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@SoGal Al Murray plays the character of a pub landlord. A pub landlord in the traditional sense runs and owns a pub and the pub in the village or town would be the center of the community where people meet and discus everything bond with pub sport like snooker domino's Darts, Bingo and even pub quizzes. Pub quizzes were held at least once per week and it would be up to the land lord or his/her delegated person to come up with the questions for these competitions some times it would be just the people in the pub at the time who would play these games but every pub had a dedicated team which would be a part of a league of pubs first in the local area but going national the Land lord would be the center of the entertainment in a pub he/she was judge jury and executioner a captain of his own ship if you like. So the traditional pub Land lord would be able to react in the same way Al is doing to any question even if the land lords did not know the right answer he would make something up and that was the answer even if it was wrong, when found out they were wrong he would give the right answer but it was your fault for not knowing the right answer :) its all in fun. Americans would call it "fake news." but still believe it anyway. And this was all before social media so. May be this is why we can smell bull crap in the UK when its spouted. I don't know hope this helped you out. The shirt with the crest on it would be the logo or crest of the pub the land lord owned or ran its a uniform. We brits like to wear uniforms for work at one point now everything has gone to shit with privatization. Today however most pubs are owned by chains and the pub landlord is all but extinct in the UK
We did a poll regarding feelings towards our imperial legacy not so long ago and it came out as positive towards it in the main. Something like 60% proud, 19% ashamed.
@@jonb4155 yes its a character but he also owns a pub. I have literally been there and spoken to his daughter and there pictures of him up all over the pub.
His stage name is the Pub landlord, and yes, he does drink on stage, he also has a PhD in history, so this isn't just drunken ramblings, and yes, react to more of his stuff please.
@@Revolución_Socialista Technically, yes. But "Yanks" were technically (some of) the northern States of the USA, but British people use "Yank" to mean any American (from the north or south of the Union) and "American" to specifically refer to anyone from the USA. Other continental Americans are referred to as: Central Americans or South Americans, as well as their specific countries like Canadians or Peruvians, etc.
@@Revolución_Socialista Are you really suggesting that we call you "United States Citizens"? Even "US Citizens" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Instead, we either say "Mexican", "Canadian", or "American" when we talk about people from North America. Technically that might be incorrect, but people from the USA are unofficially called "Americans" even by your own government, as in "My fellow Americans".
It’s not a school uniform He’s called the governor because he is playing a character of a landlord of a pub and we are very territorial where we drink and that’s the pubs badge
Yeah, the concept of a pub landlord, and him wearing a uniform, was completely lost on me as an American. I didn't even know such a thing existed, lol. Now I know!
@@SoGal_YT He has uploaded his series "Time gentlemen please" on YT, it's very anglocentric humour but is the stereotype of an old pub landlord that this character was based on. It's more silly than funny but worth checking out. By the way this guy is proper educated and his father was a lieutenant colonel.
@@stebur4277 Actually, it was the other way around - the tv show was based on the character - his stand-up routine came first! I'm not being a dick - Until recently, I thought the character was based on the show too!
@@welshgit No worries, yeah just wrong choice of wordage. I remember him as Alan with Harry Hill (for the badger parade is but 10 minutes away) then wee bits with Lee and Herring. Obviously the pub landlord character was developed before the TGP series. Have you watched it lately? Some of it's simply awful. Anyway, thanks man, you've got me reminiscing - time to look up old Harry Hill shows.
@@stebur4277 Ahhh. Yes, reading your post again, you said it was based on the character, not actually the programme. My apologies. As I said, I had previously thought that the character started in the TV series, and he took it on stand-up after that - I hadn't realised he did stand-up before then! And yeah, I did rewatch some of them a few years ago.. A lot of cringey material I'd forgotten about, though when I originally watched it, I was more interested in Emma Pierson! I'll have to check out some of his previous work... I'm not sure which I'll prefer.... On the one hand, the old stuff might be more original. On the other hand, the new stuff will be more polished. There's only one way to find out..... FIGHT!!
Bit of pedantry here, Vikings and Saxons both originated from Germanic tribes. Troubles started between them when the Irish finally converted the Saxons to Christianity. The Church in Rome had vetoed all trade with the Vikings because they refused to convert to Christianity - they tried to starve them into submission. The vikings hit back at Christian outposts starting with the Monastery at Lindisfarne and the rest was history - ending in 1066 when the Saxon army under Harold Godwinson finally destroyed the Viking army under Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge. Yeah I know it's a comedy vlog but Al is an historian too and Sogal doesn't seem to know much history.
@@johnnewton2949 It's an interesting debate. The Normans were the descendants of Rollo, a Viking. Right before Harold Godwinson was, of course, King Cnut, an actual Scandinavian who ruled over England. Harold Godwinson was a noble in Cnut's court. Not to mention the fact that Northumbria were Anglo-Danish after the establishment of the Danelaw by Alfred. If you go by who won the last battle, you could argue that yes, the Saxons finally defeated the Vikings. If you go by how the demographic changed, it's a little more grey. I was not aware of the Roman church's veto of trade with the Vikingers! That would explain the need to go raiding as a source of income (going a-viking, as they called it!). What a brilliant fact, thank you :)
The main difference between American humour and American humour is that in the States the funny guy is is the wise guy, where in Britain it is the other way round. The humour is the failure; it is self depracatory. Al Murray is playing the drunken landlord who thinks he knows everything, but the irony is in this case , he actually does! 😂
I find that American Humour tend to be superficial, trying not to be controversial and not stepping on peoples toes. American Humour tend to focus "snap shot short "jokes, to which a quick humorous response is required in the form of "canned laughter" where as British tends to like "story tells with a punch line". For example the Melo-situation comedy called "M.A.S.H" - when its aired in the U.S. it had "canned laughter" at every "snap shot short" joke trying to prompt the audience to laugh, where as in the U.K it didn't have the canned laughter because the British audience think that the "canned laughter" element is over loaded - and anything "overloaded would appear boring". More often or not it tends to be "corny humour". The most liked and loved U.S sitcom in the UK is Frasier, because its based on an English Farce , from which misinterpretation of peoples in tensions and thoughts were the key elements of the story plot line. Its very British in that is has lots of comic farce - you know, people running in and out of doorways, coming in the room at the wrong moment, overhearing something they shouldn't and getting it wrong e.g. like Fawlty Towers.
Well, for the sake of arguing the USA is essentially a British colony gone rogue. You've taken our culture and run with it. But never severed ties. And for comedy's sake and maintaining the grandeur of the idea of Britain being the greatest, could say it was all planned. We just allow you the illusion of autonomy. The vikings invaded, for a while, that's all. There's not a great deal of feeling, at least for us southerners today, for that period and the hardships. They came, they warred, they left. Made love too, as my genes appear to tell me. To the question about pride and the British empire: Throughout my life the trend has been to damn and tarnish all relating to that subject. But after doing my own research i'm proud of it, overall. And i wouldn't say proud, because we've had that beaten out of us, but i think there is no better systems to follow and maintain which offers more liberty and opportunity to an individual.
He's a very intelligent guy. Off stage he is a hugely intelligent historian. He's made quite a few shows about history and they've done really well. Just because he explains it, not so mush in layman's terms, but in an interesting, entertaining way... It keeps you involved and interested. You take in and retain much more info when it's given to you like that... My history classes involved 3 years of copying text of the board and boring dictation.
He's masquerading as a Pub landlord, that's the character. As an overbearing, know-it-all, which is a typical characture of a type of British pub landlord.
IIRC, he's not drinking alcohol. It's part of the act. And the reason for his hesitations and repetitions is because he is genuinely making the historical connections on-the-fly. That's why he sometimes starts slow, then speeds up when he gets to "familiar ground".
A little tip. DONT take it so seriously. The facts are spot on because Al is actually a history lecturer and graduated in that subject but our humour is a unique thing and what i am most proud of about being English/British. Our sharpness in humour,often cruel,only works because? Its FUNNY!
Al Murray studied modern history at St Edmund hall Oxford. His "uniform" is his character of a pub landlord working for a company who own a chain of pubs.
