Takeaway and Telly

Sigh.

So much going on, I haven't yet linked to this interesting article from last week's Newsweek, in which we learn that 5 pubs a day are closing in Britain.

It's a bad combination of the credit crunch, a rise in taxes designed to reduce drinking in the UK, more caution about drunk driving (a good thing, that), and a general societal shift where people are more likely to get their entertainment at home rather than meeting at the pub sharing stories and singing songs ... and occasionally beating the s**t out of some wanker.

Oh, those were good old days.

Photo by ╚JMC╝ -- check out his work on Flickr.

I Don't Bloody Believe This

Okay. Been following what is now called "Sachsgate" for a few postings now.

The latest? Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross have both been suspended from the BBC. (Read below, but basically Ross dropped the "F bomb" during a prank call to the beloved comedy actor Andrew Sachs whilst recording Brand's Radio 2 show.)

Could they get sacked over Sachsgate? I don't think so. But apparently over 10,000 license-fee-payers complained as of yesterday.

The whole thing is absurd, but it would be lots less if I didn't keep picturing Manuel bashing around Fawlty Towers every time I read about this kerfuffle.

In a COMPLETELY unrelated thought, I wonder how sales of Ross's new book, "Why Do I Say These Things?" are doing. That's a "convenient" title for all this publicity he's getting. And I wonder how old Russ's burgeoning film career will be affected if he is released from his BBC obligations? Hmmmm.

Fawlty Judgement

Funny that I mentioned Jonathan Ross's appearance (is that the right word for radio?) on Russell Brand's Radio 2 program.

Turns out that a prank that they pulled during their time together has caused a huge uproar.

In short, they left messages on the answerphone of national-treasure Andrew Sachs. Sachs played Manuel on Fawlty Towers. As I discovered when I watched that Men of British Comedy special a few years ago, he is not a crazy Spaniard, but a very nice English/Jewish actor.

The two wound him up by implying (well, more than implying) that Brand had shagged his granddaughter. Apparently, the BBC was flooded with calls.

I guess this is one of the differences between our two countries. Of course, we're very puritanical here, but over there, no matter how out-there they can get sometimes, one always has to remember that the BBC have to answer to the fee payers (meaning everyone).

All involved have apologized. When reached, Sachs said, "Que"? (Just kidding ... he said that it his granddaughter who deserves the apology.)

Thank you to http://www.8ball.co.uk for the image. Visit their site and buy the shirt.

World's Collide

These podcasts from BBC radio are my lifeline.

But recently, BBC have been making me out of me head. Within the last few weeks, Russel Brand was on Jonathan Ross. Ross returned the favor. Last week, both Russ and Ross were on the Chris Moyles show!

I'll really start worrying when the three of them show up as the panel on In Our Time or Start the Week on Radio 4, which both usually have professors and authors and the like.

More Sex Please, We're British

Sex education is now compulsory for all schoolchildren in the UK now -- even in religious school. Discussing contraception and homosexuality is part of the curriculum.

I wish I lived in a country that wasn't so puritanical.

The Right Honourable Jew

There's a great interview on Nextbook.org with the author of a new book about Benjamin Disraeli, the mid-19th century novelist and Prime Minister. He was a fascinating character and the author has done a fascinating study of how far someone can go with some brains, some chutzpah ... and the willingness to kiss Queen Victoria's arse.

English Teeth

I'm all for Ricky Gervais's teeth. Ricky, you've been successful being Ricky and not some bloke with Hollywood "work" done. Good on ya.

I haven't seen Ghost Town yet, as all I do is work on my current project and deliver my daughter to her many activities. But now that it's opening back home, even *they* are wondering. Out of all the professions you could have chosen for that film ... A dentist? I know my dentist has straighter, whiter teeth than a game show presenter ... and you need shades just to look at my periodontist.

Cunning plan, Ricky. The whole point of the NH was to be healthy, not posh. But then healthy becomes posh and trendy -- like all my favourite rockers from the 70s wearing their NH glasses on stage and not the nice ones their mums picked out.

Again. Keep up the good work, Gervais. Crooked teeth aren't a sin as long as your gums and teeth are sound. I hope more people follow your example.

No Sex Please, We're Dubainis

Among all the nutters screaming about "We need more money on the high street, not the City" (that's British for Main Street, not Wall Street), a quick funny:

In more proof that the British have officially become the world's party animals, Vince Acors of Bromley and Michelle Palmer from Rutland were convicted in Dubai of making the beast with two backs on the sand there. Not the greatest thing to be caught doing in a Muslim country.

Actually, I don't believe they have Sharia law there, since they had met at a champagne brunch ... I guess champagne is a gateway to "sex on the beach."

Gentlemen Prefer French & Saunders

The world's best double act have started their swansong performances on the West End and I'd give my eye teeth.

I swear, if they bring the show here, I will see it -- and not be a daft idiot like I was when Ricky Gervais came for two nights of standup.

You may know Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders from some of their solo efforts. Saunders starred in Absolutely Fabulous and French was the Vicar of Dibley. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, you're dead to me.

French is married to Lenny Henry (of Chef! fame) and has recently come out with a memoir called Hello Fatty in which she talks about her father's suicide.

Anyway, they are hysterical and you should rent the DVDs of their series.

Borat Must be Brought Down

The footie excitement over the weekend happened in the qualifiers for the World Cup. England won big, 5-1, against Kazakhstan and will now move on to play Belarus on Wednesday.

It's a tad worrying, with Ashley Cole and John Terry (the captain) both injured. But stiff upper lip.

It would have been a bitter pill to be defeated but the land of Borat, but a big win like this makes an FA victory much more imaginable. Watch the goals below.

Noel Gallagher is Hysterical

One of the things I've enjoyed about getting the podcasts of Radio 1 and Radio 2 shows like Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand, and Chris Moyeles has been listening for Noel Gallagher to pop up.

Noel, not Liam.

The guy's everywhere. Especially lately. Oasis have been out supporting the release of their new album, Dig Out Your Soul with its hit The Shock of the Lightening. It just came out a few days ago, so he might start laying low for a while. Then again, he's always been the "talkative one."

Actually, he seems like a right decent fellow. Excellent sense of humor and able to keep up with Old Russ's mental gymnastics even when he's claiming to be hungover.

So check out the new album. I like it -- sort of like what it would have sounded like if the Fab Four grew up in Seattle. Or if Kurt Cobain was from Liverpool -- now there's a thought.

Photo by Will Fresch.

L'Shana Tova, Ronson Family

Record producer Mark Ronson.

DJ and singer Samantha Ronson.

Designer Charlotte Ronson.

Happy New Year to all of you. G'mar chatima tova (may you be sealed in the book of life).

It turns out this powerhouse family were raised in London in the Conservative moment. I'm not sure what their level of observance is now (it's their own business, of course). And I'm not sure if they even hold British passports anymore ... I think all of them live here now. But I did want to add them to the list of amazing British Jewish talent -- detailed under many posts on Phonybrit. I strongly urge you to check out Samantha and Mark's music.

So again, on the off chance that they're checking into shul for the big holiday on Thursday, I wish them all a sweet year. Samantha, bring your friend Lindsay Lohan to break the fast!

Picture of Samantha Ronson by ninjanoodles.

Camp Camp

Heard an interview with Roger Bennett, the co-author of Camp Camp and Bar Mitzvah Disco. It sent me into a reverie of being an 11-year-old camper at Cedar Lake Camp in Pennsylvania, surrounded by teenaged limeys.

In this interview on the Sound of Young America, Bennett retells his experience of being a young Jewish Liverpudlian hooked on American culture and getting a chance to come to America for a summer. The rub? As soon as their plane landed, he and his compatriots were whisked off to the middle of nowhere to cater to a bunch of "tatilahs" who were probably rubbish at all that outdoors rubbish.

That all put me in mind of Andy (from Manchester?) and my other counselors at CLC. Andy did seem a tad miserable, as if he had been hoodwinked into a summer in an area that would have been indistinguishable from a wilderness in Europe. No New York buildings or California beaches. Just bug juice and the job of bringing Ronnie's bran cereal to breakfast (a little embarassing for all involved). I feel bad for him now.

I wonder if he played some role in my fascination with the UK?

How it Looks from the Other Side

This is a little stale but still interesting.

It must be strange to the Brits that they know most of our shows and stars and we hardly know any of theirs. Unless you're a nerd like me.

Here's an interesting view from the Torchwood blog from before the summer, as they hail the use of Doctor Who in a mainstream political cartoon as proof that British culture is finally making a dent.

Go You Spurs!

I'll never get the hang of this from afar, but in addition to the domestic leagues in Britain (Premier, Championship, etc.) and the country teams (England, Scotland, Wales), each team also plays teams from other countries.

In an amazing turn of events, Tottenham Hotspur have clinched a place in the group stages of the Uefa Cup even though they've been living at the bottom of the table in their own league.

As the headline on their site screamed, "Job Done"!

Little Britain USA

Well, US television has minded British comedy once again. The show Little Britain has become Little Britain USA. It premiered on Sunday on HBO. Of course, I saw it straight away, but it took me a while to figure out what to say about it.

It would so predictable for me to say that the original was better, but truth is though I'd heard of them -- I knew that they were the latest generation to carry on the fine tradition of Englishmen wearing dresses for a gag, for instance -- I hadn't seen that much of their stuff.

It's not exactly to my taste, but I will definitely keep watching.

Here are a few clips from the original version to give you a taste: