John Cleese, the iconic British comedian, recently criticized the BBC for its overly cautious approach to comedy, labeling the network as “cowardly” for its fear of offending audiences.
During a conversation with The Radio Times, the famed actor from Monty Python and creator of Fawlty Towers expressed his dissatisfaction, suggesting that the BBC is “excessively swayed by the extreme sensitivity of the very woke crowd.”
He pointed out: “A large portion of comedic material is immediately shelved because the executives are too scared to receive complaint calls during their dinner. They fail to understand that it’s common to tease and mock those you actually care about.”
Cleese shared these thoughts following a meeting where his proposals were turned down by the BBC. He went on to mockingly refer to a high-ranking BBC official as a “clown.”
“The current leadership is completely out of touch. Both the writers and the British public deserve better,” asserted Cleese.
At 85 years old, Cleese revealed that his project pitches didn’t resonate with the BBC, which rather proposed an uninspired idea involving “Basil Fawlty aboard a ship or something similar.”
Fawlty Towers, starring Cleese as the unforgettable Basil Fawlty, has seen a resurgence with a new stage adaptation in London’s West End, and in 2023, Cleese announced that a television revival was being developed at Rob Reiner’s Castle Rock Entertainment.
While Cleese didn’t provide further details on the television reboot, he has previously mentioned his reluctance to collaborate with the BBC on the project due to concerns over creative autonomy.
Despite only being on air for two seasons, which ended in 1979, Fawlty Towers continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest British comedies of all time, frequently topping lists.
The BBC chose not to respond to Cleese’s comments. However, those familiar with the broadcaster’s recent comedy successes cite shows like Gavin & Stacey: The Finale and Ludwig as evidence of its achievements.
Cleese’s critique of the BBC is not new. In 2018, he lambasted the leadership of the BBC as being “completely clueless,” and he has repeatedly criticized the network for not frequently rebroadcasting Monty Python.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
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