On the couch with actress Fiona
Billy Suter talks to award-winning actress FIONA
RAMSAY about her TV likes and dislikes. Ramsay starred in
Blonde Poison, a flagship show at the weekend’s Hilton Arts Festival.
WHAT are some TV shows that you try to not miss? I have never been a huge TV fiend, devoted and loyal to watching a certain programme. My changeable life is not compatible with this sort of routine viewing.
I usually watch series – comedy or drama – as box sets in one or two sittings, and I tend to watch news programmes more regularly than others. Television shows you find the most over-rated?
I abhor any sort of reality TV – because it is anything but reality. These shows are mega-over-rated. Television shows you have loved over the years?
There have been compulsive-viewing shows – just to keep abreast of current affairs and dinner chat.
All those years ago, Dallas was a must, but telly then was a novelty as South Africa only switched on in 1976.
Also worthy mentions are The Golden Girls, Absolutely Fabulous, Downton Abbey and The Graham Norton Show.
I worked in the local soapie industry as uber-bitch Helen in Scandal. I also worked as the show’s voice and performance coach, so I had to watch Scandal often to track actors’ performance and character arcs.
This in turn demanded I
watch competitors in the soap field to examine trends, styles and storyline. TV shows you have not enjoyed over the years? I am not a fan of Top Gear. Your fave TV character of all time – and why?
Patsy (Joanna Lumley) in Absolutely Fabulous – because as an actress I covet the idea of playing such a character.
Bea Arthur’s Dorothy in The Golden Girls was also pretty spectacular. Favourite TV host?
Graham Norton is witty, a good interviewer, curious and genuinely interested in his guests. He also still seems to be slightly starstruck which lends a naiveté and charm to The Graham Norton Show.
I trained Trevor Noah when he was a young comedian just breaking into
the local stand-up scene – and have kept contact. I think he has a natural flair for presenting and for comedy.
He is assured without being smug and has a quiet, keen wit and charisma. Favourite television celebrity chefs?
I would have to choose Jamie Oliver as a favourite for his warmth and ingenuity. Also Gordon Ramsay, as he sports the same surname as me and I feel obliged to be loyal to the Scottish clan. Favourite TV theme tunes over the years?
There have been many – Downton Abbey, of late, was haunting. I also have a particular fondness for the Antiques Roadshow theme, but think that has more to do with the promise of relaxation and an interesting buried treasure being discovered.
The most irritating person on television?
Jeremy Clarkson. He is annoyingly patronising, macho and oozes selfcongratulatory confidence. Funniest thing on TV?
I love out-takes or things that have gone wrong on television programmes. A show you would love to see again on television?
Old, old, old series such as Tony Hancock’s Hancock’s Half Hour and the Dick Cavett and Michael Parkinson shows.
If a mini-series were made about your life, who would you like to play you?
Meryl Streep has the ability to play the many facets I am aware of in myself… but then again, probably not as well as I could! I have played Meryl before – so it would seem like a fair exchange.