Hello hello hello – sorry for the sudden silence yesterday. No complications with the crown prince after his procedure but rather a visitor who came at 2pm and left at 11.30pm 😁. And I had had such high hopes and big plans for yesterday. I was going to watch Hannibal 3×11 and then write the re-watch post. Well, that didn’t happen 😂. I am not sure how fast I am going to be with the re-watch today, so to tide us over, I looked into the RAmantic past again.
It’s actually not that easy finding a post in my archive of tumblr overkill. Just so you get a vague idea, here is a look at *my* tumblr archive for only *one* month in 2012.
Well, in fact what you see above in the screen shot is only 1/8 of what is in my archive for September 2012! Of course it is in the nature of tumblr that stuff re-appears double, triple, multiple times. And because tumblr is a microblogging platform, most of the content is actually not created by *me* but simply reblogged. But well, in any case, the screen shot belies the frantic need to talk about RA, to gush, to fangirl, to drool, to entertain, to get distracted and to distract others. So there you have, Armitage Army newbies – good old guylty was a newbie once and couldn’t get enough of RA…
So, anyway, finding some re-post-worthy stuff in the rabbit hole that is a tumblr archive, is difficult. This is only a small bit, but I laughed again and thought that this is so obscure that there is a high chance many of the readers here may not have seen it. Because – you have to look hard… 😂 But then hard it will also hit.
This is, as you can imagine, a tiny scene in the background of the shot, afaik from one of the Hobbit vlogs posted by Sir Peter Jackson in 2012. Prior to release of TH . The gif in question is rather blurry. In case you haven’t quite copped what we are talking about – you see Richard doing some weird, crazy jumping in the background. Whether he is dry-cycling in which case I would like to be the bike between his thighs or doing some exaggerated ballet moves, it is just hilarious. My take was always (as you can see in my tumblr post above), that RA was being silly and clowning around, something that I love to see him doing. The man is usually so eager to be serious, it just warms my heart when he lets go and is simply the way he is. Which apparently occasionally includes being a bit of a prankster, clown or joker. Oh, and not to mention that self-deprecating humour. That is just full-on sexy – someone who laughs sustains my interest more than someone who only has one facial expression. Even if the latter is a full-on smoulder.
Anyway, we’ll probably never know what exactly *he* was doing there. *But* Graham McTavish is in on it, too. He is also doing some suspicious arm and leg movements. Were they dry-flying? Learning the breast-stroke? No sniggering here, ladies, I was talking about swimming not foreplay! We will never find out. Unless we ask McTavish to explain to us what was going on – he is probably the one most likely to answer a fan question to that effect… 😉. What do you think RA was doing? And why? And what do you think about grown men clowning around? A sign of being young and full of life – or being silly and unprofessional?
Let me know in the comments.
This post is so delightful as I sit here in my freezing office this morning!! I think the set was light hearted and maybe they were letting loose for the day. Are those Peter Jackson’s kids? So glad the crown prince (cute name!!) is doing well. How are you doing?
LikeLike
Where do you see kids, Michele? Do you mean the two women in the shot? They were costume designers or something like that. (Aside: Jackson’s kids actually did appear in his films, and his daughter was definitely also in The Hobbit. She also accompanied him to various premieres all over the world…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I thought those two up front with The Armitage leprachauning in the back where Jackson’s children! It looked really fun and exciting and relaxed so that makes me smile!!! He needs to be on more sets like that.
LikeLike
I reckon he is actually someone who needs a while to warm up and relax… The mammoth TH project combined with the super-relaxed and informal kiwis around him every day probably are a once-in-a-lifetime circumstance…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dwarf boot camp probably helped.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yup, that’s what I mean. He was there for a long time, bonding with his co-dwarves… smelling their sweatiness… and whatever other crude things they had to endure together. (The mind boggles…) No wonder there was no sense of decorum anymore…
LikeLiked by 3 people
In Mrs. Bennet‘s disdainful voice: “These men are wild and not at all couth!”
LikeLike
LOL – “uncouth” – that is such a British word…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I looooooove it!!
LikeLike
Yep, definitely a cool word!
LikeLike
I’m chuffed about the word uncouth!! 😘👍👏👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s right!! He probably really came into his own thru that!!!
LikeLike
I love adorkable Armitage, but you know that. Fantastic silliness. More please!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also—breaststroke. Bwahahah!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been told by readers that my strikethroughs are the best bits of my blogs *hahaha*
@Michele – there we go, this is one of those “pithy” remarks of mine 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh no the strikethroughs are hysterical and to be honest are one of the most endearing parts of the blog post usually. I love your train of thought then strikethrough but still the train of thought is there. That is cute and clever not pithy. Pithy is Dimwit Dana and her stab at Richard last summer.
