BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy

Subject: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:03 PM

More non-musical palaver from Johnny in Oklahoma City ..

We are getting weekly installments of a Brit-com called "Are You Being Served?" - evidently from the late 70's. It's about some people who work in a London department store. It's lightweight, and I usually enjoy it. There is a recurring gag about a cat belonging to one of the clerks, who always refers to it as her pussy.

For example, the boss says, "Staff are required to remain after closing this evening." Mrs. Slocomb: "Oh, I can't! If I'm not home by six o'clock, my pussy will be climbing the curtains." This always gets a big laugh -- from me as well.

No television show produced here in the Good Old U.S.A. could get away with this kind of double-entente, because of the alternate meaning of "pussy". What I am wondering is whether the Brits are aware of the secondary meaning here in America, and whether it has the same meaning Over There.

Just wondering == Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: JenEllen
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:07 PM

My guess would be yes. My British grandmother laughs herself sick at that bit. Production wise, I assume they want a laugh there, otherwise the laugh-tracks would be non-exhistant, but it's a steady gag throughout their shows.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:14 PM

Man, I LOVE "Are You Being Served?" or "Areyoub" as we call it. Just the other day my sister and I were singing the theme song. Ha...we must have seen every episode. We even own the official Are You Being Served handbook & episode guide. We used to laugh till the tears ran twice every week. What a hoot!

--Matt (Mr.Humphries RULES!)

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:16 PM

AYBS has been running continually here on one of the local PBS stations for at least ten years. They are well aware of alll the double entendre stuff. I still love it after seeing every episode a dozen times at least, including the "AYBS Again" series filmed years later. And I've been in love with Wendy Richard for years (he sheepishly admitted).

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:23 PM

God, I love that show!! Though it hasn't been seen on PBS up here in a long time now...But we do have another good show called As Time Goes By...

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:24 PM

My favorite Mr.Grainger line: "Excuse me sir, but you have a fat face, piggy eyes, and a pimple on your nose!"

--Matt

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:26 PM

I've seen As Time Goes By a few times...it's Ok. I like "Keeping Up Appearances". Onslow is my favorite! Uh oh...here it comes! Favorite Onslow line "Another engagement party? She's had more engagement parties than I've had bags of crisps!" and "Oh nice!" has become a family favorite...

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:52 PM

Keeping Up Appearnaces is pretty funny, but I just can't stand Hyacinth....

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:55 PM

I know! She's such a pain! "Mind the cows, Richard." "But their in a pasture, Hyacinth!"

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:58 PM

AYBS was pretty funny the first several times I saw every single episode. Got lame after the original cast started getting replaced (Mr.Granger and Mr.Lucas). Keeping Up Appearances rocks, though. But there are only so many ways to humiliate Hyacinth, and only so many times that it will be entertaining... Still, I doubt I'll ever get sick of it.

Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, and Red Dwarf pretty much destroy AYBS, though. >:)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:00 AM

Mbo -- what is a Bacon Booty? (Or however you spell it.) It sounds yummy!

We are also getting "One Foot in the Grave" with theme song by Eric Idle. It's about a cranky old fellow and his long-suffering wife. He always gets into a terrible mess because he is so crabby. I crack up when he yells, "I don't be-LIEVE IT!"

"Keeping Up Appearances" is on every week, and "As Time Goes By", which is the class of the bunch. We also used to get "Yes, Minister" and "Only When I Laugh", and I wish they could be on again. Love those Brit-coms!

== Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Amergin
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:02 AM

Blackadder rolls me around the floor with laughter...so did Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy...which I heard some one's gonna be making a movie of soon...

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:04 AM

G'day Banjo Johnny et al,

The difference between slang expressions in alledgedly English-speaking counrties (hey ... I'm having a shot at the English...) leads to all sorts of interestion results. dad, (here in Australia) tells me that (roughly WWII period) the Poms (English) made a film, set in Victorian London and eponymously titled, Fanny by Gaslight.

The alternative meaning of "fanny", to the English, was female genitalia - so nobody admitted to it and the film happily carried that title ... but when it was to be shown in America, the less offensive (?) American use of "fanny" for buttocks meant that the title had to be changed.

