Dear Tami,
It is touching how much enjoyment you are getting out of listening to the BBC radio comedy show, Cabin Pressure. So glad to hear it. No, no, it’s not weird at all that you’ve been listening to them over and over again, laughing just as heartily on the third and fourth run through as you did on the first. Well, maybe just a little weird, but not weird weird, like if you pushed a cooler in a wheelbarrow to the grocery store to do all of your shopping. (By the way, how is your neighbor?) And how clever of you to have your own Birling Day just like we celebrated on Cabin Pressure. Just be sure to pace yourself when partaking of the Talisker whiskey.
Also, congratulations on coercing finding a friend who has HBO and is willing to tape Parade’s End when it premieres on February 26th, 27th and 28th in the U.S. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. No doubt you’ll have many.
I won’t take up much of your time this week since you are going full throttle on the manuscript. Instead of going on about the sinister plans I’ll be utilising to find the writing cave, I thought I’d leave the kasbah readers with a taste of what has been making you smile and laugh lately:
Well, maybe just one more – Captain Crieff’s misguided attempt at sounding both authoritative and relaxed while recording a welcome announcement for Carolyn to use in her new MJN airline film…
O.k., this is the last one, I promise. I had to include it since this is one of your favourite scenes – Passenger Derby – in which Captain Crieff and 1st Officer Douglas Richardson bet their desserts on which passenger will make it to the loo first after the seat belt sign is turned off. Arthur really does a brilliant job of announcing it, doesn’t he?
***
Laughter is the best medicine and all that and from what you wrote to me this week it sounds like you can use every drop you can get. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone how many times you’ve listened to these episodes while you’re driving in your car, at work supposedly “working”, or as you drift off to sleep, though that last one does seem a bit counterproductive if you are, in fact, laughing out loud while trying to doze off. But to each her own. Whatever works for you.
Brilliantly and comically yours,
Ben
~*~
*Editor’s note: The views, ideas, and opinions expressed in the Letters from Benedict series are works of fiction and obviously did not come from the actor himself. This series is just my way of expressing adoration for Mr. Cumberbatch and his work and is not intended to be seen or read as a true collaborative writing endeavor with him.
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Elizabeth Fais said:
Funny, funny, funny! Thank you ( and Benedict) for the laughs. I guess this makes him a evil genius comedian? I absolutely love British humor and wasn’t aware of the series. I will enjoy catching up on Cabin Pressure episodes. 🙂
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Tami Clayton said:
So glad you enjoyed it! What’s funny to one person isn’t always funny to another so I’m happy you enjoyed it. If you are going to seek out the series, I’ve found it easiest to buy and download them through amazon.
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Barbara Forte Abate said:
So glad to pull up a cushion here at the Kasbah just now, having just watched the final SHOCKING episode of Downton Abbey and feeling terribly terribly discombobulated. Such a relief that you have such a hilarious hoot of a letter waiting for all of us Benedict snoops who so enjoy having a peek into your personal missives. I hadn’t heard of Cabin Pressure either, so appreciate the tip. If ever a girl needed a laugh *waves hand — both hands.*
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Tami Clayton said:
It was a terribly sad episode, wasn’t it? I knew something tragic was coming, I braced myself for it, and then BAM it happened. I’m glad Cabin Pressure could give you a few laughs. It is the perfect antidote to sad t.v. shows.
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Liv Rancourt said:
I LOVE POTTER’S GRAN!!! hee…
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Tami Clayton said:
It’s Potter’s Gran for the win! I crack up every time I hear that clip. John Finnemore is so brilliant at playing Arthur and his derby announcing is superb. 🙂
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Marcia said:
Too funny! I love the simplicity of a radio series. It’s so old fashion and yet classically ageless. I look forward to starting the series…thanks to you Tami.
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Tami Clayton said:
I love radio shows, too. Obviously. There’s something so lovely about listening to someone tell you a story. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that. I do hope you love listening to the series.