Indiana University

Indiana University School of Journalism

Summer in London: The (other) tube

Thirteen honors students from the School of Journalism are spending their summer in London, working in British media and studying British culture.

Brit culture on the (other) tube

May 25, 2008
Natalie Avon

Lindsey Alexander, Natalie Avon
Courtesy photo
While she’s gleaning some ideas about Brit culture from the tube, Natalie Avon (right) also is learning by exploring her surroundings. Here, she and Lindsey Alexander enjoy Kensington Gardens.
During my down time in London (which isn’t much, mind you), I can do few things that don’t cost money and don’t take me half way across the city. If that isn’t walking around Angel or surfing the Web, it usually includes me propped up on the couch, trying to understand British television.

In the limited number of programs I have watched, I’ve noticed some things: British humor is not easy to understand, the special effects are truly horrible, and nudity is normal.

We were watching a program the other night called How to Look Good Naked. Let’s just say the title of the show doesn’t disguise what the program is actually about.

We follow our host, Gok, as he guides his guests through a series of hints, tips and challenges to help them feel comfortable without clothing. A portion of the show actually shows the waxing of certain parts of the body. At this point, I shrieked, "This would never happen in America!" Even in a new country, I really didn’t expect to be subjected to that kind of thing on daytime television.

Another show that demonstrates terrible special effects is none other than Doctor Who. It’s supposed to be a sci-fi thriller, but it kept me laughing the entire time. The two detective-esque characters stumbled upon a walrus-sized bee in this particular episode, but it was only trying to attack its human mother, who mated with his bee father. If the plot wasn’t bad enough, the bee looked like it came straight out of pre-Toy Story animated films. It’s a strange feeling when you don’t crack a smile watching the comedy shows, but you can’t stop laughing during the thrillers.

While the television certainly isn’t the height of British culture, it is certainly a curious facet of it. I spend every Monday night at the theatre, and every Tuesday and Wednesday learning about the media. I spend the weekends either traveling or exploring the museums of London.

All other learning is up to the television.