Sometimes the universe gives you no choice. A mild example occurred in February, when I heard of somebody claiming it was the Chinese Year of the Salmon, and I was compelled to remark that this must be due to the leap year. There was no option: these circumstances were never going to arise again, and it’s a moral duty to take advantage of such existential confluences, regardless of company or surroundings. Professional ballroom champion Darren Bennett, on the news that Strictly Come Dancing partner Emma Bunton had become pregnant a month into their training, said “I thought she was getting heavier.”. He knows what I’m talking about. This kind of thing can get you in big trouble. I call it the OTOCE - the one-time-only-comedic-event.
Apropos of nothing, I remember realising in my teens that the much advertised “Now” compilation CDs would one day reach number 69. And that would be a funny day. As a 24 year old I can look back on my teenage self and observe the unsophisticated nature of this humour. Adolescent and immature, the slightest hint of sexual innuendo seemed incredibly amusing. I’m now older, and wiser. Here’s the thing, though: the Now 69 adverts are on tv at the moment and they’re really funny.
I’m not proud of this. But what can do you. Here are the rumoured hidden tracks:
Sorry.
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It is terrible when someone gives you a feed-line where the obvious comedic response is, perhaps, not the right thing to say but you know the opportunity will not come round again. I have an example.
When I was young, very young, early 20s sort of young, I had a good friend. We used to hang out a lot and we both got ourselves girlfriends at the same sort of time and both intended to get married. I got married first and this friend was the best man. It was always a given that we would be each others’ best man.
When his wedding came along we were making plans for it and the topic of best man cropped up. His wife-to-be said, “I’m not sure about that. Can you have a married best man? I think the best man is supposed to be single.”
Although I still slightly regret the argument-winning reply I am sure I would regret it even more if I had let the opportunity slip…
“If you are going to be really traditional, shouldn’t the bride be a virgin?”
That’s exactly the kind of thing, yep
It’s just not right to let these opportunities slip by.