I've watched this many times - Chris Morris manages to convey the complete and utter estrangement of Anthony from his wife and by extension the whole of society in under three minutes. An astonishing piece of television. And Amelia Bullmore is excellent in this too. Why is she not on our screens more often?
There is sadness, melancholy, comedy and even beauty in this. Wistful I believe is the word that best describes this sketch. This, together with Suicide with an Escape Clause, are proof Chris Morris doesn't make comedy sketches, he makes beautiful cinema.
On his inspiration for making the show, Morris commented: "It was so singular, and it came from a mood, quite a desolate mood. I had this misty, autumnal, boggy mood anyway, so I just went with that"
"The only comfort I suppose is that I won't have to live with it quite so long..... I imagine being picked off by a sharp frost in the winter..." I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! The futility of it all.
Must be about six months ago I, moved out of the house and started living outside. The idea came from a book I was reading I think, can't be err, quite sure about that but um, if you think about it we don't really need central heating, big kitchens, rugs, huge beds, its all, nonsense. (Well we don't need them but they're jolly nice) Well they're useless really. ... I can sleep anywhere I want now I can sleep under a hedge or err, in the tractor shed. (It does worry me when it is awfully cold). Cattle.... Sitting down with the cattle that keeps you warm. (At least then you get a little bit of heat. I do, worry when I know Anthony is out in the open on a particularly bleak night; rain, sleet). ... There is quite a lot of food in the kitchen garden. Some stuff around the bins. A blackbird flew into the greenhouse the other day and I er, picked him off. He didn't taste too great I must say. (We're having lamb tonight) Sometimes I have to fight the cats for food. (Richards bringing Helen for supper tonight). But err, the dogs pretty loyal. (Blocked off that draft in the drawing room; it's awfully snug now). ... I must admit I do occasionally, find myself staring in through the, drawing room window rather wishfully looking at the cosy scene there, big fire (yes), the family, all together. (You're quite a pretty sorry sight out there really). I, sort of think all I have to do is walk in through the front door and I could have a nice hot bath, and err, a big plate of eggs, some tea, (Hmm, why don't you come in tonight darling) Can't really indulge that sort of thought, its uhm, dangerously persuasive. (Just for an hour or so) ... I think that's the main, problem actually is, living with that contradiction. Ahh, the only comfort is that I don't suppose, I'll have to live with it quite so long. (Mmm). I imagine being picked off by a sharp frost in the winter. (I am afraid that is probably true). Though I suppose if I did go inside I err, wouldn't have to live with it at all really. (I never lock up at night you know) Tsk. Just doesn't bear thinking about. ... And you should lock up. --- Chris Morris transcribed
A while ago the idea struck me that she might actually be dead. Aside from right at the end when the camera has gone black and he responds directly to something she said, he never really acknowledges her. Perhaps she died and he wasn't able to cope with being in the house without her, struggling with all the memories of how she made it warm and comforting; now he just wants to disappear into the landscape and die as well.
@@Eric-zv9ut if she's dead, everything she says is either a memory or a fantasy, and the lights on in the house and the dinner etc are the same, just figments or memories...
The best bits are the shots of him standing outside. Looking at the family arriving. Gazing across his estate,in a total state of depression. Fucking hilarious.
This sort of sketch really highlights the sense of almost puritan self denial that is inherent in a lot of Morris's work...the disdain for comforts and things as ultimately meaningless and the people that hanker after them as brainless parasites, yet desiring them yourself. You can tell this bloke went to a Jesuit boarding school...thats for sure...
"Just doesn't bare thinking about" - absolute genius delivery (like "sobbing in quite a wretched way" in Suicide With An Escape Clause) This whole sketch is a masterpiece.
I get moments like that lol, when I feel kind of like wandering around aimlessly living outside. Great sketch, funny and surreal and just... weird but thought provoking.
Somebody had a theory about this sketch. It was that his wife was dead, and merely a 'ghost' talking to him. The "And you should lock up" line at the very end is telling. Something bad happened, and he had a nervous breakdown with the guilt.
I think straining to interpret (blue) jam sketches in this manner kills their otherworldly beauty. They are perfect dream-like vignettes on their own, no need to bring them to earth with weighty academic terms.
ShearsOfAtropos, I agree entirely, there is an otherworldly beauty to certain Jam sketches that doesn't survive shared interpretation, academic or otherwise. This is one of them - and it's a masterpiece.
@cam100000 That's a shame, the gush is great and I suspect the censors didn't get the gag.... Thanks for posting, Jam is/was/will be the best comeddy series ever. Loved it on the radio first time round
@ShankingArmitage "Armitage shanks", very good! Not sure to be honest, I'd say possibly BBC online archives as it was broadcast on Radio1, circa 1997. It was pretty much broadcast as you "hear" it on the JAM DVD, the images were done after which is why a lot of it doesn't sync up
@brocklagan other than theft do you know if you can get Blue Jam the radio stuff anywhere? really love the monolgues. you should check out "Rothko" and "Suzy's Wedding"
@@marknewbold2583 The TV version was notably missing the recurring monologues, they really were the heart of the radio show, neither version being entirely about comedy, though sketches like this one do somewhat fill that void.
This series has some of the darkest comedy I have seen.especially the one with the baby whose pipes were not working.plus the music makes it even more insidious.
That moment when you first watched this and think that the make up on Chris is pretty good, that it really looks like he's been living outside, homeless, for months. Then years later you realise that's just Chris' normal face.
See this is what happens when a rich person reads a book featuring a new idea. :D Great sketch. It's like highly unnecessary suicide based on adopting a new ideology when you already have everything you need.
@oldoddjobs Its interesting you should bring up the surrealism. A movement where almost all its members were lapsed catholics who used religious imagery as absurdity. You only have to look at any film by Bunuel to see the free use of such imagery as a critique. In fact the parallels between later Bunuel and his nonchelant absurdity (i.e discreet charm of the bourgeoise) and Morris here in Jam are quote striking. Whilst I'm sure there are other factors I do notice a sensibility re this.
There will never be anything like this on television again.
Diogo Pereira no. Sadly, I think you’re right.
I agree, but that's part of the magic of it.
Agree. Even new Morris doesn't have the genius of old Morris.
Who watches television these days? o.o
@@snarkynoonan6626 clearly not pedants
Love this. This goes way beyond mere comedy, and into a special area of absurd poignancy that only Chris Morris seems able to reach.
100% love the headspace this man can create. The best dark comedy. Psychological,.
It's really sad
Really nicely put.
my cat sometimes refuses to come in at night from the balcony and i picture me as the woman and him as the man in this sketch
I've watched this many times - Chris Morris manages to convey the complete and utter estrangement of Anthony from his wife and by extension the whole of society in under three minutes. An astonishing piece of television. And Amelia Bullmore is excellent in this too. Why is she not on our screens more often?
I like how she popped up in Happy Valley :-)
My uncle is literally like this. He currently lives in a shed on an allotment and washes in the river Trent, eating tinned food from the church
Why don't you bring him some eggs and tea ?
I think I will, I'll take him a plate of eggs
Update please..
Classic British mental breakdown
Please tell us how he is now. Thanks. Is he still the same?
Come back to this every now and then. What a magnificent portrait of melancholy.
There is sadness, melancholy, comedy and even beauty in this. Wistful I believe is the word that best describes this sketch. This, together with Suicide with an Escape Clause, are proof Chris Morris doesn't make comedy sketches, he makes beautiful cinema.
On his inspiration for making the show, Morris commented: "It was so singular, and it came from a mood, quite a desolate mood. I had this misty, autumnal, boggy mood anyway, so I just went with that"
Quite interesting. Thanks for sharing. Where did you find that interview?
I believe it's from the book 'Disgusting Bliss', worth a read if you are a Chris Morris fan or interested in his work.
❤️
It's dangerously persuasive.. 😁
"The only comfort I suppose is that I won't have to live with it quite so long.....
I imagine being picked off by a sharp frost in the winter..."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! The futility of it all.
Must be about six months ago I, moved out of the house and started living outside. The idea came from a book I was reading I think, can't be err, quite sure about that but um, if you think about it we don't really need central heating, big kitchens, rugs, huge beds, its all, nonsense.
(Well we don't need them but they're jolly nice)
Well they're useless really.
...
I can sleep anywhere I want now I can sleep under a hedge or err, in the tractor shed.
(It does worry me when it is awfully cold).
Cattle.... Sitting down with the cattle that keeps you warm.
(At least then you get a little bit of heat. I do, worry when I know Anthony is out in the open on a particularly bleak night; rain, sleet).
...
There is quite a lot of food in the kitchen garden. Some stuff around the bins. A blackbird flew into the greenhouse the other day and I er, picked him off. He didn't taste too great I must say.
(We're having lamb tonight)
Sometimes I have to fight the cats for food.
(Richards bringing Helen for supper tonight).
But err, the dogs pretty loyal.
(Blocked off that draft in the drawing room; it's awfully snug now).
...
I must admit I do occasionally, find myself staring in through the, drawing room window rather wishfully looking at the cosy scene there, big fire (yes), the family, all together.
(You're quite a pretty sorry sight out there really).
I, sort of think all I have to do is walk in through the front door and I could have a nice hot bath, and err, a big plate of eggs, some tea,
(Hmm, why don't you come in tonight darling)
Can't really indulge that sort of thought, its uhm, dangerously persuasive.
