Dad’s Army goes on the offensive!
oNE of my favourite tV comedies is Dad’s Army. Watching a repeat on BBC 2, I was amazed there was a pre-broadcast warning about ‘discriminatory language which some may find offensive’. I am part of the Baby Boomer generation and we receive a lot of criticism from young people looking retrospectively at our behaviour, particularly regarding diversity. Well, I believe the general attitude in those days was our great strength. I have been to shows where a stand-up comedian would tell jokes about all nationalities to a diverse audience. they all laughed at each other’s idiosyncrasies and, more importantly, did not take offence. Compare that to these days where we are frightened to have fun and banter for fear of saying the wrong thing and causing upset. In an attempt to create a better world, our woke friends are missing the point.
ALAN PAGE, address supplied. RICHARD LITTLEJOHN was spot on that it’s ridiculous there could be an investigation by ofcom after just one complaint about a showing of rogue’s rock on talking Pictures. this channel shows old films and shows that I enjoy. there is always a warning advising people that the programme may contain references or content that were of the time. If people are likely to be offended, they have the opportunity to switch over to another channel.
COLIN ROUND, Great Witley, Worcs.
I’M FED up with the warnings before old shows and films are broadcast. I enjoy watching Edgar Lustgarten hosting the show scotland Yard from the 1950s and 1960s on talking Pictures. However, I have to ask why I am confronted by a warning that I might be offended because attitudes have changed since I first saw these British film shorts at the cinema. Would we need a warning before the film Flash Gordon because it’s unfair to Ming the Merciless? PHILIP BRANNON, London SE25.
I WATCHED the new BBC sunday drama Bloodlands and found it to be an interesting story until one of the policemen fell when getting out of a boat and used the F-word followed by the C-word. I was shocked, which is not something that happens very often. sadly, the use of the F-word has become commonplace on tV, but this was the first time I’ve heard the other obscenity used on the BBC. How coarse, cheap and vulgar.