Why must we all be such killjoys? Why so prudish? Why so terrified of history? In the dock this week, accused of crimes against common sense, are the bods at Ofcom, whose ‘guidance’, say broadcasters, means that Carry On films are now under threat.
It appears the Carry On films have made the unpardonable error of reflecting the social and cultural norms of their time rather than having the foresight to mirror those of half a century later
In fact, niche broadcasters of older films – and where else can you watch a Carry On film these days? – are so terrified of earning Ofcom’s wrath that they feel obliged to butcher the films by removing language and scenes that were once just jolly good seaside fun. It’s like taking the cheese and pickle out of a cheese and pickle sarnie.
We might ask what Carry On films have ever done to hurt anyone, and what crime they might have committed.
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