Little Britain sketch ‘explicitly racist and outdated’, Ofcom research says

Published

1 year ago

November 1, 2023

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A Little Britain sketch has been called “explicitly racist and outdated” by Ofcom audience research.

The sketch featured in the television show, which was written and performed by David Walliams and Matt Lucas and aired from 2003 until 2006.

It depicts Walliams using racist language to describe an Asian student.

As part of a study into audience expectations on potentially offensive content across linear TV and streaming services, television regulator Ofcom showed people a number of clips.

Participants said they viewed the Little Britain content as “explicitly racist and outdated, and felt that society had moved on”.

“A few participants said they found it funny but seemed embarrassed to say this and could recognise why it would be offensive,” the report said.

Others were also surprised that the episode was still available to watch on BBC iPlayer, while some said video on demand platforms (VoD) were more appropriate for the content as they give viewers a choice about watching or not.

For some, the content was considered too problematic, even for VoD, the report said.

On iPlayer, the episode currently features a warning before a viewer clicks on the show, reading: “Contains adult humour. Contains discriminatory language.”

Viewers in the Ofcom study did not think the current rating was enough, suggesting that a warning about “the racist language and an explanation for why it was still accessible” was needed.

The BBC defended its decision to show the sketch, saying it is “intended to expose and ridicule some of the outdated prejudices and racism that still exists in parts of British society, which is more apparent when viewing the sketches within the context of a full episode, and across the series as a whole”.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster said: “All jokes in our output are judged on context and intent.

“The programme is part of the BBC’s comedy archive, and information is provided for iPlayer viewers about the inclusion of discriminatory language.”

While some participants agreed the sketch was important as it reflects the beliefs of society at the time, others were concerned that it could normalise racist behaviours that could be repeated by young children.

“If I saw my daughter watching that and then mimicking it, I’d be horrified,” one respondent, a father from Scotland, said.

He added: “If kids are watching it, they need it to be explained that that’s not acceptable. It’s passed off as acceptable behaviour towards fellow human beings that come from a different part of the world.”

Other episodes of Little Britain have previously been removed from streaming services following criticism over the use of blackface.

Clips from Jimmy Carr’s stand-up special His Dark Material, which is available on Netflix, Channel 4 show The Handmaid’s Tale, Amazon Prime Video’s The Boys and Disney animation The Aristocats, which is on Disney+, were also shown to respondents during the Ofcom research.

Entertainment

MTV EMAs red carpet: Stars arrive in Manchester ahead of ceremony

Published

9 mins ago

November 10, 2024

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MTV EMAs red carpet: Stars arrive in Manchester ahead of ceremony

Music stars have hit the red carpet in Manchester for the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Taylor Swift leads the nominations this year, with singers including Sabrina Carpenter, Raye, Charli XCX, Beyonce, Coldplay and Eminem also up for prizes.

It is the first time the MTV event, which was cancelled last year amid security concerns, has taken place in the UK since 2017, when it was held in London.

Manchester is well represented, with DJ Paulette, Blossoms, and Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Bez among the guests.

Here are the pictures as they come in from the red carpet.

Entertainment

Jamie Oliver withdraws book that ‘offended’ First Nation Australians

Published

15 hours ago

November 10, 2024

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Jamie Oliver withdraws book that 'offended' First Nation Australians

Jamie Oliver has withdrawn a children’s book he wrote from sale after criticism that it stereotyped First Nation Australians.

In his book, Billy And The Epic Escape, the TV chef tells the story of a First Nations girl living in foster care in an Indigenous community who gets abducted by the novel’s villain.

But the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec) blasted the book for contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences”.

The body’s chief executive, Sharon Davis, said the book “ignores the violent oppression of First Nations people” and that its depictions of First Nations people and cultural practices were “irresponsible and damaging, reflecting a profound lack of understanding and respect”, according to The Guardian

In a statement, Oliver, 49, said: “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly.

“It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”

A spokesman for publisher Penguin Random House said: “It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action.”

The chef published his first children’s book, Billy And The Giant Adventure, last year and said in a social media post that he had “carefully chosen the font to make sure the text is as clear as possible” as people with dyslexia, which Oliver has, can find it hard to read.

He is also well-known for fronting several TV series including Jamie’s Easy Christmas (2022), Jamie Cooks The Mediterranean (2023) and Jamie: Fast And Simple, which began airing on Channel 4 last month.

At the start of his career, he was known as The Naked Chef, after his 1999 book and TV series of the same name.

Entertainment

Dua Lipa cancels tour date over ‘safety and logistical issues’ with stage

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2024

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Dua Lipa cancels tour date over 'safety and logistical issues' with stage

Dua Lipa has been forced to cancel a tour date in Indonesia after “unforeseen safety and logistical issues” with the stage were found, organisers said.

The New Rules singer said she was “heartbroken” over not being able to perform at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Saturday evening.

“I am here in your amazing country and ready to perform, but I am gutted to share that it has been determined that it is not safe for the performance to carry on due to safety issues with the staging,” she wrote on X.

“I was so looking forward to this night, and it truly pains me that we cannot perform for you all, especially after such a long time since my last performance in Jakarta.

“I love you all and truly can’t wait to be back together in the same room with you singing and dancing our hearts out as soon as possible.”

In a joint statement on Lipa’s website, organisers TEM Presents and PK Entertainment said the cancellation was “due to unforeseen safety and logistical issues”.

They said the team had made “diligent efforts to resolve critical production issues related to the stage structure provided by Mata Elang Productions” but it was “not safe for the performance to carry on”.

“This very difficult decision to cancel was made with the utmost care and consideration for the safety of both the audiences and artist,” it said, apologising to the fans affected.

Lipa, 29, won a Brit Award for best pop act earlier this year and has achieved two number one albums with her two latest records Future Nostalgia and Radical Optimism.