Like most thinking people, I take almost all my political and social cues from celebrities; from game show hosts to comedians and rock musicians.
Like most thinking people, at parties I spout revolutionary theory I get directly from Russell Brand.
My thoughts on humanitarian aid come directly from Bono.
And now, thanks to Rob Brydon, I, perhaps, should be saving for a hair transplant.
Rob Brydon hosts The Guess List, a new British game show running on Thursday evenings on TV One.
Rob is, of course, the lovable Welsh comedian, fabulous impressionist, on the whole all-round-good-guy and regular game show personality who hosted the excellent Would I Lie to You?, was great in Gavin and Stacey, and superb in the movies The Trip and The Trip to Italy with Steve Coogan.
On The Guess List, two members of the public are required to guess the answer to a question, helped by a team of ''celebrities'' - mainly, on episode three at least, entertainment and television types little known to New Zealanders.
The celebrities give their ideas for the answer, and members of the public can choose from one of their answers, or not.
For episode three, those members of the public are Rog, who looks like Sir Anthony Hopkins, but is really a Lancashire air conditioning and ventilation engineer, and Abby, who is involved in prostate cancer research.
Introducing the guests, Rob Brydon style, takes much of the show and, Rob Brydon style, is very funny.
The questions for the episode include: In a recent survey, what did nearly a quarter of men say they would like to change about their partner?
It turns out to be nagging.
And what do 80% of women admit to hiding from their partners?
It turns out it is the cost of the clothes they buy!
The show both amuses, and confirms much loved stereotypes.
But one main feature of The Guess List is Rob Brydon's hair.
Until recently, Rob had thinning hair.
Now it is abundant and fecund.
Well-established political thinking on baldness suggests bald men should be out and proud.
Some choose to cover up with laughable wigs, or wear hats inside, or make any number of shockingly embarrassing gaffes that draw the sustained mockery of the out, bald community.
But perhaps it is time for a radical re-think on this policy, Rob Brydon style.
Or maybe not.
One acceptable environment for wearing a wig is if you are the sort of fellow who likes to dress as a lady.
On February 5 on Vibe, Carlotta follows the story of working class Balmain boy Richard Byron, who became a successful transgender entertainer in Sydney's Kings Cross and beyond.
- Charles Loughrey
