In which I fail to get on Norwegian TV

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Walking home at top speed (because it is cold, and I am cold) a bearded chap with a sensible hat and a camera on a tripod (Canon, expensive) stops me. Do I have time, he says, to answer a few questions for Norwegian TV? I am an obliging sort so I say yes. Ask chap where he is from – Oslo. I know Oslo. Make swift mental note that have been to Oslo sculpture park, which is the only Oslo fact a brain fresh from dealing with proofreading since 0700 can come up with. Who knows whether or not this little nugget of experience might come in handy?

Make further mental scramble to work out what Norwegian TV might be asking about if it's not the sculpture park, and while he is fiddling with camera and we are both avoiding someone intent on running down anyone in their way with their mobility scooter, plump for EU and our forthcoming referendum and marshal what I hope will be sparkling British opinions, fresh from the East Midlands, on my view on the EU. (Stay in, if you’re interested.)

Interviewer: You live in Kettering?

Internal me: Easy one to start with.
Me: Yes.

Interviewer: And what is Kettering famous for?

Internal me: God – what? Shoes? Is anyone in Norway interested in Kettering’s long ago and now sadly defunct place in the shoe industry? Probably not.
Me: I’m really not sure.
Internal me: HELP ME HERE.

 Interviewer: Do you like football?

Internal me: Are you kidding? I make active efforts to avoid it.
Me: Not my thing, I’m afraid.

Interviewer: Did you know Kettering has a football team?

Internal me: Yes, but what has that to do with anything?
Me: Yes.

Interviewer: Do you know how they’re doing?

Internal me: Look, I said football isn’t my thing. I have no idea. I have no idea how any team is doing. Is it so badly Norwegian TV have heard of it? 
Me: Absolutely no idea, I’m afraid.

Interviewer: Do you know what they’re famous for?

Internal me: Absolutely not a clue. 
Me: Absolutely not a clue.

Interviewer: Did you know they were the first team to have a sponsored shirt, 40 years ago?

Internal me: WTAF? I mean, what? 
Me: Gosh, no.

Interviewer: Thanks, that was brilliant.


Head off on my way. Once across the road, I turn round and the interviewer is still where I left him, asking someone else to stop. I think we both hope that this time, he’s found someone who has a bit more idea about the great and glorious history of Kettering football than me. 

Comments

Val said…
Love it!
:o)
18 January 2016 at 22:22
Anonymous said…
They must have been doing soemthing about sponsorship in football. I wouln't have done much better on my local teams. I think one of them is in the premiership, but I couldn't swear to it.
19 January 2016 at 00:28
Jane Badger said…
It was probably the most random thing I have been asked. I think I have one of those faces that looks as though it at least won't bite the questioner's head off, because I'm often stopped and asked for directions (even when I am in the middle of somewhere I have never been before). I looked Kettering up on Wikipedia, and they were indeed the first football team to feature a sponsor's name on their shirts (Kettering Tyres). The FA got very cross about it, but now appear to have given way completely in the name of commercialism.
19 January 2016 at 07:28
-blessed holy socks said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
11 April 2016 at 18:08
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
28 April 2016 at 06:42
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