Notes on life, art, photography and technology, by a Danish dropout bohemian.
When you drink the water, remember the river.
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Friday, May 01, 2009
John Cleese Philosophers in Oxford
The Secret Policeman's Balls. 1977. Overall pretty spotty, I have to admit, but I liked this one, quite innovative. I got it on a DVD and wanted to share it with you.
I think that's the first time I've noticed Dr Jonathon Miller doing comedy.
He's one of those popular, engaging, but sometimes unobtainable celebrities.
I started watching his series about faith, which was very interesting, and I liked Alice in Wonderland (apart from Sellars being too much as per usual). Still, despite his 40 or 50 years exposure in the public eye, I have seen little of him or his works.
Now, that is Miller there isn't it? Or am I completely lost?
I quite like that end of the world sketch with Pete and Dud and others on top of the mountain, and Rowan Atkinson asking "Will this wind..."
It's been an age since I saw the Secret Policemans Ball, and The Secret Policemans Other Ball as they used to be called.
Yes it's Dr Miller. And I can tell you it's a very wicked parody of the way philosophers conversed in 1950's Cambridge. (And I suppose Oxford, but Miller went to Cambridge as I did.) I think they got their method of conversation from Ludwig Wittgenstein who was very influential and died just before I went up, but was frequently quoted.
True, but I think it's as if you're in a zoo watching animals of a strange species interacting with themselves, taking apparently trivial things so seriously as to become unconscious of how they are behaving, and if you're not into linguistic philosophy this is both absurd and amusing.
I think that's the first time I've noticed Dr Jonathon Miller doing comedy.
ReplyDeleteHe's one of those popular, engaging, but sometimes unobtainable celebrities.
I started watching his series about faith, which was very interesting, and I liked Alice in Wonderland (apart from Sellars being too much as per usual). Still, despite his 40 or 50 years exposure in the public eye, I have seen little of him or his works.
Now, that is Miller there isn't it? Or am I completely lost?
I quite like that end of the world sketch with Pete and Dud and others on top of the mountain, and Rowan Atkinson asking "Will this wind..."
It's been an age since I saw the Secret Policemans Ball, and The Secret Policemans Other Ball as they used to be called.
I'm not sure. Is it Peter Cook?
ReplyDeletePretty sure it's not Peter Cook.
ReplyDeleteYes it's Dr Miller. And I can tell you it's a very wicked parody of the way philosophers conversed in 1950's Cambridge. (And I suppose Oxford, but Miller went to Cambridge as I did.) I think they got their method of conversation from Ludwig Wittgenstein who was very influential and died just before I went up, but was frequently quoted.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
ReplyDeleteBut wouldn't it be very few people who had ever heard any philosophers talk like this?
True, but I think it's as if you're in a zoo watching animals of a strange species interacting with themselves, taking apparently trivial things so seriously as to become unconscious of how they are behaving, and if you're not into linguistic philosophy this is both absurd and amusing.
ReplyDelete