Harry and Paul-BBC comedy,I think not, I felt like the last 40 years haven't happened

[DarrellRivers]

Did anyone see this last night?
DH has been watching on and off and I haven't really been watching it as am not really a fan but had caught sight of 'Parking Patewayo' and had thought that that was uncomfortable watching already.

Last night, I was in the room a little more during the episode and saw the last sketch which was 'Van Drivers' Lament'
The apparent joke in this sketch was to verbally abuse a young attractive woman whose car had broken down and block the road, and then when they had made her cry, drove past and made crude sexual suggestions to her.

It was horrible and the fact this has been paid for by my license fee has incensed me.
Do people really think this is comedy, really?

I am writing to complain.
Did anyone else see it?
And anyone want to join me in complaining?

I really like some of the sketches but I think that last night's episode did tip over into tiresome sexism, rather than witty riffs on sexism. The chocolatier sketch is usually ok, partly because chocolate addicition is usually a joke made among women rather than at women by men. But last night's extension of it into shoes and cocktails really did just degenerate into a Benny Hill scene of pretty women chasing after repulsive, fantasising middle-aged men.

And time and again the sketches have women being there just to be ogled by men, or in one not-very-hugely-inventive foray a man dressed as a lesbian woman. The 'sexy nurses' in the mock car advery are vile. I'm bored with it.

Some sketches are brill -- the two doctors,dragons' den, etc

Hello everyone. Sorry, but I think it's great! It pokes fun at the behaviours and attitudes of people of all backgrounds and both sexes. I think it's inventive, original, brilliantly well-observed and hilariously performed. I don't see why exaggerating recognisable behaviour for comic effect is necessarily offensive, and I don't think sketches need to follow a formula - often just presenting absurd people or situations is enough if done properly.

What about the sketches where Paul Whitehouse in part of a group of three reactionary middle-aged white men and he's desperately wanting to talk about philosophy or classical music but feels completely inhibited by his companions' prejudices and limited thinking! Even if you don't recognise that, I think it shows that pretty much everyone is up for mockery.

The alternative to mocking the way we know some people behaviour is a pretty humourless world where we all pretend we haven't noticed anyone behaving in a ridiculous, stupid, mean, patronising or ignorant way.

Bit late in the day, but to me never mind the feminism I found the overt racism in the Parking Patewayo sketch this week to be absolutely shocking. I honestly don't know how they a) think that it is acceptable or entertaining and b) why someone from the BBC is actually letting them get away with it.

I do find parts of the show mildly entertaining, but I am going to stop watching it. very disappointing as I used to like Paul Whitehouse and Harry Enfield

I know this is an old thread, but I can't help but think that you are misinterpreting the nature of their comedy. Parking Pataweyo, in a similar way to the Dragon's Den sketch where they "black up" and sell there products, mocks both white people's reactions to black people and also the over PC nature of the modern British establishment. Similarly, the "Women, Know Your Limits" sketch is not misogynistic (as it does indeed seem on the surface), and is actually mocking the fact that men controlled so many aspects of society (including the media).

Wow. Bumping a 5 year old thread for some classic mansplaining. hello Harry or Paul

Blacking up is a fucking vile thing to do.

And you have completely missed the point of the women know your limits sketch, but hey, thanks for dropping by.....

I've just checked out both skits on youtube - it's all a bit desperate and sad isn't it?

Not only really unfunny, it's not satire and only reinforces old fashioned damaging stereotypes. Its not questioning anything, it's not challenging sexist or racists behaviour, and it's not funny.

Though I sense they desperately were trying to be funny they missed entirely. Do you think they look at that work now and feel suitably embarrassed? Or are they telling themselves "we really nailed it"?

Bumping a 5 year old thread for some classic mansplaining.
Indeed.

Oh thanks for the explanation, I always thought satire was a French philosopher.

What is "mansplaining"?

Think we had better explain what "googling" is first.