LikeLike
Actually, I think I understand what you mean. There *is* a difference between cheeky but generally benign fun – and nasty pithiness. THanks, Michele xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dana is still getting owned for that on Twitter and not to be snarky (höhö, who am I kidding), but it’s giving me life!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Is she??? Oh class – I haven’t checked it out. Maybe I should.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I see it by accident. I didn’t block her and so occasionally I look at RA Twitter and someone just slams her. The other day she tweeted something snarky about the Cummerbund Sherlock and someone replied this:
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂What a great reply. And I just looked through her TL and I can just say: inane. As well as obviously deeply insecure (judging by the need to post sexy outfit images). Really annoying, especially as I do not doubt that she is a clever woman who has the chuzpah to stand over controversial opinions. But well, seems like her book title is her motto.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s brilliant. She’s ignorant-she is someone (hmmm) that thinks they are so smart and really is clueless.
LikeLike
She’s Dana Dimwit) a total asshole so I hope people are still pithying back at her.. sorry grrrrr
LikeLike
Hehehe, ok, you have been warned. There could easily be more where this came from… Just give me time. (And the need to fill the blog with posts…)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Bring it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kate and Guylty: Here they go again!!!! Nordlicht where are you???
LikeLike
The Mute Twins are at it again *rofl*
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice to read and you two are so adroit and quick on the draw…
LikeLiked by 1 person
a puppet drinking tea? at first I thought he was sitting down and fell off his stool 😆 as for your closing question of what do I think of grown men clowning around, I think you know the answer to that: I’m all for it! playfulness is a must for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Huh???? A puppet drinking tea? Where is the puppet? And who is drinking tea??? You’ve lost me.
Glad to hear you’re also susceptible to adorbsitage!
LikeLike
the goofy movements he’s doing reminds me of a puppet on strings trying to drink a cup of tea 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, now I get it 😂And you are absolutely right, now that I look at it again. So who was pulling his strings, one wonders???
LikeLike
This gif STILL makes me laugh!
LikeLike
This one and the fish gifs: https://goo.gl/images/nN9QEw
https://goo.gl/images/YkZQze
LikeLiked by 4 people
That is, that’s… 😂😂😂
LikeLike
*grins* especially the second one is… interesting and open to expression… what was he reacting to, what was he thinking, what was he saying…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. One wonders… 🤔
LikeLike
*coughs* Well, exhibit A for Michele re. cheeky-crude Armitage humour…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yup. You know that wasn’t benign.
LikeLike
LOL no no no – not what I meat… I meant that the gesture of finger-into-fishmouth was crude!!!! *Your* comment was absolutely legit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I meant as well. His cheeky look confirms that the conversation is not benign.
LikeLike
Oh, ooops. Getting wires crossed here. 🙈
LikeLike
Written communications. 🤷🏻♀️
You can just imagine a filthy remark for that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fish gif is hands down my fave
LikeLike
Which fish gif? Throwing or fishmouth?
LikeLike
Throwing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first one! Omg I never noticed the finger in the fishes mouth before! Euw!
LikeLike
LOL – yep, cheeky cheeky Armitage… *tuttuttut*
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a wee bit gross, especially with the gurning face !
LikeLike
I think his face is just the funniest thing. Whatever is he trying to communicate there. And why?
LikeLike
Dirty old man face!
LikeLike
Das müssen aufregende Zeiten gewesen sein… Leider hatte ich damals keinen Schimmer, dass es RA überhaupt gab. Ich beneide euch.
Vielleicht probieren die Herren aus, wie beweglich sie in ihren Zwergenunterkleidern sind oder sie haben einfach zu viel Energie und wissen (mal wieder) nicht wohin damit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Genau Elanor genau!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ach was, nix zu beneiden. Es ist doch für alle immer gleich aufregend, egal wann sie anfangen. Und sieh es mal so – wer später anfängt, hat das Glück, einen viel größeren Back Catalogue durchgehen zu können!
