For anyone in the UK interested the repeat of part 1 is on BBC 3 tonight at 21:30 .

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 44): Quoting Bongodog1964 (Reply 38): The entire basis of comedy is to "act out the negative sterotypes of minorities" Are you seriously suggesting that the only things you find funny are jokes that take the piss out of the perceived negative qualities of minorities? In your view, what's the funniest joke you know about black people? What about homosexuals? It seems you've invented your own definition of comedy, which is fine, but it appears that you limit the definition of comedy to attacking minorities. I find it worrying that you only laugh at minority groups, for (what you see as) their negative qualities.

You really don't get it do you ?

A comedian raises a laugh by picking on a minority trait of some sort, a red head joke raises a laugh from all the non red heads, a blonde joke is funny to all bar the dumb blondes in the audience, essex girl jokes tend to raise a laugh from all bar essex girls for some reason. Mother in laws don't tend to see the funny side of mother in law jokes.

All of the above are minorities. For some strange reason you seem to think that the only minorities of interest to comedians are either black or homosexual.

Quoting U2380 (Reply 46): No. It's not racist, at no time were Japanese tourists shown to be inferior in any way, at no point were they shown to be discriminated against because they were Japanese

Perhaps, but I don't see anything particularly positive in their portrayal, and the entire joke is their race.

Quoting U2380 (Reply 46): Anyway were you not the one saying that the show wasn't racist in the first place?

I don't think it goes that far, but still, the Japanese sketch has to be interpreted pretty loosely to be considered not racist. The joke is their race.

Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 49): I will stick to my statement, that most racial stereotypes in comedy are not only funny, but mostly true.

You haven't stuck by your statement. Your original statement was:

Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 25): We all have negative stereotypes where race is concerned. Much of them as true as you can get

So I ask you again, which negative racial staterotypes do you think are mostly true?

Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 49): When we can no longer laugh at ourselves, we are pathetic

I agree with this, but this isn't a case of ethnic minorities laughing at themselves, it's a case of rich white men making fun of ethnic minorities.

Quoting Bongodog1964 (Reply 51): A comedian raises a laugh by picking on a minority trait of some sort, a red head joke raises a laugh from all the non red heads, a blonde joke is funny to all bar the dumb blondes in the audience, essex girl jokes tend to raise a laugh from all bar essex girls for some reason. Mother in laws don't tend to see the funny side of mother in law jokes.

Again I am amazed by this view! You seem to have the idea that all comedy is taking the piss out of a particular minority group. I ask you again, given you think that the only funny jokes are the ones that mock the perceived negative qualities of minorities, what are the funniest jokes you know about black people, or gay people?

Or are they somehow excluded from your strange definition of comedy as "to act out the negative stereotypes of minorities"?

Part 2 on BBC HD tonight     

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 53): and the entire joke is their race

On the contrary. Not all Japanese were ridiculed in the sketch but a certain group who may dress in a certain way and behave in a certain way. There was no suggestion that all Japanese are teenage groupies. Again, why pick on race and ignore the other categories that could be questioned: the portrayal of female, catholic and gay staff were hardly complimentary. Personally, I find it humorous that you find no problem with the suggestion that a gay, Irish catholic flight attendant might throw a baby into an over-head bin.

In yet another post you refer to "rich white men". My question has to be what is it that you really find objectionable? Is it that they are rich? Is it that they are white? Is it that they are men? I am not sure if there is a politically correct "ism" to define people who discriminate against people who are rich, but I believe the terms "racism" and "sexism" might cover the other two objections. The rich bit might simply be jealously.

While I recognise that there is a difference between a group laughing at itself and other people outside the group laughing about that group, it is equally an "ism" to say that only the group is allowed to laugh if they are the ones cracking the joke. We end up with only women allowed to laugh at jokes told by women about women; gays are the only ones allowed to find the antics of other gays funny; ethnic minorities are the only ones allowed to look at the behaviours of that minority. Such "speciation" of humour is perhaps the worst "ism" of all. I assume that you are not rich, so never, ever repeat the joke about the Tories being the cream of Britain - rich, thick and full of clots. Only Tories are allowed to tell that joke otherwise it is "toryism". And we should discriminate on the grounds of wealth or political affiliation, should we?

