This is hilarious! It's her sarcastic cynical sense of humour, her style of comedy works in the UK that's why she's so popular here.
She's in character, she's supposed to be this exaggerated stereotypical loud American who's ignorant about the rest of the world. (We know not all Americans r like that, the audience is laughing at this caricature of an American person, if everything has to be so earnest, the world'd be so dull)
The interpreter is Probably even played by an actress too.
This film has never been released on DVD in the UK, and so i,ve waited 20 years to see it again...cant thank you enough for posting the whole show! xx
@Rotschild1957 Ruby explained after this show was made that although it looks spontaneous, it was, infact, scripted..or at least the parts with her and anna were.
This is why this show is genius and very advanced for its time....
The existential condition of Ruby in totalitarian state + her interpreter reminds me a subject scheme from Alesha's "The Jealousy" (1927), only the roles are transposed: interpreter is young and monstroulsy earnest, and Wax is older one, cheerful, silly and human. FANTASTIC STAFF
I remember this when it shown on TV back in 1988. I remember laughing my head off, she was so funny, Ruby not understanding the interpreter. But I also remembered the sombre moments in the documentary.
She did another documentary of going back home to see the parents, that was the best. Does anyone have it?? Would love to see it again.
aah super i do miss her stuff. If you read her biography she actually states in the book that the programme was meant to be part farce and that her ignorance etc was actually an act. super book i recommend it.
I'm American too. NYC as well. Listen, Ruby's whole shtick is to play an over-the-top American stereo-type for non-americans for laughs. Her comedy persona is what has made her famous everywhere except America. The soviets she was entertaining had no clue what she was talking about because they had no concept of capitalism and America.
Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Glad to meet a Ruby Wax fan from New Zealand! Wow! I love her interviews. I have some Ruby stand up stuff from the 80's if you're interested...cheers!
The interpreter is an actress ! Ruby is overplaying obnoxious to satirize herself and the situation. American viewers maybe do not recognize this ?
marshhen 5 months ago
@nyc11104
This is hilarious! It's her sarcastic cynical sense of humour, her style of comedy works in the UK that's why she's so popular here.
She's in character, she's supposed to be this exaggerated stereotypical loud American who's ignorant about the rest of the world. (We know not all Americans r like that, the audience is laughing at this caricature of an American person, if everything has to be so earnest, the world'd be so dull)
The interpreter is Probably even played by an actress too.
Rab1975bit 1 year ago
Its you who doesnt understand what Ruby was doing when she made this programme.
preopdollop 2 years ago
This film has never been released on DVD in the UK, and so i,ve waited 20 years to see it again...cant thank you enough for posting the whole show! xx
preopdollop 2 years ago
Russian people did not smile because there was nothing to smile about. Ruby totally doesn't understand this, shows no respect or compassion at all.
I don't think many people understand the warning that is in this movie..
Wait a few years and you will probably understand what I mean. You know, socialism....
Rotschild1957 2 years ago
@Rotschild1957 Ruby explained after this show was made that although it looks spontaneous, it was, infact, scripted..or at least the parts with her and anna were.
This is why this show is genius and very advanced for its time....
preopdollop 2 years ago
That's not relevant.
You don't understand that people in Russia under communism DID NOT SMILE because there was nothing to smile about.
We can not imagine such a society but with enough socialism it will come.
A German study showed that people in East Germany under communism sat more with their head down and back arched in public places.
Rotschild1957 2 years ago
The existential condition of Ruby in totalitarian state + her interpreter reminds me a subject scheme from Alesha's "The Jealousy" (1927), only the roles are transposed: interpreter is young and monstroulsy earnest, and Wax is older one, cheerful, silly and human. FANTASTIC STAFF
supermonto 2 years ago
"are you going to have that expression on your face" lol. i can already see that this is going to be painful to watch.
DreamedOfHugeSpiders 2 years ago
This is sadly one of the funniest things I have ever seen.
richrio7 3 years ago
I remember this when it shown on TV back in 1988. I remember laughing my head off, she was so funny, Ruby not understanding the interpreter. But I also remembered the sombre moments in the documentary.
She did another documentary of going back home to see the parents, that was the best. Does anyone have it?? Would love to see it again.
BlakeVII 3 years ago
Ruby is the bomb!
savagesloth 3 years ago 4
Is this real? LOL
KafkaCrow 3 years ago
Wow.. that interpreter doesn't seem to have
any emotion at all!
She's cold, man...
deadg00se 3 years ago
SHE IS BEING SATIRICAL. Just enjoy the comedy.
kalindoscopy 3 years ago
aah super i do miss her stuff. If you read her biography she actually states in the book that the programme was meant to be part farce and that her ignorance etc was actually an act. super book i recommend it.
markygoo 3 years ago
I'm American too. NYC as well. Listen, Ruby's whole shtick is to play an over-the-top American stereo-type for non-americans for laughs. Her comedy persona is what has made her famous everywhere except America. The soviets she was entertaining had no clue what she was talking about because they had no concept of capitalism and America.
tamschillin 3 years ago
well said
angelicasin 3 years ago
Thanks for posting!! It's great.
theideasman 4 years ago 2
Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Glad to meet a Ruby Wax fan from New Zealand! Wow! I love her interviews. I have some Ruby stand up stuff from the 80's if you're interested...cheers!
tamschillin 4 years ago
Most Hilarious & Sad at the same time
richrio7 4 years ago