No Weddings, One Funeral

What could be more vermiform than the repulsive former News Of The World editor Paul McMullen, or more wonderful than watching him shrivel under avenging investigator Hugh Grant’s withering attack?

If McMullen doesn’t take Grant’s gem of a parting shot to heart, Central Casting could always find a place for him exemplifying stock poltroons and swindlers. Perhaps Grant could put in a call for him.

Posted by Mrs. Polly on 07/08/11 at 03:15 PM • Permalink

Categories: Knee Slappers • Messylaneous • Politics • Nutters • Our Stupid Media • Sports •

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Wait a minute! What is Mike Barnical doing on the Beeb?

Comment by Litlebritdifrnt on 07/08/11 at 04:15 PM

Wow, what a righteous swing of the clue-by-four! Well played, Mr. Grant!

Comment by Betty Cracker on 07/08/11 at 04:17 PM

Ugh, freaking Hugh Grant is the hero saving civilization from evil? This is real life?

Next thing you know, the chick from Twilight is going to save collective bargaining.

Comment by middlewest on 07/08/11 at 04:20 PM

If it gets Elizabeth Hurley back in the spotlight I’m all for it.

Comment by HumboldtBlue on 07/08/11 at 04:26 PM

Having written that comment, I now realize that SAG members are actually a pretty good pick to save collective bargaining, and I feel kinda dopey.

Comment by middlewest on 07/08/11 at 05:12 PM

Great clip. I love the parting shot. Hugh Grant: a mensch and a half. Who knew?

Comment by Jewish Steel on 07/08/11 at 05:34 PM

Ugh, Paul McMullen makes my skin crawl.

And yet another reason for me to love Hugh Grant.

Comment by donnah on 07/08/11 at 05:43 PM

The best thing about it, when they make a movie out of this saga, Hugh Grant will play himself?

Comment by Anya on 07/08/11 at 06:33 PM

Mmmmm, that was sublime. Good shot, Hugh!

Comment by StringonaStick on 07/09/11 at 10:33 AM

Read Martin Amis’s (so-so, annoying) Yellow Dog for a persuasive rendering of a NOTW-type paper, its editorial meetings, its references to its core demographic as “our wankers,” as in “Yes, Dave, but does a larger crossword, usurping some of the space that could otherwise be devoted to a photograph of questionably-dressed teens in Ibiza, be truly said to serve the needs of our wankers?”

Comment by M on 07/09/11 at 10:52 AM

My respect to Mr. Grant also for coming up with the greatest headline for his Guardian story:

The Bugger, Bugged

I linked it above, but wanted to emphasize it; the transcript (and tape, which I haven’t listened to yet, but how could it not be glorious?) of McMullen and Grant’s conversation is absolutely gob-smackingly funny.

And we all know what gob got smacked.

Comment by Mrs. Polly on 07/09/11 at 11:04 AM

the transcript (and tape, which I haven’t listened to yet, but how could it not be glorious?) of McMullen and Grant’s conversation is absolutely gob-smackingly funny

Grant’s dry comments are even funnier, particularly the one about the photo “duly appearing” in the press as well as his parting shot.

Comment by MaryRC on 07/09/11 at 12:20 PM

I haven’t heard the tape but I assume they’ll beep out the name of the MLTVA (much-loved TV actress) in her 60s with the hooker past. The only British MLTVAs in their 60s that I can think of would be Penelope Keith from To the Manor Born, and Hyacinth Bucket. Neither seems entirely likely. It’s probably someone from Coronation Street or East-Enders but the idea of any of those ladies being much-loved seems just as unlikely.