So I probably wouldn’t have decided to stay up and watch the US election if I’d known it meant staying awake for an endless five weeks, but now that we’re finally done and dusted, I’m left to reflect on one of 2020’s cultural trends; Skype, Zoom and Facetime news contributions that reveal dishevelled journalists and their strange home/lifestyle/decoration choices. I feel like I’ve spend more time considering the drab interiors of MSNBC’s Jonathan Lemire’s house than he has, and I’ll be glad when everyone can get back to the studio and I can stop looking at their oven-hobs, bookshelves and other domestic arrangements.
I made my own small contribution to these stakes by broadcasting for BBC Scotland’s news programme The Nine on Thursday night, as close as Scotland gets to a Saturday Night Live-style show, except rather than Live from New York, we’re Live from Blanefield, Scotland. The topic is that hardy perennial, ‘Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?’, and my Dickensian co-contributor in the Santa hat is the legendary scene-stealer Ian Hoey.
Merry Christmas, everyone, and enjoy!
Is Die Hard a Christmas film?🎄
Film critics @ianjhoey and Eddie Harrison joined @rjcurran2 and @ConnorGillies on #TheNine to discuss 📺 pic.twitter.com/WQEIHdJvT5
— The Nine (@BBCScotNine) December 17, 2020
Are you trying to break Bookywooky-Stooge’s record for the most spam comments on one post?
It’s hard to believe that the algorhyms think he’s spamming, but maybe I should have guessed that revealing my appearance, however briefly, would break the internet and lead to 100 plus comments in less than 12 hours….
Wow, comment crew is lit up! Let’s see, there’s tinsel, family dysfunction, yelling, blood, seasonal music, a wife named Holly, presents exchanged, drinking and toasts, someone says ho, ho, ho (with a machine gun)… Yep, it reminds me of holidays I’ve personally experienced…chuckle
I would have cheerfully argued it the other way around if required. But I’m keen to stop labeling films, Die Hard is not just for Christmas, it’s for all the year round!
Very exciting. Cheers and bravo.
My goodness, I go on a walk and the whole post just blows up. I wondered how you’d gotten up to over 80 comments in just a matter of 2hrs.
That’ll teach me to underestimate the true enmity between a Master of Ironing and Darth Fraggleus.
Well, you have a lot more hair than me. That’s all I could think of.
Disappointed no movie posters in the background. That part, you are spot. Rhe Xmas setting was as ironic as you can get for a Hollywood that doesn’t get irony.
Was told to wash, light carefully and no copyrighted material visible. And yes, thank you, not a Xmas film.
It is.
Not
Pfft!
Well I’ve seen the twitter clip now, and thought you looked very nice in the santa suit, somewhat younger than I’d expected, and smaller, but quite sweet. That other guy, the one that looks a bit like Jack Lemon, doesn’t know what he’s on about!
I am not liking this comment, and you are being very silly and only making it worse for yourself. Younger than I expected it the only correct thing here.
Pfft!
And apparently I can’t watch it either. Says it is “Unavailable”. I’m guessing geo-restrictions myself.
FBI swat team probably coming down your chimney by now…
Nah, they know better. They use Delta if I’m involved…
Might be a surprise visit due to the potentially dangerous situation…
Thankfully, I’ve got haggis pizza to bribe them with. So I’m all set.
It would appear that my original comment disappeared into the nethersphere of the internet. Which is too bad, because I proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Die Hard IS a Christmas movie. Oh well, moving on….
I have to admit, I was disappointed not to see you in at least a blindingly white suit. Oh well, when Psychic Grandma throws ovens around in your car, I guess keeping a low profile is for the best.
I’m amazed you can see it at all, the authorities seems to close fraggle down swiftly….
Nope. Still here.
Ok, maybe some half-covereds and a Crabbie’s ginger wine then? Or was that order for the people at the other table? Sorry, I’m run off my feet…
Keeping track of us VIP’s with UN money is definitely a full time job. You should quit movie reviewing and just stalk us, papparazzi style.
What makes you think I haven’t started?
2 posts within hours of each other here speaks pretty loudly.
Awwww, no hair helmet, tinted glasses or a white suit? I’m almost disappointed. But this subject is a great one and I for one am not afraid to weigh in without having heard anything else.
It’s not Christmas until Hans falls from Nakatomi Towers:
https://starecat.com/content/wp-content/uploads/its-not-christmas-until-i-see-hans-gruber-fall-from-nakatomi-tower.jpg
Then, for my piece de la resistance, where I completely clinch the argument:
https://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Until-Gruber-Nakatomi-Tower/dp/B07KSYVZJ3
It’s on a Mug, on Amazon. That makes it official. It is as Christmas’y as Santa Clause and the 3 Wisemen.
I like your point about the tv version vs the actual version. I’d watched the tv version several times before I became aware of all the stuff that had been cutout. I’d probably pay for a tv version to be honest. Too bad that’s not possible.
I think the multiple links triggered some defence mechanism which put this highly valued comment in the sin bin.
