During the aforementioned meal courtesy of Jim and Laura (an extremely tasty three courses: carrot and coriander soup, risotto and tiramisu) Jim and I discussed the concept of the 'Cliff Richard' factor.
To explain, one of my most vivid childhood memories occured whilst cycling around Market Harborough fulfilling my paperboy duties. Once or twice a year, I'd notice a coach outside one of the small terraced houses. It was full of middle-aged/elderly ladies, brandishing official Cliff Richard merchandise: flags, T-shirts, banners etc. They never failed to attend Cliff's most recent outing at the NEC or Wembley. I remember the whole thing being organised by a delightfully charming lady called Diane, who sadly isn't around any more. At the time, I remember being so perplexed: Cliff Richard hadn't done anything - released a good album or single (Millennium Prayer aside) - for decades. So what was the appeal? Why would you continue to support someone whose best days were clearly behind them? In a sense, I already had my answer - the Cliff fans were having a laugh, getting away from it all for a day and just enjoying each others' company. Cliff was both essential to their enterprise and irrelevant.
As I've grown a little older, I feel like I can understand the Cliff fans more and more. For, although in my mind I'm an acerbic critic, a cutting-edge nihilist, a cultural magpie; in reality I have more in common with Cliff's coach party. Because there are some performers and bands who I feel have given me so much pleasure in the past, that I feel they've earned my continuing support, irrespective of their current and future output.
The reason Jim and I were discussing this phenomenon was because I was defending Ricky Gervais latest performance in 'Ghost Town', and Jim was defending Peter Kay's recent X Factor parody. Notice in both cases I used the word 'defend'? I explained to Jim that I think Ricky Gervais has amused me so consistently, for so long now, that he's been added to my personal 'Cliff Richard list'. I explained my theory to Jim, and he suggested that he had similar affections for Kay. We were both completely unprepared to entertain the notion of criticising our respective 'Cliffs', purely because of their former glories.
For what it's worth, the rest of my 'Cliff list' includes the following:
- Manic Street Preachers (I must've been to around forty gigs by now, and plan to see them play at least once a year between now and the time I (or they) drop.)
- Frank Skinner (say what you like about 'Shane', it was full of great jokes)
- Seth MacFarlane shows (Charlotte was a Family Guy fan years before it became cool, and she got me into this when we first met. American Dad is just as good)
- The Simpsons/Futurama (I don't care what people say about later Simpsons episodes - the people behind these shows make us laugh every day of our lives. To sit through the sub-standard stuff is the least we can do)
There are always people waiting in the wings to join my 'Cliff list'. Russell Brand is probably the most recent addition. I'm not actually sure it's healthy to foster such a commitment to certain people, but I'd hate to just 'quite like' some things and be ambivalent towards others. Isn't that sort of attitude the reason why 'Hollyoaks' and 'Two Pints' continue to be made?
It'd be great to find out who your personal 'cliffs' are!
Gareth
3 comments:
Why is it that all the posts are written as if Charlotte is the narrator, yet all have the alliterative whiff of an enigmatic English student?
You are alluding to Gareth re-writing my stuff poo head. All comments are written alone. Remember i did get an E in English at A-level.
Ah yes the patented "Cliff Richard Effect" Basically, we're both inconsistent b*stards when it comes down to it.
Put another way, love is blind. Afterall, I still buy every new Oasis album despite them all being turd since 1994. -shudders-
Post a Comment