@@namor357 Oh dear, maybe you should have at least had some education. Then maybe you wouldn't look this silly. Social sciences examples; psychology, sociology, geography, economics, law, anthropology, and all business qualifications. So, all those are a waste of life are they?
@@SirRicheybee For a certain type of person, I probably am. But for that type of person . . . . well it is safe to say no normal, intelligent person has to care too much about what they think.
I've seen him live, and he has a very, very good memory - he'll ask what loads of people do and what their names are, and have something to joke about with each person - then return to them later and cross reference people at different points. His character is basically a mocking of the typical English "England is Top Nation" Island Mentality.
He’s a graduate from St. Edmund Hall, Oxford in Modern History and is a descend the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray. He definitely knows his stuff!
Although he has a degree in History from Oxford University, his ability to ask such questions on stage, never knowing what countries will be raised, shows his lightning quick brain to be able to respond, not only factually (as he did in each case), but also comedically. As for the drinking on stage, he's playing the role of an overly patriotic "Pub Landlord", the character in his Sitcom "Time Gentlemen Please" - correct me if I've got the title wrong, those people who are familiar with it.
I am British but born and lived in 3, now ex colonies, Malawi, Serria Leone and Hong Kong from 1960 to 1985, I basically witnessed the fall of the empire, while growing up. Some countries have not done well from it, but some have. I guess I could write a book about it, so much learnt.
He's got a PhD and he's also famous for his war documentaries, and he's playing the pub landlord, which is a character who he did on TV. He's a big time history buff, and he's always been great at teaching history with a comedy twist. 😊 good vid keep up the content 😊
The joke isnt the audience giving him examples of countries we have invaded but rather ones we think we haven't and he proves us wrong And he isnt dressed as a school boy, hes dressed like a pub (bar) owner, yes publicans wear shirt and ties Also his facts are down to the fact he has a masters in history from Oxford and is crazy smart
Al Murray is a big TV and stage star, a stand-up comic but he has also done serious documentaries on say the history of Germany before 1933 when Hitler took power. His voice is very different in "real life" because, as said, he is playing a character based on some British publicans that are very patriotic. The drink in the glass is probably shandy (50% beer, lemonade), he doesn't get drunk on stage".
@@liamreidy1175 I'm rhe same if I drink none alcoholic beer I dont go to the loo often. When I drink alcoholic beer I am up and down more than a blackpool prostitute on a Monday madness night before the pandemic
@@uEquusVideo as someone who worked on the entertainment business its common practice like in the soaps coronation street and eastenders use bone alcoholic beer too. However emerald uses real beer
I saw him do a show where he spoke with the audience for about 90 minutes then went for a 15 minute break came back on and told a story involving everyone he had spoken with that evening. Astounding memory and hilarious to boot
He is Al Murray the pub landlord, he has to be smashing a pint on stage, he also has a masters degree in history, he plays a stereotypical pub landlord in Britain
Presuming loads of comments telling you this but he’s an Oxford history graduate and known for how intelligent he is. He’s done a few history documents where he doesn’t play ‘the pub landlord’. The pub landlord is pretending to be a stereotypical southern pub landlord. The outfit is what your old fashioned ‘tough’ pub landlords used to wear.
No it's literally just that a joke the special relationship of Britain and the US is mutually beneficial in intelligence, trade and military cooperation and probably the most important relationship in the modern day. Honestly we respect our history we don't run from it we recognise both the good and the bad of our Empire but we also celebrate our heritage to a point we are patriotic but not to the extent of the US it spells more appropriate patriotism so certain holidays and days we remember that sacrifices of WW1, WW2 and modern conflicts.
in most cases military wise america has the muscle but britain has the brains and tactics for them to carry it out sucesfully to prove a point america went it alone without any involvement from us in vietnam look how that turned out
@@danep8553 There were troops from part of the British Commonwealth - Australia - but the UK Government refused to play any military part in America's futile adventure. Have you ever heard the name Daniel Ellsberg? He had worked in the Pentagon and leaked documents that revealed the USA had known, from its own analysts as early as 1962, that the war was unwinnable. The reason it dragged on for another dozen years was simple: each US President was afraid to admit defeat on his watch. It was only when public protests grew too big to ignore that Nixon, mired in the Watergate Scandal, decided to throw in the towel.
when he says "they've been working for us ever since". It's just a joke, playing up a grandstanding British nationalist character who thinks Brits are still on top of the world. Not in any historical context just a character aspect of his act.
@Nufc Magpies 123 he is playing a overly nationalist pub landlord character, he is a very clever guy but in reality he actually isn't very patriotic at all. Yes Britain has militarily defeated most of the countries listed but no we are no longer on top.
He may be referring to the weights and measures we stitched them up with after the US lost their’s when they became independent. We basically stealth taxed them for about 50 years. They never noticed until we officially changed to a newer system and sent them the new measures. Of course not wanting to admit being hoodwinked by the Brits the US have erased this from their short history and deny it to this day.
@Nufc Magpies 123 Although in this particular segment he's not really using the angle of the character 'the pub landlord' much as its more a joke segment using his incredible historical knowledge, he is still in his character. And for anyone that knows anything about Al Murray they'll be aware that not only is 'the pub landlord' a character but in fact 99% of what the character 'the pub landlord' says is actually the opposite of what he actually thinks as a person. He says within minutes of starting a show he can tell by audience reactions which percentage of the crowd get it and are laughing at the jokes with the irony thats intended and what percentage are just confused BNP/UKIP types that are there because they think he actually thinks these things!
He is well known here in uk for being very knowledgeable about history. He has a podcast called “we have ways of making you talk”. It is fantastically packed with WW2 in-depth knowledge. His character here is of a pub landlord. The basic premise is he is meant to be bigoted, but the guy himself is anything but and is incredibly worldly and intelligent
Al Murray plays a character called 'The Pub Landlord' who is always a little bit drunk and always a little bit knowledgeable! A British pub landlord (licensed victualler) is the person who holds the licence to sell intoxicating liquor and who's name must be displayed above the entrance to the establishment (usually on a long, thin brass plaque above the door, but sometimes painted onto the door frame).
He’s dressed as a pub landlord. Pubs have nothing in common with American or European bars. His stage persona is the Pub Landlord. He has degree in History from Oxford University.
@@OblivionGate ... Good one. Nice channelling of Al Murray - you've got his wording down pat. PS : Hope you realised that my initial comment was a joke!
Al Murray read Modern History at St. Edmunds College Oxford and was awarded an honorary degree (Hon MA) by the University of Bedford in 2014 and an Honorary Dr of Social Science (PhD) by the University of Wolverhampton in 2017 - so yes, a very educated, knowledgeable man.
The empire was only built because we couldn't be bothered to learn another language, so we decided to get the rest of the world to speak our language. Looks like it worked.
@@PiggyWiggyO Nope, just the truth. We're too intellectually lazy to learn foreign languages - its just easier to conquer the lands of those who speak incomprehensible gobbledegook, then force them to speak what like we do. Innit.
@@jwatson078555 True. Irish myself and the French hate the question "Parle vous anglais?" There is an automatic assumption that all countries must know and speak English in their own country for the english speaking tourists no less! However english is the international language thanks to the Americans with all their power and money. Trump speaks english.... so we gotta too! i
@@danieldunlavey6901 I have seen it before, but a lot of people are asking for it. I don't know if I should do it anyway just to have a discussion about it. That might not be as entertaining though.
