What Constitutes Greatness?
September 1, 2009
Piers regular column The Insider comes direct from Las Vegas. Piers is busy judging the best the US has to offer on America’s Got Talent yet he still found time to hang out with Hollywood’s golden couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. To read about Demi’s take on Susan Boyle, Ashton on Las Vegas and which celebrities have made the normally super cool Piers Morgan feel a little flustered click here.
Away from the bright lights Piers has been giving us his view on the most important issues in sport. After an Ashes series that swung in the balance for all five games England finally walked away triumphant. Job done and congratulations to all those that took part… right? Well it appears there are some doubters. As Freddie Flintoff retires from international test cricket there has been a spate of articles and features debating his position in the game. Piers a staunch supporter of the all rounder comes to his defence in a great article in this week’s Mail on Sunday. Click here to read what Piers has to say about the Lancashire born cricketer.
September 1, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Charlotte says
Brilliant!
September 3, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Arielle says
OK. I get it. Demi is pretty. But, really, isn’t she taking just a mite too much credit for Susan’s popularity? In fact, it was her latching onto Susan that reminded me that she even existed. It also did a great deal for you, Piers, no? Last year I walked into a men’s shop in Jermyn street looking for a bow tie for my husband. There was this tall, good-looking guy chatting with sales people. I got the impression that he expected (needed) to be recognized so I asked the salesman who it was. “Piers Morgan.” Who? He explained. I sheepishly admitted I didn’t watch AGT. Frankly I didn’t begin to look you up until the Susan saga. And now I also watch AGT.
September 3, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Jackie says
Funny! I like Demi - but I agree with Arielle - she and Ashton may have helped spread the word, but Susan was well on her way. Still, I’m happy they took notice.
I’ve been thrilled this week to see Susan Boyle’s CD at #1 on the Amazon.com Bestseller main chart. Surprised, actually. But, I bet you’re not surprised!
Demi was right - you did look after the damsel in distress - I’d guess your support and the support of a few others played a lot bigger role in Susan’s success than some tweets from the Kutchers. Would Susan have a #1 Amazon CD without your support? I think not.
But Piers - seriously - what is going on (or not going on) with her PR? Is there any? The CD skyrocketed up the chart on word of mouth and tweeting. Even with the #1 status, there’s been no congratulations press release or attempt to spread the word. The website was completely offline for 24 hours and is raraly updated.
I hope that gets sorted out ’cause Susan could have a HUGE success here for all of you.
Keep writing! And keep giving the AGT contestants a hard time. Someone’s got to do it!
Jackie in NY, USA
September 4, 2009 at 5:13 am
Jackie says
Hi again,
Wanted to quickly make clear I was talking about Susan and US PR. Twitter, fansites, etc., spreading the word, but it doesn’t appear Susan has any US press representation. Need a client, Piers? ;0)
September 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Linda says
Oh please! Demi is too full of herself. Did she really say those exact words? If she did, it takes a lot of nerve to take such bold credit where none is due. Piers, up to this point I’ve believed most of what you’ve said and written. I questioned this whole conversation. Does it matter? NO!
And,
have you taken noticed of Susan’s CD skyrocketing to #1 at Amazon? Now that you are such a bigwig can’t you get some PR for her going in the States? Or, now that you got what you wanted out of her are washing your hands of her? I’ve been disappointed lately with this site. AT one point you seemed to have really cared. Hmmmm Just as you said, the press is fickle. I didn’t know you were including yourself when saying it.
September 4, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Charlotte says
Why du you loose it again?
Susan is number #1 now!
Where are your congratulations?
September 4, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Florida says
Between Amanda’s so called comic stunt and your recent Robin Williams write-up, I’m trying to discern who tries to shine more – Piers or Amanda! The Demi & Ashton piece went on and on and said nothing, only bragging. And no one is buying even the hint that Demi put Susan on the map! Susan was already there the day the world saw her BGT audition.
If you care to write something with substance, how about telling us “your thoughts†on 1) Susan’s ability to have such enormous world wide popularity, yet not traveling much farther than her hometown; 2) voted “Favorite New Face†in “Parade Magazine” (which she’s probably not even aware); 3) Harper’s Bazaar sophisticated photo shoot; 4) Japan’s upcoming documentary of Susan’s hometown and how the world responded to her performance on BGT; 5) numerous Susan Boyle Web sites; 6) now today, we read her 1st CD soared to the top of the charts with nearly three months before its release date. Amazon is even limiting the number you can pre-order! With book deals and movie offers in the making, yes Piers, in just four months and no American PR (other than through her devoted fans) it appears Susan has become better known than you or Amanda! Susan’s stunning popularity from a few UTube clips is what many can only dream.
