Humour will evolve but meanwhile we will muddle through

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/16/humour-evolve-meanwhile-muddle-through

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Will there be laughter in diverse Britain? There will, as there has always been. But it will evolve, as it has evolved. Mother-in-law jokes have come and gone, as have Irish stereotypes. Bernard Manning died, taking many a Pakistani jibe with him.

There will be grumbles about political correctness, for those who prized the right to offend grieve for the power and status it gave them, but the majority will continue to muddle through, trying not to truly offend or take gratuitous offence and trying not to be too sombre.

Occasionally someone will have to adjudicate. Only recently, a reader took an issue relating to the Radio 4 programme I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue to the BBC complaints department. The way it was dealt with was interesting. “We understand you found it offensive that one of the panellists should suggest that one way to get your child into a popular primary school was to ‘black them up’,” came the reply. “It is a recognised and traditional part of British humour to make jokes about foreigners and people within the British Isles. For example, the English are lampooned as ‘stuck up’ and superior in their attitude to other races.

“One can argue that telling jokes about any race is wrong, but usually such jokes are affectionate and free from malice. I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue is a comedy programme and is introduced with the words ‘radio’s daftest half hour’ and it intends no offence with its often zany brand of humour.” All this is true. But it does skirt the line. In the same programme the question was asked: “How do you get people to put money directly into your bank account?” The answer proferred was: “Apply for Nigerian citizenship.”

In the event, the reader’s complaint wasn’t quite accurate, a fact the BBC itself failed to notice. On replaying the broadcast, I found that the question was, “How can I ensure my child stands out in the interview for a place at the local private school?” To which came the answer: “Black him up.” Which might be heard as a snide reference to some form of racial preference, but was probably a dig at the relative lack of diversity in private schools.

So the BBC gets the benefit of the doubt. Still, let’s hear no more about a corporation in the grip of lefties.