| Hi everybody, I'm
with you for the next hour, fire away...
Kati:
Can I also ask questions or add comments if I haven't
submitted them before?
Ask anything you want,
that's why I'm here.
Doctor:
Doesn't it irritate you that whenever "Shoot the
Dog" is mentioned your sexuality is referenced? Like
that has anything to do with having an opinion! Perhaps
"New labour" are more conservative than they
portend?
Of course it's
irritating but it's not exactly unpredictable. It's a
shame we live in an age where my sexuality supposedly has
some bearing on my right to speak out on anything at all.
But things are changing fast and hopefully soon gay people
will be protected by the same laws as other minority
groups, black people for instance...As far as the press is
concerned, TV as well for that matter.
Baby:
I like the new song i think its funny.
Thanks very much, I
tried very hard to make this track accessible to a large
number of people. What's the point in trying to introduce
an arguement that you feel is being kept out of mainstream
media and then writing something left of field (Freeek for
instance! LOL)?
Raj:
Has Tony Blair been in touch with you recently (since the
video was released)?
No I don't think he
will be any time soon, although I'm going to send an email
to Cherie - God I wish she'd return my calls.
Bradford:
Is Geri offended about how u continuosly push her out of
the way in your new video?
No not at all.
Actually I spoke to her about it just a few weeks ago,
she's v cool with it, as I knew she would be. The press
would love to think that I'm avoiding her and that she has
no sense of humour but they're wrong on both counts.
Question
in advance from Margreet Weistra: First of all I would
like to say that I'm glad that you’re still around,
making music. Please don't stop! I saw your video “Shoot
the dog" on MTV and I thought it was quite funny. My
question for you is: did you make this video to just stir
things up or did you really want to achieve some kind or
reaction from the public or the persons featured in it and
if so what did you expect from them? With what purpose did
you make this clip? Sincerely yours, Margreet Weistra.
Without question when
I began writing the song it was just one of many comments
that I have tried to make about modern life on the
forthcoming album. However the importance it has taken on
almost a year after the attacks is completely different.
When I say importance I'm referring to the hysteria within
the press. After all it's only a bloody video.
Fastlove:
I want to ask George how much influence The Sun newspaper
has had on all the negative press he has received.
In truth it's not
really the Sun alone which has caused negative media
attention, it's the Sun, the NY Post (which is where the
trouble really started) and Sky News here in Europe, all
Rupert Murdoch-owned operations that seem to have it in
for me and it's fairly obvious why. I'm probably the
biggest celebrity to have sided (perhaps foolishly) with
the Daily Mirror in recent years and I seem to be paying a
price for it. Not that I think it wasn't worth it, this
situation is more important than any record or any attack
on me and I didn't go in to this with my eyes closed. I
had a feeling that I would get caught in the Sun/Mirror
war zone but it never occured to me that Murdoch's other
publications specifically the NY Post would mis-represent
myself or the reaction of American people in general so
enormously. But more of that on Friday...(cryptic grin)
Justin:
Why are you mad at Bush?
I'm not mad at Bush, I
didn't vote for him. It's Tony Blair's behaviour that
worries me. I'm not alone in that, I'm just trying to help
along an arguement that other people have been trying
unsuccessfully to push forward recently. It would seem
that without a soap opera such as mine (big English fairy
attacks big English PM) it's hard to say anything
important these days. Anyone who has a problem with the
cross between pop and politics should look at the politics
first and the ridiculous media response second. The truth
is the arguement has been strengthened, and if the record
comes in at 56 it will still have done it's job (mind you
I'll be in The Priory so I probably won't notice the world
situation after that. We are currently having technical
problems due to sheer volume, George is actually quite
sharp tonight!
Marie
Foxlee-Brown: George, is that really what you look like in
a thong????????
That's what I look
like in that particular thong. I have a large selection.
Tony
Joyner: What made George pick a sample of ‘Love
Action’ by the Human League for the new single? Was he
ever a fan of the group?
Well I think the title
speaks for itself. I love Phil Oakey's lyrics and they
turn a whinge into a peace anthem. Simple as that really.
I loved Human League.
Salli
Earley: George - Why have you stopped releasing music in
the US? Putting aside your feelings towards record labels
and politics out of this country, don't you see it as
denying your American fans accessibility to your music?
Thank you, Franklin, MA, USA
The truth couldn't be
further from your interpretation although I can imagine it
seems that way in America. Actually everything has been
released there with the exception of Freeek and the single
with Mary J. but although I've managed to make number one
on European radio with almost everything I have released
since the Sony debacle American radio has resolutely
ignored me and before people shout "promotion,
promotion" I do understand their frustration. But I
would point out that I have done no more in Europe, so it
seems a little strange that the discrepancy between
continents is so apparent. I can't think of another artist
who has been in this position but then I can't think of
another artist who took on Sony and in particular it's top
execs in a similar fashion. Maybe you should ask them what
went on between 93 and the present day. Damned if I know.