I’ve found your US take on the British really interesting and very refreshing. I look forward to seeing some more of this content and thank you for the effort you’re putting into this. As for some of your questions: Al Murray is an Oxford educated history buff. He’s nothing like his persona of ‘Pub Landlord’ in real life and his serious historical programmes are very interesting to watch. The British view on Empire is a little awkward. There’s a huge drive to highlight the bad, with little attempt to consider it within the context of its time, or to consider other Empires that came before, or ran parallel to it. There’s a standing joke in Britain that is sometimes used to highlight the advantage of immigration here: “what did the Romans ever do for us”. It implies, correctly, that without them we wouldn’t have had sanitation, infrastructure etc etc. Clearly, whilst this was a good thing in many ways, it came with a fair amount of pain. The Viking raids, Norman conquest, the Barbary Slavers, to name but a few, also had impacts on the UK that - with the exception of the Barbary Slave Trade, which isn’t mentioned in British schools - are highlighted as positives for the United Kingdom as we now stand. Even though the barbarity and impacts of those invasions/occupations was severe. I’ll caveat this following comment, by saying I’m not making any assertion as to whether the British Empire was good or bad, or any shade in between. But as a comparison to other Empires, the industrial revolution, the rise of a British Empire, the export/import of technology, medicine, infrastructure to various parts of the globe is largely seen within British education (and the majority of the world) as a huge negative for all involved and something the British should be ashamed of. Whether that’s strictly fair, in context, is a matter of very lengthy debate I guess.
I think what he meant was, towards the end of the war in 1812-1814, The Americans tried to invade Canada, which at the time was under British rule. They got absolutely destroyed by the British.
Al Murray went to Oxford University and studied modern history..He is related to the novelist William Thackeray.One of his grandfather’s was a diplomat and the other one died at the battle of Dunkirk.Al’s father was lieutenant colonel in the Parachute regiment.
The wars with the French were always more important to the British than keeping America. The French supported the US during the war of independence and then the US refused to pay their war debts, bankrupting France which led to civil unrest and the eventual end of all hostilities. I guess in that way the US was working for us after leaving.
It's funny cause the war started because the Americans refused to pay the taxes Britain had spent to defend them from the French and Spanish...then did the exact same to then after getting tons of help and arms from them to fight the British XD
Al Murray is a character, a British Patriot and pub landlord (owner of a pub). In real life he's actually a very educated person, with a Degree in Modern History (including military) from Oxford
John - You're right. He's best known as a comedian - and a very good one... but I remember he did an excellent documentary series (bout 6 or 8 episodes) bout WW2 from the Allied landings at Normandy, France to Berlin and the defeat of Germany - about June, 1944 to May, 1945. There were no jokes - it was a serious documentary and he travelled the route and did the commentary! I'd recommend that.
What a lot of people don't realise is that Al Murray is playing a role on stage. He is portraying a typical "Pub Landlord". This is a guy who reigns over his pub, sipping on a never emptying glass of beer and holding court over his patrons. They always have very strong opinions about everything and have no hesitation in telling their audience the "truth" as they see it. It's a very clever and accurate portrayal of a dying species. He is a very intelligent man who knows his facts. I doubt that he has rehearsed the act as you suggested. Part of the fun is that the audience tries to catch him out by shouting out some obscure country.
Yep Al Murray is actually an Oxford University History 1st graduate....so he's asking the audience for random counties that become more and more unusual and he's just pulling semi facts from his education to make a point about the British Empire and Britain's history across the World before America became a World power and took over our role as the dominant gorilla.
David - Yeah, and he's got the yanks defending us now from any big foreign enemies. They're pretty thick in the colonies - Course they still all work for us.... even when they don't realise it!
Yup. That's the joke. The persona of an opiniated pub landlord has a comic history dating back to the Napoleonic Wars in the 17th and 18th century: Al Murray's Pub Landlord is the cartoon character John Bull, reinvented for the modern age.
@@georgebritten6666 helped out? Well, eventually but only after they had bled Britain dry through "lend lease". The Americans are no friends of ours and never have been. Al was quite correct to say that the war of independence was a lucky escape for us! Frankly I think its time to sail up the potomac and burn down the Whitehouse again (there's a better one in red square anyway)
This character of the "pub landlord" is a complete parody of what city landlords can be. Dressed smartly as a businessman, drinking as he would whilst he would enjoy social time with old bar regulars. The landlord being a strong Englishman, proud of queen and country he put the world to rights.
I certainly have pride in what we achieved in history, but the British Empire was summed up by a Klingon brilliantly to me. No not mad, he was at the Star Trek Experience in Vegas back when it was there. He asked us where we were from, to which we replied, British.... "Ah yes, the British. Once a mighty Empire, now a tiny island!"
I think you'll 'get' him a bit more when you see a few more Pub Landlord videos. His character is that of an over the top patriot - no other country is as good as Britain type of thing. He asks people their name and usually, regardless of what they say, says "beautiful British name" (unless it is Scottish or Welsh where he would say something like "it means subject of the English"). As a side note, during his long stage gigs, he remembers all the people's names he speaks to and what they do for a living. BTW, it's not a schoolboy uniform, he's an old fashioned type of publican wearing a shirt and tie and I believe the badge on his shirt is his (fictitious) family crest. In some of his routines he actually rides on stage behind a motorised bar with working beer taps.
Al Murray did a documentary series on WW2 minus the alcohol, he visited various places and talked to British veterans at some of those places. He supports British troops and has presented some awards to British military personnel which are know as Millie Awards backed by The Sun newspaper, lots of celebrities present the awards actors, actresses, comedians and tv personalities.
History of the British Empire is hardly taught in school. Most ordinary people are incredibly unaware of their incredible history. If anything, they seem to be embarrassed by the empire. That is the ironic twist in the character. He is nostalgic whereas most people have moved on.
He is playing a character of a pub landlord. Because of what he says, he attracts a very certain audience, who he is actually commenting on some of the values they might hold. It is a work uniform, though it does look like a school uniform. He is using it to make fun at various things, machismo, racism, unquestioning patriotism, right wing politics etc. As mentioned elsewhere, he is quite an intelligent chap.
War of 1812 basically, BASICALLY! While Britain was focused on fighting with the French in Europe and around the world, America wanted to expand on its territories and possessions and invaded Canada thinking Britain wouldn't put up a fight to reclaim them. Needless to say Americans had their arses kicked out of Canada and all the way down the eastern united states.
He's playing the part of an old school 80-90's pub landlord, displaying the arrogance of the time that the Brits are the greatest. It's all pretend, right down to his "drunkedness" on stage. He is, in fact an expert in history, particularly military history and very well read in real life. Also, famously created a political party under his landlord persona in an attempt to show just how ridiculous the personalities in that years running were. Ironically, he actually gained support in the constituency he applied for and he ended up on the ballot in the local election.
From Wikipedia Murray was educated at Bedford School,[8] and St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he read Modern History.[9] He later said of his time at school: "When I was nine I was sent to boarding school, which I despised. The first five years were hideous because I wanted to be at home. I guess I resented my parents a little and it put tons of distance between us. One of the things I took from boarding school is that it made me emotionally self-sufficient."[10]
I’m very proud of the British Empire, warts and all. There are many things about it that I am proud of. Equally, there are things that I’m not proud of, but there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s happened. All we can do is acknowledge the events that have taken place and talk about them.
Some real highlights aren't there! Like The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Second Boer War (1899-1902) concentration camps, Mau Mau Uprisings (mere 20,000 murdered)and the fantastic effort we put into between 12 and 29 million Indians who died of starvation while it was under the control of the British Empire, as millions of tons of wheat were exported to Britain as famine raged in India.
You know it’s a persona right, he’s an extremely well spoken, well educated historian taking the piss out of “patriots” that pretend to be patriotic but are just nationalists.
He is mocking the type of Brit that is proud of the Empire. He is actually very anti-Brexit and that whole British nationalism. The character is satirical. Al Murray opposes everything that the The Pub Landlord represents. Murray is very sympathetic to the likes of the Irish and French, who his character mocks. He is similar to Warren Mitchell who played the character of Alf Garnett in the 1960's and 1970's. Alf Garnett was a racist, West Ham fan, misogynistic, right wing, British Empire loving, Conservative Party supporter. Warren Mitchell was also parodying this type of individual.
3:08 it's not that the audience has been educated about which countries Britain has invaded, it's more that if you shout out any country in the world, then chances are that the Brits invaded it at some point.
Views on the Empire vary, with some presenting it an oppressive and exploitative institution whilst others hold it up as a glorious and beneficent force for good. I think most Brits fall somewhere between, recognising its terrible mistakes (e.g. slavery early on, violent conquest etc.) but also its good contributions (e.g. abolition of slavery, end to widow-burning etc).
