Something different - the beautiful Edwardian theatre actresses:
Carrie Moore
Phyllis and Zena Dare
Gabrielle Ray
Mabel Love
Pauline Chase
Marie Studholme, among others.
(No, I am not that old)
My mother used to recite me this poem from her early 1900s autograph book:
Why doesn't Mabel Love me,
Why doesn't Phyllis Dare,
Why doesn't Pauline Chase me,
We'd make a handsome pair.
I'd like to Marie Studholme,
They say she's rich, and I am poor,
But I bow down with sorrow,
For I cannot Carrie Moore ....

<Strikes forehead in amazement at forgetfulness>

Of course - Victoria Wood!

You can't understand anything about this country unless you "get" The Ballad of Barry and Freda, and wet yourself at the mere thought of:

"I want to be Eileen Gumm,
Who calls herself ‘just a mum’.
I want to have three big lads
And a husband that I’ve driven nuts.

I’ll struggle and sacrifice
To make sure they have things nice.
I’ll give them such good advice.
They’ll absolutely hate my guts

I’ll make a bag for them to take their pumps in.
I’ll make pyjamas they can have their mumps in.
My mashed potato will have big grey lumps in.

I’ll control each family member.
I’ll make them gather round the Christmas table
And eat until to move they are unable.
They’ll wish that Joseph never found that stable.
I’ll put my sprouts on in November."

Bad teeth; wainscoating; tea and marmite toast; the "damp"; the smell of a wet wooly jumper; chipped, floral Royal Albert china; umbrellas; Lilywhite's; bad plumbing; gardens; wet, muddy dogs laying on granny's sofa; high streets; gateau with Devonshire cream; the fog rolling in; country churchyards; electric tea kettles.

Balenciaga: I'll have you know that I have extremely good teeth! :-)

PatrickLondon,

Womans weekly LOL, she writes wondeful songs.

We taped that show years ago and my DH is going to convert it from video to DVD. I don't even care how bad the quality is.

Benny Hill is being shown on BBC America a lot recently - I like to catch the beginnning of it just for the Thames Television music :-)

Borrowing the following two English magazines from our local library:

This England
History Today

And during the holiday period reading the current issue/s on line at:

http://www.thisengland.co.uk/index2....storytoday.com

apologies ..... a space or semi-colan before the www.historytoday.com ..... listed above.

alya,
That's exactly what I do. Sit and wait for the Thames TV fanfare with the double image of the London skyline. I would prefer it if BBC America then followed it with an episode of "Rainbow" preferably the infamous X rated one that Geoffrey, Zippy, George and Bungle did for the Christmas Staff party. Or is that an urban legend?

"Mind the gap"

Ani, Kylie Minogue is from Melbourne, Australia.
Sorry Mate.

henneth,

It wasn't an urban legend and it wasn't made for public viewing - more a gag for the staff and crew.

If you search online you should find a link - is saw it a couple of years ago and it is full of innuendo.

Very funny but not for children! :-)

BTW - I have friends here in the US who are suprised that my parents NEVER let me watch Benny Hill, they seem to assume we were raised on it :-(

alya: You never saw Benny Hill? To my mind you were extremely fortunate! :-) Benny Hill is not one of the exports that we're most proud of....

I can't believe they're still showing Benny Hill in the States, it's SO OLD. They never show it here anymore as I think it's deemed a little bit non PC (all that dirty man bottom groping).

oh, and Balenciaga, you really need to stop staying in those old cheap B&Bs. They're trapped in a time warp. Go for a boutique hotel next time darling

I've got all me teeth too and they are nice and straight.
They are clean but not neon white because to me that's a sign that teeth have been in a glass of bleach overnight.

This American tooth thing always tickles me because of my late mother.
She had to have false teeth much to her annoyance.
She saved her pennies and spent a lot of money so that she could have realistic looking teeth, not crooked or uneven, but with the sort of small imperfections that you get in normal teeth.
In her words she didn't want teeth that looked like a row of cups.
Now, Americans pay good money for just that look.

alya, if you want DVDs of Victoria Wood, there must be plenty about - not just the songs but also the wonderful "dinnerladies" ("I've told her, that's far too complicated a gusset for someone who won't wear their glasses") and "Pat and Margaret" ("NOT on the eiderdown?!"). Not sure whether they've been adapted for the US DVD zone, though, but I'm sure a Google would reveal all.

david, love how the shipping forecast comes up on 5live just when freddie is about to bowl his hat trick ball (or something crucial like that)....am reading (Attention All Shipping: A Journey Round the Shipping Forecast
Charlie Connelly) its funny!!! If anyone wants to listen to todays shipping forecast....goto

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/shipping/

and bottom right corner, click on shipping forecast....Jane's voice is soooo soothing.

and adding

English Breakfast....sausages, bacon, tomato, mushrooms, beans, toast, hash browns and tea...hmmm

Why would I ever stay in a cheap B&B whilst in London, sweetie? I could stay at Aunt Judith's mansion on Redston Road in North London, or at Aunt Pat's in Old Windsor. Besides, darling, I am probably the only person on this website who has actually spent the night at Cliveden and Chatsworth.

I am thin and gorgeous.

PBS :)

Kate, get this!

Benny Hill is on TWICE a day 1-2pm and again 7-8pm!!!!!

PatrickLondon,

I think I'll take a look, perhaps one day BBCAmerica will come to their senses and show Dinner Ladies.

Can anyone explain The Peep Show? I watched 10 minutes and gave up. Is it worth persevering?

No, Balenciaga, dear.

You're the only one who would <i>mention</i> it.