Latest news with #GoodLife
Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The Good Life simply wasn't very good
A new documentary is to be screened later this year celebrating 50 years of everybody's favourite 1970s sitcom The Good Life. I will not be joining in with the festivities. During the two-hour show, 85-year-old Penelope Keith, who played the irascible Margo Leadbetter, will revisit some of the original locations, including Kewferry Road in Northwood, which stood in for fictional Acacia Avenue in Surbiton – I can feel your excitement growing. The producers have also promised to recreate some of the creaky old sets – OK, calm down at the back. While I'm all for a bit of nostalgia, do we really need to keep reminding ourselves how innocent TV sitcoms were before alternative comedy took a rubber sledgehammer to anything produced before 1979? 'I'm not watching the bloody Good Life,' screamed an incensed Vivian in an episode of The Young Ones. 'It's so bloody nice… confirming the myth that everyone in Britain is a loveable middle-class eccentric.' I'm afraid I'm with Viv on this one. For me, it wasn't just The Good Life's cardboard sets that wobbled but the entire flimsy concept. Margo and Jerry Leadbetter and their new age neighbours, Tom and Barbara Good (surely one of the weakest title puns ever), were certainly loveable, but they felt more like upper-middle-class Hampstead types than drab suburbanites stuck in dead-end jobs. Margo was supposed to be a middle-class snob with delusions of grandeur, but she looked and sounded like a proper aristocrat with her brusque demeanour and cut-glass accent. Unlike Alison Steadman's brilliant turn as Bev in Abigail's Party, Mike Leigh's tragic take on sweaty middle-class angst, Margo never had the contorted vowels and carefully concealed coarseness that made Bev so excruciatingly authentic. Margo just felt like a dotty dowager who'd accidentally wandered into a house full of naff Dralon furniture. No wonder she looked so fed up. And was anyone surprised when Ms Keith went on to play Lady Fforbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born, a part far more in keeping with her style? Felicity Kendal's Barbara also felt hopelessly out of place with her scrummy head-girl cutesiness and Sloaney-haired confidence – again, hardly your typical Surbiton type. We all fancied Babs, but did anyone believe she had sacrificed everything for the sake of the planet? As for the urbane Jerry, I didn't buy for one moment that he worked for a two-bit company designing plastic toys for cereal packets – it wasn't even an amusing conceit. The late Paul Eddington, a fine actor, imbued Jerry with the easy wit and debonair charm of a country squire or possibly a gentleman sleuth; he'd have made an interesting Bond for sure – but a humble draughtsman from the arse end of south-west London? Gimme a break. And if Felicity Kendal's treacly Barbara and Richard Briers's winsome Tom had been so keen on self-sufficiency, why didn't they just sell up and move to a smallholding in Suffolk? Neither couple appeared to have any children, so what were they even doing festering in the drab 'burbs? Looking back, nothing about the series rang true. The idea that installing a mangy goat and a couple of pigs in a suburban garden meant you never had to go shopping again was for the birds. Speaking of which, Margo would surely have had the Goods evicted on discovering they had named their recently acquired cockerel Lenin. The noise! The politics! No wonder Margo and Jerry became so concerned about their potty neighbours. Imprisoning farmyard animals in unsanitary conditions was surely a matter for the RSPCA. And if I'd been Barbara, I'd have told my penny-pinching hubby where to shove his second-hand loom. In 1975, you could pick up an old jumper from Oxfam for 20p, so why put your wife through the hell of having to weave a new one, which would have cost a lot more anyway? Unless, of course, they were virtue signalling their green credentials to those horribly rapacious neighbours: 'Jerry, I've scoured Bond Street,' as Margo famously lamented. A well-executed stereotype can distil the essence of a character, making them a perfect comedy foil 1970s sitcoms lived or died on the quality of their stereotypes. Warren Mitchell's Alf Garnett was completely believable as a cartoon bigot, as was Leonard Rossiter's absurdly over-the-top landlord Rigsby. John Cleese's portrayal of a middle-class hotelier on the verge of a nervous breakdown wasn't exactly subtle, but we instantly recognised the type. Back then, Brits tended to remain in their silos, only glimpsing how the other half lived via TV sitcoms. I doubt many BBC producers had ever met an actual Albert Steptoe, but Wilfrid Brambell's grotesque interpretation of a rag-and-bone man was real enough to carry a brilliant script. The reason The Good Life characters didn't work was because we couldn't place them properly. Nowadays, of course, we flinch at the idea of stereotypes, assuming they will always be crudely drawn depictions of reality. In fact, a well-executed stereotype can distil the essence of a character, making them a perfect comedy foil. With society becoming increasingly atomised, writers have lost the art of creating believable stereotypes; today, we demand complexity and back stories even from two-dimensional superheroes. The genius of 1970s sitcoms was their ability to hold up a madly distorted but instantly recognisable mirror to the tragicomedy we call life. Unfortunately, The Good Life's situational setting failed to match the comedic stereotypes and therefore failed to tell us much about the human condition. That said, I still giggle whenever I think of Margo going head to head with her nemesis Miss Mountshaft, dictatorial leading light of the local music society. With a name like Mountshaft, perhaps 1970s sitcoms weren't quite as innocent as we like to think.