Übrigens finde ich deine Erklärung der “Tanzeinlage” höchst amüsant. Köstliche Vorstellung
LikeLiked by 1 person
Die vielen Extras und Anhänge, die PJ quasi als Fanservice mit den DVDs lieferte, sind wirklich ein wahrer Schatz. Ich kenne sonst keine andere Produktion bei der das in dieser Fülle und Ausführlichkeit der Fall ist. Ohne dieses Filmmaterial wäre ich nicht auf RA aufmerksam geworden. Ich habe ihn hinter den Kulissen des Hobbits entdeckt, sozusagen…
LikeLike
Echt? Das finde ich ja mal eine interessante Origin Story! Ich hätte mir ja die ganzen Vlogs gar nicht angeguckt, wenn RA nicht dabei gewesen wäre…
LikeLike
Na ja, ich bin etwas besessen vom Herrn der Ringe und und verschlinge grundsätzlich alles, was damit zusammenhängt… ausführlich… mehrfach…
Ich war entzückt mit welcher Hingabe sich diese Leute in Neuseeland der Verfilmung meiner Lieblingswelt widmeten und so kam eins zum anderen. 🙂
LikeLike
Toll – und dann auch noch Richard als der Ober-nerd, der sich da richtig gut auskannte. Da ist mir gleich klar, warum er unwiderstehlich auf dich wirkte. Ich mein, auf uns Non-Tolkienites hat ja allein schon der Schlafzimmerblick in der Anfangsszene gewirkt, aber für einen echten Ring-er ist Richard natürlich nicht nur Augenweide, sondern auch richtig Seelenfreund.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dazu kam, dass ich den ersten Film im Kino natürlich nur auf Deutsch gesehen habe und so traf mich seine Stimme in den untertitelten Anhängen mitten ins Herz. Die Stimme ist für mich ein nicht unerheblicher Teil des Gesamtpaketes. So ist er quasi “schuld”, dass ich heute viele Filme in englischer Sprache schauen kann. Ich habe mich hauptsächlich seinetwegen da hineingearbeitet. Es ist nämlich schlichtweg unmöglich, “North and South” synchronisiert zu gucken. So schrecklich, da geht jeglicher Charme verloren.
LikeLike
Das ist ein sehr guter Punkt, Elanor. Und ich gestehe, ich habe das auch noch nie durchstehen müssen, Richard auf dem Bildschirm aber ohne seine Stimme. Das wäre in der Tat wohl eher gruselig.
LikeLike
I am chiming in here sorry-that is BS3 Ep 7 to a T what you just described!! Spooky indeed!
LikeLike
Das schlimme Schicksal blieb mir Gott sei Dank auch erspart. Ich schaue grundsätzlich nur unter Androhung von Strafe Filme in Synchronisation. Ich weiß gar nicht, wer RA bei uns spricht.
LikeLike
Ich hab mal gegoogelt… In Filmen spricht Torben Liebrecht Richards Rollen. In Serien/TV sind es verschiedene andere Herren. Schon mal sehr verwirrend. Von Liebrecht gibt es hier https://www.media-paten.com/sprecherkartei/bekannte-synchronsprecher/richard-armitage/ eine Sprechprobe als Thorin. Nun hat Herr Liebrecht keine schlechte Stimme, aber so ganz der vollmundige Bariton, den wir von Richard gewöhnt sind, ist das leider nicht… Daniel Miller wird wiederum von Sven Gerhardt gesprochen – mir auch ein bisschen zu hell: https://www.sprecherdatei.de/sprecher/sven_gerhardt.php Kurzum: an die samtweiche Stimme von RA kommt eh keiner ran.
LikeLike
Siehste, verschieden Stimmen machen mich schon allein gaga.
LikeLike
Finde ich auch ziemlich Panne. Ist aber wahrscheinlich dann auch wieder dem relativen Bekanntheitsgrad (in Deutschland) geschuldet 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ja, ist schon nachvollziehbar aber für Fans extrem lästig. Aber das kommt ja mitunter sogar bei Stars wie Clooney gelegentlich vor. Daher mein Motto: “Original is best, forget the rest!“
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolut richtig. Funktioniert bei englischsprachigem Original meistens ja auch ganz gut. Nur bei anderen Sprachen bin ich selber meistens nicht so der Fan von Untertiteln und Originalstimme…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Zum Glück schaue ich meist Sachen die OT English sind, also kein Problem.
LikeLike
Hier auch. Bis auf gestern – da habe ich mal OT Deutsch geguckt: Deutschland 86.
LikeLike
Put a bunch of guys in a room wearing fat suits and hilarity ensues! This is exactly what I loved about those BTS vlogs that PJ captured. We got to see glimpses of spontaneous silliness and unrestrained exuberance. Adorkable Armitage is always a treat and it was a great antidote to all that Thorin broodiness 😉 And wow! Your fangirling was impressive back then. Were you blogging at this point?
LikeLiked by 4 people
Those vlogs were a god-send in those days, anyway. I mean, those actors were gone for two years, and if SPJ hadn’t vlogged, we would’ve been in a complete vacuum…
Well, my fangirling looks more impressive than it was. It was basically just posting pretty pictures adding pithy comments… And no, I hadn’t started the Guylty blog yet. That really only started proeprly in 2014 when I got into making the shrines…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty pictures with pithy comments? So, my Twitter basically. 😘😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
*exactly* Good company, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
#best
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh SPJ? Your comments are never pithy.. clever, cute, cheeky not pithy…
LikeLike
Sir Peter Jackson… LOL, sometimes the cheeky is very close to crude…
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thank goodness it is!!! I’m sure The Armitage has his moments of cheeky crudeness too!!
