BBC removes 11 Mitchell and Webb comedy sketches from iPlayer
The BBC has removed 11 sketches from the comedy series 'That Mitchell and Webb Look' from its iPlayer platform, citing that the content no longer aligns with modern standards. The decision has sparked debate regarding editorial censorship versus the evolution of cultural sensitivity in comedy.
Why it matters
The move highlights the ongoing tension between preserving historical media and updating content to reflect contemporary social values.
By Paul Glynn Culture reporter Published 25 minutes ago The BBC has removed nearly a dozen comedy sketches from That Mitchell and Webb Look after deciding they no longer "work today".
The Bafta-winning comedy, starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, originally ran for four seasons between 2006 and 2010.
The show recently returned to the BBC's iPlayer to mark its 20th anniversary. But 11 old sketches, including one that reportedly showed the comedy duo satirising racism while in blackface, have now been cut.
A BBC spokesman said in a statement: "This is a 20-year-old sketch show; in consultation with the programme makers, we have included the ones that still work today and not the ones that don't."
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