@@Karl-sq5ng we all learnt the bad stuff mate I finished school 10 years ago we were made to watch roots the transatlantic trade india ect so its a lie we don't learn it its lefties whinging we are allowed to talk about the good stuff aswell rather then it all be bad
@B T @Jack Tanton Fair enough to both of you. I went to primary school in the 80's and secondary in the 90's and I didn't. It'll trickle down from your generations then. About time!
@@Karl-sq5ng . When I was at school we learned about the triangular trade, trade goods to West Africa, slaves to the West Indies, sugar and rum to the American colonies and Britain. It was largely helped by trade winds and ocean currents. That was back in the 50s.
There is a strong tradition of humour in the UK and unlike other countries going into comedy is a career option of sorts for people who would otherwise end up as doctors, lawyers or other professionals. This is especially true for bright graduates from Oxford and Cambridge. Al Murray is one, but there are many and include Hugh Laurie, Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), the Pythons, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Stephen Fry, Hugh Grant and Sacha Baron Cohen. These comedians often become actors as well. Obviously, there are lots of other comedians (male and female) with different backgrounds.
Al Murray is in many ways a typical, smart, witty Brit and his act as a British pub landlord demonstrates pub humour. By the way The British Empire bought democracy and, government and the rule of law to most of its colony’s as well as railway systems, steam powered engines and many many inventions since. We have been and will again be one of the most successful countries on the planet. Did I mention the NHS.....
I think the strangest thing about the British Empire is how it has evolved into commonwealth. When the British were withdrawing from all those countries there was no violence made against them (in fact the only country that ever used violence against the British was the Jews in Israel ie former Palestine). In fact you still see a fondness for the British when the Queen goes on Royal tours abroad; or as we see today in Hong Kong where some citizens prefer to fly the British colonial flag in preference to their own.
Out of the Empire came the British Commonwealth that 53 countries have now CHOSEN to join. The British Commonwealth countries now account for 1/3rd of the earth's landmass. We are very proud of how the Empire has worked out and how it continues to evolve to the benefit of many.
We don’t really have feelings about the commonwealth other than pride when you see them stand and fight side by side especially ww2. A lot of our commonwealth fought and died alongside the British, even the Irish, Scottish and Welsh. There’s always been a rivalry and banter but when the chips are down we stand together...
@@dbdb9334 They're not "British like" - they're British. The United Kingdom comprises two ancient kingdoms, Scotland and England, the principality of Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. The inhabitants of these are British, while at the same time they are English, Scots, Welsh or Northern Irish.
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The outfit he is wearing is a British pub landlord outfit, he’s called the pub landlord comedian, he also has a PhD in history
th-cam.com/video/XNqu8hhcoLM/w-d-xo.html
@SoGal Al Murray plays the character of a pub landlord.
A pub landlord in the traditional sense runs and owns a pub and the pub in the village or town would be the center of the community where people meet and discus everything bond with pub sport like snooker domino's Darts, Bingo and even pub quizzes.
Pub quizzes were held at least once per week and it would be up to the land lord or his/her delegated person to come up with the questions for these competitions some times it would be just the people in the pub at the time who would play these games but every pub had a dedicated team which would be a part of a league of pubs first in the local area but going national the Land lord would be the center of the entertainment in a pub he/she was judge jury and executioner a captain of his own ship if you like.
So the traditional pub Land lord would be able to react in the same way Al is doing to any question even if the land lords did not know the right answer he would make something up and that was the answer even if it was wrong, when found out they were wrong he would give the right answer but it was your fault for not knowing the right answer :) its all in fun.
Americans would call it "fake news." but still believe it anyway. And this was all before social media so. May be this is why we can smell bull crap in the UK when its spouted. I don't know hope this helped you out.
The shirt with the crest on it would be the logo or crest of the pub the land lord owned or ran its a uniform. We brits like to wear uniforms for work at one point now everything has gone to shit with privatization.
Today however most pubs are owned by chains and the pub landlord is all but extinct in the UK
He has a Degree in British History I believe 🙂
We did a poll regarding feelings towards our imperial legacy not so long ago and it came out as positive towards it in the main. Something like 60% proud, 19% ashamed.
'Is he drinking while doing this?' Lady, we drink when we do everything
True, cheers! (clink)
I am at work right now, with an open bottle of Peroni next to me! Cheers!
The shirt badge is part of his pub landlord persona
F*ck it I’ll drink to that 😂
True
Gotta love Americans. They drive a steam roller through the rest of the world, then are shocked by an adult drinking beer on stage 😂
Not really, his character is a pub landlord.
@@timlewis5756 naaaaaaaa really?
I never did anything, and I'm not exactly going to overthrow the government to make them stop
Yeah, but we didnt have a beer in the Steamroller!
Drive a steam roller through a joke by the looks of things too
He is actually very educated. He is just playing a character.
Australian's are bred for???......
History at University and a History buff.
@@anthonyabbott6728 it’s instiiiiiiiiinct.. 😬
No he’s just a pure Englishman who had a couple pints and he is the reason why I’m a proud Englishman
@@frankwhite4643 no he is in fact the pub landlord
Seeing yanks watch react to our humour is always painful as fuck lmao
I like you alot
Then watch Eclectic beard channel..he gets it, guy's a legend.
🤣😅🇬🇧👍
It really is like pulling teeth out watching the yanks understand our humour lol
I'm very proud of it as we are a small country that kicked the worlds arse over and over again 🤣🤣🤣
Al Murray is playing a character called the "Pub Landlord". He is very educated and knows his stuff.
Its not a character he actually is a pub landlord
@@davidrossiter7334 No he isn't.
@@garethbrearley6484 He owns a pub in Sussex, its well known in the area and have been there myself in fact one of his daughters works there.
@@davidrossiter7334 He is a pub landlord, but The Pub Landlord is a character.
@@jonb4155 yes its a character but he also owns a pub. I have literally been there and spoken to his daughter and there pictures of him up all over the pub.
His stage name is the Pub landlord, and yes, he does drink on stage, he also has a PhD in history, so this isn't just drunken ramblings, and yes, react to more of his stuff please.
Planning to! Thanks.
Point is, he is playing a character who holds opposing views to his own in real life.
An MA from Oxford in History. Not a PhD but not too shabby.
@@SoGal_YT if you want a real headfuck, after watching a few of his stand up shows watch his ww1 documentary 😂
@@SoGal_YT He went to Oxford university to doing a PhD in History .
MOST British comedians hold advanced degrees.
And passports
@@Pax_Veritas British passport is the best passport to have! you could go from London to Caribbean on a British passport
@@Pax_Veritas The special one! lol Get yourself down to Millwall lol
It's incredible how many British comedians used to be teachers.
Never underestimate the British lol
Of course he's drinking........ He's english.... Lol.
🤣🤣 us english love a drink but the Scottish are the worst for booze lol
We have to drink... it makes us forget about Donald and how he might evisorate the World!
@@uEquusVideo Well he'd better do it before Jan 20 XD
I would complain about that, but I do have a can in my hand as I type, so it's probably fair
@@DavidSmith-ul4ns Are we the worst though, or are we really the best? lol
Hes playing a role and hes got an Oxford history degree. He does this role so well and shocks people with his knowledge. Great channel 🙂
The “Americans working for the British ever since” is basically that we let our child do the work for us now. Like father like son🇬🇧🦁🇺🇸
"Americans" are all people who live in the American continent, not just in the United States
@@Revolución_Socialista Technically, yes. But "Yanks" were technically (some of) the northern States of the USA, but British people use "Yank" to mean any American (from the north or south of the Union) and "American" to specifically refer to anyone from the USA. Other continental Americans are referred to as: Central Americans or South Americans, as well as their specific countries like Canadians or Peruvians, etc.
@@Revolución_Socialista Are you really suggesting that we call you "United States Citizens"? Even "US Citizens" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Instead, we either say "Mexican", "Canadian", or "American" when we talk about people from North America. Technically that might be incorrect, but people from the USA are unofficially called "Americans" even by your own government, as in "My fellow Americans".