LikeLike
Oh totally. Quite a few come to mind. Toilet humour, sword sizes, pocket contents…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wenn er das hinterher sieht, ist ihm das sicher total peinlich. Bestimmt errötet er höchst ansehnlich, *grins*
Ich finde es sympathisch, dass er sich manchmal einfach hinreißen lässt. Er ist oft so ernst und kontrolliert, da finde ich seine selten dokumentierten Anfälle von Albernheit sehr erfrischend.
LikeLike
Genau so ist es. Ich finde das so wunderschön menschlich. Es ist bewundernswert, mit welcher Disziplin und Professionalität er seinen Job macht. Das finde ich wirklich toll. Aber dieser klitzekleine Augenblick, wenn die Maske rutscht, ist einfach, was ihn so unwiderstehlich macht. Da kann er Mann 500 hübsche Weihnachtsbriefe mit der Bitte, man möge doch lieb zueinander sein, schreiben – aber nur einmal alberner Armitage, und das Herz ist entflammt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolut unwiderstehlich und wahrscheinlich ob der Seltenheit umso attraktiver für uns. ❤️😍❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bingo, genau das. Wie alles, was rar ist, ist auch das Armitagsche Albern kostbar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the RArmy succumbed to the dragon sickness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Modesty pouches…
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh cod, yes *lmao*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ich finde, es sieht aus, als ob er Steckenpferd reitet. Hat halt nur das Steckenpferd dabei vergessen 😂.
Wegen mir darf das Kind im Manne gern öfter rauskommen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Auch eine schöne Erklärung, Nordlicht. Das gefällt mir ausgesprochen gut! Hobbyhorse…
LikeLiked by 1 person
*eyebrowwaggle*
LikeLike
*insert one of the many gifs to that effect*
LikeLike
Bei Hobbyhorse werden bei mir noch ganz andere Assoziationen ausgelöst…
LikeLiked by 1 person
*moreeyebrowwaggling*
LikeLiked by 1 person
*schließt sich Guyltys Kommentar an*
LikeLike
🤐😉
LikeLike
Ich auch Nordlicht Ich auch!!!!
LikeLike
I expected no less from you Michele 😉.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah Nordlicht my partner in crime!!! Many hugs to you!!!!
LikeLike
😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s hilarious Guylty! I have never seen that gif before. And what is he wearing?!!! (Glad all is OK with your prince’s procedure by the way)
LikeLike
Prince is fine – and the Queen (aka moi) is happy to have him around and to pamper him. Not literally, she hastens to add *eeeek* (Crown prince is 20 yo)
Yeah, I was wondering what he was wearing, too – it almost looks like the kind of tight suit that Andy Serkis was wearing when he was doing his motion capture stuff… Well, haha, maybe Richard was training to do some motion capturing in the role of a goblin?
LikeLike
Coming in late here, forever thankful to Peter Jackson for those vlogs. Even though Richard managed to go MIA in most of them, what we did get to see of him was priceless, and then there was all the BTS footage they included on the DVDs. The fish throwing and his cheeky pat on Tammy’s dwarrow backside are among my favourites.
When I look back through my 6+ years old Tumblr archive the one thing that stands out to me is the sheer variety of posts. No one month looks like a repetition of another, and considering my Tumblr is RA only, that says a lot for the creativity and generosity of the Armitage fandom there. Things have quietened down with Richard’s work hiatus and the mess made by the change in the community guidelines, but I’m looking forward to much more activity this year starting with Sundance. (his Instagram video is a fabulous start!!)
LikeLike
Ooops, that was just a link in my comment and it’s come up with the full post! Other links haven’t done so, what forces are at work here?!!
LikeLike
OMG, that gif set, Mezz. No no no, I am grateful it actually turned into the real thing. It’s priceless. (And certainly will cause a few sleepless nights *hahaha*.)
LikeLike
I was always slightly miffed that RA was able to withdraw himself almost completely from the vlogs. A selfish thought of mine, of course. I do respect and accept his argument that he wanted to be undisturbed by video intrusion during the process of filming. The effect, in any case, was that the few bits of him here and there, were even more precious… Sir Peter’s vlogging was great – it was the first time that I had the impression a film production actually *did* have the fans in mind, and was catering for them – not just in terms of the end product, but also in terms of insights bts along the way.
It’s great fun to look over the old tumblr months. As you say – so colourful, so lively. A lot of it very naughty as well *blushes*. But fun with a capital F!
LikeLike