Mary Beard: My kind of Roman and AA Gill’s wrong kind of Blonde
MARY Beard tweets: “@Madame_Arcati going to print out your blog and keep it for when I might be feeling low!”
This blog, about Sunday Times TV critic AA Gill calling Mary Beard too ugly for the telly:
I LEARN that a middle-aged man, who resembles a homophobe’s idea of what a homosexual man looks like, has been very rude about Prof Mary Beard – the writer and presenter of BBC2′s Meet The Romans. If you’ve given up on TV and have an interest in Roman antiquity then I strongly advise you to re-new your TV licence just to watch this series.
Ingeniously, Beard has discovered the voices of the Ancient Roman dead – not of the emperors or their spin doctors – but of the ordinary people: the butchers, the ex-slaves, the woman who loved wine, the shitters and the bathers, the parents of the boy brained by a falling roof tile, and so on. She channels their words to us from their stone memorials chiselled in Latin which lay about under other historians’ noses for two millennia; awaiting Mary Beard’s exquisite TV seances. These dead people were like us live people, desperate to be heard and remembered. Just like the TV critic with his funny matchstick legs, his ageing male model face, his dyslexia and other sob story details (a mother complex, for instance, and a love life I cannot repeat here).
Mary Beard is – but, no; let’s leave it there. The TV critic drew attention to Beard’s appearance. She’s not his kind of blonde, or Blonde even. She fails to remind him that he’s cast himself as a cock-cunter for professional (and perhaps personal) purposes. Beard is the Beeb’s finest jewel right now – as smart as smart can be, learned, humane, empathetic. She animates the past because I suspect she understands the present: she understands how arbitrary are time’s divisions. She does not write joke columns for a fading Sunday newspaper; she does not make her readers feel better by mocking a collective third party.
She has no need of schtick.
Mary Beard reminds me of why I want to have a TV in the house. Just in case.
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Posted: 28th, April 2012 | In: Key Posts, TV & Radio Comments (56) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
June 24th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
That’s most unfortunate. The persecution of the McCanns is a disgrace, by wretched bullies and armchair Poirots who have not a shred of evidence for their fantasies.
June 24th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
I would like you all to know you can find Adult Miller’s opinions on the following link
http://joana-morais.blogspot.com/2012/03/mccanns-stockholm-interview.html
Miller is a long time Madeleine hater , engaged in zealosly persecuting her parents without a shred of proof against them
June 24th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Thank you – I think we can agree that the person you’re talking about is a BNP-loving moron who has doubts about the holocaust. Such vermin infest the internet, like woodlice in a compost heap.
June 24th, 2012 at 10:48 am
21 Madame Arcati says: (in response to mahatmacoatmabag)
April 29th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
At last we can agree on something. You’re an idiot.
——-
Good Morning Arcati,
I had not read this site before last week when I was directed this way.
A keen eyed reader noticed Adult Miller was posting here. Well to be more precise, noticed that “someone” is posting here using the display name ‘Adult Miller.’
This same reader then noticed that Mahatmacoatmabag was also posting on this site under several of the ID’s he uses elsewhere. He is easily spotted – his views always a dead give away…
This reader further noticed that Mahatmacoatmabag has singled you out as he did Adult Miller on Sky Blogs.
I read the comments here, your replies and those of Yampster in response to the rantings of the aforementioned gentleman – greatly amusing – not sure if the smile will ever leave my face…
I but skimmed the comments addressed to you by Mahatma as I saw instantly they were word for word what he posted to Adult Miller. You have’ lost’ your credibility – condolences!
A cross intelligent females around the globe, deal and dust every day – insecure males!
Evidently Ma hat ma coat ma bag, cannot “handle” strong women! Sad, silly fellow! He lost to Adult Miller as he has now lost to you Arcati in your exchanges here.
He did stop short of labelling Adult Miller a ‘trollop’…where did she go wrong?
I must do better, I must do better I must do better, I must do better…
Suffice to say the Adult Miller on this site is not the same person who posted comment on Sky Blog under this ID – I might suggest the Adult Miller here is the creation of an insecure male…possibly one with an axe to grind…but what do I know?
From one trollop to another – I bid you farewell Arcati
Regards
A.Miller
May 4th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
the photo of mary beard leaning on the table reminds me of peter mandelson in a blonde wig & a dress
May 3rd, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Holding up someone to ridicule over appearance itself invites ridicule.
May 2nd, 2012 at 9:47 am
I see that you now accept that I am in fact a separate identity and not a “Multi-ID Troll” as you quite hysterically labelled me earlier… your posts are so full of contradictions, it is entirely possible that you have argued yourself back up your own arse and that would account for the sheer volume of shite emanating from your posts…. you are, in fact, all the things you accuse others of being – nasty, abusive etc – all in all, a rather unpleasant being.
