The following interview on Sydney radio station Triple M, with Andrew Denton and Amanda Keller took place the day after the Academy Awards.

The interview starts with Amanda Keller and Andrew Denton talking about how hard it was to find out where Russell was staying. They initially had problems getting through using Russell's real name.

Andrew Denton: We were trying to get through, and they wouldn't let us through.

Amanda Keller: No. There was no one staying there under that name.

AD: But, can't tell you how, we knew another name. Another secret name. And we said try this name and miraculously his phone rang and he picked up the phone. Russell himself picked up the phone, in pretty good shape I might add.

AK: I was surprised. I imagined that he'd be trashed.

AD: Absolutely trashed . . . he wasn't, it turns out, he told us later his entourage was completely trashed, but he was in good form. And we started the phone call in the time-honored way by saying good morning and congratulations Russell.

AK: Yeah.

Russell: Andrew Denton, young man, how are you?

AD: Very good. How you feeling?

Russell: Wonderful to talk to you...hold on, I've got someone who wants to talk to you. Hold on. (Sound of something tapping on the phone, about ten times) That's a young man called Oscar. He's tapping you in Morse code on the telephone.

(Amanda and Andrew laugh)

AK: Aw, you're king of the world today.

AD: Yeah, you're looking beautiful. That must have been a hell of a moment.

Russell: Um, it was a little, shall we say, surprising?

(Andrew laughs)

AD: It must have been nice to have been able to give a tribute to your grand dad like that, too.

Russell: It was. It was really cool.

AD: Yeah . . . so, tell me, what have you been doing since the award?

Russell: Did you hear the last line? Cause I uh, I uh started to think that I should get off before the music cue comes up but later on in the press room I said that there was one other thing that I wanted to say: "For my opportunities at Destiny's Forge, God bless America, God save the Queen, God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia."

(Andrew laughs)

AD: Great! It was a good speech, all around, I've got to say. And you know I'm glad that Julia Roberts gave you a minute to get a word in, which was fantastic. (Russell laughs) What have you been doing since you won the award? Has it just been party time?

Russell: Well, we didn't do too many official things. We went to the Governor's ball, because as an Academy member you are required to. And it was actually quite beautiful this year. You know, the design and stuff was fantastic.

AD: Yeah?

Russell: And I was hungry as, for some reason. I was just starving so I went there and then I went to Elton John's little thingy.

AD: Oh? How was that?

Russell: Um, it was good. My mum and dad got their photograph taken with Elton John and my father is still laughing about it. (Andrew and Amanda laugh.)

AD: Really?

Russell: Now, whenever I just see him, he bursts out laughing and I ask "What's going on with you?" and he says "I got my photograph taken with Elton John."

AK: Who's the most amazing person you've met, Russ?

Russell: What's that?

AK: Who's the most amazing person you've met last night?

Russell: Uhm...well, not last night, but the night before, I was standing in this thing cause there's all these build up functions and I felt this tap on my shoulder and I turned around and, and you know that De Niro fellow?

AD: Oh, yeah?

AK: I've heard of him . . .

Russell: Well, he didn't say a word. He didn't say hello, good evening or anything or "Hi, I'm Robert." He just looked at me and he nodded his head and he smiled. (Amanda laughs) And he walked off.

Amanda and Andrew nearly in Unison: That was it?

Russell: That was pretty good.

AD: I reckon he's the guy behind the kidnap.

Russell: So I think that we've got a deep connection, man. I'm calling him Bobby from now on.

AD: Of course. And he calls you Russ.

Russell: As my good friend Bobby said, he said . . . he said, "Don't name drop." (Russell laughs)

AD: I had a really . . .I had a really strong sense looking at you making that speech, . . . that, you know, remembering your acting days when you were struggling to make a living here in Sydney, that this must be like, as James Cameron said, "King of the World". You must have had a sense of that.

Russell: Um, I wouldn't have a sense of anything that James Cameron might say.

(Andrew laughs)

Russell: Um, but it was certainly a surprising moment.

AD: Yeah.

Russell: It was kind of cool, because of all those people that look after you and work with and stuff through all the bullshit. And the, you know, the stuff that comes and goes. They've . . . um, everyone gets a pat on the back. You know? It's cool.

AD: I noticed that on the way in, that you had a cross from Meg, which was nice. Obviously, she's still . . . uh . . .going for you. There . . . I nearly said still "rooting" for you, but that would be crass.

(Russell laughs)

Russell: It would be.

(Andrew laughs)

Russell:Thank, thank golly, gosh God that you corrected yourself.

AD:(still laughing) Yeah.

Russell: Look. Yeah, you know we're friends and really good mates.

AD: Yeah.

Russell: And there's all this other stuff that goes on and things people say that hasn't nothing to do with real life.

AD: True. Absolutely. Russell, what are you going to do today? I believe that you are about to hop on a jet and fly somewhere.

Russell: (lowers his voice to a whisper) I've got to get to work, mate.

AD: You're working?

AK: Really?

Russell: Yeah. (laughing)

AD: Aw, you're kidding? Don't they give you a day?

Russell: Yeah, I've got to work on the other side of the country.

AD: Oh!

AK: Aw, no!

Russell: Mmm, yes. Tomorrow morning I start probably the most difficult role I've ever done and I won't even actually start thinking about it until about ten minutes after I wake up.

AD: Yeah? (Sound of phone ringing) And there's the other phone ringing. Russell....?

Russell: (Interrupting, in an English accent) Shirley Pearce is on the line...it's live Radio. Well, done. Shirley Pearce.

AD: That's his agent, his Australian agent. Russ, congratulations.

AK: We're all so proud, Russ. Well done.

Russell: Thanks very much.

AD: And don't forget, you're from Australia not New Zealand. OK?

Russell: Right about now, I'm from anywhere you like.

(Amanda and Andrew laugh)

AD: OK, Russell, have a good day and thanks for this morning. See you.

Russell: Cheers, Andy.

Photo: Jeffrey Kravitz / Film Magic (Entertainment Weekly, 4/6/01)

Transcription by (and very special thanks to) Cindy and Alicia

The following transcript is from Russell's "Quick Fire Round" with Anne Richardson on Big Screen (UK)
Friday 23nd March, 2001

Anne Richardson: Russell Crowe . . .
Russell Crowe: Yes?

AR:This is your quick fire round. Are you ready?
RC: I'll just have a sip of tea (which he does).

AR: You're up for an Oscar this year. If you won it, where will you stick it?
RC: Um, no idea really. I'd probably give it to my parents.

AR: What do you never leave home without?
RC: Um, trousers.

AR: Fair enough. Do you wear boxers of briefs?
RC: I wear um . . . (fumbles below camera line, as if to check -- playing for time, he really is struggling for an amusing way of avoiding this silly question).

AR: Have you got any on?
RC: No . . . (looks to camera & with a British accent) I do really folks, I'm jokin' . . . I wear boxers.

AR: What one word would you say best describes you?
RC: Awake.

AR: Sharon Stone has said you're the sexiest guy working in movies. Who is the sexiest woman?
RC: Hmmm, (looks skyward, then breaks into a mischievous grin) now let me think, my next co-star is Jennifer Connelly (giggles).

AR: Now last year your took your niece to the Oscars. Who's your date this year?
RC: I don't know. I've asked somebody and we'll see what they say.

AR: What's the best advice anyone's ever given you?
RC: Breathe in more than you breath out.

AR: And finally, will you have your vengeance in this life, or the next?
RC: It's much better taken coldly and calmly when you're alive, I think.

The following transcript is from Russell's interview with Amanda Byram on The Big Breakfast (UK) - Thursday 22nd February, 2001

Amanda: Good morning Russell.
Russell: Good morning. How are you doing? You've been sent to distract me, haven't you?

AB: I have been sent to distract you. Are you distracted?
RC: I will try and concentrate.

AB: OK, let's concentrate, focus. Welcome to London.
RC: Thank you.

AB: It's not your first time, is it? You spend quite a lot of time here now, don't you?
RC: I've been spending a lot of time here for quite a few years, yes. I like London.

AB: How do you find the scene, the London party scene?
RC: How do you find it? You go out any door [starts smiling and giggling] just walk out a door . . .

AC: Cheeky monkey!
RC: . . . left or right, bang, there it is.

