Over at RiffTrax I explain how the British political system works, for the benefit of our dear American cousins.
And, as an extra bonus feature, the video below shows Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s defeat of the Duchess of Yarmouth in the ‘All-In Fighting’ round of the 1997 Commonwealth Games – a victory which secured her position on the throne for over a decade.
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I will also be tackling some of the other penetrating puzzlers supplied by the Rifftrax gang. But in the meantime, here’s one that gets straight to the point:
Which is your favorite Music Hall comedy team of all time; Bangers and Mash or Bubble and Squeak? demands Dan Noutko-Kennedy, urgently.
The answer, Dan (as I’m sure you knew all along, you rascal) is ‘neither of the above’. I defy any true Music Hall fan to look beyond that deathless duo, Scroggit and Grapenuts. Their unusual – some used to say physically impossible – act needs no introduction from me. Once seen, never forgotten!
(I refer, of course, only to their Golden Period which, if we're generous, ran all the way from 1892 to 1946. The disastrous move into a trio – Scroggit, Grapenuts and Sally – in 1947 was a huge blow to national morale, especially when one takes into account the tremendous work done by the pair in keeping the country’s pecker up during two World Wars). As many have observed before: the sad decline of Scroggit and Grapenuts from their glorious peak serves as a remarkably apt metaphor for the decline of the British Empire in general.
Perhaps you have some of your own questions, TofE readers? I can provide full, though not necessarily swift, answers on literally any topic, and am of course much more reliable than Wikipedia.
And, as an extra bonus feature, the video below shows Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s defeat of the Duchess of Yarmouth in the ‘All-In Fighting’ round of the 1997 Commonwealth Games – a victory which secured her position on the throne for over a decade.
----
I will also be tackling some of the other penetrating puzzlers supplied by the Rifftrax gang. But in the meantime, here’s one that gets straight to the point:
Which is your favorite Music Hall comedy team of all time; Bangers and Mash or Bubble and Squeak? demands Dan Noutko-Kennedy, urgently.
The answer, Dan (as I’m sure you knew all along, you rascal) is ‘neither of the above’. I defy any true Music Hall fan to look beyond that deathless duo, Scroggit and Grapenuts. Their unusual – some used to say physically impossible – act needs no introduction from me. Once seen, never forgotten!
(I refer, of course, only to their Golden Period which, if we're generous, ran all the way from 1892 to 1946. The disastrous move into a trio – Scroggit, Grapenuts and Sally – in 1947 was a huge blow to national morale, especially when one takes into account the tremendous work done by the pair in keeping the country’s pecker up during two World Wars). As many have observed before: the sad decline of Scroggit and Grapenuts from their glorious peak serves as a remarkably apt metaphor for the decline of the British Empire in general.
Perhaps you have some of your own questions, TofE readers? I can provide full, though not necessarily swift, answers on literally any topic, and am of course much more reliable than Wikipedia.
Isn't that Arthur Ransome?
ReplyDeleteOnly you could possibly know that, Nige.
ReplyDeleteif Scroggit and Grapenuts at their peak were to have a 'laugh-off' against prime early 80's Cannon & Ball - who would win? And would the resulting merriment start a chain reaction that would eventually destroy the planet?
ReplyDeleteWasn't the Battle Royale between Elizabeth II and The Duchess of Yarmouth fought on the macadam plain of Kensington Road Car Park? No matter. The glorious reign of the Two-Doors was assured once again.
ReplyDeleteOk then, Were can I find video of reg Vardy appearing on the Good old days in the 60s? you know the musical hall show filmed in leeds with Leonard Sachs?
ReplyDeletein a bin?
ReplyDeleteIn the ninth circle of Hell?
ReplyDeleteActually Sean, it's Reg Varney who appeared on the Good Old Days. Reg Vardey is a North East England based car dealer and well known god botherer.
ReplyDeleteIt's an easy mistake to make, however, as I believe Reg Vardy DID appear on The Black and White Minstrel Show in 1971.
Ive bought a few cars and vans from them/him so/he they are in the front of my head, so yes reg VARNEY (the F****** cockney who recently died i believe?)
ReplyDeleteEartha Kit also appeared and a few other i belive, but I remember Reg as a kid in on the buses, but my gran told me he was a great stand up, so I was looking for a video.
Brit, I seemed to have to forgotten to tell you that I "tagged" you an my blog, and yet you managed to find out anyhow - spooky!
ReplyDeleteThe Russian woman in red has the better technique, but though the woman in blue's action is a bit "roundarm" she has a nagging accuracy which may well catch the selectors' eye.
Well, Gadjo, I deduced my nomination through the Sherlock Holmes-like method of reading it in the first line of your latest blogpost.
ReplyDelete