Quoting Quokka (Reply 55): Not all Japanese were ridiculed in the sketch but a certain group who may dress in a certain way and behave in a certain way.

Are you seriously suggesting that this is an accurate portrayal of some Japanese people? No, it's an exaggerated stereotype to make a point, and the stereotype is negative at best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRQAdLGKcmY

Quoting Quokka (Reply 55): Personally, I find it humorous that you find no problem with the suggestion that a gay, Irish catholic flight attendant might throw a baby into an over-head bin

It's not suggested that he threw the baby into the over-head bin because he was gay, Irish or catholic.

Quoting Quokka (Reply 55): In yet another post you refer to "rich white men". My question has to be what is it that you really find objectionable?

This isn't an edgy satire of airport culture, nor an attempt to make light of one's own culture. The fact is that we have two people who live incredibly comfortable lives, never have to travel Ryanair, never had to work the jobs they're ridiculing and are not part of a racial minority, yet they are making quite severe observations of all those things. They have no idea of the cultures they are ridiculing and appear to approach with the idea of 'let's laugh at these poor people, stupid people or people who have a different skin colour to us'.

I guess people are getting Too sensitive these days.
Especially for comedy.....Remember "Mind your Language"....It was popular.

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 56): Are you seriously suggesting that this is an accurate portrayal of some Japanese people?

Are you seriously suggesting that while British people may travel all over the place in pursuit of their idols and may do silly things in the process, Japanese people don't?

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 56): It's not suggested that he threw the baby into the over-head bin because he was gay, Irish or catholic.

It was pure coincidence, maybe? Why go to great lengths to identify him as such only to conclude with a baby being chucked into a locker? All of these characterisations were immaterial to the disregard for a baby's safety or comfort.

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 56): two people who live incredibly comfortable lives, never have to travel Ryanair, never had to work the jobs they're ridiculing and are not part of a racial minority, yet they are making quite severe observations

I am not privy to the personal financial circumstances of the comedians. For all I know they could be up to the eyeballs in debt. But you appear to be saying that nobody who is not directly involved with aviation, blah blah blah, can ever be a base their comedy in these fields. Most comedians have never been a member of the Royal Family or a member of Parliament. Should that stop comedians making jokes about either? Such a position would have ensured that "Yes Minister" would never have been broadcast.

How drab life is becoming.

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 57):

'Til Death U Do Part was also popular. It was toe-curling. That series would certainly not have passed muster anno 2011. Compared with Alf Garnet's 'pearls of wisdom', Come Fly With Me is a teddy bears' picnic.

Indeed, life is becoming drab.

My Family is a decent comedy without even a tiniest smidgeon of bigotry. Unless someone else knows better .......

Quoting Quokka (Reply 58): It was pure coincidence, maybe? Why go to great lengths to identify him as such only to conclude with a baby being chucked into a locker? All of these characterisations were immaterial to the disregard for a baby's safety or comfort.

Was this effort not made because a) this airline is clearly a jibe at FR, hence the 'Irishness' and the Catholic-ness b) It is a common conception within the general public that a lot of male FAs are gay - whether true or not, for the vast majority of the audience it makes it funny. ?

BAguy

Quoting RobertNL070 (Reply 59): 'Til Death U Do Part was also popular

Classic comedy  

And let us not forget Anglo-Indian comedy which I also love :

Cast of Good Gracious Me "going out for an English"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huSP7PtctC4


Father Christmas? Indian!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEldpMQGfYE&feature=related

Why the Queen is Indian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYY8MAAep3Y&feature=related

Goodness Gracious Me Gay Son

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_C6Q9KLJbs

Punjabi Girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-hgI...1&list=PL73C7B03D8FB1D0A1&index=23

Just watching the latest instalment of this rubbish on BBC1. Sorry, it just is not funny - so unoriginal, painful viewing.