(Just for an hour or so)
...
I think that's the main, problem actually is, living with that contradiction. Ahh, the only comfort is that I don't suppose, I'll have to live with it quite so long. (Mmm). I imagine being picked off by a sharp frost in the winter.
(I am afraid that is probably true).
Though I suppose if I did go inside I err, wouldn't have to live with it at all really.
(I never lock up at night you know)
Tsk. Just doesn't bear thinking about.
...
And you should lock up.
--- Chris Morris transcribed
Thisis the greatest distilation of fear loss and sadness I have ever seen-just stunning
"plate of eggs"
The simple joys of life
Her voice is so beautiful
R.P.
@@TriviaChallenge Message received and understood.
"We don't need them but they're jolly nice"
It's just wonderful and no item of television since has done anything like this single sketch.
Probably my favourite Jam sketch. It tickles something deep inside my brain.
your fancy
@Hugh Jones Doesn't bear thinking about
I wish i was able to write stuff like this. It's funny, but there's also deep emotion and meaning. All in just under 3 minutes
A while ago the idea struck me that she might actually be dead. Aside from right at the end when the camera has gone black and he responds directly to something she said, he never really acknowledges her. Perhaps she died and he wasn't able to cope with being in the house without her, struggling with all the memories of how she made it warm and comforting; now he just wants to disappear into the landscape and die as well.
Your comment has blown me away ...
But she said people were coming for dinner
@@Eric-zv9ut if she's dead, everything she says is either a memory or a fantasy, and the lights on in the house and the dinner etc are the same, just figments or memories...
This is so much more than just comedy. I don't even know how to describe it, other than brilliant.
Realizing there are so many amazing parts in this, the look up at "some tea" has to be one of my favorite looks of all time 1:56
The best bits are the shots of him standing outside. Looking at the family arriving. Gazing across his estate,in a total state of depression. Fucking hilarious.
something so wistfully sad about his 'plate of eggs' that's the limit of his desires having lived outside so long!
Excellent. Inspirational.
quite a lot of food in the kitchen garden..
some stuff around the bins..
Unfortunately 'The Gush' which I uploaded over a month ago has just been removed due to being "inappropriate nature". Oh well...
JAM is my favourite comedy series of all time just brilliant
cackling loud alone in my apartment at 1am on a monday. sigh.
SAME
If you have a telephone, there is such a place as America. Just don't bring too many onions.
ruclips.net/video/35WjDufgi6U/видео.html
This sort of sketch really highlights the sense of almost puritan self denial that is inherent in a lot of Morris's work...the disdain for comforts and things as ultimately meaningless and the people that hanker after them as brainless parasites, yet desiring them yourself. You can tell this bloke went to a Jesuit boarding school...thats for sure...
"Just doesn't bare thinking about" - absolute genius delivery (like "sobbing in quite a wretched way" in Suicide With An Escape Clause)
This whole sketch is a masterpiece.
I love this one, and 'The Gush', Morris is a terrifying genius.
"The dog is pretty loyal". Incredible.
Gorgeous music
I get moments like that lol, when I feel kind of like wandering around aimlessly living outside. Great sketch, funny and surreal and just... weird but thought provoking.
The timing and camera-work surrounding the word "cattle" makes me laugh every time.
"bedding down with the cattle"...
This inspires me in a weird way, like, I'm not laughing at all, but it's so
... Funny and The music in the background Probably did that to me-_-
Love how at 2:26 the colors become more vivid. It's those details that matter and make this a work of art.
Hilarious and strangely moving at the same time... Comedic poetry.
Probably my favourite Jam sketch. The most inspiring at least.
I think that’s the main problem, living with that contradiction
Somebody had a theory about this sketch. It was that his wife was dead, and merely a 'ghost' talking to him. The "And you should lock up" line at the very end is telling. Something bad happened, and he had a nervous breakdown with the guilt.
I think straining to interpret (blue) jam sketches in this manner kills their otherworldly beauty. They are perfect dream-like vignettes on their own, no need to bring them to earth with weighty academic terms.
ShearsOfAtropos very well put
Kainlarsen that makes sense. if you notice he's not conversing with his wife inferring she's not actually there
ShearsOfAtropos, I agree entirely, there is an otherworldly beauty to certain Jam sketches that doesn't survive shared interpretation, academic or otherwise. This is one of them - and it's a masterpiece.
If the wife is dead, then where does the food from the kitchen garden and around the bins come from?
The actress is Amelia Bullmore, Sonya from I'm Alan Partridge.
She wears no makeup!!
DEUS VULT I love you.....in a way!
She's mildly cretinous.
I can not believe I never made that connection till now
She was also Steph Barnes in Coronation Street, 1990
Kudos to the composer or music selector, without that gentle mood it would be terribly bleak...
why am i crying with f**kin laughter at a man standing outside ffs hahahahaha!
