Rendezvous With Simi Garewal returns on January 29, with an introductory episode featuring John Abraham. Simi raves about her first guest. “John was an absolute eye-opener. Such a genuine, down-to-earth, honest-to-goodness guy. I’m yet to meet someone as deserving of his current success as John. I met his parents during the research for the Rendezvous and I know where John got his virtues. On Rendezvous he has spoken both about professional and personal pressures. I can’t think of a better candidate for my inaugural episode.”

But it’s the post-inaugural segment, to be telecast in the first week of February 2006 which really proves Simi’s strengths as a mover and shaker. She laughs. “I don’t know about that. But I’ve recorded the most exhausting Rendezvous ever. I’ve got Zayed Khan to come with his wife for their first together interview. In the first segment you’ll see Zayed with his parents Sanjay and Zarine Khan. The second segment features Zayed and his three sisters. In the third I bring on the bride and the groom. Zayed is so lucky to get a wife like Maleika. What a lovely girl. They complement each other perfectly.” The episode was recorded on Tuesday evening and Star intends to project it as the season’s USP on Star World. Says Simi, “I’m really happy that my Rendezvous is on Star World. First of all I can’t conduct my interviews in Hindi. And then Star World has taken my show to every corner of the world.”

Prabhu Chawla tried to get the better of Akshay Kumar on Seedhi Baat. The anchor tried to poke fun at the actor’s angrezi. To this Akshay retorted, “I think I manage as well as you.” Oops, and ouch to that. Most stars don’t really hit back when they’re made into spectacular scapegoats.

Enjoyed watching Shahid Kapur on Nach Baliye and the next day on Zee’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. His comments on the contestants were gracious and apt. He was quite a contrast to Tanisha Mukerji who ‘graced’ Sony’s Indian Idol. Her comments on the contestants careened towards the corny. On Nach Baliye there’s many a slip between the cup and the leap. Varun Badola just blanked out while doing his steps. Poor guy! He had worked so hard coming up right to tip of the top. So what happened? No one knows.