If I could have appeared as Michael caine in 1972, I would have done so.
Why do we have to label movies as being Christmas or not? Die Hard is not just for Xmas, it’s fot all the year round…
Akismet! Those evil dastards. I think 2 links is the tripwire. It is on my site anyway.
And I concur,
♪Whenever you feel love, ♪ you feel Die Hard!♪
Now, a Die Hard with Muppets would be awesome.
Die Hard with The Muppets is something I would watch…
Me too 🙂
Well I clicked on the link and it says ‘Sorry, this episode is not available’ so obviously you did/said something unwatchable or your wallpaper and bookshelves are not suitable for family viewing.
Regarding the question of Die Hard being a christmas movie, well silly question really, it takes place on CHRISTMAS EVE!! Duh! Now I think about it no wonder they took the episode down.
Grinchette….
I don’t see how that applies to me at all as I agree with you re Die Hard being a Christmas movie AND I’ve just done battle with the Christmas tree and festivised the parlour. I am most ungrinchy!
Oh, my bad. I thought you were saying that Die Hard WASN’T a Christmas movie because it took place on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas.
Carry on then….
My bad too, silly me thought Christmas Eve was part of Christmas.
I’m thinking we need to setup some sort of International Investigative Body to go over this in detail. Preferably well funded by the UN and with no firm ending dates.
I concur. After I’ve done the ironing though.
Yeah, ironing WHILE being funded by the UN would definitely be unethical. I support your ethical stance on this issue.
It won’t take long, feel free to start without me, I’ll catch up.
Also I propose making Ol’10 the field agent, no point in all of us going out in the cold and he’s more used to it.
I’m washing my hair, so NOPE!
Purple acquired! Congratulations 🎉
Will regift it to Bookstooge after Xmas.
Can’t be done. If you attempt to get rid of it you will be turned into a lobster and delivered to Gordon Ramsey.
I find that highly unlikely…do your worst!
Nothing to do with me. Once a belt is given it is mind melded to the recipient for all time.
Who makes these rules? I didn’t sign up for this…
Comes with the job.
What job is that, Bunty?
The job of Nope-Meister of course! Duh!
Big pile of my ironing to do after that lot.
Up yer bum.
This comment is under investigation by WP as contrvening our rules about strong language.
She doesn’t even read the world’s top ironing blog, no telling her…
I’ve left some socks on the radiator for statching, could you make it snappy, please? And fold it nicely this, time, there’s a dear…
WTAF is statching? Is that some Scottish vernacular for the act of ironing? If so nope and thrice nope. Socks are balled and don’t need ironing as they come out straight after that.
I would like my socks ironed, please, and stretched for good effect.
Rarely have I read such ill-informed discussion, a battle of wits between unarmed opponents…
Jealous, jealous, jealous.
and
neener, neener, neener….
Is that the sound a police siren makes when they take you away?
That is the sound the police make when they run away from a bribed Delta Force.
Delta Farce more like, haha
Nope.
Go you! Soon be a purple belt at this rate!
You do not own this phrase
Do too.
Do not.
Do.
Do not. Do Not. Do Not.
That not taking part in silly discussions, not going too well is it?
Going fine for me so far, this kind of argument gets me on National tv while you’re ironing socks
Not
Sigh
Not getting involved in this silly debate.
Bit late to change that habit now.
Sigh…you could be right.
I so am.
Sigh…pfttt
Not
Am
Nope, you are not, and I will not tell you again. Now buckle up, Bunty, and get on with that ironing, won’t do itself!
I don’t like repeating myself but I’ll make an exception in your case.. up yer bum.
Thanks for making this exception, appreciate your going out of your way.
You’re very welcome.
This is very serious. You should stop treating this subject so lightly.
The Fate of Nations could very well hang in the balance. At least I know I’m doing my part by getting UN funding. What are YOU doing?
Influencing the election results, packing the courts, faking the news…
Is there NOTHING you won’t do?
If you ask me what I won’t do, then the answer is nothing, nothing is what I won’t be doing.
I like your thinking MacDuff!
Hah, there’s no reasoning with him, look, at least this is a nice lighthearted discussion, so you can chill with some eggnogg and some Perry Como…
Ooh yes I do like a Babycham!
Great, put your feet up, I’ll bring some through with some Hob Nobs…
Too much ironing to do.
Ok, then all the more for me!
haha, you said it, Bookywook Stooge!
From Bunty to Bookywood in mere hours. You’re almost as mercurial as me….
Booktwook with a k, I think.
I read that second iteration, as Booktwerk. For a second I thought you were accusing me of twerking.
I have no vested interest in whether your week or not, what you do in your private time is not my preserve.
My goodness, you’re feisty today!
And abysmal at spelling. Just sayin’ .
I do not have to come here to be insulted!
Well where else do you want to be insulted?
Well, I can get insulted almost anywhere, so this isn’t my only option. Just sayin’!
I’m pleased your being insulted is so ubiquitous, well done. Carry on.
You must have been too slow to click the link, internet completely broken within seconds of that episode being posted…sorry!