Paul Gilbert - Attorney

Paul first came to Jo’s attention after she bumped into him at the BBC after seeing him on the sofa on “Richard & Judy”.  Since then he has been commenting on legal issues (and a whole host of other allegedly related issues) with Jo on her shows on various BBC Radio stations across the land.

As a celebrity lawyer Paul has acted in a variety of different matters (when you get the phone call it means something needs to be done......fast!).   He appears regularly on TV and radio commenting on legal stories in the news see some extracts on You Tube).  He firmly believes that the law can be explained simply, so it is understood by everyone, not just lawyers.

Pipa Gordon - Broadcaster and Musician

Visit Pipa's website

Russ Kane - Writer and Broadcaster

Visit Russ's website

Writer and broadcaster Russ Kane is best-known publicly as ‘The Flying Eye’ when he was Chris Tarrant’s on-air sparring partner for 20 years on London’s Capital Radio Breakfast Show (1984-2004) during which time he flew over 1.5 million miles in his famous ‘Little Blue Plane.

Wendy Salisbury - Author

Visit Wendy's website

Anna Webb - PR For Pets

Visit Anna's website

Dogs have played a massive part in my life for as long as I can remember! My eight year old Furkid - a Miniature Bull Terrier  called Molly has taught me so many lessons and inspired a hobby for training dogs. We've written magazine reviews, showed at Crufts and performed in a canine dance troupe. I took part in CBBC's Underdogs Show, hosted by Julian Clary. Molly and I met Jo when filming for the BBC Inside Out program - 'Furkids'.  

Fulfilling my maternal instincts, Molly had one litter five years ago and I kept her son Ziggy. He has starred in Animal Planet's Top Dog and made appearances on both Dragon's Den and The Alan Titchmarsh show.  I  believe all animals, but particularly dogs, make us human.

Bill Buckley - Broadcaster and Journalist

Visit Bill's website

Bill Buckley joins JoAnne Good every Wednesday to review restaurants and theatres in London.

Bill is a proud to be a member of the prestigious Guild of Food Writers.

In Spring of 2005, Bill won the London week of C4’s cookery and party-giving competition, Come Dine with Me. He's also cooked professionally on television, on Five’s Open House with Gloria Hunniford and several times on the Carlton Food Network.

17th Feb 2010

Sarastro: camp-as-tits Covent Garden stalwart.  Jaw-dropping décor.  Opera and string quartets.  If only they put some effort into the food….

An Inspector Calls:  stunning Stephen Daldry production with awesome set at Wyndhams.  I got to be in it, albeit a non-speaking role!  Quite an experience, though.  Read the full story on my blog (www.billbuckleylondon.blogspot.com)  

Megan Mullally:  in concert at The Vaudeville.  Most unexpected and much enjoyed.  Just her in concert with six musos.  No showbiz, no ‘Karen’.  Perhaps the most eclectic programme I’ve ever experienced in a concert.  If I tell you her encore was an ambient version of Ave Maria into You Took Advantage of Me, you get the idea!  Very funny and apparently truly adlibbed between numbers.

Pizza Express: you’ll recall I went to the launch of the new dishes by Calabrian maestro Francesco Mazzei of l’Anima in the City recently.  I’ve now gone for the entire Pizza Express experience at their Portland Street branch.  I reviewed it for www.viewlondon.co.uk and basically said the new dishes are fine but are more about garnering publicity than changing direction (so I’m completely playing into their hands, of course!) coz Pizza Express ain’t broke so don’t fix it

Chilli Chutney: also reviewed for viewlondon, an okay Indian on Streatham High Road.  Service variable, food good but not great.  Unusually, it’s a halal that not only permits you to BYO booze but sells it!  A useful high street facility, nothing more.

10th Feb 2010

Foodwise:
Spaghetti House.  Slumbering giant.  Still has a dozen branches across central and nearly-central London.  Does anyone still notice?  Can they compete with the modern chains like Strada, or Pizza Express now that it has revamped?  On the strength of a recent nostalgic trip down Memory Lane….. er, no!
Indian Zing:  innovative, accomplished Indian cooking on a scuzzy stretch in Hammersmith for half the price you’d pay at the famous West End establishments (no names but Amaya, Cinnamon Club, etc.)
Inamo: Posh, quite expensive, Soho Japanese.  The gimmick is that your table is both your computer screen and keyboard and you order off it rather than talking to a waitress.  The system works fine but it is just a gimmick, really.  The service charge is still 10% - why isn’t it 5% bearing in mind the staff only have to bring the food, not take the order, i.e. you are doing half their job for them? J  And at £50 a head!  Assured, exciting cooking and beautiful presentation, however, of quality ingredients (lobster, scallops, prawns, sea bass, beef, pork all well rendered)

Culture:
Tate Modern:  still wonderfully impressive, even before the new extension.  Current biggie in the turbine hall is damp squib however – you just wander around in the dark for a bit in a big box but light leaks in and your eyes soon adjust.  It’s about as thrilling as waking up in the middle of the night and fumbling for the bedside light.
Precious:  film about abused, fat, poor, black, New York girl.  Hard-going but terrific.  Two pop-stars prove they can act: Maria Carey and Lenny Kravitz (who is still yummy).  Lead actress Gabourey Sibide nominated for Oscar – she’s totally convincing but MUMBLES.  However, travesty if her evil mum played by Moníque, a stand-up comedienne, doesn’t take best supporting actress

Miscellaneous:
Join a dining club!  I went to Indian Zing as part of Dos Hermanos, one such club.  It was only £40 for cocktails, three courses, wine, water, whisky shots (promotion), service and a goodie bag with everything from curry powder to liquorice and from mango juice to Johnnie Walker cufflinks (urgh!).  You are with likeminded people, i.e. budget-conscious foodies.  The restaurants love it because it guarantees them a full house on a Monday night.  I’ve blogged about it (www.billbuckleylondon.blogspot.com)

3rd Feb 2010

Goldfish - posh Chinese, Hampstead High Street
Pizza Express's new menu

An Inspector Calls at Wyndhams Theatre
Other than that, we talked about joining a gym (I've joined the one in the development at St George Wharf where I live, called The Gym)....

And how Bobby Crush is settling in as my lodger.

27th.Jan 2010

Two Brothers, Regents Park Road, N3
Rani, Long Lane, N3
Ivy Club, West Street, WC2
All Bar One, Northcote Road, SW11

This weeks offers All Bar One diner for £5.00 visit their website.
Rani check their website

20th Jan 2010

The Thai, Old York Road, SW18
Banyan on the Thames, Lombard Road, SW11
The Forge, Garrick Street, WC2
Food Secret, 59 Broadwick Street, W1

Bill also recommends Legally Blonde at The Savoy