12 replies to this topic

[Hans]

I don't know if this will actually help anyone, but it certainly made me laugh!  It's from Sunday's Links:  Review for the Clueless.  

My favorite part:  "The girls seem to be wearing black Gucci swimsuits."

[Farrell Fan]

Hans, on Jul 18 2005, 01:28 PM, said:

My favorite part:  "The girls seem to be wearing black Gucci swimsuits."

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Wasn't there a time when Agon and other Balanchine leotard ballets were known as "bathing suit ballets?"

[Alexandra]

"Concerto Barocco" was once in black "bathing suits" (practice dress) but they weren't Gucci, I'm afraid!

[Hans]

Perhaps they were Chanel.  The members of the Ballet Russe, after all, did socialize with Coco Chanel.

[Mel Johnson]

I think that Korb's piece is very much in the tradition of Dave Barry.

[dirac]

Yes, but Barry was often funny.

I mean no offense, Hans, we can't all agree on what makes us laugh-- it would be a much more peaceable world if we could, I'm sure.  

[BalletIsLife]

I can only see a ballet fans finding humor in Korb's references.  (If it can be called humerous at all.)

I don't think he will attract any clueless spectators with this piece.  The truly clueless would probably read this review and think ballet was all the more confusing and unappealing!

[Alexandra]

I'd vote with the "that was funny?" crowd.  If I were a "clueless" fan, I think I'd insulted, to boot.  Who's being "classist?"  The ballet, or the critic who assumes everyone else is too dumb to get it?  (OR maybe he really does think like this....)  Not complaining -- thanks for posting this, Hans.

[Hans]

That's all right dirac--after all, if we all had the same opinions, this board wouldn't be here.

[bart]

I saw the piece as an extreme example of Attention Deficit Disorder.

[Clara 76]

bart, on Jul 19 2005, 04:54 PM, said:

I saw the piece as an extreme example of Attention Deficit Disorder.

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I agree-
What point exactly was being made?? The main idea I got was that ballet is boring except for the skinny women.

Tsk tsk.

Perhaps I have no sense of humor???

Clara 76

[amitava]

I found it funny, because I have discussed such things with folks who do not enjoy a performance (ballet or other music/dance/cultural programs)...or are bored.  In fact I have had similar experiences (usually if a peformance is boring and/or has non-engaging talent).

I am not sure I would take this as an insult to Ballet.  I could also interpret it as the critic making fun of themselves

[redbookish]

Yes, I thought it was funny - but the humour was for those already "initiated" and in the know. Even the title - ballet for the clueless - was a joke. For me the humour came from the contrast between the performance I imagined from the bits of description in the "review," and the reactions of the reviewer. But then maybe I have an odd sense of humour ...