Saturday, January 12, 2002
Guilty pleasures and afflictions of the heart - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- The compilation of lists I like. Trying to be definitive, yet controversial and snappy is, to borrow from my pal Rudy, the coolest. When in this space, a while back, I rattled off my favourite songs, I was discriminatory and too prejudiced in my own taste that it harboured -- to some -- yucky nostalgia. Myth, is perhaps more appealing than the truth. Anyways, I wanted to be a little zealous today, so in this space lemme clutter some of my obscene prejudices, favourites and the things -- because you really must know -- that make me tick.
Being that I write a column here, I must admit I love reading other columnists. While there is some great prose in the works of Shakespeare, Poe or Jackie Collins, the newspaper or the magazine is where I find what I enjoy. Fotheringham in Maclean’s, Mark Steyn in the National Post and Jan Wong in the Toronto Globe and Mail make for great entertainment, whilst Vaughn Palmer and Barbara Yaffe in the Vancouver Sun or Andrew Coyne in the Post make for great information. Whether it’s for fun or info I’ll always, when reading great prose (whether I disagree or not), will pause and be genuinely impressed with good styling.
I have a compulsion for a good cup of Earl Grey tea. Whether I’m tired or working away at something, a cup of Earl Grey -- not too strong -- makes the world a little better.
Since we’ve gotten digital cable at our house, I’ve been hooked on the Game Show Network. Never had I seen old episodes of the original Family Feud with Richard Dawson or the old $100,000 Pyramid with Dick Clark, so rediscovering these fascinatingly sick gems has made for good time passing. Watching an old episode of the ‘70s hit Match Game, makes for a blanking good time.
I grew up watching a ton of TV, so now that I’m older what I do watch is limited and so I’ll only make appointments with what I’ve got time for. David Letterman’s Late Show on CBS is great entertainment. I can’t get enough of his self-deprecating, brash and sardonic humour. The local cable access outlet, Shaw, has a terrific show called Urban Rush. There, the two hosts, Mike Eckford and Fiona Forbes, make for funny interviewing of local and not-so local guests. I try to not miss UR, they’re funny these two.
I can’t get enough Britcoms. British humour is often challenging for one adept to American schlock, but I have a deep affection for shows like Fawlty Towers, Are You Being Served? , Yes, Minister, Yes, Prime Minister, One Foot In The Grave, As Time Goes By and Keeping Up Appearances. Of course, Mr. Bean is moronically delightful. Of contemporary sitcoms, The Royle Family is topical and super funny. As is, Coupling, a sort of Friends for the Brits; as is The Savages, dealing with the travails of marriage. There is something about British stuff, that makes it highly superior. Less is definitely more.
Growing up listening to Frank Sinatra I enjoy the music of his era. Vic Damone, as previously stated in this space, is one of my favourite singers. Whether he’s singing “An Affair To Remember” or “The More I See You”, it’s enough for the tightest of modernists to want a little of that magic that was yesterday for their heart to own.
I don’t read much fiction, but Jeffery Archer is one of my favourites. It isn’t terribly complicated and the man can keep you glued to every nuance, every situation. His short stories, published in a number of anthologies, are first class. He’s a real page turner and his current turn in jail will be interesting to see how that affects his writing.
Frosty Forst, a local disk jockey on CKNW, is my frequent listen in the mornings. I’ve been tuning in for years, doing so while getting ready for school. Even as I work to get the sleep out of my system, Forst’s insane and quick humour makes me leave the house with a smile. For that I am grateful.
I don’t like the rain much, but there’s something quite strangely peaceful about the rain we get in this town. Vancouver, known for its rain, muddles and puddles through the showers and drizzle of mother nature’s tears. Whenever Downtown or going home in the rain, although wet and soaking, it’s calming to get inside the house as to stay outside is to become drenched in rain. I digress.
But if it’s raining, there’s nothing like coming home to a Subway sandwich. Am addicted and I really don’t care if it’s crap.
Bagels are good too. Dunno why, but they are good toasted and then buttered, or toasted with cheese. At least, I’m not a fan of schnitzel and noodles, or bright paper packages dressed up in curls...
Thinking about ones guilty pleasures, or afflictions of the heart, is funny because I’m sure it tells you about the personality of one from what kind of tea they like. I guess we never think of our vices or hang-ups until we’re forced to, and then you wonder why you like this or why you do that. Funny, but I think that’s what life is all about.
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An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .