BAFTA the love is gone
My bleating last night about the cancelled-show-and-resulting-stress business produced such a crop of warm-hearted replies that I’m tempted to devote at least three blogs a week to pity-seeking (admittedly, I’m always tempted to do that, being an attention-seeker by disposition, but even more so now). In total I received, as well as several dozen nice messages, an estimated total of seven hugs – and it could have been even more, as a couple of people confused the issue by posting multiple hugs. There were also a couple of decorous folks who expressed a wish to hug me, but felt it wasn’t appropriate as we didn’t know each other all that well. All in all I came away from last night’s blog well and truly mauled. Thank you, it’s as appreciated as ever (very). One of the two disappointed people has already written back to me, accepting the apology. The other keeps a frosty silence, so far. But we’re getting there. Now let us never speak of the phantom Ashford show again.
Before being waylaid, I was talking about how desperate I am for people to come to my tour (which starts in Edinburgh, in August, and then goes nationwide in October blah blah). I realized after writing the first half of this little sales pitch that I’m preaching to the converted in a sense: most of the people who loyally plod through the daily nonsense of this blog are the same people who’ve already bought tickets – the ‘market’ I have to try and ‘target’ is, well, everyone else in the country. But I still think it’s worth saying how grateful I am to those people – and also (on a less poignant, more TYSIC-optimistic note) how confident I am that will be the best show I’ve done yet. I’ve been working on it for ages, and I am becoming bolder in my choice of subject matter, and also James Corden is making a guest appearance* *Of course not true. So, yes, do come. And if you’re one of the students or other transients who said things like ‘I’ll book tickets when I know where I’m going to live next year’, hurry up and sort your life out so it can fit around mine, will you? Thanks. That’s the last mention of the tour for, ooh, I reckon five days.
Something else that’s touring the country is the MP3 player which we sent on its way some week ago. The brave little music-maker visits London this evening after having gone all the way to the Scottish Highlands. I’m not entirely clear on who will end up with it, but a full report will follow tomorrow.
Last chance to suggest what Chris Pollington – featured in the blog this time last week- should do with his life. We’ll review the plan later in the week.
I wanted to end with a quick opinion, the way I sometimes do. This opinion is a rather awkward one, but in short, I hate the BAFTAs. I saw about six seconds of it last night and it was enough to make me feel very irritable, even by my standards.
It’s hard for someone like me, who’s in the industry that the BAFTAs celebrate, to express this opinion without automatically seeming bitter – I avoided putting anything on Twitter, knowing that there would be a rush of replies saying things like ’LOL pissed off u were not nominated?’ But I don’t really do anything which would qualify me for such an award, and also, I have been shortlisted for the odd thing in the past (much smaller fry than the BAFTAs, but still), so I’m not one of these unfortunate types who are always muttering about how it’s ’who you know, not what you know’ and comedy is biased against people like me and so on. I think therefore I can honestly say it’s got nothing to do with jealousy of the successful people; some of them, indeed, were people I’ve worked with, or even know personally. Not that that stops you from getting jealous, of course – quite the reverse. (As Morrissey once sang, ‘we hate it when our friends became successful’.) But the few winners I heard about, like The Thick Of It, seemed like very good choices to me and there was no hatred involved at all. Of course, some of the other winners will have been complete shit, but that’s how it goes, you can’t like everything. So I can’t really wrap my objection up in any high-minded artistic points.
All I can say is that all these things – the BAFTAs, the Oscars, the British Television Awards, the Movie Awards, the Awards Awards – make me shudder somehow. The tuxedos, the peculiar, 50-years-behind way the women’s dresses dominate the reports (‘WHO WON WHAT? AND WHO WORE WHAT?’), the thank-you speeches, the host with his in-jokes, and the same people endlessly getting slapped on the back. I think part of the problem is that the world of entertainment is pretty much perpetually congratulating itself and taking itself out to dinner as it is; there’s already so much in-crowding and champagne-drinking, a massive award ceremony just seems like the final, bow-tie-sporting insult.
