Category Archives: Politically Incorrect

A STRANGE KIND OF PARADISE: INDIA THROUGH FOREIGN EYES Author: Sam Miller Publisher: Penguin Pages: 427 Price: Rs 599

In A Strange Kind of Paradise, Sam Miller analyses how centuries of foreigners from the ancient Greeks to Victorian pornographers to the politically-incorrect crew of the BBC show Top Gear have perceived India. Having lived in Delhi since 2002, Miller also documents his own love affair with the country, evolved from when, as a first-time visitor to India in the nineties, he couldnt tell whether Shiva was the creator or destroyer. Today, as managing editor, South Asia in BBC, he is today regarded as one of BBCs most experienced India hands. Miller wades through historical tomes, foot gropes the ruins of Pataliputra that lie beneath muddy mosquito-ridden waters and travels in the footsteps of foreign chroniclers, to compile a history of India imagined.

Miller writes that the earliest surviving written travelogue to India is by Scylax, a Greek sailor who lived about 500 years before the birth of Christ. His version of India, writes Miller, reads like an ancient Star Trek. Scylax described seeing Skiapodes (men with feet so large, they could use them as umbrellas when supine), Monophthalmoi (men with one eye, Cyclops-like in the centre of the forehead) and Emotikoitoi (men with large and flappy ears that doubled as sleeping bags). 2300 years ago, his compatriot Megasthenes was also struck by the strangeness of the Indian race, but his account of the governance of wealthy Pataliputra, capital of Magadh, is the first significant foreign account of India. One of the most interesting historical accounts of India was Hiuen Tsangs in 7th century AD, he wrote about the pleasures of Kashmir and the spiritual wonders of Varanasi, eerily resonating with modern travel writings.

Sam Miller

Miller describes Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore as the two personalities in the early 1900s who determined how India was perceived abroad. The reader is left strangely bereft as Miller fails to flesh their roles out in detail. In the same chapter, however, he brings to life the fascinating controversy surrounding Mother India a rather libellous analysis of Indian sexual and gender mores by Katherine Mayo. Not only did she exaggerate the ill-treatment of Indian women, she also famously misquoted Tagore on the subject of child marriage. Gandhi wrote a most un-Gandhian 3000-word review deriding her book, in what was perhaps the first Indian attempt to challenge a foreigners account of India.

This, in many ways, is the significance of A Strange Kind of Paradise. Miller has demonstrated how the travelogue is much more than an objective account of a physical journey. Redolent with ones hidden expectations and fancies, its a journey of the mind. Fittingly, the book has wonderfully weird chapter titles (for example, Chapter Three is entitled, In which the author is besotted with a transgendered monk, takes a seventh century electronic quiz, and is almost very rude to a pretty woman). This makes the Table of Contents a fun read and a great marketing ploy to attract random book browsers in bookshops.

For trivia buffs, A Strange Kind of Paradise is peppered with nuggets of useless but piquant information. I learnt that Jules Vernes protagonist Captain Nemo was the Indian prince Dakkar, nephew of Tipu Sultan. Also that Marco Polo wrote that some Indian birds passed diamonds in their faeces. All in all, an entertaining history emerges for the reader through these travelogues, much like a funhouse mirror through which the reader can see India through the eyes of the Other, distorted yet familiar. Millers handling of the changing mirrors and the realities they reflect, makes this book an interesting, informative and fun read.

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2,500 years of paradise

The Politically Incorrect Truth About the French Revolution, Part I
The politically incorrect truth about the French Revolution, focusing on King Louis XVI (apologies for the slight background buzz, I was told my last videos ...

By: Mad Monarchist

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The Politically Incorrect Truth About the French Revolution, Part I - Video

Politically incorrect vlog
Video uploaded from my mobile phone.

By: BRm2008

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Politically incorrect vlog - Video

Politically Incorrect Dinner Subjects Video Clip from Living Things
Rhona asks Leo if he enjoyed the pain of his recent heart attack, because it #39;s similar to the pain and suffering that cows go through before being slaughtere...