LOL

Tonight's is on now, some crackers  

Taaj: I'm sorry madam the flight is cancelled because one of the stewards is a batty-boy and he just found out his boyfriend was cheating with someone else, and he hasn't stopped crying, so we had to cancel the flight
Passenger: That's ridiculous! I demand a refund!
Taaj: You see we can't give a refund 'cos it's an act of God innit!
Passenger: Well that's not an act of God!
Taaj: It is an act of God, 'cos God made him a batty didn't he!

 

I Tell you what!

This comedy with it's aircraft, cockpits and radio calls in the aircraft are a heck of a lot more realistic than Air Crash Investigations.

.....no, it's not getting any funnier.....

Quoting fca767 (Reply 64): I Tell you what! This comedy with it's aircraft, cockpits and radio calls in the aircraft are a heck of a lot more realistic than Air Crash Investigations.

Lol I was thinking exactly that, well at least until the first officer asks ATC "Are you on Facebook, you sound really nice?"

 

Quoting noelg (Reply 66): Lol I was thinking exactly that, well at least until the first officer asks ATC "Are you on Facebook, you sound really nice?"

HAHA! i'm not the only one then  (Is this filmed in Heathrow T5 before it opened?) Well you need to listen to JFK ATC  that goes a bit off the record a bit sometimes  
HAHA! DAVID SCHWIMMER! Is in the new episode  

[Edited 2011-01-01 13:33:25]

Quoting noelg (Reply 63): Taaj: I'm sorry madam the flight is cancelled because one of the stewards is a batty-boy and he just found out his boyfriend was cheating with someone else, and he hasn't stopped crying, so we had to cancel the flight Passenger: That's ridiculous! I demand a refund! Taaj: You see we can't give a refund 'cos it's an act of God innit! Passenger: Well that's not an act of God! Taaj: It is an act of God, 'cos God made him a batty didn't he!

      Yes that was very funny.

Funny as ever. The nightstop scene was funny ( Some of the stories I hear lol)

How the hell have they got David Schwimmer to do this scene with the trannie porn haha

Quoting lhr380 (Reply 69): Funny as ever. The nightstop scene was funny ( Some of the stories I hear lol) How the hell have they got David Schwimmer to do this scene with the trannie porn haha

HAHA! I know  

Quoting fca767 (Reply 67): Is this filmed in Heathrow T5 before it opened?

Most of it looks like STN, which wouldn't surprise me as they seem to do a lot of filming there. Sad when I recognise various parts of the airport in the background  

Quoting lhr380 (Reply 69): How the hell have they got David Schwimmer to do this scene with the trannie porn haha

I know we were just discussing that! "It's for Matt LeBlanc"  

Another great episode  

Quoting noelg (Reply 71): Most of it looks like STN, which wouldn't surprise me as they seem to do a lot of filming there. Sad when I recognise various parts of the airport in the background

Really! STN looks very new...I don't know london airports except for the obvious airline and airport shows.

I recognise manchester airport, just by looking at a panel on a wall lol

Embarrassingly weak. I love comedy. This sucked.

Quoting noelg (Reply 71): Another great episode

Not a fan of the photographers, bit boring but loving all the other ones. Anyone catch the FR bit lol

I have to say it was no where near as good as last week's - Taaj was the best.

BAguy

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 53): Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 49): I will stick to my statement, that most racial stereotypes in comedy are not only funny, but mostly true. I find that they are, writers, comedians are very good at pointing them out. You haven't stuck by your statement. Your original statement w Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 25): We all have negative stereotypes where race is concerned. Much of them as true as you can get. I stick by my statements, we all have many funny traits, not so funny traits, every group has them. Comedy, and this was comedy, do not forget that is great at picking them, shaping them and making us aware of them. So I ask you again, which negative racial stereotypes do you think are mostly true? I have a sense of humor, I do not try to sensationalize, twist, politicize comedy. You seem to have a problem, I do not. Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 49): When we can no longer laugh at ourselves, we are pathetic I agree with this, but this isn't a case of ethnic minorities laughing at themselves, it's a case of rich white men making fun of ethnic minorities.

Lighten up, deal with it, as has every minority in history in the US. It has also made us strong, laughter, the ability to see ourselves as others do, through comedy. I guess you have never heard a non-white comedian make a joke about another ethnic, racial group. I seriously doubt it.

