Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Engagement

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  • Geoff Lealand,

    Even my close friends and family think I’m joking when I tell them I like Home and Away.

    No need for apologies. I occasionally catch a glance at it and marvel at its seemingly endless supply of young blondes. The only programme I really cannot excuse anyone watching is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, with vile Ty.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • FletcherB, in reply to Leopold,

    I just want to say... being schooled on history and regal names, by someone called Leopold is...... fitting. :)

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    I have a question on royal protocol that my well-thumbed copy of Debretts is curiously silent on:

    When reading a headline such as the following from this morning’s Herald:

    ’Babykins’ shows ‘Big Willy’ she’s no mug

    To whom should one address the cleaning bill? The Palace, or APN?

    I wasn’t aware until now that my stomach could hold that much, or project it that far.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • linger, in reply to Rich Lock,

    Given such wonderful stimulus material, there should be no difficulty getting projectile vomiting accepted into the next Olympics. (Though possibly only as a demonstration competition at first.)

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Leopold, in reply to FletcherB,

    Regnal only for Belgium and the odd German principality. Lost favour as a name since Leopold II and his royal activities in the Congo

    Listen to the yell of Leopold's ghost
    Burning in Hell for his hand-maimed host.
    Hear how the demons chuckle and yell
    Cutting his hands off, down in Hell.

    Since Jan 2007 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • Jacqui Dunn, in reply to 3410,

    My sister tells me – because I didn’t hear it – that Mora is also very pro-National Standards.

    (Groan)

    But also – Petra – I thought Wonder Dog was Phillip Leishman’s gig, and that Jim Mora did Mucking In. Am I seriously out-of-date? (As well as late as with this comment?)

    Deepest, darkest Avondale… • Since Jul 2010 • 585 posts Report Reply

  • Heather W., in reply to Ben Gracewood,

    Pressing question: in the spirit of Brangelina, are they Kills or Wait?

    Brad/Angelina so Wills/Kate ends up closer to Wilk or Wikat.

    Ben with Jennifer made Bennifer. Which in this case would equate to Wate. Though less likely because Kate was previously nicknamed Wait(y) Kate(y).

    Kills and Wilt don't quite fit the pattern - male name first and initial letters from each name. But +1 for Wilt anyway.

    North Shore • Since Nov 2008 • 189 posts Report Reply

  • Heather W., in reply to Jacqui Dunn,

    Jacqui,

    Jim Mora did the narration for Wonder Dogs. Currently showing as repeats in the evenings (TVNZ Heartland - SkyTV 17) with Mark Leishman and Dexter the dog as hosts.

    North Shore • Since Nov 2008 • 189 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    My sister tells me – because I didn’t hear it – that Mora is also very pro-National Standards.

    (Groan)

    Only because it is the path of least resistance, I'm sure.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to 3410,

    Rather, he has a reptilian response of politeness to absolutely everything, whether deserving of it or not, because he’s too spineless to actually stand up for anything.

    Quite. What gets me is when people like that insist no one else is ever allowed to form an opinion either, in the guise of being “non-judgemental”. It's OK to say that some things are just wrong. Amorality sucks.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Jacqui Dunn, in reply to Heather W.,

    Thanks Heather. My theory proven (hopelessly out-of-date) :))

    AND I got the wrong Leishman....(sigh)

    Deepest, darkest Avondale… • Since Jul 2010 • 585 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Lost favour as a name since Leopold II and his royal activities in the Congo

    Was that after the fall of Babar and the arrival of boy reporter Tintin?

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Did Good King Leonardo precede Leopold? Perhaps he overthrew Babar, which seems out of character. Is Bongo Congo the same as the Congo? DID they have religion? DID they have a vision? I could never turn from their revel in derision.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    The only programme I really cannot excuse anyone watching is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, with vile Ty.

    I like watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition *because* Ty is so awful. If he came and yelled outside my house with his bullhorn I... would not be held responsible for my actions. But also, his merry band of douchey hangers-on are so fantastically fake! Weeping and hand-holding and smugly nodding... oh, it's deliciously manipulative and foul, that show. And there's something so 'hey, fuck you, poor people!' about it: they travel around helping this tiny minority of 'worthy' people in trouble and give them stuff that's just crazily opulent, when they could obviously build five or ten perfectly nice houses for average families instead. Mmmm. Rage. My burning hatred, it gives me such joy!

