‘Ullo John…’ what are you on about?
Fresh evidence that I am getting old, when this morning in the office, someone said ‘Ullo…’ Naturally, I added ‘…John, gotta new motor?’ and was met with baffled looks all round.
‘You don’t know the song?’ I asked incredulously.
‘No,’ came the reply from pretty much everyone, even the other 30-somethings on the team.
Amazingly, though, V admitted that she knew it because she’s a big fan of The Young Ones and loves Alexei Sayle. V is 24! She wasn’t even born when the accompanying clip was recorded!
Possibly even more sad to relate is that A only recognised the song, when I reframed it and told her it was used to sell TVs a few years later: ‘Ullo Tosh, Gotta Toshiba?’
Anyway, enjoy this clip from way back in 1982 of Alexei Sayle on OTT. You’d never know he was a Scouser, if this was your only evidence!
February 21st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
My empathies and sympathies, Rob. I find myself increasingly having to explain cultural references like this to people I work with or am friendly with. I don’t know who feels worse – me, for feeling ever older, or them, for making me feeling ever older.
I can even remember people at school using the “‘Ello, John” line on me…
On the bright side, you’re two years younger than me. There, better.
February 21st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Sympathies gratefully received!
Mind you, walking to the station last night with my (younger) boss, she expressed her surprise on discovering that I was as old as I am.
Obviously (yeah, right) she meant it because I look 25, but I can’t help feeling it’s because I’m unbelieveably puerile!