By: CinemaLibre

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Politically Incorrect Dinner Subjects Video Clip from Living Things - Video

Man gets brick on his head during protest.
Man gets brick on his head during protest against cutbacks from the EU.

By: Politically Incorrect

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Man gets brick on his head during protest. - Video

For years in the 1990s, Comedy Central was considered nothing more than an incubator for late-night talent. Its first notable weeknight late-night show, Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher, originated there and ran for three years from 1993-96 before ABC snatched it to get into the late-night talk-show game. Mahers successor at ABC, Jimmy Kimmel, also is a Comedy Central discovery, having gotten his start as host on the networks Win Ben Stein Money and then The Man Show. Before Politically Incorrect left Comedy Central, it helped launch The Daily Show, which premiered behind PI at 11:30 PM before moving to the tentpole 11 PM slot. Back then, the Daily Show had Craig Kilborn as a host. In 1998, he was poached by CBS as a host of the Late Late Show. Sixteen years later, CBS once again is reaching out to Comedy Centrals Daily Show franchise to replenish its late-night ranks, this time drafting the former Daily Show regular and current host of spinoff The Colbert Report to succeed David Letterman on the Late Show.

Related:Stephen Colbert Named New Late Show Host

A lot has changed over those 16 years. Since Jon Stewart replaced Kilborn at the helm of The Daily Show in January 1999, the show has risen to become a late-night leader. It became a top late-night choice for younger viewers and, with the addition of spinoff The Colbert Report in 2005 to form a 11 PM-midnight block, Comedy Central evolved from a late-night poaching ground to a force to be reckoned with. The two shows became pop culture phenomenons and strengthened their hold on the younger crowds by embracing the Internet and social media before most of their late-night competitors. They have enjoyed buzz as well as critical acclaim, with their Emmy dominance nothing short of staggering. The Daily Show won the best variety series category for a record 10 consecutive times before its streak was ended last year by The Colbert Report to give Comedy Central 11 consecutive victories. (Its worth mentioning that it was the man Colbert is replacing, David Letterman, who ruled the top variety category before Comedy Centrals dynamic duo kicked off their dominant run with five consecutive trophies.) In the variety series writing category, The Daily Show and Colbert Report have won 10 of the past 11 years.

Related:CBS Late-Night Drama Not Over Despite Practically Perfect Stephen Colbert Hire

Whats more, Comedy Central now boasts the only late-night lineup of three hit shows with the addition of @midnight last fall. The social media-themed show has been a rising star, constantly growing in the ratings. It hit another set of series highs just last week, it only trails The Daily Show and The Tonight Show in young men and has the youngest median age in all of late-night, by far, at 32 years old. That gives Comedy Central a hot show ready to move into the 11:30 PM slot after Colbert leaves at the end of the year with only a title change needed. (The network is not committing to a succession plan just yet and plans to explore various ideas in the next eight months, with @midnight said to be in the mix.) Comedy Centrals deep late-night bench was probably a reason for the network to lose Daily Show veteran John Oliver who, after a well received turn as a fill-in for Stewart on The Daily Show last summer, was ready for his own talker and, with space at Comedy Central crowded, landed at HBO where he will share the late-night perch with another Comedy Central transplant, Maher. Outside of NBC, which has its own late-night breeding ground in Saturday Night Live, all major late-night franchises on CBS, ABC and HBO can be traced back to Comedy Central.

What has set Comedy Centrals late-night apart and maybe helped its success is that it didnt go for clones of the traditional late-night talk shows. The Daily Show is a faux news telecast and political satire. The Colbert Report took that a step further, with Colbert playing a character. The show being essentially a performance art piece probably contributed to its shorter lifespan than The Daily Show, for instance. Comedy series, even the best ones, rarely last more than a decade, with actors tiring from playing the same characters for so long. Still, Colbert may not have ended his run as Colbert Nation leader after nine years if it was not for an opportunity he had dreamed about for decades, replacing idol Letterman. @midnight too is far from a traditional late-night show, with insiders speculating that Comedy Central will likely go for another out-of-the-box format as a late-night addition.

As deep as Comedy Central bench is, it is imperative for the network to try and keep Stewart beyond his current contract, which ends in September 2015. He has more ownership than Colbert through his company, which also produces Colbert Report, and is unlikely to pursue another late-night gig. But he has other interests, including movies, coming off directing his first feature. Unlike Colbert Report, which is tied to the Colbert persona, The Daily Show is a franchise show like The Tonight Show and Late Show and will likely continue after Stewart leaves. Comedy Central brass probably hope they dont have to cross that bridge so soon.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.

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Comedy Centrals Late-Night: From Minor Leagues To Major Player & Innovator With Deep Bench Of Talent Competitors Vie ...

Topics: advertising standards bureau, offensive, wicked, wicked campervans

WICKED Campers have copped another caning for offensiveness, but their politically incorrect slogans will be a sight on the Sunshine Coast for a while yet.

Although a call last year to exclude the infamous campervans from Coast caravan parks won support, no such ban has been implemented.

The State Government is also still considering possible controls on outdoor advertising that may apply to the campervans.

Wicked Campers have been the subject of complaints for their trademark cheeky slogans, which include racial and sexual jokes and sometimes foul language.

The Advertising Standards Board recently upheld a complaint about a van scribed with "fat girls are harder to kidnap!"

The complainant said the slogan was offensive and objected to kidnapping being used as humour.

The board found that the reference to fat girls was "tasteless" and "not nice", but did not discriminate against or vilify anyone.

However, it did find that the reference to kidnap was "making light of and encouraging" behaviour that was not in line with community standards.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson expressed support for a ban on offensively worded vehicles last year, saying standards should be upheld.

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Wicked offends again with fat girls are harder to kidnap!

Miss Kalliope and Miss Ilene - politically incorrect
Miss Kalliope and Miss Ilene get politically incorrect during a taxi ride through Queens..

By: Kathy Slamen

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Miss Kalliope and Miss Ilene - politically incorrect - Video

Special Arrangement Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon co-star in Heropanti

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai (director, Hero) possibly summed it up best. He is just like his father, he said, pointing at the father-son duo on the dais, He was shy, he is shy. He was honest, he is honest. He was politically incorrect, he is politically incorrect. He went on for 30 years in the industry, he will too. The men being referred to were Jackie Shroff and his son, Tiger Shroff and the occasion was the launch of the trailer of Tigers debut film Heropanti (May 23) to be produced under Sajid Nadiadwalas banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and directed by Sabbir Khan (earlier Kambakkht Ishq).

It was by no means a launch to be ignored for no less than Aamir Khan had come to endorse the youngsters (actress Kriti Sanon, who has done Nenokkadine with Mahesh Babu this year, is also being introduced in the film). Aamir said, Years ago, Reena (Aamirs first wife) and I had gone for the annual function of Besant Montessori where my son Junaid used to study and I was very impressed with the acting skills of one of the boys. It was only later that I found out that it was Tiger! In fact, in the other play, I saw a girl with exceptional acting talent and found out she was Krishna Shroff (Tigers sister who is reportedly making her debut in films later). I think the best thing about Tiger is that he is very focussed and dedicated. I think the industry will have a new superstar in him.

Twenty-three-year-old Tiger, who claimed to be nervous at his first media interaction, actually displayed quite a bit of confidence, fielding questions ranging from his decision to become an actor to his girlfriends with lan. Honestly, I didnt want to be an actor. I was happy doing my fitness and martial arts training but family and friends, and especially peers, kept asking me this question, So Tiger, when is your big debut? And I kept getting offers. It was almost like I was labelled an actor even before I was one. I am not at all saying that I am not happy to be here today but thats the story of how I got here, he smiled. I thought about what it was that I could bring to the movies with me. I am blessed with a good physique, my martial arts training is good and I am a fairly good dancer. Just glad that Sajid (Nadiadwala) gave me the chance to bring all these facets to the screen. Elaborating on his non-existent love life, he said, I am not cool enough, I think. Its sad that I have no girlfriend, never have had. So if I look convincing as a romantic on screen, it only means that I am a good actor, he said sheepishly.