So, if I were nominated for an award, I’d boycott the whole thing, right? Of course I wouldn’t. I’d go, because it would be fun. And that’s really all there is to these things. I should really just get over it.
My last attempt to justify my strong distaste for movie/TV/comedy awards ceremonies is that, much as I’ve talked in the past about how much I love competition, I’m uneasy with the idea of the movie industry being a competition. I hate the fact when a film is great, it’s not allowed to just be great, it has to have ‘Oscar buzz’; a great performance automatically becomes ‘a real Oscar contender’, and so now we’re at the stage where Hollywood quite often seems to make films specifically with winning-an-Oscar mind (we’ve all seen the ingredients: massive running time, worthy theme about Africa or something, Meryl Streep etc). It’s the same in Edinburgh where, if you do a good show, people don’t say ‘that was a good show’ but ‘you must be in with a shout for the award…’ (although I’m not eligible for it anymore).
I think it makes me uneasy in the same way that, if I said something funny over dinner, it would make me uneasy if someone said ‘that anecdote must be in with a shout of getting you on Jonathan Ross!’, or for that matter if I wore a nice shirt, someone said ’wow, people should be talking about that shirt’. I feel like excellence should speak for itself and be its own quest. We should think more of ourselves than to wait for a lady in fake tan to give us a little statue before we believe we’ve done well. We should just get on with stuff and not have to have a party about it.
Nope, maybe I am just miserable that people other than me ever get to be congratulated on anything. I hope it’s not that. I hope I’ve got a valid point somewhere here. If you spot it, let me know.
Posted by Knox on July 8, 2011
(3.00 – the alarm on my phone just started playing ‘the entertainer’ – this amuses me, given the theme of the blog… i am easily amused, even at 3 in the morning).
i used to really love all the buzz of the oscars – not so much the awards, as the little comedy skits and things by the presenters. then it all got a little too silly. and i remember one year getting overly outraged by the freebies that all the celebrities that go get. (bad sentence – sorry).
subsequently haven’t watched an awards ceremony in ages.
i did recently get a bit put out by a couple of friends who were watching their way through oscar nominated films before the oscars. i couldn’t understand the concept of watching something just because it’s been nominated (whether or not that made them think it would be good) rather than watching stuff because you think you like the sound of it.
finally, there are so many things that get ignored at awards ceremonies, because they don’t quite fit, regardless of whether or not they are much better/clever/funnier/inventive/creative/entertaining than what actually won.
enough.
Posted by Steph on June 9, 2010
I’m being late in reading this week’s blogs.
I definitely spot the valid point. It’s as my orchestra conductor puts/does it. He doesn’t say anything after the music has ended. He lets it speak for itself. If it was good, we’re glad. If not, we’d rather he doesn’t say anything! I’ve been in far too many concerts at school where the headteacher gets up and says their bit. So annoying.
With the BAFTAs and Eurovision, I’ve had a bit too much Graham Norton. In fact, too much for a lifetime.
Ha! BAFTA the love is gone!
Posted by Shell on June 8, 2010
I don’t generally watch awards ceremonies on telly as I dislike ceremonies anyway: anything that tries to dictate to me precisely what to wear and when to say, sit stand or do stuff gets my back right up and is tedious.
I have been to the TV Awards etc but more for the silly spectacle – I was just a spectator so it was just a good opportunity to drink wine, see friends and laugh at the unwarranted pomp and circumstance[s].
I also agree with glamlovinkitty but I confess that on the rare occasions that someone I like and appreciate wins something, particularly for comedy, I do get all pleased and excited about it. By this I mainly mean ‘real’ awards though, like the Perrier/If.com/Eddie or the Barry etc etc I don’t think these big TV Award things say anything about ‘talent’ either – more popularity and public fad/fashion according to whatever the tabloid press and tabloid TV has recently ‘told them to like’ which is not the same thing at all.
As for We Need Answers – that is such a shame as I’m sure it would have got more popular if it had been promoted better. I’ll look forward to seeing it live again and regret that things are not given much of a chance to build.
Question: Can anyone tell me how viewing figures are gathered these days? I know how it used to work but hope it is more sophisticated now.