Fast Company
11-06-2025
- General
- Fast Company
‘Good' vs. ‘bad' snap judgments make you less interesting, philosopher says
How many times have you used the words good or bad today? From checking your weather app to monitoring the progress you've made on your to-do list, to scrolling through social media, opportunities to make snap evaluations abound. And the more you sort things into these categories, the more instinctive making these judgments becomes. You may find yourself filtering everything that comes your way in terms of good or bad. A dark cloud triggers 'bad,' a social media post of baby animals triggers 'good,' a news story about a political scuffle triggers 'bad.' Whether you think something is good or bad, or worthy of a like or not, is an important piece of information. But if that categorization is the only thing that's on your mind, the only lens through which you interpret the world, you'll miss out on a lot. I'm a philosopher who specializes in happiness, well-being and the good life. I study how one's state of mind influences one's experiences of the world. In my recent book, The Art of the Interesting, I explore the ways the evaluative perspective squashes your ability to experience psychological richness and other positive dimensions of life. The more you instinctively react with a 'good' or a 'bad,' the less of the world you take in. You'll be less likely to engage your mind, exercise curiosity and have interesting experiences. Evaluation narrows your mind When you instinctively label something as good or bad, you focus only on the features that make that thing good or bad. You look outside, and all you see is the darkness of the clouds, threatening your plans for the day. You don't notice the cooling shade those clouds create, nor the dramatic ways the wind makes them morph. You don't notice the flowers unfurling, nor the child walking by who is also looking up at the clouds, but with a wide-eyed look of wonder. When snap evaluations reign, you effectively shut yourself off from a wide range of possible experiences. When everything around you is just good or bad, nothing can be perplexing, mysterious, or intriguing. Nothing can be simply new, or simply challenging, or simply stimulating. Nothing is interesting, for your mind has filtered out these possible sources of cognitive engagement. It sees what it expects, and nothing else. Open your mind for more psychological richness Snap evaluations narrow your perspective and limit your mind's potential to connect and engage with other aspects of your experiences. But you can unlock this potential simply by resisting any instinct to judge and instead viewing the world without trying to evaluate what you see. Right away, you'll start to notice more, and you'll activate your mind's internal drives for curiosity and exploration. Freed from the dead-end judgments of good/bad, you can explore what is novel, allow yourself to be challenged, and tackle the complexities inherent to human experiences. Traffic jams can become sources of intrigue, rather than just a bad way to start your day. Delicious meals won't just taste good—they'll spark your curiosity and stimulate your creativity. You'll go from seeing a coworker as difficult and irritating to recognizing them as an individual with human imperfections who's deserving of your compassion. You'll also feel the pains, struggles, and rewards that arise through these mental engagements. You'll experience rich, intense moments and a greater range of emotions. You'll find your life chock-full of unusual and unique experiences with very few instances of boredom and monotony. Over time, your mind will become more adept at finding connections, exercising creativity, and operating from a place of cognitive complexity. You'll start to view the world more holistically, as full of connections waiting to be discovered. All of these are signs that your life has become more psychologically rich. Expand your mind, expand your sense of self Psychological richness and, more generally, experiences of novelty and interestingness are valuable on their own. But there's evidence that they're also important due to their effects on your sense of self. When you engage in new, interesting activities, you not only broaden your horizons and develop fresh perspectives, but you also become more confident in your ability to do whatever comes next. In these ways, you expand your very sense of self. The connection between psychological richness and self-expansion is intuitive. Novel, interesting activities stimulate the mind, challenging it to engage and explore. This process can expand your confidence in your abilities and provide you with a greater sense of control over your environment. As one's sense of self expands, one's very presence within the world shifts. One recent study explored the influence of psychological richness on pro-environmental behavior. While it's common to feel sad, anxious, angry, powerless, and helpless in the face of climate change, developing psychological richness can transform these negative attitudes. Researchers found that people who experience psychological richness were more willing to engage in sustainable activities. They believe this correlation is mediated by self-expansion, which helps subjects feel more confident that their actions would have an impact on the daunting problem of climate change. Cut out good and bad, go for interesting instead Everyone has the capacity to develop a sense of presence and agency in the world that enhances the very experience of life. A habit of snap evaluations inhibits this capacity, but you can train your mind to be more apt to engage and explore.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fiberon Partners With ‘Military Makeover' to Honor Air Force Veteran With Donated Deck
