The blithe, festive tone of these forms of entertainment speaks for itself.

"Oh, I'd've been that one way or another, sooner or later," he said in a blithe tone.

When the Scanlan children are told of their father's death, their grief is meant to seem real, and yet the film insists on a blithe, breezy tone throughout.

We don't expect it, Johnny said in a blithe tone.

Donny Deutsch, the agency's creative director, said the blithe tone would appeal to members of the baby-boom generation, who are weary of the competitive 1980's.

As well as," she added in a blithe tone, "quite likely admire you for putting up with their eldest daughter- Now, let's finish feeding.