Adverts as the Brits Call Them

When we are in our Vandoeuvres, Switzerland home, we have access to many more British stations than we do when we are in the South of France. We enjoy the English shows, including mysteries.

Midsomer Murders* is a favorite, almost. There have been 140 programs in the series. Usually there are three murders. Since a majority of the shows have three victims, my husband and I joke that no one would want to live there in the tiny, idyllic village of Causton if there were over 400 murders. Most of the population would be wiped out. Those remaining would be in a constant state of mourning. Even Chicago's 2024 murder rate was only 21. 

The villages, the characters, scenery and the amazing number of festivals for the small community are fun to watch, to put a positive spin on it. 

When I was recovering from cancer after chemo, I often fell asleep somewhere between the second and third murder and my husband had to tell me whodunit the next morning.

ITV often repeats the shows and doesn't necessarily show them in order. Last night's was from Season 4. It wasn't that enjoyable, not because of the program but the number of adverts or pub. Every few lines, or so it seemed there was another advert, many repeated so often it is almost possible to mouth the words along with the announcer. A sample:

• A pretty woman, wrapped in a towel, takes a shower. She leaves the shower still wearing the towel which is dry. Her hair is also dry which maybe why she has a simpering smile.
• A request for money to help poor mistreated donkeys (worthwhile cause)
• A request for money to help mistreated animals, mainly dogs and cats (worthwhile cause)
• An insurance company featuring an opera singer with a curly mustache 
• A funeral plan (not eligible)
• A river cruise (pretty stops)
• Children in Africa with eye problems (sometimes cleft palates)
•  A wheelchair
•  A chair where one can push back
•  A method to buy a car without leaving one's home 

The one advantage to the many interruptions, is that it is possible to:

• Put the evening meal's dishes away
• Get clothes ready for the next day
• Get a snack including making popcorn
• Do misc. chores

I know advertising pays for programming. It feels as if the program is disturbing the pub. It makes me want to switch to Netflix or pick up a book.  

*Midsomer Murders is also available on a French station, but we are lazy -- if we can get English we do. In either case we would use the subtitle feature. Sometimes the English-English is hard to understand.