Mary Beard is marvellous

[TheYuleLogLady]

i love her. i want to go to pompeii and sare a botle of wine with hr.

Regarding AAG-

Well done MaryB

Having read 'Mr Scatological's 'writing' in Sunday's 'Times', I think you've sent him off with his tiny inadequate little tail tucked firmly between his legs. His views (like his writing) remain as firmly petrified as Pompeiian remains.

Has he booked his seminar with you yet?

BTW MaryB

Would you consider doing something similar about Sardinia? It has such an interesting past and we don't read or see very much about the island compared to others in the region.

I have deliberately just searched MN for anything on Mary Beard as it's been on TV. Thought there was bound to be something somewhere
It's taken me ages cos I don't want to miss her wisdom.

I have been watching the programme and I think she's great! Informative, enthusiastic, humorous and intelligent - she's amazing.

She comes across as a nice person who obviously loves her subject and enjoys telling the stories behind what we can see now.

I have never been to Rome but I have always had a vague hankering to learn Latin, but now I really really want to be able to.

The uptight-seeming Italians have made me chuckle as they (on camera at least) seem uncomfortable when faced with Mary's English eccentric/animated way of speaking. They have all looked completely wooden and uninteresting next to her.

So nice to hear she's on MN too

Aw no! Italians are lovely - really warm and vibrant. DH has spent a lot of time there over the years and found them so welcoming and hospitable. I didn't notice the discomfort you speak of; perhaps it's just because they observe the conventions of politeness more than we do now.

That was another brilliant programme - completely absorbing. It's made me yearn to go to Rome while also regretting that E in Latin A Level even more than I did already.

Mary - if you're still here - those Pompeii shots reminded me of the Robert Harris book, which I must reread. Did you enjoy it? And the Cicero ones?

How very odd. I saw this thread title and i thought 'oh yes. I think mary beard is simply marvelous too' and then whwt do i find? A thread started by me 2000 years ago when i was TheLogLady still think you are marvelous mary and thoroughly love your program.

Now i'm off to rename myself Obstetrix. And to apply to do classics. And have some wine.

She's completely marvellous! and me and DH have really enjoyed her very interesting programmes and I luff that she's a MNer! Really engaging and I hope we see lots more programmes from her!

There are no words

I cannot believe that woman, I really can't. Mary Beard is worth ten Samantha Bricks.

Enjoyed the programme last night . I'd have loved to see more of the finds from inside the houses, maybe photos of the excavations. Hard to visualise when they're cleared out...

I see the DM have hired Brick to do some more trolling for them. As any fule kno, the best way to deal with trolls is to ignore them.

Samantha Brick has all the charm of a brick.

Mary Beard, however has such passion for her subject, that any TV programme that she makes will be a treat to watch.

As last nights was.

thanks for answering re the Miss World discussion, Mary.

Last night's was great. Anyone else get overemotional about the cradle with the baby skeleton in it?

Poor Samantha Brick, what a way to earn a living - writing articles that set her up to be sneered at by the readers.

Worzelswife

After clicking on that link, can I just say that in her photo, Mary looks glowing.

Mary's photo shows a vibrant, fulfilled, eclectic, intelligent beautiful woman who is respected by so many of us. Her picture embodies self respect and dignity.

As for The photo of the other woman - SB (cannot bring myself to write her name thus adding to her google profile).....I cannot say it shows the same. Look closely at SB's eyes. Am I the only person to see insecurity and a lack of conviction in them?

Mary, loved the latest series, loved you. Hope they have you lined up to present more shows in the future.

God La Brick has almost got me foaming at the mouth. Can she be serious? Do we really want our TV presented by bimbo's the entire time? What a superficial world we live in. I think Mary looks great, seems fun and presents a fascinating programme. Why on earth would she not have the right to be on TV. She is definitely not ugly and even if she was it shouldn't matter - we're not watching the X factor for gots sake. I'm very sad if Brick and AA Gill are representative of the majority of people out there. It shows the warped values of the world we live in today

Ohhhh, the cradle with the baby skeleton in it

I hope Mary realises that she is a pioneer - and takes any pathetic comments on her appearance in that context. The DM is a disgrace publishing articles like the one by Samantha Brick - all she is really saying is that there should be no women presenters on telly over the age of say 40. It's been like that for too long! Women should be properly represented throughout their life-times. Glad to hear your producer was supporting you and championing the cause.

Of course it should be about The Romans and how they lived ! But actually maybe the issue of real women presenters is just as important.
Mary, you're a great role model to both me and my daughter ! Be strong, and don't be put off - what you are doing is very valuable

SB negates her own argument. She makes the claim that male presenters have 'work' done to render them more visually appealing and that this is regarded by them as essential. She then compares Mary Beard's viewing figures with those of 'The Hairy Bikers- bakeathon' claiming that her viewing figures are low compared to this show and the reason for this is her 'lack' of grooming.

Can somebody illuminate me as to precisely what work, Dave and Si might have had so as to maximise their appeal seeing as SB deems this an essential requirement of all presenters?

BTW - I do not have a problem with how Dave and Si look. I merely wish to highlight the illogicality of SB's views.

Mary is fabulous! Brilliant presenter and academic. I was moved to tears at the cradle piece. So well brought to life, and I love Marys style. Exactly what I aspire to when I am a little older than I am now.

Just posted this on the other thread, but wanted to add my support here, after another fascinating programme:

YY please don't give the DM anymore site traffic- she is Trolling for clicks. Waste of Space.

The reason why The Romans doesn't get as many viewers as the Hairy Bikers, is not because of looks but because of subject. We have a food programme obsession in the UK, not a classical history obsession. Mary Beard's programmes go a long way in popularising and making history accessible (as have the fantastic Horrible histories for children), but to claim poor viewing figures due to the presenter's appearance is shallow minded to say the least (oh, but sorry SB wrote the article, so why expect more?!)

I congratulate SB's success - quite an achievement to write for the highest trafficking news website in the UK and oe of the most read in the western world. But she has sold her soul, and will be used and then spat out by them. A hollow victory for her if she feels such things.

Seashells

Yes, I understand that to compare two such different genres via viewing figures/ target audience is unreliable.

What I wanted to highlight was the illogical reasoning behind SB's view. I didn't want to make a negative comment about anybodies appearance though- be they male or female. i just wanted to highlight how Si and Dave are 'allowed' to be natural beauties!

I do disagree though about SB's 'achievement' though. It's always easier to gain editorial space when writing negatively, spitefully and controversially - that's facile controversy, not thoughtful debate.

Yes I agree with you. My point regarding writing for the mail, is not that I respect that at all (I hate the Mail), or that I think she has written anything to be proud of. I just always see people saying on debates like these "women bringing women down" etc, so I made the point that Great, she write for a mainstream paper, shame it is shite.

Much love for Mary here too. She is perfect for this programme and I look forward to seeing more of her on our screens.

Seashells

I hear you .

How sad that spiteful op-eds pay more.

What a cracking thread!

I am another Mary lover jumping on the bandwagon. I love this series. I normally am ambivalent about documentaries (especially the ones with acted HISTORICAL RE ENACTMENTS ) but this one proves that there is no need for gimmickry, just an engaging, warm and knowledgeable presenter. The whole thing is absolutely fantastic.

I've said this on the other thread, but doesn't anyone else get the feeling that Samantha Brick isn't actually real, and that she's just an elaborate Daily Fail wind-up?