This week, we were asked to watch a clip of actor Hugh Laurie singing on a British sketch comedy show.
The bit consisted of Hugh sitting at a baby grand piano, playing and singing. He was wearing a plaid shirt and what appeared to be a wig with a mullet. The song he sang was "America" and consisted of three words: "America," sung almost the entire length of the song, and "the States," which he switched to about three quarters of the way through the "song".
While Mr. Laurie sang the "song," the studio audience laughed in unison during moments when Laurie displayed intensity or rapture on his face. When he switched from the word "America" to "the States", the audience thought that was pretty hilarious.
At the end of the bit, a man dressed in a suit came on stage and punched Laurie in the stomach, ending the song and the skit altogether.
So, the question I'm supposed to answer is: What do each of these things tell you about how American culture looks from the point of view of a British audience?
So let's break it down:
1) Laurie chose to wear an outfit to appear as what someone in America might label a "redneck" or "hillbilly". So, we could make the assumption that British people think the majority of Americans wear this type of clothing and fashion their hair into mullets.
2) Laurie's song consisted of the sole word "America" initially, which the Brits thought was a hoot. Probably because Americans are known for being ego-centric and self-loving. The Brits were laughing because of the truth in the notion that we think only of ourselves and we think we are the best. No other words are required for such a ballad.
3) When Laurie switched over to use the words "the States," big laughs were had by all in the studio audience. I guess when Americans travel to England, we refer to our home as "The States" often? I'm not really sure. I personally never use this term to describe where I live, however the last time I went to Europe was in 2003.
4) When the man in the suit came onstage and punched Laurie, thus ending the dreadful song, the audience went wild with guffaws. So, I guess they, like me, were happy the "song" was over. But I guess it also indicates that the Brits were happy that their chosen symbol for "America" (a hillbilly singing about his beloved country) was beaten, if only to shut him up.
Okay, so we already knew how Brits felt about us. This sketch was not a shock. Insulting, yes. Shocking, heck no. They and the citizens of many other countries like to laugh at our expense. I think Will Ferrell could come up with an equally witty, if not more wordy bit for how Americans feel about Brits. I might guffaw at that.
Yes, stereotypes persist throughout the globe. They last many years, decades, even centuries. Labels are hard to shake. We will probably be "ugly Americans" for the next 500 years on this planet. I think the intelligent, thoughtful citizens of our world know enough to ignore stereotypes and judge people based on their individual qualities. Well, we could hope anyway...
I'm not so sure that was the intended target of their satire. You have to remember that this was taped 20 years ago. It's not a recent piece. We DID look like that in the music scene and we DID act like that. And they were just having fun. We have done the same thing. Everytime their parliament makes a decision that we find "strange", the first thing that happens is that it's made into a skit on the Jay Leno show or Saturday Night Live. It's a satire and they were trying to make a point (on an issue that we were persistent about 20 years ago. Remember the International Music Awards?). It's not even relevent anymore. Hurts our feelings? Possibly. But we've pulled our fair share of punches. We have The Smoking Gun and World's Most in addition to the political commentaries. There is no need to sterotype the Brits. ^_^ Especially when you consider that the skit was made (written) by one man, not the entire country. Most other countries do analyze individual qualities. We're still "ugly Americans" but the first words out of most people's mouths when you see them face to face is "Oh! Not you! We like you just fine."
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
DeleteThank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog entry. I have to totally disagree with your comments on my post. You say that I "have to remember that this was taped 20 years ago." Well, do I? How was I supposed to know the date this show was created or when it aired? I re-read the assignment and feel confident that I answered the questions posed by Prof. Bobsys well. He asks us to watch the clip, notice certain things about it, and comment on it. He did NOT ask us to remember the year it was made and to take into account the political connotations that this factor may add to the whole viewing experience. I assume that our professor asked us to watch this clip out of context and comment on it based on our readings of cultural norms and stereotypes from Chapter 3 in our textbook.
I don't know how old you are, but I am 38, so 20 years ago, I was in high school during the grunge music movement. I know for a fact that Eddie Veder wore plaid shirts only tied around his waist and Kurt Cobain wouldn't have been caught dead with a mullet. But you're implying this skit was a riff on American music in the early nineties?
Finally, you say this skit was written and performed by one man,so it doesn't represent the entire country's feelings. I'll take your word for it, because nowhere does it say who wrote the sketch. However, that doesn't discount the fact that our teacher asked us to listen to the audience's reactions to the skit and comment on it.
Hi Virginia,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your second-to-last paragraph. How the British views Americans is not surprising (and yes, Will Ferrell could definitely come up with something better than this!) Though the video is humorous, I can't help but feel slightly annoyed by the broad classification of a false stereotype. I know the exaggeration is meant to be humorous and it is, but not all Americans are uncultured and dim-witted. I'm just saying! :-)
Virginia, what a wonderfully written piece here. I share your thoughts as well, and you have made me see things I left out of my analysis. I can see how some from other countries may see us as ego-centric/self loving as well at times. I see it some times, and I live here! :)
ReplyDeleteI can see your point, as I have many friends from outside the country who claim Americans to be self entitled pains in the behind. Sometimes, I understand that, as some of us do not know how well we have it. I can see your points here as well, it seems there are a lot of different views as I look around classmate to classmate. I also think Well Ferrel would do an outstanding job re-doing this song, to poke fun playfully at other areas. great post!