BBC1 Apology over Carrott Confidential (Jasper Carrott) 1986

In light of the recent furore over the Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross 'jape' at the expense of Andrew Sachs, one wonders how far Spitting Image would have got if it had launched in 2008. Not far, most probably. Maybe even Jasper Carrott and The Mary Whitehouse Experience would have been kept off our screens.

To see the short and sedate manner in which such situations were 'put to bed' back in the more level-headed days of 1986, here is a clip that shows such offence could just as easily be caused way back then, but didn't warrant pages of newsprint for weeks at a time. The BBC1 apology is carefully worded to come across as genuine yet at the same time indicate that they clearly think the complaint was an overzealous response. Quite interesting clip in the context of the current national mood.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Jasper Carrott
• Carrott Confidential
• BBC
• Apology
• Denzyl Davies
• Complaint
• yt:quality=high

[RobinCarmody]

It should also be mentioned that Denzil Davies was a Labour MP ...

Had it been a Tory the Mail/Sun would probably have stirred up more fuss even back then ...

[MarshCountryErrant]

RIP Beeb. The programmes were better then too.

[clowncollege90]

Shit I missed Bergerac!

[pompeypirate]

The BBC should have apologised for broadcasting anything that featured Jasper 'As Funny As A Kick In The Balls' Carrott in the first place!

[stevepjk]

thought this was when the programme made fun of the shooting of steven waldolf in a sketch which was much worse, i wont go into it

[stevepjk]

@MRSPIKE001

you think you're old, I was 16 in 1986, he he

Jasper Carrot is in his 60s now

[JFredUK]

Back when the BBC were still making programmes that you knew at a glance were on the BBC.  Nowadays, they try to emulate/copy Sky and ITV, 'dumbing down', so much that there's got to be something either loud, brash or, 'exciting',on the screen every 3 seconds as a way of trying to keep the viewers' attentions. Give me the more reserved, 'I can manage to spend a minute or two watching without expecting to be distracted by some gimmick/loud noise, thank you very much', style of TV, any day.

[louisfriendhastaste]

I thought this was the BBC apologising for showing Jasper Carrot and claiming it was comedy!

[MrTommydbone]

Is that when Jasper later referred to this MP as being "pissed as a fart" in the House of Commons? And went on to say "he sued me....and won! .....Bastard!"? LOL

[caxtonman]

@welshfilmbuff The track is called Hocus Pocus by the band Focus! Sorry I'm a year late!

[1avonne]

1986??? wow that's when i was born!!