MODULE 9 TELEVISION TRANSCRIPTS

1 A BRITISH SENSE OF HUMOUR

A HOW FUNNY!
Jilly Tom? Look, Im sorry, I know its my round, but I
havent got any money to buy drinks. I left my purse
at home.
Tom Again! Thats all right. Ill buy some drinks for you.
Jilly An orange juice, please, Tom.
Clive A pint of bitter.
Louise A dry Martini.
Gino Bitter, please, Tom.
Tom Righto.
Clive Hey, Gino, did you read my article yesterday?
Gino No, Im sorry, Clive. I didnt. Was it any good?
Clive Any good? Was it any good? How dare you! No, it
was rubbish.
Gino Oh, Im sorry.
Clive No, Gino, when I said it was rubbish, I was only
joking.
Gino Oh, I see. I apologise.
Clive Dont mention it.
Gino Look, sorry everybody, but I have a confession to
make. Sometimes I find your British humour very
difficult. I dont understand why you are laughing.
Youre always saying one thing when you mean
something else, arent you? Clive says his article
was rubbish, but he means it was great! I dont
understand.
Louise Its irony, Gino.
Gino Yes, the British love irony, dont they?
Louise Mmm.
Tom But the Italians dont understand irony, do they?
Gino Of course we do, but I think you British use irony
far too much. And it isnt always funny well, not
to me. Im sorry that I havent laughed at your
jokes. Im sure theyre very funny if you are
British.
Tom Youll laugh at this joke, Gino. A man goes into a
pub with his dog- its a racing dog a whippet. In
the corner of this pub is an old man and on this table
is a tortoise.
Gino A tortoise?
Tom Yes, its a very slow animal with a shell. But the
shell on this tortoise is all broken. It looks terrible.
Its hardly moving. Anyway, this old man shouts at
the man with the dog. Ere! I bet my tortoise can
beat your dog in a race. he man with the dog
laughs, but the man with the tortoise shouts again,
Ere, Ill bet you a hundred pounds my tortoise can
beat your dog in a race. Well, the man with the dog
thinks, Thats easy money OK, old man! And
they go out into the car park. The old man puts the
tortoise down on the ground, he stands up and he
says, You see that street light over there? My
tortoise will race your dog to that street light. The
man with the dog says, OK. The dogs all excited
ready to go. The poor tortoise is hardly moving,
but the old man says, Ready, steady, go.
Clive Thats a great joke.
Gino But I thought you didnt like it never mind. I
thought it was a bit cruel.
Tom It was black humour, Gino.
***
tom Gino, tell us a joke now.
All Yeah. Go on.
Gino OK, now I will tell you a joke. An Italian joke.
Italian humour is very different. Ill show Italian
humour to you.
Jilly OK, Gino. Lets have the job.
Gino OK. There was this Italian boy called Paolo, and he
was at a language school, learning English. But he
was the worst in the class. He was a nice boy, but
useless! One day, the teacher said to the class, I
want you to use the words green, yellow and
pink to make sentences. The best student said,
The grass is green, the sun is yellow and my dress
is pink. Excellent, said the teacher, and she asked
another pupil to use the same three words to make
sentences. He said, My shirt is green, my tie is
yellow, and my face is pink. Very good! said the
teacher. Well done! Then she asked Paolo to do
the same. Of course, he couldnt. So he stood up and
pretended that the telephone was ringing. He said,
Green, green. Then he pretended to pick up the
phone, and said, Yellow? Yellow? Then he put
down the phone and said, Pink! Green, green
Yellow? Yellow? Pink.
Clive You know what?
Gino Tell me.
Clive That really was a very, very good joke!
Gino Thank you, Clive! Thats very nice.
Jilly Gino, I think that may have been
Gino Dont tell me. Irony.
Jilly Yes, Gino, irony.
B DO YOU KNOW ANY JOKES?
Street interviews
Keith OK, so heres a funny joke one day a man goes into
a pet shop and he walks up to the assistant and he
says, Excuse me, can I have a mosquito, please?
And the assistant says, Sorry sir, we dont sell
mosquitoes. And the man says, Oh! Well, I saw one
in the window.
***
Nigel Did you hear about the supermodel who was caught
staring at a carton of orange juice? It said on it
concentrate!
***
Lucy Why are there no aspirins in the jungle? Because the
parrots ate em all (paracetamol)!
***
Keith I think there is such a thing as a British sense of
humour. I think its quite dry and quite ironic, or
when British people tell jokes, for example, they tend
to remain quite serious and they dont laugh out loud
like lots of, I dont know, continental people do.
John I think, I think understatement is, is probably
characteristic of English humour, the one, I, yes
definitely, understatement.
Lucy British humour is very based upon sarcasm, its very
dry and theres a lot of playing with words, its not a
particularly visual type of humour.
From the archive
Basil Good morning, madam, can I help you?
Woman Are you the manager?
Basil I am the owner, madam.
Woman What?
Basil I am the owner.
Woman I want to speak to the manager.
Basil I am the manager too.
Woman What?
Basil I am the manager as well.
Manuel Manager, he manager.
Woman Uh, youre what?
Basil Im the manager.
Woman What?
Basil Im the manager.
Woman Yes, I know, youve just told me. Whats the
matter with you? Now listen to me. I booked a
room with a bath. When I book a room with a bath,
I expect to get a bath.
Basil Youve got a bath.
Woman Im not paying seven pounds twenty pence per
night plus VAT for a room without a bath.
Basil There is your bath.
Woman You call that a bath? Its not big enough to drown
a mouse. Its disgraceful.
Basil I wish you were a mouse!
Woman And another thing. I asked for a room with a view.
Basil Deaf, mad and blind. This is the view as far as I
can remember, madam. Yes, yes, this is it.
Woman When I pay for a view, I expect something more
interesting than that.
Basil That is Torquay, madam.
Woman Well, its not good enough.
Basil Well, may I ask what you were expecting to see
out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney
Opera House, perhaps? The hanging gardens of
Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping
majestically
Woman Dont be silly. I expect to be able to see the sea.
Basil You can see the sea, its over there between the
land and the sky.
News from the past
Trevor Good evening. This is the news from the British
Broadcasting Corporation in London, and here are
the headlines for 1954. The future King of Great
Britain, Prince Charles, has given his royal
approval to a group of very silly British comedians.
And Lucille Ball stars in the I Love Lucy Show on
television. But the main story tonight is the concern
over the young Prince Charles. We are now going
over live to our Royal correspondent, Anna
Pilkington, who is standing outside Buckingham
Palace. Anna, what is the latest news from
Buckingham Palace?
Anna Well, Trevor, Ive been standing outside the gates
of Buckingham Palace all day, and its very
exciting.
Trevor Why?
Anna Well, its awfully exciting to be outside the home
of Her Majesty the Queen, isnt it?
Trevor What about this story of Prince Charles and The
Goons?
Anna Well, Trevor, a spokesman for Her Majesty has just
given me this statement. People at Buckingham
Palace are concerned because the young Prince has
apparently been listening to a new radio show
called The Goons.
Trevor Who are the Goons?
Anna Well, Trevor, it seems theyre a group of
comedians who have a show on the radio every
week. One of their leaders, a man by the name of
Peter Sellers, told me they have fun and talk in silly
voices.
Trevor Anna, what exactly do you mean by silly voices?
Anna They say things like like Yingtong yingtong
tiddle aye po.
Trevor Really? But Anna, why are Palace officials worried
about the young Prince Charles?
Anna Well, it seems that the Prince enjoys using silly
voices from The Goon Show, which some people
say is worrying for the future of the country
Trevor Thank you, and we will bring you an update on that
story in a minute. And finally a young actress
called Lucille Ball and her husband have produced
a new show for television. Its called the I Love
Lucy Show. Some people are predicting that this
programme is going to be very popular nd that it
will probably still be shown on television stations
around the world in fifty years time. And now
back to the >Palace. Anna, are there any further
developments?
Anna Yington yington tiddle aye po.
Trevor Thank you. And thats all the news from the BBC
in London. Good night.
Making yourself understood
Juan Hello Id like to book a room, please Id like to
book a room Excuse me, I would like to book a
room, please Una habitacin? I am speaking
good English. Why dont you understand what Im
saying? I want to book a room, please I said
please. Please. Please! Please, I am tired. I have had
a long journey. I want a nice, comfortable bed. I want
to go to sleep. Please.
Mike Good evening, sir. How can I help you?
Juan Why are you laughing at me? My English isnt bad, is
it?
Mike No. Not bad at all!
Juan Have I said something wrong?
Mike No. Im sorry. Its its my favourite comedy
programme. Do you like comedy?
Juan Yes, but Id like to book a room, please.
Mike Certainly, sir. What sort of room would you like? Oh,
no! Please please forgive me. Now, the room.
Juan Right. I would like a single room, please.
Mike Right. With bath or shower?
Juan With a shower, please.
Mike Ah. Im afraid we dont have a single room with
shower free. Oh, but I do have a twin room and a
double. Both with showers. Would either of those be
suitable?
Juan Well, how much are they?
Mike The twin room is sixty-five pounds per night, and the
double is seventy pounds. Oh, but as you really only
want a single room, I can give you a single-room rate
for the twin.
Juan Fine. How much is that?
Mike Its fifty pounds including full English breakfast. Are
you staying more than one night?
Juan Three nights actually.
Mike Ah, well if youre staying three nights, I can give you
a special price.
Juan Oh, really?
Mike For one night 50. For three nights only one
hundred and fifty pounds! Thats my special price for
three nights.
DOCUMENTARY
Sara(VO) This is a machine for crushing peas one by one
... An example of British humour.
Its said that one of the most distinctive
characteristics of the British is their sense of
humour. An ironic, self-critical and subtle
sense of humour.
Gary (VO) Or at least this is the kind of humour that has
come down to us through literature and
cartoon.
