Jeremy Paxman: 'Our empire was an amazing thing'

[Dougan]

Yes I'm looking forward to the program tonight aswell...most of my knowledge about the Empire comes from the 'Flashman' books...

[Christel]

Bet there was loads in that program that you did not know

Loved it when the old Egyptian chap was interviewed at the local club, Paxman is asking if the Brits left nothing good behind, the answer is "nothing".
After having thought about it for a few more seconds, old chap answers "croquet"

:lol: :lol:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00p1388

[Dougan]

Was a very interesting progam - and I do like Paxman

That old guy was sitting in a croquet club, waring a shirt n tie, tweed jacket and a flat cap...while saying how little the British had to offer! :lol:

From what I've read about the Indian mutiny, the program was quite lenient towards us - the details of some of what the Britsh did is quite shocking; as were some of the things the Mararajas did...lets face it, it wasn't a good time to be working class, no matter which country you were from...

However I have heard Indians say that they quite like some of what we left in India, even if they didn't like how we behaved while we were there.

Shall definately watch the next 2...

[Christel]

Just a reminder...9.00 on BBC1 this evening...

[Dougan]

That was again, very interesting last night - the fact that much of it is documented photographically just makes it more fascinating...

...and it cleared up something that had always confused me a little in London...which was why so many Indians said they came from Kenya...

Not wanting to make light of a serious program, but I had to laugh when Paxman was interviewing that guy about his moustash..."excuse me, do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your moustash"...brilliant :lol:

[Christel]

Yeah it was funny..."so do I look like a woman without one"? "Oh no, not at all"
:lol:

It was a very informative episode, I really enjoyed watching it.
I didn't know about the Indian Kenyans either, intriguing how one nation's actions shape another nation's fate in a third country.
:?

[Christel]

Missed part of episode three, not too impressed with what I did see. Hoping next episode is back to being excellent.

[Dougan]

I missed the first half too - I caught the end of the bit about the Sudan...not our finest hour

The rest of it about sport was a bit lightweight but still interesting. Next weeks program could be uncomfortable viewing...from the look of the preview it looks like it'll be focusing on the darker side of it all...

[Christel]

Oh, the history of the empire is about to get worse?

:lol: :G

[Dougan]

Oh, the history of the empire is about to get worse?

:lol: :G

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? :lol: