Much underrated, was Larry Grayson. He was sharp, quick witted and intelligent, which was why his version of The Generation Game worked so well. Whether he would be given the space to be a success today is debatable. Beautifully played by the inimitable Mark Gatiss in the recent drama, Nolly, about tea time soap opera (Crossroads) queen and icon Noele Gordon - played by Helen Bonham Carter.
I grew up very near to where Larry lived. I never met him, but I can remember plenty of people telling stories about him. He was exactly the same in real life as on tv and everyone seemed to adore him. Even my mother's straight male friend, who was shocked by his unwelcome advances when a very innocent teenager, still talks of him with affection.
I read this yesterday but thought about it before coming back to leave a negative comment. As funny as Larry Grayson was in his day this clip is very unappropriate in the present day in my opinion, an actor imititating a Nazi officer for laughs isn't the done thing these days and it's very hurtful and offensive not only for families with dreadful memories but also present day German people.. I was surprised that you showed it and said the German part is the bit you love, I think and hope perhaps it's an error of judgement on your part and that you didn't realise the full implications of it. The clip made me sad, I've visited here for so long, I'd be interested to read your reply but of course you're also free to delete my comment. It is after all your blog.
Oh I knew the impact of it and knew it would spark discussion. the clip was, of course , a product of its time and would not be appropriate now for all sorts of reasons . i think you have over egged your pudding by saying how hurtful it would be, and what an error of judgement it is for me to say i laughed at it...rubbish,,,, i found it funny for all manner of different reasons, its sudden juxtaposition into the joke, its silliness, its part of an obvious add lib by Pertwee, dont be sad, be kind to yourself go and spend your time more productively and more happily. with other blogs you are more akin with best wishes John Gray
My son in law is German and has no problems whatsoever. His attitude is that as soon as we deny the past we stop seeing and learning and start censoring and denying.
Will Debbie return after your reply to her, I doubt it after telling her to go and spend time with other blogs. I don't understand why you have to be so unkind. You've changed John and not for the better, some of your recent replies to readers have been downright unkind. To read back on this blog to the days when you were with your husband is like reading about a different person, when you seemed to be a kind and considerate man. I'm also a long time reader but that's it, I'm out.
I'm not sure I understand why people feel the need to announce their departure. If they want to go, just bloody go, or are they hoping you beg them to stay? Is it perhaps the electronic version of 'flouncing'? I don't approve of 'flouncing', it's childish, petulant and extremely petty! X
Yorkshire Liz I agree that the past shoudn't be denied, we have a friend of German descent and his opinion is that it shouldn't be denied but neither should it be used for comedic reasons and I think in this day and age the majority of us also know that would be wrong.
Col "flouncing" made me smile, I guess John may not agree with my comment but hey isn't a difference of opinion a healthy thing sometimes? Being 6ft 2 and a tad burly I haven't a flounce in me although after being butted up the backside by a grumpy ewe this morning I could do a good impression! After also trapping my hand in a gate last week and falling in a burn yesterday I'll be joyful to set off for home in the morning. Spent 2 weeks in the North West of England helping a buddy with lambing and fencing jobs and now ready for home back in Scotland where they wouldn't be impressed with a flounce!
I'm not new pal, commented here before. A gin drinker eh? Mother's Ruin. No gin here tonight but a wee dram of good whiskey with friends went down well.
That was a joy to watch! I have no problem at all with you posting it, it's a part of our cultural history, if people find it funny, great, if they don't, tough luck! We can't ever erase history, just because a few snowflakes get their knickers in a twist about something! X
My mum loved him and today still I quote him when I suddenly notice the untidness in my house " Look at the muck in ere" - "What a grey day " and "Seems like a nice boy "x
Thanks for the morning titter! I'd forgotten how funny Larry Grayson was. Hope you have a gay day, John. xx
ReplyDeleteMuch underrated, was Larry Grayson. He was sharp, quick witted and intelligent, which was why his version of The Generation Game worked so well. Whether he would be given the space to be a success today is debatable. Beautifully played by the inimitable Mark Gatiss in the recent drama, Nolly, about tea time soap opera (Crossroads) queen and icon Noele Gordon - played by Helen Bonham Carter.
ReplyDeleteI grew up very near to where Larry lived. I never met him, but I can remember plenty of people telling stories about him. He was exactly the same in real life as on tv and everyone seemed to adore him. Even my mother's straight male friend, who was shocked by his unwelcome advances when a very innocent teenager, still talks of him with affection.
ReplyDeleteI loved Larry Grayson 'here a bit there a bit, what a gay day!' He was a joy to watch.
