Subscribe to The Spectator

Saturday 26 May 2012

Latest issue

Buy the current issue

Jobs at Telegraph

Wednesday, 9th April 2008

The Ministry of Silly Talks?

Matthew d'Ancona 12:08pm

Hugo has a terrific lead item in his Times column: namely that John Cleese is offering his speech-writing services to Barack Obama. Having had the amazing opportunity to co-write a short script with the great man years ago, I can heartily recommend him to the Senator for Illinois. And one can only wonder where such a collaboration might lead.

Imagine how Basily Fawlty would have dealt with the Jeremiah Wright furore: “Don’t mention the pastor – I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it!” Or, more probably, a discourse on the Audacity of Despair. And is it too much to ask that the Democrat contender would offer to set up a Federal Bureau of Silly Walks? Or that he might refer to Hillary as an ex-candidate – she has ceased to be?

Blogs: Martin Bright | Susan Hill | Alex Massie | Melanie Phillips | Faith Based | Cappuccino Culture

Actions: Email to a friend  |   Permalink   |   Comments (5) | Subscribe

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Comments Post comment

Lance Diatessaron

April 9th, 2008 12:28pm Report this comment

A slightly more arcane reference, but, once incumbent, Mr Obama might find, like the famous highwayman Dennis Moore, that "this re-distribution of wealth is tricker than I thought."

KB

April 9th, 2008 1:44pm Report this comment

Didn't he use to help out the SDP? With Cleese by his side, Obama can look forward to a political career as glittering as that of Bill Rodgers.

London Calling

April 9th, 2008 5:46pm Report this comment

Scene One
John Cleese is lying on therapist lounger, whilst Barack Obama is seated nearby feverishly taking down notes as John speaks...
John:
"Whatever you do, don't mention your Black, or that your white, or that your a Man, and invent a twin brother to deal with Pastor problem, I know,call him Osama, that should do it"

Verity

April 9th, 2008 6:49pm Report this comment

Obama, when Cleese doesn't seem to encapsulate a thought he's trying to get across: It doesn't work.

Cleese: Yes it does.

Obama: No, it doesn't.

Cleese: Yes it does.

Obama: Look! I didn't come here for an argument.

Cleese: Yes you did.

Obama: No I didn't.

Cleese: I'm telling you that you did.

Obama: You've spent this entire half hour contradicting every single thing I say.

Cleese: No, I haven't.

Obama: Yes you have.

Tiberius

April 10th, 2008 8:26pm Report this comment

I should think Cleese will emphasize to Barack that Hillary is not Polly, and so he cannot call her a cloth-eared bint.

Post comment

Back to top

Cartoons

Tag Cloud

Coffee House archive

sponsored links

Spectator recommends

Spectator classifieds

THE PRESENT FINDER

1,700 Unusual Christmas Presents Request Catalogue 01935 815 195 Quote SPEC10 for 10% discount www.presentfinder.co.uk

OLIVE BRANCH FLORISTS

Pimilco based Florist with online ordering Web: www.olivebranch.net Tel: 020 7630 1868 Fax: 020 7233 8844

RUFFS Bespoke Signet rings

62 Shore Road, Warsash, Southampton, SO31 9FT Telephone: 01489 578867 Web site: www.ruffs.co.uk