Another area of great amusement for American servicemen on leave in Australia was the (British-written) ads for Robur Tea ... "It keeps your pecker up!". There must be hordes of cases where the local version of English produces unintended humour for those speking diffent forms of the language.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:11 AM

Course we were Johnny - the one I had always wondered about was whether Mrs Slow Cum was intentional.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:15 AM

Well, you can never be too sure about how words are used in other places. Bob Bolton gave some good examples there. == Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: alison
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:22 AM

After "are you being served" the cast made another series about running a boarding house.. or something.... awful....

Have you had "hi-de-hi" inflicted on you yet????

wish we got some of the good English sitcoms over here

but all we ever get is Hyacinth.... and if we're really lucky "Yes Minister" and "as time goes by".....

did "Father Ted" ever make it to the US?? (Channel 4 as opposed to BBC comedy)... wonderful stuff....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Amergin
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:26 AM

There was another show that was pretty funny, but it must have been pretty short lived cause I only got to see a few episodes, it was the Vicar of Dibley (or something like that).

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:28 AM

I think Hyacinth is funny. One time, a fellow made a pass at her. As she was running away, he called out, "I love you, Mrs. Bucket!" She turned around for a moment and chided, "It's Bouquet!" Very Hyacinth. == Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: alison
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:37 AM

Vicar of Dibley is another good one.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:46 AM

Banjo Johnny, how is it that you can refuse to apologise to someone that you wronged on the strengh of him using the word "fuck" to you but you seem quite comfortable with, and in fact appear to enjoy, the double entendres such as use of pussy in Are You Being Served?

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:57 AM

Because the word "pussy" was not directed at me. Understand? Moreover, I have not wronged anyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 01:03 AM

Yes, I understand. You can wrong anybody but the minute they react angrily, they are in the wrong in spite of the provocation - fine Johnny, thanks for the explaination.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 01:11 AM

Keeping Up Appearances sometimes has it's own double entendres, as in the episode "Hyacinth Gets Alarmed" where she tells people that her husband is going to "alarm" her. She means getting an alarm system installed, but it's a bit of gentle double entendre humor that get's Hyacinth double takes from whoever she tells it to.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 01:37 AM

I did enjoy The Vicar of Dibley, a sweet little show. The vicar's assistant, a young girl, had one of the funniest lines I have ever heard:

Do you know the margarine that's called "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter"? At first I thought, I can't believe "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" is not butter. Then I wondered whether butter is "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter", or not. Now I can't believe all the stuff that's not called "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" is not "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter". The vicar was non-plussed, and I fell off the sofa laughing. == Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Brendy
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 01:43 AM

So did I

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: JenEllen
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:19 AM

Yep, BJ. The One Foot In The Grave's are great. The one where his friend made his tombstone, and the one where he ended up buck-nekkid hanging from the gutter have got to be the best. Hopefully, Mrs. Slocomb's pussy will never be directed at you.

~Elle

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:33 AM

Hey Amergin... HHGTTG has already been done on film... by the BBC... I have it on videotape... It's not bad... the production is slightly below and above Dr Who, and it's only the first 3 books... (y a know, the good stuff???) Look around Amazon or such like, I'm sure you'll find it...

On the subject of British Comedy... Blackadder, Red Dwarf, Fawlty Towers, Father Ted, The Young Ones, Bottom top my list... They're even close to being in order... you folks can keep Are you Being Bored... We at the pub laughingly refer to a woman who has recently changed her hair colour as as Slocomb...

Often they have no idea what we're getting at...

LOL!

{~`

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: The Shambles
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:37 AM

Is all that 'I don't believe it's not butter' marketing, confined to the UK?

I have thought of introducing one called: 'We used to call this margarine'.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Brendy
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:40 AM

Anyone remember 'Never mind the quality, feel the width'?

How about you, Sham?

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: sledge
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:50 AM

It still takes a lot to beat Dads' army. Did that one make it to the US?

Banjo Johnny Bacon butty = Bacon Sandwhich.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GMT
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:37 AM

Brendy, was that the one about two tailors one catholic and the other jewish ? That's some time ago !!! I don't think I do remember it.

Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Llanfair
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:50 AM

All the classic British comedy series seem to have made it "over the pond", but have you seen the Ealing comedies?Films such as "The Ladykillers" "Passport to Pimlico" and "Kind hearts and Coronets"(Which, I believe, is being remade) They are very well made films, and the humour is very understated. I love them.
We get "Frasier" which we never miss, and "Friends", of course. Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: The Shambles
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:58 AM

'Never mind the quality, feel the width'? No that was before my time……..Unfortunately it wasn't. Going back a bit though. That was the one with an Irish and a Jewish tailor. Milo O'Shea and __________?

My favourite 'Hycinthism' was "I do hate those people who go around pretending to be superior, it makes it so difficult for those of us who really are".

I'm afraid I have a very superior attitude to sit-coms. I used to hate Dad's Army. Now I think it is wonderful. I don't think the same is going to happen to 'Are You Being Served', for I have never found that very funny. Who knows, in time maybe I will?

How about Only Fools and Horses? Or are we keeping that jewel to ourselves?

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: mcpiper
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:27 AM

Brilliant thread. Bought back memories just reading the titles. Was it in "Never mind the quality, feel the width" where Milo O'Shea used to say " I was a little brown brother, and little brown brothers dont lie. Tops of all time, Fawlty Towers, Father Ted, Dad's Army and It Aint half hot Mum. Can't beat pommie comedy, even down here in N.Z.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GMT
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 07:51 AM

Where do you think 'Some Mothers Do Have 'Em' fits
in here ?
Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:02 AM

I like "Waiting for God" as much as any. Mbo, we agree on something, Onslow is my hero. That show has such excellent characters, they are all perfectly suited to their respective roles. Can you imagine being married to that pain in the ass, Hyacinth?

Does anyone remember the best sit com of all time, BARNEY MILLER?

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:10 AM

YES YES YES!! Kendall, I love Barney Miller! What a great show! My favorites were Fish (Abe Vigoda) and Nick (Jack Soo)!

--Matt

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Kim C
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:58 AM

We get a few Britcoms here in Nashville but I haven't watched any of them enough to say whether I like them or not. I have seen AYBS once or twice and was amused but not enough to tune in every week. (Actually I think it conflicts with Thistle & Shamrock, so who would blame me?)

There was one I used to watch, though, way back when I was in high school, and I think it was called Butterflies. The father was a dentist (and this actor is on another Britcom now) and was always stressed out about something, Mum was a housewife and they had two batty teenage sons. My favorite (and really, ONLY) memory of this show was the phone ringing and the father picking it up --- This is an answering service. PLease go away! --- and slamming it back down. Man, I've always wanted to do that.

I liked Barney Miller, too, but Wojo was my favorite.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: alison
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:18 AM

"butterflies" was a wonderful show written by Carla Lane (she, I think, also did "Bread" and "the Mistress").... often hilariously funny and heartbreakingly sad....

"the good life" is another classic which derserves re-runs

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:21 AM

You've all done very well...

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:26 AM

Just to keep Ol' Johnny on edge....."You're a fockin' puzzy".......

"Fawty Towers" tops my list with "Black Adder" close. Also, I loved "Reginald Perrin" and "Good Neighbors."

BTW...Do any of our English compatriots find the word "Britcom" offensive? Its been in use here for years. I still think that a "Britcom Network" on cable would sell in the US. Surprises me that no one has done it.

TO KENDALL AND MEEBO----"Mooshie-Mooshie" (brownie episode)

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Dorrie
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:28 AM

most of these are consisdered pretty lame over here in england

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: celticblues5
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:48 AM

Interesting thread! Iowa Public TV is very good about rotating a variety of Britcoms, plus they always offer premiums related to them at pledge time. We even have more of a variety up here than in a number of larger cities like KC. Some that haven't been mentioned yet - To the Manor Born, 'Allo 'Allo, Brittas Empire.

We've had all the ones mentioned so far EXCEPT Father Ted, Only When I Laugh, Butterflies, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Fools & Horses, and The Young Ones. (Seeing some of them is thanks to finally getting digital cable with the BBC - Chef is a stitch!) Love RD too - though it isn't quite as good since Rimmer got replaced. Of the older ones, I'd have to say Good Neighbors (terrific for those of us once involved in the back-to-the-land movement in that time period), Waiting for God, Hitchhiker, & Keeping Up Appearances.

