I knew about the French proclivity for America’s Funniest Home Video well before I met Mr. P. It was during a red-eye flight from Boston to Paris about 8 years ago. After the remnants of the evening meal was taken away, I swaddled myself in pillows and blankets and put my seat back, intent on grabbing a few hours of fitful sleep. Only… the big screen at the front of the cabin was showing non-stop episodes of AFV, and the French people on the flight were going nuts. There was no sleep to be had on that flight, not with the Gallic belly laughs induced by footage of zany pets, guileless babies, and American men getting hit in the balls with balls.
So tonight, I was not surprised to come into the living room to find Mr. P lounging on the couch, with the television tuned to America’s Funniest Home Videos. However, I was beyond disturbed to see that he was simultaneously watching YouTube videos of mimes on his netbook. Yes, mimes, including just about the creepiest mime I’ve ever seen:
