Things you just can't take seriously

2

Comments

  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host, 8th Day Host
    The very best ads linger in memory forever. (Do I sense a Heaven thread coming on?)

    :grin: Do it, Miss Amanda!
  • TurquoiseTasticTurquoiseTastic Shipmate
    edited March 28
    A particularly odd one. Any mention of an armadillo means a mental rerun of the 90s UK advert for the Dime/Daim chocolate bar. The animal is 'crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside' in comparison with the Dime which is the opposite. All in a West Country accent.

    Oh gods, yes! I remember those ads!

    ARMADILLOES! Once seen, never forgotten!

    I have never been able to take the works of Dumas seriously (or anyway I take them even less seriously than they were intended to be taken) having been brought up on Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds. My mental picture of the heroes is forever canine.
  • Goose attacks. We have Canada geese around here, and they have a distressing propensity to do daft things like nesting over the main entrance to a busy building, and then hiss and menace the workers coming and going. I hiss back. I was harassed by a giant greenwing macaw for years, and any beak less impressive is not cutting ice with me.
  • RicardusRicardus Shipmate
    I saw a French magazine once where Bishop of Bath and Wells was translated literally as l'Évêque des Bains et des Puits. Must have given a very strange impression of the structures of the Church of England...
  • I also find Blackadder hit and miss, but when it hits, it's great. I always found the original Blackadder the weakest of the four. Robbie Coltrane as Dr Johnson, and the actors teaching the Prince Regent to orate (Roar!!! and Do you mean Macbeth?) are comedic genius.

    Ever since I've seen Posh Nosh, cooking shows that use stupid verbs make smile, whereas the make me angry. "As you see, these [vegetables] have already been embarrassed." Comedy as therapy.
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    After listening to “Old Harry’s Game”, clergymen called Gary - “Gary, my most venomous demon”.
  • Gill HGill H Shipmate
    I have never been able to take the works of Dumas seriously (or anyway I take them even less seriously than they were intended to be taken) having been brought up on Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds. My mental picture of the heroes is forever canine.

    Earworm alert!

  • RicardusRicardus Shipmate
    I can't listen to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Iesu with a straight face, after encountering the Ylvis version of it (link).

    (Warning: gets a bit gruesome.)
  • Gill H wrote: »
    Earworm alert!
    Muskethounds are always ready :wink:
  • TelfordTelford Shipmate
    I own the DVDs because we used that ending of Blackadder Goes Fourth when teaching WW1. It's far more Not The Nine O'Clock News than anything else with Rowan Atkinson who I only liked in Blackadder and NTNON.
    John Lloyd produced Blackadder with other regulars Tony Robinson, Tim McInnery, Stephen Fry, Ben Elton & Richard Curtis wrote it, Hugh Laurie was in some series, as was Miranda Richardson. It's more like Upstart Crow, also written by Ben Elton.

    I am a big fan of Blackadder and I found the ending to be moving. However, I don't think that it represents WW1 very well. It gives the impression that everyone who went over the top was doomed and this was certainly not true.
  • Penny SPenny S Shipmate
    When you look at some village memorials, you realise that in some cases, everyone in such places was doomed. And as soldiers went over the top they must have been aware that they could have been facing their individual dooms.
    When my grandfather, who had served as a medical orderly, took me to the top of the Road of Remembrance in Folkestone, a road built to take the men down to the extra piers built for the ships to take them over to the place from where they could already hear the guns, he certainly gave me the impression that for many, many of those young men, their doom lay ahead of them.
    Back then, the town still kept up the banks of rosemary along the sides of the road.
  • stetsonstetson Shipmate
    edited April 5
    Apologies for the double post but something I read reminded me:

    Anybody named Ralph (for readers of the Judy Blume book 'Forever')

    It is a testimony to the standing of Forever in popular youth culture that I know what you are refering to, despite having never read the book. (Well, except for that one passage, because those who were reading the novel seemed to want everyone to know about it.)
  • @stetson That book went round my entire class. I seem to remember it wasn't bad (having read the whole work, not just the relevant chapter), even if my tastes at the time ran more to Douglas Adams than Judy Blume.
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    edited April 7
    The names Basil and Brian, because Fawlty and Life of...
  • (are you able to say Brian without thinking Bwian?)
  • stetsonstetson Shipmate
    edited April 7
    @stetson That book went round my entire class. I seem to remember it wasn't bad (having read the whole work, not just the relevant chapter), even if my tastes at the time ran more to Douglas Adams than Judy Blume.

