Was Mary Whitehouse right all along?
Last updated 12:38, Thursday, 06 November 2008
MODERN comedians seem to get away with anything and everything - or at least they did until Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross overstepped the mark on the BBC. Today, reporter MOLLY LYNCH asks whether shock comedy and smut should be canned for good. She finds Furness entertainers arguing for a return to traditional humour
FOR decades, television and radio was the home of old-fashioned family entertainment.
But as times have moved on, the face of the world of entertainment has changed and with it censorship has been relaxed.
Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand were suspended from the BBC last week after making a series of prank phone calls to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs on air.
And Jeremy Clarkson hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when the Top Gear presenter joked about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes on Sunday’s BBC2 show.
More than 500 people have complained to the BBC about Clarkson’s remarks.
Now a debate is raging in Furness about the state of entertainment on TV and the radio – and whether there needs to be a return to good, clean comedy.
Pete Murphy, morning radio show presenter on Abbey FM said: “I think that there really is no place for that sort of material on the radio or television. I heard what went out on Radio Two and it was just not funny.
“The BBC has a responsibility, a duty to produce quality entertainment. How anybody thought that was acceptable is unbelievable. This new wave of alternative comedy goes too far.”
Mr Murphy believes that presenters and broadcasters have a responsibility to know when they are overstepping the mark.
He said: “I know I present a morning show, so it is a different situation, but still I would never dream of talking about anything like that.
“In the eighties, Mary Whitehouse campaigned against swearing on radio and television, but these days it goes much further than just swearing.”
Barrow Borough Councillor for South Walney David Marcus is one of the area’s best-known entertainers.
He said: “I have never really been a fan of new wave comics. To me the greatest comedians are the likes of Ken Dodd and Les Dawson, both of whom I have worked with. Years ago comedy did not set out to be offensive and it was still funny.”
He believes the majority of the public enjoy old-fashioned entertainment.
He said: “On shows like The X Factor people are laughed at, but they allow themselves to be subjected to it, Brand and Ross were targeting an individual – it was like bullying.”
When you watch tv through a childs eye you would see that so much of it has undertones that should not be there. Can we only find things funny if there is a sexual or swearing reference ? That is very sad.
Fern Britain on Paul O'Grady today put her fingers up..they blotted it out with a star but it was obvious what she had done. It was 5pm, well before the so called watershed. Its hardly surprising children swear and are more sexually aware that they were years ago. Also advertising later shows before 9pm should not be allowed if they are only suitable to be broadcast after 9pm. TanyaView all comments on this article
Have your say
Marie Whitehouse was a self appointed busy body,who couldn't handle the sex issue in normal peoples lives.
There is a difference between being a good citizen,and giving your personal opinion to how Adults should behave in public.
Very few people in their right mind,want to listen to the dribble,that Jonathan Ross and
his side kick blasted out.
But Mary Whitehouse was from an era,where everything sexual was wrong,and she wanted
others to follow her miserable way of life.
Mary Whitehouse would have been proud of Mrs Buckett,the way she treats her down trodden husband Richard.
A prime example how dear old Mary wanted all men to be treated.
Sex over thirty to be abolished,and for the men to become slaves of women.
Posted by r dawson on 25 December 2008 kl. 11:36