The city elders of Milan wanted Mike Bongiorno interred alongside one of Italy's greatest writers, Alessandro Manzoni. His family decided to respect his wishes and have him buried instead in a village on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
But Silvio Berlusconi's government decreed he should have a state funeral, and yesterday thousands of mourners, including the prime minister, packed Milan cathedral for a service celebrated by a bishop and four priests. Carabinieri in full dress uniform, carrying swords and wearing plumed tricorns, stood guard over the coffin. For a day and a half it had lain in state in the grounds of the Sforza castle as thousands more people filed past.
Crafted in mahogany, it bore a red sash on which was printed in gold letters: "Cheer Up!"
Only perhaps in Berlusconi's Videocracy could a state funeral be accorded to a TV quizmaster.
But Silvio Berlusconi's government decreed he should have a state funeral, and yesterday thousands of mourners, including the prime minister, packed Milan cathedral for a service celebrated by a bishop and four priests. Carabinieri in full dress uniform, carrying swords and wearing plumed tricorns, stood guard over the coffin. For a day and a half it had lain in state in the grounds of the Sforza castle as thousands more people filed past.
Crafted in mahogany, it bore a red sash on which was printed in gold letters: "Cheer Up!"
Only perhaps in Berlusconi's Videocracy could a state funeral be accorded to a TV quizmaster.
Yet.
You can just see Bbrown trying something like this when Brucie dies, can't you?
Posted by: Martin Wisse | September 13, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Would Stephen Fry count?
Posted by: ejh | September 14, 2009 at 07:53 AM
It's good to see that American politics is NOT the most ridiculous in the world.
Posted by: BrianM | September 15, 2009 at 04:10 PM