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#8844 10/26/00 02:18 PM
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>"The Three Stooges" hilarious

Similarly, I can't see anything funny in it.

Although I am proud of many of our "cultural" exports, I could never see why Benny Hill crossed the pond - I curl up in pain when I see him!

I'm always terminally unamused by slapstick and the kind of humour where people pretend to be incompetent (eg Frank Spencer, not sure if that was sent out across the world) makes me want to pick them up and tell them to get a grip ... aaaaagh Oh no, perhaps there is a disciplinarian trying to escape from the normally mild, composed being that I am!


#8845 10/26/00 02:57 PM
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In reply to:

I'm always terminally unamused by slapstick and the kind of humour where people pretend to be incompetent (eg Frank Spencer


I loved Some Mothers, I used to laugh to the point where friends and family would become seriously concerned about the health of my bronchial passages, (you've never heard me laugh), but Norman Wisdom always made me just want to curl up with embarrassment to the point where I would have to leave the room it hurt so much, and other "amusing" incompetents have a similar effect.

Bingley



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#8846 10/26/00 03:06 PM
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how do you all feel about Cleese in "Fawlty Towers"? I think selected episodes were some of the funniest things I've ever seen on TV, and yet these same episodes are almost too painful to give a second viewing. (the "German" episode steps to mind.)


#8847 10/26/00 03:10 PM
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"the 3 stooges" are/is hilarious to the 9-year old american boy - everything else is nostalgia.


#8848 10/26/00 04:08 PM
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aaaaagh Oh no, perhaps there is a disciplinarian trying to escape from the normally mild, composed being that I am!

Jo--I pity anyone who tries to call you a disciplinarian!

I think the Three Stooges are horrible. Some of the funniest slapstick, to me, are the ones where the participants, each unaware of the other's activities, end up confronting each other. Some of the I Love Lucy episodes, for ex.






#8849 10/26/00 04:33 PM
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>Cleese in "Fawlty Towers

I think that John Cleese is a genius. I can just about watch re-runs of Fawlty Towers (sadly, I think there were only twelve episodes). I agree that some of it is wonderful and some (especially the "war" episode) is too painful to watch. Although the programme includes moments of pure slapstick it has a level of self awareness that helps the humour along (apologies if this analysis sounds pretentious). It seems to work on so many different levels that if one part of it is irritating there is another wonderful moment just around the corner.


#8850 10/26/00 04:35 PM
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>Jo--I pity anyone ...

Thanks Jackie (my only part-Cherokee friend in the whole world)- I owe you one!


#8851 10/26/00 06:16 PM
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"? I think selected episodes were some of the funniest things I've ever seen on TV, and yet these same episodes are almost too painful to give a second viewing. (the "German" episode steps to mind.)

I wasn't going to say this, but "You started it" -"Germans" was the very best of an excellent bunch, in my opinion. Like you, I find it almost painful to watch, but it is too funny not to. Although there were only twelve episodes made, the standard in each is so high that they have stood up well to the passing of twenty and more years. I can never look at a rat without thinking to myself "there's a Siberian Hamster", and the image of Cleese apoplectically beating a Mini with a branch makes me laugh even as I type this. Thanks for making me smile, tsuwm, just don't mention the war



#8852 10/26/00 11:52 PM
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Cleese apoplectically beating a Mini with a branch

Just the thought is enough to set me off, too - though it's the moose's head that really does it! Nooooo

<glass of water>
<deep breath>

"Germans" was even better than Monty Python's Cheese Shop (hey! Cleese too, quelle surprise). Though the "Gumby" version of the Cherry Orchard on Another Monty Python Record was a heck of a belly-clutcher.

Ummmm. Oh yes, humour!
Slapstick is brilliant as far as I'm concerned.
Benny Hill was more Slap & tickle, seaside humour, and hasn't weathered well.
As a kid I found Jerry Lewis absolutely hilarious, but that was minutes ago.



#8853 10/27/00 12:03 AM
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though it's the moose's head that really does it!

hhow do you like my Englessh? I learn eet from a boook!

And yes, Cheese Shop is right up there, especially the matter-of-fact, deadpan ending.


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