Jasper Carrott is a British comedian and actor who became known for his comedy routines and television shows. One of his most famous routines is the "Magic Roundabout," which he performed in the 1970s. The "Magic Roundabout" was a roundabout in Swindon, England that became famous for its complex and confusing layout. Carrott's routine centered around the idea that the Magic Roundabout was a magical and mystical place. He would humorously describe the different exits and lanes of the roundabout, exaggerating their complexity and the difficulty of navigating them. The routine became a classic and established Carrott as a talented and popular comedian.
I hope women everywhere feel the tight restraints of menstrual blood stigma begin to loosen and fall away.
There are companies beginning to establish whereby a woman collects her menstrual blood each month that is then deposited into a menstrual blood bank that can be there for her should any of her organs or tissues become damaged she can use her own menstrual stem cells to heal herself. In ancient times menstrual blood was seen as a potent elixir, a life giving substance that could heal and be used as medicine for longevity and regeneration.
The routine became a classic and established Carrott as a talented and popular comedian. Carrott's humor in the "Magic Roundabout" routine was playful and light-hearted. He would often use wordplay and clever jokes to keep the audience entertained.
Blood Magic: The Anthropology of Menstruation (Paperback)
Examining cultures as diverse as long-house dwellers in North Borneo, African farmers, Welsh housewives, and postindustrial American workers, this volume dramatically redefines the anthropological study of menstrual customs. It challenges the widespread image of a universal "menstrual taboo" as well as the common assumption of universal female subordination which underlies it. Contributing important new material and perspectives to our understanding of comparative gender politics and symbolism, it is of particular importance to those interested in anthropology, women's studies, religion, and comparative health systems.
Thomas Buckley is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. He Specializes in North American Indian ethnology and history, with particular interests in religion and language. Alma Gottlieb is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her area of interest is Africa, with emphasis on gender, religion, and family structure.
- Social Science / Anthropology
- Social Science / Gender Studies
"The first book on the anthropology of menstruation to be published by a major university press.”
— Becky Vorpagel
"A major innovation is the deliberate and consistent focus on women’s views and their participation in social responses to bodily processes."
— Terence Hays
“Reclaiming the female body, retrieving it piece by piece from the grip of patriarchal culture and medical practice, has been a central feminist goal for each of the last two decades. Menstruation . . . is now front and center on the feminist agenda as a topic that needs to be rethought . . . Blood Magic . . . [is] among a larger set of books that are seeking simultaneously to dismantle the traditional formulations and to replace them with a woman-centered set of understandings . . . [the book]. . . not only clear[s] and point[s] the way for a new woman-centered scholarship on menstruation but demonstrate[s] its significance to the feminist agenda.”
“The first major collection on anthropological interpretations of menstruation. . . The editors contribute a lengthy, useful introduction to this biological phenomenon and the interpretations given to it by different peoples; moreover, they provide discussions for each section . . . A well-edited and useful contribution to the continually growing literature on the cultural constructions of gender.”
— L. Beck
“Menstrual taboos have long been a favorite subject of ethnographic inquiry, but in the past their study has suffered from both an ethnocentric and male-centered bias. Burdened by their own set of ‘menstrual taboos,’ ethnographers have too often assumed they knew what those of another culture meant. Blood Magic, a collection of essays by nine fieldworkers in anthropology and related disciplines, marks a welcome departure from earlier studies in a number of ways. It derives its perspective from women’s studies in recognizing the need to focus on women’s experiences as well as those of men, and in recognizing the importance of female fieldworkers to do this. This is the first book-length collection of essays to grow out of recent cultural anthropological research on menstruation. Never before has the study of menstruation been so well informed by a combination of fieldwork and theoretical approaches to the study of gender and the symbolism of the body. This is the first book-length collection of essays to grow out of recent cultural anthropological research on menstruation. Never before has the study of menstruation been so well informed by a combination of fieldwork and theoretical approaches to the study of gender and the symbolism of the body . . . This is a well-constructed and well-researched collection, grounded in received anthropological theory, yet looking far beyond it.”
— Jennifer Livesay
It's something we painstakingly hide, cover, soak up and medicate away throughout our reproductive lives. It's seen as a nuisance. The amount of time, mental and physical energy we put into making sure ABSOLUTELY NO ONE EVER sees a single drop of our blood is quite frankly, exhausting (also super grateful to be with a man that appreciates and is unfazed by menstrual blood and makes me feel even more feminine and beautiful when I have my period - shout out to the other partners who do this too!).
His delivery and timing were impeccable, and he had a natural ability to connect with his audience. The "Magic Roundabout" routine became so popular that it led to the creation of a television show, also called "The Magic Roundabout." The show featured a cast of animated characters, including Dougal the dog, Brian the snail, and Zebedee the spring-like creature. Carrott provided the voice for some of the characters in the show. The Magic Roundabout routine and television show have had a lasting impact on British comedy. Carrott's witty and whimsical approach to comedy continues to inspire new comedians, and the Magic Roundabout's name has become synonymous with confusing and complicated traffic systems. Overall, Jasper Carrott's "Magic Roundabout" routine remains a beloved and iconic part of British comedy history. It showcased Carrott's comedic talent and charm, and continues to entertain audiences to this day..
Reviews for "Unearthing the Magic Roundabout's Secrets: Insights from Jasper Carrott's Recollections"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Jasper Carrott: The Magic Roundabout". I had high expectations after hearing so many positive reviews, but the show just fell flat for me. The jokes seemed dated and the comedic timing was off. I found myself cringing more than laughing throughout the performance. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this to others.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Jasper Carrott: The Magic Roundabout" was a complete waste of time and money. The humor was juvenile and lacked originality. The jokes were predictable and lacked any real substance. I found myself checking my watch multiple times, waiting for the show to end. It's safe to say I will not be attending any future performances by Jasper Carrott.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars - I was hoping for a night of laughter and entertainment when I went to see "Jasper Carrott: The Magic Roundabout", but instead, I found myself bored and unimpressed. The jokes didn't resonate with me and the delivery felt forced. I couldn't connect with the material and found it difficult to stay engaged. It's unfortunate, as I had heard good things about Jasper Carrott, but this particular show just didn't do it for me.