'I want to be an MTV star'

Wimar Witoelar, 55, is one of the country's leading talkshow hosts and an avid observer of the Indonesian television industry. The former host of SCTV's popular talkshow Perspektif, which was taken off air in 1996, shared a light moment with The Jakarta Post's Stevie Emilia.

Question: If you had the choice, what would you be doing now?

Answer: I guess I want to be an MTV star, singing and dancing.

Q: What makes you tick?

A: The fact that I'm alive. I rejoice in being alive. I think it's a miracle.

Q: Which trait do you most like about yourself?

A: The fact that I have lots of hair.

Q: And deplore?

A: Lots of weight.

Q: Whom do you admire?

A: Ade Rai.

Q: What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

A: T-shirts, check shirts.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Q: What makes you angry?

A: Being misunderstood.

Q: When was the last time you were angry?

A: A very long time ago.

Q: What characteristics do you dislike in others?

A: Being too serious, holier than thou.

Q: If you had to live on a desert island for one year and were only allowed to take three things with you, what would they be?

A: Laptop computer, some kind communication device to make the laptop work, and lots of bananas.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: Funny people... mostly myself when I get into funny situation.

Q: And cry?

A: Other people's misfortune.

Q: What is your favorite smell?

A: Barbecued goat.

Q: If there was something you could change about your appearance, what would it be?

A: Everything except my hair.

Q: What makes life worth living?

A: It's like watching a movie, everything is always new.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?

A: Janis Joplin. The song is Me And Bobby McGee.

Q: And movie?

A: Contact. The Insider. Plenty.

Q: Do you ever worry about your weight?

A: Many times, almost every day.

Q: Have you had, or would you ever consider plastic surgery?

A: Naa.. it's too expensive.

Q: What is the cost of popularity?

A: Nothing for me.

Q: How would you like to be remembered?

A: As a nice guy, a plain nice guy.

Q: Are we alone in the universe?

A: No.

Q: If the world were going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?

A: Doing very much the very same thing.