Quoting RussianJet (Reply 72): Embarrassingly weak.

Couldn't have said it better myself. It was toe-curlingly weak.

Victoria Woods' portrait of the early years of Eric Morcambe and Ernie Wise on BBC-2 was however excellent.

Just watched it on the iplayer in HD. Enjoyed it a lot more than last week, my face hurts a bit now. I think we gather that Mr Russianjet doesn't like it very much.

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 52): Quoting Bongodog1964 (Reply 51): A comedian raises a laugh by picking on a minority trait of some sort, a red head joke raises a laugh from all the non red heads, a blonde joke is funny to all bar the dumb blondes in the audience, essex girl jokes tend to raise a laugh from all bar essex girls for some reason. Mother in laws don't tend to see the funny side of mother in law jokes. Again I am amazed by this view! You seem to have the idea that all comedy is taking the piss out of a particular minority group. I ask you again, given you think that the only funny jokes are the ones that mock the perceived negative qualities of minorities, what are the funniest jokes you know about black people, or gay people? Or are they somehow excluded from your strange definition of comedy as "to act out the negative stereotypes of minorities"?

Yesterday I went to see a pantomime, the star of the show is Bradley Walsh, variously he picked on people because of where they lived, their voice, hair physical shape (lack of it) etc. They were all minorities, because they had something which was different to the vast majority of the audience, thus the audience laughed. This is the comedy that the vast majority go to see and enjoy. Even the so called left wing politically correct comedians of the 1980's picked on people because their middle class right wing views didn't coincide with their's.

You still don't get it do you ? by your rules there would be no comedy at all. You must be one of the most po faced miserable people on this planet.

Quoting MasterBean (Reply 77): I think we gather that Mr Russianjet doesn't like it very much.

Glad you noticed. And I speak as someone who still regularly watches the early Little Britain episodes and finds them s hilarious as ever. For people who came out with classic material like that, they should be thoroughly ashamed of this current 'offering'.

Quoting RussianJet (Reply 79): For people who came out with classic material like that, they should be thoroughly ashamed of this current 'offering'.

I did watch all the early Little Britains, but maybe I'm just more easily amused.

Quoting noelg (Reply 9): What a ridiculous story, wouldn't expect any less from the "Daily Heil" though.

Couldn't agree more, noelg. As soon as I saw the thread, I knew the Daily Mail would have something to do with it. It is such a right wing publication, that it is not happy with anything that is not considered quintisentially English.

Come Fly With Me is nothing more than a hillarious comedy programme with really mocks all those reality TV shows set in airports and airlines. It is a very funny programme indeed!

Quoting Quokka (Reply 57): Are you seriously suggesting that while British people may travel all over the place in pursuit of their idols and may do silly things in the process, Japanese people don't?

No, I'm not. Back to my question:

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 55): Quoting Quokka (Reply 55): Not all Japanese were ridiculed in the sketch but a certain group who may dress in a certain way and behave in a certain way. Are you seriously suggesting that this is an accurate portrayal of some Japanese people? No, it's an exaggerated stereotype to make a point, and the stereotype is negative at best.

Quoting Quokka (Reply 57): All of these characterisations were immaterial to the disregard for a baby's safety or comfort.

Yes, exactly my point. In the Japanese sketch, their race had everything to do with the joke.

Quoting noelg (Reply 62): Tonight's is on now, some crackers Taaj: I'm sorry madam the flight is cancelled because one of the stewards is a batty-boy and he just found out his boyfriend was cheating with someone else, and he hasn't stopped crying, so we had to cancel the flight Passenger: That's ridiculous! I demand a refund! Taaj: You see we can't give a refund 'cos it's an act of God innit! Passenger: Well that's not an act of God! Taaj: It is an act of God, 'cos God made him a batty didn't he

Ali G was invented ten years ago. Plagerism is the sincerest form of flattery.

That being said, "Airport" first aired 15 years ago. Nothing like modern comedy.

Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 75): Lighten up, deal with it

Back to my question:

Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 25): We all have negative stereotypes where race is concerned. Much of them as true as you can get

Which 'negative racial stereotypes' are 'as true as you can get'? Why do you refuse to answer this simple question?