ReplyDeleteMy Nana used to love Larry Grayson. 🙂
ReplyDeleteThanks for this -- I watched "Nolly" but had no idea who Larry Grayson was, having never seen any of his TV bits. Now I have a better idea!
ReplyDeleteThe Arab guy loses it.
ReplyDeleteThat's the bit that cracked me up, too. x
DeleteMe as well . I don't know how he kept it together that long and at least he had a place to hide.
DeleteThat takes me back ..... Larry Grayson was funny and quite unique for the time. XXXX
ReplyDeleteAfter your sad week, am glad the weekend has brought you laughter and a gay day!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Thanks for the comments , I’ve got home after a long day , to face another one tomorrow. Xxx
DeleteHere's a song you might enjoy! It is quite gay!
ReplyDeletehttps://orvillepeck.lnk.to/Cowboys
I'm waiting to see Ursula's comment.
ReplyDeleteI read this yesterday but thought about it before coming back to leave a negative comment.
ReplyDeleteAs funny as Larry Grayson was in his day this clip is very unappropriate in the present day in my opinion,
an actor imititating a Nazi officer for laughs isn't the done thing these days and it's very hurtful and offensive not only for families with dreadful memories but also present day German people..
I was surprised that you showed it and said the German part is the bit you love, I think and hope perhaps it's an error of judgement on your part and that you didn't realise the full implications of it.
The clip made me sad, I've visited here for so long, I'd be interested to read your reply but of course you're also free to delete my comment. It is after all your blog.
Oh I knew the impact of it and knew it would spark discussion.
Deletethe clip was, of course , a product of its time and would not be appropriate now for all sorts of reasons . i think you have over egged your pudding by saying how hurtful it would be, and what an error of judgement it is for me to say i laughed at it...rubbish,,,, i found it funny for all manner of different reasons, its sudden juxtaposition into the joke, its silliness, its part of an obvious add lib by Pertwee,
dont be sad, be kind to yourself
go and spend your time more productively and more happily. with other blogs you are more akin with
best wishes
John Gray
My son in law is German and has no problems whatsoever. His attitude is that as soon as we deny the past we stop seeing and learning and start censoring and denying.
DeleteWill Debbie return after your reply to her, I doubt it after telling her to go and spend time with other blogs. I don't understand why you have to be so unkind. You've changed John and not for the better, some of your recent replies to readers have been downright unkind.
DeleteTo read back on this blog to the days when you were with your husband is like reading about a different person, when you seemed to be a kind and considerate man.
I'm also a long time reader but that's it, I'm out.
auf wiedersehen goodbye.m
DeleteAnother flis? Oh please no.
DeleteBy the way Allo Allo continues to be broadcasted including Herr flick x
DeleteI'm not sure I understand why people feel the need to announce their departure.
DeleteIf they want to go, just bloody go, or are they hoping you beg them to stay?
Is it perhaps the electronic version of 'flouncing'?
I don't approve of 'flouncing', it's childish, petulant and extremely petty! X
Yorkshire Liz
DeleteI agree that the past shoudn't be denied, we have a friend of German descent and his opinion is that it shouldn't be denied but neither should it be used for comedic reasons and I think in this day and age the majority of us also know that would be wrong.
Col
Delete"flouncing" made me smile, I guess John may not agree with my comment but hey isn't a difference of opinion a healthy thing sometimes?
Being 6ft 2 and a tad burly I haven't a flounce in me although after being butted up the backside by a grumpy ewe this morning I could do a good impression!
After also trapping my hand in a gate last week and falling in a burn yesterday I'll be joyful to set off for home in the morning. Spent 2 weeks in the North West of England helping a buddy with lambing and fencing jobs and now ready for home back in Scotland where they wouldn't be impressed with a flounce!
So many “ new”names
DeleteNo longer a reader…aka Debby ….bloody hell you’ve returned more times than Cher’s had final tours
Rick burly and 6”2 …..buy me a gin
Col…I love a good flounce…Winnie was a queen of it
I'm not new pal, commented here before. A gin drinker eh? Mother's Ruin. No gin here tonight but a wee dram of good whiskey with friends went down well.
DeleteIndeed
DeleteThat was a joy to watch!
ReplyDeleteI have no problem at all with you posting it, it's a part of our cultural history, if people find it funny, great, if they don't, tough luck!
We can't ever erase history, just because a few snowflakes get their knickers in a twist about something! X
It is working today, I have only had my dirty laundry gone through once in all of the travel I have done.
ReplyDeleteMy mum loved him and today still I quote him when I suddenly notice the untidness in my house " Look at the muck in ere" - "What a grey day " and "Seems like a nice boy "x
ReplyDelete