Yet another reason to travel to the UK

7 thoughts on “Yet another reason to travel to the UK”

1. QI is fantastic. And David Mitchell is one of my favorite guests (as well as one of my favorite comedians).

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2. I enjoy running across it every time I travel here. This was the ep I caught tonight, and it's worth it just for discussion of the Bayeux Tapestry (which, we learn, is neither a tapestry nor from Bayeux).

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3. I was going to say what Colm said, almost word for word. But I’ve said this instead.

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4. QI isn’t shown on BBC America because of all the images used- the licencing would be a nightmare. The format has been sold around the world (it was the host of the Dutch version that showed the US pronunciation of Van Gogh was ludicrous: US Van Go, UK Van Goff, actual Van Hoch (gutteral as in loch).
   Use this information to make sure people know they are intellectual dwarfs.
   “I love van go”
   “Who?”
   “The painter of this picture.”
   “Oh no, this was painted by van Hocgh”

   Apparently, the reason its not licences in the US is that US execs think its too intellectual for the Yanks.

   When you are in UK also check out Only Connect, hosted by the incredibly sexy (to men who find brains sexy as well as looks) Victoria Coren Mitchell (note second half of surname)

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   1. @LH – Huh, I wouldn’t have thought the imagery would be an issue. Silly me. On the other hand, I have no doubt that US execs think it’s too intellectual for the majority. And, sadly, they are probably correct.

      I was familiar with the (incorrect) American and (bit less) British pronunciation of Van Gogh. I’ve been unsuccessful in figuring out why the US pronounces it that way, though the best suggestion I saw was “presumably influenced by the “-gh” pronunciation in words like “though”.” I have, however, spent more time in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam than I ever need to do again.

      I actually referred to “Only Connect” the day before. That’s a lot of fun, commentary on Ms Mitchell notwithstanding.

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5. Oops sorry – didn’t see the earlier post.

   And what is wrong with appreciating Victoria on every level? 😀 Can you imagine the snark-fest the Mitchell-Coren household can turn into?

   There are so many images in QI, and the rights holder needs to be paid everybroadcast – I can imagine repeats in the UK are one thing, but trying to get all of them to agree on a US broadcast fees would be problematic.

   QI, the only quiz show where the Audience has won (at least twice), and Barack Obama lost (-10 points for saying he is the 44th holder of the Presidency)

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6. I’m interested in how you find the general tone of British TV. Did you see anything like “mock the week” or “have I got news for you”? I feel that we are more disrespectful of those in power: obviously I have limited experience of US TV, only imports, but it seems blander than ours.

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