Royal Wedding

Ok folks, the big day is here.... well, it's tonight. I'll be working. But I do know some people going to a fancy dress wedding party where they plan to watch the whole event unfold.

What's in the news surrounding this blessed occasion? NBC's massive set up to cover the action at Westminster Abby. The News at Six story interviewing the NBC exec in charge of the broadcast made me laugh. Apparently the American's are into this thing more than anyone else ... or we just have the money to spend on it. And less fortunates can interview us about our superior coverage.

Also, and more interesting, this tongue and cheek satirical show got their coverage of the wedding revoked by the Royal family. I thought it was just that show, and indeed, other satire personalities will be permitted to provide commentary, but this article suggests that less-than-serious coverage using the BBC footage is banned. According to the local gossip rag circulated to commuters the staff of Chaser (the show in question) have written an email to Her Majesty and are disappointed to have not yet received a reply.

I just happened to pick up a copy of mX on the seat next to me while riding into the city yesterday; the Chaser team looking very disappointed on the front cover. I thought it was a story worth sharing. You have to admit: two days notice after all the planning and preparing is pretty crappy. All those well thought out skits gone to waste. Makes me sad to think about it.

The article linked above, from ABC online, is just snide comments from the Chaser team. This bit is my favorite:

"The Chaser's Julian Morrow says...

It's traditional for the condemned to appeal to the monarch for a stay of execution, so that's what we're going to do.

Unfortunately it's also traditional for people who appeal for clemency to be executed.

The Chaser's Chris Taylor says it is an "honour" to be taken off air by the Queen herself."

I have to learn a bit more about politics, etc. before I can fully appreciate their jokes, but it's pretty familar comedy (see video below for a taste). When I meet new people I'm often asked "how are you finding our sense of humor?" I think Australians think we have a different sense of humor because they've never seen Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert. I have a friend newly obsessed with Jersey Shore. Over here, that's what people see of America.

Interesting and slightly related side note: when little kids play with their Barbies, they play with an American accent. They mimic what they see in the movies. Once a young girl and I struggled with a language barrier:  I said "never say you can't do something."

"I don't" she told me, "I say caunt. Mum says not to say cAAn't."

Another friend told me he doesn't hear the American accent when he's watching TV. "It just sounds normal".

Weird isn't it? I guess you just get used to things. Come to think of it, unless it's really heavy I don't notice the Aussie accent so much anymore either.