Slightly Askew

Clapping along

Sunday, February 24th, 2008

What is it with some people? People say I’ve got a big ego – but nowhere near as big as the audience members on light-entertainment TV shows.

Take for instance, the cringeworthy birthday tribute to Bruce Forsyth I’ve just subjected myself to. The producers get Jools Holland – a quite fantastic piano player – to make an appearance, and Bruce, being the all-rounder that he is, tickles the ivories with ol’ Jools in a pleasant, but frankly underwhelming, number.

Being they BBC, that have the black-tied orchestra in the studio to back them up. Quite a wealth of musical talent.

So why is it that the audience starts to clap along? Why do people do this?

Talented musicians get their performance murdered by a bunch of philistines intent on being heard. Talented drummers hear their intricate rhythms butchered by the sound of hands clapping to a standard four-beat. And barely in time.

No doubt, these are the same people that put blackcurrant in Guinness. That put lemonade in good wine. And feel the need to transfer their fish & chips to a plate. Stop it. Stop it now.