Bloody ‘ell. We’ve scored some coups here at KIU, but even I never thought we’d reach these giddy heights of hip !  Something of a personal triumph, I had a poster of this bloke on my bedroom wall circa 1977, a poster I would passionately snog each night (I was only eleven and didn’t know any real boys.)   So fellas, if you rate my kissing technique, don’t thank me – thank our very special KIU interviewee.  Star of stage, screen and ‘Starsky and Hutch’, I give you…Mr David Soul !

KIU When I was little, 'Starsky and Hutch' was (obviously) my favourite T.V show. Whenever it ended, I'd always wonder what the crime fighting duo did when they went home. With that in mind, what do you think Hutch's at-home hobbies were?

David Soul I'm an actor, which simply means I do a job when I can get one. But it's a job I've done for 35 plus years. When I get one, I go to work and then, try to live my life as a normal or abnormal human being, just like the rest of us. What were Hutch's at home hobbies? Well, he probably collected stamps and butterflies, looked after his plants and his tank of tropical fish and went to a knitting class twice a week. What do you think?
(KIU: I think he did what you said – but I’d also like to think he had a cat (possibly a tuxie) to help him unwind.)

KIU David - your Top Five Desert Island Discs, please.

D.S
• ONE - Mahler's Symphony #6 - "Tragic"
• TWO - The Band - The Big Pink (album)
• THREE - Ry Cooder - The Buena Vista Club (album)
• FOUR - The Beatles - Sargeant Pepper (album)
• FIVE - Willy Nelson - Stardust (album)

KIU What, in your opinion, makes a woman sexy?

D.S Anything she doesn't do to try to change the way she is naturally ... and secondly, the way she looks ... at me.

KIU You're a bit of a hero to us at KIU for many reasons, one of them being your involvement with the World Society for the Protection of Animals. What is your favourite animal? And what do you think of domestic tabbies?

A well-known domestic tabby.

D.S I don't really have a favourite animal, but I think animals were put here to teach us how to treat each other. Their lives are simple. They only do what they were meant to do ... a lesson unto itself. We can either learn from example or not, but the way we treat animals is certainly indicative of the way we regard and relate to each other. Regarding "domestic tabbies" ... if it's cats you're talking about, I'm allergic to them. Personally, I'm a "dog man" ... love them.

KIU 'Gladiator' or 'Titanic'?

D.S No contest ... "Gladiator"
(KIU: Although he did not know it, Mr David Soul has given the correct answer ! There truly is no contest.)

KIU Mr David Soul, you are a veteran of theatre. Which one role would you most love to play?

D.S One day I will do Shakespeare's "KING LEAR" but I also want to do Arthur Miller's "AFTER THE FALL".

KIU What is your definition of the perfect 'Quiet Night In'?

D.S TONIGHT!!! I'm really tired ... my lady, a hot bath, candles, a glass of wine and some music sounds great.

KIU At the end of the excellent 'Simon Schama's History of Britain', your name appears in the voice-over credits? Can this be? I listened intently, but I couldn't pick out which voice was yours? Were you Thomas Jefferson or George Washington? (And did you meet Simon Schama?)

D.S If not mistaken, I think I was the voice of Thomas Jefferson, though honestly, I don't remember the show. No, I did not meet Schama.

Thomas Jefferson

KIU What's your favourite bit in 'Oliver!'?

D.S Can't comment, except to say my friend Ron Moody, with whom I did the film "DOGPOUND SHUFFLE" (1973), was wonderful in the film.

Ron Moody

KIU A friend of mine recently bought a vintage 1970s tan-coloured leather jacket in a second-hand store in Bath. David, it is IDENTICAL to the one you wore in 'Starsky and Hutch'. Did you ever visit Bath, North East Somerset and misplace a jacket at the Roman Baths or The Pump Room? (And if it is your jacket - do you want it back?)

D.S I don't remember the many different jackets I wore in ‘Starsky and Hutch’. And yes, my long, soft, dark brown leather coat was stolen from the cloakroom at the theatre in Bath and the local police tracked it down and returned it to me. The capper to the story is that in May of 2002, I went back to Theatre Bath and played DEATHTRAP as part of the UK National Tour I did last year.

(KIU: David’s tale goes forth to exemplify the marvellous work of the Bath and North East Somerset police force. They were wonderful to me after my near-death experience with the psycho taxi driver (very scary experience), and whether it be stolen star jackets or attempted homicide, Bath and North East Somerset constabulary rock hard !)

KIU What's your all-time favourite movie?

D.S First, "Gone With the Wind" (first film I ever saw) and then, "Casablanca"

KIU If you were on Death Row, what would you request for your last meal? (WAIT! Forget that question; it's a bit macabre. Let me rephrase it.) What's your favourite meal? And do you enjoy cooking?

D.S I enjoy cooking, but you probably wouldn't want to eat what I cook. Even my dog has a hard time. My favourite meal cooked by someone else is a rare steak, a baked potato, corn-on-the- cob and a big mixed salad ... topped with a great bottle of French red.
(KIU: Sounds delish !)

KIU There's a recent Hollywood trend which finds classic '70s T.V shows remade into big-screen blockbusters. If they turned 'Starksy and Hutch' into a movie tomorrow, who would you like to see take the leading roles?

D.S It's being done, as would be expected (anything to make money) by Warner Brothers. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are starring, both fine actors. However, Paul and I have written a treatment and are looking for the finance to do our own version of S & H with the two guys hooking up again, 25 years down the road. We'll see what happens.
(KIU: Good luck with the project, David! It’s a terrific idea.)

KIU Are you a Marks and Spencers, Waitrose or Tescos man? (I've a feeling you never shop at Safeways, so I'm not throwing it into the ring.)

D.S I hate all those big consumer crazy, "loyalty card", money-hungry franchises like Walmart, etc. I shop locally and buy my vegetables from the green grocer.

KIU Chocolate or Strawberry?

D.S Chocolate what?

KIU Finally, David, would you please resolve an age-old family dispute; 'Silver Lady' - Is it about a motorbike, a car, a girl, or (possibly) a kitchen appliance?

D.S It's just a good song ... beyond that, it's about whatever you want it to be about.

Thank you, Mr David Soul!

David Soul - Whatta DOLL!