Quoting Bongodog1964 (Reply 78): Yesterday I went to see a pantomime, the star of the show is Bradley Walsh, variously he picked on people because of where they lived, their voice, hair physical shape (lack of it) etc. They were all minorities, because they had something which was different to the vast majority of the audience, thus the audience laughed. This is the comedy that the vast majority go to see and enjoy. Even the so called left wing politically correct comedians of the 1980's picked on people because their middle class right wing views didn't coincide with their's

Great, but back to my point:

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 52): You seem to have the idea that all comedy is taking the piss out of a particular minority group. I ask you again, given you think that the only funny jokes are the ones that mock the perceived negative qualities of minorities, what are the funniest jokes you know about black people, or gay people? Or are they somehow excluded from your strange definition of comedy as "to act out the negative stereotypes of minorities"?

An anecdote doesn't go anywhere near confirming your definition of comedy as 'acting out the negative stereotypes of minorities'. Why do you refuse to answer this simple question?

Quoting MWHCVT (Reply 4): I get increasingly frustrated by the country that I live in

You join me then. I can't stand this country for it's over sensitive and knee jerk reaction ways to a few who complain, web a complaint isn't even necessary. I read somewhere only the other day thay an advert was pulled in the UK because 3 people, and that's not a misprint it was only 3 people, complained about it. How can a society function like that?

The list of programmes made years ago that wouldn't be made now is extensive. Certainly programmes such as Monty python wouldn't be commissioned. I'm even tempted to say the office (uk version) which is my favourite ever sitcom, would struggle to get commissioned were it to be made now. when you consider some of the lines/scenes it includes and issues it raises. Were it to be made now It certainly would be watered down a lot and that's a very sad thought.

It's about time people lightened up a little and started having a laugh. What a sad country we live in.

I watched the second episode. Pretty weak after the first ten minutes.

Btw, why does every couple they portray have a horrible passive-aggressive dominating wife and a henpecked husband? Getting VERY old.

The only really funny parts were the FlyLo flatbeds and Taaj.

Quoting 777236ER (Reply 82): Ali G was invented ten years ago.

Ha ha. I was about to point that out. He's basically just a Northern Ali G...but without the ingenious live interviewing techniques.

Just watched the first episode (thanks for the YouTube links) and found it mildly amusing but not sidesplittingly funny. I suspect that it's difficult for comedians to maintain the level of humour in such sketch comedies because surprise and the shock of looking at something in a different way is an integral part of good humour (although many sit comslike to telegraph jokes in advance and so lack such humour - yawn). The more we become familiar with comedians the harder it is for them to surprise.

I'll still watch the rest of it. Anything for a bit of a laugh. Though I'll keep exposing my 2 year old to The Goodies first.  

I found the best place to appreciate LB: USA or LB: Abroad is inflight - something to do with oxygen levels to the brain.   Watched the entire series of LB: USA on a Qantas flight SIN-LHR and was highly amused.

Comedy involving stereotypes is often very amusing in my opinion. The important thing to realise is that people are not stereotypes (unfortunately, many do not realise this). Stereotypes are usually acts that people put on, sometimes unknowingly, often by emulation. Hopefully some comedic analysis of a stereotype will encourage the followers to show a bit more individuality. Think for yourself!

If you want a giggle, have a play around with FlyLo's online check-in on the BBC website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/comeflywithme/checkin/. Also look at Omar's presentation of his new executive lounge  

No, not a race row at all, just the Daily Mail's continued obsession with the BBC.
And who the hell are they to EVER cite racial insensitivity?

The audience figures were positive, the so called Mail campaign is them and a few of their more swivel eyed readers - the ones to actually take seriously anything they print.

I saw the first one, funny at times, not unduly impressed, certainly nothing for anyone to get their knickers in a twist about, unless they fully intended to do so.

Comedy has to take risks to evolve, otherwise imagine the future of the genre - a blankly grinning Micheal McIntyre on your screens, forever.

Offence is in the eye of the beholder - 30 years ago fundamentalists and other joy of life haters castigated The Life Of Brian , today the same ones say but they'd never do that to the Muslim faith, wouldn't dare to.

