Comments on: The World According to Mike Leigh

By: Gary Radice

Gary Radice — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:44:53 +0000

After reading these comments, I realize I must be an insensitive clod. I did not find the director arrogant nor did I find Tom to be rude. What I heard was him challenging his guest from time to time, which I find clarifies and sharpens the conversation. I also don’t mind when he gently cuts off callers who start to ramble or repeat themselves with his “thanks, we’ve got it….”

By: Tony C.

Tony C. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:01:56 +0000

I don’t think either of the principals performed well. Ashbrook’s questions showed an uncharacteristic lack of imagination. He attempted to “provoke” Leigh into reflection on his film, and seemed at a loss to respond when Leigh flatly rejected the presuppositions of his questions.

Leigh, for his part, was obstinate and ungenerous with Tom and (regrettably) with callers who expressed discomfort with his movies. On the other hand, why assume that an artist–of all sorts of people–will give chummy and jovial interviews?

By: Robert Dente

Robert Dente — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:09:11 +0000

Your very first listener comment was: “I found Mr. Leigh to be really annoying. I couldn’t put my finger on it and then it hit me… wow, this is one of the most arrogant people I have ever heard interviewed.”

How utterly revealing and superficial of a most typical American mindset, that is, to mistake acute sensitivity for arrogance in a genuine artist who cares about EVERYTHING.

I don’t think that Tom Ashbrook was “rude,” but merely out of his element and depth–which was evident when he mistook Constable (or Monet) for Turner.

I hope that it won’t discourage him from inviting more artists of Mr. Leigh’s stature, because I relished every moment of that hour and I’m sure many other listeners were buoyed spiritually and artistically as well.

How I hope that Mr. Leigh gets the backing for a film on J.M.W. Turner, because his was one hell-ova life and story–especially in contrast to our contemporary Emperor’s-New-Clothes art-world, with all of its poseurs and phonies.

Two quotes by another great artist seem appropriate here:

“What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.”

“The source of genius is imagination alone, the refinement of the senses that sees what others do not see, or sees them differently.”

~ Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) – French artist

By: mitch hampton

mitch hampton — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:23:47 +0000

After having seen EVERY Mike Leigh film I have reached the conclusion that there is simply none, or at any rate, very few, who have accomplished with actors in writing and direction what he has. He really DOES create shocks of recognition in his portrayal of human nature in all of its diversity. And I must agree that Tom Ashbrook is a bit guilty of what I call “Tom Snyder” syndrome in his aggressive and at times dismissive tone towards guests, which is only increased by a mask of joviality. Ashbrook does MEAN well, but then again we all mean well.

By: AV

AV — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:42:30 +0000

I have to wonder if the breaks that Tom takes are timed, in the sense that they need to occur exactly at a certain time. Is it not possible to be a bit flexible and instead of interrupting the guest, let her/him finish the sentence and then go to the break?

By: James

James — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:06:34 +0000

What a great opportunity to hear from the director of some of my favorite films! From the first exchange, however, a curious tension ermerged between Tom and Mike. I sensed the interview wouldn’t end well and was not at all surprised when Mike called Tom on his trite character analyses and rudeness.

Tom, it won’t kill your show to allow your guests (and callers!) to finish speaking. If you’re worried they’ll spoil your air check, don’t have them on in the first place.

By: Natalia

Natalia — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:29:43 +0000

Seems like a funny mis-perception is going on in this thread: Leigh is a brilliant filmmaker and a deep humanist; full of empathy and understanding of our nature. That’s what his cinema is about. If not reflected in the interview – it certainly is the core of his more than 20 films over the years!

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:23:54 +0000

I wouldn’t call Mr. Leigh arrogant, but I did find him to be defensive. He did not seem very open to opinions that were not his own. I do sometimes sense Tom asking “leading” questions, but I would not call him curt or arrogant either. I also would not call Neal Conan an “a**”, but I do find it unsettling to hear the tone with which he says “Go ahead, please” when people aren’t speaking fast enough. Also, though, I think there should be a rule that people who call in cannot say, “Thank you for taking my call.” It’s unnecessary and repetitive. But I find Tom and Neal, as well as Mike, all to be very intelligent with great insights.

By: Frank Scanlon

Frank Scanlon — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:02:08 +0000

Let me make a correction. Tom is good. Neal Conan is the arrogant ass.

Cheers!

By: Frank Scanlon

Frank Scanlon — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:45:03 +0000

I must agree with the comments about Tom. I have also been finding him to be curt and condescending on air. In fact, many times I’ve had to stop listening.

By: Marie

Marie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:56:26 +0000

God, I’ve admired this director for years! Mike Leigh’s films are a feast for the eyes and soul. Unfortunately, I missed the live show because I would have given anything to call and gush all over the place. Awesome guest – superb talent!

By: Janice Evans

Janice Evans — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:35:51 +0000

Hello Tom and On Point producers-
Thanks much for a wonderful hour with Mike Leigh and the discussion of his new film. I look forward to seeing it as reminder of what we can be at our best.

That said, this interview contained two moments that in my opinion, captured constructive criticism that I hope Tom will attend.

* the creeping habit of interrupting the guest…to the point where the guest finds it necessary to insist they be allowed to finish. As a longtime broadcast news producer myself, I appreciate the art of moving the interview along to prevent blah, blah, blah. However, in the last 6-8 months, Tom has often crossed the line to rudeness.

* Mike Leigh observed – twice – that some of Tom’s questions were “cynical.” Mr. Leigh was correct.

I’ve seen a lot of good broadcasters blow themselves up BEFORE they became great because they began believing their own press releases. The road to broadcast hell is paved with people who believed they were The Smartest Kid in the Room.

Tom is smart enough to know that.

With warm regards — really…

Janice
A Hopeful On Point Fan in Salt Lake City

By: Karla Vallance

Karla Vallance — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:24:20 +0000

Great interview, with some especially insightful comments from the woman who had auditioned for Leigh years ago about the differences between what is expected of actors in the US and the UK. I did not find Leigh at all arrogant, but he certainly does know what he thinks. Happy-Go-Lucky is, in my view, the most thoughtful film of the year. Don’t miss it.

By: Elaine Lawrence

Elaine Lawrence — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:51:35 +0000

I found Mr. Leigh to be really annoying. I couldn’t put my finger on it and then it hit me… wow, this is one of the most arrogant people I have ever heard interviewed.

He might want to hire a stand-in to promote his future films. After listening to him, I have no desire to see Happy-Go-Lucky or anything else he does.