Tea. Biscuits. Shall we take the lift?
Posted by Dan
March 18th, 2008 at 11:05am
In Battlestar Galactica Eli Stone Hotness House
So, I have this friend who goes by the alias of Pandacita on the TiFaux comment board. Lately we’ve been speaking to each other in British accents and saying only one word: “Bamber.”
As in Jamie Bamber — renowned actor, star of Battlestar Galactica and international hottie.
(by the way, I finished the third season of Battlestar last night… say WHAT with the five Cylons?!?!)
Jamie Bamber, saying with his eyes: “Fancy a shag?”
“Jamie Bamber” is a really great name to say in a British accent (pronounced [horribly] ‘bamb-uh’). Pandacita and I have entire conversations where we just alternate saying “bamb-uh” and “hallo” and “morning guv’nah.” Perhaps tossing in a “Nice day, innit?”
It is truly disgraceful.
I don’t want to offend our English reader(s) (hello John W.) but it’s a fun discourse to engage in. Here’s a clip of a very gracious Jamie speaking to a very intimidated reporter about his accent.
On that note, I thought I would make a fun little survey — who is your favorite English actor who speaks in an American accent. Here are your choices.
- Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica): I was really pretty shocked when I found out that Jamie Bamber was British. I was always under the impression that the cast of Battlestar was under a heavy Canadian influence — with thick maple syrup running through their veins. Fortunately, they recruited Englishman Jamie Bamber and his hot, towel-dropping self to play the complicated, conflicted Lee “Apollo” Adama.
- Hugh Laurie (House): Once again, here’s a guy I had no idea had a British origin until way late in the game. I guess I never felt compelled to dig into Wooster and Jeeves during my formative years (too busy, I suppose, drinking hard cider and watching the Real World/Road Rules Challenge). In any case, Laurie’s American accent is a bit more staccato — perhaps it has to do with the severity of his character’s attitude, always pointing out everyone else’s problems.
- Johnny Lee Miller (Eli Stone): This show is growing to be a burden, I’m just going to say it. It’s not bad, but I don’t care what happens. The one thing that keeps me coming back is Johnny Lee Miller, his hotness and the knowledge that he’s masking his accent.
- Polly Whatserface (Cane): I’m not even going to bother looking up the last name of the chick from Cane for several reasons (I think it’s Walker but, as I said, I’m not going to look it up). First of all, no one watched that show but me and three other people. Two, she was a minor character. Three, no one would ever accuse her of having an awesome American accent because I, myself, always find myself wondering why an heiress from Florida always spoke like she was a college junior who had experienced a really influential semester abroad in London and hadn’t quite shaken it.
Kyle and I have similar conversations based on our love of the New Zealand accent in Flight of the Conchords.
-He may be did.
-He maybe what?
-He may be did!
-Are you guys f-ing with me?
Or we just call a band meeting and say the same three names over and over again.
You have to add Dominic West, our own Jimmy McNulty from the Wire, to this list. He is by far and away my favorite. He’s so good that some people probably don’t know that he’s actually british.
Don’t forget Idris Elba, Stringer Bell, is as limey as they come too.
Also, Maggie that joke doesn’t work when it’s written out.
Isn’t Anna Friel on Pushing Daisies British? She does a very convincing American accent.
There is a reverse correlation to this: Some actors with accents become exponentially less hot/talented when forced to adopt American cadences. Colin Farrell’s years in the wilderness of American roles were only recently redeemed by In Bruges, and every time I saw the trailer for Penelope I winced because James McAvoy sounds so awkward as an American.
Also, Matthew Rhys on Brothers & Sisters. He’s Welsh. Roommate and I think he and Rachel Griffiths get together and commiserate about all those flat vowels and having to say “truck.”
Hey, I’m only referencing the joke. I can’t claim to capture its brilliance though commenting alone.
So here you go: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NRdg1MOYxHo
Bamber. A thousand times, Bamber. I don’t mind James McAvoy in his American accent from “Penelope” either though; it seemed iffy in the trailer, as did Lee Pace’s British accent in “Miss Pettigrew,” but both came off well in the full movies.
I’m going to a BSG press party at the Morgan Library tonight, and crossing every finger that Bamber’s one of the cast members that show up. All I want for my birthday!
I’ve added the “user submitted answer” function to the poll.
I wish I had the foresight to plan this post more thoroughly — I totally would’ve mentioned Anna, etc.
chuck on gossip girl is britsh in real life and it is HOTT.
Dood. It’s not such a horrible imitation– look, he says it too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9wHz3SeOg
(A weird handheld recording of that little clip from Scifi.com– unfortunately I couldn’t find the original.)
So are we gonna have a season 4 premiere party? Friday night, oh yeah!!!
Of the list, Jamie’s is the best. I flipped out when I discovered he was British. Can the man get any more perfect? No.
Although Matthew Rhys’s is the best of them all – You would never guess he’s Welsh.
[...] Dan pondered Battlestar Galactica’s Jamie Bamber and House’s Hugh Laurie in an effort to figure out which English actor does the best American accent. (TiFaux) [...]
Just to add yet another Brit:
1. Lena Headey of the Terminator: Sarah Connor Cronicles
2. Just remembered – whatshername – nurse fiancee of Sarah Connor’s ex (better known as Penny on Lost)
[...] Dan pondered Battlestar Galactica’s Jamie Bamber and House’s Hugh Laurie in an effort to figure out which English actor does the best American accent. (TiFaux) [...]
[...] Dan pondered Battlestar Galactica’s Jamie Bamber and House’s Hugh Laurie in an effort to figure out which English actor does the best American accent. (TiFaux) [...]