    Yeah, I know the book wasn't bad, in the sense of gratuitously pornographic or anything. Definitely the kind of thing that in Grade 7 had an aura of taboo-breaking about iy, though.

    (That said, our school library carried books by Robert Cormier, which included scenes that were more-or-less as graphic as what was in Forever, but which no one seemed to think merited much excited commentary. Perhaps the fact that his books were aimed at boys had something to do with it. Or maybe that I was the only one who bothered to read them?)
  • SpikeSpike Admin Emeritus
    KarlLB wrote: »
    The names Basil and Brian, because Fawlty and Life of...

    And I can never hear the Sermon on the Mount without thinking “Blessed are the cheesemakers”
  • AravisAravis Shipmate
    I’d forgotten Dogtanian and the Musket Hounds. The theme tune was quite similar to the very beginning of Vivaldi’s Gloria...
  • Aravis wrote: »
    I’d forgotten Dogtanian and the Musket Hounds. The theme tune was quite similar to the very beginning of Vivaldi’s Gloria...

    Really? I must listen to that bit of Vivaldi to compare! If so, it will instantly join the list of "things I can't take seriously..."
  • stetson wrote: »
    (That said, our school library carried books by Robert Cormier, which included scenes that were more-or-less as graphic as what was in Forever, but which no one seemed to think merited much excited commentary. Perhaps the fact that his books were aimed at boys had something to do with it. Or maybe that I was the only one who bothered to read them?)

    A copy of "The Chocolate War" used to float around at school. The previous owner had written on the inside cover:

    Did you know that this guy is supposedly a children's author? Don't have too many nightmares!
  • stetsonstetson Shipmate
    stetson wrote: »
    (That said, our school library carried books by Robert Cormier, which included scenes that were more-or-less as graphic as what was in Forever, but which no one seemed to think merited much excited commentary. Perhaps the fact that his books were aimed at boys had something to do with it. Or maybe that I was the only one who bothered to read them?)

    A copy of "The Chocolate War" used to float around at school. The previous owner had written on the inside cover:

    Did you know that this guy is supposedly a children's author? Don't have too many nightmares!

    As far as I'm concerned, Cormier's "nightmare" portrayal of school life was charitable, compared to the reality. Examples available upon request.
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Mystery Worship Editor
    I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movie. Having taught in a Catholic high school run by the Marist Brothers and Dominican Nuns, I can attest to the reality.
  • TrudyTrudy Heaven Host, 8th Day Host
    I thought you said "run by Marxist Brothers and Dominican Nuns" and was briefly diverted wondering what this very leftist Catholic order I had not heard of, was all about.
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Mystery Worship Editor
    Some of them could well have been Marxist. I personally witnessed the principal of the Boys Division, Brother Brendan, give detention to one of my students, a good, gentle boy who would never dream of misbehaving in the slightest, for closing his locker door too loudly.
  • Trudy wrote: »
    I thought you said "run by Marxist Brothers and Dominican Nuns" and was briefly diverted wondering what this very leftist Catholic order I had not heard of, was all about.

    I read it as run by Marx Brothers - trying to imagine a school where Groucho, Chico and Harpo were in charge. At least the music lessons would have been fun.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Schistt’s Creek.

    We tried and tried to get into it- nope. Neither of us can see why it got any accolades at all. 🤔
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    The Grieg piano concerto by Grieg just came on the radio. Masterpiece though it may be, in my mind, it is indelibly associated with Morecambe and Wise and "Andrew Preview" in All the Right Notes, Not Necessarily in the Right Order (also why the piece always has that name in my head).
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    Apparently, when Andrew Preview died, most of his obituaries mentioned Morecambe and Wise. I can’t think of Andre Previn as anything but!
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Me neither! :)
  • DooneDoone Shipmate
    Classic!
  • LydaLyda Shipmate
    When I hear Clair De Lune it's always "Ocean's Eleven" in front of Bellagio fountains.
  • TrudyTrudy Heaven Host, 8th Day Host
    Boogie wrote: »
    Schistt’s Creek.

