Johnathan Meades on France
Discussion
On France's martial abilities in the 20th century; 'played 4, lost 4; throwing the sponge in becomes habit forming' 
He's an acquired taste but I like it.
He's an acquired taste but I like it.
Edited by hidetheelephants on Monday 23 January 03:33
Odd bloke. Rather too in love with himself, the camera and a mistaken belief that by stringing a number of obscure long words together, he can display a superior intellect.
Give him his due, he is occasionally funny. His suits however are starting to look threadbare, rather like his act.
Give him his due, he is occasionally funny. His suits however are starting to look threadbare, rather like his act.
His Abroad series was tremendous. I've never had much feeling for architecture but it got me interested. I like his quirky style as well. The rumpled suit and stuff is excellent visuals. However, he also talks a lot of sense despite coming in from the side on many subjects.
Lst night's one, on the way France viewed its territories and the what it wanted from those coming to France, was new to me. I knew about the requirement for courses and such, although I also know most of the qualifications are rubbish, everyone knows they are rubbish but you still have to have them.
Concentrating for an hour isn't easy but the programme kept me interested.
He's the type of presenter you could have too much of and three hours over three weeks is pushing the limit a bit.
It is a shame that they didn't do a box set for the Abroad series. I'd have bought it.
Lst night's one, on the way France viewed its territories and the what it wanted from those coming to France, was new to me. I knew about the requirement for courses and such, although I also know most of the qualifications are rubbish, everyone knows they are rubbish but you still have to have them.
Concentrating for an hour isn't easy but the programme kept me interested.
He's the type of presenter you could have too much of and three hours over three weeks is pushing the limit a bit.
It is a shame that they didn't do a box set for the Abroad series. I'd have bought it.
I've been watching Meades' new programmes on France, I like his style and content, somewhere between a surreal Victor Lewis-Smith and Jeremy Clarkson in un-PC mode, Off-Kilter is still my favourite series (as it chimed with me being Scottish) I have the 3 DVD set of the Magnetic North + Abroad series (sadly not a complete Meades but still a recommended purchase). Part of his appeal to me is that he isn't constantly on the TV, a Meades' series is a rare treat and all the better for that.
The final Meades on France, this time on the Americanisation of the country, was a bit of a change. There was less humour and seemed to me to be quite spiteful and certainly bitter. There were many attacks on various political targets, of which there were many in the country. Mitterrand and de Gaul received special attention.
Meads has been described as a Francophile but little of that was apparent in the last episode. The Algeria farce had special mention. It has sparked my interest. In the 60s and 70s it was talked about in the group I was in, especially after The day of the Jackal. Might well read up on it again.
Good episode.
Meads has been described as a Francophile but little of that was apparent in the last episode. The Algeria farce had special mention. It has sparked my interest. In the 60s and 70s it was talked about in the group I was in, especially after The day of the Jackal. Might well read up on it again.
Good episode.
Gassing Station | TV, Film, Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff