Goddamn it, France

[ChuckF]

No, this isn't a thread about the center-right government's current CPE-related crisis. Or the stupid bird flu, or any other kind of social turbulence. No. This is much, much more grave.

Now they've given the damn Légion d'Honneur to fucking Jerry Lewis.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/nationa...rry-lewis.html

Lewis is one of 37 foreigners who have received the Legion of Honour, an award created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte to be given for outstanding service to France.

...

He thrilled the crowd watching the ceremony by turning up in slippers and clowning with Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres.

Lewis checked his watch and pretended to fall asleep during the minister’s 20-minute speech, with the roars of laughter from the crowd occasionally drowning out the speech itself.

Yeah. Sounds real fucking thrilling. I always thought that stupid stereotype about Jerry Lewis was just an empty stereotype. Seriously. WTF. How am I supposed to look (non-French) people in the eye any more?

[livius drusus]

Hey, Jerry Lewis was fucking awesome in The Nutty Professor and that other one where he drew comics.

[lisarea]

I hear The Day the Clown Cried was brilliant.

Oh, Chuck, you must be so proud.

[ChuckF]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Hey, Jerry Lewis was fucking awesome in The Nutty Professor and that other one where he drew comics.

Yeah, well I don't see him walking around in slippers with a big ol' Ordine al Merito della Repubblica on his chest. Joe Pesci is overdue, btw.

Originally Posted by lisarea

I hear The Day the Clown Cried was brilliant.

Oh, Chuck, you must be so proud.

This is what I'm talking about. But I am totally netflixing Cinderfella.

[BDS]

I've read that the Martin and Lewis nightclub act was pure genius, but it didn't translate well onto film (from some critic I respect -- I forget whom). Of course that doesn't explain the French, who love Lewis movies.

I always figured the French just say they like Jerry Lewis to bug Americans.

[lisarea]

The King of Comedy is pretty good.

I mean, if you have to celebrate your Frenchy McFrancosity or whatever.

[Erwan]

If that can reassure you, the "legion d'Honneur" mean nothing for french people. Because the governments give her to almost everyone.

It's a award which it's necessary to ask to obtain it.

Excuse for my english, i m french !
Moreover do not hesitate, to correct me if necessary.

[SharonDee]

Oh, hurray! A native! (But you know your momma loves you, ChuckF.)

Welcome to , Erwan.

[livius drusus]

I didn't realize the Legion d'Honneur was awarded only upon request. Was it always like this, do you know?

Bievenue, Erwan. Nous avons plusieurs membres qui parlent (ou au moins écrivent ) français.

[Erwan]

It's only upon request. but i don't know if that were always ... since 1802.

[lisarea]

May I please have a Légion d'Honneur?

[ChuckF]

Originally Posted by Erwan

If that can reassure you, the "legion d'Honneur" mean nothing for french people. Because the governments give her to almost everyone.

It's a award which it's necessary to ask to obtain it.

That is an enormous relief, thank you. Now I can talk to people again, without fear that they know I'm an American and are quietly comparing me to Jerry Lewis and wondering why I'm not so clownish and hilarious.

Much as Americans quietly compare every French person to Jacques Cousteau and secretly admire their vast knowledge of the sea and their cool submarines.

Kidding.

Maybe.

[BDS]

The quintessential Frenchman is Jacques Pepin, not Jaques Cousteau.

[Erwan]

Originally Posted by BDS

The quintessential Frenchman is Jacques Pepin, not Jaques Cousteau.

I don't know Jacques Pepin ?


Indeed Cousteau is recognized French, but I don't believe that it resembles in the majority of French.

But perhaps frenchs compare every american person to a cow-boy ?
It's the lack of information which leads to prejudices.

[ChuckF]

Originally Posted by Erwan

But perhaps frenchs compare every american person to a cow-boy ?
It's the lack of information which leads to prejudices.

[Legs]

Lewis checked his watch and pretended to fall asleep during the minister’s 20-minute speech

Come on, that's classic comedy right there folks.

[BDS]

Jacques Pepin is a famous chef.

[Angakuk]

What I want to know is why no spit take? I can see that pie throwing would be out of the question, what with the fears about terrorist bomb attacks, but come on Jerry, where is the humor if there is no spit take? Oh, and prat falls. If he was wearing slippers it should have been child's play to engineer a prat fall. So, those are my only complaints, no spit take and no prat fall. Wait a minute. Was there a banquet with this presentation? There must have been a banquet, it was France, right? If there was a banquet, there should have been a rubber chicken. How can there be comedy without a rubber chicken? So, no spit take, no prat fall and no rubber chicken. Are you sure it was Jerry Lewis they gave the medal to? Sounds more like Henry Kissinger or Bob Dole or somebody. Just what have they done with the real Jerry Lewis? I smell a conspiracy. Damned Illuminati and Trilateralists are at it again.

[Erwan]

Originally Posted by BDS

Jacques Pepin is a famous chef.

He must be famous just in US, because in France nobody knows it.

[Blake]

Exactement. And in any case, Gerard Depardieu is the quintessential Frenchman.

[Carnivale Ed]

Originally Posted by Erwan

If that can reassure you, the "legion d'Honneur" mean nothing for french people. Because the governments give her to almost everyone.

It's a award which it's necessary to ask to obtain it.

So, it's like a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, then? You just ask (and pay) for those, I think.