Posted by Lydia on June 8, 2010
The main thing about the BAFTAs that made me angry was the amount that Simon Cowell won. I don’t think bringing out people to be laughed at deserves recognition. They said a lot of the reason he won stuff was because of Susan Boyle and that just makes the whole thing even worse. I hate that first clip of her singing on Britain’s got talent, seeing everyone’s faces judging her because of how she looked at then the shock that someone ugly could actually do something.
Plus a lot of the people that got BAFTAs didn’t even look that happy about it. If I won a BAFTA I would be really over excited, but a lot of them didn’t look like they cared much.
Posted by Rachael on June 8, 2010
I think I understand what you mean, something doesn’t need approval to be good. I saw a tiny bit of the baftas and nearly didn’t recognise Chris Addison, what with the bow tie and all.
Posted by Aislinn on June 8, 2010
Just skim-read a few comments – Glamlovinkitty’s comment summed up how I feel about a) comedy and b) award shows in general.
Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and Simon Cowell shouldn’t be winning awards, and they don’t produce talent – they merely exploit people with (sometimes) talent, who believe their only way of finding success is through a reality show.
Re. Michael McIntyre et al: When I claim not to find him funny, I get the whole ‘It’s just because he’s popular now…’ accusation thrown at me. It’s not that at all. I don’t mind Kevin Bridges, but even he got an appearance on Jonathan Ross because, what, he went on someone more famous’s show? That slot should be going to a talented comedian who’s worked hard and not just had one big break; somebody whose work can be brought to the attention of others by watching the show. Or… something.
As for the bit about films catering FOR the Oscars, there’s a brilliant video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFicqklGuB0
which is extremely clever and sums it up brilliantly.
That’s my two cents’ worth. (Or, rather, about ten. Sorry.)
Posted by Jon on June 8, 2010
The problem I have with awards ceremonies (Oscars and BAFTAs in particular) is that they’re celebrating the wrong people. Well, not the wrong people so much as the wrong achievements.
“Congratulations, you got paid fifteen million quid to be in that movie and you didn’t do it too badly. Here’s a gold statue of a man. Now get up on stage and fall to pieces while a hall full of equally well-paid thespians clap at you.”
Sometimes it might be nice to offer awards for, meh I dunno, “most lives saved in a single shift by an overworked student doctor” or “posthumous award for pulling children out of burning buildings”. Don’t suppose there’s as much money in that though…
Posted by glamlovinkitty on June 8, 2010
I know what you mean about award shows. The British Comedy Awards one is the one that always gets my goat though. Same old, same old. You’d think there were only three comedians in the country the way they go on.
Going to see Michael McIntyre wiggle his hair around in a massive arena is not what comedy is all about. The fact that he plays a mammoth venue doesnt mean he’s funnier, it just means he appeals to a lot of people with a lazy sense of humour.
I therefore predict that all the awards will, very wrongly, go to Michael McIntyre, Peter Kay, Lee Evans and Jason Manford. Because they’re all there is, apparently.
Oh and the ‘newcomer’ might be someone like the oh-so-hilarious and not at all a giant ned, Kevin Bridges. Sigh. His recent rise to fame completely baffles me.
Meanwhile real comedy goes on in dingy little basement clubs and tiny venues in Edinburgh and the mass public don’t even realise it, preferring, in the words of Stewart Lee, to be spoon-fed Michael McIntrye’s warm…you get the picture.
I do go to comedy in big venues sometimes, when the performer in question merits it. Someone who’s worked their way up. Ross Noble, Eddie Izzard – and you in October Mark. But I dont think many of those playing massive venues deserve to be there.
That’s my rant for the day.
Posted by Madeleine on June 8, 2010
I completely agree with everything you’ve said.
Except that I freaking love awards shows. Ever since I was little I’ve been staying up the ridulous running time to watch basically every single one that is televised in Australia. I think its a mixture of an extremely competitive spirit and a love of movies and T.V As outraged as I am when someone who doesn’t deserve it wins, I am equally as overjoyed when someone I love does. I know it shouldn’t mean anything, that often its tacky and trivial, but its also a bit shamefully fun.
