My UK friends are really excited about the Channel 4 train wreck known as My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Basically, it is Jersey Shore for English people. Gypsies (not Romani people, but Irish Travellers) are not well-liked. They are known as thieves, and are considered trashy and obnoxious*. They make money by doing labor jobs and other odds and ends, and apparently from swindling people (hence the bad reputation). Weddings and other celebrations are a big deal, so the Travellers save for ages to put on the biggest, showiest, Traveller-iest weddings possible.
To get a taste of what the Brits are watching, here are a few YouTube clips (sadly, full episode viewing is blocked in the US) that I am not allowed to embed, because Channel 4 hates us.
Hen Party - also known as a bachelorette party.
Electric Wedding Dress - also known as a fascinating eyesore. It lights up and has moving butterflies!
I really do think that this can best be equated to the Jersey Shore, only they don't drink because they are from a sub-culture that lacks inhibitions. Having never watched the Jersey Shore, you'll have to tell me if I'm wrong.
Hopefully the Big Fat Gypsy Wedding series will be shown on BBC America or Netflix because I can't wait to watch the rest of the episodes.
*This is my understanding, not my opinion. I have never met a Gypsy - Romani or Irish - so I have no personal opinion.
Posts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16lMiMcZf4s
ReplyDeleteit links to pts 2 & 3!
AWESOME - thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe show here in the U>S> just potrays a bunch of swearing trailor trash that dresses like prostitutes and swear they have morlas...IT makes me sick!
ReplyDelete