MAUMEE, Ohio, June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiberon Decking recently joined forces with the television program "Military Makeover with Montel®" to build a deluxe deck for a military veteran. The company donated the materials for a 200-square-foot composite deck, creating an outdoor oasis for 20-year Air Force veteran Matt Kosto. "Matt served multiple deployments with the military, and we wanted to show our appreciation for his service and honor those who make the sacrifice to serve their country," said Kate Haws, director, brand communications. "Matt loves spending time outdoors with his family, so giving him a revamped, low-maintenance space to do that is our small way of giving back." The new deck features Fiberon's Good Life composite decking, perfect for creating a casual outdoor living space with an authentic wood look. Built in the color Bungalow from the Good Life Escapes collection, the deck resembles exotic hardwood in a deep, rich brown. Crucial for Kosto's Arizona-based home, the Good Life collection is Class B fire-rated, meaning it is designed to slow the spread of flames, provides an added layer of protection to the property and offers greater peace of mind. Good Life is made with 94% recycled material, combining recycled wood with the long-lasting resilience of recycled plastic. Its durable composite core resists splintering, rotting, cracking, insects and decay, and a three-sided cap layer helps resist staining and fading. The decking is backed by a 30-year performance, stain and fade warranty. As part of the project, Fiberon also provided its CountrySide railing in brown to enclose the deck. CountrySide railing strikes an ideal balance between beauty and strength, featuring an understated satin finish and clever sub-rail reinforcement. Round, matte black aluminum balusters finish the look with a unique contrast. Led by talk show legend, military advocate and veteran Montel Williams, "Military Makeover with Montel®" enlists conscientious designers, contractors, landscapers and other home improvement professionals to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The episode featuring Fiberon's deck for Kosto will air Friday, June 6 on Lifetime TV and American Forces Network. To learn more about Fiberon's full portfolio of decking solutions, visit About Fiberon Fiberon is a leading U.S. manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing and cladding distributed worldwide. Fiberon products are available in a wide range of styles and price points, all designed to respect nature while outperforming it. Fiberon is part of Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: FBIN). Learn more at About Fortune Brands Innovations Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: FBIN), headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., is a brand, innovation and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security and commercial building markets. The Company's growing portfolio of brands includes Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, Emtek, Therma-Tru, Larson, Fiberon, Master Lock, SentrySafe, Yale residential and August. To learn more about FBIN, its brands and environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, visit About Military Makeover with Montel® Military Makeover with Montel®, a BrandStar Original, is America's leading branded reality TV show that offers hope and a helping hand here on the home front to members of our military and their loved ones. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Navy, talk show legend and military advocate Montel Williams, who creatively co-produces the show along with a colorful cast that seeks to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The cast includes co-hosts Art Edmonds and designer Jennifer Bertrand. This special series enlists caring companies of all sizes as well as non-profits and the local community. Military Makeover airs on Lifetime® and on the American Forces Network which serves American servicemen and women, Department of Defense and other U.S. government civilians and their families stationed at bases overseas, as well as U.S. Navy ships at sea. Help starts at home for veterans on Military Makeover. Join us as our makeover team engages to change the living situation – and the lives – of these deserving families. View source version on Contacts Melissa Peterson317-873-8100melissa@ Inicia sesión para acceder a tu portafolio
Business Wire
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Fiberon Partners With ‘Military Makeover' to Honor Air Force Veteran With Donated Deck
MAUMEE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiberon Decking recently joined forces with the television program 'Military Makeover with Montel®' to build a deluxe deck for a military veteran. The company donated the materials for a 200-square-foot composite deck, creating an outdoor oasis for 20-year Air Force veteran Matt Kosto. 'Matt served multiple deployments with the military, and we wanted to show our appreciation for his service and honor those who make the sacrifice to serve their country,' said Kate Haws, director, brand communications. Share 'Matt served multiple deployments with the military, and we wanted to show our appreciation for his service and honor those who make the sacrifice to serve their country,' said Kate Haws, director, brand communications. 'Matt loves spending time outdoors with his family, so giving him a revamped, low-maintenance space to do that is our small way of giving back.' The new deck features Fiberon's Good Life composite decking, perfect for creating a casual outdoor living space with an authentic wood look. Built in the color Bungalow from the Good Life Escapes collection, the deck resembles exotic hardwood in a deep, rich brown. Crucial for Kosto's Arizona-based home, the Good Life collection is Class B fire-rated, meaning it is designed to slow the spread of flames, provides an added layer of protection to the property and offers greater peace of mind. Good Life is made with 94% recycled material, combining recycled wood with the long-lasting resilience of recycled plastic. Its durable composite core resists splintering, rotting, cracking, insects and decay, and a three-sided cap layer helps resist staining and fading. The decking is backed by a 30-year performance, stain