    We tried and tried to get into it- nope. Neither of us can see why it got any accolades at all. 🤔

    While I'm always ready to admit that not every piece of entertainment (especially comedy, as all our senses of humour differ so much) is for everyone, I do think it's worth pointing out that Schitt's Creek is one of the most notoriously slow-start shows in recent TV history. Very few people like or get into it from the first several episodes. I watched an episode or two when it first aired, thought, "This is pretty weak, and feels very CBC comedy" (a damning-with-faith-damns that will be best understood by fellow Canadians). Didn't find it funny at all. Gave it a second try later when the series was almost over and had gained such popularity, and found that near the end of the first season I got very invested in the characters and started to love it. That's obviously not going to happen for every viewer, but I do feel that 1) it's a show that took awhile to find its rhythm, and 2) the humour in Schitt's Creek is 100% dependent on knowing and caring about the characters, which takes a lot of time to build.

    This is not to say you need to give it another shot, but just to point out something that I think is true of a lot of shows, but especially of this one.
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    I the same way that Andre Previn became Andrew Preview, does anyone remember Denis Rissole?
  • Gill HGill H Shipmate
    Had forgotten that. And Burly Chassis and Manly Barrilow.

    I miss Terry Wogan.
  • HelixHelix Shipmate
    These spoonerism names are fantastic - hadn't heard a lot of them or if i had, I had forgotten them, and they take me a minute or two to figure out!
  • JapesJapes Shipmate
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    ..... Dame Patricia Routledge,.....
    I would have loved to see her as Lady Bracknell.

    I did have the very great pleasure of seeing Dame Patricia Routledge as Lady Bracknell.

    She was about as close to the image I'd held in my mind of Lady Bracknell, since studying The Importance of Being Earnest for O Level, as I think it was possible to get.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Japes wrote: »
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    ..... Dame Patricia Routledge,.....
    I would have loved to see her as Lady Bracknell.

    I did have the very great pleasure of seeing Dame Patricia Routledge as Lady Bracknell.

    She was about as close to the image I'd held in my mind of Lady Bracknell, since studying The Importance of Being Earnest for O Level, as I think it was possible to get.
    I am jealous!

    It occurred to me the other day that I suspect she would also be entertaining to see as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (the mayor’s wife) in The Music Man. I can just imagine her Grecian urns and her “Balzac!”

  • Trudy wrote: »
    Boogie wrote: »
    Schistt’s Creek.

    We tried and tried to get into it- nope. Neither of us can see why it got any accolades at all. 🤔

    While I'm always ready to admit that not every piece of entertainment (especially comedy, as all our senses of humour differ so much) is for everyone, I do think it's worth pointing out that Schitt's Creek is one of the most notoriously slow-start shows in recent TV history. Very few people like or get into it from the first several episodes. I watched an episode or two when it first aired, thought, "This is pretty weak, and feels very CBC comedy" (a damning-with-faith-damns that will be best understood by fellow Canadians). Didn't find it funny at all. Gave it a second try later when the series was almost over and had gained such popularity, and found that near the end of the first season I got very invested in the characters and started to love it. That's obviously not going to happen for every viewer, but I do feel that 1) it's a show that took awhile to find its rhythm, and 2) the humour in Schitt's Creek is 100% dependent on knowing and caring about the characters, which takes a lot of time to build.

    This is not to say you need to give it another shot, but just to point out something that I think is true of a lot of shows, but especially of this one.

    Agree - my family were split on it. It takes to the end of S1 before you see the genius. Which is more than some people can cope with.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Trudy wrote: »
    Boogie wrote: »
    Schistt’s Creek.

    We tried and tried to get into it- nope. Neither of us can see why it got any accolades at all. 🤔

    While I'm always ready to admit that not every piece of entertainment (especially comedy, as all our senses of humour differ so much) is for everyone, I do think it's worth pointing out that Schitt's Creek is one of the most notoriously slow-start shows in recent TV history. Very few people like or get into it from the first several episodes. I watched an episode or two when it first aired, thought, "This is pretty weak, and feels very CBC comedy" (a damning-with-faith-damns that will be best understood by fellow Canadians). Didn't find it funny at all. Gave it a second try later when the series was almost over and had gained such popularity, and found that near the end of the first season I got very invested in the characters and started to love it. That's obviously not going to happen for every viewer, but I do feel that 1) it's a show that took awhile to find its rhythm, and 2) the humour in Schitt's Creek is 100% dependent on knowing and caring about the characters, which takes a lot of time to build.