Any PR on Susan commands respect, dignity and class; not bragging on a past Hollywood starlet offering you a beer while trying to convenience you “she†had a hand in Susan’s rise to stardom.
Piers, you know Susan is the one we Americans want to read about, yet you’re always giving us coverage on everyone but her. Still, no matter how much you ignore our wish, we still manage to keep up with her. I just hope there’s not a stampede when she comes to America – where she’s dearly loved and desperately wanted!
P.S. Fear not Amanda – Alan Carr still needs stage props!
September 5, 2009 at 12:14 am
bluewren says
What I thought about your interview Piers?
It was an almost obvious suck up to Demi Moore and her entourage. her interest in Susan Boyle got her the attention she so badly needs she had definitely fallen below the radar. However” tit for tat” it didn’t hurt Susan Boyle either.But responsible for the surge of interest in Susan? I don’t think so the internet is world wide remember?
We know Piers you have to look after your own interests and you know how ego driven and vain and touchy the Hollywood set are, you are definitely sucking up. However try to be a bit more circumspect and loyal to Susan will you and praise her devoted fan base once in a while.
I know you think she is here today and gone tomorrow and you and your Hollywood friends will go on….but you know you could be wrong.It might be wise to cover both bases when you can.
September 5, 2009 at 2:57 pm
teri johnson says
Hi Piers- It’s Teri from L.A. I hope you have called Miss Boyle and congratulated her on being #1 on Amazon 2.5 months or more before her CD is even released.
Hard to tell if you even speak to her anymore- I hope you do.
You are very popular with the ladies on the Susan Boyle main fansite, and a lot because of your perceived kindness and caring of Susan.
It would be nice if you mention that you have spoken to her, as many of us read your blog every week.
Hope you are doing well, and I bet you will be glad to get back home soon, after the grueling weeks of AGT!
Love,
Teri
September 9, 2009 at 5:19 pm
deb says
Okay we get that you like Demi Moore but she and Ashton a golden couple?? Are you kidding? She was good in her day and he looks good, if you like that type of man but that is about it.
Susan Boyle made it through BGT, youtube and the power of the internet and her many millons of fans all over the world. Demi may have twittered about her but that is pretty darn arrogant of her to feel she is somehow responsible for her success in the US. Who really remembers who Demi is anymore except as some older actress who married the cute but dumb guy on that 70’s show. I am an old lady so I remember her start on General Hospital.)
Piers I liked you on BGT, I admired your kind and chivalrous manner towards Susan Boyle when the UK press was baying for her blood. I still like you but I though you were a former respectable journalists/newspaper editor. This ‘dishing’ and your fawning and cooing over D lists stars in the US is beneath you. Please don’t insult our intelligence by pandering. It is beneath us as well.
Susan Boyle, you are a star. I look forward to your CD and hope you are reaping ALL the benefits you deserve. BGT, now AGT, Amanda and Piers are all more successful because of you. I hope you are extremely well compensated as well.
I wish you every success and all the happiness in the world. You deserve that and more.
September 10, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Lynn Alan says
Can’t fathom Demi Moore even thinking of taking any credit for Susan!
And Susan, I wish you the very best, you are one super gal!
September 18, 2009 at 7:38 am
rcarr says
I first read about Susan on the news via internet. The story read: Remember this name, Susan Boyle. So I watched the video and still go back and watch it from time to time. Same affect! Amazing!!!
I wish Susan all the happiness that she deserves.
September 29, 2009 at 9:22 pm
bluewren says
Demi Moore must have to exert as much energy and effort to hang onto Ashton Kutchner as a rock climber in a gale force wind.You gotta admire that girl.
Susan has been a boon to just about everyone she has touched.But it does cut both ways without BGT and Simon Cowell Susan’s talent may not have seen the light of day
I would bet there’s more than one singer out there who wishes Susan had wanted to be like “her’.Look what Susan has done for Elaine Paige’s career.Paige is undoubtedly very good but I do honestly like Susan’s voice better.;-).