Harry Mount, Editor, selects the best quotes from the December edition of The Oldie
‘Generation O vote like mad – so politicians are very keen to please them (notwithstanding Andy Burnham dropping the triple lock).
‘Generation O won’t like snowflake youth accusing them of nameless crimes. Everyone here and in America seems to blame Generation O for everything.’
‘This is the generation who talk about what a tough world they came from. Some sound like the comedians in the ‘Four Yorkshiremen’ sketch of 1967: “There were 150 0f us, livin’ in t’ shoebox at middle o’ motorway.”’
Peter York on Generation O
‘A Bit of Fry & Laurie first intruded into Britain’s front rooms on Boxing Day 1987. It was to be a singularly cerebral affair, studded with select stupidity from start to finish. Their milieu centred on greasy businessmen such as Gordon Inglis and Stuart Marsh or ‘damn’-hollering troubleshooters Peter Sherman and John Barraclough, plus inept espionage clichés Tony Murchison and Control.’
Jem Roberts on Fry and Laurie
‘He was not like other actors. As I researched his biography, and listened to the testament of more than 150 actors, directors and writers, it became apparent that the long, dying fall of his last years contains a salutary, arresting story that – like everything about Gambon – is unique.’
Jasper Rees on Michael Gambon, the subject of his new biography
‘Too little attention has been paid to the weird phenomenon among the young: thirtysomethings now look much younger than twentysomethings.
This is triggered by the Mirror Fallacy and social media. Constant self-surveillance through selfies and video calls, combined with seeing hyper-filtered or AI-generated standards online, distort how youth and ageing are perceived.’
Mary Killen on why wrinkles are more charming than facelifts
All of these brilliant moments in the December edition of The Oldie, and more!
Harry Mount
