America: Fry Version

[triedunture]

I managed to wrangle the first episode of Stephen Fry's America (from bitsofstephen, if you must know, you nosy person), and I just watched it. Though I should be writing. Ah, well. I thought it was highly enjoyable and, while I don't want to bore you with An American Perspective on Stephen Fry's Perspective on America...here it is anyway.

Firstly, I feel very fortunate that I've been able to see as much of this country as I have, and was familiar with nearly every place that Stephen visited. Besides Hawaii, I think I've traveled to every state. Fantastic. Okay. So.

Secondly, thank god Stephen Fry is himself. Anyone else could have been easily pompous, ungracious, or confused, but Mr Fry is not, so that it's a relief. He seems like the sort of person who genuinely is pleased and excited to be where ever he is. His enthusiasm for even the mundane ("Oh! A kitchen!") is so kind-hearted that I think, I hope, that most everyone who came in contact with him went away feeling a little more happy and special.

That was probably the most interesting aspect from y'all's point of view; it might tickle you non-Americans to see people reacting to Stephen without knowing who he is. I mean, they know he's British and he's filming for the BBC, but no one in the documentary seemed to know exactly WHO he was. And so they got a nice treat; I loved the lady in Atlantic City who exclaimed, "Oh wow! You're funny. This is a NICE fellow." His mild persona seemed to be well-matched to the chore of coming into contact with so many different kinds of people.

It made me laugh that the Vermont stop consisted of Ben & Jerry's. I was in Vermont one summer at the Scottish festival, and it is very beautiful there. And Mitt Romney in New Hampshire? Oh Lord. That man was such a train wreck. Thank goodness his run's over.

AND Boston! Squeal of joy. As the cab drives down the street in the opening, you can see those tall columns of glass on the left; that's the Holocaust memorial downtown. That's right behind city hall. And then, of course, he went over the bridge into Cambridge to go to Harvard, and you can see the city skyline as you pass over the bridge, the tall glass and antennae monolith of the Prudential Center.

I was pleased that New York was divided into Upstate and The City, because I guess most people don't think about how different they are. Even most Southerners will assume that "New York" means the city, and it's such a difference. Well, obviously, you can see that on the tape. Also, whoa, I guess NYC is characterized by: 1) racist cab drivers, 2) mobsters, and 3) Sting?

...Well, it's a living. *shrug*

Meanwhile, lolz, Maryland gets skipped hardcore. But whatever, besides crabs there ain't much going on there. I was stunned, though, by the British pronunciation. MERRY-land? Is it just me, or does everyone else pronounce it Meryl'nd, with a sort of rolling R sound?

And Gettysburg. I've been once, years and years ago, and it really is a striking place. Very beautiful now. As fifth graders, we were all required to memorize the Gettysburg Address. Was that just my school? Did everyone have to do that at some point? I imagine mine was the last generation to be forced to memorize anything. I can still do the first two or three sentences from memory.


Well, all I mean to say is, I liked it very much and I hope I can watch new episodes as they come out.

Comments

[mxdp.livejournal.com]

Just watched it myself-I've got i on tape-and it's too cute, lovely and smart for words. Loved it.
love love love love.
but it's great to hear from a real American, and what you think about him visiting all those places...
"Oh, you're funny" Oh, you don't know half of it, m'dam.

Also: Stephen: This is the dead center of the town. DEAD CENTER. *laughs at his own joke*
Me=libb.

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

I libb it/him too! And I may be biased, but I think Americans are pretty enamored of a guy like Stephen because he's so unlike any celebrity or presenter that we might have here.

*is still shaking head at "Oh! A kitchen!"*

[mxdp.livejournal.com]

You've got a country and a visitor to be proud of! He only came over to mine when he was suicidal. Yaaaaay.
That's maybe why I like him so much-he's unlike every big American celeb. But still, I'm pretty sure he got recognized from time to time.

*laughs with you* Kitchen!

[jackpy.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to watch it. Still downloading at a mere 22%, but you've re-excited me. I don't know about you but I have this severe swelling of pride at Stephen liking America. GIDDINESS!

I can't wait to see the Gettysburg bit! I've been half a dozen times for various purposes: school, fun, reenactments. But, I'm only about 2 hours away, so that's just dandy.

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

YES. I should add that I was also absurdly proud of the Americans featured in the program for not being total dicks. I mean, I think it was a good representation. I just wanted Stephen to have a good time, and I'm glad he did.

*waves flag* We didn't fuck it up! Yay, America!