He’s not being serious. He’s playing a character role. Most of it is ironic humour. You’re taking it too seriously.
irony was deleted from websters dictionary
Americans just don't get the GB humour or irony of the proud English landlord.
Yeah this lady doesnt get it...
Murray is a Oxford History Graduate, he knows his stuff
Then he should know we lost to everyone of the countries he listed...
@@MauriceTarantulas That's what you want to believe but unfortunately for you isn't true.
@@MauriceTarantulas perhaps you need to look into how after WW2 the US readily assisted in dismantling the Empires of Western Europe around the globe.
@@JohnSmith-bx8zb Eh? What nonsense are you (and the other guy spouting). Whats America got to do with this. Stay off the drugs.
@@shamteal8614 Err you need to read a book. Us Brits won a lot of battles but we lost a fair few. Try getting an education.
It’s not a school uniform He’s called the governor because he is playing a character of a landlord of a pub and we are very territorial where we drink and that’s the pubs badge
Yeah, the concept of a pub landlord, and him wearing a uniform, was completely lost on me as an American. I didn't even know such a thing existed, lol. Now I know!
@@SoGal_YT He has uploaded his series "Time gentlemen please" on YT, it's very anglocentric humour but is the stereotype of an old pub landlord that this character was based on.
It's more silly than funny but worth checking out.
By the way this guy is proper educated and his father was a lieutenant colonel.
@@stebur4277 Actually, it was the other way around - the tv show was based on the character - his stand-up routine came first!
I'm not being a dick - Until recently, I thought the character was based on the show too!
@@welshgit No worries, yeah just wrong choice of wordage.
I remember him as Alan with Harry Hill (for the badger parade is but 10 minutes away) then wee bits with Lee and Herring.
Obviously the pub landlord character was developed before the TGP series.
Have you watched it lately? Some of it's simply awful.
Anyway, thanks man, you've got me reminiscing - time to look up old Harry Hill shows.
@@stebur4277 Ahhh. Yes, reading your post again, you said it was based on the character, not actually the programme. My apologies.
As I said, I had previously thought that the character started in the TV series, and he took it on stand-up after that - I hadn't realised he did stand-up before then!
And yeah, I did rewatch some of them a few years ago.. A lot of cringey material I'd forgotten about, though when I originally watched it, I was more interested in Emma Pierson!
I'll have to check out some of his previous work... I'm not sure which I'll prefer....
On the one hand, the old stuff might be more original.
On the other hand, the new stuff will be more polished.
There's only one way to find out.....
FIGHT!!
You do realise that he is a historian, and the audience is NOT in on the act
"Something about the Vikings and the British not quite getting along", Nah we just had wars and battles with them for over 300 years for a laugh.
😂👍🏼
Lmao
Isn't that kind of a british tradition by now?
Bit of pedantry here, Vikings and Saxons both originated from Germanic tribes. Troubles started between them when the Irish finally converted the Saxons to Christianity. The Church in Rome had vetoed all trade with the Vikings because they refused to convert to Christianity - they tried to starve them into submission. The vikings hit back at Christian outposts starting with the Monastery at Lindisfarne and the rest was history - ending in 1066 when the Saxon army under Harold Godwinson finally destroyed the Viking army under Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge.
Yeah I know it's a comedy vlog but Al is an historian too and Sogal doesn't seem to know much history.
@@johnnewton2949 It's an interesting debate. The Normans were the descendants of Rollo, a Viking. Right before Harold Godwinson was, of course, King Cnut, an actual Scandinavian who ruled over England. Harold Godwinson was a noble in Cnut's court. Not to mention the fact that Northumbria were Anglo-Danish after the establishment of the Danelaw by Alfred. If you go by who won the last battle, you could argue that yes, the Saxons finally defeated the Vikings. If you go by how the demographic changed, it's a little more grey.
I was not aware of the Roman church's veto of trade with the Vikingers! That would explain the need to go raiding as a source of income (going a-viking, as they called it!). What a brilliant fact, thank you :)
The main difference between American humour and American humour is that in the States the funny guy is is the wise guy, where in Britain it is the other way round. The humour is the failure; it is self depracatory. Al Murray is playing the drunken landlord who thinks he knows everything, but the irony is in this case , he actually does! 😂
I find that American Humour tend to be superficial, trying not to be controversial and not stepping on peoples toes. American Humour tend to focus "snap shot short "jokes, to which a quick humorous response is required in the form of "canned laughter" where as British tends to like "story tells with a punch line".
For example the Melo-situation comedy called "M.A.S.H" - when its aired in the U.S. it had "canned laughter" at every "snap shot short" joke trying to prompt the audience to laugh, where as in the U.K it didn't have the canned laughter because the British audience think that the "canned laughter" element is over loaded - and anything "overloaded would appear boring". More often or not it tends to be "corny humour".
The most liked and loved U.S sitcom in the UK is Frasier, because its based on an English Farce , from which misinterpretation of peoples in tensions and thoughts were the key elements of the story plot line. Its very British in that is has lots of comic farce - you know, people running in and out of doorways, coming in the room at the wrong moment, overhearing something they shouldn't and getting it wrong e.g. like Fawlty Towers.
Lol. The word is self depreceative.
Not deprecatory.
@@dcmastermindfirst9418 🧐🤔
@@dcmastermindfirst9418 No it’s not.
"Americans" are all people who live in the American continent, not just in the United States
Well, for the sake of arguing the USA is essentially a British colony gone rogue. You've taken our culture and run with it. But never severed ties. And for comedy's sake and maintaining the grandeur of the idea of Britain being the greatest, could say it was all planned. We just allow you the illusion of autonomy.
The vikings invaded, for a while, that's all. There's not a great deal of feeling, at least for us southerners today, for that period and the hardships. They came, they warred, they left.
Made love too, as my genes appear to tell me.
To the question about pride and the British empire: Throughout my life the trend has been to damn and tarnish all relating to that subject. But after doing my own research i'm proud of it, overall.
And i wouldn't say proud, because we've had that beaten out of us, but i think there is no better systems to follow and maintain which offers more liberty and opportunity to an individual.
The Vikings got their comeuppance at Stamford Bridge 1066!!!
@@anthonymatthews7193 And Stamford Bridge has been the downfall of many northern teams since. I type as a Leeds fan.
@@AndrewLakeUK Ha Ha, We will show dem !!!
@@AndrewLakeUK Ha Ha And still will be!!!!
Just like our government allows the illusion of freedom and democracy :D
He's a very intelligent guy. Off stage he is a hugely intelligent historian. He's made quite a few shows about history and they've done really well. Just because he explains it, not so mush in layman's terms, but in an interesting, entertaining way... It keeps you involved and interested. You take in and retain much more info when it's given to you like that... My history classes involved 3 years of copying text of the board and boring dictation.
He's a fountain of knowledge masquerading as a drunk English lad. He brilliant. He knows his stuff.
He's masquerading as a Pub landlord, that's the character. As an overbearing, know-it-all, which is a typical characture of a type of British pub landlord.
IIRC, he's not drinking alcohol. It's part of the act.
And the reason for his hesitations and repetitions is because he is genuinely making the historical connections on-the-fly. That's why he sometimes starts slow, then speeds up when he gets to "familiar ground".
You’re looking too deep into it, they’re just jokes with a little bit of sarcastic history thrown in.
I wouldn't take him too seriously. It's all a bit tongue in cheek.
But what he speaks is true, Just said in a fun way.
He's not drunk this is an act he's not like that in real life, it's a performance, he's playing a character here, he's a writer, comedian and actor.
A little tip.
DONT take it so seriously.
The facts are spot on because Al is actually a history lecturer and graduated in that subject but our humour is a unique thing and what i am most proud of about being English/British.
Our sharpness in humour,often cruel,only works because?
Its FUNNY!
Al Murray studied modern history at St Edmund hall Oxford. His "uniform" is his character of a pub landlord working for a company who own a chain of pubs.
Al Murray Graduated Oxford with a Degree in History, but he has an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Social Science
Ah...this video makes more sense now. Thanks!
@@SoGal_YT the Social Sciences are a waste of life
@@namor357 Oh dear, maybe you should have at least had some education. Then maybe you wouldn't look this silly. Social sciences examples; psychology, sociology, geography, economics, law, anthropology, and all business qualifications.
So, all those are a waste of life are they?
@@SirRicheybee For a certain type of person, I probably am.
But for that type of person . . . . well it is safe to say no normal, intelligent person has to care too much about what they think.
He's also a play on the English stereotype of a pub landlord (hence the shirt) who are generally seen as knowledgeable braggarts
"Is he drinking?"
Me, a British person who grew up watching Al Murray:
😐😐 yes
Al Murray is an Oxford history graduate, he is in his personna as the pub landlord, often seen as loud boorish men.
Al Murray has a history degree, loves the subject, an expert. This is him as "Pub Landlord", a character so always holds a pint
Al does have a degree from Oxford in history. Plus he is a massive war buff, he's done loads of different shows about war and British history
BA in Modern History from St.Edmunds to be exact.
I've seen him live, and he has a very, very good memory - he'll ask what loads of people do and what their names are, and have something to joke about with each person - then return to them later and cross reference people at different points. His character is basically a mocking of the typical English "England is Top Nation" Island Mentality.
He also has a degree in history from Oxford.
"Beautiful Bristish name".
US could use some of the irony and satire the Brits have about themselves, for themselves.
He’s a graduate from St. Edmund Hall, Oxford in Modern History and is a descend the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray. He definitely knows his stuff!
Al was a graduate in history from Oxford university. His Comedy character is a pub landlord who wears his old school crest and tie.
Although he has a degree in History from Oxford University, his ability to ask such questions on stage, never knowing what countries will be raised, shows his lightning quick brain to be able to respond, not only factually (as he did in each case), but also comedically. As for the drinking on stage, he's playing the role of an overly patriotic "Pub Landlord", the character in his Sitcom "Time Gentlemen Please" - correct me if I've got the title wrong, those people who are familiar with it.
I am British but born and lived in 3, now ex colonies, Malawi, Serria Leone and Hong Kong from 1960 to 1985, I basically witnessed the fall of the empire, while growing up. Some countries have not done well from it, but some have. I guess I could write a book about it, so much learnt.
He's got a PhD and he's also famous for his war documentaries, and he's playing the pub landlord, which is a character who he did on TV. He's a big time history buff, and he's always been great at teaching history with a comedy twist. 😊 good vid keep up the content 😊
But the point is that his "pub landlord" is actually promulgating "pub history", i.e. not real stuff.
Not a Ph.D., an Ma in Modern History from Oxford.
Actually he's a master of history with an honorary doctorate
@@PalleRasmussen Close. the PhD in honourary
He didn't prep he's educated. 😂
The joke isnt the audience giving him examples of countries we have invaded but rather ones we think we haven't and he proves us wrong
And he isnt dressed as a school boy, hes dressed like a pub (bar) owner, yes publicans wear shirt and ties
Also his facts are down to the fact he has a masters in history from Oxford and is crazy smart
Al Murray is a big TV and stage star, a stand-up comic but he has also done serious documentaries on say the history of Germany before 1933 when Hitler took power. His voice is very different in "real life" because, as said, he is playing a character based on some British publicans that are very patriotic. The drink in the glass is probably shandy (50% beer, lemonade), he doesn't get drunk on stage".
he drinks non alcoholic beer while on stage he said during an interview cos he would need a piss if it was alcoholic
But it's the same amount of fluid, although it is a diuretic.
Me thinks he may be pulling your plonker??!!
@@liamreidy1175 its psycological
@@liamreidy1175 I'm rhe same if I drink none alcoholic beer I dont go to the loo often. When I drink alcoholic beer I am up and down more than a blackpool prostitute on a Monday madness night before the pandemic
@@uEquusVideo as someone who worked on the entertainment business its common practice like in the soaps coronation street and eastenders use bone alcoholic beer too. However emerald uses real beer
I saw him do a show where he spoke with the audience for about 90 minutes then went for a 15 minute break came back on and told a story involving everyone he had spoken with that evening. Astounding memory and hilarious to boot
It's a comedy routine, designed to make people laugh. Not really for over-analysing, or as we say in GB "tearing the arse out of it". Just enjoy it
Do we say that here?
oh be careful...or she'll block your comments
He is Al Murray the pub landlord, he has to be smashing a pint on stage, he also has a masters degree in history, he plays a stereotypical pub landlord in Britain
Presuming loads of comments telling you this but he’s an Oxford history graduate and known for how intelligent he is. He’s done a few history documents where he doesn’t play ‘the pub landlord’. The pub landlord is pretending to be a stereotypical southern pub landlord.
The outfit is what your old fashioned ‘tough’ pub landlords used to wear.
No it's literally just that a joke the special relationship of Britain and the US is mutually beneficial in intelligence, trade and military cooperation and probably the most important relationship in the modern day.
Honestly we respect our history we don't run from it we recognise both the good and the bad of our Empire but we also celebrate our heritage to a point we are patriotic but not to the extent of the US it spells more appropriate patriotism so certain holidays and days we remember that sacrifices of WW1, WW2 and modern conflicts.
I respect punctuation........
@@liamreidy1175 Well seen you don't have a learning moderate difficulties?
in most cases military wise
america has the muscle
but britain has the brains and tactics
for them to carry it out
sucesfully
to prove a point america went it alone
without any involvement from us
in vietnam
look how that turned out
@@davexvs There were British personnel in Vietnam, just so you know.
@@danep8553 There were troops from part of the British Commonwealth - Australia - but the UK Government refused to play any military part in America's futile adventure.
Have you ever heard the name Daniel Ellsberg? He had worked in the Pentagon and leaked documents that revealed the USA had known, from its own analysts as early as 1962, that the war was unwinnable. The reason it dragged on for another dozen years was simple: each US President was afraid to admit defeat on his watch. It was only when public protests grew too big to ignore that Nixon, mired in the Watergate Scandal, decided to throw in the towel.
when he says "they've been working for us ever since". It's just a joke, playing up a grandstanding British nationalist character who thinks Brits are still on top of the world. Not in any historical context just a character aspect of his act.
@Nufc Magpies 123 he is playing a overly nationalist pub landlord character, he is a very clever guy but in reality he actually isn't very patriotic at all. Yes Britain has militarily defeated most of the countries listed but no we are no longer on top.
He may be referring to the weights and measures we stitched them up with after the US lost their’s when they became independent. We basically stealth taxed them for about 50 years. They never noticed until we officially changed to a newer system and sent them the new measures. Of course not wanting to admit being hoodwinked by the Brits the US have erased this from their short history and deny it to this day.
@Nufc Magpies 123 Although in this particular segment he's not really using the angle of the character 'the pub landlord' much as its more a joke segment using his incredible historical knowledge, he is still in his character. And for anyone that knows anything about Al Murray they'll be aware that not only is 'the pub landlord' a character but in fact 99% of what the character 'the pub landlord' says is actually the opposite of what he actually thinks as a person. He says within minutes of starting a show he can tell by audience reactions which percentage of the crowd get it and are laughing at the jokes with the irony thats intended and what percentage are just confused BNP/UKIP types that are there because they think he actually thinks these things!
@@wormthatturned8737 That sounds lik an Al jok !
Great reply James....Empires over,just having a laugh....
He is well known here in uk for being very knowledgeable about history. He has a podcast called “we have ways of making you talk”. It is fantastically packed with WW2 in-depth knowledge. His character here is of a pub landlord. The basic premise is he is meant to be bigoted, but the guy himself is anything but and is incredibly worldly and intelligent
Al Murray plays a character called 'The Pub Landlord' who is always a little bit drunk and always a little bit knowledgeable! A British pub landlord (licensed victualler) is the person who holds the licence to sell intoxicating liquor and who's name must be displayed above the entrance to the establishment (usually on a long, thin brass plaque above the door, but sometimes painted onto the door frame).
He’s dressed as a pub landlord. Pubs have nothing in common with American or European bars. His stage persona is the Pub Landlord. He has degree in History from Oxford University.
