C4 to examine controversial comedy

Channel 4 is to stir up controversy with a new season of programmes looking at offensive comedy.

A series of gags about the death of Princess Diana, as part of a 60-minute documentary about The World's Most Offensive Joke, are likely to prove most contentious.

Another show, Hitler: The Comedy Years, will examine Nazi jokes from everyone from Monty Python to Spike Milligan, Freddie Starr and even Prince Harry. When BSkyB aired a spoof sitcom about the Fuhrer, Heil Honey I’m Home in 1990, it attracted a storm of protest.

Other programmes in the series, to air in August, will profile Roy Chubby Brown and chart the furore sparked by Monty Python’s Life Of Brian in 1979.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: 'In an era where cartoons can lead to international rioting and diplomatic breakdowns, some of the UK’s most provocative performers are questioning when subversive humour becomes inflammatory, and debating the conflicts that arise in trying to preserve freedom of speech while demonstrating cultural sensitivity.'

But John Meyer, of pressure group Mediawatch UK, told trade magazine Broadcast that C4 was deliberately ‘producing a compendium of offensiveness’.

He said: ‘How is C4 showing respect by dredging up a few comedians who can tell an offensive joke about Princess Di?’

Published: 20 Apr 2006