Comedy awards I don’t really get though, I wouldn’t know how to “judge” someone’s objective funnyness.
I guess with all awards shows there’s a sense of, if you don’t win “well, it doesn’t really mean anything, all politics really” and if you do “its a true reflection of the recognition of my outstanding talent”.
Though if you ever won one Mark, it would definatly be the latter.
On the subject of your shows -
Anywhere in Australia and I’ll be there. I can understand if you can’t make it to Brisbane, though your show here a couple of years ago was fantastic, you’re only comedian I’ve ever seen start from inside the crowd and then heckle late comers from the seats. So yeah, I’ll fly to Sydney or Melbourne but Edinburgh is a bit of a hop espeacially during year 12 exams.
The Watsies would be great. We would have the votes over a period of months, in review form (after we decided reviewing people was not wrong), the winners would have to get their trophies (Marks book) passed through every continent in the world and the award speech would have to be in blog form adhereing to the theme of “why this means nothing at all to me”. Shotgun host!
Posted by Phil Addington on June 8, 2010
I agree a million percent. Impossible, I know, I only said that so my comment would come top. Now some arse is going to say a trillion percent but I had the idea first, so nurgh. A few years ago there was a series on TV to find the 100 best books ever written. Now, you COULD argue that ULYSSES (the James Joyce one) is better than BUDGIE THE HELICOPTER but try reading Ulysses to a three year old to get it to sleep. The point is they’re different books; one doesn’t have to be better than the other. Ok, bad example, but I just found the whole league table thing infuriating. To change tack slightly, my dad used to tell me cold custard was ‘better’ than ice cream. How could you say that, dad? They’re just different; besides which, I hated cold custard and still do – I suspect it was just cheaper. But the hot stuff’s luvly; and you can’t really have hot ice cream – so there you are.
Posted by Heather Jones on June 8, 2010
Hi Mark! Quick bit of ipod news – I met up with Kate, Hannah & Simon earlier this evening (Simon & the others will be uploading photos and blogging about the multi-meet hand-over soon)
I’ve now got the ipod, ready for my trip to Northern Ireland in a few weeks time.
And, since I was going to see your old mate Minchin at Reprieve later this same evening (as was Kate, it turned out), I took the opportunity (at the stage door in the pouring rain, after the show) to get him to sign the ipod music log booklet, just as a little extra. It was kinda hard, at the time, explaining to him what the hell it was all about – but he was very obliging, as soon as I mentioned your name. But if you’re speaking to him any time soon, maybe you could elucidate?
Posted by Hannah Mae on June 8, 2010
Award ceremonies always strike me as really awkward and cringey and contrived. I watched the BAFTAs last night but don’t really know why; Graham Norton made me squirm, and I generally like him. He seemed to die on his arse a bit, which was pretty painful to watch. Not that any of the presenters fared much better – it’s excruciating watching people who are usually quite funny stumble over appalling and predictable jokes! Plus I’m still bitter that Britain’s Got Talent won something over Charlie ‘God’ Brooker. Madness.
Ultimately agree with your point though, that it’s bizarre that we need awards ceremonies and such to validate achievement. It seems odd to compare such different programmes and performances. Sticking with the BGT and Brooker example, my biases aside, the two shows have very different aims and utterly nothing in common except that they can be categorised under the loose genre of ‘entertainment’. Why make them compete?
In other news, I too now feel guilty for not offering more physical contact. It seemed a bit over-familiar for second blog comment, but I’ll willingly bestow all the hugs you like if you’re in need of further mauling. Goodnight.
Posted by Zoe Fell on June 8, 2010
Before I start my proper comment, I’d like to include an apology from my dear friend Katie. She mistakenly put a ‘t’ on the end of ‘mean’ in the second to last sentence in her comment. She feels very bad for making such a silly mistake and just wants to say sorry.
Here beginneth my own comment:
I concur with Katie in as much as we’re happy to be your personal blog jesters. We’re both up pretty late most days, so anytime you need a kind word, a lame attempt at a joke or a hug, you know where we are. I think our record has been just before 4am, so you’re covered for most of your waking hours.
