18 July 2007

America shows criminal disregard for British cultural icon

When NBC produced Victoria Beckham: Coming to America, they must have thought they had a new Osbornes on their hands. Sadly (for NBC not the USA) it would seem that America cares less about the Beckhams than Britain should.

Instead they were licking their wounds after a rare savaging at the hands of the usually docile US entertainment media. Originally planned as a six part series had to conclude that there was not enough rubbish for anything more than a one hour special about the no-talent twig.


Linda Stasi (just as well she doesn’t write on security matters...) described it as "An orgy of self-indulgence. You will sit there slack-jawed at the gall of these people who think we are that stupid," Alessandra Securitate (sorry that should be Stanley), the New York Times cultural critic, wrote “There must be a reason NBC chose to lavish an hour of prime time tonight on Victoria Beckham: Coming to America... If she can retain viewers past the first commercial break, then the results will be conclusive... there is no such thing as celebrity ditz-fatigue, Watching (it) is a little like watching cheddarvision.tv, the website devoted to the ripening of a 44lb wheel of cheese,"


I feel a bit uneasy that America has not taken Victoria Beckham into its ample bosom. Surely such a large country has room for another crass, talentless head on a stick. On the other hand when you have so many Britneys, Paris Hiltons, Nicole Ritchies and so on why bother import another? Why am I uneasy? If she can’t establish herself in the US and shill her jeans and sunglasses then she may come back to the UK. America’s gain would be our loss!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

"head on a stick"

What a perfect description of Victoria Beckham!

Anonymous said...

I didn't watch the show, nor have plans too. The American trashing of her goes back to the Spice Girls days.

Nancy Lindquist-Liedel said...

I love sports, but have never rabidly followed any sports celebrities life. This couple, least of all.

Anonymous said...

You had similar thoughts to mine...now you've got the Beckhams please do keep them!

jams o donnell said...

My biggest fear is that the Beckhams will not be sucessful in the USA and will come back here. With any luck the whole country will hide behind the sofa should they ever try to come back!

Cinnamon Girl said...

Ok this post made me giggle like mad! "No talent twig" indeed!

Anonymous said...

Uhhh, we are that stupid. Seriously, NBC in no way lost $. There was most likely a stip. in her contract that forced them to present a min. of 1 ep. With the crazy low production cost and the $ from advertisers/local affiliates and that Mon. is a slow TV nite, they still made $ hand over fist. Like everything Hollywood they'll rake it in on the DVD- and you KNOW there'll be a DVD. The most obvious scenario for Becks will be a repeat of the Great Strawberry Debacle of the '90s when the Dodgers shelled out 'mayjah' $ for Darryl Strawberry and he was sidelined from day one..don't think he played 2 consecutive games. Eventually they released him and he went crying home to NY. Sorry, yr gettin' them back.
Jen

Anonymous said...

It seems that some people did not get that this was a total spoof of all those MTV/VH-1 shows like Cribs, Newleyweds, Laguna Beach and the Fabulous Life Of, or Simple Life of Paris Hilton.....once I realised that fairly early on I saw this as a brilliant "mockumentary". If only they had made more programmes then I guarantee you it would have started to get cult status and she would start becoming the celebrity version of David Brent. Indeed just like "The Office" remember how everyone was a little bit uneasy about the programme at first, and then slowly (but definitely not stright away) got it when they realised it was meant to be taken in humour as a satire - this was one step further as it started with the premise of using a real celebrity. I especially loved the line about Lionel Richie doing the parquet floor while he was Dancing On The Ceiling - hysterical when taken in context. If only there were more shows, that is the greatest pity and probable downfall of this well conceived idea.

jams o donnell said...

Gld you liked it starrlight

Hi jen. I assure you we'll all say we're out when their plane comes back. Perhaps he they be big in Japan instead!

Ah there is one small problem with the mockumentary take is that the Beckhams have the wit for such sublte self parody. I wouldn't protray them as nasty or evil but I just don't think they have the wit for mockumentary

elasticwaistbandlady said...

I'm a xenophobe, jams. I prefer American born bimbos and bimbettes only.

jams o donnell said...

Aww Ewbl, couldn't you find it in your hearts to love a british bimbo and himbo couple too?

Steve Bates said...

"himbo" - ROTFL! I've never heard that one before. jams, if I'm not careful, I learn something every time I visit your site.

As to the Beckhams, as far as I'm concerned, you may leave them here if you wish... I have so much practice ignoring our homegrown variety that it will be no trouble for me to ignore your exports. :)

jams o donnell said...

Glad to be of service Steve! You realise that ignoring E-list celebrities just makes them disappear. They will become like the forgoten gods of teh Discworld, floating on the wind in the hope of new believers... Now there's a wish!

Siani said...

Ugh! I loathe Victoria Stickham. If you've ever wondered what a praying mantis would look like in a blonde wig, a Stella McCartney frock and a pair of Jimmy Choo's, look no further than the Wicked WAG of the West herself. Bleurgh!

jams o donnell said...

Wicked WAG of the west. Good one! As I said she is a head on a stick!