chris langham..

[missjef]

anyone else quite shocked about the news about him, and all the charges against him?

[beejaybee]

Why should anyone be more shocked to hear the news about him than if it was anyone else. Being a "celebrity" doesn`t make a difference. The only thing it does do is that the story gets hyped up in the media given that person more publicity.

[andy-hughes]

It's very easy for us all to assume that we 'know' a celebrity because their work gives them a certain image, and anything that contradicts this comes as a surprise to some people. The opposite is usually true as in "Shock horror - I met Simon Cowell and he was really nice ...!"

I am saddened to hear that these charges have been brought, I love CL's work, but if the law finds him guilty, then he will be punished.

I always try to divorce the 'image' from the individual, and try not to let personal behaviour and attitudes colour my enjoyment of an artist's work.

[kick3m0n]

Andy ....with regards to the point you make about separating the character from the real individual...IF he's found guilty, could you still watch his comedy and laugh? I'm like you, have loved everything he's done and although I'm sure the next series of The Thick of It will be great, it just won't be the same without his character. However, would we still be able to laugh at him if he was in the next series? Or somehow, is there a level (or type) of crime, which can be so distrubing that it simply over rides the persons on screen persona and their ability to make us forget who they really are?? Do some crimes render people "unfunny" ie we can no longer bring ourselves to laugh at them? Just curious as to what ABers think, as this occurred to me when I first heard of his arrest.

[andy-hughes]

A fair question kick3m0n.

I was careful to say that I always try to separate the art from the artist, but it's difficult when the individual is a comedian, and a TV star, as you rightly point out, it's hard to look at someone in the same way, and laugh at their funny lines, when you know what they have done away from the screen.

I think we will have to see first of all if CL is found guilty, and secondly, how that affects his public profile, and his ability to carry on in his chosen profession.

I know that I have never heard a Gary Glitter record played on mainstream radio since his conviction, and although I do play his records for myself, I have never felt it right to play one at the occasional discos I present for friends' weddings and parties.

I still love The Who, but at the back of my mind is the fact that Pete Townsend admitted to downloading child pornography from a pay-site, for 'research. I spent some time working for Microsoft analysing individual sites, looking for such images, and identifying the company for what I now know was Operation Ore, although this was kept secret from all the workers at the time. I have seen images that made me want to scrub the inside of my skull with steel wool, and I stayed on the site as long as it takes to click a keyboard button to get off it again. What sort of 'research' did Pete Townsend need?

I make the point because it has coloured my perception of him as an individual, and affected my enjoyment of his music - i will wait and see what happens with the Chris Langham case. I would like him to be not guilty, not only for himself, but in the hope that the accusations made are undounded.

[kick3m0n]

Hi Andy, thanks for taking the time to respond and I hope I didn't sound accusatory in any way, that wasn't my intention. I agree with much of what you say to be honest. Much as I also try to keep the real and the fictional separate, some crimes do cloud your judgement of an individual, and will alter your perception of them (negatively) forever more. Is this particularly true of crimes against children? Is it so alien and repugnant to most people, that they can never react the same way to someone who they know is guilty of such acts?
Perhaps selfishly, I hope these accusations are unfounded and Langham is found not guilty.

[andy-hughes]

Not at all, I thought your point was perfctly valid, and gave me fod for thought.

I think sexual abuse involving children is particularly abhorent, and it is bound to colour the perception of people who we invite into our homes via the mediaum of television to entertain us.

I also hope CL is innocent of the charges, we will have to see.

[andy-hughes]

Fod for thought? It's past my bed time!

[chazza]

Not really shocked, it's not the first time he's been in the papers for something similar

[Backdrifter]

Not shocked, more saddened to see someone I like being charged with these crimes. I'm generally pretty good at divorcing the person from their work.

Very selfishly, on hearing the news I immediately thought "Oh no, how is this going to affect The Thick Of It?" which I really like. Is this why it's not out on dvd yet - the BBC going all lame and cautious again?

[kick3m0n]

bd - not sure if it's the Beeb being cautious....also not sure if you've heard, but there will be a Thick of It special and a new series, but CLs character will not feature. Instead, the focus is to shift to an eco-warrior type Tory leader..mhmmmm who could THAT be based on? Can't wait, I absolutely love this show, it's must see tv in this house. And as long as Malcolm the Enforcer is back, I'll be a happy bunny, think Peter Capaldi is brilliant in that role and is star of the show for me :o)

[Backdrifter]

*Sigh*

Oh, kick....

Yes, yes, yes, Malcolm MUST be in it when it returns. It can survive the loss of Langham I think but not Capaldi. One of the best, most terrifying comedy characters ever.

Now that you mention all that about the special and the Tory, I realise I had heard that. But thanks.

[kick3m0n]

lmao bd...hope that was a good sigh, not a wearisome (is she stalking me) kind of sigh? We seem to cross paths alot at the mo :o)

When all the political in-fighting and hoo haa was going on around Blair and the 'when will he go', people resigning, letters demanding he go, mess last week, ALL I could think about was Capaldi bursting in to offices all over the commons telling the poor, terrified occupants how it was going to FN be and to get their FN acts together!!! Fantastic comic creation.

[Backdrifter]

Yes, sorry, often forget emails and msgs don't always convey intonation. No, it was positive and very affectionate. I like happening into you. You say good stuff and I enjoy your posts. Even taking into account your Scrubs aberration.

Of course, if you hadn't fascinated me strangely with your reaction to my 'lists' the other day....!

[Backdrifter]

And by the way, yes VERY funny thought about the Blair/Tucker thing, that made me laugh out loud.

In one episode Hugh sees Malcom down the corridor and hisses at the others "There's Tucker - quick, hide!" Later Malcolm catches up with him and as an afterthought says "By the way, were you hiding earlier?" PAUSE - Hugh (innocently): "No". For some reason that exchange cracked me up.

When Tucker is pleased with things and cracks a smile, I almost feel the relaxation and relief that the characters must be feeling!

[kick3m0n]

lmao - "fascinated me strangely" is good :o) In a sea of fairly typical responses (mine included), yours was far from that - there was no list like it. And it was striking that some of the words you used were exactly the words that my best friends would use to describe me physically, as well as in terms of my personality etc, so I responded. I was aware after I posted it that it did sound a bit flirtatious, which I don't recall being on your list...... tho I think 'forward' and 'surprising' were ;o)

[Backdrifter]

missjef, humblest apologies. Your thread has been well and truly hijacked and diverted thousands of miles from its intended route.

kick - see that 'list' thread for follow-up, should you wish to.

[missjef]

dont worry about it Backdrifter, its usually expected on a place like AB for threads to go a bit off topic and away from the question. :-)