AB: You'll have to show me some time then. So, tell us about your new movie, Proof of Life.
RC: It about a fella who gets, er, who is working for a multi-national company in a non-specific Latin American country by the name of Tacala, which is really Columbia, it's kind of a silly thing to do but (grins to camera) it's an American film folks, so . . . And he gets kidnapped and I play a hostage negotiator who comes in to basically try and get him back. (Show film clip)

AB: So in preparation for the role then, did you kind of go out and save businessmen? Method acting?
RC: (smiles) No, I talked to a lot of people, did a lot of reading as I usually do, and was lucky enough to meet probably half a dozen or more guys who actually do the job and chat with them about their experiences.

AB: Did I hear a story that you do your own stunts sometimes?
RC: I do them all the time, yes (smiles).

AB: Any hairy moments ever?
RC: Yes, there's sort of a . . . hanging off a helicopter in Poland on this move was . . .

AB: That'll do it.
RC: That was a bit hairy, yes. You know, jumping up and grabbing the struts is easy enough and if it rises gently that's easy enough, but if it banks up to 75 foot at a certain speed and G forces and all that sorta stuff. It's good to do it once, but 25, 30 times, it gets a little much.

AB: You had problems in Gladiator as well, didn't you tear a muscle in your shoulder?
RC: That was actually, I did that injury in, er . . . (A fart sound is made off camera and RC turns to his left to talk to someone off screen.)

What was that?

AB: Oooooh, excuse you!
RC: (To off-screen) Are you alright? Now everybody just calm down, OK.

AB: (To off-screen) Do you need to go to the bathroom luv?
RC: (Slips into a British accent) We're trying to have a chat here and this is going to be on the television, so if it's going to be on television, we don't want that kind of noise or sound, alright, you know? And what were you eating last night? (To camera) I know this doesn't transfer at home, but it doesn't smell very pleasant from where I am.

AB: (To off-screen) No more curries for you! (turning to Russell) Actually, was it you?
RC: I will try to get back to the level of concentration I had before that happened, excuse me. Thank you.

AB: Where were we?
RC: (back to normal voice) You know, I was actually training as a gymnast for another movie when I did that injury. I mean, I got beaten up quite heavily on Gladiator. But most of the films I've done, you get beaten up to a certain extent you know. L.A. Confidential and stuff, they had fight sequences in that. In Mystery, Alaska I played the hockey player, now that wasn't pleasant from a physical point of view.

AB: A few more hairy moments.
RC: So it's kinda strange, so you play this ice hockey player, you play this Roman General, you play this cop, you play these soldiers and everything, but it was doing gymnastics (giggles) that actually caused the injury.

AB: Oh, I'd like to see you do a back flip, baby. I can just imagine it. Can you?
RC: (To camera) Are you getting that at home? Are you getting that?

AB: Right, I'm out of here.
RC: (Still to camera) She's being awfully cheeky (flips hair). You wanted to do this interview -- you & me in a bed ?

AB: I did, but you wouldn't let me.
RC: But my schedule won't allow it (grins, flips hair, giggles and a then a big smile)

AB: Apparently. Congratulations, Oscar nominee.
RC: Thanks.

AB: How do you feel?
RC: Uh, good.

AB: Yeah?
RC: Well usually, I feel with my hands (giggles).

AB: I have to ask you actually, how does one find out about being nominated for am Oscar?
RC: How do we find out?

AB: Someone in the office phones you up and says . . .
RC: No, no, you just watch the news. We were in the air though. (Strokes beard) We were flying from Australia to Italy and, so we were actually between Indonesia and the Arab Emirates when they were announced and none of the phones work on the plane. So we landed in Oman to refuel and we couldn't get the phones to work still. So we were asking the bloke on the tarmac with the machine gun "Mate, have you heard anything about the Oscars?"

(Imitating a man from Oman who doesn't understand English)

"No, no, the Oscars mate, you know the Academy Awards, you know, the movies, have you seen the news?

(Imitating man, getting very animated)

And it's like "Mate, alright, don't worry about it". So we didn't find out until we got to Italy.

AB: Well, we've got a very little present for you. It's a good luck charm. It is, in fact, an Oscar. (She produces a plastic oscar)
RC: That's a bad luck charm.

AB: Is it a bad luck charm?
RC: Yes, you should put that away.

AC: ShalI I put it away?
RC: (Frowning) It's a bad luck charm, you should put that away. I won't tell you exactly where . . (Grinning) but back in the bag'll do !

AB: Well, Russell Crowe, I hope you win.
RC: Thank you. (Winks)