British/ American Culture
Pitshanger
08-10-2005, 20:13
I've been thinking recently, that in my tastes in the fields of music, writing and comedy there is a pattern.
Writing, All time favourite: William Shakespeare (Britain)
Modern favourite: Bill Bryson (USA)
Music, All time favourite: The Beatles (Britain)
Modern favourite: Ted Leo (USA)
Comedy, All time favourite: Monty Python (Britain)
Modern favourite: Emo Phillips (USA)
Whilst thinking about this, I noticed another thing - two of the three Americans have spent a large amount of time living in Britain (Bryson and Phillips) whilst Ted Leo isn't exactly a huge fan of the USA atm (no more shall I be/ loyal to my sorrowful country) and has a large amount of British, particlarly London, references in songs.
Anyway, I don't know why this is. Or what my point is. How important is nationality in culture? I can't help but agree with nearly everything Bill Bryson says, and obviously with the cultural differences of Britain that alter his perception of America there'd be a shared experience but why would it impact on a comedian like Emo, who is more of a one-liner guy than a observatinal comedian?
Comedy, All time favourite: Monty Python (Britain)
Britain & USA, shurely?
Pitshanger
08-10-2005, 20:21
Britain & USA, shurely?
Oh, you mean the American guy who actually made it worse?
Pitshanger
08-10-2005, 23:41
Yeah, he contributed the least of all of them imo - and he has taken British citizenship now anyway, which kind of nicely fits in with the rest of the topic.
Yeah, he contributed the least of all of them imo - and he has taken British citizenship now anyway, which kind of nicely fits in with the rest of the topic.
Least? Gilliam was producer, director, animator, and assisted in writing most of the skits (and large chunks of the movies)... He did far more for the troop BEHIND the scenes, (including design and advertising strategies)... But he was still a MAJOR factor and worker of the group.
QuentinTarantino
09-10-2005, 01:23
When referring to monty phython people usually mean the cast not the crew
When referring to monty phython people usually mean the cast not the crew
...and Gilliam was one of the cast. There were six* Pythons, and Gilliam was one.
* Carol Cleveland being the 'seventh' Python just as George Martin was the 'fifth' Beatle.
When referring to monty phython people usually mean the cast not the crew
Gilliam WAS cast and acted in a crew capacity...
[NS]Simonist
09-10-2005, 02:03
When referring to monty phython people usually mean the cast not the crew
Without Gilliam's contributions on the crew front, especially writing and animating, you think the cast would have been as good as a stand-alone? I kind of doubt it, personally, no matter how much I love the lot of 'em.
Yeah, he contributed the least of all of them imo - and he has taken British citizenship now anyway, which kind of nicely fits in with the rest of the topic.
Music, All time favourite: The Beatles (Britain)
...and to parallel Gilliam, John Lennon would have received American Citizenship if he hadn't been murdered before the process was completed.
[NS]Simonist
09-10-2005, 02:21
...and to parallel Gilliam, John Lennon would have received American Citizenship if he hadn't been murdered before the process was completed.
I daresay that it took more than John Lennon to make the Beatles enjoyable.
As a matter of fact, I very much dislike most of Lennon's break-off....I'm not going to deny he was a very great man whom the FBI did horrible, unwarranted things to (though that's neither here nor there), but I think you at LEAST need Paul and George along for the ride. Ringo.....eh.....well, I suppose it's just not the same without him.
Americai
09-10-2005, 04:07
Anyway, I don't know why this is. Or what my point is. How important is nationality in culture? I can't help but agree with nearly everything Bill Bryson says, and obviously with the cultural differences of Britain that alter his perception of America there'd be a shared experience but why would it impact on a comedian like Emo, who is more of a one-liner guy than a observatinal comedian?
Its important if your force it to be important. I have a similar yet wildly different situation. My "culture" is something I consider wildly sub-par of my actual tastes however it would be more "sociable" for me between members of my family and others in my region if I liked this crap. I however do NOT adhere to musical tastes of any region. Just whatever is good and to my liking.
For instance, you like pop-culture music. Thus, it would be obvious that you'd use your cultural "issues" as an identity for the things you like subconciously.
However, do you ever just find music that is good and care less who composes it or what lyrics are in it? I like Carmen O burena from Carl Orff who was a nazi humper. I could care less about the guy, but I recognize a damned good song when I hear it.
Same as with other composers. Then again, I unlike you don't look for pop-culture music. I go for instrumental that tends to just be powerful music or well composed melodies to begin with. I could care less who makes it. You on the other hand as hinted through out your post however do take it in consideration.