Best non-sitcom? - Hamish MacBeth!

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Giac, not at home
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:52 AM

The ones we get now are Waiting for God, Keeping Up Appearances, Vicar of Dibley and Fawlty Towers. Vicar replaced a Canadian show, The Red Green Show, which was not enthusiastically met in this area. While it had a small, but very loyal, following, it was not enough to outweigh the cry against it.

Someone mentioned The Young Ones. I hadn't thought of it in years.

Too many years ago to count, when I lived on the Arkansas and Oklahoma border, the nearest "public" TV station was in Oklahoma, near enough to get a snowy, but recognizable picture and staticky sound. On Saturday nights, I was at home glued to Monty Python and Dr. Who.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:58 AM

Butterflies was good - the youngest kid went on to be in many later shows, including Only Fool's and Horses. That didn't make it over here (as far as I can see) and I only caught it on visits back to Engald. The main character now appears as the detective - Frost, which I really like. (I missed the first few since I thought it was another Frost called David -"Hello, good-evening and welcome)

Can't say I like Are You being seved - my opinion, but then I never liked Benny Hill either. If people are into double entendre's, I surprised that Frankie Howard hasn't had a mention.

Vicar of Dibley had a few series, I found them good watching once but tedious on repeats. Absolutely Fabulous hasn't been brought up either.

One of the best shows was Drop the Dead Donkey - about a TV news room, very current and certainly put Mary Tyler Moore to shame.

Of the American shows Barney Miller was brilliant (but why isn't it shown syndicated), and I can keep watching Frasier.

All the Ealing comedies are great films, and staying on a nostalgia trip, why don't they show Hancock's Halh Hour?

On a music type theme (though not Folk), the recent Scottish comedy on how to make it in the rock music business (A Young person's guide...?) was good, though flagging in the final 2 episodes.

Well, that's my tastes!

Cheers Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:12 AM

Hi Celticblues,

Hamish MacBeth is good, but don't forget Heartbeat - great soundtrack and who can't like Greengrass.

Did you ever see the Chef episode when he is at a competition in Lyon, misplaced his English wine and is going around all the wine cellars asking if they sell the stuff.

Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:14 AM

Wait just one durn minnit! We forget MR.BEAN!!! I love that guy!

--Matt (oooh teddy)

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: celticblues5
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:26 AM

Rana -

Don't think I caught that Chef. Haven't seen Heartbeat either - I'll keep an eye out for it on the BBC channel. Thanks for the tip! Is it as quirky as MacBeth?

Can't STAND Mr. Bean! The actor who plays him is just downright annoying! :-) I realize that's the point, but still...

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Kim C
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:30 AM

My best pal is a Bean freak and once in awhile will get her Bean videos out when I go over to her house. Our husbands think he's goofy but we dig him.

I hadn't thought about The Young Ones in about 12 years. We used to watch it on MTV on Sunday nights in the dorm when I got off work from the ice cream shoppe. I still remember Neal and his lentils in the floor. And "Hey guys, I've got an idea......"

I have to confess that Monty Python is really my favorite and our local PBS station doesn't show it anymore. I got to watch it in a hotel in Kentucky one night but I think it was on cable. They did a reenactment of the Boer War which was nothing but old ladies in a parking lot smacking each other with their purses. I thought I was going to die, and Mister had already gone to sleep and nothing would wake him, so he missed it.

For some reason, living history people are really enamored of Monty Python. If you go to a Civil War reenactment, anywhere, and you stand in the middle of the crowd and exclaim, "How do you know she's a witch?" you'll get a chorus of "she turned me into a newt." I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is probably true for Colonial and RenFaire people as well. (Sorcha, can you back me up here?) :)

I have to say, though, that even the Britcoms I don't care for are infinitely more interesting than some of the crap on American TV. (Man, I miss the Carol Burnett Show.)

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:32 AM

"Most of these are consisdered pretty lame over here in England" - that's how it goes.

There's a tremendous amount of one-upmanship and snobbbery around concerning these kind of things. Critics are the worst - knock 'em down before someone else does. Then a few years later and they get revived and they are called classics, and the same critics who knocked them will rave about them.

It's the same with movies - it's interestig to see some of the reviews of films which are now universally revered, like "It's a Wonderful Life".