From its first look, Heropanti appears to be a love-action story which gives Tiger the perfect launch pad (think enough opportunities to show the six-pack, the charming smile, dialogue baazi, amazing fight scenes and the like). It even carries the flute piece from his fathers original Hero (1983) which propelled Jackie to stardom. Asked about his state of mind when Hero had released over three decades ago, Jackie said, I dont know I was sleeping till quite late when some people came and asked me why and I asked, So, what should I do?, leaving the audience in splits. Asked if the father would be sleeping without a care even on his sons big Friday, he smiled, I dont know. Depends on how early I have slept the previous night! Clearly Jackie was a proud father but he made light of the emotional moment. I dont know what to say. He is my bachcha (child), both of them (referring to Kriti), and bhaari kaam kiyela hai (Jackies trademark Mumbai tapori style for they have done good work). Producer Sajid Nadiadwala also added, Years ago, Jackie and I were playing football and he told me that hed send Tiger to me for training in soccer. And today I stand to release his first trailer!

When asked if he would be able to deal with the inevitable comparisons with his father, Tiger said, I am not thinking about it now. Id rather not. They are two different films and I dont have the charisma, the style, the walk, the talk and even the height my dad has! Id be thrilled if I can be half the man that he is.

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Another son rises

In the international family of Vogue magazines, Vogue Italia has often seemed like the politically incorrect uncle who makes a racist joke at your wedding reception. As recently as the March issue this year, the magazine featured a white model in blackface, posing alongside taxidermied safari animals. Then there was the infamous "Haute Mess" editorial of March 2012, which seemed, to many, to be poking fun at the culture of African American women and the incident in 2011, when an online gallery of hoop jewelry was titled "Slave Earrings."

For all of these reasons, you may not associate editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani with the empowerment of Africa but that is what shes been working toward since June 2012, when she became the global goodwill ambassador for Fashion 4 Development. The campaign is a United Nations initiative that aims to help build the fashion economy in the developing countries of Africa, and has matched up talented fashion workers with scholarships to develop their skills. At the Vogue Festival in London last week, Sozzani sat alongside Naomi Campbell and British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, and spoke about her experiences of the continent.

In slightly broken English, she explained why shed created the May 2012 "Rebranding Africa" issue of LUomo Vogue. For me, LUomo Vogue is not a fashion magazine I mean, it is, of course, but its more how to use fashion as a media to awareness for something else. So when we did [the] African issue, for example, I stayed two weeks in Africa, I interviewed the president of Nigeria, and we put, on the cover, Ban Ki-moon [secretary general of the United Nations]. The goal of the issue, she said, was to show some of the many positive things happening within the continent because if we go home and say Africa is poor, Africa is civil wars, Africa is AIDS, Africa is malaria how can people go there?

Her work for Fashion 4 Development seems to have had two main tactics: nurturing African talent and encouraging the development of a fashion economy; and drawing international attention to the best creative work. She spoke about the talented designers and beautiful fabrics shes seen in Nigeria and Ghana, but lamented that many fabrics sold as "African" are currently manufactured in Holland. More manufacturing needs to happen on African soil to build a sustainable industry, she suggested.

In the midst of this discussion, Naomi Campbell turned to the front row and directed a public request toward Jonathan Newhouse, chairman of Cond Nast International. Im hoping, Jonathan, that we can have African Vogue, she said, laughing in the deadly serious way that only she can. I would be the editor, said Sozzani, and Campbell replied, Ill be an assistant. (Now theres a reality show wed like to see.)

But when pressed by Shulman, Sozzani said she thought the possibility of a Vogue Africa was still very far off. We really have to work much more, and to have more people believe in [Africa]. There is not confidence in these countries [from the international fashion industry] because theyve seen too many things, and of course in the newspapers they only put [negative] things. The good side is huge So now, everybodys talking about Africa, and probably something will happen. I hope so.

Though some parts of the discussion seemed to sweep the continent of Africa into one homogenous whole, it left little doubt that Sozzani is enthusiastically engaged with African fashion and culture. Its just a shame that the biggest magazine she oversees, Vogue Italia, still has a long way to catch up.

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Naomi Campbell and Franca Sozzani Discuss Vogue Africa