Friday, June 23, 2006

it was moderately entertaining

When we were traveling around the North Island we picked up a brochure for a private Elvis museum - basically a guy obsessed with Elvis letting you pay to see the collection of stuff in his basement.
The funniest part of the whole thing, however, was a list of television programs that have featured the collection.

No. 1 on the list: a show with the not-quite-enthusiastic title, "That's Fairly Interesting."

Apparently this was a New Zealand-produced show some years ago. It's a good illustration of a certain bit of the Kiwi character, a knack for understatement and a fear of appearing too proud. After all, you wouldn't want to advertise something as being can't miss and disappointing your audience. Better to be safe and underwhelm.
For someone used to American hyperbole, the title amuses me every time. I am just picturing a old gentleman of the English type coming on my TV screen on Sunday afternoon, introducing a piece on a local attraction, then after the piece airs coming back on, and in a slightly hopeful tone of voice, suggesting he regrets taking up your time and hopes you don't blame him, saying,
"Well, That's Fairly Interesting."

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