And in terms of award ceremonies…didn’t you present the Chortle Awards this year? If my memory serves me right, you did a rather cracking job of it.
Posted by Rick Procter on June 8, 2010
I completely, totally, massively agree that we shouldn’t feel like we need an award to reassure ourselves we’ve done a good job. I’d feel very self-conscious going up to do an acceptance speech at a ceremony like that – although, realistically, I probably would do it and try and be gracious about it, since it’d be worse to seem ungrateful I guess.
Awards are so arbitrary – so often based on hype, trends, commercialism, other people’s opinions or even whims (which indeed can sometimes be biased, influenced, unjustified…). Nothing beats good old-fashioned job satisfaction.
I always think of that bit in The Wizard Of Oz where the scarecrow apparently needs a diploma at the end to prove he’s got a brain. Why can’t the wizard just remind him of his smart ideas from earlier in the film – maybe with a momentary flashback or two? No, poor Scarecrow apparently needs to be handed some scroll – just a piece of paper really – as if from some higher authority, before his intelligence can be made official. I hate that bit.
Posted by Kate W on June 8, 2010
I thought “I feel like excellence should speak for itself and be its own quest. We should think more of ourselves than to wait for a lady in fake tan to give us a little statue before we believe we’ve done well.” was a very valid point. So there.
I think awards ceremonies are a bit like Eurovision; no point imagining they mean anything, but accept it’s just spectacle for the sake of it and they can be quite fun. Awards are just a promotional device for the benefit of that bit of the audience that doesn’t care deeply enough to have watched all the nominees and wants to be told who’s good. I really don’t see how you can compare films/programmes of different types, for different audiences, with different budgets, aiming to do different things and make any reasonable decision on which is “best” – it’s comparing apples and aardvarks. Awards don’t confer excellence, but what they can do is highlight the excellence that’s out there to an audience that wouldn’t otherwise have seen it, and help it be rewarded.
But they do make really quite boring viewing.
Posted by Rachel Winter on June 8, 2010
I feel bad now for not offering a blog hug last night.
Like with meeting you last week I always worry that sort of thing’s a bit over familiar, even though I have heard that you give out post-gig hugs.
So anyway Awww *hugs*.
I know your point about the Baftas was different, but I wasn’t that impressed with it this year. I always look forward to these things and then sit there thinking ‘oh somebody else that couldn’t be bothered to go, bla bla’.
I despise people that dont turn up to get their award!
But yes I do also think that maybe film and telly is probably glamorous enough anyway without a shindig – is that more the kind of thing you meant?
Posted by Jamie on June 8, 2010
I heard that Soccer Aid was planned to be on tv at the same time as the BAFTAS, especially for you. Although you would have named it Football Therapy…..)
Posted by Alice on June 7, 2010
Just realised I’ve never watched the BAFTAs. Never struck me as the thing to do of an evening. Which to me, as a single, largely self employed person proves there is always something better to do with your time. I saw the comedy awards once. Unsurprisingly, not that funny.
I will of course book tickets for your show in Edinburgh just as soon as I know what dates my little sister is taking her show up (I’m so proud and have been offering her unsolicited advice for months). Hoping it will coincide with your book launch. If all else fails I will say with absolute certainty that I will see your show at the Bristol Hippodrome!
Posted by Dani on June 7, 2010
My dislike of the BAFTA’s comes from the fact that the people i like never seem to win!
I will also be booking my tickets for Coventry once my sister has decided if she is coming to visit or not.
Posted by Iona on June 7, 2010
I watched the baftas but I don’t really know why… I always watch awards shows but don’t really enjoy them. I think it’s addictive. Or maybe I’m just really nostalgic and like the bit where they show you what happened las year in tv… I also watched it partly for Charlie mcdonnell like beth
And josh I am so up for the mark awards! (or is it the marks?). Let’s make it happen!
Posted by Ivan on June 7, 2010
The problem is that awards are a natural progression from some medium being in any way successful. As soon as there is success, there is the need to see who’s the most successful.
