to think comedy panel shows just take the piss out of power and authority

[chomalungma]

Regardless of which party is in power.

The fact is that the Conservatives have held power in some form for ages, so naturally comedians and panel shows are going to target them as they are in power.

Blair got targeted. Corbyn got targeted. Clinton, Bush, Trump and Obama got targeted.

I have heard a 'right wing comedian' on The News Quiz. He was talking about immigration I think. It's rare to hear them on such shows as 'apparently they aren't very funny' . Maybe there should be a quota...just like for women on such shows.

No doubt if the Conservatives lose the next election, then whoever is in power will be at the receiving end of comedy.

For the moment, Johnson is providing ammunition for satirists.

Um, yes - but that's the whole point of satire?

I'm not sure what your AIBU is...

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross

Um, yes - but that's the whole point of satire?

I'm not sure what your AIBU is...

yes this!

Yes. That’s what these shows do

Not sure what your point is

I'm not sure what your AIBU is

Ah - you might have missed the news
www.theguardian.com/media/2020/sep/01/rightwing-comedians-not-funny-enough-for-bbc-shows-says-insider

On Monday the Daily Telegraph claimed that the new BBC director general, Tim Davie, was preparing to axe left-leaning comedy shows, such as Radio 4’s The Now Show and Have I Got News For You because they are “unfairly biased against the Tories, Donald Trump and Brexit”, as part of a push to make the corporation’s output appeal to a broader audience.

Or perhaps the Tories could stop being so fucking useless and horrible if they don’t like being called out for it, and then it wouldn’t be so easy to take the piss?? Just saying....

That’s what they’re supposed to do. Perhaps they’re the British equivalent of the Roman slave whispering “Remember you are mortal”. With an added extra, the increased restrictions and control over authority that we used to exercise. Why, is authority feeling threatened? Is that a bad thing?

Just seen update. Yes, certain elements are really trying to stamp authority down and crush all legitimate objections to the horrendous inequalities in the west, even as they increase. Social contracts are changing and not in favour of ordinary people.

FFS! They target whomever holds the reins. Give them a Labour government and watch them go!

Sodding ridiculous!

And that's not news. It is partisan whining, a propagandist call to arms.

Twaddle!

This is the least of The BBC‘s problems. It’s going to slowly sink because the audience is dying out and it is worrying about political bias on a panel show? Does anyone under 40 watch the BBC?

That is the purpose of satire.

Though whether it is appropriate to make fun of a government whose inaction has killed thousands of people is an entirely separate debate.

@notsorighteousthesedays

Or perhaps the Tories could stop being so fucking useless and horrible if they don’t like being called out for it, and then it wouldn’t be so easy to take the piss?? Just saying....

They do give a lot of ammunition.

I am curious to see what a comedian would look like who is more pro Government policy.

That wouldn't be comedy... it would be sycophancy!

Satire just lets people have a laugh and let the status quo remain. So they feel like they have a bit of power but really have none.

How depressing. If he does that he's just going to lose more listeners.

Yep right wing comedy is atrocious really. Whos that annoying bloke who goes on endlessly about being a 'conservative comedian' on the BBC then goes on to moan about 'ID politics' without a hint of irony?

If you mean the BBC they give the odd nod to people like Alistair Williams and Simon Evans. But it is arseholes like Nish Kumar and Stewart Lee who get the airtime.

@user1471565182

Yep right wing comedy is atrocious really. Whos that annoying bloke who goes on endlessly about being a 'conservative comedian' on the BBC then goes on to moan about 'ID politics' without a hint of irony?

Geoff Norcott?

ohh yeah thats him. He needs to shut up about it and tell a joke.