[starlingthefool.livejournal.com]

All Vermont got was Ben & Jerry's? When there are so many crazy people and secessionists and hilarious farmers and really tasty restaurants?
Hmph. My state always gets shafted.

(Not like that's going to stop me from watching it and probably loving it.)

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sorry, Vermont. I mean, they also pointed out how lovely and green and wet it is. Which is more than Maryland got?

But I confess: Vermont, to me, is "upside-down New Hampshire."

[clairefry.livejournal.com]

Ooh yay, I've been waiting to get an Americans perspective on the first ep! I haven't seen it all the way through yet (I feel asleep *facepalm*), but what I've seen so far is really cool! I've read the book a couple of times but actually seeing Stephen in those places is just fabulous!

Re the Maryland thing... I think that's an English thing. The pronunciation of Mary in much of England sounds a bit Meh-rry, and so I guess Maryland will sound like Meh-rryland! In Scotland, or at least the part I'm from, it sounds like May-ry. So we'd say May-ryland. This sounds mad, I know! :D

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

It is mad. Y'all are sticking in extra syllables while we're cutting them out left and right. Maybe you're picking up our unused ones?

[clairefry.livejournal.com]

Yes I think that's what it must be! We feel sorry for the syllables you are dumping, so pick them up, dust them down and stick them into our version of the language just out of niceness! Heh-heh-heh! ;-)

[potatofiend.livejournal.com]

I say 'May-ry' too. BORDER LASS. *thumbs up*

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Did he visit Alaska?

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

Not yet, but he will. Each episode is a different region.

[hwshipper.livejournal.com]

Ooh this programme is sitting on my hard disk recorder waiting for me to find a spare hour to watch it.

BTW, don't know if you'd like a copy of this week's Radio Times with SF on the cover, but I'd happily send you my copy if you want.

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

YOU WOULD!? Oh my goodness, I would even be happy with a scan of the cover image. He's just too adorable in his little Mets uniform.

[hwshipper.livejournal.com]

Easier for me to post than scan actually (there must be decent scans of it out there?...), if you're willing to entrust me with a RL address of course :) Email me!

[potatofiend.livejournal.com]

STEPHEN.

*lols @ 'Merryland'*

In Britain we tend to say it as if it were two separate words: Mary Land. My wife, who was born in Maryland and does indeed pronounce it 'Mare'lnd', is always telling me off about it.

[cadeira.livejournal.com]

I went behind a proxy server and watched the whole thing on the BBC page as I really, really intend to buy the DVD once it´s out.

I loved the flow of the whole thing... a bit of action and fun, then something more introspective...like the Harvard guy or the really old lady (really liked he sticked to his opinion on JFK).
And D´AWWW @ lobster stroking and how he doesn´t want the deer to be shot in front of him.

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

I had never known that about Maine lobsters. By the time the lobsters were flown down to Florida to be eaten in the restaurant, you wanted them to look lively, so I guess we never bothered to learn how to put them to sleep. But it is amazing, how much work goes into catching and distributing them.

[lady529.livejournal.com]

Yeh, I'm on the Merry-land train as well.. Or, I say Mery-land, but I pronounce Mary and merry 'Mery' anyway, so..

I'm feeling a bit like a heathen for having this on my server and not having watched it. I blame the massive migraines I've been having today. Will watch as soon as head is better and I've got time.

Not shocked that people love Fry, there's a reason we do, and let's face it, if he was a complete tosser, a lot of us would class him as any other fairly talented moron who let their money and status get to their annoying little head. Or, at least I would. Still nice to know it's not the cultural thing that makes me love him so <3

The Lady 529

[cerublu02.livejournal.com]

ooh, downloading now. can't wait! *giddy*

Excluding your point of visiting most of the states (lucky girl, though Hawaii is one I have hit) all your points above? could totally be from my lips. ;) Isn't it funny how some words are so British? I recall Stephen's pronunciation of...I believe, HOUSTON, and just couldn't help but giggle. Did you notice Hugh Laurie's non-American "tissue" pronunciation in a recent HOUSE episode? I think it was the episode that was mentioned in (EW?) where he kept repeating "STUPID" because it was too British...I thought it was hilarious that tissue was OK.

Stephen! in NY! ILU STEPHEN! Is it sad that I'm this excited over Fry in America? meep. I want Ben & Jerry's Even Stephens ice cream!

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

I am also excited. I wish I could have seen him when he was here. I would have....well, I dunno. I probably wouldn't have done anything. But it would have been so exciting!

[cerublu02.livejournal.com]

In theory I would have wanted to see/meet him but I know that I would have embarrassed myself. I still will...just give me a chance! PUH-LEASE! ;)