Friday 31 December 2010

Even Germany Finds It Funny. Happy New Year.

There is nobody less nationalistic than Grumpy Old Ken. I don't often believe in waving the flag, very low key is Grumpy. But I admit I get great satisfaction that virtually the whole of Germany watches Freddy Frinton on German television on New Years Eve. Very British humour, very funny though perhaps an acquired taste. And would someone, German or otherwise explain to me what exactly is the German interest in such an archaic British institution. And a Happy New Year to you all.

253 comments:

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A Woman Of No Importance said...

I find it funny too, when hardly anyone British has heard of Freddie Frinton - German colleagues told me it became a festive tradition, to watch the show on New Year's Eve, or Day, I can't remember...

They do love the slapstick elements, it seems, and the catchphrases - Interestingly, it was one of the first German produced video recordings - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner_for_One

A Happy New Year to you, Sir - May you have a good year! x

the fly in the web said...

German friends introduced it to us...but they don't know when it became a cult thing...they grew up with it!

I am playing it tonight for Costa Rican friends when we go over to their house for New Year...

And whenever mother wonders aloud why Britain bothered to go to war with Germany given the current state of the country I remind her that if they had won she would have to sit through this every New Year...by order!

Kitty said...

I'd never heard of it before - thank you for introducing it :-D I hope you and your family enjoy a very good 2011. :) x

Kitty said...

Ken ... the comment you left at my blog is one with a 'no-return' address, so I couldn't email you. In answer to your question, the camera I currently use is a Canon EOS 450D - a DSLR, but a couple of years old now. It has been such a great camera to learn with - I don't envisage me changing it anytime soon. I look forward to reading about your new camera, and seeing what you do with it! Take care :) x

Eddie Bluelights said...

First time I've see him Ken - hilarious! LOL
Happy New year ~ Eddie

ADDY said...

Having lived in Germany, I can confirm this is true. It is their equivalent of watching Morecambe and Wise at Christmas. Germans tend to like visual humour (like Laurel and Hardy or Chaplin) rather than subtle humour. But then I think it is because the English language is so rich that our own humour tends to play on words rather than the visual.

ADDY said...

Having lived in Germany, I can confirm this is true. It is their equivalent of watching Morecambe and Wise at Christmas. Germans tend to like visual humour (like Laurel and Hardy or Chaplin) rather than subtle humour. But then I think it is because the English language is so rich that our own humour tends to play on words rather than the visual.

Moannie said...

There's nowt so queer as folk, Ken. Thank you for this odd insight into the German psyche.

Happy New Year. XX

Keith said...

When I was young I always watched Freddie Frinton, he always played the part of a drunk. I think he was the funniest comedians I have ever seen.

Believe it or not, but he never touched a drop of alcohol in his life, he based his characters by observing real drunks.

Jen said...

This is hilarious! I love slapstick humour! SO FUNNY AHAHAHA

Anonymous said...

haha.. funny :D
The best of luck to you!



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Mark's Space said...

Thanks and great fun ~ I've encountered some people who are similar.

Irene Palfy said...

Somehow I am not feeling to well with these comments - it's giving me the feeling that all Germans are a bit ill-bred: they like more simpler fun ("harhar - someone iz fallink on hiz head! zat'z zo funny!!")

I don't think that this is something which is applying for ALL Germans - while ALL English are fans of a more subtle/clever linguistic humor.

It's true that this sketch runs on many broadcast stations on New Year's Eve - but most of my friends and family think it is dull (and that's what I am thinking, too.) - and some of them like it very much.

But: Because of this I would not say that the Germans in general don't like the sketch - or like it. And I surely would not judge someone's humor because of one sketch he/she likes.

Another show which runs every New Year's Eve is one episode of 1970s tv series "Ein Herz und eine Seele" which is far more tartly and political.
And another is a play in which a gossiping dame is messing up an apartment house (well, more it's tennants..) - a bit harmless and just funny.

My comment may be a bit overdone but:

Not all Germans are little Einsteins - nor Neanderthals.

Nor are all American dumb folks who only care for the brightest Christmas illumination.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

fly in the web
Great, you have to laugh!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Kitty
Thanks, same to you!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Kitty
Good choice no doubt. I wanted something that would definitely go in a pocket.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Eddie
Interesting how many of our age have never seen him. ah for the past!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Addy
Interesting analysis, are Germans as serious as they are made out.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

moannie
i wrote a book once called 'There's nowt so strange as folk'!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

keith
I think he came from Grimsby, now thats not funny!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Jen
Glad you liked it, its very old and very British in a way.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

alessahilton
Thanks, glad you liked it.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Irene Palfrey
Fascinating. But dont take life too serious, as long as we do laugh at whatever on occasion. Have a good new year.

Anonymous said...

This is a old norwegian tradicion to - to watch this on Tv december the 23.
The same procedure as every year!
And its as funny as allways;-)
Another tradicion at the same level at Chrismas in Norway is to watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L66pCfVCAy0&feature=&p=3F7D2AF6E1A9C063&index=0&playnext=1
here you can read about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%99i_o%C5%99%C3%AD%C5%A1ky_pro_Popelku

Soozcat said...

Perhaps the Germans find Freddie Frinton amusing for the same unfathomable reason the French crack up at Jerry Lewis.

Mysterious indeed are the ways of humor.

Star said...

Wonderful! I love British humor, but have never seen anything by Freddie Frinton. This is delightful, and I can see why it's played every year on German T.V. I think I'll share it with my ESL class. Thanks for another wonderful post!

Hattori HANZo said...

As a German living in Germany I can assure you again that this really is a Christmas classic around here. Usually it is watched at Christmas Eve, which is btw also the common time to get your presents here.

It seems that this kind of tradition is dying out a bit, though. People below the age of 25 often don't know about it.

Emma said...

This is also shown every New Year's eve at 11pm in Denmark, and is now firmly part of the festivities!

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