4 days ago
Classic sitcom becomes latest show slapped with woke trigger warning for ‘discriminatory language' in Christmas special
CLASSIC sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em has been slapped with a warning by the BBC for its Christmas Day special from 1975.
The seasonal special of the second series was titled Learning to Drive, and aired prime time at 6:55pm, featuring festive scenes of Frank Spencer working in Santa's grotto dressed as a pixie.
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But when iconic character Frank performs to children and introduces himself as 'the Chief of the Pixies, the friend of all the little boys and girls', a young boy heckles him on stage, shouting: 'Oh no you're not, you're a poof.'
Frank, played by Michael Crawford, responds: 'I beg your pardon? Block your ears. I'll remember your face - you needn't bother cleaning your chimney this Christmas.'
His typically calamitous performance as a pixie, in which he plays a bugle and a magic flute, is criticised by Mr Wheeler, played by George Sewell, who gets laughs from the audience for making several quips about 'fairies', which may also be considered outdated humour due to the term's connotations.
The episode now appears on iPlayer with the warning that the episode contains: ' Discriminatory language which some may find offensive.'
The episode also sees Frank attempt to pass his driving test, and show off his shoddy DIY attempts to Any Questions? host David Jacobs when the BBC invites him to appear in a home improvements TV show.
The beloved series ran for three series from 1975 until 1978, and only one episode contains a warning to modern viewers.
Previously, viewers of the The Fast Show have been warned about 'discriminatory language' in a Suits You scene from an episode which aired in February 1996.
It could concern a scene where the series' lusty Middle Aged Guys declare women who rebuffed their advances 'lesbians'.
The Office and Only Fools and Horses are also screened with warnings about their appropriateness for modern audiences.
Channel 4 has previously been branded 'humourless' for flagging a series of Father Ted episodes on its streaming service, and ITV has a similar caution on 1970s comedy George & Mildred.