The competitiveness you mention you have from time to time is something that I think we all have (I certainly do) but in differing degrees. The need to compete must come as the product of so many millions of years of evolution and natural competition (I’d guess).
To take away award ceremonies would probably conclude with other competitions in their place. But, as you said, if you become the sort of person who gets awards, it would be stupid not to like them. It reminds me of that bit in Brave New World where Bernard, having been massively critical of society, becomes accidentally popular and presently forgets his hate for greed and ignorance and becomes exactly what he hated in the first place.
Anyway, I’ll definitely book tickets for your tour when I know where I’m living (hoho)
Ivan xx
Posted by Anji on June 7, 2010
I’m with Josh. As long as I don’t have to get a fancy dress and work on a ‘not disapointed’ face when I don’t win. And as long as I don’t have to watch the awards on tv. That just makes it dull.
Altho we could put it on the tv channel that was mentioned the other day – of course *that* would be the best award show ever!!
Posted by Mark D on June 7, 2010
Have a bit of an issue with awards/competition etc. , they do raise the profile about whatever the award is for which is a good thing, but then to get noticed for the award, the ‘product’ is tailored to win the award. The most obvious example is the Oscars, and of course not every award/competition is like that.
Will be one of your gigs in Edinburgh at the fringe at some stage, won’t be able to go to ant others, as they are all at least a plane journey away.
Posted by Meg on June 7, 2010
I really don’t like the competitive and judgemental atmosphere of award shows. Also it makes me feel sad when all the host’s jokes fall flat. I generally avoid award shows though. There’s only so much simpering and thanking people I can take.
I’m coming to see you in Oxford and possibly Reading but I’d really like to see one of your earlier shows (as something to look forward to during this looooong half term of school.) I’d like to ‘do’ Edinburgh but my mum said Edinburgh isn’t really something you ‘do’ with your mum and that I should find a friend to go with maybe next year. Hmm.
Posted by Katie on June 7, 2010
Josh, I am with you; my God – I AM WITH YOU.
I didn’t watch the BAFTAs. I don’t normally, unless someone who I think’s a bit brilliant is on it, and last night I just…couldn’t really be arsed. It’s more a fashion parade than an award. Even if you win, there’ll still be people more concerned about what so-and-so was wearing and that thingmy-whatsherface got pished and tripped on the carpet. “We” (I use that term so loosely it’s hanging off. I mean as a general public sort of thing) care more about the superficial than about the awards that the winners have worked hard for. Or so Heat magazine would have us believe.
(Glad you’re alright now. Zoe and I will be on hand to dispense happy thoughts at a rate that has been called “alarming” in the past, and I’m more than positive that I speak for both of us when we say that we really do meant what we said. I’ll stop being such a snivelling little shit and disappear now.)
x
Posted by Misha on June 7, 2010
I don’t know
But I do agree, never quite got the point of awards ceremonies. But then to date the only proper “award” I’ve won was 6th place at the local gymkhana on my friends pony. So maybe that’s why.
Posted by Rachel on June 7, 2010
About the wanting people to come to your tour thing. If you tweeted a link to the ‘Live’ page I’m sure many of us would retweet it. Just a thought. I know several people that would want to come to one (or more) of the shows near here if they had the chance/knew about them
It’s kind of related to the point you made about wanting to be congratulated (although I use the phrase ‘kind of’ loosely), but I had to attend an awards evening at school a few weeks ago and my headmaster talked about how it’s good to be praised and told how good you’re doing, but that because he’s the head nobody ever does that to him. I was planning on doing it anyway (despite him talking about never receiving praise), but because I was leaving I went and thanked him at the end for everything he’s done for me over the past five years and he seemed rather happy about it. What I’m trying to say (in many words) is that it always seems to be the people working the hardest that get missed out. The naughty kids always get praise if they sit still for more than a minute but those doing everything correctly get nothing, if you see what I mean. Although I do also think that those that are worthy of praise will get it someday and I like to imagine that it would feel better than getting it straight away
I’ll stop rambling now…
Oh, and (magnificent) Josh, I’m with you
Posted by (Magnificent) Josh on June 7, 2010
I propose we start an awards ceremony called the Watsies. There will be various categories, such as “Best Comedian”, “Best Blogger” and “Most likely to attract a large and scarily cohesive band of followers.
