It was Alright in the 1970s C4 Program

[AM9]

I doubt on any of the 300 Channels you would find anything as offensive (to some) in terms of racism and sexism in mainstream shows as was demonstrated in Saturdays episode.

I loved it, even some of The Black Characters featured and still alive thought there was nothing wrong with it.

As Derek Griffiths, Kenny Lynch and Roy Hudd indicated, you had to be there to understand how programming could be like that in the '70s. The context of the '70s was that the Race Relations Act was introduced in 1965 and the Sexual Offences Act in 1967. Before those were introduced discrimination was not illegal with the exception of physical violence, and even that was tolerated by some of the police who were hardly guardians of universal morals.
So 10 years later, attitudes had not changed much and TV could easily reflect the popular views of certain types in society if it saw them as a potential audience.

 

[Butts]

As Derek Griffiths, Kenny Lynch and Roy Hudd indicated, you had to be there to understand how programming could be like that in the '70s. The context of the '70s was that the Race Relations Act was introduced in 1965 and the Sexual Offences Act in 1967. Before those were introduced discrimination was not illegal with the exception of physical violence, and even that was tolerated by some of the police who were hardly guardians of universal morals.
So 10 years later, attitudes had not changed much and TV could easily reflect the popular views of certain types in society if it saw them as a potential audience.

I was there, what I was referring to was that the Black Actor found nothing offensive viewing it from today's perspective unlike a lot of the other observers who were not.

 

[yorksrob]

The problem is that broadcasting must be viewed in the context of when it was originally shown. There were comedy programmes that exploited humour at the limit of acceptibility, (e.g. Love Thy Neighbour) and also those that satirised the bigots of the age, (e.g. Until Death Do Us Part). The latter however, backfired on Johnny Speight when the monster that he created becamea spokesman for the bigots.

I remember seeing Johnny Speight expressing his frustration at this on an episode of Pebble Mill once (another blast from the past there).

 

[Butts]

I remember seeing Johnny Speight expressing his frustration at this on an episode of Pebble Mill once (another blast from the past there).

Bob Langley the host - ex Nationwide another blast from the past. He featured in a magazine item from Nationwide in the show on Saturday.....

Being looked after by a bevvie of beauty's - pouring his drink, lighting his fag and god knows what else

 

[yorksrob]

Bob Langley the host - ex Nationwide another blast from the past. He featured in a magazine item from Nationwide in the show on Saturday.....

Being looked after by a bevvie of beauty's - pouring his drink, lighting his fag and god knows what else

I saw that. The whole thing reminded me a little of this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjx2pclJQew

 

[St Rollox]

As Derek Griffiths, Kenny Lynch and Roy Hudd indicated, you had to be there to understand how programming could be like that in the '70s. The context of the '70s was that the Race Relations Act was introduced in 1965 and the Sexual Offences Act in 1967. Before those were introduced discrimination was not illegal with the exception of physical violence, and even that was tolerated by some of the police who were hardly guardians of universal morals.
So 10 years later, attitudes had not changed much and TV could easily reflect the popular views of certain types in society if it saw them as a potential audience.

The Sexual Offences Act 1967 took another 13 years to become law in Scotland.

 

[Butts]

The Sexual Offences Act 1967 took another 13 years to become law in Scotland.

That resulted in a mass exodus to Carlisle and Berwick-Upon-Tweed by the gay men of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Seriously the prosecutions waned from that time onwards

 

[St Rollox]

That resulted in a mass exodus to Carlisle and Berwick-Upon-Tweed by the gay men of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Seriously the prosecutions waned from that time onwards

Suppose it goes to show the UK was never as united as claimed in tv programmes.
Other than blatant racism and homophobia there was a quite nasty cover up of domestic violence.

 

[jon0844]

Covering things up certainly doesn't happen today thankfully.

Oh wait.

 

[yorksrob]

Suppose it goes to show the UK was never as united as claimed in tv programmes.
Other than blatant racism and homophobia there was a quite nasty cover up of domestic violence.

Scotland has always had its own legal system. No one with any knowledge of the constitution has ever claimed otherwise.

 

[IanD]

I saw that. The whole thing reminded me a little of this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjx2pclJQew

Thanks for reminding us just how unfunny Chris Morris and Steve Coogan actually were (and still are).

 

[yorksrob]

Thanks for reminding us just how unfunny Chris Morris and Steve Coogan actually were (and still are).

Always glad to be of help

However, I found "The Day Today " hilarious and would recommend any one to see it if they haven't already.

 

[Deerfold]

Thanks for reminding us just how unfunny Chris Morris and Steve Coogan actually were (and still are).

Presumably that's why they've faded into obscurity.

Oh, wait.

I can see them not being everyone's cup of tea, but personally find them hilarous (and sometimes slightly odd - see "Blue Jam" from back when Radio 1 could cope with surreal comedy, not just a repetitive playlist)

 

[St Rollox]

Scotland has always had its own legal system. No one with any knowledge of the constitution has ever claimed otherwise.

Was thinking more whole sections of the UK public being demeaned rather than the UK constitution.
Pleading ignorance all the way from the top of the BBC or ITV to acts from the club circuit is hardly plausible.
What passed for parts of "light entertainment" in the 1970s could be seen now as hate crime.

 

[IanD]

Presumably that's why they've faded into obscurity.

Oh, wait.

I can see them not being everyone's cup of tea, but personally find them hilarous (and sometimes slightly odd - see "Blue Jam" from back when Radio 1 could cope with surreal comedy, not just a repetitive playlist)

They were neither fresh nor original, only seemed funny at the time because there was nothing better available.

 

[Deerfold]

They were neither fresh nor original, only seemed funny at the time because there was nothing better available.

They're obviously not your cup of tea - as two of us have said we find them very funny your second point doesn't seem to be true.

I listened to the recent repeats of Blue Jam on Radio 4 Extra (on iPlayer) and was most amused (and discomforted at times) dispite there being lots of other comedy available.