(and you should lock up)
Is about as close as a happy ending as you're gonna get...
That's Sonya from Alan partridge. What a great actress
"Just doesn't bear thinking about"
XD HAHAHA Genius!
@cam100000 That's a shame, the gush is great and I suspect the censors didn't get the gag.... Thanks for posting, Jam is/was/will be the best comeddy series ever. Loved it on the radio first time round
this sketch is perfect
Poignant and touching
Yeah it's 'Over' by Alpha.
Just excellent.
Man oh man, I miss comedy like this.
Something about the way he never directly acknowledges his wife or what she’s saying makes the tragedy of this scene so much stronger.
@ShankingArmitage "Armitage shanks", very good! Not sure to be honest, I'd say possibly BBC online archives as it was broadcast on Radio1, circa 1997. It was pretty much broadcast as you "hear" it on the JAM DVD, the images were done after which is why a lot of it doesn't sync up
so touching, its like he's punishing himself
And now THIS way of life is dangerously persuasive.
and she doesn't take her eyes off him the whole time lol
"...and you should lock up!"
@brocklagan
other than theft do you know if you can get Blue Jam the radio stuff anywhere? really love the monolgues. you should check out "Rothko" and "Suzy's Wedding"
@ozena52 Oh yes he's the chung wit, the biff boff and the puff pastry hangman.
The opposite of JG Ballards Home??
John Lloyd I'd say he out-Ballards Ballard in the JAM 1 intro and Crime Reconstruction monologue.
I never lock up at night you know
Thought this was a Jam b-side I hadn’t heard. Even better. Chris Morris.
A plate of eggs and some tea
brilliant
Is he swallowing a raindrop at 0:56?
Indeed. Like any good work of art, there are many details and nuances to be appreciated.
I took that as a facial mannerism he'd picked up from associating with cattle
00.52 Simultaneous sigh - deliberate?
"I never lock up at night ya know?"
Oh dear, nervous breakdown.
Nicely done.
Chris Morris is the Boz Boz.
He's also the Chung Wit
Excellent video from Chris Morris as ever.
Can anyone tell me what music this is?
Darude - Sandstorm
So good
He's gone feral.
I wonder what the book he was reading was? What started all this off?
Maybe something by Thoreau?
I like this
T E Lawrence after returning from Arabia.
Churchill bought him Clouds Hill in Dorset.
And gave him a bag of marbles.
can someone upload a non pixellated version of the gush..... it wont last, but the JAM version is better than the BLUE JAM radio version. X
No Blue Jam is a masterpiece
@@marknewbold2583 The TV version was notably missing the recurring monologues, they really were the heart of the radio show, neither version being entirely about comedy, though sketches like this one do somewhat fill that void.
This series has some of the darkest comedy I have seen.especially the one with the baby whose pipes were not working.plus the music makes it even more insidious.
That is exactly the correct word.
'Picked off by a sharp frost'...
@oisaveloy Only too true...home insurance adverts weren't what I'd been thinking of when I posted that
Plate of eggs... mmmmmmm
Genius...
That moment when you first watched this and think that the make up on Chris is pretty good, that it really looks like he's been living outside, homeless, for months. Then years later you realise that's just Chris' normal face.
Do you know anywhere that i can find English subtitles for Jam?
Plate of eggs lol
last i remember was alan partrige series 2
"and you should lock up"
@mu9cephei Well said, I can only assume it is because she has high standards and doesn't want to risk doing anything which isn't totally great.
Some tea... mmm.
"a plate of eggs"
See this is what happens when a rich person reads a book featuring a new idea. :D
Great sketch. It's like highly unnecessary suicide based on adopting a new ideology when you already have everything you need.
@kipplewitz Oh definitely can't. What do you mean?
Cattle
Does anybody know the music? Sorry if it's already been asked.
Morris made all the music for the series himself.
Over by Alpha
Mic farrelly Yes, you're exactly right. Not many people realize that Chris Morris goes by other aliases, such as Aphex Twin and Brian Eno.
He goes under the aliases “DJ Shadow” and “Fila Brazila” as well.
Darude - Sandstorm.
trippy
He simply can't bring himself to make love to her anymore.
Deep thinking
keep drinking
@oldoddjobs Its interesting you should bring up the surrealism. A movement where almost all its members were lapsed catholics who used religious imagery as absurdity. You only have to look at any film by Bunuel to see the free use of such imagery as a critique. In fact the parallels between later Bunuel and his nonchelant absurdity (i.e discreet charm of the bourgeoise) and Morris here in Jam are quote striking. Whilst I'm sure there are other factors I do notice a sensibility re this.
I'm craving some boiled eggs now.