Between Clive Owen winning at the Golden Globes and the British Academy announcing its nominations, of which Sideways received only one, I'm feeling pretty humbled these days.

I did a series called Ned and Stacey for two years for Fox back in the 90s. I was writer on it as well as a producer, and it was very important to me that there were no contemporary references.

I invested, and I protected myself, so I enjoy that freedom.

To some extent I could identify with that because I kind of just made my money and got out.

The most special relationships, in my experience, are based on a combination of trust and mutual respect.

I think it's important to be friends with the person you have to kiss onstage in front of a hundred people. You might not be friends in real life - especially if you're in high school - but you need to at least be 'secret friends' for it to work. Try to be comfortable with each other.

But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.

The solution to alone-ness is not more solitude, but companionship and community.