Step forward satire national treasure Chris Morris, with his film last year, Four Lions , a blackly comic look at a bunch of dumbly deluded British Islamist extremists plotting a terror attack.
As Life Of Brian had lampooned the negative aspects of blind Christian (and religious in general) faith, so Four Lions mocked the homicidal aspects of another distortion of a faith.
Morris got the idea from sitting in the public gallery of a major trial of bomb plotters - now facing decades at Her Majesties Pleasure. What struck Morris was just how ignorant, self centred, childish and plain narcissistic they were, like his fictional creations, still dangerous, but fundamentally absurd.

This sort of thing is not the stock in trade of Walliams and Lucas (accusing them of racism is absurd too), what they do is not intended to be.
Diversity in comedy too please, even a space for McIntyre as much as I hate to admit it.

Want offensive - but offensive to everyone most of all the comedian himself, get yourself to a Gerry Sadowitz gig, I'm off to one soon, just like last year and several times for years back - you'll not call Walliams and Lucas offensive after that.
Or don't, if that's not your thing, that's your choice, not some rabble rousing tabloid.

OMG tonights has to be the funniest yet       The customs officers and the air rage passengers in First Class and the immigrtion officer , classic .

"But he decided not to let him in anyway, because he was French"
HAHA

Who did they not take the mick out of tonight. Welsh, French, Baggage men etc lol

Glad the photographers are not in it tonight, they were crap

Part 4 on now BBC HD / BBC 1 only two more parts left after this one  

I thought that the two pilots were actually funny for the first time tonight..
Probably just me though.  

Quoting U2380 (Reply 91): I thought that the two pilots were actually funny for the first time tonight.. Probably just me though.

I didnt enjoy it as much tonight , didnt really find it as funny as the others. The pilots were probably the funniest tonight though.

Quoting oa260 (Reply 92):

The gag with Precious is getting a bit old.

Have watched two episodes on the iplayer in hd and two on the box, found the ones on the computer funny and the ones on the tv cringeworth funny. Anyhow.

I love this show, I'm in no way offended by it (and my partner and I fit one or more of the 'stereotypes' they portray). I would take things like this with a pinch of salt, it always amazes me how far up their own arse people get with things like this. I see plenty of stuff on TV I don't agree with, but that doesn't want to make me call and complain about everything that they deem to be 'racist' or 'inappropriate'. People forget that they aren't being forced to watch a particular programme, and can quite easily change the channel.

I think everyone needs to chill out, and watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovF1zsDoeM&feature=related

Cheers

MCO 2 BRS

Quoting MCO2BRS (Reply 95): I love this show, I'm in no way offended by it (and my partner and I fit one or more of the 'stereotypes' they portray). I would take things like this with a pinch of salt, it always amazes me how far up their own arse people get with things like this. I see plenty of stuff on TV I don't agree with, but that doesn't want to make me call and complain about everything that they deem to be 'racist' or 'inappropriate'. People forget that they aren't being forced to watch a particular programme, and can quite easily change the channel.

100% agree!!

Quoting MCO2BRS (Reply 95): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovF1zsDoeM&feature=related

Funny as always

Maybe the reason I did not take to it is that as a parody of shows like 'Airport', it's a bit old hat.
That documentary was a major feature on terrestrial TV a decade or more ago, so to me at least, much of any satire about that sort of program is blunted.

It's also a bit 'Little Britain 2.0', could not Walliams and Lucas try a sitcom? Hopefully a daring one, Walliams seems to have the acting chops as well as the comedic ones, I guess I just wanted something different from them this time.

Quoting GDB (Reply 97): Maybe the reason I did not take to it is that as a parody of shows like 'Airport', it's a bit old hat

Thats the whole point of the show. They are taking the mic out of the show, and the staff and passengers in an airport.

Quoting lhr380 (Reply 98): Thats the whole point of the show. They are taking the mic out of the show, and the staff and passengers in an airport.

Yes, as stated though, 'Airport' is not a prime time doc now and has not been one for years, I wonder if they were stuck for a follow up to the various Little Britain style shows and so maybe dusted off material they'd written years before and tweaked it with a few more up to date references.