Boston and Washington Spring 2016 - Boys, Blades and Balls! - Day 2 (Dublin to Boston)

[Gill H]

I was very put out the first time I saw repeats of M*A*S*H on a TV channel here - and it had a laugh track! When the BBC showed it in the 80s there was no laugh track and I much preferred it.

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by Gill H

I was very put out the first time I saw repeats of M*A*S*H on a TV channel here - and it had a laugh track! When the BBC showed it in the 80s there was no laugh track and I much preferred it.

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M*A*S*H =

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Bianca

The Toronto islands are a lovely contrast to the city in the summer. They're car-free (and lovely to cycle round) -- they're park and recreation-based.

Comedy IS subjective, isn't it? I feel mixed about Love Actually. For me, it's a Christmas film and there are stories in it I like (like Colin Firth and his excellent French!) and some I don't (the Laura Linney story-line is very uncomfortable and I totally see your point about Emma and Alan). So, more of a drama with a few chuckles and some cringes, but not LOL.

I'm trying to think of a film that does make me laugh out loud... Definitely not things like Bridesmaids! They are trying way too hard, for me anyway.
remember if it made me really laugh, though. I usually prefer the understated stuff (probably unpopular stuff! ), but I do like some silly as well. It's usually just bits of films, some Pink Panther, some Gene Wilder (with or without Richard Prior), some Hugh Grant, James Cordan's laugh, some old Happy Days and scenes from Friends.

Bringing Up Baby (Grant & Hepburn) is very witty - I love that, can't
Sooo, any comedy suggestions will be welcome, because I'm obviously lacking ideas a bit!

Like you, I don't like being told to laugh. Or what to watch! A TV announcer (I hate the "I'm your pal" approach of TV announcers, btw!) recently spoke over the end credits telling me I mustn't miss some programme about a child murderer (nothing to do with what had just been on) and I told her (quite strongly ) not to tell me what to watch.

Sorry, gone off track a bit there. I'll never get onto your other TR days at this rate!

P.S. I'm very tempted with a couple of Peanuts pencils cases on the John Lewis website.
johnlewis/peanuts-pencil-case/p2267440
johnlewis/vintage-pe...-case/p2267437

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So cute! I keep all my pencils in a Mickey Mouse (in morning suit) mug - but perhaps some could travel in Peanuts...

And I do NOT promise you will find any of these funny - but my favourite comedies are:

Auntie Mame
Groundhog Day
Best in Show

and, of course - Blackadder.

It's been YEARS since I've seen Bringing Up Baby - they certainly don't write 'em like that anymore. Back then a writer had to rely on WIT. If you need fifty expletives to tell your joke - it probably ain't funny.

With you totally on end-credits chat (I DEFINITELY don't want to hear about child killers!) - but what really annoys me is when I want to read the cast of a film - and they minimise the credits to show an advert for whatever's next (SKY! ).

Originally Posted by Gill H

I was very put out the first time I saw repeats of M*A*S*H on a TV channel here - and it had a laugh track! When the BBC showed it in the 80s there was no laugh track and I much preferred it.

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Originally Posted by Bianca

M*A*S*H =

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Sort of related...when we were at the hotel in Hawkchurch, they played the same CD in the restaurant both nights. And one of the tracks was "Suicide is Painless" - played on the marimba!

And yes - laugh tracks are a bad sign. If you have to TELL ME it's funny, it probably isn't. What was best about M*A*S*H was the gallows humour - and that isn't usually LOL stuff...

[Gill H]

During our amazing meal in Victoria & Albert's in Dec 2010, a harpist was playing Christmas songs, Disney songs ... and 'Suicide Is Painless'.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Gill H

During our amazing meal in Victoria & Albert's in Dec 2010, a harpist was playing Christmas songs, Disney songs ... and 'Suicide Is Painless'.

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I *guess* that most people just think of it as "The Theme from M*A*S*H"?

But for me - I think of all the lyrics as the song plays. Nothing like "ever-present hate" as one's dinner companion.

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by GopherLass

And I do NOT promise you will find any of these funny - but my favourite comedies are:

Auntie Mame
Groundhog Day
Best in Show

and, of course - Blackadder.

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I'd forgotten about Groundhog Day - must watch that again. I haven't seen the other two, so I may hunt them out. (I (probably) won't hold you responsible if I don't find them funny! )

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Bianca

I'd forgotten about Groundhog Day - must watch that again. I haven't seen the other two, so I may hunt them out. (I (probably) won't hold you responsible if I don't find them funny! )

Thanks for the suggestions.

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(I (probably) won't hold you responsible if I don't find them funny!

Please don't!

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by GopherLass

(I (probably) won't hold you responsible if I don't find them funny!

Please don't!

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'Course not.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Bianca

'Course not.

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Phew!

[SEAWORLD FAN]

Well that day started off a bit easier than yesterday. I'm looking forward to reading about Boston over the next few days and getting some tips for when I finally get to visit.