We British love rubbish things.
In other countries in the world, heroes are celebrated for their amazing abilities, they almost certainly are the best of the best and are known the world over for being so. Well, we do things differently on our little island.
When Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards became a national folk hero in the late 80's, it wasn't because he had amazing skills or for being the best of the best. Frankly, it was because he was shit and looked like Sid Little's ugly brother. As a nation we embraced his lack of ability and all had a good laugh. We just aren't interested if something of our nationality looks good. England beat Croatia, who are one of the top teams in the world, officially, and most England fans just say it was a one off, last night we beat Germany 2-1, in Germany. I heard people phoning in last night saying that we still aren't a good team. It's just crazy.
Andy Murray is doing exactly what Tim Henman should have done, he is winning things, yet no one seems to be interested, probably because he is Scottish and once was attributed with saying he would support anyone except England in the 2006 World Cup, though he may have been mis-quoted. Tim Henman however never looked like getting near winning Wimbledon, but every year everyone sat on that stupid hill just to watch him lose. Lewis Hamilton, the worlds best Grand Prix driver, doesn't really get talked about, apart from by motor racing fans.
We really just love "the loser."
I dont watch Strictly Come Dancing, but it is one of those programmes, like X factor, I'm A Celebrity et al, that you really dont have to, as everyone else does and tells you about it. My mum watches Strictly Come Dancing and she informs me that John Sergeant has been dancing badly on a weekly basis, but so bad he is good, it would seem. So bad in fact, that the other celebrities with actual dancing talent have fallen by the wayside in the general public's ongoing pursuit of having someone shit win something. I have always been of the opinion that you should never have the general public decide the outcome of anything. If history tells us anything, it's that the general public are fucking idiots.
Sergeant himself, obviously deeply embarrassed at the mere possibility of becoming more of a joke, has now withdrawn from the programme. The public will have to look elsewhere for their new hero, or switch over to ITV, where last year they nominated Christopher Biggins as "King of the jungle." Need I say anymore??
By the way, I didn't get that job, as previously mentioned, I didn't want it, but the feeling of disappointment and rejection is palpable, how very odd. I feel like a Vulcan discovering his first feeling, or when Data in Star Trek started going on about emotion. I always thought it odd that Data was a robot, yet put on weight as the programme developed, very clever robot that.
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| Comments about This Article |
| Go Eddie
Comment By: llllllllllllllll, 11 Mar 2010, Rating: 5/5  |
| he stinks
Comment By: pie, 11 Mar 2010, Rating: 0/5  |
| I don't remember who won a gold medal in ski jumping that year, but I will always remember "Eddie the Eagle" with a smile.
Comment By: California Retired Skier, 28 Feb 2010, Rating: 5/5 |
| ski jumping is not the same without the eagle. still talk about eddie and what a thrill it was to watch him
Comment By: dickchord, 20 Feb 2010, Rating: 5/5 |
| A while since this piece was written but thought I'd defend a man who lives in a country not renowned for its Winter Sports.
Ironically, he lives in a country that perform better at Summer Olympics, I was just searching for Sweden on the Medals Table and lo found them languishing just below my Grandma, a lady who has been dead for over 15 years.
Comment By: Robert Law, 12 Feb 2010, Rating: 0/5 |
| eddie is a big fat lard ass and a fag
Comment By: joe, 10 Feb 2010, Rating: 0/5 |
| Eddie sucks
Comment By: bob , 10 Feb 2010, Rating: 0/5 |
| ur a fecker! go back to england!
Comment By: michaella itaire, 24 Dec 2009, Rating: 1/5  |
| Why are there so many Swedish people in Brighton if you all hate us so much? I like all the Swedish people I know but I don't think I like your xenophobic attitude very much Mr Magnus.
Comment By: Dermot, 04 Aug 2009, Rating: 5/5 |
| I am from Sweden and I remember how we all used to watch Eddie the eagle, he had a great personality and he always did his best for that people in my country loved him and we dont really like Brits..
Comment By: Magnus, From Sweden, 31 Jul 2009, Rating: 5/5 |
| I met Eddie the Eagle last week and he ain't no loser. If I had half his grit and determination I'd be a very happy bloke. What we love about Eddie, John Sargent and all those other 'losers' is that they go out and do it when the supossed success hungry nationalities will only stick their head above the parapet if they think they will come first. Hurrah for trying when you are up against it - it has won us a few wars, a couple of World Cups and maybe will get us out of a recession!!!!
Comment By: Phil Markham, 27 Apr 2009, Rating: 5/5 |
| Second thoughts, You've got the job after all! No wait... you're a cock!
Comment By: Dave Mercer, 20 Nov 2008, Rating: 5/5 |
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