Barry Humphries: Nothing Like A Dame

Humphries is not, he insists, particularly Right wing. “I don’t know anything about politics. But the far Left is so conservative, paradoxically, inflexible, doctrinaire and humourless. You can’t describe the world as it is any more. You get jumped on.” Does he? He chortles. “I’m happy to say I do. I give offence therefore I am. Not too much offence, though.”

As an expat, Humphries is always grouped with fellow Australians Germaine Greer and Clive James. “I don’t mind; they’re friends,” he says. On the other hand, he disliked being linked to Rolf Harris. “He behaved evilly,” says Humphries. 

Greer attracted fury after claiming that “trans” women such as Caitlyn Jenner (formerly the Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner) are men “who believe that they are women and have themselves castrated”, with students at Cardiff University describing Greer as “transphobic” and someone who should make all right-minded people feel “sick to [their] stomachs”.

Humphries is supportive of Greer in the controversy. “I agree with Germaine! You’re a mutilated man, that’s all,” he says. “Self-mutilation, what’s all this carry on? Caitlyn Jenner – what a publicity-seeking ratbag. It’s all given the stamp – not of respectability, but authenticity or something. If you criticise anything you’re racist or sexist or homophobic.” ...

Telegraph. 

I imagine this will go down well, won't it?

Guardian Shortcut: Barry Humphries: Tactless bigot or another satirical creation? Hmm...

PS America's favourite trans Republican is the new cover star of The Advocate.

Update: This account has a blue tick for what it's worth.

pic.twitter.com/VTxMs92o59

— Dame Edna Everage (@DameEdnaEverage) January 6, 2016

Dame Edna Everage: Farewell Possums?

A fine tribute by Mark Lawson in The Guardian to Dame Edna Everage, who has announced her farewell tour - though Mark suspects it may not be.
In a sidebar, Leo Benedictus suggests her most transcendental musical moment may have been the 1979 single, Disco Matilda.
I have absolutely no recollection of this record, and was surprised to find that, although it didn't chart, it got the dame on Top Of The Pops.
Genius - but then would you expect anything else? 
Enjoy!