Sara (VO) But theres another kind of humour. Stand-up
comedians have a big audience in Great
Britain.
Gary (VO) Shows like this one go on tour all over the
country, playing to audiences in various
different clubs. What are the characteristics of
the British sense of humour?
Comedian Well, its changed over the last twenty years,
really. In the past, British humour was more
about making jokes about sexist sort of
jokes, racist jokes But these days its
changed a bit and its more observational
humour. Its about talking making fun of
yourself really, rather than making fun of other
people.
Sara (VO) Cartoons are another important branch of
British humour. We visited the National
Museum of Cartoon Art and asked its director
if it is true that the British have a good sense
of humour.
Director Yes, I think it is true. The British do have a
very good sense of humour. I think the British
are in fact world famous for having for
being a very funny nation.
Sara (VO) What kind of exhibits are displayed here?
Director We are displaying exhibitions of cartoon
original drawings. We are also exhibiting
caricature of famous people. And also comic
strips, from newspapers or from comic books.
Sara (VO) An important event in the history of British
humour was the publication of Punch, a
humorous magazine which appeared at the
beginning of the Victorian era, in 1841.
Gary (VO) Its jokes were understood by both intellectuals
and workers. Its criticism didnt respect
politicians, the church or even the queen
herself.
Sara (VO) Very soon Punch became a symbol of
humour and freedom of expression.
Gary (VO) We were quite fortunate to have one of the
most important British cartoonists draw a
cartoon for Thats English!
John Byrne Hello, my name is John Byrne. Im a
cartoonist and I will now draw a cartoon for
Thats English! I will start off by drawing the
teacher start off with the face, some hair
Sara (VO) John Byrne has done artwork and written
scripts for Superman, the Incredible Hulk, the
Four Superheroes and Alpha Flight, among
other comic characters.
John Byrne I hope your Thats English! Course is also
successful.
2 WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
A A SCOOP
Tom Whats going on?
Louise Jilly has been given an award.
Tom What for?
Louise Best reporter of the year.
Tom What? Best reporter! I write better stories than she
does. They should have given it to me.
Louise The awards been given to Jilly because her
stories are true. She researches her stories.
Clive Yes, she does. But she nearly made a big mistake
yesterday.
***
Jilly Dear Ms Partridge, I read your article on the role
of mothers in modern society. I was most
disappointed because I believe a womans place is
in the home yes, yes, yes. Dear Ms Partridge, I
have never read such a bad piece of journalism as
your editorial on mothers. Its feminist rubbish. I
think the situation is unfair to men hmm My
God!
Clive What is it?
Jilly Its nothing.
Clive Come on. Lets have a look. Who is that? Its
him!
Gino Who?
Clive Its that politician. The one who wants better
moral standards in society.
Jilly Sir Peter Hayes.
Gino Whos he kissing?
Clive This is a front-page story!
Jilly She looks about twenty and he must be at least
sixty.
Clive Its disgusting! Whos it from?
Jilly It doesnt say.
Clive What a story!
Jilly If its true.
Gino What do you mean?
Clive Maybe its his daughter.
Jilly Sir Peter Hayes, MP. Married Sheila Parsons
1958. Two children. Timothy and Anthony. I
dont think thats his daughter.
Clive This is going to be big. Its front page. This story
is just what we need to help sell more newspapers.
Well double our circulation figures.
***
Tom You said the story should be published.
Clive Well, it was a fantastic story.
***
Jilly Hello. Im Jilly Partridge, from The Echo.
Sir Peter I dont like being disturbed at home. This is my
time with my family.
Jilly This is important. Could we go to your study? I
dont want to disturb your family It was sent to
me yesterday.
Wife Lunch is ready, dear!
Sir Peter Ill be with you in five minutes.
Jilly Youre very calm.
Sir Peter This is a good story for you, Jilly. A scoop. Cant
you see what has been done? Two pictures have
been scanned into a computer and then treated so
that it looks like an old married politician is
having an affair with a very attractive girl.
Jilly I dont think so.
Sir Peter Dont you? I keep all my publicity. This is a
picture of me having just won my seat in the
House of Commons. I am kissing a woman. My
wife. It was published in a glossy magazine. Now,
look very carefully at these photographs. We see
what Im wearing. The same shirt and tie as in this
photograph.
Jilly Maybe
Sir Peter Look at my neck. Here and there. Its in exactly
the same position.
Jilly Youre right. Im sorry. Im really sorry.
Sir Peter You must be very disappointed.
Jilly No.
Sir Peter It would have been the hottest newspaper story of
the year.
Jilly Yes. Well, Im embarrassed, but Im pleased its
not true. Im pleased for your family.
Sir Peter I wonder if you really are pleased after all.
***
Clive It was such a shame. It wouldve doubled
circulation. Jilly, darling! Congratulations on your
award!
Jilly Thank you, Clive.
Gino Whats the matter, Jilly? You dont look very
happy.
Jilly Oh, its nothing, really. But I was thinking. You
know, I think I would have been glad if that story
about Sir Peter had been true.
Clive Well, of course you would! It would have been a
marvellous story!
Jilly Yes, it would. But it would also have been the end
of Sir Peter, and it would have ruined his familys
life.
Tom Well, it would have been his own fault!
Jilly I know, but I still think thats wrong. Dont you?
Clive
Louise
Gino
Yes.
Tom No, I dont! Id really like to get a photograph like
that in the post. Then perhaps Id get an award.
Drinks, anyone?
Jilly No, thanks, Tom. Not just now.
B NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS
Street interviews
Keith I read The Guardian newspaper because
politically, its left of centre so I suppose it
corresponds with my politics.
Julia I read The Daily Telegraph, because thats
the paper that my parents buy.
Sean I read The Guardian or The Independent,
which are liberal, left-wing newspapers. I
never read the Daily Telegraph, its too right
wing for my taste, its too conservative.
Mr Cornish We read The Sun newspaper, we find the
crossword is easy to do.
Gareth I read, uh, The Daily Telegraph and the
Daily Mail, which are very right-wing
newspapers, because I like to have
something to disagree with.
Lucy I read The Times because the articles are
very, very clear and the English is very good.
***
Gareth I dont think you can judge people by the
paper they read, they read, because I read a
right-wing newspaper, but I dont have right-
wing views.
Keith I think you can judge people by the
newspapers they read, but you have to be
careful because a lot of people buy a
newspaper just out of habit and they dont
really think about the politics of the
newspaper.
Lucy I think you can judge people to a certain
extent b the newspaper they read, for
example, the Telegraph is really quite a
right-wing newspaper, but I think, generally,
people choose the newspaper that they find
easiest to read.
From the archive
Voiceover According to The Sun, this photograph
remained locked in an American bank vault
for seven years. The full picture, with the
strategically placed crown, is splashed across
its centre pages. The Duke made no
comment today about the photo, taken when
he was twenty-four, on a camping trip in
Canada. The Sun fell foul of the Royals in
1989 after printing one of the Queens
private family photographs. It eventually
agreed to pay 100,000 to charity as a means
of apology. Today the MP Peter Bottomley
tabled a Commons motion to protest.
MP Many ordinary, decent people are very upset
and theyre saying, will parliament do
something to restrain this?
Voiceover But The Sun is adamant it hasnt breached
royal privacy.
Spokesperson Here you have a very prominent, very well-
known figure in a rather extraordinary
situation and from our point of view, and I
would think from the point of view of any
editor, of any tabloid paper, it is a picture
that had to be published.
Voiceover The Sun scoop may have renews calls for
laws against press intrusion of privacy, but
its unlikely to face any action unless the
Press Complaints Commission is asked to
investigate.
News from the past
Trevor Good evening. Here is the news from the BBC in
London, and these are the headlines. The
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. And the British
flag is on top of the world. But perhaps the biggest
story of the decade is the Coronation of Queen
Elizabeth II. Over now to our media affairs
correspondent, Anna Pilkington. Anna, how have
the media dealt with the Coronation?
Anna Well, Trevor, the Coronation has certainly made the
headlines. Look at these. Ive never seen such big
headlines. The British people have never before
been offered such comprehensive coverage of a
royal event. All the newspaper editorials think that
the young Queen Elizabeth is just wonderful.
Trevor So its been a good year for Britains newspapers?
Anna Well, Trevor, many people have followed the big
events on cinema newsreels, and over a million
people watched the Coronation on television. Some
people are saying that television is becoming so
successful that newspapers will soon be obsolete.
Trevor No newspapers by 1960 thats our prediction here
at the BBC. And now our other main story. A man
from the British Commonwealth hit the headlines in
every newspaper when he climbed Everest, the
highest mountain in the world. Edmund Hillary
from New Zealand placed the British Union Jack at
the top of Everest after climbing the mountain. And
finally, Ive just bee handed a story from the back
pages of the Evening Echo. Its about a young lorry
driver from Memphis, Tennessee, who is upsetting
parents all over America. Parents have been warned
not to let their daughters listen to the music of Ef
El Elvis Presley, as it is such a bad influence.
How dreadful! Thats all the news from the BBC in
London. Good night.
Making yourself understood
Juan Hello. Yesterday I ordered El Pas, and your assistant
promised me it would be delivered this morning. But
it wasnt. Why? Do you understand? I would like
El Pas, I insist.
Mike Im sorry?
Juan Where is my Spanish newspaper?
Mike I just dont understand.
Juan El Pas. El Pas. I would like my Spanish newspaper.
Do you understand?
Mike It just doesnt make sense.
Juan Yes, it does. I would like my Spanish paper. I want to
read about Spain. Look, if you havent got El Pas, Id
be happy with any Spanish newspaper. Have you got
La Vanguardia? Or El Mundo? How about El ABC?
Any of them would do!
Mike What? No. How could she do it?
Juan Im sorry. How could she do what?
Mike How would she leave me? I loved her.
Juan Please, could I talk to the manager? I have never had
such bad service.
Mike I am the manager.
