there's an escaped fish

[freckles_and_doubt]

The writers of headlines for the Daily Voice billboards cause me much innocent, or occasionally scurrilous, joy. I have realised, after several seconds of mature reflection, that it's not just their propensity for linguistic games, it's also the fact that they clearly have a severely warped sense of humour and absolutely no social inhibitions whatsoever, and are thus far more My Tribe than I would expect to find attached to a low-class tabloid rag. Today's little gem:

TEARS AFTER ONION MURDER!

I have no idea why it's an onion murder - someone was bashed to death with a bag of onions? in a field of onions? while reading The Onion? maybe an innocent onion was ruthlessly slaughtered? either way, I laughed all the way home.

I am, of course, at home today, which is just as well, since I'm feeling like hell again - sinus trying to resurge into full-blown 'flu, glands all up and stuff. Phooey. However, am fortified against the pile of credit transfers which face me by two evenings of new Castle behind me, and tonight's planned two new episodes of Fringe ahead.

I also watched "The Beast Below", which is the latest Doctor Who episode, but the jury is still out on the current series. I am inclining very quickly towards thinking that the new Doctor is bloody well cast, he's producing a very nice blend of quirk, authority and charm, and taking in his stride the difficult task of providing a Tennant replacement when the Tennant bar was set so high. The episodes themselves, thought, while they're not causing Davies-style continuity rage, are also not producing the requisite degree of fangirly contentment on the narrative level. They're ... OK. "The Beast Below" was vaguely interesting, vaguely logical, vaguely worked. Vaguely. It just didn't cause me the deep narrative satisfaction of "Blink" or "The Girl in the Fireplace", and I am forced to face the possibility that Moffat may have his off days, or may be diluting himself too far. I am not yet losing hope, but I can't quite commit to this relationship for fear of being hurt.

On the other hand, the one-liners are still good.

Comments

On the subject of Onions...

[autumnalakika.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

The trick I learnt from Castle when cutting up onions: wear swimming goggles. It actually works. No more "I'm not upset, I'm cutting up onions" moments. Just remember to wash your hands before removing the goggles and rubbing your eyes.

Re: On the subject of Onions...

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

I love the cooking scenes in Castle. I once had a very odd dream in which Nathan Fillion was a very bad cook, so it's nice to see him redeemed ;>.

[rumint.livejournal.com]

Speaking of Dr Who, the terrifying Weeping Angels from Blink are apparently back in tomorrow's episode, and possibly next week as it is a two-parter...

As a Cthulhu DM I really enjoy them, as scary as an invisible Raven :)

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

I loved the weeping angels, but I'm all braced for a dilution of the terrifyingly beautiful elegance of their original appearance. Hopefully you've seen the episode now and can reassure me that Moffat has found a way to reuse them without them becoming ordinary or hackneyed. Yes? Please?

[(Anonymous)]

Headlines (including posters) are written by sub-editors. It's by far the most fun part of the job. As a rule of thumb, the tackier the rag, the more frustrated and/or disillusioned the subs, the more creativity they will expend in headlining. No, that's not fair, subs on Quality Papers put a lot of effort into headlines - but don't have as much leeway, and are expected to uphold a Certain Tone, and are subject to many revisions from editors etc etc. But on the rags, nobody (a) has time to dither too much over whether a headline is Acceptable, and (b) cares. So, more fun all round.

scroob

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

I always forget about your background in more-or-less scurrilous rag production. This makes perfect sense, and it will add considerably to my innocent enjoyment to think of all the validation I provide those poor, frustrated subs. Not that they'll know, but it's the thought that counts.

[(Anonymous)]

Mostly less scurrilous, at least in latter years. Mostly.