    This is not to say you need to give it another shot, but just to point out something that I think is true of a lot of shows, but especially of this one.

    Thank you. I suspected this - we are not so difficult to please! When we run out of stuff to watch we’ll give it another go, if I can persuade Mr Boogs. We are lucky to have exactly the same taste viewing-wise.

  • HelenEvaHelenEva Shipmate
    edited April 12
    [Niche alert] I can't take John Blow's Salvator Mundi seriously since discovering a small bit of "Twist and Shout" in the second soprano part. Yes, I did say it was niche.

    Oh, and Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op.111 with the jazzy bit.
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    Trudy wrote: »
    Boogie wrote: »
    Schistt’s Creek.

    We tried and tried to get into it- nope. Neither of us can see why it got any accolades at all. 🤔

    While I'm always ready to admit that not every piece of entertainment (especially comedy, as all our senses of humour differ so much) is for everyone, I do think it's worth pointing out that Schitt's Creek is one of the most notoriously slow-start shows in recent TV history. Very few people like or get into it from the first several episodes. I watched an episode or two when it first aired, thought, "This is pretty weak, and feels very CBC comedy" (a damning-with-faith-damns that will be best understood by fellow Canadians). Didn't find it funny at all. Gave it a second try later when the series was almost over and had gained such popularity, and found that near the end of the first season I got very invested in the characters and started to love it. That's obviously not going to happen for every viewer, but I do feel that 1) it's a show that took awhile to find its rhythm, and 2) the humour in Schitt's Creek is 100% dependent on knowing and caring about the characters, which takes a lot of time to build.

    This is not to say you need to give it another shot, but just to point out something that I think is true of a lot of shows, but especially of this one.

    This of course couldn't have happened in the golden days of TV -- they air the episode once and if you didn't catch it, you wait until it's in reruns. The ability to watch episodes on demand allows for slower storytelling, or maybe for the writers to take a while to get their feet. Or be sacked and replaced with better.
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Hugh Jackman. I just keep wondering what an Ackman is and why he's named for having a huge one.
  • His nickname on Kermode and Mayo Film Review Show is 'Huge Action'. Not sure if that provides an answer...
  • HelenEvaHelenEva Shipmate
    KarlLB wrote: »
    Hugh Jackman. I just keep wondering what an Ackman is and why he's named for having a huge one.

    Well thank you for that, I'm never going to be able to take Mr Jackman seriously ever again!!
  • SparrowSparrow Shipmate
    Is there a Mrs Jackman?
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    HelenEva wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    Hugh Jackman. I just keep wondering what an Ackman is and why he's named for having a huge one.

    Well thank you for that, I'm never going to be able to take Mr Jackman seriously ever again!!

    Well you have to feel sorry for the man. In Greatest Showman (which my daughter makes me watch, I might add) he sees his childhood sweetheart disappear to finishing school and by the time she gets back he's apparently aged about 15 years more than she has...
  • Penny SPenny S Shipmate
    Tangent, spun off from the Wimbledon thread in All Saints, where this definitely does not belong. Every time I see the thread title, it turns itself into a novel as a religious version of "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell". As Emmanuel Wimbledon looks like a person's name, not a church.
  • Marvin the MartianMarvin the Martian Admin Emeritus
    KarlLB wrote: »
    he's apparently aged about 15 years more than she has...

    He had a tough paper round.
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Penny S wrote: »
    Tangent, spun off from the Wimbledon thread in All Saints, where this definitely does not belong. Every time I see the thread title, it turns itself into a novel as a religious version of "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell". As Emmanuel Wimbledon looks like a person's name, not a church.

    I thought the same. I see Emmanuel Wimbledon* as a rather eccentric Victorian churchman of good family.

    *or 'Emma Jelly' as autocorrect would have it.
  • Firenze wrote: »
    *or 'Emma Jelly' as autocorrect would have it.

    "Emma" mattress ads have been making me smirk for a while now - having long ago had a girlfriend of that name, my first thought when I saw one was "It's been a long time since I sent a night on top of an Emma!"

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