Mil Millington (1965--) is one of the funniest writers I've come across on the web. He is a practitioner of comic writing in the tradition of Monty Python, Douglas Adams, and some of the funnier essayists from the Thatcher era editions of "Punch". (See link to the site below)
Things my girlfriend and I have argued about
I was first introduced to his blog, "Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About", from an English friend on a long-gone website dedicated to pop culture. Millington recounts in sardonic and frequently hilarious details about his life with his German-born girlfriend, Margret, and their various fights over many mundane and serious topics.
Millington was apparently was subsidizing his writing career as a IT computer man in the English Midlands when he started this blog. The success of this site led to a contract to write a novel of the same name, and he has published at least three others since. He also furnishes e-mail updates, contributes columns to newspapers--such as this blog on all things anxiety-producing for "The Guardian" http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/milmillington In addition to putting pen to humorous put-downs of almost everything in the English-speaking world and beyond, he is also somehow finding time to co-write a new radio detective series that's based on the old "Sexton Blake" stories for BBC Radio2, which premieres Saturday, July 30 .
Sexton Blake was apparently an attempt to replicate the success of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes" stories in "The Strand" magazine. The original stories were melodramatic and several authors over the years contributed to a character known as "the prince of The Penny Dreadfuls" and "the office boys' Sherlock Holmes". I've personally always had a fondness for these "gentlemen sleuths" of the Sherlock Holmes and Bulldog Drummond school of stories and films.
The clips of material from the radio show speak for themselves as to how "cheeky" the modern Mr. Blake--British Resolve Personified! (well, sort of)-- and his faithful sidekick, Tinker, will be portrayed. Millington can be seen briefly in the first segment.
I love the way the actors are so animated while speaking into their mikes. Brilliant! I was such a fan of Firesign Theatre when I was young and was sorry the tradition just sort of faded away, that is, till now. Woohoo.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you mentioned "Firesign Theatre", Red. That was my first exposure--along with National Lampoon Radio--to this type of humor. Something about using the imagination makes the best material even funnier!
ReplyDelete"Duck's Breath Mystery Theatre" was another good American radio comedy troupe--very Pythonesque with characters like "Dr. Science" and "Randee of the Redwoods"-- that put out some fine material in the 70's and 80's--even their name was funny!
Just for the record the correct way to cut a Kiwifruit is across the middle not lengthwise. I'm a Kiwi so I should know. lol Mil Millington is very readable isn't he? You find yourself wanting to cut in with your own commentary hehehe
ReplyDeleteI shall not dispute a Kiwi on the proper preperation of national fruit, Iri Ani. It would be like disputing witha Canadian on the proper way to kick a walrus. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAs for Millington, yes, I think he's got a deft touch for humor. I must track down one of his novels soon.
What is the proper way to kick a walrus - Kiwis (one Kiwi anyhow) need to know!
ReplyDeleteI have as well. We saw a clip for the new Sherlock Holmes ovie coming out the other day. I have always enjoyed the radio drama. You can close your eyes and drift into the characters and live the mystery in your mind.
ReplyDeleteKick as far away from the walrus' tusks as possible, then run away. (Source: Canadian Department of Animal Abuse.)
ReplyDeleteIt's a lost form of dramatic programming, Fred. There was station in San Francisco when I was growing up in the 70's that broadcast a lot of old radio dramas such as "The Shadow" and comedy shows like "Jack Benny". We've lost that art of imaginative story-telling for adults, sometimes in favor of pure junk like most reality television.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to listening to "Sexton Blake"---if the reviews are good--when it comes out on CD.
Yes, I was wondering about what the movie looks like--I've only seen a couple stills on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteRobert Downey is a very good actor, and I'm interested to see how his performance holds up to all the "Mr. Holmes of Baker Street" that have come before.