Mary Beard On Newsnight Just Now

[hellywelly4]

She's 15 years younger than me, can't believe it. I don't usually comment on appearance, but for goodness sake, Mary - Get your hair cut! It doesn't matter about the colour.

[mikey4444]

You have done nothing wrong Helly ! Its an interesting debate and its not the first time that Beard has been discussed on here. I recall someone describing her as looking like Gandalf !

[mikey4444]

By the way...thanks for my BA !

[Jackdaw33]

What a lovely, bigoted, Tory response. Worthy of BA indeed!

[naomi24]

Planks and eyes spring to mind.

[andy-hughes]

hellywelly4 - //Do you ever think, after writing something, that it wasn't perhaps the wisest thing to have done? //

Personally - no, I never ever think that.

But I can see that you have encountered considerable hostility to your view that Ms. Beard's appearance is less than appealing.

I entirely understand the notion that anyone is entitled to dress and appear as they see fit, but ...

When you appear on television, you are 'on view', and the simple fact is, appearance matters - not because you are supposed to be a fashionista, but because anything unusual about your appearance is going to distract a proportion of viewers from what you are talking about.

That is why newsreaders, politicians, and so on, dress in simple styles that don't include garish ties (Jon Snow excepted because he has made a feature out of that), or bright colours, or for ladies, significant jewellery or hairstyles.

So while I appreciate Ms Beard's uncompromising stance on the issue of appearance, it does not mean that your point is without merit.

[Peter Pedant]

// hellywelly4 - //Do you ever think, after writing something, that it wasn't perhaps the wisest thing to have done? // Personally - no, I never ever think that. //

yes but lots of your readers do as they wade thro the endless daily musings from the usual suspects....

Mikey - as a mere man you dont get the frizzy blues ( very popular in advertising in the late sixties ) but lots of gurlz do
and get them on behalf of other ladies - looks like !

and am I right in thinking that some of the carers can see Mary Beards split ends when she is on the radio ?

[agchristie]

Is it Peston's day off? ;)

[Peter Pedant]

O dear I am not observant
Does he have bad hair days

or is it bad hair weeks ?

Hi Ag - I am reminded of Offenbach's conjecture about Wagner
" Zair are bootiful moments but offel quarter-of-hours... "

[agchristie]

Morning PP - lol

By the way I loved your woodpecker comments on the Rugby thread - brilliant!

[naomi24]

//That is why newsreaders, politicians, and so on, dress in simple styles//

Simple styles? Fiona Bruce’s appalling choice in jackets leaves much to be desired - and Jon Snow's socks always brighten up the news. Mary Beard doesn’t need anyone’s advice. She’s an intelligent woman who’s done very well for herself.

[hellywelly4]

I think what prompted me to write was the fact that I am 75, and felt that I (in my own opinion) look younger than Mary who is 62. It's always subjective, but I think that to have long straggly hair makes a lady look older than they actually are.

[Ann]

I'm 69 later this year and still have very long blonde hair (still natural but admit a bit of grey underneath the top layers) I wouldn't dream of getting it cut as I tried it when I was 30 and it just didn't suit me at all. As long as hair is kept nicely clean and styled - does it matter how old you are? I wash and curl mine every day!

[Hypognosis]

@HellyWelly4

//
Do you ever think, after writing something, that it wasn't perhaps the wisest thing to have done?
//

Hee hee. Made I larff!

That would work really well, deadpan, in either a Boris Karloff or Marvin the Android accent.

[Maydup]

Mary's on TV right now looking perfect as a classics historian. I find her very engaging and happy in her skin!

[jourdain2]

Watching her on Pompeii at the moment - I commented to OH that she'd had her hair cut and smartened up and wondered if producer had brought pressure to bear.

It doesn't matter what you look like - I gave up worrying about anyone's opinion other than my own years ago. So, obviously, has she. (She's a fair bit younger than me, too, hellywelly.)