Giggles

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

... you are daring to cross into waters only previously challenged by The Saucepan Man, and look at the toll it's taken on him!

Well, that's a red rag to a saucepan-attired bull, if ever I saw one. So I am afraid that I shall have to press you further on a statement that you made a few posts above:

The point is that a lot of the humour was bad and inappropriate.

What exactly do you mean by the terms "bad" and "inappropriate"? Which particular instances of humour are you referring to? Why exactly do you consider them to be "bad" and/or "inappropriate"? "Bad" and/or "inappropriate" to whom? Just you? Right-thinking people (whoever they may be) in general? Tolkien fans generally? Or the majority of audiences? Or do you consider that there is some objective standard by reference to which they can properly be judged "bad" and/or "inappropriate"?

[alatar]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

What exactly do you mean by the terms "bad" and "inappropriate"? Which particular instances of humour are you referring to? Why exactly do you consider them to be "bad" and/or "inappropriate"? "Bad" and/or "inappropriate" to whom? Just you? Right-thinking people (whoever they may be) in general? Tolkien fans generally? Or the majority of audiences? Or do you consider that there is some objective standard by reference to which they can properly be judged "bad" and/or "inappropriate"?

I would not want to undertake the task of (1) defining humor or (2) defining bad or inappropriate humor. One laughs at what one thinks is funny, I guess.

I would question why certain 'allegedly' humorous scenes were added to the EE DVDs and were not fit for general consumption. My assumption has always been that the EE DVDs were for us - the Tolkien lovers. If this is the case (again, totally an assumption) then one would think that the additional giggle scenes would be appealing to an audience of 'us.'

Is this the case? Not for me. The drinking scene with Gimli and Legolas was just sooo funny that "I forgot to laugh" (thanks Gilda Radner).

Gimli ducking and weaving with the spirits of the dead? While watching I could not wait until the scene ended.

Not sure if Gimli's bumping of Legolas's bow in the 'Pirates scene' is classifiable as a humorous scene.

I will say that I liked the 'shall I get you a box' line at Helm's Deep, but can't remember if this were in the theatrical version or not (just wanted to say something positive about PJ ).

Not sure if this were available, but a compulsary poll of forum movie viewers would provide some information regarding "Tolkien fans generally."

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Gimli's belching.

Completely inappropriate. It is a serious scene and just does not need humour (let alone 'humour')

Bad. It is completely unfunny.

People in general cannot find this funny or worthwhile (and if they do then they should not - I stand by that one Saucy! )

*Saucepan Man shakes his head in despair at that outlandish claim*

Tolkien fans are left scratching their heads at best and despairing at worst.

I myself am incredulous.

[The Tennis Ball Kid]

His belch in Edoras? I don't think that was meant to be funny. More along the lines of Gimli's commentary on Theoden's military policy.




ttbk

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I think it was definitely humour, included because they couldn't have a serious conversation about strategy for more than 40 seconds.

Gimli was barely paying attention to Theoden in that scene.

[The Saucepan Man]

Combined with Gimli's expression, I too took it as a comment on Theoden's tactical musings, done in a mildly amusing manner.

To me, it wasn't incongruous, because it was consistent with Jackson's characterisation of Gimli (although not Tolkien's), which was (as I have said) driven in part by the wish to make Gimli more memorable and in part to set up the contrast with Legolas.

Of course it was inappropriate, in the sense that one should not belch in front of a King, particularly when he is discussing affairs of state. But surely that's what makes it funny. I don't find belching funny per se. But "inappropriate" belching can be amusing, to me at least. A similar "gas-related" techinique was used in a recent episode of Doctor Who, and I found that hilarious (as did my kids).

To my mind, it also increases Gimli's appeal, particularly to the more rebellious members of the audience. The fact that he cares not for diplomatic decorum.

On what basis should people not find it funny, Eomer? Why am I wrong to find it amusing?

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

Of course it was inappropriate, in the sense that one should not belch in front of a King, particularly when he is discussing affairs of state. But surely that's what makes it funny. I don't find belching funny per se. But "inappropriate" belching can be amusing, to me at least. A similar "gas-related" techinique was used in a recent episode of Doctor Who, and I found that hilarious (as did my kids).

To my mind, it also increases Gimli's appeal, particularly to the more rebellious members of the audience. The fact that he cares not for diplomatic decorum.

Why SpM, are you suggesting that there is no qualitative difference between Theoden and Blair, etc? Does Theoden deserve the disrespect that our modern politicians have earned?

I thought the Doctor Who stuff was designed to "decrease dramatic tension", part of the post modern irreverence which went with the Doctor's waving to the paparazzi and with earlier depictions of fearful aliens. Doctor Who makes fun of itself. Does Tolkien make fun of himself?