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to think Little Britain wouldn't be allowed today

257 replies

Tobythecat · 17/09/2019 20:02

Just came across some old Little Britain clips on Youtube. I'm really shocked! The amount of racism, disablist and sexist stuff. It was only back in 2007 I think that the filming ended so it wasn't that long ago at all! There is no way this would be allowed on tv now, surely?!

OP posts:
Saz432 · 18/09/2019 06:00

Brass Eye was the funniest thing I ever saw on TV, but it is inconceivable that it could be made today. Edgy, risk taking, boundary-pushing comedy is extinct. Even very slightly controversial comedy is dead. Killed by the professionally offended brigade. RIP.

Absolutely disagree. There is a world of difference between the actual satire of Brass Eye and the exploitative nature of something like Little Britain. BE is actually tackling hypocrisy and bias, and the most woke people I know are huge fans of BE for that reason.

Paedogeddon was massively controversial at the time, and I’m sure would be even more so now because of the context.

PrincessPain · 18/09/2019 06:01

Me and DH have been rewatching some britih comedy series'.
Plebs, friday night dinner, mighty boosh, cuckoo, it crowd (gets rewatched every 6 months or so).
We saw Little Britain was on netflix and gave it a go, I haven't watched it it in about 13 years! Straight away we said theres no way it would be aired now, I'm surprised it's even online tbh. Theres so much that's a bit cringe in a not very funny way, but theres still some laughs in there too.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 18/09/2019 07:32

MumsyMurphy

That's brilliant!

I don't like LB and never did, but to use something popular motivate your class is pure genius!

SchadenfreudePersonified · 18/09/2019 07:33

LOVE Cuckoo and IT Crowd.

Jesaminecollins · 18/09/2019 07:37

I used to love watching The League of Gentlemen - I have a weird sense of humour

SchadenfreudePersonified · 18/09/2019 07:37

Forces TV also ran Father Dear Father recently. That slot has now been filled with Bless This House.

Hell's bells - those were both grim! On a par with Citizen Khan these days.

Mitchell and Web reminded me though - I did like Lee and Herring "Fist of Fun" - wonder how that has dated? ("You want the Moon on a Stick")

CookPassBabtridge · 18/09/2019 07:40

I never liked LB but absolutely loved Come fly with me and I'm still gutted there was only one series. It takes the piss out of all things British.

FredaFrogspawn · 18/09/2019 08:05

I loved the humour in Gavin and Stacy. Always felt it was gently poking fun in a way which was endearing and loving.

Also enjoyed the character of Mr G in Summer Heights High (Australian rather than British) but found the role of Jonah a bit questionable. It did highlight institutional racism but in a way which was often uncomfortable to watch.

JennyStarpepper · 18/09/2019 08:11

Some of Little Britain was amusing at the time, especially the Fat Fighters sketches, about 6 years ago I joined slimming world for a short time and some of those fat fighters sketches did flash into my mind when our group leader said certain things, I think it was exaggerated caricatures of certain parts of society at the time, some were ok to laugh at, some not. I don't think it would be made now.

The Fast Show clips I've seen still make me laugh, Blackadder is amazing, as is Bottom. Spaced, Father Ted, Only Fools and Horses and Phoenix Nights all hold up well because they're well written, the situation may date (Spaced is a good example, I don't think 20 somethings live like that anymore) but the bits that make it funny remain.

Drogosnextwife · 18/09/2019 08:12

I thought the whole point of Little Britain was to ridicule the ridiculers? To point out the stereotypes and mock those those subscribed to them?

I thought that too. Matt Lucas and David Walliams don't seem like sexist, racist, disablist, homophobic types.

TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront · 18/09/2019 08:17

@Deathgrip no I can assure you I'm not. Do you know me?? No, I didn't think so. Don't presume to tell me what I am.

AloeVeraLynn · 18/09/2019 08:19

@FredaFrogspawn yes!! Adored Mr G. The scenes where he performs for his students, especially when he's inside that pink suit thing Grin I want to watch it now

ContessaLovesTheSunshine · 18/09/2019 08:51

Freda I first watched Summer Heights High as a late night box set way back in 2007, and it took me until 3 episodes in to realise the comedian was 3 separate characters and not just Mr G Blush it was VERY late at night in my defence! Good show though.

I always quite liked Little Britain Confused some sketches felt uncomfortably accurate (Vicky Pollard, vomiting old ladies) and others were a bit meh (Anne). I loved the Andy character, he took the total piss and his carer's attitude of caring-yet-frustrated-and-increasingly-irritated was, I thought, right on the nose. I've met carers exactly like that.

HighNetGirth · 18/09/2019 08:54

I always thought it was openly misogynist. The fact that so many people loved it was depressing.

VenusClapTrap · 18/09/2019 09:19

I think the funniest thing on telly at the moment is Derry Girls.

OneToughMudderFudder · 18/09/2019 09:23

YANBU. I used to love LB. The Matt Lucas characters were hilarious. He is extremely talented. The David Walliam's ones were creepy as fuck which sums him up really. DS loves his books though.

Deathgrip · 18/09/2019 11:09

Also enjoyed the character of Mr G in Summer Heights High (Australian rather than British) but found the role of Jonah a bit questionable. It did highlight institutional racism but in a way which was often uncomfortable to watch.

I think he just about got away with Jonah, but the later shows (especially Angry Boys and the new one on Netflix) are horrifying. So offensive.

evilharpy · 18/09/2019 17:54

I never liked LB. Not because I was offended, I just thought it was shit.

Brittas Empire was great. We’re re-watching Red Dwarf at the moment, also starring the wonderful Chris Barrie, and I think it’s aged pretty well in terms of the jokes.

Patroclus · 18/09/2019 18:09

Ha Keeping Up Appearances was huge abroad. My dad worked in russia during its mad lawless 90s phase (caspian sea). Hes in some oil port and some huge russians overhear him. Shouted 'YOU ENGLISH?' and walked slowly up to him whilst hes shitting his pants. Then in a high voice the lead russian comes out with 'Buquet residence! Lady of the House Speaking!

LolaSmiles · 18/09/2019 18:12

Patroclus
That really surprises me! Grin
I bet that was a comic moment

FiddlesticksAkimbo · 18/09/2019 18:13

I always thought it was openly misogynist.

I'd agree with this. The simple fact of men dressing up as women to take the piss and caricature puts it into the misogynist box for me - basically the same principle as black face. I did still find some of those characters hilarious though. I'm thinking of Marjorie and Vicky particularly. (Also Ting Tong actually, who brings in issues of racism.)

Patroclus · 18/09/2019 18:13

Why does South Park get a free pass for this stuff?

Patroclus · 18/09/2019 18:25

I remember it was right wing arses who were most offended by Brass Eye

Patroclus · 18/09/2019 18:26

Lola loads of old british sitcoms are huge abroad. Only Fools is massive in the balkans and in Hungary they love this old David Croft comedy (cant even remember its name now). Suppoedly loads of croatians land at heathrow and ask to go to Peckham in a taxi straight away

Namechanger001 · 18/09/2019 18:28

Don't get what's exploitative about LB as a comedy? I don't think that kind of general poking fun such as the weeing old lady is offensive unlike the sort of stuff that that Scottish comedian ( I can't remember his name) who poked fun at Harvey Price- Now that is specific and disgusting!