Quote: chipolata @ May 14 2009, 1:21 PM BSTIt's either that or working. And work's no fun since Hot Underage Jap Girl went off to do her GCSEs.
Bloody selfish, some people. How dare she!
Comparing TV Schedules 1970s & Now Page 12
Quote: Timbo @ May 14 2009, 1:18 PM BSTI have no problem with the casting of a large muscular man as Friar Tuck, that is in keeping with the original depiction in the ballad of Robin and the Curtail Friar, and indeed with Sir Walter Scott's depiction in Ivanhoe. I do not necessarily have a problem with him being a black man, so long an explanation, however contrived and perfunctory, is given as to how a black monk became a monk and found his way to the thirteenth century east midlands. (Other depictions notably Robin of Sherwood and Prince of Thieves have had a token Saracen, and been none the worse for it.)
What I struggle with is the depiction of black people in positions of authority in Medieval England (and in Robin Hood they always are depicted in positions of authority, there are no black peasants), not because it is an anachronism, but because it is a lie. Black actors have played Shakespearean monarchs with distinction on the stage, but television is a much more literal medium, requiring less suspension of disbelief, and therefore much more likely to be taken at face value - even tosh like this - particularly by a generation ignorant of history. If young people believe that medieval hotties wore lipgloss, that is sad, but of no real import. But if kids grow up believing that England has always been a racially integrated society, that is a subversion of the truth to serve a social purpose, admirable perhaps in intention, but a lie for all that.
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Prezunctly. Pre-e-e-zunctly.
Quote: Timbo @ May 14 2009, 1:18 PM BSTWhat I struggle with is the depiction of black people in positions of authority in Medieval England (and in Robin Hood they always are depicted in positions of authority, there are no black peasants), not because it is an anachronism, but because it is a lie.
Maybe if you look at it as an attempt at inclusion, showing a more relevant society to the audience than a history lesson, you'd feel better?
I think children are generally pretty good at figuring out what is fantasy and what is real history.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ May 14 2009, 1:58 PM BSTMaybe if you look at it as an attempt at inclusion, showing a more relevant society to the audience than a history lesson, you'd feel better?
Well said, indeed. Surely what the Beeb are going for, rather than some petty attempt at 'PC'.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ May 14 2009, 1:58 PM BSTI think children are generally pretty good at figuring out what is fantasy and what is real history.
And stabbing. They're good at that too.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ May 14 2009, 1:58 PM BSTMaybe if you look at it as an attempt at inclusion, showing a more relevant society to the audience than a history lesson, you'd feel better?
In which case, why not just place it in modern Sherwood? Like Baz Luhrmann's dodgy and mind-numbingly dragging late 1990s interpretation of Romeo and Juliet.
Quote: Aaron @ May 14 2009, 2:14 PM BSTIn which case, why not just place it in modern Sherwood?
What, and they're all staying at Centre Parcs? 
I've been to that one! I think.
Quote: zooo @ May 14 2009, 2:19 PM BSTI've been to that one! I think.
Ha ha, so have I!
I can just imagine Robin Hood in the queue for the water slides.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ May 14 2009, 2:21 PM BSTHa ha, so have I!
I can just imagine Robin Hood in the queue for the water slides.
This present Robin would be too scared of messing his hair up IMO
Very true.
The big ponce.
I think Mr Praed would have been more concerned about his mullet.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ May 14 2009, 2:15 PM BSTWhat, and they're all staying at Centre Parcs?
I really wouldn't know of such a plebian place.
Quote: maidenpriest @ May 14 2009, 2:24 PM BSTThis present Robin would be too scared of messing his hair up IMO
Oh, that reminds of a makeup-ish thing which I did notice and complained about. In the Christmas 2007 Oliver Twist serial on BBC One, Oliver's hair was impossibly straight, highlighted, neat and clean.
Quote: Aaron @ May 14 2009, 2:31 PM BSTOh, that reminds of a makeup-ish thing which I did notice and complained about. In the Christmas 2007 Oliver Twist serial on BBC One, Oliver's hair was impossibly straight, highlighted, neat and clean.
Oh Dear, stupid little details like this really annoy me
Quote: maidenpriest @ May 14 2009, 2:45 PM BSTOh Dear, stupid little details like this really annoy me
Yeah, we've gathered that!