Durga McBroom.

I've just realised that sounds like Don't Go by Yazoo.

I need to have a look at a list of all the NFL players.

Even half-watching one game you hear at least a half-dozen off-the-chart zany names.

Zaila Avant-garde...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/09/scripps-national-spelling-bee-2021-zaila-avant-garde-becomes-first-african-american-winner

What is a spelling bee? I know what it literally is, but how did that develop as some kind of entertaining pastime that needed to be televised?

I suppose it's because it's a quiz that's basically reduced to its barest form, enabling the observer to internally pit their own knowledge against that of the contestants.

The Call of the Wendigo wrote:

I suppose it's because it's a quiz that's basically reduced to its barest form, enabling the observer to internally pit their own knowledge against that of the contestants.

We really do live in the most incredibly strange world. People are so funny.

Americans are.

Not exclusively, but still uniquely - and uglily funny-un-ha-ha.

Being able to spell 'good' is something they consider worthy of a minor-Superbowl palaver.

Americans treat the image of a small child crumbling after a failed 'spell' a little like when England fans - en masse - cheered the shot of a German girl of about five crying after England made it 2-1.

Ultimately, despite them being barely human, it was quite funny.

There's a film with Jason Bateman in that skewers the whole blithe cruelty of it.

He plays an adult who, via manipulation of the extreme technical limits of the laws of regional competitive spelling bees is able to take part as an adult - regardlessly and shamelessly despite the hatred and moral ire he recieves.

I sense that CT might like it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Words_(film)

Nightjar wrote:

Americans are.

Not exclusively, but still uniquely - and uglily funny-un-ha-ha.

Being able to spell 'good' is something they consider worthy of a minor-Superbowl palaver.

Americans treat the image of a small child crumbling after a failed 'spell' a little like when England fans - en masse - cheered the shot of a German girl of about five crying after England made it 2-1.

Ultimately, despite them being barely human, it was quite funny.

There's a film with Jason Bateman in that skewers the whole blithe cruelty of it.

He plays an adult who, via manipulation of the extreme technical limits of the laws of regional competitive spelling bees is able to take part as an adult - regardlessly and shamelessly despite the hatred and moral ire he recieves.

I sense that CT might like it.

I like Americans. They do their best. It may, in many cases, be their best at being absolute c***s, but for good or ill they give it everything they've got. There's much to be said for that.

Inguna Butane.

Quannah Chasinghorse.

Kay Walkingstick.

Juane Quick-to-See-Smith.

All currently famous Native Americans, the Internet informs me.

Chasinghorse I can believe.

I wonder if Leatherbarrow is a Native American surname.

Native Oswald'twistle, more like.

Actual photo of actual Quannah Chasinghorse.

Wikipedia wrote:

Born: Tuba City.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quannah_Chasinghorse

There is a town called Tuba City.