Im proud of our history the world simply wouldnt be what it is if it wernt for the british
... you mean the poor spelling and atrocious grammar.
Thank you sir..
Splendid.
@@Aotearoa_Kiwi 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@Aotearoa_Kiwi cause it's our language we can do what we want with it and butcher it as much as we want, our rules, our house, which means we win!!
@@OblivionGate ... Good one. Nice channelling of Al Murray - you've got his wording down pat.
PS : Hope you realised that my initial comment was a joke!
His character is Al, 'The Pub Landlord' He has a PhD in History from Oxford University and is a smart cookie.
@rum inrevoe Thankyou. I stand corrected.
Either way, bright enough bloke
Why do Americans over analyse simple, albeit intelligent, humour? They really don't get it do they.
@rum inrevoe ⁸
He's a very intelligent guy, he does ww2 shows on TV and has a posh accent
Al Murray read Modern History at St. Edmunds College Oxford and was awarded an honorary degree (Hon MA) by the University of Bedford in 2014 and an Honorary Dr of Social Science (PhD) by the University of Wolverhampton in 2017 - so yes, a very educated, knowledgeable man.
British humor at its best. SoGal, very much like your videos. Keep up the good work.
The empire was only built because we couldn't be bothered to learn another language, so we decided to get the rest of the world to speak our language. Looks like it worked.
Is that what Al Murray said?
@@PiggyWiggyO Nope, just the truth. We're too intellectually lazy to learn foreign languages - its just easier to conquer the lands of those who speak incomprehensible gobbledegook, then force them to speak what like we do. Innit.
@@jwatson078555 True. Irish myself and the French hate the question
"Parle vous anglais?" There is an automatic assumption that all countries must know and speak English in their own country for the english speaking tourists no less!
However english is the international language thanks to the Americans with all their power and money. Trump speaks english.... so we gotta too! i
he's done a few documentaries too, he plays the fool (obviously, he's a comedian) but is scary smart
Interesting. I'm definitely watching more of his stuff.
@@SoGal_YT If you haven't watched 'The Fallen of World War 2 by Neil Halloran' its well worth the watch
@@danieldunlavey6901 I have seen it before, but a lot of people are asking for it. I don't know if I should do it anyway just to have a discussion about it. That might not be as entertaining though.
Maybe for a change look up Dave Allen very laconic Irishman sadly no longer with us.....E
I’ve found your US take on the British really interesting and very refreshing. I look forward to seeing some more of this content and thank you for the effort you’re putting into this.
As for some of your questions:
Al Murray is an Oxford educated history buff. He’s nothing like his persona of ‘Pub Landlord’ in real life and his serious historical programmes are very interesting to watch.
The British view on Empire is a little awkward. There’s a huge drive to highlight the bad, with little attempt to consider it within the context of its time, or to consider other Empires that came before, or ran parallel to it.
There’s a standing joke in Britain that is sometimes used to highlight the advantage of immigration here: “what did the Romans ever do for us”. It implies, correctly, that without them we wouldn’t have had sanitation, infrastructure etc etc. Clearly, whilst this was a good thing in many ways, it came with a fair amount of pain.
The Viking raids, Norman conquest, the Barbary Slavers, to name but a few, also had impacts on the UK that - with the exception of the Barbary Slave Trade, which isn’t mentioned in British schools - are highlighted as positives for the United Kingdom as we now stand. Even though the barbarity and impacts of those invasions/occupations was severe.
I’ll caveat this following comment, by saying I’m not making any assertion as to whether the British Empire was good or bad, or any shade in between. But as a comparison to other Empires, the industrial revolution, the rise of a British Empire, the export/import of technology, medicine, infrastructure to various parts of the globe is largely seen within British education (and the majority of the world) as a huge negative for all involved and something the British should be ashamed of. Whether that’s strictly fair, in context, is a matter of very lengthy debate I guess.
I think what he meant was, towards the end of the war in 1812-1814, The Americans tried to invade Canada, which at the time was under British rule. They got absolutely destroyed by the British.
Al Murray went to Oxford University and studied modern history..He is related to the novelist William Thackeray.One of his grandfather’s was a diplomat and the other one died at the battle of Dunkirk.Al’s father was lieutenant colonel in the Parachute regiment.
The wars with the French were always more important to the British than keeping America. The French supported the US during the war of independence and then the US refused to pay their war debts, bankrupting France which led to civil unrest and the eventual end of all hostilities. I guess in that way the US was working for us after leaving.
It's funny cause the war started because the Americans refused to pay the taxes Britain had spent to defend them from the French and Spanish...then did the exact same to then after getting tons of help and arms from them to fight the British XD
Al Murray is a character, a British Patriot and pub landlord (owner of a pub). In real life he's actually a very educated person, with a Degree in Modern History (including military) from Oxford
You really should not take him seriously, he is joking and his persona is a pub landlord.
John - You're right. He's best known as a comedian - and a very good one... but I remember he did an excellent documentary series (bout 6 or 8 episodes) bout WW2 from the Allied landings at Normandy, France to Berlin and the defeat of Germany - about June, 1944 to May, 1945. There were no jokes - it was a serious documentary and he travelled the route and did the commentary! I'd recommend that.
@@topcat1358 Thank you I will have a look.
What a lot of people don't realise is that Al Murray is playing a role on stage. He is portraying a typical "Pub Landlord". This is a guy who reigns over his pub, sipping on a never emptying glass of beer and holding court over his patrons. They always have very strong opinions about everything and have no hesitation in telling their audience the "truth" as they see it. It's a very clever and accurate portrayal of a dying species. He is a very intelligent man who knows his facts. I doubt that he has rehearsed the act as you suggested. Part of the fun is that the audience tries to catch him out by shouting out some obscure country.
Yep Al Murray is actually an Oxford University History 1st graduate....so he's asking the audience for random counties that become more and more unusual and he's just pulling semi facts from his education to make a point about the British Empire and Britain's history across the World before America became a World power and took over our role as the dominant gorilla.
It’s comedy. Non PC
Enjoy it
Don’t analyse it (unless you are on Media Studies, in which case you are unemployable)
working for us ever since - you guys have taken over the lead in going round being the worlds policeman
Also our foreign policies tend to align and in both world wars they helped out.
David - Yeah, and he's got the yanks defending us now from any big foreign enemies. They're pretty thick in the colonies - Course they still all work for us.... even when they don't realise it!
You mean the worlds bully
Yup. That's the joke. The persona of an opiniated pub landlord has a comic history dating back to the Napoleonic Wars in the 17th and 18th century:
Al Murray's Pub Landlord is the cartoon character John Bull, reinvented for the modern age.
@@georgebritten6666 helped out? Well, eventually but only after they had bled Britain dry through "lend lease". The Americans are no friends of ours and never have been. Al was quite correct to say that the war of independence was a lucky escape for us! Frankly I think its time to sail up the potomac and burn down the Whitehouse again (there's a better one in red square anyway)
I’ll be honest, I’m a little smug and proud about it lol 😂
This character of the "pub landlord" is a complete parody of what city landlords can be. Dressed smartly as a businessman, drinking as he would whilst he would enjoy social time with old bar regulars. The landlord being a strong Englishman, proud of queen and country he put the world to rights.
I certainly have pride in what we achieved in history, but the British Empire was summed up by a Klingon brilliantly to me. No not mad, he was at the Star Trek Experience in Vegas back when it was there. He asked us where we were from, to which we replied, British.... "Ah yes, the British. Once a mighty Empire, now a tiny island!"
I think you'll 'get' him a bit more when you see a few more Pub Landlord videos. His character is that of an over the top patriot - no other country is as good as Britain type of thing. He asks people their name and usually, regardless of what they say, says "beautiful British name" (unless it is Scottish or Welsh where he would say something like "it means subject of the English"). As a side note, during his long stage gigs, he remembers all the people's names he speaks to and what they do for a living. BTW, it's not a schoolboy uniform, he's an old fashioned type of publican wearing a shirt and tie and I believe the badge on his shirt is his (fictitious) family crest. In some of his routines he actually rides on stage behind a motorised bar with working beer taps.
