The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Watchdog considers Comic Relief complaints inquiry
Showbiz: Huge fundraiser criticised over swearing and poor sound quality
TVwatchdogOfcomis considering whether to launch an investigation into the BBC’s Red Nose Day telethon after the fundraiser sparked more than 150 complaints.
The Comic Relief show was criticised on social media for pre-watershed profanity and sound problems.
Several moments on the show – including when Vic Reeves flashed a fake penis at Susanna Reid before the 9pm watershed and when host Russell Brand responded to a technical glitch by saying “f***ing hell” live on air – sparked controversy.
Ofcom said that most of the complaints it received related to content rather than technical issues.
A spokesman said: “We have received 151 complaints about Comic Relief. We will assess these complaints before deciding whether to investigate.”
Highlights of the Friday night telethon, on BBC1 and BBC2, included the Love Actually sequel, starring Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley and Colin Firth.
But viewers complained on Twitter about the use of swearwords before the watershed, including during a Mrs Brown’s Boys skit with former JLS star AstonMerrygold.
One viewer said: “The worst Red Nose Day I’ve ever watched. Not one funny sketch and two different ’comedians’ swearing before watershed. Disgusting.”
A skit involving Good Morning Britain star Reid, in which she was jokingly interviewed by Reeves and BobMortimer in character as The Stotts, drew negative comments after Reeves flashed a fake penis between his legs under a kilt.
“So Reeves and Mortimer exposing a fake penis to Susanna Reid, talking weird and making her uncomfortable is supposed to be funny?” a viewer said.
Some of the segments were difficult to hear due to the “diabolical” audio. Host Sir Lenny Henry was even forced to ask the studio audience at London’s O2 Arena to be quiet.
“The worst Red Nose Day I’ve ever watched”