That Guy: Season's greetings via red-blooded mail

<i>Leigh Hart's Mysterious Planet</i> is hotly anticipated. Photo / Supplied

Opinion

Much like Santa's, my mailbox tends to get a little more full as Christmas approaches. Here are some randomly selected letters. Remember, if you would like to write to me, write to Leigh Hart, c/o the Herald on Sunday. Please try and keep your letters to 30 words or more, especially if you want them to be published, and remember "i" before "e" except after "c".

Letters

Hi Leigh, long-time reader, first-time writer.

I am really looking forward to your new TV Show Leigh Hart's Mysterious Planet on TV One. I have heard a lot of good things about it, mainly from you in your columns. Where can I see a high-definition action-packed sample of it?

Corey

Thanks Corey, I am so glad you are interested. I believe it's on 9.30pm, Friday nights in February. You can see a sneak preview on YouTube: simply type in "Leigh Hart's Mysterious Planet".

Tell them I sent you.

Dear Leigh,

Will you be releasing a Christmas album this year, preferably one that has you singing all the Christmas classics in a polo-neck sweater?

Yes, I will be. I am joining together with Keith Quinn and Tui award winners Smashproof to do a compilation of all the Christmas classics, with the exception of I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus, as we couldn't secure the rights and, besides, Keith struggled with the key. We hope it will be out by Christmas, but if not will have no choice but to release it six days before Chinese New Year.

Either way it will be a cracker, and a piece of history, as it is looking increasingly unlikely that Keith and I will ever work together again. We are going in different directions creatively, and on the way to rehearsal, meaning I am always there 45 minutes before him. I wish him all the best with his new musical endeavours, but to be honest, watching him record without me will be like John Lennon watching Paul McCartney recording with Wings.

Dear Leigh,

Is there going to be a Christmas columnists' lunch this year? One that the paper pays for in recognition of all your hard work?

I can't really be sure as that isn't my department. You might want to take that up with the editor. I would be a little surprised if there wasn't, and if there was going to be one I would probably like to hear about it sooner rather than later in case I have something else on. At the end of the day I prefer to just focus on my work.

Good question though.

Dear Leigh,

I read somewhere that in a recent survey you were voted most popular columnist in the Herald on Sunday. How do you feel about that and, more specifically, how do you keep your feet on the ground?

Wendy

I don't read much into that kind of thing - it is not productive. I have never been a fan of subjective surveys as they can cause divisions within a team. I don't know where you people read this sort of thing. We all contribute equally and are stronger as a team than as individuals.

I leave you with this question: Would Dan Carter be as successful and popular a rugby player if he didn't have a whole team working with him? Incidentally, Dan is also a long-time reader, so you are in good company.

Dear Kerre,

Read your column last week and couldn't agree more. I wish more people like you would stand up and say what they mean. As a young single mother I really enjoy your columns.

Yvette

Hi Yvette. You seem to have come through to the wrong mailbox. In future can you make sure you clearly write "ATTENTION: Kerre" on the top of your email or letter. The mail staff here aren't exactly rocket scientists, if you know what I mean.

If there is anything I can help you with, feel free to write to me directly or perhaps we could meet up for a drink or something at some stage.

Dear Leigh,

It would be nice if you could write a proper column for a change instead of publishing your mail. You are clearly trying to fill up space. Don't be a smart-arse and publish this one as well ... Give me a call to discuss. - Editor