Using “Doable Barkers” in a comic context here?
JCR
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I just got to thinking here, being 4.38am and all; “Doable Barkers” a phrase John Nathan-Turner apparently used to describe teenagers who might be willing to have sex with him because he was producer of Doctor Who, and a phrase I fear we may hear a lot of this year.
So, do y'all think it's okay to take the piss and describe things as Doable Barkers on this very board, and in general in comic contexts? I might be tempted to, as my sense of humour is fairly dark, but I don't really want to offend everyone. I've used the phrase "ming mongs" here before, but that to me feels like an inclusive term, meaning everybody here, therefore not really offensive, where as “Doable Barkers” seems to have something darker going on.
In any case I'm probably thinking about this too deeply, but would be interested to hear opinions, if there are any.
So, do y'all think it's okay to take the piss and describe things as Doable Barkers on this very board, and in general in comic contexts? I might be tempted to, as my sense of humour is fairly dark, but I don't really want to offend everyone. I've used the phrase "ming mongs" here before, but that to me feels like an inclusive term, meaning everybody here, therefore not really offensive, where as “Doable Barkers” seems to have something darker going on.
In any case I'm probably thinking about this too deeply, but would be interested to hear opinions, if there are any.
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Doable barker
Would that be as in 'barking mad'?
That's my guess.
The first thing that's most important to stress here, is that "doable barkers" does not refer to teenagers, but to fans that JNT and Gary Downie considered exactly that. Yes, some of them may have been teenagers, but many targetted were also
young men.
Secondly, to bring it to your thoughts, I think it's an expression fandom is going to be stuck with from now on, along with
Ming-Mongs. W'll have to live with it.
Personally, I was once ear-marked out as a potential for Gary Downie's 'affections' in 2002 or 2003, although I should stress nothing came of it, and he was jusy enquiring through a mutual contact. Some days - most, probably - I might find having the badge of "doable barker" funny, especially now I know what it was called, yet other times, I might not. I understand some people might have worse experiences themselves, and feel it's off-limits as a joke.
As the Doctor once said, to paraphrase Battlefield from memory, "high drama is like comedy. It all depends on the timing!"
Just judge it on a case-by-case basis, maybe?
Hope that helps?
Yarp. That's exactly what Downie called the fans, so by extension, I'm presuming so did JNT.
Nice to feel respected lol
Both, it seems to me, betray a certain attitude, a lack of respect, towards and belittling of those who are fans of their work.
Perhaps I'm betraying my age, but "m_ng" used to be a very derogatory word in my childhood and today is highly non-PC.
Personally, I try to stay away from name calling unless it's joking and I'm pretty sure the "victim" won't take it as malicious.
Don't do to others what you wouldn't like done to you.
It seems the term means something totally different to what I thought it would.
I am thinking the term was probably used ( by them at least) before it became associated with Doctor Who fans. It probably meant anyone crazy/mad/obsessive etc. who you would still think are attractive enough to 'bang', despite the possible bunny boiler aspects to their character, which may lead to some unpleasantness afterwards. OR- would still think are attractive enough to 'bang', despite the otherwise 'square-ness' of their general character?
But you'd be pushing your luck with Ronnie Barker...