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Picks of the Week: 14th April 2000

At PickCentral, we realised our charming neighbours zee French did not exactly get the credit they deserve for their immense contribution to modern British culture. So this week, one of our French colleagues is taking the reins. We apologise for the grammar, but we celebrate the substance!

No, France is not only the country of stinking cheese, garlic and Chelsea football players. It is also the brilliant underdog of insidious alternative culture.

First, music is actually France's strong point. Who could actually argue that Plastic Bertrand (and his eternal anthem Ca Plane Pour Moi ) was not the true instigator of the Punk movement? Go home the Sex Pistols and Malcolm McLaren: Plastic was the only true non-compromising revolutionary!

Then back to the basics : rock & roll. If the States had Elvis, Europe had Johnny Halliday! A lifetime achiever (well, he is almost 60 now), and still with enough energy to beat up Liam & Noel in any Mancunian pub, Johnny makes you want to shout along 'Que Je T'Aime'.

On a more contemporary note, the French Touch has this irresistible je-ne-sais-quoi that makes it the ubiquitous soundtrack to all the world's dancefloors and lounge bars. Honestly, where can you go today without hearing Daft Punk, Air or Cassius? Chemical Brothers: it is high time you paid your due tribute !

But music isn't everything. And, at Pick Central, we just realised it may be on TV that zee little frogs greatest achievement may be.

Think about the impact of Eurotrash in rebuilding the long-time broken bridge between Britain and France: who would not immediately fall in amour with PeePee & PoPo, Eddy Wally and Monsieur Penguin ?

To completely convince you, here is a simple final test:

If you are a girl, would you rather have dinner with : the lovely Antoine "Rapido" de Caunes or the oh-so-entertaining Chris "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" Tarrant?

If you are a boy, what would bring most entertainment? Lolo or Melinda?

Sites Featured in Picks of the Week:

French Cheese - when stinkiness is an art-de-vivre
Garlic Heaven - all the forbidden recipes you ever wanted to taste
Plastic Bertrand - punk's unsung genius and visionary
Johnny Halliday - Rocquefort 'n Rolls
Liam & Noel - pub rock bathing in Champagne Supernova
Daft Punk, Air, Cassius - the meilleur de Electronica
Chemical Brothers - Les Frères Chimiques ?
Eurotrash - "Hello My Leetel Chums"
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Money Doesn't Matter Tonight
Lolo Ferrari - French Elegance
Melinda Messenger - the French Fort Boyard made her famous

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[ 7th April 00 | 31st March 00 | 24th March 00 | 17th March 00 ]