The Trophy will look a bit like a BAFTA but will, in fact be an impression of Mark’s face. It will be called the Mark. (due to budgetary constraints it may be made out of tin foil)
WHO’S WITH ME?
Posted by Beth on June 7, 2010
I also hate most award shows. Most of the awards go to soaps that have been running for years now and have such a massive fanbase, it would be stupid for them not to win. Either that or to the biggest prime-time show there is (basically whatever idea Simon Cowell last puked up).
For me, Britain’s Got Talent against something like Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe is just totally unfair. They are two completely different programmes and have completely different fanbases (especcially size-wise).
‘Entertainment’ is such a huge category. So basically, award shows need to have better categories and all of the big names need to go up against each other so it is a lot fairer.
I did watch the BAFTA’s, but only because Charlie McDonnell was presenting an award, bless him ^_^
Posted by Daniel on June 7, 2010
That’s a great blog Mark, you must be in with a shout of a National Blog Award.
Award shows are the same acceptance speech 20 times and the same hosts getting caught between being controversial and funny and being neither.
Posted by Emmy on June 7, 2010
Work completely shattered me today and I can’t think straight. So all I will say is: I’m going to your show in London in December! And I can’t wait! Even though it’s months away. So I am on tenterhooks (is that even spelled right?) until then.
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on June 7, 2010
Bah!!! I have a splitting headache and can’t concentrate reading this blog
I’ll try and read and comment properly later, or tomorrow.
Posted by Kathryn on June 7, 2010
I would apologise for being a member of the transient group, but the exam results deadline is 19th August and there is absolutely nothing I can do to change that. Sorry.
You make a good point about pursuing excellence for its own sake, and I was one of the people watching last night and grinding my teeth whenever the thing that I watched lost out to something involving Simon Cowell. And also explaining to my parents who the winners/nominees actually were. I suppose it’s interesting for me from the perspective of doing exams- I can’t just write a good essay, it has to be A* material, or Cambridge material or whatever. That probably doesn’t even make much sense as an allegory; my brain is too full of quotes to come up with a meaningful comment, as usual.
Posted by Laurs on June 7, 2010
I’m not the biggest fan of award shows, particularly as I am never quite sure how some drivel can be nominated (and then win) awards when beautifully written, wonderfully acted shows are forgotten just because they happened to be produced at the wrong time of year.
In particular, I am talking about a show called Recovery. It starred Sarah parish and David Tennant and it was poignant, beautiful, realistic and it still, even though it was on about three years ago, annoy me that no one thought that it deserved some kind of recognition yet Ant and bleedin’ Dec can win an award for as Ant said “”You feed a couple of kangaroo testicles to a glamour model and you get a Bafta.”
Posted by Rosanna on June 7, 2010
I usually really hate awards ceremonies – maily because they’re really dull, I usually think they make all the wrong choices and there’s a lot of focus on fashion, dresses, etc. – however I did enjoy last night’s BAFTAs but I think that’s because I’m a huge fan of The Thick Of It (and of Armstrong and Miller who also won an award).
Posted by elin on June 7, 2010
So, should we all apply some fake tan and make little sculptures to send to Mark? Because he clearly has done well!
Posted by Corey on June 7, 2010
As well as being horribly self indulgent, these things are soooo dull. the oscars more so than any.
And the awful pre awards programs that come on showing them all arriving, ”oh wow, who are you wearing?, you look ammmazing”
”Thanks, but yeah I know I do”
Your gigs:
I think I’m gonna come see you in Sheffield as you don’t come to my towns Winding Wheel until Feb, but I’ll still come to that and bring some others to help sell some tickets, mind you if ‘The Drifter’s’ can sell it out you should be ok!?!
Posted by rachel (pandora) on June 7, 2010
mark, i’ll email an MP3 update now!