Why don’t you find another site where you can rant to your hearts content and be applauded by other morons of your ilk…? Maybe some other Multi-ID Trolls would take you on and discuss your conspiracy theories..? ciao ciao..
Karen – also catching up on I-player – how did we manage without it….?
May 2nd, 2012 at 9:17 am
Poor old Samantha. After years at the bottom of the Mail’s slushpile she can’t believe her luck in having successfully mind-read the editor’s prejudices. Let’s not spoil her short moment in the sunlight.
Wasn’t Mary Beard at her most sublime last night? She even managed to insert a reference to the X Factor, Ancient Roman style. And she tracked down the Empress Livia’s hairdresser. Better than masturbation, darlings.
Incidentally, on a less edifying note, I believe ‘mahatmacoatmabag’ is a racist joke, no?
May 2nd, 2012 at 7:19 am
‘Sorry, some women ARE too ugly for TV’: So says that self-proclaimed beauty, and former TV executive, Samantha Brick
.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2138177/Sorry-women-ARE-ugly-TV-So-says-self-proclaimed-beauty-TV-executive-Samantha-Brick.html
.
Stupid woman.
May 1st, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Thanks Madame. I’ve just checked and episodes 1 and 2 are both available on iplayer now so I’ll watch when I get chance.
May 1st, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Swiftly moving on, Mary Beard’s Meet The Romans ends tonight – don’t miss it, BBC2, 9pm. Will be on iPlayer for awhile.
May 1st, 2012 at 5:11 pm
dairy says:
May 1st, 2012 at 8:55 am
for someone who insisted the exchange of posts was over, you seem to have contracted a severe case of verbal diarrhoea…? not only that, but you seem to have reverted to child-like responses and using others’ texts to bulk out your own little bits of drivel….
Madame was right – you are an idiot – and it shows.
===============
there is nothing so ugly as a pathetic backside licking sycophant . do you always brownose the blog bully maddam arcati ? doesn’t she allow you to make a post without praising her non existent virtues ? It is not for you or anybody else dictate to me how I may post & what I may post since nobody apointed you or anybody else Blog Prefect & as long as I keep within Anoraks blogging rules , I can & shall post my views in whatever way, shape or form I consider suits me.
Moderator- Actually I have the final say, and like the others I am sick and tired of you
May 1st, 2012 at 8:55 am
for someone who insisted the exchange of posts was over, you seem to have contracted a severe case of verbal diarrhoea…? not only that, but you seem to have reverted to child-like responses and using others’ texts to bulk out your own little bits of drivel….
Madame was right – you are an idiot – and it shows.
April 30th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Yampster says:
April 30th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
The plot. Sorry, that’s not much for you to cut and paste is it?
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What Plot is that?
April 30th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
The plot. Sorry, that’s not much for you to cut and paste is it?
April 30th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Yampster says:
April 30th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
I’ll spell it out Mahatma. You lost. You lost several days ago. ‘Tough Shit’ is not profane and if you think you have been subjected here to cyber bullying you really should get online more
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Lost what?
April 30th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
I’ll spell it out Mahatma. You lost. You lost several days ago. ‘Tough Shit’ is not profane and if you think you have been subjected here to cyber bullying you really should get online more
April 30th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
38 agw says:
April 30th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Repetition of another’s argument is wasteful and loses the higher ground..
This tedious method seems to be a deliberate attempt at suppression of debate by simple boredom.
Like many others, I play the game of attempting to identify the anonymous here; those lunchtime legends who sometimes emerge from the mists to snipe a few misdirected shots. It is rare for someone to stand the Biblical ground as long – while delivering judgement with mock-regal authority.
It is worth stressing, for argument’s sake, Madame A’s work is original and never less than thought provoking; from an author who has never shown a wish to hide behind anything. The persona is well-known and respected by many; a style showing a depth, expertise and understanding of the media world’s underbelly rare in these days of plunging standards and staffing levels.
There could never be a suspicion of multiple identities in use by the writer … who is more than expert enough at muzzling the odd Old Testament character – but do keep trying even if your cerebral vascular system may be at risk..
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& your point is ?
April 30th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Repetition of another’s argument is wasteful and loses the higher ground..
This tedious method seems to be a deliberate attempt at suppression of debate by simple boredom.
Like many others, I play the game of attempting to identify the anonymous here; those lunchtime legends who sometimes emerge from the mists to snipe a few misdirected shots. It is rare for someone to stand the Biblical ground as long – while delivering judgement with mock-regal authority.
It is worth stressing, for argument’s sake, Madame A’s work is original and never less than thought provoking; from an author who has never shown a wish to hide behind anything. The persona is well-known and respected by many; a style showing a depth, expertise and understanding of the media world’s underbelly rare in these days of plunging standards and staffing levels.
