How can you possibly compare something as banal as “Who wants to be a Millionaire”, with the Roman Circus?
The Roman Circus was primarily the venue for Chariot Racing, combining all the thrills of Formula One with the added bonus that perhaps a quarter of the charioteers would be killed in “shipwrecks” (crashes) as they were called.
The most famous circus, the Circus Maximus in Rome is estimated to have seated 250,000 ecstatic spectators. Other slightly smaller venues were to be found all over the Empire, one astonishingly in Colchester, Essex!
Give the choice, I know which I would like to attend.
Indeed.
It’s been “late capitalism” (Werner Sombart, circa 1901) for longer than it’s been “capitalism” (Louis Blanc, 1850)
The late (as in “deceased”) Socialist Soviet Empire was very fond of the term.
Yes, capitalism is infinitely malleable and flexible, so there can never be a ‘late capitalism’.
late liberalism, or late democracy on the other hand …
Saul D
7 months ago
One of the unnoticed features of British and Anglo-Saxon culture is the constant element of games and competition. It’s everywhere – from keeping up with the Joneses, to how many pints your can drink, gardening, baking, games, betting and then all the quiz shows. Other countries have more ‘keep-your-head-down’ and conformance – don’t be the tall poppy – without so much of the frisson of one-upmanship.
This literally goes all the way back to the origins of Anglo-Saxon culture: Beowulf contains the retelling of a swimming contest between Beowulf and fellow warrior Breca (Beowulf technically lost because he paused in the middle to be a badass and fight a bunch of sea serpents), while the “riddle contest” was a staple of Old English literature; the riddle contest between Bilbo and Gollum in The Hobbit is a very deliberate evocation of this tradition.
Also evidenced by our either originating and/or codifying most of the major sports enjoyed across the world. Notably: football, rugby (both codes), cricket, horse racing, boxing; i’m sure there are others.
Last edited 7 months ago by Steve Murray
Right-Wing Hippie
7 months ago
I’m dynamite at Trivial Pursuit, but I’ve never felt the call to pursue it professionally; I mean, once you start doing something for pay it sucks all the fun out of it–it just becomes a job.
Tony Reardon
7 months ago
I really enjoyed “Slumdog Millionaire” featuring the Indian version.
Possibly the author here is referring to ” Kaun Banega Crorepati”, a literal translation of ” Who Wants To be a Millionaire” and hugely popular for its chief anchor being mega- star Amitabh Bachchan.
It had a robotic computer and helpline mix.
The Hollywood ( or Indie)movie you refer to was more of a social commentary based on a bestselling book by a career diplomat.
Keith Williamson
7 months ago
I thought judith keppel was on eggheads rather than the chase?
Some interesting details here, not least about the sentinels for the “friends”. I’ve often wondered if the Millionaire music is heard in the studio during the recording, or is added later. The less said about the opening sequence, which looks like a plague of zombies, the better. I’d like to more about the selection procedure, given that the contestants who make it to our screens might be kindly described as a mixed ability group.
How can you possibly compare something as banal as “Who wants to be a Millionaire”, with the Roman Circus?
The Roman Circus was primarily the venue for Chariot Racing, combining all the thrills of Formula One with the added bonus that perhaps a quarter of the charioteers would be killed in “shipwrecks” (crashes) as they were called.
The most famous circus, the Circus Maximus in Rome is estimated to have seated 250,000 ecstatic spectators. Other slightly smaller venues were to be found all over the Empire, one astonishingly in Colchester, Essex!
Give the choice, I know which I would like to attend.
ps: For the uninitiated this may give you something of the flavour:-
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k3QM0b3MqqQ
I’ve always thought there’s more than a little wishful thinking encapsulated in the phrase ‘late capitalist’.
Indeed.
It’s been “late capitalism” (Werner Sombart, circa 1901) for longer than it’s been “capitalism” (Louis Blanc, 1850)
The late (as in “deceased”) Socialist Soviet Empire was very fond of the term.
A capitalist is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he’s been paid to.
Yes, capitalism is infinitely malleable and flexible, so there can never be a ‘late capitalism’.
late liberalism, or late democracy on the other hand …
One of the unnoticed features of British and Anglo-Saxon culture is the constant element of games and competition. It’s everywhere – from keeping up with the Joneses, to how many pints your can drink, gardening, baking, games, betting and then all the quiz shows. Other countries have more ‘keep-your-head-down’ and conformance – don’t be the tall poppy – without so much of the frisson of one-upmanship.
What about ‘Endurance’ the painful Japanese game show brought so memorably to our screens by the late Clive James?
This literally goes all the way back to the origins of Anglo-Saxon culture: Beowulf contains the retelling of a swimming contest between Beowulf and fellow warrior Breca (Beowulf technically lost because he paused in the middle to be a badass and fight a bunch of sea serpents), while the “riddle contest” was a staple of Old English literature; the riddle contest between Bilbo and Gollum in The Hobbit is a very deliberate evocation of this tradition.
Also evidenced by our either originating and/or codifying most of the major sports enjoyed across the world. Notably: football, rugby (both codes), cricket, horse racing, boxing; i’m sure there are others.
I’m dynamite at Trivial Pursuit, but I’ve never felt the call to pursue it professionally; I mean, once you start doing something for pay it sucks all the fun out of it–it just becomes a job.
I really enjoyed “Slumdog Millionaire” featuring the Indian version.
Possibly the author here is referring to ” Kaun Banega Crorepati”, a literal translation of ” Who Wants To be a Millionaire” and hugely popular for its chief anchor being mega- star Amitabh Bachchan.
It had a robotic computer and helpline mix.
The Hollywood ( or Indie)movie you refer to was more of a social commentary based on a bestselling book by a career diplomat.
I thought judith keppel was on eggheads rather than the chase?
Indeed she was, and spent her earnings on a complete physiognomical rebuild that rather reminded me of Rider Haggard’s ‘SHE’.
Some interesting details here, not least about the sentinels for the “friends”. I’ve often wondered if the Millionaire music is heard in the studio during the recording, or is added later. The less said about the opening sequence, which looks like a plague of zombies, the better. I’d like to more about the selection procedure, given that the contestants who make it to our screens might be kindly described as a mixed ability group.