Okay, so one unconvinced (some would say misguided) friend calls him “Ratface,” but ohmigod is Richard Armitage hotness defined.
BBC America On Demand has a six-minute feature about RA’s character on Robin Hood called “Good Guy or Bad Guy,” and at the end of the segment, it shows him shirtless. Putting armor on. Wearing BLACK LEATHER PANTS. That don’t look stupid.
Swallow.
Anyway, so I watched Robin Hood, the actual show, and about 15 minutes into it, it hit me: It’s a lot like Power Rangers. The violence is PG, the acting (with very few exceptions) is wooden, the production values are low, the dialogue and events are totally predictable, it’s all about Good vs. Evil, except where Guy of Gisborne (RA’s character) is concerned. That no-one knows that the Night Watchman, who has clearly obvious breasts, is Marion is ludicrous.
A long time ago, Amanda McCabe told me she’d heard that Armitage had joined the cast of MI-5, another BBC show. Thank goodness. THAT show is well-done, plus it already stars Matthew Macfadyen and Rupert Penry-Jones. Hopefully I won’t have to suffer through too many more episodes of RH. You’ll notice, of course, that I haven’t eschewed the show entirely; I have my core beliefs, and one of them is that I should be able to view hotness in black leather and black eyeliner even if the context is lame.
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May 1st, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Yeah, the show blows apart from the scenes with RA as Sir Guy. Seriously Robin is such a wimp, I have a hard time believing that Marian would prefer him over RA/Sir Guy. It’s clear to me, that you try go for the hot bad boy and try to reform him, instead of the loser who lives in the forest. Oh and they film Robin Hood in the Czech Republic so they can save on sets and stuff. Awesome that he’s joining MI-5. I like that show, particularly Peter Firth.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I must, must, must find that 6 minute feature!!!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I’m going on a campaign to get BBC America on my cable. I just gotta get it. It’s no Fair that I can’t get my RA like everyone else!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:32 am
Holy shit. Holy shit! You don’t understand, Megan. I’ve been having a serious, full-blown Richard Armitage freak-out. And here you are blogging about him? The coincidence of it all! The delight of it all!
I discovered him about three weeks ago when I happened to find a copy of Gaskell’s “North & South” and popped it in my computer. I haven’t been the same since. It’s not just that the miniseries was the BEST BBC miniseries I have EVER seen. RA’s portrayal of John Thornton was remarkable. Devastatingly devastating. And let’s face it, he brought the hotness. Truly the best work (as far as heroes go…and usually they don’t get the most well-rounded roles) in a period drama ever. Ever. Colin Firth as Darcy looks truly pathetic in comparison.
I basically run around looking for people who’ve seen N&S who are willing to analyze the show and discuss RA’s performance.
I haven’t recovered. I can’t stop watching it. And get this, I haven’t seen Robin Hood yet. I don’t think I could bear seeing RA as a doomed character.
I’ll never be the same. I mean, I don’t even really think of him as RA. He’s JT, after the character. The man doesn’t really exist, and I named my virtual facebook dog after him.
I named a non-existent dog after a non-existent man.
*drops head to table with a thunk*
I think I may need to see a therapist about this.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Join the club Maverick. I’ve been speechless since I saw North & South last fall. We’ve already discussed how many times I’ve watched the ending. And now Leanna has my copy and I’m bereft which is why I have to watch the crappy Robin Hood or my copy of the Vicar of Dibley (where he is so adorable its not even funny) to get my RA fix. Who would have thought a 4 hour miniseries based on an Elizabeth Gaskell novel would have such a profound effect on so many women? And I agree he makes Colin Firth in P&P look like a wimp and I love me some Colin Firth.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
Amanda,
http://www.richardarmitageonline.com/index.html
The website might help you find the feature.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:04 am
Tag your it! Sorry.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
What we need is an all-RA all the time blog. I would SO visit constantly.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Elizabeth - As it happens, Leanna has watched the first two episodes. When I found out she had your copy the other day, I told her in no uncertain terms that delaying longer was a non-option.
Amanda - I’ll discuss him with you any time.
Liz
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Awesome Liz, I was suffering withdrawals. As it is, I have problems not licking the television when Robin Hood is on. And I second the idea of an all Richard Armitage, all the time blog.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I am also beyond obsessed–I actually will not lend my copy of N&S out, EKM, so you are a better woman than I.
And I found some stuff on YouTube that made me get all light-headed. Sent some some of your way.
I love black leather.
Okay, so–an N&S party at my house in Brooklyn? Amanda, you might have to fly in.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
The First Annual Brooklyn N&S Armitageathon. We’ll drink tea and eat the sort of bon-bons that Fanny would never touch.
I’m so there.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I’m in! I’m all for the bon-bons (cupcakes from Magnolia), but I think we may need something stronger than tea. Something manly and hot. Tequila?
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Ratface (just sayin’). Although I may live to regret it.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Thanks to all your guys’ enthusiasm, and my own–ahem!–enthusiasm for RA (Myretta excepted), I started plotting the third book in the Road series, with Richard as the hero.
Mmm. Fun.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Tequila and N&S? I am definitely there.