Talk:Victor Borge

Untitled
what is the theme in 3/4 time that victor borge played at the end of many of his fabulous shows. It sounded like a Vienese Waltz. Thank You. Lou Root

Some of this page bears a remarkable resemblance to, e.g. "This led to Adolf Hitler placing the outspoken Jew on his list of enemies to the Fatherland." is present in both. Furby100 16:42, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I wrote large parts of this for e2 almost 4 years ago, then later added the same info to the wikipedia article. Hopefully that clears up where that sentence comes from originally. Comedy-Zone probably copied a revision of the wikipedia article (as is their right). Mikkel 01:40, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Please don't refer to him as "Børge"
I noticed that Victor Borge was mentioned in the main text as "Børge", in the manner normally used for surnames. Please note that "Børge" was his Danish first name. "Borge" (with an "O" not "Ø") was his U.S. stage name which he also used as a surname. So when referring to him, "Børge Rosenbaum", "Victor Borge" or "Borge" are all appropriate. "Børge" is not. In Denmark he is referred to by his American name "Victor Borge", btw. Thanks in advance. Valentinian (talk) / (contribs) 18:57, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

And while we're on that subject, can the phonetic pronunciation of his name please be corrected and put in the right place? Right now the pronunciation of 'Børge' appears (illogically) after 'Rosenbaum', and is based on the English rather than the Danish pronunciation that you would expect after 'Børge' rather than 'Borge'. The Danish vowel ø sounds quite different from o (in either language), and in Danish the g is almost silent here, whereas the phonetic pronunciation suggests it's the same as the g in 'go'. I also remember my British parents making 'Borge' rhyme with 'George'. I don't know how common that was fifty years ago, but I suspect that's how the BBC announcers introduced his programmes. So the pronunciation given here may be wrong in English as well as Danish.92.111.250.34 (talk) 16:34, 1 May 2015 (UTC)

Latest revision
I am not happy about what I have done with the sentence about his divorce and re-marriage, but I couldn't find a better place right away. Feel free to fix that. --Wspencer11 (talk to me...) 18:28, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

Quotes
The quotes section would probably be best moved to Wikiquotes, and add just the following tag to the wikipedia page, instead of the lengthy section
 * I agree. Go for it. ·:· Will Beback  ·:· 07:25, 31 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Done.   Will Beback    talk    02:06, 5 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Unfortunately, none of the quotes are sourced. The Wikiquote article will probably be deleted unless someone wants to work on citations. It should't be too hard, because several recordings of his performances are still in print. ~ Ningauble (talk) 15:35, 5 January 2011 (UTC)
 * I checked several biographies which didn't list any quotes. Contemporary Musicians: 1997 from Gale seems to list a few, but it's not available online. I found a couple of obituaries that quoted some famous lines and added those.   Will Beback    talk    20:36, 5 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Sadly, most of those quotes were put into the article before sources were required and (I feel pretty sure) that, like the ones I added, they probably came from seeing his performances live or on TV. I'm sure some of them can be traced to his performances that are on VHS or DVD. Unfortunately, I don't own of them at the moment. If we lose them that will be sad because he was funny and his comedic timing was impeccable - I know a POV statement on my part but it is true :-). My thanks to you both for your efforts in this. MarnetteD | Talk 21:18, 5 January 2011 (UTC)

Explanation for medals
I don't have a good source. Since the medals are shown in his picture, they should be explained in article? Piano non troppo (talk) 04:53, 15 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, that'd be nice, but unless we find a source... It appears he didn't serve in the military, so my guess is that they are cultural honors. A short biography says he received "numerous honourable awards and honours." The cross he's wearing resembles the Order of the Dannebrog, probably First Order class. That much, at least, should be verifiable.    Will Beback    talk    05:13, 15 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Here's a page of the badge for the Dannebrog- it certainly looks like thats what he's wearing around his neck.    Will Beback    talk    05:18, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Borge's "place" in comedy
Some people consider Borge to be the funniest comic of the 20th century. This is debatable, but his timing has certainly never been bettered. He was also arguably one of the first "insult" comics, and some of his humor would have been considered "sick" or tasteless at a time when such things were not acceptable. This article needs a reference to a critical assessment (if any exist).

One of his wisecracks missing from the list goes something like this: (to a member of the audience) "Do you like good music?" When the person says "yes", Borge responds "How unfortunate" (ie, you aren't going to hear it here). I'd add it, but I'm not sure I've got it right. And then there's the one about the soprano whose character is about to die, and she sings her "die aria" (say it out loud). WilliamSommerwerck (talk) 13:15, 31 October 2010 (UTC)

Longest running one-man show
There is also a claimant from India for the same honor. He is also in the Record books:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrak_Ke_Punjey — Preceding unsigned comment added by Toofani tarzan (talk • contribs) 03:08, 15 December 2011 (UTC)

Speaking English
Victor Borge married an American woman in 1933, but arrived in the United States after Germany invaded Denmark not speaking a word of English? This sounds highly implausible that this man would not have picked up a few English words in 6 or 7 years. Jtyroler (talk) 18:37, 6 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Borge stated on Danish television that when he arrived in the US, he had virtually no skill in English. Apparently, the couple must have counted on remaining in Denmark. 2.107.68.46 (talk) 11:45, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

"You're leaving yourself wide open..."
The sentence "Rosenbaum was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, into a Jewish family." is exactly the sort of statement Borge would have followed with a wisecrack. (Think about it.) A rephrase -- or the addition of such a wisecrack! -- would be appropriate. (I just added the wisecrack -- 02/19/2017.) WilliamSommerwerck (talk) 16:12, 29 August 2014 (UTC)
 * WikiP articles are not a place to play the comic. You can certainly do this sort of thing on your facebook page or blog but not in article space. MarnetteD&#124;Talk 18:27, 19 February 2017 (UTC)
 * I can't think of a more-appropriate article in which to make such a wisecrack. I can imagine Victor Borge's reaction to your censoring me. WilliamSommerwerck (talk) 16:51, 20 February 2017 (UTC)
 * "How deuxfivethreennine." 2601:545:8201:6290:C0BC:5DB9:9634:D588 (talk) 13:48, 16 July 2021 (UTC)

"known professionally as Victor Borge"
Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that Børge Rosenbaum was his original name? Since his children had the surname "Borge," I strongly suspect that he adopted his stage name legally. Kostaki mou (talk) 18:21, 5 January 2018 (UTC)

Frankfurt Opera House
Borge, performing his schtick in English, was the first act to appear in the rebuilt Frankfurt Opera House when it finally reopened in the 1980s after being destroyed in WW II. I know this to be true because I was in Germany at the time, but don't have a source for it. This belongs in the article as it was definitely a career highlight, but I don't have a published source for it, but someone should. 2600:1004:B109:38BB:7D9B:FE4E:7336:87E7 (talk) 11:37, 21 November 2018 (UTC)

singer
I'd like my name to be in blue also (whimper) :) in the Wikipedia write up about Victor Borge. I was the operatic foil for yrs with Victor Borge. I graduated from the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia,PA...won some awards, capped by being chosen as a winner of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, albeit 1966....performed with New York City Opera, & symphonies. Besides, blue is my favorite color! :) :) Thank you. 68.192.40.216 (talk) 22:19, 5 January 2024 (UTC)
 * It's very difficult for anyone to get an article about h-self into Wikipedia, and without that: no blue for you. Sorry! --SergeWoodzing (talk) 16:50, 6 January 2024 (UTC)