Fawlty Towers “Don’t mention the war” removed.

[boredtotears11]

Aibu to say I think that is a ridiculous decision by the BBC.Theyve removed it from its streaming service because of its “racist slurs”. It was a classic piece of comedy. I mean if they start picking apart old classic comedy how far are they going to go. Dads Army next?

@ravensmum that wasn't how it came across to me. I was talking about asking them how they feel and you came back with I think I would feel ashamed! If that isn't how you meant it OK but I had already said I hate it.

and always took that scene to show how out of touch and doddery the Major was, not that it was condoning the language he uses.
This. The scene was showing up the racist character and making light of how uncomfortable Basil was in the conversation.

Perhaps we should ban all comedy, because 99% is imo completely unfunny. Has anyone had the misfortune to hear any Radio 4 “comedy”? I heard a piece where they were joking (a man) about periods. It was I suppose meant to be modern and brave. I was offended: it was salacious and grim. I agree. Radio comedy is particularly terrible. Apart from Alexei Sayle.

I certainly do, but you think that’ll be achieved by removing old comedy shows?

It won’t do any harm will it?!
Honestly, the amount of people determined to cling to racist TV shows, slave-trader statues, racist flags.....as they are part of ‘our history’ 🙄.
We know better now, time to move forward. And yes that involves getting rid of historical racist shit.
If that really bothers you, reflect on why that is.

@TheGroak

I expect fools & horses will be next!

Actually, I remember thinking years ago that Fools and Horses needed reviewing because in at least one episode Del refers to the corner shop as a ‘paki shop’ and the Chinese takeaway as ‘the chinky’ and that’s coming from a loving fan of the show.

Yes, it was made in a time when casual language like that acceptable but it isn’t anymore. We don’t all have to live in the 70s and 80s anymore, that’s progress.

There's also the German unmarried Mum episode where the entire punchline is the ethnicity of the baby.

I love lots of radio 4 but its comedy is awful.

@1forsorrow people are mad. These kids have no idea whether the kids in question have Jewish roots, or anything. There are very simplistic minds around.

@1forsorrow Yes, I literally meant that I would feel bad. Not that I would feel bad if I were someone else. Your comment about asking them hadn't appeared on my screen at that point. Sorry for the misunderstanding; I wouldn't tell anyone how they should feel.

and always took that scene to show how out of touch and doddery the Major was, not that it was condoning the language he uses.

White people should never use racial slurs, ever. Even under the guise of comedy.

Censorship is happening and it’s scary

Shades of 1930's Germany and post-war Soviet bloc, congratulations all the do-gooders.

The Nazis were do-gooders, fighting against racism?

@ravenmum thanks for the explanation, if you've read my post you can see how the two look together.

Maybe we are all getting too sensitive. I do think it is strange that I find some of these things much more offensive than DH and kids. I don't mean they don't find anything offensive but things like FT. I don't really get their sense of humour.

My favourite old comedy is The Likely Lads. I honestly can't remember it in enough detail to know if there is anything that would be offensive now, I suppose given its age it is more than likely.

White people should never use racial slurs, ever. Even under the guise of comedy.

Why only white people? In East Is East, George Khan calls the doctor a 'Bastard Indian.'

The Major, a fictional character, is exposed as a racist. The audience in 1979 (it was the second series) gasp. They are thinking, "You can't say that !" The Major is a racist. The Major fought for his country and helped saved it and the world from Nazism.

Some people cannot get beyond the superficial. Shakespeare writes Macbeth. He is not saying it is ok to commit regicide.

It won’t do any harm will it?!

Are you sure? I think it'll do little to achieve the (very valid) aims and will only create a backlash among the 'less critical' thinkers in society.

I see why they're doing it though.

Actually the one thing we all agree on in the family is that Mrs Brown is rubbish and none of us can understand why it is popular and none of us have ever met anyone who will admit to liking it.

The BBC is well past it’s sell by date.

It’s output is drivel

That episode was also never "anti-German" or in any way laughing at German people. The German characters behave politely and reasonably throughout. The joke is on Basil, whose prejudice is completely nonsensical, and his ridiculous behaviour.

Exactly. In the same way, the episode with a deaf woman in it was not anti deafness but rather her 'selective' hearing! There was criticism for that too!

To whoever mentioned the Radio 4 “comedies “... I agree! Absolute rubbish. I sometimes catch a few minutes in the car and honestly , my jaw drops it’s so bad.

What?? No more binge watching 'On The Buses' on a rainy Sunday afternoon then?!

....Oi! Dead Ringers is back tonight. Looking forward to it.

It’s really sad that these old comedies are all going to be shelved, I loved faulty towers and other shows that are now in the firing line. World has gone pc mad and it’s sad, there’ll be no laughing at stereotypes soon, I mean what jokes will be left?

I actually think comedy should be left alone in terms of what it can joke about, however, use of the N word, calling people P* etc should be edited or bleeped out, its not acceptable language, its abusive and degrading, hwever that should not mean no black person can ever be laughed at or mocked, as long as the joke is not because they are black.

But shows such as goodness gracious me, Citizen Khan, etc who see the funny incidents of integrating into British society and can see the funny side of both British and ethnic minorities foibles, should not be taken off air or accused of racism, if we can't laugh at ourselves anymore comedy is truly dead.

Its accurate to how many men like the Major would have spoken 40+ years ago. Its a product of its time. Don't edit it or put it in the vault. Put it out there. Maybe put a disclaimer at the start. But lets not try and edit out the past.

So Mister Khan was asked, 'How was Karachi?'

And he replied, 'Just like Birmingham, but not so many Pakistanis.'

??????????

@Fishfingersandwichplease there's always mrs browns boys 😒