Are UK TBers miffed at Jerry Seinfeld for insulting the Royal tradition?

[bassrique]

I don't think it's a big deal, but I understand the UK media is eating this up. What do regular Brits think?

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld squarely attacked the pomp and circumstance surrounding the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton—on a British TV show, no less!

Seinfeld was asked by an interviewer for Britain’s ITV morning show, “Daybreak,” if he was looking forward to the royal wedding.

“Yes, I’m very excited,” the New York native answered sarcastically. “Well it’s a circus act, it’s an absurd act.”

The former funnyman then railed into Brittan’s millennial-old tradition of formality and ceremony.

“You know, it’s a dress-up. It’s a classic English thing of let's play dress-up. Let’s pretend that these are special people," he said. "OK, we’ll all pretend that – that’s what theater is.”

As the interviewer sat slack-jawed, Seinfeld continued his rant.

“That’s why the British have the greatest theater in the world. They love to dress up and they love to play pretend. And that’s what the Royal Family is—it’s a huge game of pretend. These aren’t special people—it’s fake outfits, fake phony hats and gowns.”

Seinfeld, sensing that he was insulting the interviewer and perhaps all of England, backpedaled a little bit.

“It’s fantastic," he hedged. "We don’t have anything like that.”

The segment, taped in New York, was thrown back to the studio in London, where the show’s hosts were not amused.

“How dare he!” chided anchor Christine Bleakley.

Prim and proper Adrian Chiles was even more ruffled.

“I'll join in on any of that stuff, if it's a Brit doing it. But I can't bear Americans criticizing the Royal family," he said. "It turns me into a Royalist!”

Seinfeld is scheduled to perform at London’s O2 Arena June 3rd. It’s a safe bet that Kate and William—not to mention the hosts of “Daybreak”—will not be attending.

Jerry Seinfeld calls royal wedding ‘absurd’ and a ‘circus act’ « Entertainment

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by bassrique

I don't think it's a big deal, but I understand the UK media is eating this up. What do regular Brits think?



Jerry Seinfeld calls royal wedding ‘absurd’ and a ‘circus act’ « Entertainment

Don't quote me on this, but I was under the impression that most UK'ers want to do away with the royal family all together.

[bassrique]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Don't quote me on this, but I was under the impression that most UK'ers want to do away with the royal family all together.

Really? While I have no use for Royals [anywhere], I think murder is a bit much

[Simo98]

I highly doubt it.

[bassrique]

Originally Posted by Simo98

I highly doubt it.

Looks like you are correct:

What Polls Reveal About Britain’s Support for the Monarchy | BBCAmerica - Anglophenia blog

[Skitch it!]

I'll buy him a drink anytime

[bassrique]

Originally Posted by Skitch it!

I'll buy him a drink anytime

I understand the standing of the Royals is lower in Wales than in England, no?

[ugly_bassplayer]

Isn't he entitled to his own opinion?

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by bassrique

I understand the standing of the Royals is lower in Wales than in England, no?

Yes, indeed. Seinfield will be alright, it's nothing compared to what Morrissey had in mind in 1986, The Smiths - The Queen is Dead, huge album.

I don't bless them
Farewell to this land's cheerless marshes
Hemmed in like a boar between arches
Her very Lowness with a head in a sling
I'm truly sorry - but it sounds like a wonderful thing


I said Charles, don't you ever crave
To appear on the front of the Daily Mail
Dressed in your Mother's bridal veil ?
Oh ...
And so, I checked all the registered historical facts
And I was shocked into shame to discover
How I'm the 18th pale descendant
Of some old queen or other


Oh, has the world changed, or have I changed ?
Oh has the world changed, or have I changed ?


Some 9-year old tough who peddles drugs
I swear to God
I swear : I never even knew what drugs were
Oh ...
So, I broke into the palace
With a sponge and a rusty spanner
She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

[UncleFluffy]

I'll put up with them as long as they bring in more tourist money than they cost. Not sure about "theatre", but could agree with "living museum".

[Muzoid]

I'm with jerry...I can't wait until the wedding is over and they can get on with the royal divorce

I'm so sick of hearin' about it...I'd rather watch paint dry.

I'd buy royal wedding toilet paper if I could.

[nutdog]

If they're upset with this they must really be pissed about that whole 1776 affair.

[Gomeztool]

Yes it's theater. But I can't help to question Mr. Seinfeld's thought process. He makes his living doing the same thing.

Then he spinelessly backpedals from his rant... What a douche.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by bassrique

Looks like you are correct:

What Polls Reveal About Britain’s Support for the Monarchy | BBCAmerica - Anglophenia blog

we're not all that fond of them either.....

[superbassman2000]

From what I've seen, it's the media that is trying to make this into something bigger than it really is. It appears to me as just another celebrity wedding with all the bells and whistles.

[bassrique]

Originally Posted by Gomeztool

Yes it's theater. But I can't help to question Mr. Seinfeld's thought process. He makes his living doing the same thing.

Then he spinelessly backpedals from his rant... What a douche.

The link I posted characterized this as backpedaling:

“It’s fantastic," he hedged. "We don’t have anything like that.”

I think it's more sarcasm [Skip ahead to ~2:00]:

YouTube - Jerry Seinfeld

[Skitch it!]

I don't hate them, they are just puppet's, so out of touch with reality it is quite comical. Like an old pair of slippers you never seem to throw away, they get through a lot of taxpayers money I do know that, v.expensive ornament, and v.self serving to boot.

[UncleFluffy]

I also think that the way the Royals have acted over the last 30 years - especially QE2's kids - has been mainly responsible for the British public losing respect for them.

(Q: Who remembers It's a Royal Knockout... ?)

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

I also think that the way the Royals have acted over the last 30 years - especially QE2's kids - has been mainly responsible for the British public losing respect for them.

(Q: Who remembers It's a Royal Knockout... ?)

I probably wouldn't have watched it at the time, but I do remember these though

YouTube - Spitting Image Queen Mother Mafia Assassin

[Smokin' Toaster]

We don't have an oil spill de jure. The Japan Earthquake, tragic as it is, has lost "media appeal", and most politicians and sports figures have been keeping it in their pants. So this Royal non-event gets top billing. Still lots of folks hang on every event of the royal's life. That's sad, they should get a life of their own.