BEHIND THE PICS

Kenny Baker - was hilarious. He was in town for the 'Armageddon' conference - yes there is such an event. The interview was great but for one thing: the stools in our studio are particularly high, so I had to lift Kenny up onto one. It wasn't, however, like lifting a toddler, more like lifting a 66-year-old muscular man with sweaty armpits. A very funny Englishman who became the world's most famous robot.

Tim Finn - ex-Split Enz and helluva nice guy. Only athlete I know who swims (at his local pool) wearing a snorkel.

Russell Crowe - The Gladiator was in town to push his latest album and gig, neither of which were selling. His leisure suit suprised us, but at least he was comfortable. When it all boils down to it, Russell is just like anyone else - off-air all he wanted to talk about were his kids. (He was just about to have his second). I must admit when we have such famous people in the studio, I suffer from Torette's Syndrome, fantastising about punching someone - or giving them a wedgie - and becoming instantly famous. It's a problem, I know...

One Republic - have sold a bunch of records and are subsequently very rich. All I could think about as we spoke with these lucky newcomers was 'You have sold a bunch of records and are very rich.'

Sheryl Crow - poor bugger, having to pose with goons like us. In situations like this, it's best to avoid cliched questions, like the ones every journalist asks visitors to New Zealand: 'Have you been bungy jumping?' 'Have you tried our lamb?' 'Do you know 'Lord of the Rings' was filmed here?' Yep, you guessed it, as I snuggled up to Sheryl, lost for words and waiting for my mate to take the lense cap off, I meekly offered, 'So...Sheryl...have you been bungy jumping yet?'

Michael Caton - 'The Castle' is one of my favourite films...ever. When Michael came in to talk about the film's DVD release, we quoted almost every line to him. If he was bored, he was very gracious about it. And he even played a bit of corridor cricket.

The Auckland Santa Parade - Yes, on occasions such as this you have to act the fool. A typical crowd at such an event is 250,000. That is why we hide behind hats, microphones and sunglasses. Sadly, judging by the silver Mercedes gathering speed behind us, our jokes on this occasion were particularly irritating.

Valerie Vili - New Zealand doesn't win many medals at the Olympics. Okay, for our size we do fine, but for a sports obsessed nation, we always want more! When we do have a winner - such as shotputter Valerie Vili - we make a big deal of it. The rest of the Olympians are in the background; no one likes to get in Valerie's way.

OTHER STUDIO GUESTS

Women in the office went nuts for Robbie Williams. Honestly they lined up outside the studio door. First words he said on air, 'God, I'm huge here, ain't I? Go me!' (This, however, was in the days when he had a hit song. And before he started seeing aliens).

Chris Isaak was a pro, singing non-stop, in an effort to ease those too afraid to speak. ('Have you ever been bungy jumping, Chris?').

Moby was dull, James Blunt was actually quite funny (although his pianist didn't realise he'd left his email open after they left. Let me tell you, those guys were having a good time with the ladies around the South Pacific).

Rove was small, John Connolly (Irish thriller writer) was a true gentleman, and Justin Haywood from the Moody Blues, was, as the Kinks would say, 'a dedicated follower of fashion.'

Gordon Tallis (ex-Australian rugby league player) ripped our favourite 'Cars' poster off the wall and walked off with it. ('It's for my kids.' No one argued). Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson) was the soccer mum who did good, and if I'm totally honest, a little irritating.

And Graham Gouldman (10cc) resembled a middle-aged teacher, in his grey jersey, Harry Potter specs and slacks. Pretty unassuming for a guy who's written, among other hits, 'Dreadlock Holiday.' When I brought him a drink into the studio, he remarked in a deadpan voice: 'That is officially the worst cup of tea I have ever tasted.'