The Sun-Herald

The Tribal Mind: Clever or just a passing phrase?

To discuss what Australia history our kids should learn, go to Who We Are

by David Dale
HOW you doin? Note the italics in the middle. Those three words provoked a small punchup between this column and some of its readers. The argument was over whether it's a classic example of clever screenwriting, worthy of celebration at this year's Emmy Awards ceremony, or merely a catchphrase hallowed by repetition.

The fight started when I asked readers to nominate memorable dialogue from Australian television (here), then lamented that most of the suggestions ("What's that, Skip?"; "Leave the money on the fridge"; "Puck you, Miss"; "Look at moiye"; "She goes, she goes"; "Game on, moll") were more in the nature of catchphrases than clever writing (here).

Some readers wrote to complain that when I introduced the topic, I had given "How you doin?" as an example of the kind of writing that is being celebrated at the Emmys. They objected that this pickup line used by Joey Tribbiani in Friends was just a catchphrase.

For me, the line, accompanied by a leer, encapsulates Joey's character - his lustfulness, his stupidity, his vanity, and his attitude to women. It turned into a catchphrase precisely because brevity is the soul of wit.

Other readers took up the challenge and sent these examples from 52 years of Australian TV writing:

"Are you trying to feel me up?" "No, I just mistook your boob for an M and M." (The Secret Life of Us)

"There's an ancient current affairs recipe my grandmother gave me: take any story, add sex and stir." (Frontline)

"Get your head out of your date, Bill. Where are my hookers?" (Stingers)

"You're my second best friend. You can't be my best friend. Brian's my best friend!" (The Mavis Bramston Show)

Kim: "I've got the concept for the new kitchen. We've decided we want solid monogamy!" Kath: "Oh no, monogamy's so old fashioned. You just need a veneer of monogamy. That's all people care about". (Kath and Kim)

"This beer is gonna taste so good I'll probably have another." (Police Rescue)

"You don't know whether you're Siddartha or Martha." (Love My Way)

"Dick Smith is currently fighting a court battle with Arnott's. They've accused him of ripping off their Tim Tam range of biscuits with his own TempTins. This is not the first time Dick's done this to Arnott's. If I could draw your attention to Exhibit B: Arnott's very popular Scotch Fingers. This is Dick Smith's slightly less popular Scotch Thumbs. Not quite as long and not so many.
"Here's another one. Arnott's Gaiety biscuits. Here's Dick Smith's: Homosexuality biscuits. It's your choice and a perfectly valid one. And I used to love these as a kid -- Arnott's Iced Vovos. Here's Dick's: Miced Volvos. That one doesn't even make any sense." (Micallef)

Have a look at the Emmys today and be inspired or appalled. Then go to Comments to send us more examples of Australian creativity.

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). To discuss Australian attitudes, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.