Private Eye on changing rooms

[RoyalCorgi]

This issue was out last week but I don't think anyone else has posted it.

Their satirical Talk Boards column mentions M&S's changing rooms policy. It even refers to Jean Hatchet! Up to now, Private Eye has been mildly gender critical, but I can't tell whether they're taking the piss out of the M&S position, or the gc position, or both.

Either ways it's funny.

I read that as they're mocking the shops that allow men into women's changing rooms, but it does seem a little clumsy.

If you look at the Private Eye journalists on Twitter's accounts, like Francis Wheen, they tend to follow GC accounts.

On a related note, Ricky Gervais now calls himself a terf in his twitter bio and Emily Maitlis is being increasingly gender critical in her tweets as well

That's hilarious!

If you look at the Private Eye journalists on Twitter's accounts, like Francis Wheen, they tend to follow GC accounts.

Yes, Francis Wheen is very much GC. I find it interesting that Private Eye is only dipping its toe in the water here - there is so much it could be doing but isn't.

I suspect they're starting off slow and seeing who bites.

On a related note, Ricky Gervais now calls himself a terf in his twitter bio

That made my day, thank you.

Haha, that's brilliant . It reads like an uncannily accurate satire of the whole debate to me, with most of the mockery reserved for the idiots/pervs we all recognise. The worst that can be said of the first bit, I think, is that we mumsnetters can come across as slightly over-earnest, which is getting off lightly in comparison to the the respondents .

I think they are having a bit of fun with everyone involved, there is no malice there but lets see who can take a joke

The last comment by "Monkey" made me laugh and actually gives a very clear explanation of the problems of hidden cameras etc. "Bare and unaware" indeed.
I must remember that one.

They know exactly what's going on and are poking fun as at all.
I'm pleased this is creeping in Private Eye more and more because they will be full on GCs.

Good on you, Ricky.

I find it interesting that Private Eye is only dipping its toe in the water here - there is so much it could be doing but isn't. That's not toe dipping, that's full blown satire. Taking the piss out of all sides!

The really important thing her is that they are able to use satire because enough people know what is going on.

This would not have been possible a year ago.

PUUULLL!

I have written to JL and been told to bigger off and leave them alone. I have messaged M&S and had no response.

What can we do? I have not shopped in either since this was publicised a few weeks ago now and I assume they are hoping that everyone will forget and get on with their Christmas shopping.

Its make sure your friends and family are aware of what these stores think of women.

Re Private Eye, I was in WHSmith today and saw a copy of Viz for the first time in ages. I didn't have time to flick through, but they must have picked up on this.

All groups are fair game for them (I'm sure Millie Tant is probably painted as a T*RF now and Spoilt Bastard reminds me of OJ. Modern Parents probably have a stunning and brave child).
But it would be good to have a chuckle - though we know many of the 'believers' seem to have had humour bypasses.

Making fun of both sides is an excellent sign. Also v funny. I especially liked crown green bowling and dogging

I think Private Eye has been GC for quite a while but I can’t cite any particular issues.

I have written to JL and been told to bigger off and leave them alone.

One fears JL is not long for this world, so... whatevs.

LizziesTwin I am kicking myself that I have not been bothering to scan snippets of Private Eye. It used to just be the occasional serious reference but for the last few issues there has been at least one cartoon, satirical reference or story in every one.

Mind, one recent article (about Jess Bradley) read like it could have been penned by one of our trans overlords so I was mighty miffed and not a little concerned about that one! I was soothed by a sensible letter in the following issue (defo an FWR Mumsnetter in spirit if not fact) then amused by a frothing "rebuttal" of that letter in the following issue.

On the Letters Page, there was a recent spate of "Transphobic Bigot!" outrage, "We just want to peeee!" whiney missives, pompous "Let me explain the science to you dolts" and "Tranny as an answer to a crossword clue causes trans kids suicides!" type-contributions that were treated with due respect . . .

Attached as illustration: letter of complaint in issue 1510 and the two items from issue 1509 that provoked it

There are several running jokes that make an appearance from time to time, eg. "Tim the Househusband" in "From the Message Boards", wallowing in smug admiration for his obnoxious SJW children. Ranting daughter Poppy, who usually "identifies as recreationally trans" has recently "transitioned to Pip and gone vegan" - so this could get interesting.

"From the Message Boards" has gone full-on transpisstakery recently - there are two other columns I will scan and post.

IMHO Private Eye has been the only paper for decades worth shelling-out for. The investigative journalism is second to none and if any corrections are required they are published with due prominence. Over the years, they have been like a dog with a bone reporting and investigating cover-ups of murders, often of young women, both in the UK and abroad. Then there are the "Special Reports":
www.private-eye.co.uk/special-reports

The cartoons and satire are a delight and coverage overall so balanced that everyone complains about bias of one sort or another (witness me whinging about the Jess Bradley article) !

Don't get me started on the crossword. Setter Cyclops thankfully still fnarr! fnarr! smutty and un-PC with the clues, answers ranging over UK and global political scandals past and present. The day I finish one by the deadline to submit . . . it's not going to happen but I still dream!

In the age of the internet: "Private Eye hits highest circulation in 55-year history 'which is quite something given that print is meant to be dead'" (well obviously - duh! - what is £2 if you drop it in the bath compared to the cost of an iPad!)
www.pressgazette.co.uk/private-eye-hits-highest-circulation-in-55-year-history-which-is-quite-something-given-that-print-is-meant-to-be-dead/

The only caveat for new readers is that some of the longstanding "in jokes" and euphemisms might cause puzzlement, particularly those that reference long-past events. Some have passed into common parlance though and for others "Google is your friend".

One day that will be meaningless too. Your day will come, you "OK, Boomer" crowd. . . . "Google?? What's a Google??" chirped robo-kid

@MoleSmokes - I totally agree with your all round love for Private Eye - Although I occasionally miss a copy - couple of questions - What on earth did they write in favour of Jess Bradley - and secondly I’m scratching my head to think how any publication, let alone, Private Eye, could write anything in defence of the fragrant Jess Bradley

Ricky has been a massive bloody lovely TERF for ages! Can’t see it on his bio though. But we know, we all know!

I’d screenshotted it but I can’t find it now. I’ll see if I can later on.

Quite chuffed with this. Am I allowed to be chuffed? Well I am. ✊

I think you should be, Jean.

Oh yes, you are allowed to be chuffed!

I heard on the radio the other day that Ricky Gervais is hosting the Golden Globes in January. So it doesn't look like being unapologetically and outspokenly gender critical has damaged his career.

(Pretty sure this wouldn't be the case if he was a woman, but I'm taking it as a good sign anyway.)