    (I do sincerely like Tux Wonder Dogs, though. Give me that as a double feature with A Dog's Show and I'm in heaven.)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Danielle,

    I watch it too. And I'm with you 100% of your summation. And also? I wonder how many of the people they rebuild for, actually end up keeping their homes. Because there's still mortgages and land taxes (that's what they call rates, eh Danielle?) and if people are in dire financial straits, then those aren't any more affordable than before. I do remember this one guy who had about 4 sons, he was a solo father, and I think the bank ended up taking his house from him. Shame!

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Petra,

    Given all the electrical and electronic crap they install, I would be surprised if the families could pay the power bill, let alone keep up with any rates/land taxes.

    *sigh* Like H&A, it's a show my daughter enjoys - even brings tears to her eyes - and my sis is a fan too. They think I'm a cold, hard bitch 'cos I don't like it; while I think they're idiots for buying into it. Tch!

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Come-bye, walk up / walk on...

    (I do sincerely like Tux Wonder Dogs, though. Give me that as a double feature with A Dog’s Show and I’m in heaven.)

    maybe even a triple feature
    with The Dog Whisperer
    I love the way it's usually the people
    that are the problem...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ethan Tucker,

    Headline read over someone's shoulder on the Tube last night:

    'Press delighted over royal wedding announcement'

    That just about sums it up for me. And Leopold said:

    and Charlie, if ever gets to be king, has chosen George VII for his name (Charles just far too Stuartish)

    Sounded a bit far-fetched to me in this day and age, but it only took a moment's hunting to find this 2005 article to show that Charles is at least considering re-naming himself. It would be pretty damn odd though. And Kay Cee Three has got a rhyming thang goin' on.

    Wellington • Since Apr 2008 • 119 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Sounded a bit far-fetched to me in this day and age, but it only took a moment’s hunting to find this 2005 article to show that Charles is at least considering re-naming himself. It would be pretty damn odd though.

    Largely because he's established, and I wince to say this, a "brand" as Prince Charles - although I suppose Edward VII was the same age when he took the throne, and he managed the name-change successfully.

    I don't really buy the "too Stuart" thing, though, because 1) the number of people who'd remember that and care is far too small and 2) that's like saying William III should have picked a different throne-name because William was "too Normandish" (or, for that matter, than William IV shouldn't have because it was too Dutch.)

    I'd love to see a John or Richard ascend to the throne and keep the name, though. I can almost guarantee that's never going to happen.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Oh I love the dog whisperer - very interested to hear recently that he's getting a divorce. Maybe balance is harder to achieve with humans?

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Oh I love the dog whisperer – very interested to hear recently that he’s getting a divorce.

    (....I keep quoting Jackie...sorry!!!!!)

    Maybe the divorce is the result of too many times whispering sweet nothings in the wrong ear.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Leopold, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    Regnal names are funny things, tho' - George is perfectly acceptable, despite George III and IV. And James and Chas are still off-limits - don't discount tradition - surprising that John was never resurrected after reformation - first to take on the papacy, albeit unsuccessfully. I'd still plump for Alfred or Arthur, myself

    Since Jan 2007 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to Leopold,

    surprising that John was never resurrected after reformation – first to take on the papacy, albeit unsuccessfully. I’d still plump for Alfred or Arthur, myself

    John Lackland. That's why it'll never be resurrected. (Plus the Robin Hood legend, which has deeply unfairly cast Richard Coeur-de-Lion as some sort of hero, despite the fact that the man viewed England largely as a tax base. Then again, so did John.)

    Henry has also gone into remission since Henry VIII, though Mary was recovered. These things aren't always logical. Alfred could work, but there're some pretty big boots to fill.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Dave Patrick,

    Plus some cakes to burn (allegedly)

    Rangiora, Te Wai Pounamu • Since Nov 2006 • 261 posts Report Reply

  • Leopold, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    John Lackland. That’s why it’ll never be resurrected. (Plus the Robin Hood legend, which has deeply unfairly cast Richard Coeur-de-Lion as some sort of hero, despite the fact that the man viewed England largely as a tax base. Then again, so did John.)

    Yet John was being rehabilitated in the 17th century, after being given a rough ride by monastic chroniclers - you don't cross the Church without some payback! - Shakespeare, secret Catholic or not, was aware enough to know on side his bread was buttered by giving a reasonably sympathetic portrait in his play. Dunno when the Robin Hood legend was attached to a specific king - 15th century mebbe? luck of the draw there - could have just as easily been Richard.

    Since Jan 2007 • 153 posts Report Reply

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