Time to Laugh

Lately we have been enjoying the long-running television program Just for Laughs Gags. It's show based in Montreal, Quebec, and it is all about silent gags. Since there's no audible dialogue, it works for any language. I do wonder, however, how they have managed to get away with so many English signs that explain the plot, like "Art Show" or "Free Massage" in a province where French signs are the law. Perhaps through camera tricks they add English signs for a largely English audience.

I also wonder how they communicate with the unsuspecting subjects of the gags. It's obvious from reading their lips that some are speaking English while others are French speakers. When asked about the taste of some very spicy chili, the cook alternately asked, "Chaud?" or "Hot?" I could also tell that surprised subjects exclaimed either "Oh my God!" and "O mon dieu!" in another sketch. Since many of the unsuspecting marks wear t-shirts with phrases on them, that's one way to tell.

No matter. It's all hysterically funny. Here's one of my favourites. It involves two of my favourite things: bagpipes and bare bums.

I'll have more to share with you in the coming days.