Mr. Wilberforce Clayborne Humphries Dies

One of the funniest actors in the Britcom genres, John Inman has died today at age 71. He is best known for the role of Mr. Humphries in the classic Are You Being Served? series on BBC television which ran for nearly 13 years. He and Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden) stole the show -- he of the effete mama's boy character and she of the double-entendre pussy joke run amok.

He was able to convey his very over-the-top character in a way that made you like him whilst laughing at him and with him at the same time. He was funny, had impeccable timing, and was what helped make this series a runaway success on both sides of the Atlantic. It spawned an ill-fated sequel (Grace and Favour) and even more ill-fated US knock-off and even an Australian spin-off.

He'll be missed by connoisseurs of the fine dry-witted Britcom. Rest in Peace Mr. Humphries.

So very damned British

This exchange is from Planet Damnation. I am posting it here because it's so fabulously British it defies explanation to anyone who hasn't experienced Britishness at its finest. The setting is the first Gulf War.

RAF Wing Commander David Farquahar had a briefcase with a laptop containing the entire Gulf War briefing plans. Said briefcase was in an unmarked RAF car when Farquahar stopped at a used car lot in Acton (suburb of London) to look in their showroom.

The computer was returned by the thief with a note "Dear Sir, I am a common thief and I love my Queen and country. Whoever lost this should be bloody hung. Yours, Edward."

I find this to be utterly priceless.