There could never be a suspicion of multiple identities in use by the writer … who is more than expert enough at muzzling the odd Old Testament character – but do keep trying even if your cerebral vascular system may be at risk..
April 30th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Madame Arcati says:
April 30th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I think you’ll find, Mr Raggedy Pants, that it was Madame Arcati who kicked this off with the post above, which you have yet to read, about a show I watched and you have not. However you did espy Mary Beard’s visage on the video screen above (you may even have played the video), and in your eagerness to share just one of your many prejudices with the public, rushed into print with a display of bile-drenched negativity which, if turned to piss, would inundate the full length of a Tudor thoroughfare. As for my being a Dairy product, I wouldn’t meddle with this Big Cheese if I were you.
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Full of sound & fury signifying nothing
April 30th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I think you’ll find, Mr Raggedy Pants, that it was Madame Arcati who kicked this off with the post above, which you have yet to read, about a show I watched and you have not. However you did espy Mary Beard’s visage on the video screen above (you may even have played the video), and in your eagerness to share just one of your many prejudices with the public, rushed into print with a display of bile-drenched negativity which, if turned to piss, would inundate the full length of a Tudor thoroughfare. As for my being a Dairy product, I wouldn’t meddle with this Big Cheese if I were you.
April 30th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Author: dairy
Comment:
glad about that, mahatmatwat – you are getting a little dreary and pompous now….
Even though I am more than content to bask in Madame’s reflected glory, I regret that I cannot hold a candle to her capacity for riposte and witticism….
however, if it has helped despatch a silly little whingebag into the sunset, then that’s fine by me..
another one bites the dust, Madame….
====================
But you are one & the same, your style , technique, use of grammar, syntax & profanities & silly transparent atempt at self glorification only serves to underline that.
so far on this blog my original post stands out as the only genuine comment on the actual subject, so are you in any of your multi IDs actualy going to make a post about the subject or merely continue to try & Cyber Bully me? Somehow I think you will continue to wriggle & wriggle And the more you wriggle the more you will sink into the Quicksand of your own making !
April 30th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
glad about that, mahatmatwat – you are getting a little dreary and pompous now….
Even though I am more than content to bask in Madame’s reflected glory, I regret that I cannot hold a candle to her capacity for riposte and witticism….
however, if it has helped despatch a silly little whingebag into the sunset, then that’s fine by me..
another one bites the dust, Madame….
April 30th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Dairy and Madame Arcati one and the same person?? And a man ot that?? Shock Horror. We’ve been led up the garden path all these years. I wish I’d known, all those valentine messages, that was money down the drain. I expect Mahatmahandbag will be back with a note from his mum next
April 30th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Dairy, my guess is that you are Madam Arcati, a Multi ID Troll, Cyber Bully & Agent Provaceteur & for that matter probably not a woman but a man. the exchange of posts between us is now over.
April 30th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Well said, Dairy. I found the burkha remark particularly nasty.
April 30th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
..BTW – you seem to have ignored the fact that Madame A is not a “total stranger”, but actually the author of the blog highlighted in the article…??? oh dear….
…and “accepted civilised norms” do not include labelling an eminent historian a “bag lady” or “nutty professor”….
your reference to this country as “Engladesh” tells me all I need to know….
April 30th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
…so not only are you prepared to lambast a perfectly innocent TV presenter on the basis of her looks, rather than intelligence, you even have the temerity to do it having never had the decency to listen to what she has to say….!!! unbelievable.
as for cyber-bullying, I would say that is exactly what you are doing to Mary Beard -pot, kettle anyone….?
…and as for low-level – well you obviously have first-hand experience there!! a silly little bully like yourself can only aspire to Madame Arcati’s heights. Perhaps you should concentrate on that instead of trying to play a pathetic little victim when your bluff is called….?
April 30th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Yampster, when a complete stranger singles out your post on a blog, a post not made in reply to that person but just a general comment & that person uses swear words , I consider that Cyber Bullying. A very Pointless sort of Cyber Bullying, since it will avail that person nothing. I am the sort of person who does Not submit to Cyber Bullying / Trolling & responds in a manner I feel is appropriate, measured & within the bounds of accepted civilised norms without sinking to the low level of my attacker.
April 30th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
That’s thrice you’ve played the cyberbully card. I see no bullying here. Just a bit of give and take
April 30th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Dear Dairy, since I no longer live in Engladesh I do not get the BBC progs you unfortunates get in the UK. I do get BBC World News ( Which I rarely watch ) & BBC Entertainment, which I watch but it has not as yet had Mary Beards prog. on it.
As for Foul Mouthed women, as far as I am concerened – a complete turn off & a sign of low inteligence & possibly genetic inbreeding. I wonder just what sort of woman feels the need to Cyber Bully complete strangers, what possible gain can there be in that, except to satisfy an over inflated ego.