一.课文内容

people will do anything to see a free show -- even if it is a bad one. When the news got round that a comedy show would be presented at our local cinema by the P. and U. Bird Seed Company, we all rushed to see it. We had to queue for hours to get in and there must have been several hundred people present just before the show began. Unfortunately, the show was one of the dullest we have ever seen. Those who failed to get in need not have felt disappointed, as many of the artistes who should have appeared did not come.The only funny things we heard that evening came from the advertiser at the beginning of the programme.He was obviously very nervous and for some minutes stood awkwardly before the microphone. As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone burst out laughing. We all know what the poor man should have said, but what he actually said was: 'This is the Poo and Ee SeedBird Company. Good ladies, evening and gentlemen!"

二.小词积累

1. self-deprecating自嘲

2. butt of joke 成为笑点

3. chrysanthemum菊花 /krɪ'sænθəməm/

4. 无聊的，平淡的，单调的，枯燥的 tedious  mo'notonous， mundane /mʌnˈden/ ，go flat

5. butcher发错音

6. 美国: theater 英国: cinema

7. microphone =mike 麦克风

8. 愚蠢的错误 blunder， rookie mistake

三.读音纠正

1. mouth读完全了，先张大后缩小

2. programme在句尾，语调下降

3. artiest 本文法语发音/I/这里重读