Aunt(y Beeb)s Aren’t Gentlemen

[Crusoe]

What a disappointment part one of the Classic Serial, “The Code of the Woosters” was. Andrew Sachs made a decent Jeeves but the rest of the cast seemed intent on camping and hamming in a way which would make a school panto look like the RSC. And the cartoon-like sound effects and music didn’t help either.

I know that “The Goon Show” was funny and very successful but I don’t know why the Beeb felt that, because Wodehouse is funny, his work should sound like The Goons, as well.

[Luxury Yacht]

Very similar to my own reaction, Crusoe. I had some idea of what it might be like from the trails with their Spike Jones-like musical accompaniment. However, hope springs eternal, and I did set the tape for it. The fact that I will not be able to tape the second instalment worries me not a jot.

Aunt Dahlia was frightful. Did she ever say "tinkerty-tonk" in print? Or call Gussie Fink-Nottle "Spink-Bottle"? I thought that was another character who called him that. I may of course be wrong, as I so frequently am.

Madeline Bassett was not nearly drippy enough, and I fear that giving Gussie Fink-Nottle a speech impediment like that was a little obvious.

Stiffy Byng was OK. Just OK.

I found Andrew Sachs' Jeeves nondescript, and having him talking at the same time as Bertie was annoying. You couldn't hear what he was saying, and I doubt that Jeeves would have ever been so ill-mannered or obtrusive.

[Crusoe]

Oh good. Thank you for that, Lux: I was wondering if I had turned into a Grumpy Old Man a year early.

luxuryyacht said:

I had some idea of what it might be like from the trails with their Spike Jones-like musical accompaniment..

True. Excessive trailing is rarely a good sign.

luxuryyacht said:

Aunt Dahlia was frightful. Did she ever say “tinkerty-tonk” in print? Or call Gussie Fink-Nottle “Spink-Bottle”?

Well, I ssuppose she may have done. But not like that

luxuryyacht said:

Madeline Bassett was not nearly drippy enough

No she wasn’t. Didn’t at all convey the true horror of Bertie’s potential engagement.

luxuryyacht said:

I fear that giving Gussie Fink-Nottle a speech impediment like that was a little obvious.

Not to mention annoying.

luxuryyacht said:

I found Andrew Sachs' Jeeves nondescript

You may have a point. I suppose that by being nondescript he became unobtrusive which is one of the qualities Jeeves should possess. But you’re right:

luxuryyacht said:

having him talking at the same time as Bertie was annoying. You couldn't hear what he was saying, and I doubt that Jeeves would have ever been so ill-mannered or obtrusive.

that was particularly annoying. It might work on television but is a horrible mess on radio.

I think I’ll be around to listen to it next Sunday but I might find better things to do.