| |
Canadian / British Exchange...
Michael has been in Taiwan for almost fourteen years now. He's been with my school since around the beginning of the school, but like many foreigners, he's still British through and through. The more foreigners I meet here, the more I realize there is more British and Canadian imposts than anything else. Really, who knows why? Why do we run away from Canada and come to this tiny little island which is about the same size as Southern Ontario? I don't know, but most of us try to hold onto some sort of ourselves while we are here.
People see Michael and talk to him and they know he's British. Same goes for me. Even cab drivers who don't speak English, and the guy who makes my dinner two alleys down from my flat have looked at me and asked "Ja-na-da?", which is Chinese for Canada, and I always smile and say yes. Everyone here is proud to be Taiwanese and most foreigners are proud to be in Taiwan, but still be Canadain, British, American, South African or even French (although I don't know why...)/
When I first got here I ended up on a rooftop drinking Taiwan Beer with two Brits, three Canadians, an American and a Taiwanese girl. It's actually a pretty common mix here. We talked a lot of of topics, but like usual it came around to television and movies. Michael and Liza spoke of Absolutely Fabulous and The Office while Travis and I spoke of shows like Corner Gas and Kenny vs. Spenny. British humor vs Canadian humor came up (as did Amoerican humor and television) and both Michael and I voiced our interest in the other's shows. Of course it's been about four months since then, but he is finally at home watching Kenny vs. Spenny, two typically strange Canadians torturing each other for laughs while I have become quickly addicted to The Office.
I know everyond probably watches the American version with Steve Carrell, but the original British Series was genius. Only twelve episodes and two specials and it's done, complete and almost perfect. It's a show that could go on forever, but really didn't need to. It actually seemed more real than reality TV does and I'll admit I had a tear in my eye at the end. The show is that good that it didn't need three hundred episodes to make you care. I knew Garreth was a 'twat' from the first episode, David was a mix of so many people I have been embarrassed for over the years and just the looks between Tim and Dawn made me remember every girl I fell for and was to afraid to say something to.
A lot of people don't like British comedies, but I always have. Michael has a few more series for me to watch and I actually can't wait. It's something different and not your typical 'Friends' or 'Seinfeld' crap. And I have to say I'm shocked, he's been coming to me every day with new thngs he absolutely loved about Kenny vs. Spenny, and not as much the stupid gags they do to each other as much as how much the show reminds him of great friendships he has had over they years. I love the stupid shit they do as well, but I know each one of those things is something I could call up my best friend and know he'd be there to do it with me... no matter how bizzare (as long as his wife doesn't know).
Anyway, that's my rambling for the night. Micheal is showing me true British comedy and why it's better than most of the shows I've watched back home and I'm trying to school him on the strange humor that comes out of Canada. I have no idea what to show him next (until I can get my hands on KvS Season 2) but I'll come up with something.
|
| | Posted 5/24/2007 2:44 AM - 4 views - 0 comments
- recommend
  - recs0
- give stars
- votes0
- share
- email
 - sent0
|
