A riches of embarrassment
Ollie Hollinford’s letter [TF236] regarding the embarrassment of watching the naked wrestling scene in Women In Love reminded me of a time when I lived at home in my late teens. I’ve always enjoyed European cinema and had been hearing good things about the film Betty
Blue. One day I noticed that the film was going to be on Channel 4 quite late so I decided to record it on video (yes, it was that long ago). My plan was to watch a bit, then go to bed and watch the rest the next day. My mum was sat up with me, and watched in silence as I got up and moved towards the video as the film started. My finger hit the ‘record’ button just as the film’s opening graphic sex scene got underway. I couldn’t even look at my mum as I returned to my chair and curled up in embarrassment...
TIM JEFFREYS, VIA EMAIL
Since you asked for letters about the hazards of home viewing I thought I’d write about when, as a teenager, I’d watch Dr Terror’s horror double bills after Sunday lunch (having recorded them off late-night BBC). Either Mum was psychic or there is a set time in horror films for the sex scene to occur. It happened so many times that while watching The Lost Boys I made Mum stay until the end as I knew it would cut to clouds and didn’t want her thinking I was a complete pervert.
ANDY DAINT Y, COUNTY DOWN How about this for a hazardous home viewing experience? I sat down in front of the TV after a long day at work. My mother had borrowed one of my DVDs and it was about to begin. “What are you watching?” I asked. “Something called Shortbus,” she said… JA KE HUMPHRIES, STOKE- ON- TRENT Ah, Shortbus. Sounds like: a children’s animation about a plucky mini-bus who keeps smilin’ despite his embarrassingly small luggage rack, teaching kids you don’t have to be some smugly double-deckered, six-wheeled leviathan to enjoy life. Actually: ruuuuuuuude. Once again readers, a highly commendable effort, though there is something curious about it always being ‘Mum’ who catches you with your trousers down (metaphorically speaking, one hopes). Where are all the blundering dads
‘My finger hit “record” just as the graphic sex scene got underway’