Rupert Murdoch

I’m waiting to see what Rupert Murdoch and his son James Murdoch wear when they appear before British MPs today. Appearance has played a not insignificant role in the phone hacking drama: Rupert has, since his re-appearance in Britain to stem the scandal, been described as looking “old”, James as being less charming than his father thanks to his “Marine crewcut” (Newsweek) and little glasses and Rebekah Brooks, well, let’s just say “hair”, as mentioned by, well, every writer ever.

If they were characters in a tv serial, these would be the distinguishing features noted by the script writers to encapsulate character:

“Enter Rupert. His face is lined, and shows his age, followed by James, in crew cut, and Rebekah, with defiant red mane flying.”

See what I mean? Of course, in some circles the game has already started about who will play who in the movie. Bryce Dallas Howard for Rebekah B anyone? Ian McKellan for Murdoch Snr? Or is that typecasting due to hair and wrinkles?