by hilzoy
Via Balloon Juice, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britainplays the theme from Shaft:
(At about a minute in, you might find yourself wondering: is it all instrumental? The answer is: no.)
Thesis: Insofar as one can generalize, the British sense of humor depends to a greater degree than most on exploiting utter incongruity presented absolutely deadpan, as though there were nothing the least bit odd about it.
Discuss.
As a Brit I can confirm you've hit the nail on the head. Comedy, British style, often stems from strong sense of the ridiculous.
Posted by: LC | January 02, 2009 at 10:42 AM
As a Brit I can confirm you've hit the nail on the head. Comedy, British style, often stems from strong sense of the ridiculous.
Posted by: LC | January 02, 2009 at 10:42 AM
As a Brit I can confirm you've hit the nail on the head. Comedy, British style, often stems from strong sense of the ridiculous.
Posted by: LC | January 02, 2009 at 10:42 AM
As a Brit I can confirm you've hit the nail on the head. Comedy, British style, often stems from strong sense of the ridiculous.
Posted by: LC | January 02, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I'm going to use the topic of ukuleles to link to, as I always do when possible, Jake Shimabukuro playing "While my guitar gently weeps", for those who haven't heard it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5qakFIecBU
Back on topic, I love Brits.
Posted by: antrumf | January 02, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Slarti put up a link Blücher for reasons I can't figure out, but it got me the two links below. I hope the inclusion of Marty Feldman makes enough of a linkage
Young Frankenstein outtakes 1
Young Frankenstein outtakes 2
Posted by: liberal japonicus | January 02, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I love Brits, too (being half-one myself by birth).
And I loved this clip.
But it's not exactly "deadpan" - or at least not very good deadpan.
Ridiculous - yes. That I can accept. That makes the New Year better.
Posted by: dr ngo | January 02, 2009 at 11:06 AM
once upon a time, YouTube had awesome vids of some choir doing all kinds of insane covers. my fav was their version of Sonic Youth's Schizophrenia.
but the vids have been removed, so i can't share them with you.
Posted by: cleek | January 02, 2009 at 11:22 AM
the British sense of humor depends to a greater degree than most on exploiting utter incongruity presented absolutely deadpan, as though there were nothing the least bit odd about it.
I have no idea what you mean.
Posted by: Jesurgislac | January 02, 2009 at 11:27 AM
*giggles*
Posted by: hilzoy | January 02, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I was crushed to discover, as any Wodehouse fan must be, that the ensemble contained not a single banjolele.
WWBWD?
Posted by: Davis X. Machina | January 02, 2009 at 11:55 AM
LC, you've left out the other important element of humor: repetition.
Posted by: Hob | January 02, 2009 at 12:20 PM
You know I feel... all right.
Posted by: Hob | January 02, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Nice link. I enjoyed that.
Posted by: d'd'd'dave | January 02, 2009 at 12:29 PM
the British sense of humor depends to a greater degree than most on exploiting utter incongruity presented absolutely deadpan, as though there were nothing the least bit odd about it.
This sounds like the arguments, I used to have with an English girlfriend.
I was had.
Posted by: someotherdude | January 02, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Oh no, they cut out just as Toumani Diabate was about to comment on it. I really wanted to hear what he had to say - he's been known to insert The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly into his kora pieces...
Posted by: kvenlander | January 02, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Black tie and ukeleles to start the New Year.
not to mention humor from Jes.
ah, 2009 is already off to a better start than 2008.
cheers everyone.
Posted by: (The Original) Francis | January 02, 2009 at 01:17 PM
I enjoy wry (as opposed to slapstick) British humor as much as the next person. But for wry humor combined with humility, I'm going to have to go with New Zealand humor FTW. Some of the funniest people I've ever met are New Zealanders. And they're finally getting their due now that the Flight of the Conchords has achieved international acclaim.
Posted by: slag | January 02, 2009 at 02:21 PM
"Via Balloon Juice"
I keep having this fantasy that people might read my blog. :-(
I thought this was amusing when I posted it a month ago.
Posted by: Gary Farber | January 02, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Amygdala was prematurely pro-ukelele . . .
Posted by: rea | January 02, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Ukuleles and banjos have the magical attribute of being fun no matter what. Thanks for this.
Apropos of nothing other than it's an excuse to post a musical YouTube link, R.I.P. Delaney Bramlett.
Happy New Year, y'all.
Thanks -
Posted by: russell | January 03, 2009 at 01:37 AM
I was crushed to discover, as any Wodehouse fan must be, that the ensemble contained not a single banjolele.
WWBWD?
Depends whether or not Jeeves let him look at YouTube or regards it as 'Fundamentally unsound, sir'.
Posted by: magistra | January 03, 2009 at 03:16 AM
if you're wondering who *is* the man who walked around the appalachian mountains in his plus-fours:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Sharp
(naturally a huge laugh at a folk music gathering).
Posted by: kid bitzer | January 04, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Given this is as close to an open thread as is around, I'll note that Bill Richardson has withdrawn as nominee for Commerce Secretary.
Posted by: Gary Farber | January 04, 2009 at 03:19 PM
It's worth noting that the ukulele is actually not original to Hawaii. It's based on the cavaquinho, an instrument that is used widely in Brazilian samba and choro.
Now I can find a relevant reason to post this video on my blog.
Posted by: Randinho | January 05, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Oh Gary, I just posted this video, but tipped my hat to you.
Posted by: Randinho | January 05, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Thanks, Randy. I forgot to point out here that my post also linked to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain's rendition of the theme from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," which while not quite as hilarious as "Shaft," did have more whistling, more "wa-wa" and more "aie-aaie!," as well as 50% more "ooh-aah!"
There's also their version of Smells Like Teen Spirit, and a bunch of other songs.
They deserve some Respect.
I also like this one, where they keep losing their sheet music.
Posted by: Gary Farber | January 05, 2009 at 03:19 PM
Gary:
Agreed. I'm partial to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Posted by: tgirsch | January 06, 2009 at 08:59 AM