I think tends to inhibit people. LeeQuick: I love the travels, but in a way I find it depressing that it would be impossible for myself, a female, to duplicate your adventures. Many countries and/or travel situations ranged from merely male-centric (on a dhow) to viciously anti-female (Saudi Arabia)...I wonder if you would agree? Michael Palin: Hello LeeQuick - yes, it is more difficult for women than men to travel in certain countries. Women from the West are more emancipated than they are in many Third World countries. However, if you really want to travel you should not be put off. The women of the country very often run things even though they appear not to and if you get access to the women and of course if you wear suitable and discreet clothing, you could well learn things about a society that no man ever could. vb: Do you keep in touch with any of the fixers and guides you met in the course of your journeys? If so, name one! (Basil doesn't count, you know he's been a friend of yours long before that, remember?!) Michael Palin: Hello vb - yes, I do keep in touch with some of our guides including Said Chitour in Algeria and Richard Bonham who helped us out on the Hemingway series, introducing me to a cheetah, which nearly ate me! emartin: If you had the chance to only visit one more place for the rest of your life, where would it be and why? Michael Palin: Hello emartin - difficult. Probably Italy. A mixture of rich historical heritage, wine production, good food, great variety of scenery and football teams almost as good as Sheffield Utd! I certainly don't think I'd ever get bored of the place. Louise: Has Michael ever considered a jaunt to the town of Palin, in Guatemala? Apparently the country`s much safer these days... Michael Palin: Hello Louise - yes, I have considered this and will go there one day for sure. There's also a town called Pailin in Thailand, but Basil has been there and reckons it's a bit of a dump (he is quite short-sighted!). Sue28: Was wondering whether you heard any traditional African music whilst travelling across the Sahara? Michael Palin: Hello Sue28 - yes, the fula flute and the twenty-one string kora (played by Toumani Diabate) were two very ancient instruments which are often played alongside modern guitars, etc.. Kristine: Do you ever feel a little shocked or surprised when find out your vast fan base not only consists of mature adults, but of people who are as young as 14, 15, 16 years old? (I am only 14 myself.) And do you feel a sense of pride that your works appeal to most if not all age groups? Michael Palin: Hello Kristine - I'm really pleased to hear that teenagers and children at school are interested in my programmes. My love of travel began very early on and was stimulated by books and magazines by people much older than myself and by good geography teachers, too. If I can encourage people as young as yourself to travel then I feel that is an achievement I'm proud of. ellenpc: On travelling around/through the Sahara, how did you find the various nations attitude towards using or wanting to be able to access the internet? Bearing in mind their various economies and literacy rates. Michael Palin: Hello ellenpc - most countries of the Sahara are too poor for there to be much access to the Internet. However, I'm sure the demand is there and many of the children in school would be fascinated to have email pen friends abroad but it all costs money and I think it will be a long while before many of the children learn to read and write let alone use the Internet. But what a difference it could make, eh? Opening up the world without leaving home. I might think about that! AGM: Are you ever afraid when you travel? Michael Palin: Hello AGM - yes. Sometimes terrified, sometimes merely @#%$-scared! It's an inevitable part of the process. Excitement and exhilaration and sheer wonder make up for the moments of terror. And, to be honest, you can't have one without the other. Jill Mullen: If you were to do a travel series dealing with visting various places across the U.S., is there a particular region and/or historical or cultural aspect of America that you would be particularly interested in doing a program on? Michael Palin: Hello Jill Mullen - Lewis and Clark's exploration of the West, and Chicago and the birth of the skyscraper would both be American subjects I'd love to do. vb: Does every person who appears on your programs have to sign a contract with BBC? Michael Palin: Hello vb - yes, we do try to get permission from everyone who appears. I'm not sure they always understand what they're signing, but there's a basic right of privacy which ought to be protected. LV: What favourite places in England would you recommend to a visitor? Michael Palin: Hello LV - Suffolk and Norfolk and Shropshire and the Welsh Borders. All beautiful and not too crowded. MattD: Michael, due to the enormous success of your latest travel series Sahara, I have heard that the BBC are pleading with you to do another travel adventure around Western China and Tibet. Do you have anymore details, or confirmation of what sounds perhaps one of your most interesting series to date? Michael Palin: Hello MattD - yes, I am planning a new and potentially exciting and exhausting series in the mountains and rivers of Central Asia. Tibet hopefully will be on our route, but I can't give any more detail as we are still in negotiations both with the BBC and the countries in which we're hoping to work. All I can say is it looks 90% certain that there will be a new series and book by the end of 2004, if I don't have a heart attack! kazwight: what;s the worst injury you have had whilst travelling? Michael Palin: Hello kazwight - I cracked a rib whitewater rafting on the Zambesi River. My own stupid fault. We'd finished filming and I was persuaded to swim down a rapid. No rocks, they told me. Wrong, Lots of rocks and all aiming at Palin! Those of you who care about these things can perhaps see me wincing on the Pole to Pole series as I cross by bicycle into Zimbabwe. Cracked ribs take at least 6 weeks to heal... pammybabe: You said something about condoms aswell. Michael Palin: Hello pammybabe - ah yes, the condoms! Our sound man used his entire supply covering my microphone during the whitewater rafting. As you can see, we do practice safe filming! vb: Do you ever use the public transportation in London (apart from a TV series)? Michael Palin: Hello vb - yes, I use the Underground and recently have been trying to walk more and use my car less. MartyPants: Any thoughts about doing some stage performing or similar projects before setting off on another great adventure? Michael Palin: Hello MartyPants - no it doesn't look as though I'll have any time for much other work if we're going to get this series done by 2004. lenka: good afternoon Mr Palin, i'd like to ask you whether you're going to visit us here in central Europe? Michael Palin: Hello lenka - very good to hear from you as the site is all about travelling the world. I'm delighted to hear from as many different countries as possible. Sure, I would love to visit central Europe, but probably without camera crew when I can take a break. intrepid: What's the best place in the world to relieve oneself? Michael Palin: Hello intrepid - wherever you relieve yourself is the best place in the world, but for my money, nothing has beaten the sheer glory of a @#%$ at the South Pole! fattcslim: so who misses who the most, you or the wife? Michael Palin: Hello fattcslim - better ask the wife, really! The interesting thing is we both miss each other at different times. I've often phoned home in amorous mood from the far ends of the earth only to find she's dealing with car insurance and is very pissed off! rumblefish: michael have you got something against the states you always seem to fly through it Michael Palin: Hello rumblefish - no nothing against the States at all. Many good friends there and inexhaustibly fine scenery except where they've built shopping malls! But it's more difficult to work in places where I'm known. Best filming experiences tend to be in the most remote and unexpected places. Michael Palin: Thanks everyone for your continued interest and all of your questions. Sorry about the difficulties we experienced earlier. Hope that we can iron these out and have another chat in the very near future. But please carry on chatting and, once again, I've enjoyed reading your questions. I've taken them in, I just don't have time to say hi to everyone. |
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
ALARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
|
Posts: 0 (04/02/03 08:14:01) |
ALARM!!!!!
Michael will be at Conan O'Brian today (Wednesday, April 2)!!!!!!!! |
||
|
FoE |
Oooh! | ||
|
Posts: 554 (04/02/03 12:14:37) |
Thanks, Miss Figgis! That's something I can watch, everything else Michael-related has been swallowed up by cable. But tonight, I shall have Michael goodness.
|
||
|
Unregistered(d) |
So was he there?! | ||
|
Posts: 0 (04/04/03 05:33:17) |
Was he really there? If yes, what did he say? Tell us!!!
|
||
