Miscellaneous extracts with text - Archive 2
| Level | Description | |
| 1 |
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We start with Chapeau melon et bottes de cuir, the rather unappetising French title for The Avengers. However, it works well at this level, the crisp English accents translating into French equivalents. |
| 2 |
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Déshabillons-les is, sadly; not as racy as its title would suggest. It is a political series where psychologists, sociologists and other experts dissect the public utterances of politicians. Here is Bernard Kouchner, defending himself against the accusation that he profited from his ministerial position. No politician would do that, surely ? |
| 3 |
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An accessible comedy sketch. Florence Bunold doing a lovely cruel takeoff of Ségolène Royale. Imitators very often slow their delivery down to catch the quality of their victim's voice. |
| 4 |
 |
I am a sucker for television documentaries on twentieth century popular music, so here is pretty little Sheila, starting her career at the age of sixteen. You have different registers in this clip. Sheila singing, the trendy voice-over, and the typical 1960s news report. |
| 5 |
 |
I am going to trawl religiously round the channels for the stuff the French themselves watch. Here is Panique dans l'oreillette, a programme where the friends of the victim whisper malicious questions into the presenter's earpiece in order to embarrass the victim and amuse us. |
| 6 |
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Here is Eddy Mitchell and the gorgeous Cécile de France in Le temps de cérises - grumpy old artist collides with cool modern miss. A nice play and all honour to France Television for putting on stage plays from time time. |
| 7 |
 |
Des racines et des ailes is the sort of documentary programme that only France Télévision and the BBC can do as well as this. This one was on Provence, and here is the accent to go with it.. (Text kindly corrected by Hervé) |
| 8 |
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Here is Folie douce, a bright brittle play full of repartie. |
| 9 |
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We finish with two comedy clips. This is the great Ramond Devos, who sadly died about six years ago. It was one of his DVDs that made me want to listen to, and understand, French. |
| 10 |
 |
And Anne Roumanoff, one of the very best of current French comics. She has a slurring delivery which tests the ear, and there is a fast bit in this sketch which really leaves me behind. See how you do. |