We start 2021 as we left 2020 – the year when drinking coffee, knickers, sand, women’s hockey, covid, dating a person of colour, not dating a person of colour and numerous other things became racist. First up this year is that old favourite Dad’s Army (the version starring Clive Dunn, Arthur Lowe, Arnold Ridley etc.).
Before screening the 1971 Dad’s Army Film, the ghastly BBC flashed up a warning: “Contains discriminatory language which some may find offensive.” For starters, a number of characters talked about Nazis. In 2021 that is how folks like Frankie Boyle, Nish Kumar and all the other totally unfunny BBC comedians refer to anyone who does not read the Guardian, especially if they voted for Brexit. “Oooh how I hope Nigel Farage dies of cancer because he’s a Nazi”. Howls of studio laughter. It’s the way you tell ‘em Nish.
But back during World War Two, Nazis referred to folks who were actually Nazis and usually jolly proud of it or perhaps merely fighting for Germany which was run by Nazis.
But maybe the BBC is right and we should respect the feelings of those German soldiers who might have been watching Dad’s Army who had fought for the Wehrmacht in the mistaken belief that it was an early branch of ANTIFA?
Then there is the use of the word “frogs” to refer to the folks across the channel who regularly, and without sanction, refer to the English infidels as “les rosbifs.” It is a jocular term and any frog who is offended by it just needs to go and have a long bath and calm down. Oops, now I really can’t mention the French and their bathing habits can I?
And that is it. If we are to stamp our racist attitudes in this country and make sure that no-one is ever offended by anything again we need wall to wall Nish and Frankie and no more of the old sort of comedy, the stuff that actually made people laugh. How soon before Dad’s Army goes the way of Fawlty Towers and Little Britain and is erased from the history of the state run broadcaster?
#Defundthebbc