Post by Arxileas on Apr 23, 2009 10:01:46 GMT -5
Two Greek blokes show London what "humour" used to be
By John Kaponi
For those of us who have endured the Harry Enfield "Stavros" character in the 1990s with people thinking it funny that some middle class English bloke should mimic a Cypriot kebab shop owner and the continual "hello everybody pips", we now have the antidote. Two Greek-Cypriots Demetri and Laki who are taking the “mick” out of themselves and at the same time making a contribution to the debate over the role of Greeks in the UK.
The Greek community is one of the success stories in London's "immigrant" population, doing well in business, the public sector and making a valuable contribution (if not limited) to the politics of London. But it took a father and son from the north London Greek "ghettos" of Winchmore Hill to reflect the way in which the Greeks of London have just got on with their business.
Indeed it is ironic that on the day of the Greek Orthodox Good Friday so much press attention should be focused on these two characters.
The "Stavros Flatley" act which was an immediate hit with the majority of those who watched it, reflected the sense of humour that exists within the Greek psyche, and also a demonstration of how the so called "mainstream" in the capital is so out of touch with London's grassroots. In comparison in the United States, stand up comics regularly discuss race and religion and have huge followings. Here we have pseudo-academic middle class graduates doing a stand up routine trying to not "offend" and keep within the unwritten "red-lines" of race and religion. In effect killing off the comedic critique that Jackie Mason has used when debating his Jewishness, Russell Peters act on his Indian heritage, Chris Rock on his experiences as a black man in the US and others. We seem to have a problem having this kind of comedy in the UK.
What the father and son act aka "Stavros Flatley" have managed to do is to reawaken the old tradition of comedy that used to exist in abundance in the UK of mimicking ones heritage but in so doing making it stronger and self-confident. Many Greeks in London will confess to stories about ones superstitions, beliefs and customs, I bet most Londoners walk left foot forward? Well if your a Greek like me it’s been instilled to the point of delirium "you must walk with the right foot first" in case of some evil spirit being invoked! Heard the one about not having a bath on Fridays? Yes we Greeks pong on Fridays!
We are so absorbed today in London about offending minorities and being branded racist; well for one I am happy that Demetri and Laki have done so well. Good on you fellas! And in these times of recession, what a better way to forget than to watch two Greeks blokes dancing on stage!
CHRISTOS ANESTI LONDON
photo credit: ITV
www.thelondondailynews.com/greek-blokes-show-london-what-humour-used-p-2732.html
By John Kaponi
For those of us who have endured the Harry Enfield "Stavros" character in the 1990s with people thinking it funny that some middle class English bloke should mimic a Cypriot kebab shop owner and the continual "hello everybody pips", we now have the antidote. Two Greek-Cypriots Demetri and Laki who are taking the “mick” out of themselves and at the same time making a contribution to the debate over the role of Greeks in the UK.
The Greek community is one of the success stories in London's "immigrant" population, doing well in business, the public sector and making a valuable contribution (if not limited) to the politics of London. But it took a father and son from the north London Greek "ghettos" of Winchmore Hill to reflect the way in which the Greeks of London have just got on with their business.
Indeed it is ironic that on the day of the Greek Orthodox Good Friday so much press attention should be focused on these two characters.
The "Stavros Flatley" act which was an immediate hit with the majority of those who watched it, reflected the sense of humour that exists within the Greek psyche, and also a demonstration of how the so called "mainstream" in the capital is so out of touch with London's grassroots. In comparison in the United States, stand up comics regularly discuss race and religion and have huge followings. Here we have pseudo-academic middle class graduates doing a stand up routine trying to not "offend" and keep within the unwritten "red-lines" of race and religion. In effect killing off the comedic critique that Jackie Mason has used when debating his Jewishness, Russell Peters act on his Indian heritage, Chris Rock on his experiences as a black man in the US and others. We seem to have a problem having this kind of comedy in the UK.
What the father and son act aka "Stavros Flatley" have managed to do is to reawaken the old tradition of comedy that used to exist in abundance in the UK of mimicking ones heritage but in so doing making it stronger and self-confident. Many Greeks in London will confess to stories about ones superstitions, beliefs and customs, I bet most Londoners walk left foot forward? Well if your a Greek like me it’s been instilled to the point of delirium "you must walk with the right foot first" in case of some evil spirit being invoked! Heard the one about not having a bath on Fridays? Yes we Greeks pong on Fridays!
We are so absorbed today in London about offending minorities and being branded racist; well for one I am happy that Demetri and Laki have done so well. Good on you fellas! And in these times of recession, what a better way to forget than to watch two Greeks blokes dancing on stage!
CHRISTOS ANESTI LONDON
photo credit: ITV
www.thelondondailynews.com/greek-blokes-show-london-what-humour-used-p-2732.html