Chris discovers he is meeting Jennifer Aniston
Scott had spent days refusing to tell Chris which Hollywood star would be behind the next hotel-room door. On Wednesday morning the secret finally came out: Jennifer Aniston.
Chris’s apparent calm worried Scott more than panic would have done. Scott immediately produced a list of subjects he thought should be avoided, including calling her Rachel, pregnancy speculation and wedding questions. He even supplied deliberately bad background information to see whether Chris was paying attention, including the claim that Jennifer was engaged to Louis Theroux.
Before the interview, Scott decided Chris needed to look more “show business”. Beauty therapist Claire was brought in for eyebrow plucking, eye de-puffing, tanning, makeup, mascara and hair. Chris feared emerging with Rylan-style eyebrows and spent much of the process asking whether each new step was really necessary.
Amanda Seyfried arrives halfway through the makeover
Amanda Seyfried joined the show while Chris was still being transformed. She was promoting Lovelace, the serious true-story film in which she played Linda Lovelace, and explained that the role went far beyond its adult-film setting into an abusive relationship and a difficult real life. It was very different territory from the lighter films many listeners associated with her.
Away from the film, Amanda confessed to being hooked on Candy Crush, including playing on flights. She inspected Chris’s makeup, told him he looked beautiful and tried to give him some useful interview advice: do not be boring, take something playful into the room and avoid simply asking the same film questions as everybody else.
Scott then revealed Jennifer Aniston’s name in front of Amanda. Amanda had never met Jennifer herself, despite almost working with her, but thought Chris should be fine. That endorsement did little to calm Scott.
Challenge eight: keep everybody out of the lift
With the Breakfast competition standing at 4-3 to Scott, challenge eight sent them into the BBC’s glass lift. Each had to travel from the eighth floor down and back up while allowing as few other people as possible inside.
Scott tried an extraordinary sequence of excuses. He claimed his friend had a serious problem, suggested it was his first day, performed a fake panic attack and even pretended to cry. Despite all that, one person still got in.
Chris went more direct. He implied he had just had an accident and, when necessary, made it sound as though the lift contained a terrible smell. Nobody joined him at all. Chris won and levelled the contest at 4-4.
Sara Cox approves the finished product
Sara Cox appeared to inspect Chris after the makeover. She was impressed enough to give the finished look her approval, while Scott delighted in the fact that the most ordinary member of the team had spent a morning being prepared like a Hollywood celebrity.
The real test would come after the show. Chris was about to walk into the interview knowing only that he had Jennifer Aniston, a few minutes and whatever strange conversation his nerves produced.
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