Clearly Boubil and Schonberg wanted to let the audience experience the joy of reading the original book unabridged. There's a whole chapter devoted to some weird French dialect.
Let's pretend centine is a fun reference to that. =) haha
Also, I have an intense love/hate relationship with this show. The themes are insanely repetitive. But damned if I don't sing On My Own when I'm home alone.. loudly.
that was hilarious. Some lines in les mis are ridiculously entertaining. I have always been amused with Valjeans first lines to cosette in "in my life" "cosette you're such a lonley child" Not really the most friendly way to greet your daughter.
I was told to watch this video and had no IDEA it would be so amazing. I kept bursting out in hysterics and having to pause it. I've loved LM since I was ten and have always wondered about "palaver"... the hussy thing is awesome. Plumet Attack and Lovely Ladies are currently my favourite songs, but I'll never unhear those laughing saxaphones. Pure greatness.
(Back when I lived with my parents I used to listen to SIRIUS 77 all the time! So glad to know your commentary is available here!)
I prefer London CD because of LuPone as Fantine, but something's always bugged me. Marius sings "Oh god for shame I do not even know her name" & then "Cosette Cosette oh were we dreaming when we met?" WTF? How did he learn her name? Was she wearing a name tag & he got close enough to see it? Did she hold up a giant sign w/her name on it? On the Bway CD we hear them introduce themselves, but London's recording is so much better due to Patti & the cockney underclass accents (especially Gavroche).
It's funny; all of the words you picked out are words that are used commonly in British vocabulary and, considering the composers are Francophone, American audiences don't have much cause to complain.
The thing I hate about Frances' in Les Miz, is that she sounds like a teeniebopper who had her cell phone taken away and whining like a brat. Nothing against the person, her voice just irks me here. Especially in "Attack on Rue Plumet." Her "On My Own" is not too shabby, but still a bit of that "whining brat" there. But, it's just my opinion.
Oh Seth, I love you. Only you could think of "Look Down" being a reference to penis gazing.
Knowing how the French are about their language -- in that there are literally institutions in France and Canada whose sole purpose are to make up French words to replace popular English ones (like "email") -- I wouldn't be surprised if Boublil, being French, fought to maintain a few French colloqiualisms.
Also, I megalove Plumet Attack. I'm glad I'm not alone in that.
HAHAH. That was fantastic. Les Miserables was the first musical I was obsessed with back when I was getting into theater, and and I must admit I never stopped to think about the words that make no sense. Thanks!
Apperently in this context, it does mean French Penis. I wonder if there is a theme like this in EVERY B&S musical collabo...we should look into it.
"what the cros'sanwich"? I would die. I would literally DIE. You really need to redo Les Miz *your* way because I really feel that it would make it *that* much better.
pa⋅lav⋅er /pəˈlævər, ‑ˈlɑvər/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [puh-lav-er, ‑lah-ver] Show IPA noun, verb, -ered, -er⋅ing. noun 1. a conference or discussion. 2. a long parley, esp. one between primitive natives and European traders, explorers, colonial officials, etc. 3. profuse and idle talk; chatter. 4. persuasive talk; flattery; cajolery. verb (used without object) 5. to talk profusely and idly. 6. to parley or confer. verb (used with object) 7. to cajole or persuade.
i think les miserables means the miserable.... which has nothing to do with the show but more to do what you could call the audience who is watching the show
Clearly Boubil and Schonberg wanted to let the audience experience the joy of reading the original book unabridged. There's a whole chapter devoted to some weird French dialect.
Let's pretend centine is a fun reference to that. =) haha
Also, I have an intense love/hate relationship with this show. The themes are insanely repetitive. But damned if I don't sing On My Own when I'm home alone.. loudly.
klmnumbers 2 years ago 8
seth you forgot "waiting for a thick one or a quick one in the park" in the genitalia references ;)
meelio 2 years ago 27
i got confused 2! haha i always thote it was money!
Museleaders 2 years ago
that was hilarious. Some lines in les mis are ridiculously entertaining. I have always been amused with Valjeans first lines to cosette in "in my life" "cosette you're such a lonley child" Not really the most friendly way to greet your daughter.
jessonine 2 years ago 4
I love Eponine's part in that scene/song. glorious. You are amazing Seth!
mtbwaylover 2 years ago 2
Centine is short for cent. 100 cents make up a franc, I'm sure :)
You got sack, that's just a British way of saying "fire"
Palava is like, idle chat :)
xxx
ConcealedYourFlaws 2 years ago 5
that was AMAZING ANd um, although most of the p3nor references are true, I don't think "look down" was intentional.
JollyMe08 2 years ago
He was joking.
bananabasket 2 years ago 3
I was told to watch this video and had no IDEA it would be so amazing. I kept bursting out in hysterics and having to pause it. I've loved LM since I was ten and have always wondered about "palaver"... the hussy thing is awesome. Plumet Attack and Lovely Ladies are currently my favourite songs, but I'll never unhear those laughing saxaphones. Pure greatness.
