Monday, October 18, 2010

So, I was watching the IT Crowd the other day, and I noticed that Richmond has a nose strikingly similar to Kelly's quite striking nose. Noel Fielding, who plays Richmond, has said of his nose that it is a "F---ing weird shape." In all the time I have known Kelly, he is one of the very few, outside of her blood relations, who have a similar nose. So, I was intrigued. I like the Richmond character, and watching Noel Fielding in outtakes of his Richmond scenes made me want to find out more about him.

I have spent my flu filled weekend cruising youtube for his work. He forms half of a comedy duo, The Mighty Boosh, and is a permanent team captain on Nevermind the Buzzcocks and is a stand up comedian. The Mighty Boosh is odd even by my high standards for odd, as is his stand up. I find both absorbing to watch, but his work on Nevermind the Buzzcocks is what really made me sit up and take notice.

This is a game show of sorts where it seems as if nothing more than points are on the line. Two panels of three compete in answering questions, presented by the host, related to the music industry. Panels each have one celebrity, one permanent team captain, and one musician. Celebrities chosen are often comedians. Noel went on as a celebrity, and then filled in as a team captain and then became a permanent team captain. I do not follow the music industry, but the humor, and the dynamic between the players and the host in the show drew me in.

Of course when dealing with performers, you get individuals who have an "external locus of identity" and with those who have been successful enough to get on the show, huge egos of epic proportion--often in the same individual. The external locus of identity renders those individuals vulnerable to criticism and ridicule, while the sizable egos spur them to indulge in making fun of other's short comings, as well as behaviors that richly deserve ridicule.

Much fun is made of those in the industry, and of the people on the panels. Barbs fly fast back and forth, and are part of the pre-written questions as well as the banter. The comedians are well accustomed to dealing with hecklers, but the musicians are not. More than once, Noel took up for one of the others who seem to be wounded by the flying barbs. While Simon Amstell was still hosting, he challenged him directly for such behavior more than once.

Fielding works to include both his team mates, and at times even draws someone from the opposite side back into the game when they start to withdraw after a wounding remark or personal gaffe. It seems to me the humor has grown much less mean-spirited at least when directed toward the people in the studio. It makes it more fun for me to watch.

It also serves as a positive model for inclusive behavior, which we need more of. Drawing people together is harder than pushing them away. Ridicule used to bully people has resulted in a rash of suicides that recently made headlines. We need more examples of how to be inclusive, especially how to be inclusive while having fun. I hope Noel Fielding continues to provide such and example while being a great deal of fun to watch.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Not a Lazy Saturday

Well, it feels like a lazy Saturday, because there are no deadlines, nothing that needs to be done at any set time, but we have in fact not been lazy. Kelly started this morning repacking the faucets in the bathroom. I then scrubbed the tub and sink with Ajax and Kelly followed by scrubbing with another cleaner and bleach. I think that we have begun to scrub the enamel off, so white or not, we are done scrubbing.

Lunch was a "nutrition feast" as my daughter enthusiastically dubbed it. Sardines in tomato sauce, a tapenade made of black olives, green olives, avocado, tomato sauce from the sardines (with some bits of sardines) and capers, served on saltines topped with slices of avocado and olives with fresh green pepper strips on the side. So we have had our dose of Omega 3 fatty acids today.

I have done some dishes and am letting the next set soak. I think soon I will make concord grape juice. Not lazy, but not hurried makes for a nice day.