DOCUMENTARY
Gary (VO) We live in a world where information
needs to be more immediate every day.
People want to receive news as soon as it
happens, and thanks to technological
progress, this is becoming easier and
easier.
Sara (VO) The mass media, and especially the written
press, are undergoing important changes to
adapt to the new demands. To be well
informed we dont need to read the news
on the pages of a newspaper, but we can
read it on computer screens where news is
sent as soon as its been written. These are
the so-called electronic newspapers on on-
line papers.
Gary (VO) To find out about on-line papers, we
visited the offices of USA TODAY
Information network. USA TODAY was
the first American newspaper to use
satellite transmission to publish
simultaneously nation-wide.
Larry Sanders, the person in charge of
communications in USA TODAY,
explains to us in general terms what an on-
line paper is.
Larry Sanders An on-line paper is more than just a paper.
Its the newspaper updated constantly. Its
the newspaper that can be published on-
line. Literally any time news happens.
Sara (VO) USA TODAY ONLINE is available on the
World Wide Web, a part of Internet that
thanks to its user-friendly environment is
becoming increasingly popular.
Gary (VO) The main characteristic of an on-line paper
is that readers can access the information
they want whenever they want it, twenty-
four hours a day, seven days a week, with
information being updated by the minute.
With a swift movement of their mouse,
users can obtain the latest news or the
latest sports results, information about the
weather anywhere in the world, or the
latest economic news from Wall Street.
Sara (VO) Larry Sanders gives us a summary of the
main advantages of an on-line paper as
compared to a traditional paper.
Larry Sanders An electronic paper is vibrant, its alive.
When something happens it will reflect it.
A regular paper is put to bed at midnight,
or at one oclock, or sometime at night,
and by the time most people read it, the
news is at least eight hours old.
An electronic paper can be published
every five minutes if necessary.
Sara (VO) And could you tell us about the
disadvantages of electronic newspapers, if
there are any?
Larry Sanders Perhaps the biggest disadvantage is that
its all new. We don0t know we dont
know too much about who our readers are.
We dont know too much about how to
make money online, besides advertising.
And I think as time goes by those
questions will be answered. But those
questions have already been answered for
the print paper.
Gary (VO) The number of users of electronic
information networks is increasing. In a
few years, surfing the Internet will be as
common as making a phone call is
nowadays.
Sara (VO) Eventually, a subscription to an on-line
paper will be cheaper than printed
newspapers. Thats why we asked Larry
Sanders if he thinks the on-line format will
do away with conventional newspapers.
Larry Sanders An one point people said that televisions
would do away with move theatres and
that the radio would do away with
newspapers. I dont think I think on-
line newspapers will always complement
the paper. I dont think it will ever do
away with it.
Gary (VO) Theres no doubt that newspapers and
magazines will have to live with the news
reality of on-line newspapers, at least in
the near future.
Sara (VO) The question is: will printed newspapers
become museum pieces? No one knows
the answer yet.
3 LIFE IN THE FUTURE
A ITS A HI-TECH WORLD
Louise I wonder what the weather will be like this
weekend?
Gino I bet it will rain again. It always rains on a
Saturday!
Louise Yes, and then on Monday it will be sunny again.
Oh, well!
Tom Hello? Hello? Anybody there? Hello? Stupid thing.
So much for modern technology.
Clive Oh, not you too, Tom!
Tom What do you mean?
Clive Well, Ive had a lot of trouble with modern
technology this week.
Jilly What, has your computer been crashing again?
Clive Yes. It all started on Monday, when Bob Hurst
came back to work
***
Bob Clive? Clive Buxton!
Clive Er, yes. Im sorry, I know I know you, but I cant
remember your name
Bob Well, its been a long time! Bob. Bob Hurst. Do
you remember? I used to work here fifteen years
ago, when you were just starting out as a junior
reporter. I worked in the print room.
Clive Of course! Hello, Bob! And now youre back!
Bob Yes! Im the new security man. Ill be taking care
of you all.
Clive Thats great! I imagine things have changed a lot
since you were here before.
Bob Youre absolutely right there! In fact, I find it all a
bit frightening! I mean, what does all this
equipment do?
Clive It isnt a bit frightening, Bob. Look, Ive got an
editorial meeting in a quarter of an hour, but if
youre free until then, I can show you.
Bob Oh, great! Yes, thanks.
Clive Well, I use the word-processor program to write
and format my articles. I can use this scanner to add
pictures to my articles, and I can store them all on
the hard disk in here or on a floppy disc. Its
wonderful. Oh, and I can use this modem to send
my stories anywhere in the world.
Bob Really? Anywhere?
Clive Yes, look. Ive got to send this piece off to the news
service in Paris. Watch if you like.
Bob Paris in France? How long is that gonna take?
Clive As long as the phone call. In two minutes time,
theyll be reading this in Paris. And by three
oclock, theyll have translated it into French, and it
will be appearing in their evening newspapers.
Bob Blimey!
Clive Well, here goes Oh, my God!
***
Bob Whats wrong?
Clive I dont know. I just dont know. The computer has
crashed. Ive just lost three hours work! Oh, no! I
havent got time to write the article again.
Bob We never had this problem with typewriters! I dont
think theyll be reading that article in Paris this
evening!
Clive Yes, thanks, Bob. Oh, what am I going to do? The
editorial meeting will be starting in a minute.
Theyll probably have finished by the time I sort
this out.
Bob Look, Clive, youd better go. Leave it with me. Ill
think of something!
Clive You! Oh, Bob, please, whatever you do, dont
touch anything. Please. Promise?
Bob Clive, I promise. I wont touch a thing.
***
Sharon There. That will have fixed it. Just check this
Yup, als fine. Now, just fix the modem settings
Hey presto! No problem.
Bob Are you sure its mended?
Sharon Yeah. It wasnt a problem.
Bob Good. Im impressed.
Sharon Well, Dad, its thanks to you really. I t was you
who bought me my first computer. You always said
they were the future.
Bob Yes, I did, didnt I? Well done, Sharon. Um, just
show me that again, will you ?
***
Tom Sharon, Sharon the new tea girl, fixed your
computer?
Clivd Yes, she did. Shes a genius.
Jilly And se sorted my fax machine out, too.
Tom Sharon?
Louse Yes, Tom, Sharon. Sharon may be the tea girl
today, but shes fascinated by new technology. She
knows all about it. Far more than we do. You wait
and see in five years time shell probably be
running the Echo!
Tom Sharon?
B VIRTUAL REALITY
Street interviews
Keith I think technology will continue to influence our
lives a lot. People, I think, will have a lot more
leisure time, they will be able to communicate even
more easily than they can do today.
Sean In the future, I think technology will move into the
home and people will move out of the cities. I think
people will live and work more at home and in
villages. I think cities will become a thing of the
past.
Nigel I think that technology will help people in
communicating more easily with links around the
world, things like the Internet.
Lucy I think everyday life will become more efficient and
I think that we will find that well have more and
more machines doing jobs that people could do, but
I dont think thats such a bad thing, people are
quite often scared of technology we dont need to
be.
***
Dennis Like most things, theyre mixed blessings, uh,
technology certainly can, uh, help us in medicine,
uh, very much. But misused, it can also be a curse.
***
John I must say telephones that you can move about with
are a great boon. I think, um, what else can I think
of, whats what are those ovens called, I cant
remember the name now
Dennis Microwaves.
John Microwave ovens, pretty handy, anyway theyre
two things that a great improvement in life.
Making yourself understood
Juan Hello.
Mike Is everything all right?
Juan I have a problem. The thing for my television doesnt
work.
Mike Im sorry, I dont understand.
Juan You know, the thing The thing for the television.
Its broken. I want to buy a new one.
Mike What thing?
Juan Its a black box with buttons on it. I dont know the
word for it in English.
Mike I cant sell you another one if I dont know what it is.
Juan It changes the picture on the television.
Mike Do you have a dictionary?
Juan Mando a distancia, mando a distancia Ah! Remote
control.
Mike Ah, you mean a zapper!
Juan A zapper? No, its not here. Whats a zapper?
Mike Its a you know a zapper. A black box with
buttons on it it changes the picture. A remote
control.
Juan Ah, I see. Well, please could you sell me a new
remote control. A zapper.
Mike Well, it depends. What sort of television is it?
Juan Its an Episonic 2005 with Teletext.
Mike Right, lets see. Yes, here it is. An Episonic 2005
zapper. Here you are.
Juan Thank you. How much is that?
Mike Thirtyseven pounds ninety-nine.
Juan Thirty-s ? Could I have a receipt, please? Thank
you.
Mike Its a pleasure.
Juan Im sorry?
Mike Youre welcome.
Juan Welcome?
Mike Think nothing of it.
Juan Think nothing of it.
Mike Muchas gracias.
News from the past
Trevor Good evening. This is the news from the BBC in
London, and these are the headlines. The Russians
and the Americans race t be first into space New
appliances make housework easier and a new
type of super computer has been built. But first we
have a report from Anna Pilkington, the BBCs
science correspondent, on the race into space.
Anna, whats been happening?
Anna Well, Trevor, the Americans are very worried
because the Russians are just about to put a dog into
space.
Trevor A dog?
Anna Yes, Trevor. Her name is Laika. And the Russian
scientists say she is looking forward to her trip. Her
nose is wet and shes wagging her tail.
Trevor What about the Americans? Are they going to put
any pets into space?
Anna Well, Trevor, American scientists tell me that their
research indicates that dogs are not intelligent
enough to be good astronauts. So theyll be sending
a man into space instead. They say theyll even
have a man on the moon by the end of the century!
Trevor, it seems as though the space race has really
started.
Trevor Thank you, Anna. A man on the moon. And now
for the rest of the news. A report out today says that
new technology is going to change the role of the
housewife. Fridges, toasters, washing machines and
vacuum cleaners are now being used in homes
across the country and housework is becoming
easier. So, as t4echnology advances, what will
happen to the housewife? What will she be doing in
ten years time? Will she be redundant? And finally
scientists in America have come up with the super
computer. It is no bigger than a double-decker bus
and it can do sums quicker than a human. What will
they think of next? Thats all the news from the
BBC in London. Good night.
From the archive
Voiceover Talking to computers is becoming easier, that
means more and more people can unlock the
gateway to the superhighway. Its even becoming
fun. Wave your hands in the air and make music
or navigate your way through your personal
virtual reality on the screen. For example,
selecting a tree for the garden, watching it grow,
and seeing how it would look from various
angles in your own backyard. The computer can
even store an image of your face, allowing you to
choose a pair of spectacles and try them on.
DOCUMENTARY
Sara (VO) Some years ago, a man dreamed of a city of
the future. That dream came true in Orlando,
Florida. The man was Walt Disney, and the
city, EPCOT. Walt Disney himself, returning
from the past, tells us what EPCOT stands
for.
Walt Disney We call it EPCOT, spelled E-P-C-O-T.
Experimental Prototype Community of
Tomorrow. Here it is, in large scale. EPCOT
will take its cue from the new ideas and new
technologies that are now emerging from the
creative centres of American industry. It will
be a community of tomorrow that will never
be complete, but will always be introducing,
and testing, and demonstrating new materials
and new systems.
Gary (VO) EPCOT is more than an amusement park.
Its a place in continuous evolution, where
every attraction is a new experience, with
surprises in store for its visitors. An open
window to the future, that allows us to
imagine what life will be like in the twenty-
first century. We asked Ms Brandon, a public
relations officer at EPCOT, to tell us about
the philosophy of this city of tomorrow.
Ms Brandon When Walt created the park, it was to
showcase technology and world cultures and
bring it to the people of the United States.
Gary (VO) So what will visitors find here?
Ms Brandon Visitors will find lots of entertainment, lots
of discovery, and its all done in a fun and
entertaining way.
Gary (VO) What aspects of the human knowledge and
experience does EPCOT cover?
Ms Brandon We like to think it covers every aspect in
some fashion. Theres culture, theres food,
theres music and there are technologies
from the near future.
Sara (VO) In the different shows, visitors can see
different aspects of how human knowledge
has developed. Innoventions, for example,
is devoted to showing the most advanced
technology.
Gary (VO) Domestic robots, computers, virtual reality
and other high technology wonders that very
few people have a chance to experience in
their daily lives.
Sara (VO) Other rides help visitors get an idea of what
the daily life of an ordinary family will be
like in the future, here on land, under the sea
or in the space. But, as Walt Disney
engineers have found out, its not easy to
show a future that is constantly becoming the
present.
Gary (VO) As Walt Disney himself explained, EPCOT
is a community in permanent evolution that
will never be totally complete. Their creative
engineers continue designing new
attractions, adapted to the latest advances in
science and technology. Thats why we
asked Ms Brandon in what ways EPCOT has
changed over the years.
Ms Brandon Its changed tremendously and it continues
to change. The park has got to have an ever-
changing presence in order to live up to its
name.
Gary (VO) How are the attractions designed?
Ms Brandon All our attractions are created by a group in
California called Imagineering. The Walt
Disney imaginers are the engineers who
create the rides.
Gary (VO) How often do you introduce innovations?
Ms Brandon In this park we introduce it on a daily basis.
We have an attraction called Innoventions
that showcases near-future technology. So
everyday youll see something thats new.
Gary (VO) What criteria do you follow to introduce
those innovations?
Ms Brandon They need to be exciting. They need to be
something that our guests will relate to and
understand.
Sara (VO) But not everything is fun and entertainment
at EPCOT. Theres also a place for study and
research. In the attraction devoted to
tomorrows agriculture research is being
done on new forms of food production and
on the possibility of setting up farms on the
moon or on other planets.
Gary (VO) A look at the future from the present. A
fantastic journey where the things that we
find astonishing today will be common
things tomorrow.
EPCOTs
staff member
Dictate. Greetings from Walt Disney World
EPCOT Centre to all capital letter
Thats English friends. Exclamation mark.
Stop dictating.
4 DOES POLITICS MATTER?
A KISSING BABIES
Louise Do you remember my friend, Claire Dawson?
Clive The civil servant? Yeah.
Louise Well, shes told me that shes resigned.
Jilly Why?
Louise She said politics was a difficult business.
Tom Well, everyone knows that.
***
Douglas Claire, we have important work to do this
morning.
Claire Yes, Minister. You mean the new policy for
people who are disabled?
Douglas No. We have to decide which are the best photos
of me to give to the press.
Claire Sir, I have studied the last five government white
papers on the disabled
Douglas Very good.
Claire But nothing seems to have been done.
Douglas Really.
Claire Sir, Ive made a few suggestions
Douglas Oh?
Claire In the long term, they will mean savings for the
tax payer.
Douglas In the long term.
Claire Sir?
Douglas What do you mean, the long term?
Claire I mean in ten years time, the policy will have
paid for itself. It will bring jobs. Workers will be
more skilled. It will bring new life back to
communities.
Douglas In ten years!
Claire Whats the matter, Minister?
Douglas You dont understand politics, do you, Claire?
Claire What do you mean?
Douglas You should know by now that no politician is
going to thank you for long-term policies. We do
nothing, absolutely nothing, unless it benefits us
at the next election.
Claire But Minister
Douglas Which is only six months away.
Claire But
Douglas Claire, have you seen the latest opinion polls?
Claire Yes, Minister.
Douglas The opposition have over fifty per cent.
Claire Yes.
Douglas When voters were asked if they though that this
government was capable of running the country,
only thirty per cent said Yes.
Claire Sir, the spokesperson for the disabled wanted to
know what we were going to do for them.
Douglas Claire, you know Im interesting in hearing your
suggestions on departmental policy
Claire Yes, Minister.
Douglas But lets get back to work. Now, what I really
want is a picture of me kissing a baby. I kissed
hundred there must be a baby in there
somewhere
Claire There we are, Minister.
Douglas This isnt my good side. It must be my good side

***
Louise And he said it had to be his good side. He refused
to listen to anything that she said.
Clive Politicians never listen to anybody.
Louise She worked night and day for him, and he never
even thanked her for it. Then she told me about
the day she had had enough!
***
Douglas Whats this?
Claire Its my letter of resignation, Minister.
Douglas I can see that. Why? Because I didnt take up
your suggestions for government policy?
Claire No.
Douglas Then why?
Claire Minister, before I came to this Department, I read
all the speeches you made about democracy when
you were a young man.
Douglas How interesting.
Claire You said the job of the politician is to serve the
people, and not to serve himself.
Douglas yes, well, a politician also has to look after his
own interests.
Claire You said politicians had to have ideals.
Douglas Ideals! Im a pragmatist.
Claire You promised to serve the ordinary person in the
street
Douglas Well
Claire I saw a film of your first election speeches. I
believed every word that you said.
Douglas Strangely enough, so did I at the time.
Claire I thought you were wonderful.
Douglas I was rather good looking in my youth.
Claire When I watched the film I didnt just love your
speeches
Douglas You mean ?
Claire I mean I admired your ideals and your honesty.
You really seemed to believe in what you were
saying you really wanted to help people.
Douglas Yeah, youre right. I did.
Claire You did, I know. But now youve changed. Why?
Douglas I dont know, Claire. I dont know. Perhaps Ive
been in politics too long. Perhaps Im tired.
Perhaps its time for me to give it all up.
Claire No, Minister. It isnt time to give up. But perhaps
you should think more about what you believed
in when you were young, when you started out.
Douglas Claire, Ill look again at your suggestions for
changes to departmental policy.
Claire Im glad, but Im still resigning, Im afraid. I
want to change my career.
Douglas I understand. Could you stay for a little longer?
Help me work on this policy document.
***
Louise Anyway, Claire stayed for a while longer, but she
did resign. She wants to be a journalist. In fact,
shes applied for a job on The Echo. Thats good
news, isnt it?
Clive Thats wonderful.
Tom Well, I hope she doesnt expect us to be idealists!
Gino Perhaps some of us are, Tom.
B USE YOUR VOTE!
News from the past
Trevor Good evening. This is the news from the BBC in
London, and these are the headlines. The
European Economic Community is born. And, in
the United States, Senator Joseph McCarthy
accuses actors, writers, politicians, scientists and
intellectuals of being communist sympathisers.
But first this evenings main story the European
Economic Community, or the EEC as it is
known. We have a report from our political
editor, Anna Pilkington. What is the story, Anna?
Anna Well, Trevor, there have been wars and fighting
between European countries for the last thousand
years, but now a group of countries have decided
to start working together. President de Gaulle of
France announce this morning that France,
Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and
Holland have joined the European Economic
Community.
Trevor Anna, what about Great Britain? Will we be
joining this European Economic Community?
Anna Well, Trevor, this is the question everyone is
asking. In fact, a few minutes ago I talked to a
government official and asked him if the United
Kingdom would join the EEC.
Trevor And what did he say?
Anna He said he didnt know.
Trevor Oh! Well, never mind. And now for the rest of
the news. In the United States, Senator Joseph
McCarthy of Wisconsin has accused many people
of secretly admiring communism. People who are
suspected have been prevented from working.
Many artists including famous film star Charlie
Chaplin have left the United States. Chaplin
says he will never return. And news just in. An
opinion poll out today says that ninety-eight per
cent of Britons believe there will never be a
woman Prime Minister. Im sure theyre right.
Thats all the news from the BBC.
From the archive
Voiceover Wilberforce, just an individual who believed
that slavery should be abolished, and he got
what he wanted. Florence Nightingale, who
was determined to better the conditions in
military hospitals, and she got what she wanted
done. Elizabeth Fry wanted prison reform and
she got prison reform. Lord Shaftesbury
wanted factory reform, and he get factory
reform Legislation, which is simply the
result of public opinion being bought to bear
on parliament. If a citizen isnt getting what he
wants done, he writes to his MP, and if he still
doesnt get what he wants, he votes for
someone else next time he gets the chance.
theres so much that needs to be done, so many
things you want. Freedom from poverty,
freedom from disease, freedom from squalor
and ignorance, freedom from war. If you want
these things, you can spread your opinion to
other people, other people who are influenced
as you are by what they read in the papers, but
what they read in books, by what they hear in
conversation, by what they hear in speeches, on
the radio, by what they see on the screen.
When youve spread your opinion you can
form groups and unions and political parties,
and demand what you want and damn well see
to it that you make your opinions heard.
Street interviews
Tamsen I think votings really important because if
you dont vote, you cant complain. Thats
why I always vote so I can complain if
things go wrong.
Sean I think voting is important if you want to
have a say. If you want to influence the
decisions of government, I think you
should vote.
Mrs Simpson Yes, I do. I, I think it is very important. If
you dont vote, you cant complain, you
cant vote the right person in to deal with
the things that you think are important.
Vicki No, I dont think voting is important.
Steve I dont think voting is very important to us
at the moment, but when we get a bit older
it probably will be, itll mean quite a bit to
us.
Gareth I think voting is very important. I think
everybody should participate in politics.
Nigel I havent voted in any election yet, but I
think that people should be able to vote.
Julia Yes, I think votings important and I vote
in every election.
***
Louisa I dont think voting should be made
compulsory, but I do feel its important, it
decides the future of the country.
Lucy I think voting is extremely important,
particularly as there are countries where
people dont have the right to vote and I
do think it should be compulsory, because
people get lazy about voting.
Mrs Cornish I think everybody should vote.
Mr Cornish Yes, it should be compulsory.
Derek I dont think it should be compulsory, but
it does upset me sometimes when people
dont exercise their right to vote, just out
of, they just cant be bothered.
Making yourself understood
Juan Excuse me. Im late. Im meeting a Member of
Parliament at the House of Commons today.
Its very important, and Im late. The woman
in the ticket office told me that there was a fast
train to London.
Mike Did she? Who is the MP that youre meeting?
Juan She said that she didnt know what platform
the fast train went from. Perhaps you could tell
me?
Mike Listen to the announcement.
Announcer The next train to London
Juan What did he say? I couldnt hear the platform
number.
Mike Do you understand English?
Juan Well, yes, I do, but do you understand that?
Announcer The next train
Mike The next tron
Juan I cant understand what the announcer is
saying. The sound is very bad.
Mike Its not my fault.
Juan I must catch my train. Please, please, please
tell me where to get the fast train to London.
Mike The next London train is on platform 6. It
leaves in two minutes time.
Juan Thank you.
Mike Or is it platform 9?
DOCUMENTARY
Gary (VO) This beautiful building, on the bank of
the river Thames, is the British
Parliament. Its called the Houses of
Parliament.
Sara (VO) Inside the building, we can find the
House of Commons, whose members
are democratically elected by the people,
and the House of Lords. The
members of this house are people with
titles, some of which are hereditary.
Gary (VO) The United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland is a parliamentary
monarchy. The Queen is the Head of
State and the Prime Minister is the head
of government.
Sara (VO) The British political system has some
peculiarities. One of the most important
is that there isnt a written constitution,
and Parliament can pass or abolish any
law.
Gary (VO) This results, on certain occasions, if not
today, in very strong parliamentary
debates
Sara (VO) As there isnt a written constitution,
traditions are of great importance as
is the case with the old ceremony of the
State Opening of Parliament.
Gary (VO) The Queen is not allowed into the House
of Commons, so she calls the members
of this house to go to the House of
Lords.
Sara (VO) The Commons close their doors to the
Queens messenger to show their
independence. And when the members
of the House of Commons are in the
house of Lords, the Queen read the
opening speech This is the Lord
Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of
Lords. We were curious about this
typically British institution. So we asked
the Lord Chancellor if the House of
Lords has any legislative power.
Lord Chancellor It has, but ultimately, the ultimate
legislative power is with the House of
Commons, because if the Lords refuse
to pass a law ultimately, the House of
Commons can force the bill through
after a time.
Gary (VO) Could a person without a title become a
member of the House of Lords?
Lord Chancellor No, he becomes he or she becomes a
member of the House of Lords on
obtaining the title. Title and membership
are coincident.
Sara (VO) The Lord Chancellor is a very kind man
who showed us his office and some
cherished personal objects. He also
explained to us how the House of Lords
contributes to the government of the
country.
Lord Chancellor Well, I think it offers a range of
expertise which is important in deciding
on the terms of legislation and it offers
people who have no dependence on the
government of the day for their position,
because once in the Lords you are in the
Lords apart from the bishops youre
in the Lords for life. And so far as the
bishops are concerned, once theyre
appointed, theyre there for the duration
of their appointment. So nobody can
remove them or influence them, and this
gives a very independent House of
Lords, although the ultimate control is
with the democratically elected
Commons chamber.
UNIT 5 YOURE AS OLD AS YOU FEEL
A OAP
Tom Cheers!
Jilly Tom, I wanted to ask you. Why have you
suddenly become so interested in pensioners
rights?
Tom Well, theyre important.
Jilly I never thought you were a social reformer.
Tom No, well
Jilly You normally want to write about scandal and
gossip.
Tom Yes, but a couple of weeks ago I went home for
my Mums birthday.
***
Tom Happy birthday, Mum! I hope you like it.
Mum Oh, what is it? Great songs from the World
Wars. Oh, thats lovely, darling. Very nice
indeed. Now, go and say hello to your father. He
needs cheering up. He just hasnt been the same
since he retired.
Tom How are you, Dad?
Dad Oh, hello, Tom.
Tom You look well. Do you remember the first time
you took me to see them play?
Dad Yes.
Tom Ill never forget that first game.
Dad Its not the same now.
Tom It never is, Dad. Things change.
Dad Things never change for the better.
Tom I read in the papers they bought a new Dutch
player.
Dad Why did they do that?
Tom Because hes brilliant. they bought him so that
they can win the championship this year.
Dad There are no good players any more. In the old
days they knew how to kick the ball.
Tom In order to get into the team, they have to be first-
class players, Dad. They know how to kick the
ball.
Dad Yeah, yeah.
Tom What have you been doing then?
Dad Nothing much. I watch TV. To pass the time.
Tom Youve got a good picture there, Dad.
Dad There are no good programmes on. Its rubbish.
And its getting worse. I forget the last time I saw
a decent programme on television.
Tom Whats that funny smell?
Dad Oh, I do hope your mothers not cooking Indian
food again.
***
Mum Im doing a course in Indian cookery at evening
classes.
Tom I do hope that Dads going to eat with us.
Mum I hope so too.
Tom Dad!
Dad I cant stand this stuff.
Mum I hope you like it.
Tom Mmm! Its delicious. But you always used to
cook cottage pie and carrots on a Thursday.
Mum I cooked cottage pie and carrots every Thursday
for thirty years to please your father. I thought
Id have a change.
***
Tom While Dad was getting older by the minute, Mum
seemed to be getting younger. It was frightening.
Jilly I feel sorry for your Dad.
Tom Dad feels sorry for Dad too. I found it very
difficult to know what to say to him. I mean, so
as not to upset him.
***
Tom Why dont you take up a hobby, like Mum?
Dad Do you think Im going to take up Indian
cooking?
Tom You could do something else in order to
broaden the mind.
Dad I dont want to broaden my mind.
Tom Dad, I hope youre not going to start feeling sorry
for yourself.
Dad Tom, will you stop talking to me as though I was
senile. Im not. And Im not geriatric, either. To
tell you the truth, Im bored. For forty years I got
up every morning to go to work. And I went to
work in order to feed you and the family. Now
people treat me as though I were a senior citizen
or an old-age pensioner.
Tom No, they dont. Dont be silly.
***
Tom Oh, hello, Mum. Wheres Dad?
Mum Oh, hes playing football.
Tom Oh. What?!
Mum Yes! Hes helping to coach the junior team at the
local school. Oh, hes really enjoying it.
Tom I hope he doesnt overdo it.
Mum Oh, hell be all right. By the way, Tom, Ive got a
good story for your newspaper.
Tom Whats it about?
Mum Ive joined a group of pensioners, fighting for
senior citizens rights. Elderly people are not
treated with much respect in our society.
Tom Mum, you dont want to take on too much.
Mum Were going to see our Member of Parliament, to
tell him what we think, and were having a
protest march next month, so that people will
know what we feel. Tom, Ive written this article
for your newspaper.
Tom Mum, dont think so.
Mum Why?
Tom We are trying to sell our newspaper to younger
people. The editors not interested in stories
about the elderly.
***
Tom Anyway, she made me show the article to the
editor, and he thought it was a good story.
Louise And is he going to publish it?
Tom Well, yes. I hope so. But do you know what he
said? He said he thought it was better written
than most of my stories!
B WHEN I GET OLDER
Street interviews
Tamsen I hope to spend my old age in France,
drinking good wine and eating good food in
the sunshine.
Sean When Im old, I hope to be living in the sun,
enjoying a lot of free time and spending all
the money Ive earned.
Gareth I would like to retire to a Caribbean country
with a beach and sun.
Christopher I think Id like to spend my old age perhaps
in the south of France or around the
Mediterranean, relaxing and enjoying the
countryside.
Vicki I want to spend my old age in the Bahamas.
***
Keith Id like to spend my old age in a big, old
house in Scotland with a few old friends, a
couple of dogs and some chickens in the
garden.
Mrs Simpson Well, I want to be healthy and fit and looked
after and, um, go on doing everything I want,
I have done all my life, for as long as I can.
Nigel Id still like to be active in my old age, do
things like walking in the countryside.
Lucy I want to spend my old age quietly at home
relaxing with my family.
Julia I hope to spend my old age with my family
and hopefully my grandchildren.
Derek I dont want to spend my old age alone.
***
Dennis Were very old, you know.
John Its what my American brother-in-law calls
his, his waning years. I quite enjoy it
actually.
Mr Cornish When we need to travel, we go when we
like, where we like.
Dennis Yes, I, uh, I find that I am far busier, u, in
my, I suppose Im old, I dont know, Im
seventy-one, I find Im far busier now than
Ive ever been before and I thoroughly enjoy
every minute of it, Im doing the things that I
want to do.
From the archive
Voiceover The one thing all pensioners have in
common is more leisure time than the rest of
us. With the population getting older, experts
say the political parties should be trying to
make retirement more enjoyable. So apart
from better pensions, what do old people
want?
Spokesperson Better transport, better adult education, better
leisure centres which are less like palaces to
the young, and are more user friendly for
older people thats just three things.
Voiceover The stereotype suggests if youre old, youre
more likely to be poor and in ill-health.
While many dont fit the bill, health care and
pensions do worry the elderly.
Woman Well, Im on income support and I think a
little bit more extra money would help.
Man Taking care of the National Health service,
including hospitals, and also the elderly, that
must be the first priority.
Woman And I think social services, because I had a
husband for a long while, who was ill
physically and mentally, and I had literally
no help.
News from the past
Trevor Good evening. Here is the news from the BBC in
London. The Welfare State offers hope to old
people. The great composer Sibelius dies at the age
of ninety-two. And what old people think about the
Beatniks. But tonights main story is that the
Welfare State is offering hope to millions of old
people. We are going over to our social affairs
correspondent, Anna Pilkington. Anna, what
exactly is the Welfare State?
Anna Well, Trevor, its basically a national insurance
scheme. Every working person in the country pays
money to the Government so as to make sure that
the less well-off are looked after.
Trevor So, what does this mean for old people?
Anna Well, Trevor, it means that everyone in the country
gets free medical care and that all retired people
will receive a state pension.
Trevor How old do you have to be in order to receive this
state pension?
Anna Sixty for women and sixty-five for men. So you
havent got long to wait.
Trevor Thank you, Anna. And now for the rest of the news.
The great composer Sibelius died today at the age
of ninety-two. He was still writing music in his old
age. And finally, old people are worried about a
group of young people who call themselves
Beatniks. Apparently the Beatniks wear black
clothes, drink lots of coffee and listen to jazz music
all day. People say that the Beatniks should go and
do a proper days work. Quite right too. Thats all
the news from the BBC in London. Good night.
Making yourself understood
Juan Excuse me. Could you help me, please? I want to
go to the Clarendon Rest Home.
Mike The Clarendon Rest Home? Is it near here?
Juan I hope so. Its a home for the elderly. Its in Exeter
Road in Wimbledon. I have a friend whose mother
is in there. I have to visit her to give her a present.
Please could you give me directions?
Mike Its very difficult.
Juan Why?
Mike In order to get to Wimbledon, youll have to take an
underground train. The station isnt far from here,
though.
Juan I hope not. Could you tell me the way to the
underground station, please?
Mike First left out the building. Second on the right.
Right at the roundabout. Across two sets of traffic
lights. Its the third or fourth building on the left.
Juan Im sorry. I didnt quite catch all of that. Could you
say it again, please?
Mike First left out the building. Second on the right.
Right at the roundabout. Across two sets of traffic
lights
Juan No, Im awfully sorry, but could you say it a bit
more slowly, please, so that I can write it down?
Mike I hope that this wont take too long.
Juan No, no. One more time. Slowly?
Mike OK. First left out the building. Second on the right.
Right at the roundabout. Across two sets of traffic
lights. Its the third or fourth building on the left
Left!
Documentary
Gary (VO) This beautiful Mediterranean village
is Mijas. It looks quite different from
a British village.
Sara (VO) But in some parts, English is the most
spoken language. And its not only
tourists who speak it.
Gary (VO) Half the permanent residents of Mijas
are foreigners, most of them British.
Many of the villas in this estate are
inhabited by Britons, and more
specifically by British pensioners.
Sara (VO) These villas were bought as second
homes. But eventually they became
the place where lots of British
pensioners wish to spend the last years
of their lives, in a warm climate, near
the sea.
Gary (VO) This is the case of Margaret and Tim
Burtford, who live in this beautiful
villa.
Sara (VO) We were curious about their life style.
We first asked them how long they
had been in Spain.
Margaret Burtford We came to Spain ten years ago, when
Tim retired from the Royal Air Force.
Gary (VO) Why did you come here?
Tim Burtford We came to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle
and we enjoy getting away from the
pressure of living in England.
Gary (VO) Are you happy in Spain?
Tim & Margaret
Burtford
We are very happy in Spain. Yes. We
always have been since weve been
here. Yes, very happy. And we dont
want to go back to England.
Gary (VO) Can you speak Spanish?
Margaret Burtford A little. I can read Spanish. It is
difficult to understand the Spaniards
when they are talking to us because
they talk too quickly for us.
Tim Burtford Specially down here on the Costa del
Sol.
Gary (VO) Can you tell us about a day in your
life?
Tim Burtford Yes, we get up around at about eight
oclock in the morning and we have
breakfast, on this terrace normally,
overlooking the blue sea. And after
breakfast we either play tennis or we
go shopping to Fuengirola.
Sara (VO) The Burtfords proved to be fit enough
to play tennis with their friends.
Margaret Burtford On Wednesdays we go to the church.
We are very involved in it, in the
Anglican Church here on the Costa
del Sol. Im the treasurer of the
church, so Im involved in collecting
the money and taking it to the bank.
Gary (VO) Can you tell us if there is any
difference between your lifestyle here
in Spain and your lifestyle in
England?
Tim Burtford Yes, in Spain one can lead a very
relaxed life, partly because you can
live out of doors more of the time and
we can enjoy the sports that we play
so much.
Gary (VO) Have any of your habits changed since
you came to live in Spain?
Margaret Burtford We lead a very active sporting life
here, and I think our eating habits
have changed. I buy food in the local
Spanish market and cook the Spanish
food.
Gary (VO) Having spent some time with them we
realized that, if one is in good health,
being an OAP can be the best time of
your life.
6 RADIO AND TV: FRIEND OR FOE?
A THE TV PRESENTER
Jilly That television programmes rubbish.
Gino Shh! You have to be careful what you say in
this pub.
Jilly Why?
Gino Television producers drink here.
Jilly What?
Gino Its true. I had a phone call last month.
***
Receptionist Good morning. The Echo. How can I help
you?
Phillida Could I speak to Gino Barbetti?
Receptionist Hold on a second, please. Ill put you
through.
***
Gino Hello, Gino Barbetti speaking.
Phillida Good morning. M names Phillida Todd. Im
a producer at Greenwich TV.
Gino Yes?
Phillida We are making a pilot for a new food
programme and Ive heard that youd be able
to present a programme on Italian food very
well.
Gino Who said that?
Phillida You did, Mr Barbetti.
Gino Really?
Phillida I heard you talking in the pub a few months
ago.
Gino What?
Phillida You said that the food presenters on the
Food for Fun programme didnt know what
they were talking about. You said that even
you could do better.
Gino Did I?
Phillida Im a great fan of your writing, Mr Barbetti.
Gino Thank you. But I was talking rubbish. I dont
know anything about TV.
Phillida Well, perhaps we could make an
arrangement for you to come down to the
studios.
***
Phillida Have you ever been in a TV studio before?
Gino No.
Phillida Thats Studio One in there. Thats where we
film most of the soap operas and sitcoms.
Thats Studio Two, which is where they film
the news and weather. And this is Studio
Three which is where youll be. I want you
to meet Scott. Hes the director.
Scott Hello, nice to meet you.
Gino Hi.
Phillida He0ll explain everything to you.
Gino Thank you.
Scott There are three cameras in the studio. I will
be here by the mixing desk so that I can see
the pictures that come from each camera
Gino Hello, how are you?
Sandy Fine.
Scott the vision mixer sits next to me and cuts
between the cameras as I direct. the vision
engineers sit over there and the Mr
Barbetti
Gino Im sorry?
Scott This is Sandy who is my floor manager.
Sandy Hello.
Scott So if I want you to do something in a
different way, Ill tell Sandy and Sandy will
talk to you.
Gino Thats fine.
Scott Mr Barbetti, you have a nice smile. On
television you have to smile all the time.
Gino So you are going to be telling me what to do!
Scott No, Im going to be telling you want to do.
Gino Ah
***
Scott This is the set.
Gino This is the set!
Scott Yes, its good, isnt it?
Gino For a food programme?
Scott Whats wrong with it?
Gino It looks horrible.
***
Gino I didnt like the director and he didnt like
me. He said that on television I had to smile
all the time.
Jilly Everyone smiles on television.
Gino Later I asked him why I had to smile. He got
angry with me and I got angry with him.
***
Gino Lasagne is a typical dish from northern Italy,
but the way the Bolognese make lasagne is
very different from the dreadful stuff you
buy in supermarkets in this country
Scott What!?
Sandy Gino, sorry. Hold on, please Yup, yup.
OK. Yup. Gino, Scott isnt happy about what
you just said. Hes told me to ask you to do it
again, but without the bit about the dreadful
stuff in British supermarkets. He says it
isnt funny.
Gino It may not be funny, but its true!
Sandy Scott, did you get that? No? Gino says he
wants to keep that bit in. He says its true.
OK. Sorry, Gino. Scott doesnt like it. He
says he doesnt want you to laugh at British
food. Is that OK?
Gino Sandy, its not OK. But if thats what he told
me to do, thats what Ill do And then,
when youve boiled the pasta for seven
minutes
Scott No!
Sandy Hold on a minute, Gino, please. Yup. OK,
yah. Right. Gino, Scott told you to look at
camera three. That one. He says its very
important. He says he cant get you on
camera two. Is that OK?
Gino Yes.
Sandy Great! Thanks and before we go again, he
says youre not following the script.
Gino I dont like this script.
Sandy Well, he says youre changing it too much.
Can you see the autocue? Over there?
Gino No, not very well.
Sandy Great. OK, well go again, but please talk to
camera three.
Gino And this is the perfect wine to go with the
dish. Ugh! No, not this one. This is
disgusting!
Scott No, no, no, no!!
Gino Ah, this is it. This is beautiful.
Sandy Cut, cut, cut! Yeah, yeah, OK, Scott, yup. Ill
tell him. Yup, right.
Phillida Scott, can I have a word? Gino is good. But
he doesnt like the script. Let him do what
hes doing.
Scott But he
Phillida Scott! Let him have another drink and let
him do it his way.
Scott Fine. Right. Lets get ready for the next take.
***
Gino They told me the programme is being
broadcast in two months time.
Jilly Thats fantastic. I think youll make a
wonderful presenter. So many of them are
boring. Do you know, last night I watched
this new gardening programme. the presenter
was terrible. Even I couldve done better.
Gino Shh!
B OVER TO OUR CORRESPONDENT
Street interviews
Christopher I listen to the radio for about an hour every
day, when Im in the car, driving, but then
when I get home, I watch a bit of telly, maybe
about an hour.
Derek I tend to spend about two to three hours a day
listening to the radio or watching the TV,
although I spend, I tend to spend most of the
time listening to my own music.
Louisa I tend to spend more time listening to the radio
than the TV because I dont have a TV, um,
probably an hour a day.
Keith I dont spend many hours listening to the radio
or watching television a week.
Tamsen I watch television a lot, far too much
everyone says so but I like listening to the
radio too, because, well, its good to listen to
music on the radio.
Gareth I never watch television, but I sometimes listen
to the radio.
Nigel Whilst Im here at college, I watch virtually no
TV.
Julia When Im at college, I listen to the radio for
half an hour when I get up in the morning and
I dont watch any television.
***
Mrs
Cornish
We watch the news in the morning and at
lunchtime and then whatever is interesting in
the evening.
Mr Cornish We very seldom listen to the radio.
Vicki I watch TV a little bit, its probably the soap
operas I watch the most.
Dennis Yes, I, Im not a very disciplined listener to
radio, I tend to, uh, just switch it on and listen
to music when Im doing a job. I also listen to
the talks and current affairs programmes, but
not in any very disciplined way.
***
Christopher I prefer the radio because then you can make
your own pictures.
Lucy I dont spend very long, um, watching the
television, but I definitely prefer it to the radio.
Its more fun.
Sean I think I prefer the radio.
Keith I suppose I prefer radio to television because
you use your imagination more when you
listen to radio.
John I think Id rather give up television than radio
if I had to make a choice.
News from the past
Trevor Good evening. This is the news from the BBC in
London, and these are the headlines. Millions of
British people turn from radio to television. Over
ten million people watch television in the United
States. And a new film, Ben Hur, is said to be the
most spectacular in cinema history. But for
tonights main story we go over to our media affairs
reporter, Anna Pilkington. Anna, is television the
future of broadcasting?
Anna Well, Trevor, up until now, historians have said that
radio and cinema would be the most important
media of the century, but now over a million people
have television sets. So, yes, it looks as if television
will soon be the medium of the future.
Trevor So, is this the end of radio?
Anna Well, Trevor, at the moment the BBC transmits
only a few hours of television each day, but they
now plan to broadcast six hours of programmes
daily.
Trevor Six hours!? Goodness me! How will they manage
to fill all that time?
Anna Well, the experts are promising to develop all sorts
of different programme types. For example, they
say it may even be possible to learn a new language
by television.
Trevor Well, well. And what about the cinema?
Anna Well, who will want to go to the cinema when you
can see moving pictures at home?
Trevor Thank you, Anna. And now for the rest of the news.
In America, over ten million people are watching
television, so in an attempt to persuade audiences to
return to the cinema, the film studios are producing
bigger and more extravagant films. Ben Hur is
perhaps the most spectacular film ever made. It
stars Charlton Heston and even has a chariot race.
But is it good enough to keep people going to
cinema? Only time will tell. Good night.
Making yourself understood
Juan Hello.
Mike Hello?
Juan Ah, hello. This is Mr Gonzlez in Room 205 here. I
wonder if you
Mike Sorry? Who?
Juan Mr Gonzlez. G-O-N-Z-A-L-E-Z. Room 205.
Mike Oh! Right. Yes. Hello, Mr Gonzlez. What can I do
for you?
Juan Id like to watch the football match, but I cant find it
in my paper. Do you know when its on?
Mike Its on television.
Juan Yes, but what time is it on television?
Mike Im sorry?
Juan What time is the match on TV? Look, youll have to
speak up. This is a terrible line.
Mike What match?
Juan The big match.
Mike Which big match?
Juan The football!!! What time is the football on
television? I want to watch the match on TV.
Mike Its on TV at 7 oclock.
Juan Thanks. What channel is it on, please?
Mike Er Sky Sport.
Juan Sky Sport. At 7 oclock. Thank you very much.
Mike Ah, Mr Gonzlez. Sky Sport is on satellite television.
Juan Yes?
Mike We dont have satellite TV in this hotel. But the
match is on the radio as well! Has anyone got a
radio?
DOCUMENTARY
Sara (VO) If theres a place in the world where
television is making progress at a
breathtaking pace, its the United States of
America. Americans spend a long time in
front of the television set.
Gary (VO) Thanks to the technological progress of
satellite transmissions and optical fibre
cable, the number of channels reaching
American homes is extremely high.
In New York City alone, viewers can access
about eighty different channels, most of them
through cable.
Sara (VO) Cable television is the ideal technology to
reach very specific groups of viewers
through thematic channels.
So, one can find television channels devoted
to just one topic such as sports, music or
news. But there are also many others,
devoted to even more specific topics. There
are, for example, channels about health,
religion, the handicapped, education, foreign
languages, the cinema, quizzes, country
music or any other topic you can imagine.
Gary (VO) One of the thematic channels that has been
more successful recently is Court TV. Its a
channel devoted entirely to trials and
programmes on legal matters. The
spokesman for Court TV, tells us what
exactly it is.
Spokesman
for Court TV
Court TV is a cable network that is dedicated
to teaching the American public about its
legal system, about our legal system, by
showing real trials from inside court rooms,
which has never been done before.
Gary (VO) Who is its main audience?
Spokesman
for Court TV
Its main audience is adults, ages twenty-five
to fifty-four. they tend to be economically
upscale and well educated.
Sara (VO) Cable television companies are legally bound
to offer a series of public services. One of
them is financing a channel entirely devoted
to politics. Its name is C-Span Channel, and
it has its offices in Washington. The
spokesman tells us about this channels
philosophy.
Spokesman
for C-Span
The philosophy is that our audience should
see the government working as if they were
in Washington DC or whatever that event is
taking place. Theres no middleman between
the audience and the actions that they are
seeing.
Sara (VO) And who is the channels main audience?
Spokesman
for C-Span
We deliver the network to everybody, but the
people who watch are the people who are
interested in government for whatever
reason, whether they are involved in
government themselves or because theyre
affected by one of the issues that were
covering.
Gary (VO) Theres no doubt that American television,
like that of the rest of the world, is
undergoing important changes. The new
technological advances will bring about new
demands on the part of the viewers. So wed
like to do a little survey and ask our two
experts about the future of television in the
United States.
Spokesman
for Court TV
I think the future of television in this country
is probably a blend with the future of
computers in this country. I think well see
more interactivity, and sooner or later youll
have one monitor which hooks up to the
Internet and to television. And there will
always be a desire for entertainment where
you just sit back and relax, but to some
extent there will be more activity where you
work together with the monitor and with the
computer and with whats showing up on
your screen.
Spokesman
for C-Span
Again, not only do I not know, I dont think
anybody knows. The future of television
isnt just the future of television. Its the
future of the combination of the television,
the telephone, the computer, the fax
machine. I think theres going to be more of
everything but exactly how it turns out well
all have to just wait and see.
Gary (VO) No one knows for certain what the television
of the twenty-first century will be like. But
something seems certain: Tomorrows
television is starting to be a reality today.
7 ENGLISH BEYOND THATS ENGLISH!
A CONGRATULATIONS!
Clive Heres to Louise.
Gino Good luck in the new job!
Tom Cheers!
Louise Thanks everyone. Yes, Im looking forward to the
new job, but Im also sad to be leaving. Ive
worked at The Echo for three years, but today I
wrote my last story.
Jilly I hope it was good.
Louise Well, I interviewed this Spanish man whod won a
multimedia design award. He was so good looking!
***
Alberto Yes?
Louise Hi. Alberto? Louise Case. Im from The Echo.
Alberto Ah, yes, come in.
Louise Its a nice place.
Alberto It belongs to a friend. Please sit down.
Louise Congratulations on your award!
Alberto It was a surprise.
Louise I heard that you designed your computer software
in your bedroom.
Alberto Yes.
Louise Tell me about it.
Alberto Well, it was five years ago. I had no work. I didnt
do very well at school, and it was hard to find a job.
So I did a course in English. At the same time, a
friend of mine showed me how to use his computer.
Louise Its incredible although you had no proper
training, you came up with an award-winning
design for a CD.ROM.
Alberto Yes.
Louise And how long did it take you to design the
programme?
Alberto A few months. It was fun.
Louise You make it sound very easy.
Alberto Well
Louise And its going to make you very rich!
Alberto Yes, although I was lucky I found a good
publisher.
Louise I think the publisher was lucky to find you. How
does it feel to be famous?
Alberto Well, Im not really famous, although it is very nice
to be interviewed by the English newspapers! Do
you like interviewing people, Louise?
Louise It depends who Im interviewing.
Alberto Do you interview any interesting people?
Louise Not very often, no. Though youre interesting.
