British Comics in The Times

[Lew Stringer]

Sounds an interesting article, but I cannot read it.

I can't and won't touch anything that's got Jonathan Ross' name on it - even if he is an expert on comics.

Am disgusted any media lets this man near (couldn't he have written under a false name?).?

That'd defeat the purpose of the exercise, which is to use a celebrity name to attract readers into learning something about comics.

As far as I know, Ross has never claimed to be an 'expert' on comics, nor is he promoted as such. He's an enthusiast who knows enough to write a decent article on comics.

I'm sad to see people criticising the man and not appreciating his message.

[tony ingram]

Sounds an interesting article, but I cannot read it.

I can't and won't touch anything that's got Jonathan Ross' name on it - even if he is an expert on comics.

Am disgusted any media lets this man near (couldn't he have written under a false name?).?

That'd defeat the purpose of the exercise, which is to use a celebrity name to attract readers into learning something about comics.

As far as I know, Ross has never claimed to be an 'expert' on comics, nor is he promoted as such. He's an enthusiast who knows enough to write a decent article on comics.

I'm sad to see people criticising the man and not appreciating his message.

It is a bit of a shame. Personally, I've always rather liked him.

I've never forgotten the edition of his chat show where he intended to make a reference to Jason King, but instead slipped up and baffled his guest with "Jason Wyngarde". A non comics fan would probably have assumed he was confusing the character with the actor who played him (Peter Wyngarde) but given that it was Ross, he was pretty obviously thinking of the X-Men villain!

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

Sounds an interesting article, but I cannot read it.

I can't and won't touch anything that's got Jonathan Ross' name on it - even if he is an expert on comics.

Am disgusted any media lets this man near (couldn't he have written under a false name?).?

That'd defeat the purpose of the exercise, which is to use a celebrity name to attract readers into learning something about comics.

As far as I know, Ross has never claimed to be an 'expert' on comics, nor is he promoted as such. He's an enthusiast who knows enough to write a decent article on comics.

I'm sad to see people criticising the man and not appreciating his message.

Well Lew, rotten people can still appreciate Art---just look at all the Classical Art that the Nazis looted, and still turns up, even today---this booty was intended to be appreciated by 'cultured Nazis' in Museums.


Jonathan Ross has a chemical effect on some people that folks like like me can find repellent.....the guy can't help that, and neither can I, it's just part of the human psyche.


I don't personally loathe the guy, but I don't want any any of his writings or appearances to play any part in my day-to-day living. I'm sure lots of fans will like his article, but the thought of reading anything written by him---whatever the content or merits----just makes me feel like screwing up the paper----illogical on my part I acknowledge this, but sadly that's the way it is for some of us!

This guy is like a red rag to a bull to some folks, and if that's the case, it's best to switch over if he appears, or turn the page on his writings.

[tony ingram]

I don't think that's really a reason to call the man "rotten".

[Lew Stringer]

I don't think that's really a reason to call the man "rotten".

Indeed. Sounds to me like the recent reactions of the sci if community when it was announced that Ross would present the Hugo Awards. In the end, the mob won and Ross withdrew.
Info at this link:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/m ... ugo-awards

Anyone would think he was the devil incarnate rather than a cheeky TV/radio personality who has a genuine interest in comics, movies, and SF.

[philcom55]

I can't help being reminded of the current backlash against Jeremy Clarkson for his sub-vocalization of the 'n' word when reciting 'Eeny Meeny Miny Mo'. While he might not be my favourite broadcaster it seems to me that there are very few people over 50 who wouldn't automatically think of that word when running through the rhyme in their head. It doesn't make us racists - anymore than having read Sparky when we were children does!

- Phil Rushton

[Lew Stringer]

I can't help being reminded of the current backlash against Jeremy Clarkson for his sub-vocalization of the 'n' word when reciting 'Eeny Meeny Miny Mo'. While he might not be my favourite broadcaster it seems to me that there must be very few people over 50 who wouldn't automatically think of that word when running through the rhyme in their head. It doesn't make us racists - anymore than having read Sparky when we were children does!

