One night last week I was attempting to watch an inane film that seemed to mostly involve Kurt Russell violently rutting Courtney Cox (don’t worry, there was no Johnson’s Baby Oil involved, it was just a very slow night elsewhere on terrestrial TV) when a bulbous man in a pink shirt popped up at the bottom of the screen and started flailing his arms about and making sign language gestures. The guy was fucking massive. He wasn’t even keeping over to the corner either – he was right over towards the middle of the screen waving his arms up and down, and generally getting in the way.
I’ve got nothing against deaf people, but is there any need for this guy to be there? Shouldn’t there be a button to get rid of him? Also, what’s wrong with subtitles? The thing is, I am really easily distracted, so I just spent the whole time transfixed by this animated man in the fluorescent shirt and couldn’t pay attention to the film. I can’t overstate how unnecessarily large he was either. The people benefiting from the addition of this guy are deaf, not fucking blind!
Recently, it seems impossible to switch on the TV after midnight and find a programme worth watching without an annoying person bouncing around in the corner of the screen. I don’t see why deaf people get special treatment on late night TV anyway. What about the insomniacs? Surely they should get priority. Why don’t little fluffy bouncing cartoon sheep appear at the bottom of our screens after midnight? Or why don’t the signers dress up as sheep and do slow, hypnotic dance routines while waving their arms about? Then everyone would be happy.
May 2, 2008 at 3:35 pm |
a long long time ago, when i was at university and returned from a drum and bass rave (what was i thinking?), my friends did the usual ritual of putting on music, and switching on the tv just for extra background visuals for those who wish to indulge in some late night/early morning educational programs. one of my friends, Neil, was sitting next to me on the sofa chewing his face off and as i looked at him he was transfixed by the television. he then nudges me and whispers “im so fucked man, im totally tripping out, i can like see a little guy in the corner of the tv raving with his hands in time to the music were playing”. I then look back at the tv and low and behold its just a little deaf sign language man in the corner of the screen. i didnt have the heart to break up his little trip, he looked like he was having a good time. I just replied with a “woah, no way! thats crazy”.
May 5, 2008 at 12:20 am |
the best thing i have ever seen was a corny music video channel late at night with a little signing frumpy enthusiastic woman in the corner. signing along to 50 cent. she was well into it. her kids must be well proud. i think there was some r kelly in there too. literally changed my life.
September 20, 2008 at 1:33 am |
BWHWHAHAHAH! Wow, I have NEVER seen this. LOL, literally.
March 27, 2009 at 9:44 pm |
The best one i ever saw was on mtv or one of the music channels, a signer trying desperately to keep up with a Twista track (formally held the record for fastest MC in the world…)
So worth it.