Happy Birthday, Jennifer Saunders

If you asked me, "quick, Vanina, who is the funniest person on the planet", I'd answer - without hesitation - Jennifer Saunders.

Her mix of great wit, physical humour and a great observational eye make her my absolute favourite. I suppose when, looking at Wikipedia's "comedic genres", I prefer sketch-based comedy to stand-up and her ability to pack so many great observations (on politics, fashion, pop culture, etc) into such a short time both amaze me and make me laugh so hard the neighbours hear. Like a really great pop album, most 'Absolutely Fabulous' episodes still have something new to pick up on even after the 20th viewing.

She's at her best in 'Ab Fab''s series four; it's like, after the five year wait between 'The Last Shout' and series four, Saunders was bursting with ideas. The season opener, 'Parralox', explodes from the screen and sums up every pop cultural obsession of the previous five years. "Stop clearing it up darling, I'm trying to Jamie Oliver it up a bit, y'know, 'Havin' me mates around, burnt pork chops, fresh 'erbs, fresh 'erbs'".


Though the last series of 'French & Saunders' felt a bit dire, I am lusting after this DVD boxset of their collected television series. This is why:


And just a clip to remind us why Eddie Monsoon is everyone's favourite perpettually-drunk-fashion-victim:



Happy Birthday, Jennifer. Oh, if you're reading, please consider writing an autobiography like Dawn did? I'll take a couple of copies off your hands, promise.

To ring in the new year..

..a classic from Sir David Attenborough.

"it's not about Great Britain.."

My brother sent me this YouTube clip of an advert John Lydon did for a British brand of butter; absolutely hilarious.


Cue everyone and their mother moaning about how John Lydon has "sold out", but how can John Lydon sell out?! When the former Johnny Rotten is cheering on the Royal Family and being chased by cows, I think it's safe to say this commercial is meant to be interpreted as satire. In recent years, punk and the Sex Pistols have become as much of a symbol of British culture as the Royal Family, Harrod's teaspoons and Beatle haircuts; in my opinion Lydon is merely poking fun at the fact that 30 years ago he was considered the scum of the earth by many, and now he's in the BBC's list of 100 Great British Heroes, along with Julie Andrews and William Chaucer.

All in all, another great Lydon-video on YouTube, to add to the long line of them.

How I'll be spending my summer

It's a shame 'Carpoolers' got cancelled, it made me have faith in the world again.... or y'know, maybe not, but it was pretty amazing to have a TV show about four grown men singing along to classic rock hits in a car.



And my last blog post was mainly in preparation for the genius that is this video:


Have a good summer, everyone, I'll be back in mid-August.

happy birthday, angelo badalamenti

I have a minor obsession with IMDb's birthday listings on the front page. I always shout out a little "happy birthday!" in my head when I come across someone I like, and this quiet, rainy Saturday morning was made a little better by knowing that today is Angelo Badalamenti's birthday. What great score has this man not been involved with? The scores he did for Twin Peaks (both for the series and the film, Fire Walk With Me) will probably always be my favourite of his, though. That simple intro (the longer version's called 'Laura's Theme') is one of the most haunting pieces of music. What I really like about his scores is that they're so minimalist and they bring across every mood possible - he can make one snip of the fingers sound slightly delirious, sinister, uplifting.. I advice everyone to buy the soundtrack to Fire Walk with Me. Anyways, here is a great interview with Angelo about working with David Lynch.

Happy birthday, Mr. Badalamenti, here's to many more.



PS: as a bonus, a gratuitous Bernard Butler-related tidbit: in 1995, Badalamenti did a collaboration with James' Tim Booth, which resulted in an album called Booth and the Bad Angel; Bernard Butler played guitar on some of the tracks.