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All In A Day’s Work
STUART COSGROVE’S24SEVEN
Discovering a classic case of the right man being in the right place at the right time, Ronald Allison is enthused by talking to TV veteran Stuart Cosgrove, the Glasgow-based extrovert responsible for Channel Four’s programming strategy outside London.
Born in Perth and with, to this day, a passion for St Johnstone Football Club (his own initials are S.J.F.C.) Stuart Cosgrove is totally comfortable in the con- temporary media whirlpool that so many find bewildering, if not worrying or even, frankly, frightening.
Stuart sees it all as a huge opportuni- ty. In his role as Channel Four’s Head Of Programmes (Nations and Regions), he relishes the chance to carry on making
his own distinctive and, at times, contro- versial contribution, “Convergence” is very much the buzz word.
It’s easy to get the feeling that if others hadn’t already done so, Stuart would have invented the Web – in his words, “the biggest and most outra- geous library in the world – with the slowest librarian!”
With his own hugely-popular radio series On the Ball as the outlet for his own wit and talents as a performer, Stuart
seems in many ways to have the ideal media man’s life. Responsible for oversee- ing the production of 30 per cent of C4’s programmes, he is able to be innovative and encourage others to be so too.
BAFTA Scotland is fortunate to have his energy and enthusiasm at their disposal as well. Stuart is partic- ularly excited about the New Talent Awards, knowing they will embrace the new media and the interactive alongside film and television. He is at ease with what is happening in the devolving Scotland, though con- cerned that the institutions and
organisations – BAFTA among them – connect into a UK network. “That is crucially important,” he says.
So, for a man who shared a room at Hull University with the now distin- guished Anthony Minghella, worked for a while in higher education, first made his mark with the NME and then went by way of independent production suc- cesses such as Halfway To Paradise and Walk On the Wild Side to C4, the future is to be savoured. Further suc- cesses seem assured. But, more impor- tantly, will the other SJFC win a cup or the Scottish Premier League? ■
DAWN AIREY’S
SIX OF THE BEST
Industry personalities hand out their very own BAFTAs
Worst TV Programme Ever
Triangle – for some a cult hit. Execrable characters and storylines, all on a delightful cross channel ferry which, unlike the programme, failed to sink without trace.
Best Film Ever
Cabaret perfectly encapsulated the zeit- geist of Germany in the 1930s. Bob Fosse’s smart direction, a great
cast and terrific songs make this
a film I watch again and again.
My Most Inspirational Friend
Martin, my ex of 18 years. He is still my best friend, always loyal, always supportive, always fun, often exas- perating in his lack of domestic knowledge. But he makes me laugh more than anyone else I know.
Best TV Programme Ever
Coronation Street, the ultimate drama serial. This has been essential viewing for me since a child growing up in Preston. The trails, tribulations and characters of my television family is my only must watch TV series. Anyone who knows me well knows not to phone me at 19.30 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The brilliance of Coronation Street us in the characterisation and writing which can take you from laughter to tears in seconds.
Sharpest One Liner
From comedian Emo Philips: “When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle until I realised that God didn’t work that way. So I stole one and asked him to forgive me.”
Most Valuable Gadget
The mobile phone. My mobile phone and I are surgically attached, the ear- piece is my second umbilical cord. Wherever I am, colleagues, friends and family are never safe from my calls (and vice versa). Whilst the phone is the most fabulous communications device, it means you are on call literally 24 hours a day. There is nowhere to
hide. If only my boss knew how many times he has spoken to me in the ladies’ loos around the world. Thank goodness the video-mobile phone is not yet widely available. ■
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Photos from top: Stuart Cosgrove; Dawn Airey; Coronation Street; Liza Minnelli in Cabaret (Archive photos courtesy Kobal and Granada)