(Back when I lived with my parents I used to listen to SIRIUS 77 all the time! So glad to know your commentary is available here!)
lesmisloony 2 years ago 2
Even strokers need a little stroke!
Yet another reference ~_^
ChristophProbst 2 years ago
"Is it like a sunchip?"
i LOVE YOU, Seth!!!
allycrombie33 2 years ago 6
I prefer London CD because of LuPone as Fantine, but something's always bugged me. Marius sings "Oh god for shame I do not even know her name" & then "Cosette Cosette oh were we dreaming when we met?" WTF? How did he learn her name? Was she wearing a name tag & he got close enough to see it? Did she hold up a giant sign w/her name on it? On the Bway CD we hear them introduce themselves, but London's recording is so much better due to Patti & the cockney underclass accents (especially Gavroche).
bragg 2 years ago 5
It's manphobic!!!
I love this, it's hysterical.
princessblondie93 2 years ago 4
hahahah look down!
CookieFace2010 2 years ago
Okay, that J-YUST thing used to, actually, no, still DOES, drive me up a wall.
RineRam123 2 years ago
Sun Chips are really good.
Do you have the complete symphonic recording?
Maybe i'ts a secret meaning. The Miserable Penises.
DukeofYar 2 years ago
"laughing saxaphones" had me laughing - you are FABULOUS!!!!!
robertdave 2 years ago 2
"centime" -penny
"Les Miserables"- the miserables as in the lower people, the unfortunate people
ckluv2skat 2 years ago
Told you I'd do it. Told you I'd do it!
It's funny; all of the words you picked out are words that are used commonly in British vocabulary and, considering the composers are Francophone, American audiences don't have much cause to complain.
mogwai4000 2 years ago
As I've said before, you make me incredibly happy.
pumpkinheadedmf 2 years ago
SETH you are brilliant, especially with that sunchip comment
cuaMT 2 years ago
I died laughing at "what a croisan'wich". Brilliance!
wonderfulwizard11 2 years ago 2
"Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands" was my one line when I did Les Mis in high school, and it was impossible to spit out!!
I love this by the way, you're hilarious.
taratimbs 2 years ago
Les Miserables means "the miserable ones"
TheaterGirl62 2 years ago
Comment removed
Californian76 2 years ago
The thing I hate about Frances' in Les Miz, is that she sounds like a teeniebopper who had her cell phone taken away and whining like a brat. Nothing against the person, her voice just irks me here. Especially in "Attack on Rue Plumet." Her "On My Own" is not too shabby, but still a bit of that "whining brat" there. But, it's just my opinion.
sodadrinker89 2 years ago 3
Oh Seth, I love you. Only you could think of "Look Down" being a reference to penis gazing.
Knowing how the French are about their language -- in that there are literally institutions in France and Canada whose sole purpose are to make up French words to replace popular English ones (like "email") -- I wouldn't be surprised if Boublil, being French, fought to maintain a few French colloqiualisms.
Also, I megalove Plumet Attack. I'm glad I'm not alone in that.
mosephy 2 years ago
you never fail to make me smile!
Kristenbasore 2 years ago
I think I love you <3
I love your deconstructions!
mani1239 2 years ago
HAHAH. That was fantastic. Les Miserables was the first musical I was obsessed with back when I was getting into theater, and and I must admit I never stopped to think about the words that make no sense. Thanks!
zuisa 2 years ago
Apperently in this context, it does mean French Penis. I wonder if there is a theme like this in EVERY B&S musical collabo...we should look into it.
"what the cros'sanwich"? I would die. I would literally DIE. You really need to redo Les Miz *your* way because I really feel that it would make it *that* much better.
admiralkathryn 2 years ago
BONJOUR! ÇA VA?
grace1em 2 years ago
you are so hysterical
shorterac989 2 years ago
what a crossanwich? i'd die. you need to redo this YOUR way. I feel it would make the musical *that* much better.
admiralkathryn 2 years ago
This was AMAZING, Seth!!!!
Les Miserables means the miserables XD
You didn't mention my FAVORITE "reference". Grantaire's "And here he comes like Don Juan" XD
I've seen Les Miserables six times and I was wondering when you were gonna deconstruct it XD
broadwaysweetie 2 years ago
Maltipoo24 2 years ago 4
i think les miserables means the miserable.... which has nothing to do with the show but more to do what you could call the audience who is watching the show
trevorwo86 2 years ago
-"Worth a few francs my dear" seems kinda choppy to me.
-I like "sack the girl today" because it's kinda charming.
-I also love Plumet Attack... the synth is BRILLIANT. (Also, in Dog eat Dog)
-I had to look up palaver because I didn't know what it meant... weird that I've never looked it up before!
- Really?? That's "laughing"? I never noticed that!
- I'm sure you were joking but Look Down means keep your head down so the guard doesn't see you...
Anyway, 5 stars!! Keep em coming
cxeazn 2 years ago 2
" French Penises"...It's Plural.
amazinsawax5 2 years ago
Brilliant.
TreMc 2 years ago
Seth, every time you said "down there" it made me think if my fav monologue from the vagina monolgues. It's called "The Flood." Loves it.
ricbickn 2 years ago