Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
Although this is a year old, I don’t think I’ve posted “Cunk on Christmas” before, and it’s appropriate as most people are still on holidays. Here the incomparable Philomena finds the true meaning of Christmas in a half-hour BBC special. As usual, she calls on various academics as Christmas Experts.
Note the mention of Richard Dawkins at 28 seconds in.
Diane Morgan, my beloved Philomena Cunk, has stepped outside the Cunk persona to do a short sponsored video in which she tries falconry—with unexpected results. It’s pretty clear though, that Morgan— as she’s said herself—really is Philomena Cunk.
This is a lovely video, and brings Morgan’s work back to the quality level of her work for Charlie Brooker. Long may she run! I love it when she and the bird become enamored of each other.
I hear she’s got a new t.v. show on tap, and I hope it’s good.
h/t: Amber
Reader Michael, who has contributed to two posts today (see previous one), called my attention to a new series of short videos by Diana Morgan, who has abandoned the persona but not the demeanor of Philomena Cunk. The new series of three clips (one more to come) is called “British Famous“, and attempts to sell Britain as a tourist destination using the conceit that Morgan visits various places in Britain to prepare to be TRULY famous, which means famous not just in Britain, but in America. Here are the first three videos with this introduction:
Who was Benedict Cumberbatch a few years ago? Nobody Cumberbatch, that’s who. Because he was only British Famous. And he’s not alone.
For decades, British celebrities have been adored at home but anonymous abroad, until America discovers them and makes them the real kind of famous.
And that is precisely Diane Morgan’s plan. So she’s doing things she believes Americans love in the hopes of becoming the next big American thing, all while showcasing the greatest parts of Great Britain.
The first video, “The Self-Help Guru”, shows, as Michael noted, Morgan
…taking the piss out of ‘mindfulness’, crystals, chakras etc. . . Good fun! Not from the T.V. show – Diane seems to have branched out into other stuff such as this YouTube channel, Love GREAT Britain, which is promoting holidays in GB
There are a few other Morgan skits on the channel if you’re interested, but this is the only one that’s reasonably well written IMO.
I didn’t know she has a talent for physical comedy [pratfalls, slapstick] until this series.
Judge for yourself. I prefer Philomena but this is still worth watching:
“The Rock Star”, filmed in Manchester, home of our Matthew Cobb:
And “The action hero,” filmed in Scotland:
The next installment to come is called “The Foodie.”
Philomena Cunk presents a new “Moments of Wonder,” the subject being “Charity”. Reader Michael sent this, alone with a note:
This video was made for Comic Relief day last week in the UK [AKA Red Nose Day]Unfortunately Cunk’s writers have fallen for the Mother Teresa myth, but other than that a reasonable stab. I’m not sure how well this sketch travels due to the Brit references throughout – the best one being @ 2:11 – red noses in the Groucho Club toilets [the club is a hangout for cocaine-sniffing rock stars, media ‘luvvies’ & C list celebs]
I don’t believe I’ve posted the incomparable Philomena Cunk’s “Moments of Wonder” piece on Christmas, part of Charlie Brooker’s “End of Year Wipe: 2016”. (If I have, forgive me, and watch it if you haven’t already.) Don’t miss the mention of Richard Dawkins at 0:28.
h/t: David
Reader Michael sent me two of the BBC videos hosted by the incomparable Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan). The first, 30 minutes long, is her Christmas “Moments of Wonder” episode, while the second, six minutes long, is on the Apocalypse of 2016. I’m putting them up now because the BBC will assuredly have them taken down quickly. Watch while you can! (The first is available at the BBC site, but can’t be viewed outside the UK.) I haven’t yet seen the first one.
And here’s Philomena’s “Moments of wonder” on The Apocalypse, part of Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe. Philomena’s bit starts at 1:33, and the Science Man happens to be Brian Cox.
Matthew Cobb has just informed me of an Event:
At 13:00 uk time (so in 30 mins) you can hear Diane Morgan playing records for three hours. You can listen here.
