Citations

There are two dreaded words that pretty much decide everything you ever watch on British television. And no, those words aren't "Jeremy Clarkson". They are words you may not have heard before, but words that make every TV producer, commissioner, presenter and advertiser shake with fear. I'm talking about "The Overnights".

The overnights answer all the questions that can sometimes leave us baffled about television. Why did that show I love get axed? Why does that show I hate keep returning? How does Piers Morgan keep getting work?

[on Simon Cowell] Everything he is in turns to gold but to me he doesn't love TV and he looks upon it as a way to make money. He seems like a terrible producer. Every time he talks about TV I think, 'Mate, you don't know what you're talking about.' He's fantastic on screen - what a great pantomime villain. But making hit telly is difficult, and if you look at it in percentage terms he doesn't have a great track record. Although he does have great producers working for him.

I love a bit of Bruno Mars.

I like a bit of country. I'll tell you what, exploring the back catalogue of Kenny Rogers is not a bad idea to do. He's got some cracking tunes there.

Ye has become a slight figure of fun in recent years but "Through the Wire" and "Jesus Walks" are two sensational tracks, absolutely brilliant tracks.

[on "Police and Thieves"] This is a brilliant track, you should download this immediately.

[on "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z] I think it's the best song of the 21st century.

[on "Has Is Come to This?" by The Streets] Great song.

It's very interesting, if you ever talk about things like X Factor (The X Factor (2004)), shows like that, people always think you're dumbing down.

[on Tom Smith] He's got a lovely voice.

[on "Wichita Lineman"] The greatest song ever written.

He's one unbelievable songwriter, Bruno Mars.

George Michael is genuinely a national treasure, isn't he? He really is.

I'm going to come out and say I'm a very big My Chemical Romance fan. I know I'm much too old for it. But "Welcome to the Black Parade", you could do worse than take a listen to that.

[on Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013)] It's a terrific film.

[on Rock Academy (2003)] It's a great film, especially if you watch it with kids.

[on Spinal Tap (1984)] Funniest film ever made I think.

[on Chris Martin] He writes lovely songs. People slag off Coldplay but I won't have it.

Sound of the Underground, genuinely great record I would say.

[on "Friday I'm in Love"] Hasn't aged a day that song.

[on "Channel Orange"] An unbelievably brilliant album.

I love Blink-182.

[on Shed Seven] Wonderful.

A great band, Fountains of Wayne, never quite became uber famous but worth checking them out on whatever music provider you use.

[on "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's] It's a beautiful song.