Formulaic

[poliphilo]

Judy was telling me about an episode of Boston Legal in which Bill Shatner's character was making inappropriate remarks about a midget.

What an arse!

And last night, on Extras, Stephen Merchant's character was also making inappropriate remarks about a midget.

I spot a trend.

Or maybe not a trend, because this kind of p.c.-mocking humour is now mainstream to the point of becoming bland. 

I think I'm getting tired of it.

I'm not going to try and deconstruct it because it would make my brain hurt, but isn't there a case for saying these guys are having it both ways?

I like Extras. Last week's episode with David Bowie was sublime. But this week? Bring on the midget, bring on the  Down's syndrome kid;  make jokes about them (heh, heh, heh, mongs gurgle when they eat) but turn it round so the joke is really on the jokers- ironic, eh?   And then have Gervais kick the midget unconscious. 

Whatever...

Comments

I read somewhere...

[jubal51394.livejournal.com]

"There is nothing new under the sun..."

Re: I read somewhere...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The first shock-comedy on Brit TV was a rather wonderful thing called Til Death Do Us Part back in the 60s.

Week after week anti-hero Alf Garnett fought with his lefty son-in-law (played by the guy who is now Tony Blair's father-in-law) called his long-suffering wife "a silly old moo" and ranted about coons, darkies and yids.

You guys bought the concept, watered it down and broadcast it as All In the Family.