Rotten & Reynebeau: What Makes Britain Great

Rotten & Reynebeau: What Makes Britain Great
Canvas, Belgian TV, October-November 2005

5 part series for Belgian TV.

Johnny’s back home, but only for a holiday, and he’s brought some guests… Historian Marc Reynebeau, a Belgian TV crew, and a mad dog Englishman travel round the UK to find out “what makes Britain great?”

Far more than just a travel guide ‘Reynebeau & Rotten’ takes look at being British, and explores our history, culture and future from an outsiders and insiders point of view. And who better to take a sideways look at Britain than one of its official “Great Britons”.

Episode 1: British History
John and Marc begin their quest at Windsor Castle, only to find the gates firmly shut. They go boating on The Thames, then go in search of King Arthur in Glastonbury (“Arise Sir Plonk!”). Next is a trip to Bath; where they find it to be little more than a Victorian Vegas. They finish off in Somerset with a refreshing drink, or two… So is it Pimms or Scrumpy? Both of course.

Episode 2: British Science
What better place to learn about British Science than Oxford, maybe we’ll get to find out just what Newton was really up to under that tree. Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare and Richard III are next on the agenda. Then it’s time for revolution; industrial revolution. ‘Child Slaves’, Steam Trains and Penny Farthings: Rotten style!

Episode 3: British Culture
John goes Banana’s in Liverpool with a bunch of old records, and takes in an Art Gallery. Then it’s time for the experience that is Blackpool! While sampling the delights of Blackpool John talks to Elsie, a lovely old lady who has holidayed there every year for nearly 80 years. John and Marc then career over the border to Scotland, and travel to Glasgow; where they meet author Irvine Welsh and have a good old British moan.

Episode 4: The Empire
John finds himself right at home at Stirling Castle in Scotland. ‘Anarchy in the UK’ accompanied by Bagpipes? “Proper British Culture!” The pair then cross the divide of Hadrian’s Wall where John learns to ride a Nag while Mark talks to a tin can. Coal mining in Wakefield and a trip to Winston Churchill’s childhood home are also featured, plus John takes Marc for a traditional British curry in Glasgow…

Episode 5: Postmodern Great Britain
In the final part of their journey our cultural explorers travel to London. John takes Marc on a tour of his old manor in Finsbury Park, bumping into a few friendly locals along the way. The pair then take a ride in a London Taxi to discuss the capital’s architecture and the Monarchy; amongst many other things. While John talks to BBC Sport about his beloved Arsenal, Marc goes to a Hindu Temple, then lands himself in court. Just goes to prove he’s had a good teacher.

So is Britain still Great? Of course it is… And what makes Britain great? “The people. The people…”

See the archive October 2005 JohnLydon.Com interview for more ‘Rotten & Reynebeau’ info…

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