Are Mitchell and Webb the baddies now? It's not quite that simple
The deletion of 11 old sketches from BBC’s iPlayer has angered culture warriors and raises questions about how society has changed
TL;DR
- 11 sketches from "That Mitchell and Webb Look" were removed from iPlayer for its 20th-anniversary rerelease.
- Sketches included jokes about Jimmy Savile, Robert Webb in blackface, and satirical depictions of racism.
- The decision to remove the sketches has fueled debate in the UK's culture war.
- Arguments for removal cite the inherent harm of blackface and racial slurs, regardless of satirical intent.
- Counterarguments suggest warnings or disclaimers might have sufficed, preserving the original text.
- The BBC is described as being in an "impossible position" balancing audience care with artistic freedom.
- The author finds the removal of a few sketches less concerning than broader censorship, comparing it to withholding "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" or updated Roald Dahl books.
- Comedians are aware of shifting social attitudes and generally do not consider their old work sacrosanct, but also oppose strict policing of what is sayable.
- The article concludes that the focus should be on the BBC investing in new comedy that can explore contemporary issues irreverently.