Messy Christmas Telly

[BillShipton]

Hi

After several days spent with my elderly parents who are abstemious in everything including television these days, I am catching up on all the TV that was on over the holiday period so far, hoping for the odd messy moment. Needless to say, no circuses or pantos or full blown slapstick sketches but one or two bits have caught my eye which I wasn't expecting. I mention them now because, although I can't print pictures, I am sure you can view some of them on the various catch up TV services that are now available.

I've already mentioned the messy final scene with Glenn Close in 102 Dalmations shown the other day which is probably the messiest and longest scene this year, but happier days were at least recalled in very brief clips in a couple of shows. Ade Edmondson's look back at Christmas TV of the past Ade's Christmas Crackers (ITV) had some rapid clips of slapstick scenes from circuses including Charlie Cairoli splattering the ballerina's bum (a Clown Julie favourite) and Cairoli featured again in Blackpool Big Night Out a documentary on BBC 2 about the stars who played the resort. A couple more clips here and an interview with Charlie Cairoli Jnr (now as white haired as his Dad was beneath the make-up). The clips may have been short but it shows they are are still around.

Last night's 30 Years of Childrens ITV had similarly brief but interesting clips from Ministry of Mayhem. The very young amongst you who only know Holly Willoughby as a rather sanctimonious morning TV presenter or talking carefully written smut on Celebrity Juice can she her pied and gunged a couple of times in this and recalling an incident with a fake cake that nearly broke her nose. Sorry Holly but I'm not buying the "my hair smelt of sour cream for years" story though. Yes, the cakes were real but you were wearing a wig (as maid Polly with the Trolley)! More likely the smell lodging in the nostrils problem we lot know so well! Hayley and I loved Ministry though. Oh happy days!! There was also some discussion of the 'swamp' in On Safari and the mess on Sooty. And no,there were no mentions of Tiswas - that was way before CITV started!!

I am not going to discuss the pratfalls and occasional soakings on Miranda cos she annoys me so much that I haven't watched it. Perhaps someone can enlighten me. Personally I think she is so poor at clowning compared to the likes of Lucille Ball that I find her a bit embarrassing. However one very unexpected treat turned up (near the end) in part one the Christmas Mrs Brown's Boys. Dreadfully unfunny shows but made up for by the blonde daughter getting a lot of cream poured over her head after playing a joke on Mrs B. Some nice lingering shots as well unlike the superfast clip shows.

Only just started catching up so there may be more, and there's plenty of TV I missed, so if you have spotted some other messy moments this year, please share them.

Bill

[ClownJulie]

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[BillShipton]

Well found!

[Aufpet]

Picture quality not great but def worth a look for the great slapstick!

http://clownalley.blogspot.co.uk/2008/0 ... -1972.html

[BillShipton]

Forgive a broadcasting nerd moment, but good to hear the late Ray Moore's voice briefly at the start. He was a much underrated Radio 2 presenter who died of throat cancer far too young.

[bosunbob]

I'm definitely with you about Miranda and Mrs Brown's boys, I just fail to see how people find either funny!

[BillShipton]

Don't get me started on Miranda! I can rant for ages about it. But the gist is....slapstick only really works when you set up an expectation and something unexpected happens (or is so expected that the set-up is a tease). So if you have a character who is smart and dignified falling down it can be funny whereas someone who is already clumsy doing so is just to be expected. Miranda's character is a clumsy, gauche woman so any slapstick accidents, pratfalls etc are totally predictable and have no comic impact. Add to that the myth that she somehow 'invented' female slapstick (Martha Raye, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and dozens of silent comediennes did it much better) along with coming out of the story and talking/reacting to camera (Arthur Askey was doing that in 1955 and more famously Frankie Howerd in Up Pompeii) and you can see why I find her over-rated.

I don't actually dislike Mrs Brown's Boys. I just thought the Christmas editions were bad.

[mura29]

Great find, any video links to this ballerina splosh skit, believe this is from los brizios, too bad i cannot find anything for this crew on the internet...
Merry Christmas to All!!!!!

[messybear]

Great find, any video links to this ballerina splosh skit, believe this is from los brizios, too bad i cannot find anything for this crew on the internet...
Merry Christmas to All!!!!!

Hi mura 29
A quick google found this:

http://clownalley.blogspot.co.uk/2008/01/los-brizios-ringling-1969.html

Rather blurry and a bit of a strain on the eyes, but I think its what you are looking for.

BTW, was elf and safety around in 1969? See the chaps who are clearing up just outside the ring area whilst los brizios are on....

[mura29]

Thanks for the link messybear, actually the skit was nice and well delivered, the final pie well targeted!!
i have a real passion for pies shot at female stooge targets especially in nice vulnerable positions and sexy outfits like the ballerina in the bending over position, wonder if there is any video link for the above image where the clown splatters the bum of the ballerina...
Thanx again

[SimonW]

Forgive a broadcasting nerd moment, but good to hear the late Ray Moore's voice briefly at the start. He was a much underrated Radio 2 presenter who died of throat cancer far too young.

Absolutely, a great presenter, much missed...Ioved his querky humour in a morning, started many a dull day with a smile.

Also good to see the circus pics....I always think that circus (generally, not just the WAM acts....) needs supporting, at least now that animal acts have gone, it's a great tradition that could soon vanish.

[ClownJulie]

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[ClownJulie]

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[mura29]

... wonder if there is any video link for the above image where the clown splatters the bum of the ballerina...

Search "Abe's Christmas Crackers ITV Player" - the circus clips (and they are VERY brief) start at about 32 minutes into the programme.

Julie xxx

Well the problem is that the video is not available to play in my country, and even though i tried all possible proxies to bypass the ip problem, i am still receiving the same message...
can anybody advice about this, or any download links..