- Culture
- 26 Sep 06
James, Jacko and Prince, cartoon badgers and the Aussie lunatic fringe... let’s be careful out there.
Ever wondered what it would be like if James Brown, Michael Jackson and Prince shared a stage, at the height of their powers? Well you don’t have to – it happened, and there’s video evidence.
The result is better than you can possibly imagine. It all begins with Jacko sauntering on-stage to take the Godfather’s warm embrace and grab the mike. With the crowd going mental, it’s so far, so good.
Then Prince throws a glorious spanner in the works. As Brown shouts for him to join the party, the camera pans over the audience for at least a minute before a dishevelled, shambolic figure emerges from the back, staggering along with the help of others. Prince finally makes it onto the stage, then spends a couple of minutes aimlessly fiddling with a guitar, before taking his top off and shrieking. Before long, he gives up and falls off the stage, taking one of the lights with him.
It’s a magnificent performance, and you’ll want to watch it again and again. Check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=t16tJUGPy5I.
While we’re on the subject of simple pleasures, have a look at www.thepeon.com/link.php?l=badgerbadger. There can’t be many people who won’t enjoy the sight of a field of cartoon badgers, chanting “badgerbadgerbadgerbadgerbadgerbadger” to themselves. If that sounds more confusing than enticing, just look at the clip and you’ll get it. Be warned though, be careful what you consume before you take a look – the badgers are hypnotic: people have been known to stare at the screen for hours.
Bored with the usual bland soundbites from politicians? Looking for someone who’s not afraid to say controversial things? Then you’ll love the Australian Union of Students, whose political programme is a blend of Ian Paisley and Monthy Python. They don’t mess around with law and order: “The death penalty should be reintroduced and applied to all those who should have got it in the past, including for things that were not illegal at the time of the offence.” Nor do they have any patience with unwelcome neighbours: “It should not be possible for anyone to move into an Australian suburb unless they are approved in a referendum by two-thirds of the existing residents. Each suburb or neighbourhood should be surrounded by a 6 metre high reinforced concrete wall. The entrance should have a police checkpoint, and only people who the residents approve of should be allowed in.”
But best of all is their defence policy: “Australia should have a nuclear deterrent against its principal enemy, the Catholic Church. This should consist of atomic bombs hidden in Los Angeles, Washington D.C, New York, Dublin and Tel Aviv.” For more of this inspired lunacy, click www.students.org.au/political/programme/.
Finally, anyone who missed the brilliant Darkstar can get a taste from its finest musical hour, this achingly funny ‘80s love-song pastiche: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_JsDKZ8nKMb