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Gay in the UK video blog (Ep. 11): Religious homophobia, green custard and feet
Tim's sister is ready to give birth so he's asking for baby name suggestions. Also, the boys discuss Gordon Brown's sycophantic visit to America, and the British PM's recent statements on gay rights. Turning to film and TV news, the guys review A Jihad for Love and the sci fi series Being Human (which stars local bum-baring fave Russel Tovey). Finally, their weekly "Wino Award" goes to Britain's Football Association, and in honor of the occasion Ryan invites the fetishists to "have a look at Tim's feet." Submitted by on Tue, 2009-03-10 09:10. |
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How offended are you?
We can't seem to get past the reporting from the U.K., now being recycled here on late night chat fests, of how sad our gifts to your PM were. You guys go and hack apart a historic ship and make an insanely symbolic gift, and we give you a DVD box set? Supposedly even Michelle screwed up on the kids gifts. I'm willing to own that Obama screwed this up, but I can't believe how much is being said about it, especially considering that the gifts (at least in the U.S.) go to a museum - it's not like anybody that "receives" the gifts gets to keep them. So how offended are the British people?
Great news that Being Human is renewed, I mostly loved the show - yes, it had a few weird off notes, but it was funny and had a lot of heart without being An After School special.
I don't think it was that
I read about the "gift
Overblown gifts
Yes, but I am in the UK and
Yes, but I am in the UK and what I'm saying is that it wasn't a big deal over here. I don't think people who weren't reading the politics pages of the broadsheets would have heard about it. The gifts were mentioned and commented on as slightly unusual but nothing negative was said that I have heard about.
So I think the US media may be making a mountain out of a mole hill if the reaction over there is as bad as you are saying it is.
I've actually only heard of
UK Papers?
Blighty's noble rags
The Guardian is one of the newspapers I read every day and I didn't notice the story, so I can promise you that it wasn't given any prominence anywhere.
Anyway, here's a quick rundown of the newspapers (apologies for it being so long):
Broadsheets:
the Guardian: - left-of-centre and trustworth, it's owned by a trust rather than a family or individual so it doesn't have to follow a properietorial line and can afford to be independently minded. Generally, the Guardian is a 'Friend of the Gays'.
the Telegraph:- a right-wing and trustworthy, it used to be called the Tory Party's in-house paper. It's been suffering from an elderly, dying readership, so it's suffered a lot of cutbacks. While not a 'Friend of the Gays', one of its deputy editors is openly gay and the paper tends to approve of nice, married gays and opposes wild-living single gays who actually have sex. Having said that, in an attempt to win back a readership, it's had to appease the younger audience by being nice to openly gay artists/actors/celebrities.
the Independent: - the youngest of the broadsheets and the one with the smallest circulation and the hardest working staff (what there are of them). Mostly centre-ist, it'll occasionally take on unpopular campaigns like the one for the legalisation of cannabis (which it later dropped). One of its best-read and youngest columnists (Johann Hari) is openly gay.
The Times: - right of centre, used to be the 'paper of record' and still trades off its historical reputation. It's owned by Rupert Murdoch and although it claims editorial independence from its proprietor, there's anecdotal evidence that he makes his views known and no journalist would be brave enough to countersay him. While not being particularly pro-gay (except in the arts) it tends to follow the midle-class herd in its equality politics.
Mid-range tabloids
Daily Mail: - very rightwing, aimed primarily at women. Its editorial policy seems to be based on confirming its readership's basest prejudices and if the readership doesn't have a prejudice it'll work hard to instill one. If faced by a bomb-wielding terrorist and a camp interior designer, it'd need a three-hour editorial meeting to debate which is the bigger threat to Western civilisation. Especially if the designer is foreign and a different colour. However, it sells in millions and has a lot of money to play with. Of all the newspapers, this is the one I'd trust least for fair and accurate reporting. Back in the 1930s, its proprietor's family supported Hitler. Says it all, really. Think Fox News.
Daily Express:- right wing. It's owned by a pornographer who made his millions selling selling magazines like Asian Babes and who still runs lots of sex-lines. Used to be a great, respectable paper, but the propreitor's cut-backs in staff means that it's rarely first and best with the news. Again, it tends to dislike, gays, foreigners, anyone different.
The Red-tops (lower-market tabloids - their coverstraps are red, hence the nickname)
The Sun:- rightwing, owned by Murdoch and the best-selling newspaper in the country. It was the first newspaper to put a topless women on its Page 3 back in the '70s and managed to outsell all other newspapers almost overnight. Although it can run decent investigations, and it is a fun read, it's not overly keen on blacks, gays, foreigners, single-mothers, etc. Although it would deny that. It's edited by a woman who was once married to ex-EastEnders actor and gay-fave Ross Kemp, but the marriage broke down amid rumours of her domestic abuse of him. The paper has tremendous political clout and has claimed in the past to decide gneral elections. Think Fox News with tits.
The Mirror:- left-wing tabloid that used to be the best-selling in the country prior to Page 3. It tends to be fairly worthy in old, working class Labour policies, which means it occasionally has problems in balancing its principles with its celebrity sleaze stories. It tries to be progressive in its politics and ethics (although it has had problems in the past) and is fairly trustworthy.
the Star:- very rightwing, the newest and lowest demographic of the red-tops (also edited by a woman, but she tends to keep her head down). Owned by the same pornographer who owns the Express, it tries hard to have a naked woman on every page. Has a good film reviewer, but that's about it. No, it doesn't like gays, foreigners, or anyone, really. Unless she has really big breasts.
Although all these newspapers are edited, printed and published in London, they're not 'London papers'. They're all national newspapers and will run regional editions for Scotland and Wales and, in some cases, Ireland.
Wow. Now that's informative!
First, thank you for the detail - that was far more than I thought I'd get, and incredibly useful - I pick up a lot of new through readers, and didn't have a lot to judge them by, except maybe by the type of advertising that shows on their site. I knew the Sun showed a lot of skin.
I'd be hardpressed to know this much about all the U.S. papers, even the majors. When I travelled overseas a lot, I read the IHT, and liked it, but that's just the NYTimes. I read the Washington Post when I lived in DC, but the only other choice was the Washington Times, which is more like The Daily Mail.
This is why I prefer my news from BBC America. Closest thing to neutral one can find. Thanks to the Brit taxpayers for that.
First I've heard of
First I've heard of it.. I'm in the UK so.. as I said I don't know anything about it but it seems the US are making something into a big deal? I'm not sure.. I doubt normal Brits care XD its kinda laughable that they would really.
________________________________
"there's always time for a burrow..."
"We're getting fired, fired, fired, firedddd"
*** meep meep! ***
"You ever had anyone else's custard on your face?"
I nearly spit out my tea! That was incredible!
I love this vlog. You two are hilarious and it brightens my day to laugh with you lot a bit before heading out into the world!
Ryan -- I can't think of anyone for you to snog on par with Darius, but I'm sure others will have wonderful suggestions.
Cheers again. You're brillz!
Ryan's snogging partner; In defence of Darius; Show Comments
I suggest Daniel Percival or Navin Chowdhry for Ryan's snogging partner. Admittedly not on "par" with Darius, but extremely sexy nonetheless.
I was not offended by Tim's (gasp!) dismissal of DD. I admit that it's easy to dismiss Mr. Danesh for the Hit Me Baby One More Time and the Greek waiter look, but I do think he has a wonderful voice and star presence. He made GWTW the musical bearable which was a miraculous feat. Plus, he's absolutely breathtaking in person--beautiful lips, penetrating eyes, strong hands, hairy chest, and he takes a good under the kilt picture. If I didn't live in the U.S., I would consider employment as his stalker.
I enjoy the episodes where there isn't much news because the two of you talk more about yourselves. I'd like to see an episode that is devoted to just your lives and life around London. The radio programme deals with important issues so I was thrilled to see you plug it. I've been very impressed with the radio programme and FINDLAY FINDS HIMSELF. Tim, plug your theatre work, and tell us non-Brits where to find you performing!
I've been to Blackpool once. Never again. You were not exaggerating.
How about kissing Chris Lowe?
Aww I love you guys. If
Aww I love you guys. If only we were bessstt frieendssss *drifts into daydream*... "F is for friends who do stuff together, U is for you and me!! N is for anytime? anywhere? at all, under the deep blue sea!"... er didn't realise how double meaninged spongebob's song could sound
I'll stop now..
________________________________
"there's always time for a burrow..."
"We're getting fired, fired, fired, firedddd"
*** meep meep! ***
eh....
I don't think Barack needs to apologize for the economic issue we're all in..at least, i dont think he needs to say "oh sorry we did this...."
..hell, if anyone needs to say they are sorry, that would be our 43rd president who really got us all in this mess. as people have noted before, Barack inherited all this.
If i were Barack, i would probably say "i am sorry we are in this situation as a result of the former president..." - - but maybe thats exactly what you meant in the first place.
Name ideas
How about Aethelred, after one of the early kings of your lovely nation? For non-kingly names, I also like Atherol, although it might sound a bit like some kind of synthetic alcohol. For names that will sound more normal to modern ears, your sister might like Acton or Atherton. Don't worry, I won't be offended if you think my suggestions are rubbish, lol. I have odd taste.
I have to say I really enjoy this blog, even on slow news weeks. I find everything about UK culture fascinating and fun.
Gift aid
Thankyou again for lovely comments. Perhaps one show we will blow off the news and just do a great big snogfest! Chris - i think you should stalk Darius, it could be a new blog here on AE!!
The names.....yes, well keep them coming! I think she wants it to begin with a Z, but I like alliteration, in which case it should be a B.
This is actually the first I've heard about some problem with the gifts, (at least on the discerning news sources I use) but you're saying it like it's the Brits who are complaining! I think perhaps some American media made it up to make the whole event seem less underwhelming? Oh, and I wasn't saying Obama SHOULD apologise - he did, but Brown didn't (who's the one who rally shoulda!)
Oh, and there is always room for Spongebob.
Names
newses
How very thorough - good work! I used to read papers, but I find them a bit redundant now that we live in such a 24 hour news world. I prefer tv: Newsnight with the comedy stylings of Jeremy Paxman, This week, with the comedy of Portillo, or else, plain comedy news in the form of The News Quiz or The Now Show (they alternate series) on Radio 4.
The only print I pick up now if I'm away from tv/radio is the weekly publication 'The Week' (cunning title) which gives you extracts and commentary from most of the papers, in one easy-read format - makes seeming like you know what's going on in the world a doddle (who, me?)
Chatter boxes
You guys give us so much more material it's great - I love reading these comments as I sit in a German apartment in the centre of Berlin.
The gift thing - was funny, I saw an article in The Sun but we've had such slow news days in the UK papers are writing about anything just for the hell of it. I think they're bored of the financial crisis they created ;-)
Now I must take a digg at Tim - 'how dare you say there's always room for spongebob!!!' you guys won't realise how much convincing I had to do to get him to let me mention Spongebob a few episodes ago. It seems Tim likes you guys more than me!!!
As for who I should snog - well give me a few more suggestions and I'll tell you who I want...
Tim - shall we talk more about our lives? hmmmm....I guess we could!
Gay In The UK
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httlp://www.gaypedia.com
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