Alberto No, no, no. I mean famous people.
Louise Sometimes.
Alberto Like who?
Louise Alberto, while Im very flattered by your interest in
me, Im supposed to be asking the questions!
Alberto Im sorry. Its just, youre so nice I want to find out
all about you.
Louise Well, what can I say! Can I go on?
Alberto Yes, of course. Though Im a bit hungry. Perhaps
we could talk while I make some lunch for us.
Would that be OK?
Louise Yes. That would be very nice.
Alberto You know, I love speaking English.
Louise Really.
***
Louise I felt I really knew him. It was like Id known him
for years. Even if hed been ugly, I would have felt
the same way.
Jilly But he wasnt ugly, was he?
Louise No.
Jilly Louise, youre in love!
***
Louise Well, I thought this was it. I wanted to stay in that
room for ever. I wanted time to stand still, even
though I had to get back to work.
***
Louise That was a most delicious meal.
Alberto I love cooking. You must let me cook for you
again.
Louise That would be lovely.
Alberto Its wonderful to eat a delicious meal in the
company of a beautiful lady. I like you, Louise.
Louise And I like you too, Alberto.
Alberto Its so nice to be able to talk to you in your own
language. And I never thought I would speak
English. I thought English was so difficult that I
would never learn it. I had such a bad teacher when
I was at school that I really didnt like it. So, when I
was 15, I just stopped trying, although I knew I
needed to speak English in order to get on in my
job. But now, I like English so much I want to
speak it all the time.
Louise Good for you! I think that you speak English so
well that people wouldnt know you were Spanish.
Alberto Thank you. Until five years ago, all I could say
was, um, My tailor is rich.
Louise My tailor is rich!?
Alberto Yes! then I started working very hard at my
English. I used every opportunity I could find to
speak to English people. I went to classes. I did a
course on TV, called Thats English! Have you
heard of Thats English!?
Louise No
Alberto I did the course for three years, but I still have
plenty to learn.
Louise I like listening to you.
Alberto Thats good.
Louise Im going to a party tonight. Perhaps youd like to
come.
Alberto Id love to, but
Ana Alberto
Alberto Ana. This is Louise.
Ana Hello.
Louise I was interviewing Alberto.
Ana I no speak English.
Alberto Estaba practicando.
Ana Pero si hablas muy bien.
Alberto Bueno.
Louise I must be going. Im late.
Alberto Ana is very keen to learn English, but she didnt do
the Thats English! course. As a result, she finds it
a little difficult here in England.
***
Louise Even when this woman had walked into the room, I
still had the feeling that this was true love Id
never had that feeling before.
Jilly Oh, Louise.
Louise Yes. But then, as I was leaving, Alberto said that
Ana was his sister. How stupid! Id never thought
of that.
Jilly So its a happy ending.
Louise Yes, were going out tomorrow night to celebrate.
Jilly Good for you! I like happy endings.
B PAELLA AND CHIPS
Making yourself understood
Juan Hello! Oh, Ive had such a busy day that I
havent had a chance to sit down I said, Ive
had such a busy day that I havent had a chance
to sit down.
Mike Im sorry?
Juan Im exhausted! Its been a very tiring day!
But its been worth it. I have just signed a
major contract with a company here.
Mike Oh, congratulations, sir Well done.
Juan I hope youre open.
Mike Well, yes, we are open
Juan Good.
Mike But Im afraid I cant serve you a drink.
Juan Sorry? I didnt quite catch that.
Mike I cannot serve you, because you are not a
resident.
Juan Ah, but
Mike Because of the licensing laws in this country,
this hotel is only allowed to sell drinks to
residents. Im afraid I cant serve you.
Juan But I am a resident. Room 205.
Mike Oh. I am terribly sorry, sir. What would you
like?
Juan Id like a beer. Do you have San Miguel?
Mike San what? Is that English beer?
Juan No, no. Do you have bitter? Id like a bitter.
Mike Im afraid the bitters off, sir. We havent had
bitter here for two days. I told the manager, but
he didnt do anything about it. He never listens
to me. Just the other day
Juan Well. Ill just have a pinto of lager then
Mike Anything to eat?
Juan Well, yes, good idea. What have you got?
Mike Well, lets see. Right, weve got scampi and
chips, cottage pie and chips, Cornish pasty and
chips, Welsh rarebit and chips. Oh, and
theres some paella.
Juan Some what?
Mike Some paella you know, its a rice dish with
chicken and seafood. Paella.
Juan You mean paella.
Mike What?
Juan In Spain, we pronounce it paella Never
mind. Im not really hungry. But I would like
my pint of lager, please.
Voiceover The bar is now closed.
Mike Im terribly sorry, sir, Im afraid the bars
closed.
Juan Oh, please.
Mike Because of the licensing laws in this country,
Im afraid I cant serve you.
Juan Thanks.
Mike At your service.
News from the past
Trevor Good evening. Here is the news from the BBC in
London. The headlines. The new Boeing 707
heralds a new age of travel, and the man who
stopped speaking Esperanto. But the main news
story is that Boeing have launched a new jet
airliner. I asked our science reporter, Anna
Pilkington, what was so special about the new
plane.
Anna Well, Trevor, quite simply the new Boeing 707 can
carry more passengers and can travel faster than
any other passenger plane.
Trevor And what does this mean for the future?
Anna Well, Trevor, its going to bring down the price of
international travel. As a result, I think flying is
going to be so cheap that even ordinary people like
you will be able to go abroad for holidays.
Trevor So air travel wont be just for the rich? Will
ordinary people go to places like, um, Spain?
Anna Thats right, Trevor.
Trevor Well, well. Ol! And finally, an eighty-five year old
man from Spain who has only spoken Esperanto
for the last thirty years has just completed a course
to learn English. Its called Thats English! He said
that his life had been rather lonely, since it was
difficult to find people to talk to in Esperanto, so he
is absolutely delighted with Thats English! and
looks forward to a bright and prosperous future. He
said today that English is the international language
of the future. He added that more and more people
from the world of politics, business, science and
medicine are using the English language to
communicate with each other. Thats all the news
from the BBC in London. Good night, or, as they
say in Spain, Adis!
Street interviews
Mrs Simpson Oh, yes I do, I think it is very important. You
miss so much if you cant understand the
other persons language.
Mr Cornish Yes.
Mrs Cornish Yes, I think we ought to teach our children at
a much earlier age to learn a foreign
language.
Christopher I think with the expansion of the European
Union, itll be very important for people to
have at least one other foreign language,
particularly one from Europe.
Tamsen I think its very important to learn to speak
foreign languages. I speak French and
German and Im learning to speak Spanish
too. Id really like to learn to speak Italian as
well. That way you can communicate all
over the world. I think its very important.
From the archive
Julio Do you know how is English important in music
today. Its everything all over the world. So I dont
think that Ive got to do all the show in Spanish
because I would feel uncomfortable, because I have
something else to tell them in music. I have, I have
to tell them that Ive learned something a little more
in my music, and there is music in English that you
cannot sing in Spanish in the way that, even if the
music is universal, to match the music, you need
the phrases in English, because the beat is there and
its made for the English lyrics. So I will sing of
course a lot in Spanish, or when I will be in France,
in French, but I will have a part of the show will be
in English.
DOCUMENTARY
Gary (VO) Thats English! was created here.
And this is the team of teachers from the
Spanish Ministry of Education who design and
control the course. They worked hard and
argued quite often. Thats one of the good
things about working in a team
Sara (VO) A bit of silence, please. Whos the boss?
Carmen
Echevarra
Im the boss ... Oh, no, not really. Im not the
boss. You never pay attention to what I say.
All Youre the boss!! Come on! !!
Sara (VO) Excuse me. Whats your name?
Carmen
Echevarra
My name is Carmen Echevarra.
Sara (VO) What exactly do you do?
Carmen
Echevarra
Well, we argue with the BBC about the
programmes and the book. We argue with the
Spanish television about the programmes. We
argue with the Ministry of Education about
quite a few things and well, really, what
we do is we coordinate the work of BBC and
Spanish television. We coordinate all the
materials.
Javier
Cerame
I have become the Tarantino of educational
TV.
Rafael
Fernndez
Im now a real computer addict. I love this
machine.
Nuria
Cambronero
After working here, Ive become an expert in
I dont know Martial Arts?
ngel Nieto I have worked so hard with the books that now
I could become an editor.
Sara (VO) An efficient, pleasant, charming team. A great
team! Congratulations!
And this is us, the team from Televisin
Espaola. We were responsible for the third
programme in each unit.
Gary (VO) Our documentaries took us all over the United
Kingdom, Ireland and the USA
Sara (VO) Even though, on some occasions, we ended up
filming in a park.
Gary (VO) Joking apart, theres our favourite man, our
director, directing one of the documentaries
Sara (VO) Assisted by a teacher from the Spanish
Ministry of Education who controlled the level
of English.
Gary (VO) And this is the team that made the revision
programmes in Madrid.
Sara (VO) Elvira, scriptwriter, the endless smile.
Gary (VO) Carlos, scriptwriter, the quiet man.
Sara (VO) Ramn, linguistic adviser, Pygmalion.
Gary (VO) Elisa, assistant coordinator.
Sara (VO) Manolo, video editor, the perfect student.
Gary (VO) Miguel ngel, producer.
Sara (VO) Quique, assistant director.
Gary (VO) Mila, programme coordinator.
Sara (VO) Fernando, director. The man who would be
king.
Sara (VO) Excuse me, Mr Mateos. What was the most
difficult thing in the programme?
Fernando
Mateos
To make everybody involved in Thats
English! agree.
Gary (VO) What were the funniest moments?
Fernando
Mateos
The funniest moment? The discussions when
we didnt agree.
Gary (VO) Come on, mate! Is there anything you cant
say?
Fernando
Mateos
I have to tell you a secret. Unfortunately I
havent had much time to study and I had to
ask a friend to write this for me.