Watching TV

Watching TV here is no end of fun. Most things look completely insane because I have NO idea what they’re saying. I imagine that our TV shows look ridiculous to people who don’t understand English, though, so I try to reserve judgment. Sometimes it is really hard.

I have watched Russian or Ukrainian versions of Prison Break, X Factor and What Not to Wear. WNTW was funny, though, because the North American and Ukrainian styles differ so much in some things that I was appalled at what they told this poor girl to buy (Um, pleated culottes with suspenders? Ok, fair enough, she looked awesome in them. But still. Strange.)

I was going to try to describe the show that Tanya and her friend are watching right now, but it really does defy description. Everyone is very colourfully dressed, and there’s a narcissistic prince and a really pretty girl, who I can only assume is a milk maid, or something, that he is trying to defile. There’s also an evil witch type person wearing thigh high black leather boots, and a fat man dressed up as a woman. It’s all very confusing. I’m sure if I knew the language, though, it would be good times had by all.

One of my favourite shows to watch has been Let’s Get Married, which is a sort of dating game show that Tanya tried to explain to me, but I totally don’t understand. It featured three of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen and three guys who looked like they took the wrong exit on their way to space camp. This is pretty common, though, as far as I can tell. It’s like the Russian version of Fat Guy, Hot Wife. Anyway, each of the women did some sort of talent thing and then one of the skinny nerds picked which girl to date. Or marry. I’m not really sure what was in their contracts, but you get the general idea. Awesome either way.

There are only two stations here in English, the Travel Channel and a French news channel. I’ll usually watch the Travel Channel, or the All Music channel, which has a mix of English, American, Italian, Dutch, Russian and Ukrainian artists. Here is my favourite of the songs I’ve heard so far. I’m pretty sure it’s from a commercial, but I can’t remember which one. I think I need to own some Caro Emerald.

I also super loved this song. You will understand why at roughly 13 seconds. Ky, pay particular attention to this song.

This last one is great, and a little misleading if you’re watching it for the first time in the Ukraine. Naturally, I assume the group was from the Ukraine but singing in English. Going in with this assumption makes the video very confusing. Is it from the 80s? Is it making fun of the 80s? Is it actually legit?



Yah, turns out Young New Pony Club is from the UK. I love them for the brilliance of this video.