Bitesize Ep 108 - Understanding British Humour Through a Cult Sitcom

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Hello and welcome to the British English Podcast, the show that helps you better understand British culture and exposes you to British English along the way. And in this one, we're going overseas. Actually, to the other side of the world, where the mega rich are buying up property, or certainly were during the pandemic, as a place to go if the world ends.

I'm talking about New Zealand, you know, where Lord of the Rings was mostly filmed. And we're appreciating the Kiwis today. Kiwi being the nickname or uh demonym for people who live in New Zealand. Um, one that you can use without sounding rude, racist, or insensitive. I believe they like the term, or at least they don't dislike it, so you can use it, unless of course you're an Australian and you say those effing key ways.

Um, effing being the F word, but getting away with it, not actually saying it.

So yeah, um New Zealand, um, because of a couple of comedians from New Zealand who wrote a comedy sitcom back in the nineties. And I watched it at uni. which was around 2010, let's say. And honestly, it's it stayed with me since then, partly because of the musical accompaniment they managed to weave into it so well, which Normally isn't my bag, but they're just

so good at it and really funny in my opinion that I occasionally think of these songs still to this very day. And I thought of one the other day when I was on a date with my wife and uh I looked around the room And I said to her, I said to her. You're the most beautiful girl in the room. I know I sound like I'm just laughing to myself about what I said once, but there's uh as always. context missing that I'd like to explore with you today. So, um, in this episode I'm introducing you

to a sitcom to deepen your appreciation for British humour. I know it was written, directed, and carried out by a couple of Kiwis, but we'll talk about that. And to give you an insight into their style of humour, I'm going to play pause and commentate regularly for copyright reasons. on uh one of my favorite songs from their sitcom.

So uh yeah, let's get into it, shall we? Before we do, this episode comes with a free lesson pack for you to download to get the best vocabulary that comes up naturally in this episode. To do that, click the link in the show notes description box or comment section or scan the QR code on screen right now and that will give you access to that list of vocabulary along with active exercises that will help you 3x

your learnings today. As in, you're three times more likely to remember that vocabulary tomorrow if you get that lesson pack and do what I suggest. So do that right now and enjoy the rest of this episode. As I said, scan that QR code or click that link and it will take you to this page, fill out your name and email, and then I will be able to send it directly to your email inbox.

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We heard you. Nine years of bring back the snack wrap and you've won. But maybe you should have asked for more?

While you can. So this song is in the first episode of the first season of a show called Flight of the Concords. And it's called You're the Most Beautiful Girl. In the room. Right? Not the world, the room. And the lyrics will explain the story, but I suppose you might want to know that the show follows two guys in their mid-twenties. who are in a musical duo that is so far from ever taking off its painful.

Um, they have one fan called Mel, who plays her part very well. She's a bit of a stalker, uh, and follows them to their gigs, of which they rarely get any. But yeah, so a couple of failing musicians. Oh, and they're actually living in New York. They play as New Zealanders who are incredibly broke living in New York. But one night they go to their mate.

House party Dave and Jermaine, one of the two band members, uh breaks into song when he sees a good-looking girl. All right. Take it away, Jermaine and Brett, the other guy. I love it. I absolutely love it. I think I love those lines so much because They're like the epitome of realism in comparison to the romantically exaggerated cliche of being the most beautiful girl in the world, right? Um it's like uh given the circumstances

Um I've calculated that your attractiveness is is superior to all other people in this immediate area in this specific moment in time. So yes, for that reason you have my attention. Panana on the Definitely in the top three So you're doubling down on the idea that you're obviously not the most attractive. Come on. What are the odds of that? No, statistically, you're probably within uh the top percentile when we confine that data point to a very small and real life scenario. Yes. Do it.

Ooh, we're a legend, Dave. Aside from just oozing with jealousy at not being able to hit those notes as well as they can, um, because I can't really sing. To save my life. Um I think what's really comical about this is the normalcy of knowing his place in life. You know, not expecting much. And being shocked if anyone is remarkably more than average in his world, because Dave's average, right?

His name is even Average. So how the hell has my average friend, Dave, managed to get an attractive human, given the context, to be in the same room as somebody average like me? Classic, absolutely classic subpar male communication skills there, I think. You know, attempt to feign a mild level of interest in your friend's emotions. Until they slightly inconvenience you and your uh libido's desires.

I think uh the ability to be so melodic and smooth and at the same time state that she's feeling really awkward at this party and doesn't know who to talk to. So he sees this as his golden opportunity to approach her, but he must do it in the pitch black to avoid looking less hideous. It's it's just so un-American. I know they can take the piss out of themselves, but usually uh they like to self-promote, big things up and make things more than they are. And I think this is what Brit

Australians and New Zealanders share that Americans don't. This ability to find the bleakness in life so bloody hilarious. which is which is where the original TV show, The Office um from the UK was born from.

the average life of an average boss in an average company. And you almost don't l you don't like the main character. And although I I I do love the American office as well, they are really different. Um 'Cause they had to change the American office when they when they when they did the first season they realized that people weren't enjoying

watching this character in the same way. So they had to soften the cruelty, add warmth and um turn the the bleak realism into emotional optimism to make it work for an American audience.

So good. It's so simple yet it pulls so many thoughts and assumptions together. You're not jaw-droppingly gorgeous. You're just you know, nice enough to get the punters in, or to be able to upsell a table of four to a slightly more expensive bottle of wine and order a dessert at the end. But again, to stress You can't just rely on your looks. You'd need to be contributing to society in some functional way. And on top of that, you do well because of your slightly better than average looks.

Yeah, they were glamorous. I mean I can only reference films like Catch Me If You Can. And others, but I imagine yeah, they were, right? I don't know if you can remember that. I don't know what age how old you are. Um but yeah, these days anyone can can be an air hostess. Crew members, crew members. Well anyone can be one of them, right? Because you know, we're not allowed to discriminate anymore, which is a good thing.

And it's at this point I encourage you to watch the video or the episode because he's pulling off some brilliantly underwhelming moves, swaying from side to side just limply. And then uh yeah, get ready. for my favorite lines. Um and it's done in a in a POV frame. Rather like Peep Show, does it? Another amazing sitcom for you to watch if you haven't watched that yet. That that frame is kind of

point of view, POV, and I think what it does is it it drills home the unpleasantness of it all because it's it's just too close for comfort, really. And his big face is is in the camera's lens.

And that ladies and gentlemen to me is one of the best lyrics in a verse you'll ever be able to make. It's it's so catchy. I just want to sing it on loop as loud as possible on a bus. And why I guess I mean the video, the show, again, it goes from a dark living room ambient. to a really, really bright, harsh, almost like the light bulbs used in school classrooms, harshness in the canteen of the kebabshar.

And he's holding a stick of meat while singing across the table in her face, uh, while she's trying to dab her mouth with her napkin to show some dignity. Um and I guess I guess this could be a cultural thing, but in the in the clubbing scene in the UK and other similar cultures, you'd potentially do this. You'd potentially pick up some fast food after having pulled. And then uh and then you might ask.

Oh goodness me. Um okay, well to feel someone up on a couch or sofa, if you're British, means to likely engage your uh mouth lips. with said persons. Mouth lips while you move your hands around uh hopefully erogenous zones of said partner, typically done above and not beneath. Clothing. Don't know why I said mouth lips. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Listening to this podcast, Smart Move, being financially savvy.

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than the shape, it's who's wearing it. Serum lipstick. Why not? Why not? Trees can be. Trees can be pretty. I don't know why. Why did he compare her to a tree? It's just a lovely, random, inanimate object that arouses no one, right? I can't imagine there's a tree fetish out there, is there? He's there. Might need to check this. There actually is. So it's called um dendrophilia, which refers to sexual or romantic attraction to trees or plants.

It is extremely rare and most people with it simply experience emotional or symbolic attachment rather than physical sexual acts. Oh good. Good. Okay. Uh, where were we? Oh yes, he was about to give us another uh simile of being so beautiful. So good. Love it. Again, the common theme of normalcy, right? And mediocrity is what so many people enjoy about this TV show and song and and the whole genre of comedy, I guess. which is both self deprecating and deadpan.

And Deadpan is essentially saying something um funny. Without smiling. Um, yeah. So it's it's using little to no facial expressions or body language to indicate that you're joking while saying something outrageous. So um coming across really emotionally flat. And again, this is something that the cousins across the pond do not share a fondness. Next to me. Продолжение следует...

It's a brilliant ending with a nod to the fact that life is not a film. Emily in Paris is not reality. No one wakes up looking that perfect. You should see my hair at the moment when I wake up.'Cause I I'm trying to um grow it out to see if I can unlock a more mature look with medium length, wavy curls. You know, think um think Bradley Cooper, Pedro Pascal, Eric Banner. But um my God. My stubborn mop for a head of hair looks like

Krusty the clown dyed his hair brown every morning. I keep saying to myself, When it's long it'll be magical, but every day that dream weakens. Anyway, I hope you go and give Flight of the Concords a watch. It's uh it's not that mainstream, but those who love comedy respect it. And I just feel an instant connection with someone who I meet that has seen it and likes it. 'Cause it's it's pretty absurd comedy at the same time as being um totally mundane.

And my God, if I met a non-native who appreciated this show and referenced it in a way that was contextually relevant, I think I'd have to just kiss them right there and then, using my mouth lips, of course. Yeah. I need to end this episode, don't I? Yeah. All right, that's all folks. Remember to um grab the free lesson pack that helps you revise some of the best native expressions that came up

in this episode in an active way that 3x is your likelihood of remembering them tomorrow. To do that, scan the QR code on screen or click the link in the description box. show notes or comments section. Then if you wanted to unlock the transcripts, extended glossary and flashcards, then check out the premium podcast membership on my website, which is the British Englishpodcast.com.

And then if you wanted to join a lovely community of like-minded intermediate to advanced learners on a weekly basis, going through a lovely rhythm of self-study, Zoom classes, one-to-one feedback and speaking practice, then check out The Academy. Again, over on my website. But yeah, thank you very much for reaching the end of this episode. I very much appreciate your listenership. I've been Charlie, and you've been

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