and fade warranty. As part of the project, Fiberon also provided its CountrySide railing in brown to enclose the deck. CountrySide railing strikes an ideal balance between beauty and strength, featuring an understated satin finish and clever sub-rail reinforcement. Round, matte black aluminum balusters finish the look with a unique contrast. Led by talk show legend, military advocate and veteran Montel Williams, 'Military Makeover with Montel®' enlists conscientious designers, contractors, landscapers and other home improvement professionals to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The episode featuring Fiberon's deck for Kosto will air Friday, June 6 on Lifetime TV and American Forces Network. To learn more about Fiberon's full portfolio of decking solutions, visit About Fiberon Fiberon is a leading U.S. manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing and cladding distributed worldwide. Fiberon products are available in a wide range of styles and price points, all designed to respect nature while outperforming it. Fiberon is part of Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: FBIN). Learn more at About Fortune Brands Innovations Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: FBIN), headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., is a brand, innovation and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security and commercial building markets. The Company's growing portfolio of brands includes Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, Emtek, Therma-Tru, Larson, Fiberon, Master Lock, SentrySafe, Yale residential and August. To learn more about FBIN, its brands and environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, visit About Military Makeover with Montel® Military Makeover with Montel®, a BrandStar Original, is America's leading branded reality TV show that offers hope and a helping hand here on the home front to members of our military and their loved ones. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Navy, talk show legend and military advocate Montel Williams, who creatively co-produces the show along with a colorful cast that seeks to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The cast includes co-hosts Art Edmonds and designer Jennifer Bertrand. This special series enlists caring companies of all sizes as well as non-profits and the local community. Military Makeover airs on Lifetime® and on the American Forces Network which serves American servicemen and women, Department of Defense and other U.S. government civilians and their families stationed at bases overseas, as well as U.S. Navy ships at sea. Help starts at home for veterans on Military Makeover. Join us as our makeover team engages to change the living situation – and the lives – of these deserving families.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU Good Food Officially Launches in Korea
European culinary excellence arrives in Korea, embracing modern lifestyles and sustainable values SEOUL, South Korea, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 'EU Good Food – Good Life' campaign, funded by the European Union, was officially launched in South Korea, marking the start of its public communication activities in the country. This three-year initiative (2024–2027), co-funded by the EU, aims to introduce and promote premium European agricultural and food products to Korean consumers and professionals across the food, hospitality, and retail sectors. As modern consumers place increasing emphasis on health, food safety, sustainability, and transparent sourcing, EU Good Food brings a timely message: every meal is a meaningful choice for better living – in health, in values, and in responsibility to the planet. European quality – a standard, not a luxury The campaign is spearheaded by two leading agricultural organizations from the EU: UPEMI – The Union of Producers and Employers of the Meat Industry (Poland) ASIAC – The Association of Agricultural Cooperatives of Imathia (Greece) The campaign showcases a curated portfolio of high-quality products that reflect the best of European agriculture and food heritage: European beef and pork from Poland – produced under stringent EU standards, without growth hormones, in fully traceable and welfare-conscious systems Fresh European kiwis and canned peaches from Greece – grown in the Mediterranean sun using sustainable farming practices that preserve both nutrition and natural flavor Each product featured in the campaign meets the EU's highest benchmarks for food safety, traceability, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability - delivering superior – a discerning market, rich in potential South Korea is among the most dynamic and quality-conscious consumer markets in Asia. Korean consumers are shifting from brand-driven decisions toward products with verified origins, ethical production, and sustainability credentials. The EU Good Food – Good Life campaign is well-aligned with these evolving preferences, offering food choices that reflect a modern, mindful, and globally connected lifestyle. Upcoming activities – bringing Europe closer to Korean consumers In the coming months, the campaign will roll out a variety of activities to increase visibility, engagement, and public awareness in Korea. These efforts will help introduce both the project and the featured products to a wider audience through interactive experiences, educational content, and curated outreach initiatives designed to inspire trust and long-term connection with European food culture. Good Food, Good Life – a shared vision 'EU Good Food – Good Life' is more than a campaign — it's a shared commitment to healthy living, cultural appreciation, and responsible consumption. Through the power of food, the campaign aims to build bridges between Europe and Korea, connecting tradition and innovation, taste and trust. Experience the taste of Europe. Choose better. Live better — starting with what's on your plate. For more information, please visit: Media contact: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
