Post-script: 'historians' and 'truth.'

[victoriavandal.livejournal.com]

A post-script to my previous post - some of you might like this - it's from the last U.S. election night coverage on the BBC - it's the wee small hours of the morning (Obama's big victory speech was on at 5am here) and methinks someone has been enjoying the BBC's 'hospitality' room a bit...but I love Dimbleby's little comment right at the end here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3v-wmqc27U&feature=related and there' this, too... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCQrnSQ4rTo&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=D638E3BA48901241&index=21 (that should be the Dead Ringers / Simon Schama's fee sketch: the woman who is now head of BBC2 factual programming - and salaries - thinks the man is a towering genius whose book 'Citizens' changed her life. Blimey. Explains a lot about BBC history programmes, though: the pro-English Revolution 1640's set drama the Devil's Whore was dropped by the BBC (I'm guessing when they realised Charles 1 wasn't going to be the 'hero') and made instead by the independent Channel4).

P.P.S. For a taste of BBC things to come, the entire episode of Schama's last televisual rant against the French Revolution has been posted on Youtube. Dig the spotty teenage Robespierre, and the even spottier Danton (who looks like a wino), scabby Marat, not to mention the hideously deformed David himself - the old 'French Revolution as Zoo' approach....it's not pleasant, but anyone out there who wants more stuff for essays etc. on right-wing/revisionist/reactionary/pop cultural 'takes' on the revolution can use this as a good example of the genre. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDi6jyifhY4

Comments

[maelicia.livejournal.com]

I still have to load (with my very slow internet) the first vids, but: yay (irony) for Schama's nonsense on Youtube. I've been wanting to traumatize myself with his frothing hatred of David and the Revolution in a while. Also, his intro with the taffeta spheroid makes no sense. I know he's trying to fit in context. But... IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. Randomest thing ever. Such as the fake French accent with the Figaro actor. It's just hilarious. With his close-up, his make-up and his weird face. It's just... wow, great comedy. He frighteningly reminds me Stephen Rea's Santiago in Interview with the Vampire too... sorry, but he DOES. Including the fake accent.

And I'm not even speaking of the sweating Danton. It's not even worth mentionning. Stuff for nightmares.

[maelicia.livejournal.com]

And lol, David is shown having half of a Glasgow smile. It's soooo not what my books say or how they say the tumor happened. Damn, 'historians' and 'truth', indeed.

[victoriavandal.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_mVRXEky_0&feature=related

I've just found this online as well - this was broadcast last year, Channel 4, aimed at a young-ish audience, on David and Goya. The presenter is an art critic better known as the champion of 1990's 'Brit Art' (pickled sharks etc.), and political history clearly isn't his strong point. I think the best answer to this sort of thing is to get into a position to write/make a programme that treats the subject properly.