Tiny Paul Livingston (Flacco) article

[mish]

He's got a new book out!


SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 23rd July

SPLURGE

by Stu Spence

How comedian and writer Paul Livingston spoils himself
"I live outside my means," confesses Paul Livingston, also known as the man with the surreal alter-ego Flacco. "I buy suits I can't afford, buy wine I can't possibly afford. I sit at home and I live like a king for a night!"
Pricey plonk, eh?
"Yes, something like a Malbec Chausen Lapin le Petit Verdot," Livingston says at lightning speed. "I just made that up, but the whole wine game is all about bluffing. To become a wine bore is very interesting. You know a few terms, a few words, and off you go. People are very impressed."
Perhaps taking advice from his new book, Releasing the Imbecile Within (Allen and Unwin), Livingston seems to have released the wine imbecile within.
"In restaurants I do the swirl and spit. You order the wine, you swirl it around. I take a sip and then I'll spit it all over the waiter.
"The thing is, people look, then when the spit comes, they look even more. I've got the suit on, and they're so impressed with the spit and the swirl, they join you. I usually get a table for eight. I'm sitting at the head of the table with the wine and the glass, and the swirl, and by the end of the night the party's on at Livo's table."