- Phil Rushton

I can't stand Clarkson's attitudes on most things but if he was to write an article promoting UK comics in a national newspaper I'd say good for him and I'd read it.

[big bad bri]

I actually met Jonathan Ross many years ago at the opening of stateside comics in Barnet as i was allowed in back of the shop because i had known the manager Martin Shipp for many years after he used to run Eternal comics,(Ahh! The good old days ) & he seemed like a very nice geezer & i do enjoy his tv shows.

[Phoenix]

I think a strategic withdrawal stage left is now advisable, Rab.

[Lew Stringer]

I can't help being reminded of the current backlash against Jeremy Clarkson for his sub-vocalization of the 'n' word when reciting 'Eeny Meeny Miny Mo'. While he might not be my favourite broadcaster it seems to me that there are very few people over 50 who wouldn't automatically think of that word when running through the rhyme in their head. It doesn't make us racists - anymore than having read Sparky when we were children does!

- Phil Rushton

I'm sure no one wants to get into a long debate over Clarkson but just to respond to that generalization, Phil; I've read a few comments elsewhere with people excusing Clarkson on the grounds of "Well, that's how it was back then". Yes, that's how it was back then, not now. I grew up in the same era as Clarkson (he's a year younger than me) and the point is you change, you mature, you realize that some words are no longer acceptable for very good reasons. This is something most of us of our generation learned about 40 years ago or more. Then things like the 'n' word don't even cross your mind to use, not even accidentally. The fact that Clarkson is still using that long-outdated version of the rhyme just shows how stuck in the past he is.

[Nagorama]

Big essay in the guardian yesterday by Paul gravett (in the review section)

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/m ... exhibition

[philcom55]

I'm sure no one wants to get into a long debate over Clarkson...

I'd love to have a disinterested philosophical debate about the way in which certain 'taboo' words have changed their value over time - and how this relates to a number of historical comic strips - but you're right that this probably isn't the place for it.

The funny thing about Clarkson and Ross though is that, while both of them are professional controversialists who necessarily invite strong reactions, one is generally perceived as a right-wing bigot while the other is seen as a left-wing lout. Consequently they tend to polarize opinion according to people's own political preconceptions: of course, that's not to say there aren't many more who're happy to see any overweening celebrity cut down to size!

- Phil Rushton

[colcool007]

I'll be honest and say that I still have to substitute Tiger for the word that I originally learned and I grew up in the 70's

[Lew Stringer]

I'm sure no one wants to get into a long debate over Clarkson...

I'd love to have a disinterested philosophical debate about the way in which certain 'taboo' words have changed their value over time - and how this relates to a number of historical comic strips - but you're right that this probably isn't the place for it.

The funny thing about Clarkson and Ross though is that, while both of them are professional controversialists who necessarily invite strong reactions, one is generally perceived as a right-wing bigot while the other is seen as a left-wing lout. Consequently they tend to polarize opinion according to people's own political preconceptions: of course, that's not to say there aren't many more who're happy to see any overweening celebrity cut down to size!

- Phil Rushton

It's the nature of the British press and its readers isn't it? Build 'em up, then knock 'em down. The inverted snobbery that decides people "need taking down a peg or two" even when they don't.

I'll be honest and say that I still have to substitute Tiger for the word that I originally learned and I grew up in the 70's

Blimey Phil. I thought it was going out of fashion by then. I remember when I helped out at a mate's disco in the seventies someone telling us "I don't want any of that n----- music, only Elvis" and we all thought he was well out of date. (He was pretty stupid too, considering Elvis' influences.)

Anyway, I'd forgotten there was the 'n' word version of the rhyme, so that's how long it's been since I heard it. The version I remember was "Eeny Meeny Miney Mo, Put the baby on the poe".

I won't go into the rest.

[colcool007]

If we look at wiki, then we can see the variations. The version for my area and my era was If he squeals, let him go for the third line instead of If he hollers let him go.

Either way, I can't say that it meant anything regarding people as we did not know anyone that wasn't white and Scottish then. It was simply a randomising event that allowed us to pick our "victim" of the day.