His character is the pub landlord so drinking is a character trait. Al also has an Oxford degree in Modern History
Al Murray did a documentary series on WW2 minus the alcohol, he visited various places and talked to British veterans at some of those places. He supports British troops and has presented some awards to British military personnel which are know as Millie Awards backed by The Sun newspaper, lots of celebrities present the awards actors, actresses, comedians and tv personalities.
History of the British Empire is hardly taught in school. Most ordinary people are incredibly unaware of their incredible history. If anything, they seem to be embarrassed by the empire. That is the ironic twist in the character. He is nostalgic whereas most people have moved on.
He is playing a character of a pub landlord. Because of what he says, he attracts a very certain audience, who he is actually commenting on some of the values they might hold. It is a work uniform, though it does look like a school uniform.
He is using it to make fun at various things, machismo, racism, unquestioning patriotism, right wing politics etc. As mentioned elsewhere, he is quite an intelligent chap.
The pub landlord- his best character (not school uniform)
He has a history degree 📜 also
Great vid keep them up 👍🏼
Thanks! Planning to do more Al Murray.
Al also has a program called Why does everyone hate the English where he visits ireland wales scotland france and germany you will love it
Plan on watching more of him for sure!
I watched that a wee while ago (I'm in Scotland). It was really good. He's really funny and so intelligent.
I saw a sample of that. It was very interesting
He is not drunk, but in character as a pub landlord the man has a degree in history .
Al Murray is a massive Historian and into his politics
War of 1812 basically, BASICALLY! While Britain was focused on fighting with the French in Europe and around the world, America wanted to expand on its territories and possessions and invaded Canada thinking Britain wouldn't put up a fight to reclaim them. Needless to say Americans had their arses kicked out of Canada and all the way down the eastern united states.
He's playing the part of an old school 80-90's pub landlord, displaying the arrogance of the time that the Brits are the greatest. It's all pretend, right down to his "drunkedness" on stage. He is, in fact an expert in history, particularly military history and very well read in real life.
Also, famously created a political party under his landlord persona in an attempt to show just how ridiculous the personalities in that years running were. Ironically, he actually gained support in the constituency he applied for and he ended up on the ballot in the local election.
Al Murray is playing his titular character "The Pub Landlord" he's also a university educated historian.
"Is hE dRiNkInG." As hes holding a pint
As an Aussie. Wow, are you stupid. Who taught you? You should ask for your money back. Even if you didn't pay. You need to fine your teachers.
Yes, he is, and during this act he has a small bar on stage (with pumps) at which he refills his glass as required.
From Wikipedia Murray was educated at Bedford School,[8] and St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he read Modern History.[9] He later said of his time at school: "When I was nine I was sent to boarding school, which I despised. The first five years were hideous because I wanted to be at home. I guess I resented my parents a little and it put tons of distance between us. One of the things I took from boarding school is that it made me emotionally self-sufficient."[10]
Our beloved "Pub Landlord" comedian. Often accompanied by a bar on stage. Love your videos! 👍
He’s known as al Murray the pub landlord, and thus he bases a lot of his sets around pubs and pub quizzes and stuff like that
I’m very proud of the British Empire, warts and all. There are many things about it that I am proud of. Equally, there are things that I’m not proud of, but there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s happened. All we can do is acknowledge the events that have taken place and talk about them.
Some real highlights aren't there! Like The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Second Boer War (1899-1902) concentration camps, Mau Mau Uprisings (mere 20,000 murdered)and the fantastic effort we put into between 12 and 29 million Indians who died of starvation while it was under the control of the British Empire, as millions of tons of wheat were exported to Britain as famine raged in India.
He's a British patriot that has learnt everything he wants to know.
You know it’s a persona right, he’s an extremely well spoken, well educated historian taking the piss out of “patriots” that pretend to be patriotic but are just nationalists.
@@holdtightadele8017 I don't doubt. He is very educated and as a comedian seems to hit the right balance of sarcasm and comedy.
He is mocking the type of Brit that is proud of the Empire. He is actually very anti-Brexit and that whole British nationalism. The character is satirical. Al Murray opposes everything that the The Pub Landlord represents. Murray is very sympathetic to the likes of the Irish and French, who his character mocks.
He is similar to Warren Mitchell who played the character of Alf Garnett in the 1960's and 1970's. Alf Garnett was a racist, West Ham fan, misogynistic, right wing, British Empire loving, Conservative Party supporter. Warren Mitchell was also parodying this type of individual.
3:08 it's not that the audience has been educated about which countries Britain has invaded, it's more that if you shout out any country in the world, then chances are that the Brits invaded it at some point.
He is a history teacher,keep it up so gal love your comments thanks🇬🇧☺
He is dressed as a pub landlord. Al Murray is quite the history buff as well as being a comedian
Views on the Empire vary, with some presenting it an oppressive and exploitative institution whilst others hold it up as a glorious and beneficent force for good. I think most Brits fall somewhere between, recognising its terrible mistakes (e.g. slavery early on, violent conquest etc.) but also its good contributions (e.g. abolition of slavery, end to widow-burning etc).
Most Brits aren't taught the bad stuff. They're just coming to terms with it now.
@@Karl-sq5ng At school, just a few years ago, all I learnt was the bad stuff and none of the good stuff.
@@Karl-sq5ng we all learnt the bad stuff mate I finished school 10 years ago we were made to watch roots the transatlantic trade india ect so its a lie we don't learn it its lefties whinging we are allowed to talk about the good stuff aswell rather then it all be bad
@B T @Jack Tanton Fair enough to both of you. I went to primary school in the 80's and secondary in the 90's and I didn't. It'll trickle down from your generations then. About time!
@@Karl-sq5ng .
When I was at school we learned about the triangular trade, trade goods to West Africa, slaves to the West Indies, sugar and rum to the American colonies and Britain.
It was largely helped by trade winds and ocean currents.
That was back in the 50s.
There is a strong tradition of humour in the UK and unlike other countries going into comedy is a career option of sorts for people who would otherwise end up as doctors, lawyers or other professionals. This is especially true for bright graduates from Oxford and Cambridge. Al Murray is one, but there are many and include Hugh Laurie, Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), the Pythons, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Stephen Fry, Hugh Grant and Sacha Baron Cohen. These comedians often become actors as well. Obviously, there are lots of other comedians (male and female) with different backgrounds.
Al Murray is in many ways a typical, smart, witty Brit and his act as a British pub landlord demonstrates pub humour. By the way The British Empire bought democracy and, government and the rule of law to most of its colony’s as well as railway systems, steam powered engines and many many inventions since. We have been and will again be one of the most successful countries on the planet. Did I mention the NHS.....
I think the strangest thing about the British Empire is how it has evolved into commonwealth. When the British were withdrawing from all those countries there was no violence made against them (in fact the only country that ever used violence against the British was the Jews in Israel ie former Palestine). In fact you still see a fondness for the British when the Queen goes on Royal tours abroad; or as we see today in Hong Kong where some citizens prefer to fly the British colonial flag in preference to their own.
He was a history teacher before comedy I believe
Out of the Empire came the British Commonwealth that 53 countries have now CHOSEN to join. The British Commonwealth countries now account for 1/3rd of the earth's landmass. We are very proud of how the Empire has worked out and how it continues to evolve to the benefit of many.
We now have 56 countries, one from the Portuguese empire, Mozambique, and two others Rwanda and Togo. None were British.
We don’t really have feelings about the commonwealth other than pride when you see them stand and fight side by side especially ww2. A lot of our commonwealth fought and died alongside the British, even the Irish, Scottish and Welsh. There’s always been a rivalry and banter but when the chips are down we stand together...
Are the scottish welsh and northern irish not British like? What are you talking about...
@@dbdb9334 They're not "British like" - they're British. The United Kingdom comprises two ancient kingdoms, Scotland and England, the principality of Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. The inhabitants of these are British, while at the same time they are English, Scots, Welsh or Northern Irish.
@@jimappleby3545 Give yourself a gold star...
He's a very intelligent man esp military history. Plus does TV documentaries on ww2 etc.