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Posted: 05-05-2006 21:00 Post subject:

The first uttrance of The (nouvelle) Heirophant was a bit stunning. It wasn't the usual pick 'n' mix poke at Fortean nutters but a full page rant at one - and even then the victim seemed a bit vague and the effect a bit 'scattergun'.
The second Page-rant doesn't seem (to me) to be too rabid but still holds onto the new style; i.e. one subject, one diatribe.
I think we've seen the last of the gossip column-style of the Ancient One and the 'new' version where more pithy and cunningly accurate scorn can be stabbed into victims.

If you were to push me (I quote: "Oooh, yes, please!"), I'd say I prefer the 'old' Heirophant style but I'd consider giving the 'new' one a chance. After all, it's only been two months and he's still got to find a few 50p coins for the electricity meter.

Hold back on th' noose, boys. Let's give the varmint 'nough time to talk himsel' into a shallow grave!

Posted: 05-05-2006 23:21 Post subject:

chafes at the bit - well, it's got less calories you know....

I find reading his column akin to being stuck in the corner of a pub with the local Know-It-All who's eager to try out his new soapbox. I found his Princess Diana-tribe quite offensive, and I didn't even like the woman.

It's like Classic Coke and Diet Coke, innit? And we know which was best out of them....

Posted: 06-05-2006 00:17 Post subject:

Yeah -

Fruitjuice!

Posted: 06-05-2006 01:10 Post subject:

Ooooo....there's always one, in't there? Very Happy

Posted: 19-05-2006 00:22 Post subject: Nooooooooo....!

Sorry for this late-ish posting, but I just got issue 209 today, and I have to say: Noooooooo!!!!!! This is not the Hierophant! The Hierophant was charming and witty and sly and Fun To Read. This is more like a Forum piece...oh, I do not like it at all, at all...please please please please bring him back!!!

Posted: 21-05-2006 13:56 Post subject:

Does the Hierophant actually get paid to write that drivel? If so, he must have the easiest job in journalism.

I'd rather read the Weekly World News. At least that's entertaining.

Posted: 21-05-2006 14:08 Post subject:

I'll give him another couple of months.

Posted: 01-06-2006 19:13 Post subject:

I'm almost impressed by the way the Hierophant took half a page of his column this month to express the simple statement "We get lots of weird letters". Does he get paid by the word?

Perhaps we could ditch the Hierophant and simply use his page to print the strangest letters the FT receives each month? I suspect they would be far more entertaining than his column. And probably better written.

Posted: 01-06-2006 19:23 Post subject:

Can we start a petition to get rid of the "Hierophant".?

Or alternatively get the original author back........

-

Posted: 02-06-2006 21:24 Post subject:

"Accept No Substitutes"

Posted: 01-08-2006 23:04 Post subject:

have to agree i liked the hirophant best when it was the gossip columb that took a swipe at chearletans and exreame excentrisity using the power of sarcasam. it's a bit of a waste to bring him back but neuter him at the same time maybe the denis leagal dept got a bit skittish and gave his reinstatement conditions Sad

Posted: 04-09-2006 11:06 Post subject:

At the risk of upsetting the new author, I'll add my name to the list of naysayers. I actually think the column has got better each issue, or at least the writing has, but it still lacks the 'archness' of the old Hierophant and pursues a different line altogether. Perhaps it's not meant to, which is 'fairy nuff', but I preferred the more barbed than ranting egg-headed man.

Posted: 07-03-2007 18:11 Post subject:

I have always thought that the new, full-page H-phant seems to be all pastiche and no substance (and not in a good way)

I miss the pithier, more gossipy style of the old column - the new one has been sailing closer and still closer to self-parody (and self-indulgence?) each issue.

If the same writer is responsible for both versions I rather fear he has begun to believe in his own publicity.

Hopefully the finality of his Lovecraftian departure signifies a return to the basic recipe.

Posted: 09-03-2007 21:19 Post subject:

I'll echo the general sentiment of this thread by noting that the original Hierophant column was way, way better than its current incarnation.

As to Parthian's point about the same writer being responsible for both versions, I'd be astonished to learn that was the case. Unless (and this point was also raised by Oll Lewis a few postings back) Dennis Publishing's lawyers have him/her on an extremely short leash indeed.

( Mind you, after reading the "Winterval" editorial in FT218, I've wondered on more than one occasion if it's not our very own Dr Sutton who's writing it..... )

Whatever the truth, in my opinion this current monthly combination of narcissistic look-how-erudite-I-am drivel and "green ink brigade" opinion has long outstayed its welcome.

Here's hoping the tired Lovecraft pastiche tacked on to the end of "Why Post Modernism Is Crap" really does represent this column's mercy killing.

Brown