I'm just going to have a quick 5 minute break whilst the
system's fixed, sorry everyone. I'm going to stay on a bit
longer as we've had to have a few minutes fixing things.
Matthew:
How do you feel about the Euro?
Well I know it makes
everything more expensive for the Brits in Europe right
now. That's about the extent of my financial expertise on
the subject. However I find it very amusing that I am
being lectured on patriotism by the Sun, whose owner is an
Australian who became an American in order to buy a TV
station and who is now advising Britain on the Euro. Mr
Murdoch's bravado has no bounds it would seem.
EnjoyWhatYouDo:
Hi George, great Single. Will there be dancemixes of the
song?
Yes there are two on
the cd, along with the video.
Shoot_the_Dog:
why is David Beckham in your new video?????
Because I think that
any man who can play football like that and wear pink nail
varnish deserves a bit of a push, don't you? Actually I
have great admiration for him. I'm not sure how anyone can
be so unaffected by all that attention but he seems to
deal with it like a complete pro.
Honeyshimy:
Is the video solely based on your ideas? Btw, I think you
make a really good point.
Please Sir, it wasn't
all my fault. I never done it. Actually I had a few
meetings with the people at 2DTV and it was obvious that
we shared a political view or two. I told them to be
brutal with me and they obliged. So I guess I was
responsible for more than a few things in the video,
you'll just have to guess which ones...
Barn:
Hi George, do you have any ambitions?
When I grow up I'd
like to be David Beckham. After all which pop star would I
look up to right now.
KatyJay:
Haven't you encouraged people to constantly comment on
your sexuality, by hiding it for as long as you did
causing endless speculation?
I don't care what I
did or how people view the past really. I'm sorry if I'd
known it was upsetting you I would have called you and put
you straight, so to speak. Actually on a more serious note
I think it's outrageous that people can be judged
publically for such a personal situation. After all nobody
out there but my friends and family (and about 300 really
cute guys) knew my life, my past, my feelings about my
sexuality, and the idea that I should have made my journey
something for everyone is quite ludicrous to me.
Bella:
I think u are great whatever people say
Thanks Bella xxx
Jake:
Are you anti American, is this why you did the single?
A lot of people would
like to declare anti-Bushism a form of hatred for America.
i would never confuse the two. I have an American partner
who has a wonderful family in Texas, and I own a house in
LA even though contrary to the Sun's brilliant hacks I'm
rarely there. Why would I be anti-American? I'm not anti
any race or culture. I should however expect to criticise
a Republican president for his current policies or plans
without these kind of accusations. What kind of democracy
is the one that the NY Post subscribes to?
TL:
What do u think about Noel from Oasis latest comment about
u?
I thought it was funny
really. Firstly, he's just not very smart is he? And
secondly, he's just not very smart. I've got time to take
5 more questions...
Frizz:
George, you is Robbie Williams?
What does that mean
exactly?
Voodooem:
So hows the new album coming along? you optimistic? you
must be quite pleased with the response to your recent
singles!
Album's coming along
great. I'm excited by what I'm doing and a bit confused
that the media spin on both singles has been so far off
the mark. Freeek will be the first track on the album
without doubt for two reasons... 1) I love it and 2) lots
of people don't so they can skip it before they walk away
without fear of it jumping out at them during a dinner
party. Is that ok everyone? LOL
Peter:
George - I am a lifelong fan from the USA now living in
Europe. I think that the press has overestimated how
offended Americans might be by the single. Have you
approached any American record companies about release
and, if so, has the reaction been as harsh as the media
suspect?
Yes I think that the
attacks aimed at me have been miles away from all the
feedback I've received. Even the supposed jeers that I
received on American TV were a fabrication. In fact only
one really negative person spoke to me and the majority of
the audience jeered at her attack, which was very cool I
don't think that Americans are reactionary in general,
only those who read the NY Post and believe it.
Marti_PlanetGeorge_Manager:
about the "George" with long hair in the video...
could that be a hint of your next change of look?
Actually that
character is a cross between Phil Oakey and my good self.
I just can't get into the shoes. Just got time for one
more question...
Razzmataz:
George, is there anyone you would love to duet with in the
near future?
Yes absolutely. She's
British and she's practically in nappies but I think she's
amazing. Work it out for yourself, I haven't even
approached her yet. Thanks everybody, great questions. I'm
off now, more politics and perversion to get on with. Good
night all and a big slurpy kiss whether you want it or not
x |