OK, let's get the jokes out of the way first. I know Glasgow is often in the grip of madness, but this is different. And, yes, any number of zombie gags were funny the first time...Brad Pitt has arrived in Glasgow to make his latest film World War Z. The centre of Glasgow has been chosen as a suitable stand-in for Philadelphia. Mr Pitt has brought his wife Angelina Jolie and their numerous kids with him, they are currently holed-up in a mansion near Kilmarnock. Unlikely as all of that seems, it is true.
The reason I know it's true is that the entire city seems to be gripped by a mania about Mr P. Bradness if you will. Grown women with sensible jobs are squealing like idiots. Grown men with sensible jobs are almost squealing like idiots but catching themselves in time.
I'll grant you the idea of Hollywood coming to George Square is fascinating. And seeing the streets done up to look like something from America is memorable.
Many of us who saw Thelma and Louise (yes, that scene) or Fight Club think fondly of Brad, but he's just an actor who was once rather dishy. After all, this month Edinburgh is jam packed with attractive and famous people but that city hasn't lost its collective marbles over them.
While this lunacy continues, I have a couple of questions to ponder:
If anything else was causing quite so much disruption to city centre traffic there would be much ill temper. How come Glaswegians are happy to put up with this?
If the person causing such silliness - and, if we're being a bit po-faced, objectification - were a woman, the female population would be far less understanding of their men's interest. How come it's OK for girls?
Why Glasgow? Philadelphia looks lovely, but I can't see it's much like Glasgow.
How much will the council make from this?
How did all those American cars get here?
If Angelina is such an ordinary mum, will we expect to see her on the beach at Largs picking grit out of Shiloh's eye and wiping dog poo off Pax's trainer too?
And, finally, why must Z be pronounced zee?
