Why?

Why is there always fluff in my belly button? And, why is it always blue?

Strictly Cum Dancing

Last night I saw my first Strictly Come Dancing programme (the UK version of Dancing With The Stars) . It was not the Saturday night show, or the Sunday night results show (which is apparently also filmed on the Saturday after Tess changes her dress) , but the daily Strictly Come Dancing – It Takes Two programme hosted by the easy-on-the-eye Claudia Winkleman. Boy you would hope that she doesn’t “grow up” to look like her mother!

We put it on at the request of J from next door who had popped round to drop of C’s birthday present – she is 39 today – and who stayed for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc on the understanding that she could not miss the show. She being the programme’s self-confessed greatest of fans. To be honest she is just a sucker for any half-toned rugby player in a cummerbund!

How does the BBC get away with this? Is this the best of public service broadcasting? It seems to me that the show is pervasive. Every BBC news bulletin on the TV or radio seems to reference the latest voting dilemma or bullying incident. The show is featured on every episode of the One Show.  The tabloids are full of it. There have even been questions asked in Parliament regarding whether it is legitimate that John Sergeant, who dances, well, like me (i.e. badly), should be kept in the “competition” by the public vote when, in the end, it is supposed to be a dancing competition. And is just me or does anyone else think that John Sergeant is really Jo Brand in a tux? Has anyone seen that pair in the same room? Surely those two were separated at birth……

For me the only redeeming aspects to the show are Tess Daly, (a truly well put together lady), Claudia and Christine Bleakley. Incidentally we got a double dose of Christine last night – no sooner had she finished her interview with Claudia on BBC2 than she was hosting the One Show on BBC1, and talking about the show again. Does anyone know more about her alleged affair with co-present Adrian Chiles?

 But I also recognise its ability to cross the divide. Last night Claudia asked Four Puffs and A Piano what they liked about the programme. Hmmm? What on Earth could four gay men find alluring about men in tight fitting trousers I wonder?!? Presumably the BBC must have the Four Puffs on a retainer. Seeing as they aren’t doing the Jonathan Ross show at the mo then the BBC are obviously keen to get their money’s worth. Or should that be our money’s worth.

Surely there is something more interesting to talk about? Can the judges truly be accused of bullying? Can the great British public continue to waste its money voting for the Serge? Is this the best spend of our license fee money? Answers on a postcard please.

America is a Foreign Country

I have recently returned from a second business trip to Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America. And, having just shaken off the last vestiges of jet lag (Kate, I can assure you that it is NOT just a state of mind!) it is clear to me that the USA is one of the most foreign countries that I have ever visited. Or at least, Atlanta is one of the most foreign cities that I have ever visited.

I have visited some 33 countries. Now this might not be a scientifically sound statistic – it is only about 15% of all countries, depending upon how you define a country – but when you consider that some of those countries are in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and include France and Belgium (Belgians are weird – read here for evidence!) you can see that it is still quite a claim.

The currency is different. The food is different – who on earth would eat grits out of choice? Their whiskey is different. The politics are different – just see some of the responses to Obama’s victory. Their music is different. They take religion far too seriously, with many Christian fundamentalists that would make Bin Laden look like a Sunday School preacher. The fashion and body image is different – most of the women either look like Roseanne Barr before the diet (some even look more like John Goodman) or a Desperate Housewife. They drive everywhere. And, what on Earth is all of this rubbish with the right to bear arms?!?

We might share a common language, but even that is different. Like Alanis Morisette (I know she’s Canadian), they certainly don’t do irony.

It was a surprise to discover how different the American experience is. But, it was also a nice surprise. I like to experience new and different cultures. And, it is nice to know that Britain is not as American as many fear it has become.  May your Gods bless us all.

ps. I think that Little Britain USA has it about right:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q4VFoAvUSI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbJ3AeS_2Ww

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0O3k04pxOQ&feature=related

Barack Obama’s Victory Speech

America, I take it all back. For once you have done a very good thing. The eyes of the world are looking towards you with hope. Well done on electing Barack Obama!

There was a nice tale told in the UK yesterday which was related to me by my better half, C. Apparently, a mother was explaining to her young children on the way to school that there had been an election in America and that a man called Barack Obama had won. One of the small children who had clearly been following the election asked, “Is he the young one or the old one?”. Isn’t it refreshing that they used something other than race or colour to differentiate between the candidates. Let’s hope that Barack can bring the world together as a place of colour-blindness…….but, he may have a tougher battle to eradicate ageism it would seem

And, isn’t it interesting how everyone across the world is looking for a connection to the new President-elect. A national holiday has been declared in Kenya, birthplace of Barack’s father. While UK politician’s, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, argued yesterday about which of them was most like Barack.

Well, I think I have found another connection and an insight into Barack’s ethics, morals, and political philosophy. A connection back to the UK. Bob the Builder.

Barack’s victory speech was truly inspiring but one particular extract – when talking about the life of 106 year old Atlantan, Ann Nixon Cooper – was clearly borrowed from the great Children’s TV character:

“And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes, we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “we shall overcome”. Yes, we can.

A man touched down on the Moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can.”

If he can truly build upon the innocence and colour-blindness of our children and the philosophy of Bob, then there really might be hope for us all!

In the meantime, please do hear Barack’s inspiring speech in full here.